An on-line interactive system for studying acceptable sampling plans

Abstract

In this dissertation an on-line interactive system for generating and analyzing various acceptance sampling plans is presented. This real-time sampling plan system utilizes a series of algorithms to perform the necessary functions for generating information pertinent to single, double, and multiple sampling plans. These algorithms along with other special programming considerations allow for fast generation of the following information relative to single, double, and multiple sampling plans: (1) the operating characteristic (OC) curve, (2) the average outgoing quality (AOQ) curve, (3) the average sample number (ASN) curve, (4) the average total inspection (ATI) curve, (5) multiple plots per graph, (6) the sample size(s), (7) the acceptance number(s), (8) the rejection number(s), (9) the average outgoing quality number (AOQL), (10) the lot size, (11) the lot quality (p' 95' p' 50' p' 10), and (12) the alpha and bet&adot value&sdot for a specified AQL and LPTD. This information for single, double, and multiple sampling plans can be generated by using either the Poisson, binomial, or hypergeometric distribution. Two procedures are available to the user for generating information pertinent to a particular sampling plan. The first procedure enables the user to generate single, double, and multiple sampling plans given the acceptance quality level (AQL) and the lot tolerance percent defective (LTPD). This procedure allows for the generation of two types of sampling plans: one plan minimizes consumers' risk and the other plan minimizes producers' risk. The second procedure permits the user to specify the sample size(s), the acceptance number(s), the rejection numbers (in case of multiple sampling plans), the lot size, and the percent defective used to scale the x-axis. The system is designed for use by a person with various backgrounds in programming or statistical quality control. Several examples of its use are given to illustrate one or more important points. The sampling plan system was found to be an acceptable means of generating and analyzing various sampling plans on a real-time basis.