Title: Quality modelling and analysis of electroplating system using graph theory matrix approach

Authors: Abhishek Kumar, Shibu Clement, V.P. Agrawal

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, BITS – Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, Zuarinagar, Goa 403 726, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, BITS – Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, Zuarinagar, Goa 403 726, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar University, Patiala 147 004, Punjab, India

Abstract: The quality of electroplating products depends upon conformance to requirements of the customer. These requirements are translated into design specifications of all the contributing factors and subsystems up to component level of the electroplating system. The quality of interaction amongst different subsystems, sub-subsystems and other factors that affect the quality of products are considered here. These are modelled using graph theory and matrix algebra as quality graph, quality matrix and quality permanent function of the electroplating product. A number of analytical tests derived from these models help to carry out optimum selection of qualities of subsystems and interactions for designing competitive electroplating products. Evaluation, ranking and comparison procedures can be developed with the help of models proposed herein. Coefficients of similarity and dissimilarity are developed for comparison among feasible products. This is, basically, a virtual prototyping methodology of the complete system, ideal in the production of high quality competitive electroplating products.

Keywords: electroplating systems; graph theory; matrix approaches; quality structure; variable permanent function; coefficient of similarity; quality modelling; quality analysis; customer requirements; design specifications; contributing factors; subsystems; components; interaction; sub-subsystems; product quality; matrix algebra; competitive products; evaluation procedures; ranking procedures; comparison procedures; dissimilarity; virtual prototyping; prototypes; productivity; quality management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2011.041099

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.1, pp.85 - 112

Published online: 07 Jul 2011 *

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