STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE DEPENDENT SUBPROCESSES

A cost model, controlling multiple dependent subprocesses with minimum cost, is derived by renewal theory approach. The optimal multiple cause-selecting control chart and individual Y control chart are thus constructed to monitor the specific product quality and overall product quality contributed by the multiple dependent subprocesses. They may be used to maintain the process with minimum cost and effectively distinguish which component of the subprocesses is out of control. The optimal design parameters of the proposed control charts can be determined by minimizing the cost model using simple grid search method, An example is given to illustrate the application of the optimal multiple cause-selecting control chart and individual Y control chart.