International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Quality Transformation to Improve Customer Satisfaction: Using Product, Process, System, and Behavior Model  
  by Venkatasudhahar Murugesan, Poornachandrika V, Surrya Prakash D, Dilip Raja N 
  Abstract: In recent years automotive manufacturing industries systematically improved their quality parameters principally through strategies within supply chain. However the current performance is not enough, industry dynamics and new technology development require a major quality transformation. Implementation of various quality improvements is the aim of achieving customer delight in many companies. Despite the marked improvements that have come from quality management, quality process, information technology systems, without a transformation within an organizations culture, quality management will continue to suffer. This paper presents a case study on the application of behavior model of a quality blue box with a plan, control, assure concept through Veto right approach, a process model of robust process automation in customer claim handling, system model of a mature audit tool. This work is carried out in a leading automotive commercial vehicle control system manufacturing company. This case study illustrates to get zero defects by applying behavior, process, and system models. After implementation, there is a significant change in the reduction of customer claims.
  Keywords: Veto right; Quality blue box; robust process automation; Quality transformation.
  
  
• Optimising the Manufacturing Process and Product Design Using the Design of Experiment Method: The Case of Fancy Boucl  
  by Malek Alshukur 
  Abstract: Since boucl
  Keywords: design of experiments; fancy bouclé yarn; bouclé yarn structure; yarn morphology; circularity ratio of fancy profile; size of fancy profile; shape factor of fancy yarn.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2023.10049422
   
  
• Stochastic analysis of delayed reporting of faults in a computer network using copula distribution  
  by Praveen Kumar Poonia, Vijay Vir Singh 
  Abstract: The objective of this paper is to study the system reliability of a computer network incorporating delayed reporting of non-fatal faults. We divided the network into four subsystems that includes router, gateway switch, two identical load balancers, and n similar application or web servers working under k-out-of-n: G policy with standby arrangement and all are connected in series. This mathematical model uses a significant feature of load balancing combining delayed reporting of non-fatal faults in a computer network under catastrophic failure by assuming two different forms of failure between neighbouring transitions from which the designed systems behavioural analysis can be examined. The paper aims to find various reliability characteristics using supplementary variable technique and Laplace transformation with the implications of Gumbel-Hougaard family of copula distribution. The study shows a significant improvement in availability and expected cost while we ensured with the use of copula repair.
  Keywords: k-out-of-n: G system; load balancer; router; catastrophic failure; Gumbel-Hougaard family copula distribution; delayed reporting; supplementary variable technique.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2023.10049806
   
  
• Implementation of Six Sigma in Small-scale ceramic industry and its holistic assessment  
  by Mihir Patel, Darshak Desai 
  Abstract: Most industries are using Six Sigma enhancement techniques in the current competitive scenario to procure high-quality goods, minimise overall costs, and increase equipment availability. In this article, the DMAIC Six Sigma methodology is applied to improve ceramic product quality in the small-scale ceramic industry. After Six Sigma implementations of two critical product groups, the rejection rate improved from 19.38% to 8.42% for insulators and 20.22% to 6.91% for industrial media. The overall impact of Six Sigma implementation has been assessed through balance scorecard (BSC) model. It is holistic assessment model. Encouraging improvements were found for finalised parameters (BSC) after the implementation of Six Sigma. A generic model CERAMODEL has been proposed for similar ceramic industries for continuous improvement with an adequate assessment of six sigma implementation.
  Keywords: balance scorecard; BSC; ceramic industry; continues improvement model; holistic assessment; small scale; Six Sigma.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2023.10050946
   
  
• Failure modes and effects analysis using fuzzy hybrid SWARA-MARCOS, SWARA-CoCoSo and SWARA-WASPAS approaches  
  by Rajesh Attri, Vikas . 
  Abstract: Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is an effective means for detecting and ranking the failure modes related to a particular system. In the literature, a number of shortcomings of FMEA has been reported like unreliability of conventional FMEA because in that weightage of risk factors is equal. Due to this, the current paper proposes new hybrid multi-criteria decision-making approaches i.e., fuzzy step wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) integrated with fuzzy measurement alternative and ranking according to compromise solution (MARCOS), fuzzy SWARA integrated with fuzzy combined compromised solution (CoCoSo) and fuzzy SWARA integrated with fuzzy weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method for prioritising the failure modes. This hybrid model for prioritise the failure modes is a newly developed methodology. The aim of this research study is to develop a hybrid method for prioritise the failure modes based on rational weightage of all risk factors. A case study has been described so as to validate the proposed fuzzy methodologies. The results obtained by these hybrid approaches are nearly equal besides the deviation in the rankings of some failure modes.
  Keywords: failure modes and effects analysis; FMEA; step wise weight assessment ratio analysis; SWARA; measurement alternative and ranking according to compromise solution; MARCOS; combined compromised solution; CoCoSo; weighted aggregated sum product assessment; WASPAS.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2023.10051890
   
  
• Design of an expert system based on fuzzy logic for real-time oil condition monitoring and fault diagnosis in heavy-duty diesel engines  
  by Hamed Niknafs, Gh Reza Zarepour, Morteza Faridkhah 
  Abstract: Determination of useful life for lubricant oils has always been a major concern in industrial maintenance area. Especially, in case of combustion engines experiences have shown due to many uncontrollable external-internal factors affecting oil life, predefined life intervals in many cases would not be reliable and may be followed by engine wear-out or lubricant loss. Online condition monitoring can be implemented as the most effective method to discover oil degradation and suitable replacement time. In this study to systematic analysis of engine oil condition, the oil quality level has been established as a quantitative concept and implemented in the form of a fuzzy system. This system has used as a control unit to interpret data from a real-time measurement block of oil critical characteristics. Software results follow lab results satisfactorily and show using system will lead to achieve higher reliability and maintenance characteristics of the oil and engine as well.
  Keywords: engine oil; condition monitoring; diesel engine; oil degradation; fuzzy system.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2024.10053119