Name of the Experiment: A high-voltage power supply should have a nominal output voltage of

350 V. A sample of four units is selected each day and tested for process-control purposes. The
data shown in Table 3 give the difference between the observed reading on each unit and the
nominal voltage times ten; that is,
xi = (observed voltage on unit i - 350)10
(a) Set up 𝑥̅ and R charts on this process using Minitab Software. Is the process in statistical
control. Justify your solution using Minitab?
(b) If specifications are at 350 V ± 5 V, what can you say about process capability? Use
“Capability Analysis” “Quality Tools” from Minitab software using the available data and explain
the process capability.
(c) Is there evidence to support the claim that voltage is normally distributed? Show this using
Minitab software.

Introduction:

X-bar and R charts constitute a paired set of control charts utilized in processes involving
subgroups of two or more. These charts, particularly employed for variables data, serve the purpose
of assessing the stability and predictability of a given process. The X-bar chart illustrates how the
mean or average evolves over time, while the R chart indicates variations in subgroup ranges.
These charts play a pivotal role in gauging the impact of process improvement strategies. The X-
bar and R chart serves as a standard alternative to the X-bar and s or median and R chart.

Process capability entails evaluating the output of an in-control process in comparison to the
expectations, specifications, or requirements of the customer. Calculating process capability
involves assessing the ability of a process to meet defined standards.

Process control is a systematic approach employed to ensure that a process operates as intended.
It involves continuous monitoring and measurement of process performance, enabling adjustments
as needed. The primary goal of process control is to confirm that a process remains within
acceptable tolerances, adhering to the parameters outlined in its design specifications or standards,
with minimal deviation.

In the realm of statistics, a normal distribution signifies a continuous probability distribution

characterized by a concentration of data points toward the center of the range, known as the mean.
This distribution exhibits a symmetric tapering off of data points towards both extremes. The
normal distribution is a fundamental concept in statistical analysis and probability theory.

Objectives:
i. To construct x̅ and R charts for the voltage data.
 ii. To determine the process capability.
iii. To construct a normal probability plot for the voltage data.
Data Table:
a)

Sample x1 x2 x3 x4
Number
1 6 9 10 15
2 10 4 6 11
3 7 8 10 5
4 8 9 6 13
5 9 10 7 13
6 12 11 10 10
7 16 10 8 9
8 7 5 10 4
9 9 7 8 12
10 15 16 10 13
11 8 12 14 16
12 6 13 9 11
13 16 9 13 15
14 7 13 10 12
15 11 7 10 16
16 15 10 11 14
17 9 8 12 10
18 15 7 10 11
19 8 6 9 12
20 13 14 11 15

b)
 Constant for control charts. [5]

Solution Procedure:
a)
i. At first the data was imported into columns.
ii. Stat>Control charts>variable charts for subgroups were selected.
iii. When entering the Xbar-R chart dialog box, observations for a subgroup are in one row
of columns was selected.
iv. x1, x2, x3, x4, were entered.
v. OK was clicked twice.
b)
i. For process capability report, Stat>Quality tools>Capability analysis>normal were
selected.
ii. x1, x2, x3, x4 were selected in subgroups across row of.
iii. Lower spec and higher spec were entered.
iv. OK was clicked.
c)
i. For normal probability plots, Graphs>Probability plots>single were selected.
ii. Then x1, x2, x3, and x4 entered in Graphs variables.
iii. In Distribution, Normal was selected.
iv. OK was clicked twice.

Data Calculations:
The specifications are at 350V±5V. That means,
LSLold = 350 − 5 = 345
USLold = 350 + 5 = 355
The sample size n=4
The mean of the voltage data is,
10 + 7.75 + ⋯ + 8.75 + 13.25
x̅ =
20
= 10.325
The mean of the range is,
9+7+⋯+6+4
̅=
R = 6.25
20
From the control charts table, the d2 value at the sample size 4 is 2.059
The estimated process capability is
̅
R 6.25
σ= = = 3.0354
d2 2.059
Given that, xi= (Observed voltage on unit i-350)10
Then, the upper specification limit becomes,
USL = (USLold − 350) × 10
= (345 − 350) × 10
= 50
The lower specification limit is,
LSL = (LSLold − 350) × 10
= (345 − 350) × 10
= -50 = 0 [As the targets set for the process will never show a negative value]
The process capability ratio is,
USL−LSL 50−0 50
Cp = = 6×3.0354 = 18.2124 = 2.7454 > 1 .
6σ

Outputs from Minitab Software:

a)
b)

c)
Results:
Mean of the voltage data is 10.325.
Mean Range is 6.25.
Standard deviation is 3.0354.
Process capability ratio is 2.7454.

Discussion:
n the X and R chart analysis, most values in the R chart are observed to be close to the midline,
while in the X-bar chart, although some values deviate from control, the majority align near the
midline. This overall pattern suggests that the process is statistically under control.
Examining the process capability control chart, both experimentally and theoretically, the
calculated Cp value surpasses unity. This observation indicates that the process is deemed
capable, as the process capability exceeds the baseline.
Analysis of the normal probability plot shows that all data points align consistently with the
straight line. This observation leads to the conclusion that the distribution of voltages follows a
normal distribution pattern.

Conclusion:
The whole experiment was about to process control, process capability and normal distribution
of given values using Minitab software to analysis different properties of the values. The values
were putted carefully and the results observed properly. So the whole experiment has done
successfully. The knowledge of using Minitab software would further be helpful in work field.

References:
[1] Pqsystems.com. [Online]. Available:
https://www.pqsystems.com/qualityadvisor/DataAnalysisTools/x_bar_range. [Accessed: 26-
Feb-2023].
[2] K. Feldman, “Process capability,” isixsigma.com, 07-Apr-2022. [Online]. Available:
https://www.isixsigma.com/dictionary/process-capability/. [Accessed: 26-Feb-2023].
[3] iS. S. Staff, “Process control,” isixsigma.com, 12-Aug-2022. [Online]. Available:
https://www.isixsigma.com/dictionary/process-control/. [Accessed: 26-Feb-2023].
[4] R. Awati, “What is the normal distribution? – TechTarget definition,” WhatIs.com, 07-Dec-
2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/normal-distribution.
[Accessed: 26-Feb-2023].
[5] “Tables of constants for Control Charts - MIT.” [Online]. Available:
https://web.mit.edu/2.810/www/files/readings/ControlChartConstantsAndFormulae.pdf.
[Accessed: 25-Feb-2023].