Concept Of Quality Control Research Articles

The development and research tradition of statistical quality control

The purpose of this study is to fill three gaps in the literature of quality control. First, this study expounds the chronological development of statistical quality control (SQC) to date, for there is a paucity of an up-to-date chronology of SQC in the literature. Second, the concept of statistical quality control has been analysed from the perspective of scientific inquiry to determine whether SQC has evolved or has been evolving as an evolutionary, revolutionary or progressive research program. Third, this paper discusses whether the discipline of statistical quality control has its own research tradition. We employed a qualitative method to address our research questions. We argue that the concept of statistical quality control has emerged as a scientific revolution in the arena of quality control and that the discipline of statistical quality control has its own research tradition. This study provides both practitioners and academicians with not only an up-to-date account of SQC but a sense of the legitimacy of SQC as a discipline. SQC provides a system's perspective to quality control and has paved the way for enterprise-wide quality philosophies such as TQC, TQM, zero defects, Six Sigma, ISO, etc.

A comprehensive review on recent developments in quality function deployment

Originally developed in Japan in the late 1960s and based on the concepts of quality control and value engineering, quality function deployment (QFD) has been considered a useful tool for product development. It can effectively translate customer requirements into appropriate engineering characteristics for each stage of product development and production such as planning, product design, production process development and manufacture. This paper aims to provide a more balanced review of QFD that exhibits enough depth to be useful to researchers as well as enough breadth to cater for amateur readers. The focus is on materials published between 2005 and 2009. Previous reviews on QFD are commented and followed by reviews on recent developments of new methodologies, technical improvements and integration of QFD with other tools. The reviewed methodologies include fuzzy set theory, multicriteria decision analysis model, artificial neural network and hybrid approaches. Resource allocation, Kano's model, failure mode and effects analysis, robust design and an assortment of other recently developed tools are reviewed and evaluated in the context of their integration with QFD in an effort to improve the effectiveness and applicability of QFD in product design.

Statistical quality control through overall vibration analysis

The present study introduces the concept of statistical quality control in automotive wheel bearings manufacturing processes. Defects on products under analysis can have a direct influence on passengers’ safety and comfort. At present, the use of vibration analysis on machine tools for quality control purposes is not very extensive in manufacturing facilities. Noise and vibration are common quality problems in bearings. These failure modes likely occur under certain operating conditions and do not require high vibration amplitudes but relate to certain vibration frequencies. The vibration frequencies are affected by the type of surface problems (chattering) of ball races that are generated through grinding processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify grinding process variables that affect the quality of bearings by using statistical principles in the field of machine tools. In addition, an evaluation of the quality results of the finished parts under different combinations of process variables is assessed. This paper intends to establish the foundations to predict the quality of the products through the analysis of self-induced vibrations during the contact between the grinding wheel and the parts. To achieve this goal, the overall self-induced vibration readings under different combinations of process variables are analysed using statistical tools. The analysis of data and design of experiments follows a classical approach, considering all potential interactions between variables. The analysis of data is conducted through analysis of variance (ANOVA) for data sets that meet normality and homoscedasticity criteria. This paper utilizes different statistical tools to support the conclusions such as chi squared, Shapiro–Wilks, symmetry, Kurtosis, Cochran, Hartlett, and Hartley and Krushal–Wallis. The analysis presented is the starting point to extend the use of predictive techniques (vibration analysis) for quality control. This paper demonstrates the existence of predictive variables (high-frequency vibration displacements) that are sensible to the processes setup and the quality of the products obtained. Based on the result of this overall vibration analysis, a second paper will analyse self-induced vibration spectrums in order to define limit vibration bands, controllable every cycle or connected to permanent vibration-monitoring systems able to adjust sensible process variables identified by ANOVA, once the vibration readings exceed established quality limits.

Standard operating procedures (SOP) in experimental stroke research: SOP for middle cerebral artery occlusion in the mouse

AbstractRecently, systematic reviews have found quantitative evidence that low study quality may have introduced a bias into preclinical stroke research. Monitoring, auditing, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are already key elements of quality control in randomized clinical trials and will hopefully be widely adopted by preclinical stroke research in the near future. Increasingly, funding bodies and review boards overseeing animal experiments are taking a proactive stance, and demand auditable quality control measures in preclinical research. Every good quality control system is based on its SOPs. This article introduces the concept of quality control and presents for the first time an SOP in experimental stroke research.

