Title: Performance improvement through statistical process control: a longitudinal study

Authors: Bimal Mishra, G.S. Dangayach

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur-302017, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur-302017, India

Abstract: Statistical Process Control (SPC) is an effective statistical tool used to prevent defects. This paper presents a longitudinal study of the application of SPC in a cigarette-manufacturing company in Nepal. The study was carried out on three cigarette-making machines, i.e., 01, 02 (plain makers) and 09 (filter cigarettes with premium brands), which have high variability in circumference. The initial data were taken on all three machines, and then special causes were eliminated. After eliminating special causes, the C_p (process capability indices) was increased for Maker-02 from 0.343 to 0.709 and for Maker-09 from 0.521 to 1.044. Thereafter, several common causes were identified and eliminated, which resulted in an increase in C_p (process capability indices) for Maker-02 up to 1.0567 from 0.343 and for Maker-01, up to 1.0372 from 0.717. Other recommendations and suggestions for preventive as well as corrective action were also made based on Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).

Keywords: statistical process control; SPC; longitudinal study; performance improvement; cigarette manufacturing; Nepal; cigarette manufacturing; process capability indices failure mode and effects analysis; FMEA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2009.021570

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2009 Vol.3 No.1, pp.55 - 72

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

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