Quality Engineering Techniques Research Articles

Operational research application to minimise the uncertainty of time and cost in the main domains of industrial engineering by using quality engineering techniques

Operational research application to minimise the uncertainty of time and cost in the main domains of industrial engineering by using quality engineering techniques

Investigating Autoregressive and Machine Learning-based Time Series Modeling with Dielectric Spectroscopy for Predicting Quality of Biofabricated Constructs

Advances in biofabrication processes need to be complemented with appropriate nondestructive quality engineering techniques that can be integrated into scalable engineered tissue manufacturing systems. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of dielectric spectroscopy (DS) as a inline, real time biological quality monitoring alternative. Time series modeling can help improve the efficiency and accuracy of quality prediction by analyzing trends in DS data as the biofabricated constructs mature over time. These models can help forecast potential future deviations in quality attributes and provide opportunities to take preemptive, corrective actions, leading to better yields and higher quality of final products. In this study, we investigated time series modeling of DS data to characterize the effects of two critical biofabrication parameters on constructs of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC) over 11 days of in vitro culture. The performance of standard autoregressive time series models (Exponential Smoothing, ARMA, ARIMA, SARIMA) and conventional sequence-based machine learning (ML) models (SVM, ANN, CNN and LSTM) were analyzed to forecast trends in Δɛ, a key DS metric that directly correlates to the volume of viable cells in constructs. The ML-based time series models, in general, showed superior performance in predicting future trends in Δɛ, with LSTM providing the lowest least mean square errors (MSE) in Δɛ forecasts. The outcomes of this study highlight the benefits of using DS and time series modeling synergistically for efficient quality monitoring in biofabrication.

Operational Research Application to Minimize the Uncertainty of Time and Cost in the Main Domains of Industrial Engineering by Using Quality Engineering Techniques

Operational Research Application to Minimize the Uncertainty of Time and Cost in the Main Domains of Industrial Engineering by Using Quality Engineering Techniques

Quality and Reliability Engineering in Service Industry: A Proposed Alternative Improvement Framework

Quality and reliability engineering technique are widely used as improvement tools in manufacturing industries, involving the design experiments, quality function deployment (QFD), and survival analysis, focuses on improving the lifecycle of products. However, started at early last decade, some researches in improving the service lifecycle in some service industry consider to implements design of experiment in service industry, followed by other tools such as QFD, and the reliability engineering tools. This research proposed alternatives incorporated quality and reliability engineering methods in evaluating and improving the lifecycle of service. Starting with evaluating the weaknesses of service using SERVQUAL method, finding the improvement plan by implementing QFD, designing the robust service design using Taguchi designed experiment methods, and then implementing survival analysis for ensuring the reliability of designed services. This framework has successfully implemented in designing and evaluating existing airport service system with some recommendation generated in.

Application of quality engineering techniques in the main domains of industrial engineering

Purpose: of this paper is to cover the main domains of industrial engineering based on the statistical and non-statistical techniques related to quality engineering. In this research, in addition to the review of the main domains of industrial engineering and the required specifications of technique, have been tried to present an integrated model of application of these techniques in order to create or increase the total score of productivity and sustainability in related scale with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. Design/methodology/approach: of this paper has been divided in two categories. The method of theoretical research consists of data collection tools, reference books, and several articles of the Iranian Center for Defences Standard. The method of practical research is the assessment of selected statistical and non-statistical techniques related to quality engineering, which have been deployed in the main domains of industrial engineering related to the manufacturing factories that are belonged to the selected industries of the Defence Industries Organization (DIO). Findings: of this paper consist of four main results. The maximum impact of standard statistical techniques in order to cover the main domains of industrial engineering and the required specifications of technique is related to the Statistical Process Control (SPC). Furthermore, the maximum impact of non-statistical techniques in order to cover them, is related to the Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The other results, which can be assessed with details, have shown that the maximum importance of the main domains of industrial engineering is related to the planning and manufacturing control and the maximum importance of the required specifications of technique is related to the mathematical analysis too. The total score of productivity and sustainability in related scale has been achieved to the upper than moderate level. In this research, the identification and determination of important factors, which have influenced on the productivity and sustainability have been done for the first time. The percentage of impact of the quality engineering techniques for both productivity and sustainability in the industrial engineering field is approximate to 70%. Research limitations/implications: of this paper suggest that the application of quality engineering tools including statistical and non-statistical techniques can be generalized to the other engineering or management fields with the same Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) or Analytic Network Process (ANP) approach in phase environments. Originality/value: of this paper have been extracted from the managers and experts involved with qualitative issues in the different levels of the Defence Industries Organization (DIO) and the Maham Group. This values are assessed from two aspects. Firstly, the validity of this research was carried out using expert’s opinions (Industrial advisers, Lead auditors of the Iranian center for Defences Standard and university professors). Secondly, all values of the research reliability are acceptable.