Control charts, Cusum techniques and funnel plots. A review of methods for monitoring performance in healthcare

Quality control in medicine is generating more and more interest. Industrial concepts of quality control have been refined and transformed to be useful in healthcare monitoring. Whereas medical practitioners first reaction to this new concept of quality control was negative 'we're treating patients, we're not a part of an industrial process', some dramatic cases of inferior medical performance urged the need to adequately monitor healthcare outcomes. To date, several methods have been described, and more and more reports deal with the subject. Most of us, however, are overwhelmed by the new and different tools in use such as Shewhart control charts, cumulative sum charts and funnel plots. This paper will review the methodology of statistical process control and its application in medical practice.

Engineering Design, 4th edition

Engineering Design, 4th edition

Quality control in the histopathology laboratory: An overview with stress on the need for a structured national external quality assessment scheme

The concept of quality control in histopathology is relatively young and less well understood. Like in other disciplines of laboratory medicine, the concept of quality and its control is applicable to pre analytical, analytical and post analytical activities. Assessment of both precision and accuracy performances is possible by appropriate internal and external quality control and assessment schemes. This article is a review of all processes that achieve quality reporting in histopathology. There is a special focus on external quality assessment - a scheme that lacks organization on a national level in our country. Statistical data derived from a small scale external quality assurance program is also analyzed along with recommendations to organize an effective national scheme with the participation of authorized zonal centers.

Comments on Lundby et al.'s “Testing for recombinant human erythropoietin in urine: problems associated with current anti-doping testing”

to the editor: Ideally, anti-doping testing is designed to ensure fair competition and prevent athletes' harm from unfair practices. While the former issue is questionable, since fairness in sports is mostly a chimera, the latter is foremost and theoretically viable ([1][1]–[3][2]). The recent

Packaging BCG: Standardizing an Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccine in Interwar Europe

Using the example of the anti-tuberculosis vaccine BCG during the 1920s and 1930s, this article asks how a labile laboratory-modified bacteria was transformed into a genuine standard vaccine packaged and commercialized as a pharmaceutical product. At the center of the analysis lies the notion of standardization inquiring why and how a local laboratory process with standard operating procedures (SOPs) reached its limits and was transformed when the product faced international distribution. Moving from Paul Ehrlich's initial technological notion of Wertbestimmung referring to a practice physiologically testing the effects of ill-defined antitoxins, the concept of standardization is extended to pharmaceutical and economical meanings implying quality control for biological therapeutic agents produced by a variety of industrial entrepreneurs. Following the request for product uniformity, two ways to maintain levels of compatibility and commonality are depicted opposing SOPs and end-product control. Furthermore, standardization is understood as a spiral, never ending process where progressive transformation of the vaccine in its production and medical uses periodically recreated the necessity of standardization. Developments analyzed are thus understood as a stabilization process aligning laboratory settings, products, and practices with medical theories and practices through technical, bureaucratic, and organizational systems. A paradox of the analysis is that standardization as a historical phenomenon and moment in the history of drug development was initially linked to a problem of under-determination of what was to be standardized and to a knowledge gap before it could become a central concept for quality control.

New Concept for Image Quality Control in B/W and Full Color Production Printing

Digital color production requires tight process control in order to achieve precise and consistent color reproduction – over run length, from job to job and between different print systems. The Océ Colorstream 10000 introduces a sophisticated concept of nested control loops which will be discussed in detail.

Self-reported consumer satisfaction in mental health services: Validation of a self-rating version of the UKU-Consumer Satisfaction Rating Scale

The UKU-Consumer Satisfaction Rating Scale (UKU-ConSat) for the evaluation of consumer satisfaction in mental health services was constructed for assessments by independent professional interviewers. In the present study, a patient self-reported version of the scale is validated against the original version. The Spearman's rank correlation between single items, subscores and the total of the original scale and the self-assessment version was found to be good. Another main finding was an acceptable unidimensionality of the self-rating version of the UKU-Consumer Satisfaction rating scale, evaluated by a Mokken analysis. Furthermore, the internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha was found to be satisfactory. The results show that the patient self-rating version is psychometrically sound and therefore suitable for use in ordinary clinical practice. Being a part of a concept for continuous quality control and development in mental health services, the self-rating version of the UKU-ConSat promotes an open collaborative dialogue between professionals and users. A further advantage is that it saves professional time.

