Presentation: Applying Measurement Data to Process Improvement
FLW Ballroom I-J
While manufacturers collect measurement data for product/part validation and acceptance, most don’t maximize the use of this valuable data for continuous process improvement.
This presentation will explore how measurement data can be used by design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and quality engineers who are responsible for defining the product development, design, and manufacturing processes that are used and have potential for improvement.
Engineers have many opportunities to use data as part of their manufacturers’ overall continuous improvement programs, well beyond the part validation and acceptance efforts. They can aggregate the measurement data they have already gathered and apply analytics with the end goals of not only identifying specific problems or quality issues -- as they would typically do -- but also making ongoing improvements in design and manufacturing processes. This existing measurement data enables manufacturers to identify root causes and improve efficiencies and productivity across all of their processes.
Several real-life case studies highlight how measurement data contributes to process improvement. For example, an automotive OEM that collects data from multiple plants and suppliers is able to aggregate and review measurement data from these many sources and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiencies of its product, quality, and mfg processes from the standpoint of a single “big-picture” view.
Another OEM in the heavy vehicle industry uses its measurement data to achieve process improvements as it increases its use of automation and tightens its cycle times.
Today’s manufacturers can achieve dramatic process improvements by getting the most use of their measurement data. This presentation can help them see how to increase the usefulness of their data above and beyond problem identification and part acceptance.
