Application of SQC for Equipment Selection in an Agro-Based Industry

Abstract

The ever increasing demand for high-quality product delivery, increased customer satisfaction, and desire to eliminate rework and scrapping of manufactured goods highlights the importance of equipment quality auditing prior to selection and commissioning. This paper uses SQC to aid in the selection of equipment for a yam flour dispensing and packing machine, as consistency in the dispensing of flour weight is a critical quality requirement. To confirm the stability of the dispensing process, we used the I-MR chart, the probability plot, data simulation, and the X-bar-S chart. Furthermore, the PCIs such as the C_p and C_pk of 2.28 and 2.27, respectively, as well as an expected DPMO of zero defects per million opportunities, were decisive in aiding equipment selection. The X bar-S chart, having a tighter UCL and LCL than the I-MR chart, is also recommended for subsequent process monitoring as larger sample sizes are more effective in detecting process shift