Quality and Statistics Committee Develops Standard for Control Charts
A new standard recently
approved by
ASTM
International
Committee
E11 on
Quality and
Statistics
provides
guidance for
the use of
control
charts in
the field of
statistical
quality
control.
Control
charts are
used to
monitor
product or
process
characteristics
to determine
whether or
not a
process is
in a state
of
statistical
control. The
new
standard, E 2587, Practice for Use of Control Charts, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E11.30 on Data Analysis.
According to Thomas Murphy, leader of the E 2587 task group and an independent consultant, while Committee E11 has a manual, Manual 7A, that serves as a reference on control chart methodology, the manual does not have the force of a standard. Practice E 2587 will serve this need, while the manual will continue to serve as a reference source.
In addition, E 2587 will complement an existing E11 standard,
E 2281, Practice for Process and Measurement Capability Indices. The concepts of the two standards are linked, because a process must be in a state of statistical control before process capability analysis is valid. E 2587 will also support another recently approved E11 standard that uses control charts,
E 2554, Practice for Estimating and Monitoring the Uncertainty of Test Results of a Test Method in a Single Laboratory Using a Control
Sample Program.
Murphy says that anyone who owns a process (a set of interrelated activities that converts input into outputs) and wishes to improve the quality of the output from that process will find E 2587 beneficial. He also notes that, among other types, processes may include those dealing with manufacturing, testing and services.
“We are always seeking participation on Subcommittee E11.30 from new members,” says Frank Sinibaldi, chair of E11.30. Possible future additions to E 2587 include charts on Cusum, EWMA, acceptance control, multivariate and time-to-events. Anyone with experience in use of control charts is encouraged to participate in E11.30 standards developing activities. //
CONTACT
Technical Information:
Thomas Murphy, T.D. Murphy Statistical Consulting, LLC
Phone: 973/292-0637
ASTM Staff: Christine Sierk
Phone: 610/832-9728
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