One Week Course in SPC for Engineers and Technicians

This course introduces engineers and technicians to Statistical Process Control. By the end of the course they are able to not only use control charts, but to design appropriate control chart applications for their work.

Examples stress semiconductor applications.

It is best to teach this course for no more than 4 hours per day. ideally it can be delivered in two one week periods separated by three or four weeks to permit projects by the participants. Course is typically offered either in the mornings only, or in the afternoons only.

Software is not essential for this course, though JMP or Statistica are easily integrated into the delivery.

Topics covered (described from a user viewpoint)

Why Statistical Process Control (SPC)? Where did it come from and how does it fit into my company's improvement strategy?

How to make pictures based on data to help make better decisions

How to determine if a control chart is needed, what data are required, and how to set up and use a control chart both for offline study and for ongoing operation

What about those new-fangled control chart types? Do I need them? If I do, how do I use them?

Myths about control charts - things you may have heard or read which just are not true

Wrong ways some people compute control limits - things which look good but perform poorly

Effect of measurement on a control chart's performance

Topics covered (more technically described):

Introductory ideas of Statistical Process Control
    History of Shewhart/Deming/Taguchi
    Role of control and capability in process management

Basic graphical methods
    Pareto
    Histograms
    Scatter diagrams
    Flow charts
    Process maps
    Cause and effect diagrams

Classical Xbar and R charts
    Limit calculation
    Interpretation
    Concepts of special and common causes
    Chart set-up versus running an existing chart
    Extensive examples
    Process capability discussion

X and Moving Range Chart pairs
    Limit calculation
    Interpretation
    Areas of most likely application of the methods
    Batch processes and variance components - introductions

Attributes control charts

Process management
    Four fundamental states for a process

Measurement discrimination and its implications

Variance component estimation
    How to carry it out
    Use of results for chart setup

Miscellaneous control chart types
    CUSUM
    EWMA

Review of basic strategy for applications of SPC

Participants pursue at least one project involving control chart setup and use during the time they are taking the class.