Process-Based Quality for Thermal Spray Via Feedback Control

Quality control of a thermal spray system manufacturing process is difficult due to the many input variables that need to be controlled. Great care must be taken to ensure that the process remains constant to obtain a consistent quality of the parts. Control is greatly complicated by the fact that measurement of particle velocities and temperatures is a noisy stochastic process. This article illustrates the application of quality control concepts to a wire flame spray process. A central feature of the real-time control system is an automatic feedback control scheme that provides fine adjustments to ensure that uncontrolled variations are accommodated. It is shown how the control vectors can be constructed from simple process maps to independently control particle velocity and temperature. This control scheme is shown to perform well in a real production environment. We also demonstrate that slight variations in the feed wire curvature can greatly influence the process. Finally, the geometry of the spray system and sensor must remain constant for the best reproducibility.

Optimization of squeeze casting process parameters using Taguchi analysis

Squeeze casting is a hybrid metal forming process combining features of both casting and forging in one operation. This paper reports a research in which an attempt was made to prepare solid cylindrical components of LM24 aluminum alloy through squeeze casting. The primary objective was to investigate the effect of process parameters on the mechanical properties exhibited by the castings produced though squeeze casting process. A set of trials were conducted based on parameters settings suggested in Taguchi’s offline quality control concept. The experimental results indicate that the squeeze pressure and the die-preheating temperature were the parameters making significant contribution toward improvement in mechanical properties of squeeze cast LM24 aluminum alloy.

Quality Management in Radiology: Historical Aspects and Basic Definitions

In today's extremely competitive economic environment, the quality management processes used by industrial companies have become commonplace at hospitals and are proving successful in improving quality and controlling costs. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) methods provide a relatively new way, compared with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) methods, to improve the quality of health care. Continuous quality improvement should be considered a philosophy rather than simply a methodology; it assumes no endpoints in improvement efforts and does not attempt to replace the older concepts of QA and QC but rather to reap their benefits and take them to a higher conceptual level. Continuous quality improvement has 4 foci: (1) to determine and meet the needs of patients and customers, (2) to approach quality improvement holistically on the basis of the identification of the underlying cause of poor performance, (3) to apply fact-based management and scientific methodology, and (4) to empower its practitioners to improve quality on a daily basis. Health care institutions and radiology departments use a variety of CQI systems or models, including the model of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Six Sigma model, and the Model for Business Excellence of the European Foundation for Quality Management. The International Organization for Standardization 9000, which creates a suitable organizational environment for the implementation of a CQI system, can be considered an effective QA and QC method.

CLIA's Concept of Equivalent Quality Control

From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin. Reprints: Sharon S. Ehrmeyer, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 6175 MSC, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706 (e-mail: [email protected]).

Competing on Quality and Environment

Review: Competing on Quality and Environment By Christian N. Madu Reviewed by M. Tayyeb Javed Islamabad, Pakistan Christian N. Madu. Competing on Quality and Environment . Fairfield, CT: Chi Publishers, 2004. 311 pp. ISBN 0-9676023-1-9. US$64.95 Almost all commercial activities in the world revolve around products and services, which involves physical items and human efforts respectively. Quality in both cases is very valuable to the customers and is thus responsible for survival of an organization. The new era of communication and globalization has affected the meanings of quality in a broader sense that also includes the influence of the environment and vice versa. Thus “quality” and “environment”, which seem to be two distinct issues, are in fact superimposed on each other; one cannot be achieved without the other. Competing on Quality and Environment , by Christian N. Madu, has integrated these two important issues that are shaping the future of business in the new millennium, and focused on what organizations need to do in order to create value to customers. The book is divided into thirteen chapters. In the first chapter the basic concepts about total quality management (TQM) are presented with details on Deming’s, Juran’s, Crosby’s, Kaoru Ishikawa’s and Genichi Taguch’s approach to quality management. The history and definitions of quality function deployment (QFD) are presented in Chapter 2. Introduction to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) with its origins and evolution of ISO 9000 and 14000 series, along with their elements, are presented in the next chapter. Introduction to the fundamental concepts of statistical quality control is presented in chapter 4. The discussion is divided into two components: acceptance sampling and statistical process control that includes four popular control charts for attributes, namely the p-chart, c-chart, np-chart and u-chart. The dimensions and features the customer uses to assess the quality of a virtual service or operation, typically Internet, is presented in chapter 5. The next five chapters are dedicated to issues relating to increased pollution due to massive use of the earth’s natural resources such as fossil fuel. First the author presents the issue of sustainable manufacturing, which was initiated by the United Nations 1987 publication known as the “Brundtland report”. The case studies of the popular success stories from the leading manufacturers such as Kodak and Xerox are also elaborated.