Optimization of Surface Roughness Using Quality Engineering Techniques

Optimization of Surface Roughness Using Quality Engineering Techniques

Application of QFD & VE & lean approach for control tests in a product design

Purpose: of this paper consists of identifying and prioritising control tests of a product design with integrating QFD and VE techniques according to use of the lean approach to increase the productivity of product design. Design/methodology/approach: of this research is the application of four quality houses at QFD (four matrices) and VE matrix and assessment table of lean approach in the form of a combinational process. Findings: of this research were the implementation of mentioned methodology for numerical application. Bullet-head drill (27.8 inch HSD) that was applied in oil and gas industries with 5.69 scores is more than moderate in related to lean of control tests, and it is 7.13 from 9 for average survey results of applied mentioned methodology, and also it is 0.825 for research reliability. Research limitations/implications: of this paper suggest that the wide use of the other non-statistical techniques of quality engineering can be achieved with simple programming in excel and lean approach. Even more advanced topics in fuzzy circumstance can be applied with this methodology. Originality/value: of this research is extracted from three matrices of QFD, one matrix of VE and assessment table of lean approach for prioritising the control tests in product design of bullet-head drill 27.8 inch HSD.

Quality Insights: A pi tail mathematical postulation of the limit of quality

In the pursuit of better quality under the spirit of continuous improvement, it is appropriate to inquire about the potential limit of quality. Using quality engineering and technology tools and techniques, can we continue to improve quality indefinitely, inching toward the limit of quality ever so infinitesimally? This paper presents a postulation of an asymptomatic approach to the limit of quality based on the mathematical reasoning of pi. While there is no mathematical correlation of pi to the physical quality of a product, it is interesting and inspirational to conduct research on the move toward the best possible point on the quality curve. In this regard, the motivational question is 'what is the limit of quality?' The methodology of this paper suggests some interesting analogies.

From IMS and six sigma toward TQM: an empirical study from Serbia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of a quality management practice in Serbia, in terms of the development and application of integrated managements systems (IMS), and research and implementation of Six Sigma and the related techniques. Design/methodology/approach – Two main aspects of total quality management (TQM) have been considered: institutional (organisational or strategic) aspect that corresponds to standardised management systems and their integration, and technical (quality engineering) aspect whose main contributor is Six Sigma. The findings of a comprehensive study on IMS implementation in Serbia have been presented, based on the results of a questionnaire that was sent to 54 organisations during 2013. Also, the significant technical improvements and tangible benefits of a recently conducted Six Sigma project were shown, including the application of the advanced quality engineering techniques within DMAIC method. Findings – Good QM practice in Serbia is improving, both in terms of the organisational (IMS) and technical (Six Sigma) aspect, that server as a good basis for the adoption of TQM in manufacturing companies from various sectors. It could be anticipated that these results will facilitate the adoption of an overall TQM culture in Serbia and leverage its future sustainability. Originality/value – This paper offers key insights into IMS and Six Sigma implementation in Serbia. This could encourage manufacturing organisations in developing countries to adopt IMS and Six Sigma, in order to boost the overall TQM culture and gain a competitive advantage.

Metodología de Desarrollo de Software: MBM (Metodologia Basada en Modelos)

La ingeniería del software posee técnicas y herramientas que han maduradomucho actualmente se invierten grandes cantidades de recursos para potenciar la industria del software y convertirla en uno de los sectores estratégicos de crecimiento.Las empresas necesitan una estrategia sólida de Arquitectura Empresarial,se recomienda utilizar un software eficiente, motivo suficiente para que la Ingeniería de Software planteara metodologías para la elaboración de un producto de calidad. Hoy en día, aunque existen muchas de ellas con resultados muy buenos, no se cuenta con una estandarizada que al implementarla,permita desarrollar adecuadamente un proyecto de software que incluya la Gestión por Procesos de Negocio (BPM). Por eso se considera importante el diseño de una metodología práctica que contenga todos los procesos de creación de un producto de alta calidad, para utilizar en cualquier proyecto de software, encaminado a lograr la excelencia en la automatización de todos los procesos de negocio.

