Overview -
In the inspection process we are seeking to determine conformance to a standard or specification. Many times, this inspection process yields variable or continuous data, i.e. what is the length of the slot or the diameter of a hole. Other inspections are not so clear cut – it may be a visual inspection where an inspector assesses an item for a characteristic such color, texture or a tasting such as ranking wine flavor on a scale of 1 to 5. This provides attribute data rather than variable data for assessment. For variable data the measurement process is normally assessed to insure it can provide reliable measurements to accept conforming product and rejecting non-conforming product. Many times, assessment of inspectors to correctly judge the product relative to the standard, or to determine if the inspector makes consistent evaluations of the product is not undertaken.
This presentation will review the attribute inspections that one may encounter and provide some techniques for assessing an inspector’s ability to assess the product to the standard and to provide consistent inspection results over time. This information can help minimize incorrect assessments of product within a shift or between shifts and may provide a basis for training inspectors and improving the inspection process.
Presenter -
Charles W. (Wes) Shelton Is the Founder, President and Principal Consultant for Manufacturing and Quality Services, Inc. and has over 45 years of experience in Engineering, Quality Science and Management for various industries. Wes holds a B.S. degree from Indiana State University in Mechanical Technology and a M.S. degree in HRD, specializing in education and training for Higher Education and Industry, also from Indiana State. He has held Quality Management positions for Hyster Co., Danville Metal Stamping, a major aerospace engine component manufacturer and Alcoa Closure Systems International in both machinery and closure plants, and developed two manufacturing facilities for Alcoa for core pin and bottle control manufacturing. He was the developer and Director of the Metrology Training and Education program for Vincennes University. Wes is a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality and is an ASQ Certified Quality Inspector, Quality Technician, Quality Engineer, Quality Auditor and Six Sigma Green Belt. He has been a lead judge for the ASQ International Team Excellence Award program in both preliminary and final rounds and is currently the Education Chair for the ASQ Inspection Division.