Title: Designing an economic sampling plan: a QFD approach

Authors: G. Manikandan, SM. Kannan, V. Jayabalan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam University, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: Sampling inspection puts severe psychological pressure on producer to improve the process to avoid rejection. Even the critics on acceptance sampling agree with this feature. But this qualitative expectation is not addressed by the existing sampling systems. Although many strategic sampling procedures like economical sampling plans are available to attend these intrinsic needs, the difficulty lies in deciding which of these procedures is appropriate for the particular application. However a sampling plan can be modelled and developed as a product to meet both the extrinsic/quantifiable, intrinsic/intangible requirements. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a system for designing the product or service based on customer demands and involving all members of the producer or supplier organisation. In this paper using the QFD matrix, customer voices (qualitative) are translated into sampling plan specifications (quantitative) directed at customer satisfaction. A case analysis with numerical example is presented to highlight the use of this QFD matrix in developing an economic sampling procedure.

Keywords: economic sampling plans; sampling plan design; quality function deployment; QFD; attribute sampling plans; sampling inspection; customer satisfaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQI.2009.026464

International Journal of Quality and Innovation, 2009 Vol.1 No.1, pp.65 - 82

Published online: 11 Jun 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article