A method of setting limits for the purpose of quality assurance

The result from any assurance measurement needs to be checked against some limits for acceptability. There are two types of limits; those that define clinical acceptability (action limits) and those that are meant to serve as a warning that the measurement is close to the action limits (tolerance limits). Currently, there is no standard procedure to set these limits. In this work, we propose an operational procedure to set tolerance limits and action limits. The approach to establish the limits is based on techniques of quality engineering using control charts and a process capability index. The method is different for tolerance limits and action limits with action limits being categorized into those that are specified and unspecified. The procedure is to first ensure process control using the I-MR control charts. Then, the tolerance limits are set equal to the control chart limits on the I chart. Action limits are determined using the Cpm process capability index with the requirements that the process must be in-control. The limits from the proposed procedure are compared to an existing or conventional method. Four examples are investigated: two of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) point dose quality assurance (QA) and two of routine linear accelerator output QA. The tolerance limits range from about 6% larger to 9% smaller than conventional action limits for VMAT QA cases. For the linac output QA, tolerance limits are about 60% smaller than conventional action limits. The operational procedure describe in this work is based on established quality management tools and will provide a systematic guide to set up tolerance and action limits for different equipment and processes.

Efecto de las técnicas de ingeniería de la calidad en el diseño de productos

This contribution presents the results of a study that explores the effects in product design from the application of certain techniques of quality engineering. Through statistical analysis we obtained results that reveal that tools such as concurrent design, the quality function deployment, value analysis, statistical process control and analysis of failure mode effect, are positively correlated with the good performance in product innovation, which confirms the decisive role that quality has had and presumably will continue to have in the dynamics of product design.

Precision manufacturing for clinical-quality regenerative medicines

Innovations in engineering applied to healthcare make a significant difference to people's lives. Market growth is guaranteed by demographics. Regulation and requirements for good manufacturing practice-extreme levels of repeatability and reliability-demand high-precision process and measurement solutions. Emerging technologies using living biological materials add complexity. This paper presents some results of work demonstrating the precision automated manufacture of living materials, particularly the expansion of populations of human stem cells for therapeutic use as regenerative medicines. The paper also describes quality engineering techniques for precision process design and improvement, and identifies the requirements for manufacturing technology and measurement systems evolution for such therapies.

Conceptual Design of a Production Line by Combined On-ling and Off-line Quality Engineering Techniques

Conceptual Design of a Production Line by Combined On-ling and Off-line Quality Engineering Techniques

Índice de capacidade do processo na avaliação da irrigação por aspersão

Analisar a qualidade da irrigação, além de avaliar seu bom funcionamento, é uma forma de verificar a viabilidade de sua implantação e operação. Como a uniformidade de distribuição é um dos parâmetros mais utilizados para essa avaliação, este trabalho objetivou utilizar técnicas de engenharia de qualidade, usando o índice de capacidade do processo (Cpl) para avaliar a uniformidade de distribuição de água em um sistema de irrigação por aspersão convencional. Os ensaios foram conduzidos no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola, UNIOESTE, com dois aspersores modelo Super10, marca NAANDAN, espaçados 9 m entre si, durante 25 irrigações de 1 h cada. Os dados climáticos foram coletados a cada 10 min, por uma estação meteorológica sem fio. Encontraram-se um CUC médio de 79,72% e velocidade do vento média de 1,85 m s-1. Foram aplicados os testes de controle de qualidade, elaborando os gráficos de controle de Shewhart e calculado o índice de capacidade do processo (Cpl), sendo que os resultados obtidos permitem afirmar que a utilização do índice de capacidade do processo torna-se uma ferramenta poderosa para classificar sistemas de irrigação em função de sua uniformidade de distribuição.

Fuzzy intelligent quality monitoring model for X-ray image processing

Today's imaging diagnosis needs to adapt modern techniques of quality engineering to maintain and improve its accuracy and reliability in health care system. One of the main factors that influences diagnostic accuracy of plain film X-ray on detecting pathology is the level of film exposure. If the level of film exposure is not adequate, a normal body structure may be interpretated as pathology and vice versa. This not only influences the patient management but also has an impact on health care cost and patient's quality of life. Therefore, providing an accurate and high quality image is the first step toward an excellent patient management in any health care system. In this paper, we study these techniques and also present a fuzzy intelligent quality monitoring model, which can be used to keep variables from degrading the image quality. The variables derived from chemical activity, cleaning procedures, maintenance, and monitoring may not be sensed, measured, or calculated precisely due to uncertain situations. Therefore, the gamma-level fuzzy Bayesian model for quality monitoring of an image processing is proposed. In order to apply the Bayesian concept, the fuzzy quality characteristics are assumed as fuzzy random variables. Using the fuzzy quality characteristics, the newly developed model calculates the degradation risk for image processing. A numerical example is also presented to demonstrate the application of the model.

