Title: Gauge repeatability and reproducibility: an assessment of method and medium for a laboratory

Authors: Ayesha Waseem; Ali Zulqarnain; Rameez Khalid; Sajid Saleem

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, PNEC, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan ' Department of Management, Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan ' Department of Industrial Engineering, PNEC, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Abstract: Reliable measurement systems are essential for the success of an organisation. Gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GRR) studies assess this measurement system's capability. This paper demonstrates the application of GRR study in a Quality Control Laboratory, where measurements from three precision measuring instruments were analysed using: AIAG for GRR X¯/R and analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods. It then delineates the major observations in a medium of analysis (MS Excel and Minitab). Previous similar studies were extensively referred to draw conclusions. Findings revealed that part variation correction factor becomes crucial for instruments with high repeatability error. Reliability of X¯/R method was also assessed. Moreover, it was found that the % GRR study variation and number of distinct categories (ndc) are not coherent for X¯/R but are coherent for ANOVA.

Keywords: MSA; measurement system analysis; GRR; gauge repeatability and reproducibility; distinct data categories; ANOVA; analysis of variance; laboratory measuring instruments; Minitab; gauge reproducibility; quality control; measurement reliability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2015.074961

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2015 Vol.9 No.2/3/4, pp.126 - 149

Accepted: 27 Nov 2015
Published online: 27 Feb 2016 *

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