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Quality Control (QC), Production Management, and Equipment Maintenance

Industrial Manufacturing (SSW 2) · 製造分野(2号) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

QC Seven Tools (Pareto Chart, Fishbone Diagram, Histogram, Scatter Plot, Control Chart)

A 'Pareto chart' combines descending bars of defect counts with a cumulative percentage line to identify the vital few priority issues.

A 'Cause-and-Effect diagram' (fishbone diagram) organizes causal factors (such as 4M: Man, Machine, Material, Method) against an outcome, while 'Why-Why analysis' finds the root cause.

A 'Histogram' shows the distribution and spread of measured data, and a 'Scatter diagram' examines the correlation between two paired variables.

A 'Control chart' uses a center line (CL) and upper/lower control limits (UCL/LCL, typically ±3σ) to detect process abnormalities over time.

QC Seven Tools (Pareto Chart, Fishbone Diagram, Histogram, Scatter Plot, Control Chart)

Key points


  • (○ True) Use a Pareto chart to prioritize problems, a fishbone diagram to organize causes, and a scatter plot to check correlation between two variables.

  • (○ True) On a control chart, non-random runs or trends (such as many consecutive points on one side of the center line) indicate process abnormality even inside UCL/LCL.

  • (× False) Saying control limits (UCL/LCL) are identical to product drawing specification limits (tolerances) is FALSE.
WordMeaning
Pareto chart
cause-and-effect (fishbone) diagram
histogram
scatter diagram
control chart

PDCA Cycle, Process Capability Index (Cp), and Inspection Methods

The continuous improvement 'PDCA cycle' progresses through Plan -> Do -> Check -> Act.

The process capability index $C_p = \frac{\text{USL} - \text{LSL}}{6\sigma}$ compares tolerance width against process spread ($6\sigma$); generally, $C_p \ge 1.33$ indicates sufficient capability.

'First-article inspection' checks the initial piece after setup or changeover, while 'sampling inspection' randomly selects samples from a lot (and is essential for destructive testing).

Rather than relying solely on final sorting, 'quality must be built into the process' under the principle that 'the next process is your customer' (do not accept, make, or pass on defects).

Key points


  • (○ True) PDCA follows 'Plan -> Do -> Check -> Act', and the process capability index is calculated as $C_p = (\text{Specification width}) \div (6\sigma)$.

  • (○ True) Destructive testing requires random 'sampling inspection' rather than 100% inspection, and 'first-article inspection' is performed right after setup changes.

  • (× False) Saying 'as long as final shipping inspection is done, intermediate processes may pass defects to the next process' is FALSE.
WordMeaning
PDCA cycle
process capability index (Cp)
first-article inspection
sampling inspection
standard operating procedure (SOP)

Production Management (JIT, Kanban, Bottleneck, Availability, Lead Time, FIFO)

Just-In-Time (JIT) production makes 'only what is needed, when needed, in the amount needed', using 'Kanban' pull signals from downstream processes to prevent overproduction waste.

Total line output is governed by the slowest stage—the 'bottleneck process' (longest cycle time)—so improving line capacity requires improving the bottleneck.

The elapsed time from order/material input to completion is 'lead time', and using older inventory lots first is 'First-In, First-Out' (FIFO).

Defect rate equals 'defective units ÷ total inspected units × 100 (%)', and equipment availability equals 'actual operating time ÷ planned loading time × 100 (%)'.

Key points


  • (○ True) JIT production uses downstream pull (Kanban) to eliminate overproduction waste and reduce work-in-process inventory.

  • (○ True) Line capacity is limited by the slowest 'bottleneck process', and inventory is managed by 'First-In, First-Out' (FIFO).

  • (× False) Speeding up only upstream processes while ignoring the bottleneck merely piles up work-in-process without increasing finished output.
WordMeaning
Just-In-Time (JIT)
Kanban system
bottleneck process
lead time
First-In, First-Out (FIFO)

Equipment Maintenance (Preventive, Predictive, Corrective, Autonomous) and Traceability

Performing scheduled inspections and part replacements before failure is 'Preventive Maintenance', whereas repairing after breakdown is 'Corrective (Breakdown) Maintenance'.

Monitoring vibration, temperature, or noise trends to predict failure is 'Predictive Maintenance', and daily cleaning, lubrication, and inspection by operators is 'Autonomous Maintenance'.

'Minor stops' (Chokotei) are brief, frequent interruptions caused by part jams or sensor trips that reduce availability and pose safety risks if handled improperly.

Tracking raw materials, machining dates, equipment, and inspection records via lot numbers is called 'Traceability', enabling rapid containment if defects occur.

Key points


  • (○ True) Scheduled inspection and part replacement before failure is 'preventive maintenance', while diagnosing degradation trends is 'predictive maintenance'.

  • (○ True) Tracking production history and material lots is called 'traceability', which helps isolate affected lots when defects arise.

  • (× False) Saying 'machines only need repair after breaking down, so daily inspection and lubrication are unnecessary' is FALSE.
WordMeaning
preventive maintenance
predictive maintenance
autonomous maintenance
minor stoppage (Chokotei)
traceability

Quality Control and QC Tools

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Official references