A sound quality-based investigation of the HVAC system noise of an automobile model

Using methods and techniques of sound quality engineering, the noise of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC) of an automobile model was studied. Such noise has a great influence on vehicle acoustical comfort and on overall quality perception of a vehicle. The study was divided into two steps. The first step aimed to identify the most significant attributes that contribute to the perception of similarity or dissimilarity of this kind of noise, using the paired comparison technique and correlation of the results with psychoacoustic models. Loudness, spectral composition and tonality, represented by the psychoacoustic models of loudness, sharpness, tone-to-noise ratio and prominence were found to be the most important dimensions for the perception of similarity and dissimilarity of HVAC-noise. In the second step of the study a model to predict subjective response to HVAC sounds using the semantic differential technique was developed. In particular the perception of annoyance was studied and it is shown that the annoyance caused by the HVAC noise can be satisfactorily described by Zwicker’s stationary loudness model, provided that the HVAC noises do not present tonal components. The loudness model also predicts scores on a quiet/loud scale. Both results confirm the power of the loudness dimension and its model introduced by Zwicker for the overall quality of stationary broadband sounds without slow fluctuations or tonal components. From the annoyance model developed in this study a maximum acceptable loudness level for HVAC-systems can be determined.

Application of process quality engineering techniques to improve the understanding of the in vitro processing of stem cells for therapeutic use

The translation of experimental cell-based therapies to volume produced commercially successful clinical products requires the development of capable, economic, scaleable (and therefore frequently necessarily automated) manufacturing processes. Application of proven quality engineering techniques will be required to interrogate, optimise, and control in vitro cell culture processes to regulatory and clinically acceptable specifications. We have used a Six Sigma inspired quality engineering approach to design and conduct a factorial screening experiment to investigate the expansion process of a population of primary bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells on a scaleable automated cell culture platform. Key cell culture process inputs (seeding density, serum concentration, media quantity and incubation time) and important cell culture process responses (cell number and the expression of alkaline phosphatase, STRO-1, CD105 and CD71) were identified as experimental variables. The results rank the culture factors and significant culture factor interactions by the magnitude of their effect on each of the process responses. This level of information is not available from conventional single factor cell culture studies but is essential to efficiently identify sources of variation and foci for further process optimisation. Systematic quality engineering approaches such as those described here will be essential for the design of regulated cell therapy manufacturing processes because of their focus on identifying the sources of and the control of variation, an issue that is at the core of current Good Manufacturing Practice.

Modelling and analysis of system robustness

Modelling and analysis of system robustness is of interest to researchers and practitioners for several reasons. Robust systems can minimize product development time, warranty costs, and improve product quality. The problem of attaining system robustness is often not addressed formally because design teams work independently of each other when designing system components. In this paper, a framework is presented for robust system development based upon system modelling, integration analysis, and quality engineering techniques. System robustness is achieved by specifying sub-system configurations within the overall system to minimize subsystem-to-subsystem interactions and overall system sensitivity to noise factors. System modelling represents system structure, captures system requirements and identifies required functional interfaces among system components. Once the interfaces among system components are identified, a component—component interaction matrix of interfaces is developed. Integration analysis then groups system components into subsystems and identifies interfaces (main elements of robustness study) between subsystems. Experimental design techniques are used to identify the combinations of levels of these interfaces, if any, that result in a robust system specification. This identified combination of levels then is incorporated into designing product subsystems and components. The application of the approach is illustrated with an automotive example of the design of a vehicle seat system. Discussion on the importance of system modelling and traditional robust design procedures and on the difficulties associated with the development of robust systems is also presented.

Consideration of the relevance of standard quality techniques in mass customisation

The business philosophy of Mass Customisation (MC) implies rapid response to customer requests, high efficiency and limited cost overheads of customisation. Furthermore, it also implies the quality benefits of the mass production paradigm are guaranteed. However, traditional quality science in manufacturing is premised on volume production of uniform products rather than of differentiated products associated with MC. This creates quality challenges and raises questions over the suitability of standard quality engineering techniques. From an analysis of relevant MC and quality literature it is argued the aims of MC are aligned with contemporary thinking on quality and that quality concepts provide insights into MC. Quality issues are considered along three dimensions - product development, order fulfilment and customer interaction. The applicability and effectiveness of conventional quality engineering techniques are discussed and a framework is presented which identifies key issues with respect to quality for a spectrum of MC strategies.