Abstract
This study is about the process capability index (PCI). In this study, we introduce several indices including the index $C_{PR}$ and present the characteristics of the $C_{PR}$ as well as its validity. The difference between the other indices and the $C_{PR}$ is the way we use to estimate the standard deviation. Calculating the index, most indices use sample standard deviation while the index $C_{PR}$ uses range R. The sample standard deviation is generally a better estimator than the range R. But in the case of the panel process, the $C_{PR}$ has more consistency than the other indices at the point of non-conforming ratio which is an important term in quality control. The reason why the $C_{PR}$ using the range has better consistency is explained by introducing the concept of 'flatness ratio'. At least one million cells are present in one panel, so we can't inspect all of them. In estimating the PCI, it is necessary to consider the inspection cost together with the consistency. Even though we want smaller sample size at the point of inspection cost, the small sample size makes the PCI unreliable. There is 'trade off' between the inspection cost and the accuracy of the PCI. Therefore, we should obtain as large a sample size as possible under the allowed inspection cost. In order for $C_{PR}$ to be used throughout the industry, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics of the $C_{PR}$. Because the $C_{PR}$ is a kind of index including subgroup concept, the analysis should be done at the point of sample size of the subgroup. We present numerical analysis results of $C_{PR}$ by the data from the random number generating method. In this study, we also show the difference between the $C_{PR}$ using the range and the $C_P$ which is a representative index using the sample standard deviation. Regression analysis was used for the numerical analysis of the sample data. In addition, residual analysis and equal variance analysis was also conducted.
