Types of Variation
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ScribdTranslationsTypes of Variation
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ScribdTranslationsTYPES OF VARIATION
There are two types of variation observed in the result of most processes, in general,
and in the production of our environment:
Random variation (sometimes known as common or inherent variation)
Systematic variation (sometimes known as assignable or special cause variation)
These two types of variation require a different type of administrative response.
Although one of the objectives of quality management is constant improvement by
reducing inherent variation. This cannot be achieved without changing the process.
And you should not change the process until you are sure that all assignable variation
has been identified and is under control. So the idea is:
If the process is out of control, because some causal variation is still present, identify
and correct the cause of said variation. Then, when the process is already under
control, quality can be improved by redesigning the process to reduce its inherent
variability.
“Variation is the enemy of quality” is an aphorism used by many quality management
programs. So it seems to be a paradox that statistical process control involves the
study of variations.
Ø Assignable variation: non-random and systematic variability of a process. It can
usually be corrected without redesigning the entire process.
Ø Common variation: random variability inherent to a process. It generally cannot be
reduced without redesigning the entire process again.
Ø Special cause variation: another name for assignable variation.
Ø Inherent variation: name given to common variation.
TYPES OF VARIABILITY
Identifiable and random
The causes of process variability are classified into two large groups: random
causes. Variability is caused by random factors (wear of parts, maintenance,
people, measuring equipment, etc.); In this case, the variability has a statistical
behavior and is predictable, and statistical control can be exercised over it; and
identifiable causes, variability is caused by factors that are identifiable; This
variability does not present a statistical behavior and, therefore, the outputs are not
predictable. The organization must identify these causes and eliminate them as a
prior step to putting the process under control; Examples of these causes are tool
breakages, machine breakdowns, human errors, erroneous material changes,
failures in control systems, etc. The image of this variability will not be a “statistical”
image.
A process on which identifiable causes act is outside of
control; It will be necessary to eliminate them to bring the process to the state of
control. Therefore, when causes of
identifiable variability, the company must focus its efforts on identifying and
eliminating these causes of variability, as a prior step to controlling the process.
A process on which only random causes act is said to be under control. That is, a
production process that presents exclusively random variability is characterized
because the measurement values are usually distributed around a central value
that remains approximately
constant over time {mean constant) and because the dispersion of these values
also remains approximately constant over time.
Gaussian bell is a graphical representation of the normal distribution
of a group of data. These are divided into low, medium and high
values, creating a bell-shaped and symmetrical graph with respect to
a certain parameter. It is known as the Gauss curve or bell or Normal
distribution.
This graph is used in variables associated with natural phenomena :
morphological characters of individuals such as height or weight,
physiological characters such as the effect of a drug, sociological
characters such as the consumption of a certain product by the same
group of individuals, psychological characters such as the IQ...
Control chart or diagram
A control chart is a tool used to distinguish variations due to assignable or
special causes from random variations inherent to the process.
Random variations are repeated casually within predictable limits.
Variations due to assignable or special causes indicate that it is necessary
to identify, investigate and put under control some factors that affect the
process.
The construction of control charts is based on mathematical statistics.
Control charts use operating data to establish limits within which future
observations are expected to be made if the process demonstrates that it
has not been affected by assignable or special causes.
Assignable Causes
Factors (generally numerous, but individually of relative importance) that
can be detected and identified as causing a change in a quality
characteristic or process level.
Note: These are sometimes called special causes of variation.
Random Causes
Generally numerous, but unimportant, factors that contribute to the
variation and have not necessarily been identified.
Note: These are sometimes called common causes of variation .
There is a wide variety of control charts that can be applied to all types of
measurable or accounting characteristics of a process, a product or any
output.
Upper control limit (LSC): It is the highest value accepted in the
process.
Lower control limit (LIC): It is the smallest value that is accepted in the
process.
Central control limit (LC): It is the center line of the graph. The closer
the points are to the line, the more stable the process is.
What is a control chart or
diagram used for?
Diagnosis: To evaluate the stability of a process.
Control: To determine when a process needs to be adjusted and when it
should be left as it is.
Confirmation: To confirm the improvement of a process.
Types of control charts
Control chart for variables
They make use of statistics obtained from data such as the length or
thickness of an element.
In variable control charts it is possible to measure the quality
characteristic to be studied. In these cases it is convenient to describe the
quality characteristic using a measure of central tendency (usually the
sample mean) and a measure of its variability (usually the range or
standard deviation).
Variable control charts are more “sensitive” than attribute control charts,
which is why they are capable of “warning” us of possible quality
problems even before they become relevant.
Attribute Control Chart
They are based on frequencies, for example the number of defective
units.
In these graphs, process control is carried out if the inspected product is
classified as non-compliant or compliant (defective or non-defective), with
respect to the specifications for the considered quality characteristic.
Example: a screw is compliant if its length is between 1.9 and 2.1 cm,
otherwise it will be non-compliant.
Control charts by attributes have the advantage of quickly synthesizing all
the information referring to different quality aspects of a product, since
they allow it to be classified as acceptable or unacceptable; Furthermore,
they do not usually require very complex measurement systems and are
more easily understood by non-specialists.
Procedure for making a control
chart
Select the characteristic under analysis in the control chart.
Select the appropriate type of control chart.
Decide on the subgroup (a small collection of items, within which
variations are likely and solely due to chance), its dimensions, and the
sampling frequency of the subgroup.
Collect and record data on at least 20 to 25 subgroups, or use previously
recorded data.
Statistically calculate the characteristics of each subgroup sample.
Calculate control limits based on subgroup sample statistics.
Construct a graph and plot the subgroup statistics.
Examine the plot for points outside the control limits and patterns that
indicate the presence of assignable or special causes.
Decide what actions to take in the future.