통계작성기관의 통계품질관리를 위한 가이드라인 연구

통계품질(statistics quality)은 통계가 얼마나 사용자들이 이용하기에 적합한가를 나타내는 특성으로, 최근 선진국 및 국제기관들을 중심으로 높은 관심을 보이고 있다. 본 논문에서는, 통계품질관리의 개념, 통계품질의 척도, 통계품질관리의 8단계(조사기획, 표본설계, 조사표 설계, 조사원 훈련 및 자료수집, 조사결과 분석, 이용자 서비스, 사후관리, 통계품질평 가 및 관리 )를 소개하고, 표본조사통계를 위한 통계품질관리 가이드라인을 제시한다. Recently, some advanced statistical agencies have great concern on the quality of statistics which is defined in the context of being' fit for use'. In this paper, we present a concept for statistics quality control, elements of statistics quality, 8 procedures for sampling survey. We also suggest quality guidelines for sampling survey statistics.

IQM: A New Concept for Quality Control

iQM: A New Concept for Quality Control

Quality in point-of-care testing: what drives the system?personnel, regulatory standards, or instrumentation?

Any assessment of the quality of testing at point of healthcare always focuses on three factors: personnel, the effectiveness of regulatory standards governing the processes, and the capabilities of the analytical instrumentation. Even a casual evaluation of the environment surrounding today’s point-of-care testing suggests that a new quality paradigm is emerging. Focusing only on the analytical process, state-of-the-art instruments currently in routine use demonstrate, de facto, that the responsibility for traditional quality attributes—accuracy (traceability), precision, reliability, quality control, data interpretation, etc.—now are fully in the hands of the manufacturer. However, in the US all testing, including point-of-care testing, must continue to meet regulatory quality-assurance mandates including quality-control practices. In January 2003 the US government published the “Final Rule” under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments that introduced new quality-assessment requirements, including equivalent quality control, for analytical processes. The concept of equivalent quality control applies to instruments employing internal and/or procedural controls, an area currently dominated by point-of-care test systems. While manufacturers, personnel and regulators all continue to drive aspects of the quality of point-of-care testing, with the Final Rule incorporating a total quality management-based approach, the laboratory director is given some novel quality-control options. While the director retains full responsibility for guaranteeing that results of appropriate quality are provided to clinicians, the manufacturer can assume responsibility for daily, routine quality control, when the director approves, using one of three equivalent quality-control options for a test system.

Total quality management, laboratory accreditation and external quality assessment schemes

Two contradictory pressures, ?high quality? and ?cost reduction? require the clinical laboratories to adopt effective management techniques such as Total Quality Management (TQM). It is not merely a management process for quality improvement in all spheres of industrial functioning but also a management philosophy for overall organization development. TQM has been adopted by many health care organizations including clinical laboratories in the developed world. In the developing countries, however, majority are still using the traditional frame work of quality management. Through the concept of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) in health care laboratories in India is more than two decades old, it developed in a highly unequal plane and still faces multi factorial problems. External QA/ Proficiency Testing (PT) is used to compare performance of laboratories. This is recently made mandatory for accreditation process in India. Unfortunately only <10% of laboratories participate in EQA programs possibly due to high cost. Professional bodies/Institutions (ACBI, IAPM, ISHTM-AIIMS EHPT) and Government of India are working hard to make EQA Programs available at reasonable cost. National Board of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has been setup by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India which has started accreditation of clinical laboratories since 1999. So for 33 laboratories (0.17%) has been accredited and almost the same number of applications are in process. The program is voluntary at the beginning, may be made mandatory later. We see a Herculean task ahead for NABL but they are doing a good job at low cost similar to international organization like ACP. The formation of laboratory policy with quality control as its integral part is very imperative in achieving, total quality management of clinical laboratories in India.