Process Capability

Index in an Instant!
INSTANT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
 Process Capability Index

1 Overview

The process capability index is an index which quantitatively assesses the processing capability of a
controlled process. In general the larger the process capability index is, the lower the defective rate,
and the more stable the process is. As the process capability index is calculated using the relationship
between product dimension variation and drawing tolerance to calculate the process capability index
process capability can be reviewed at a glance. The number of cases in which process capability index
is being evaluated in response to customer requirements and improving the level of quality control is
increasing.

Process UTL−LTL UTL: Upper Tolerance Limit

Cp= LTL : Lower Tolerance Limit

Capability Index 6 : Standard deviation

2 Calculating the Process Capability Index

As shown in the above formula, process capability index is determined by tolerance width and
standard deviation. The image below illustrates this relationship.

As tolerance increases➡the process capability index increases

As the standard deviation decreases➡the process capability index increases

Standard deviation Tolerance

Cp High (variation)

Cp Low
Small Large

The relationship between tolerance, standard deviation and Cp

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 3 How Should the Process Capability Index be Viewed?

It is not necessarily the case that higher process capability values are better. A processing capability
which is too high can result in increased production costs. It is often said that figures of Cp=1.33 or
Cp=1.50 are the standard. There are cases where the process capability index standard criteria
depend upon the transaction conditions. Where the process capability index is below standard,
process improvements may be required. The below table*1 is an example of a standard.

Example Process Capability Index Standard Values

Standard Width Cp Defect Rate

Existing process ±4 1.33 6.4/100,000 units

New process ±4.5 1.5 6.8/100,000 units

*1 Montgomery, Douglas (2004), "Introduction to Statistical Quality Control", p.354

4 Assessing Process Capability Index

Process capability index can be evaluated by performing statistical analysis on the following data.

● Target dimension inspection value

● Target dimension design value and setting tolerance

The statistical analysis can be performed using calculation software such as Excel. However, if
analysing multiple measurement points, data aggregation and analysis must be performed on each
product measurement point.

Optical Measuring (tool) Optical CMM PC

comparator microscope

Aggregate measurement data from each measurement system to perform statistical analysis

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 Instant Measurement System: IM Series Statistical

Automatically Evaluate the Process Capability Index With the IM Series

The IM Series evaluates and Cp statistics in real time. Each measured item's key statistics such as
OKs, NGs, maximum. value, minimum. value, average. value, etc. can be automatically calculated
and displayed. Furthermore, inspection reports containing these statistics can be created with a
single click.

Required key items included in the Inspection reports can be created

inspection report with a single click

Check Trends and Variations On-site

As trend graphs and histograms are also automatically created, it makes it easier to visualise
measured values steadily decreasing, variations becoming larger and values periodically fluctuating.

Trend graphs show product trends at a glance Histogram settings can be freely changed

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Analysis Capability

Extract Management and Specified Time Period Data per Lot Unit

Lot information, staff members responsible for inspection, serial numbers and more can be
automatically saved at the time of measurement. This information can be used to provide daily
inspection data that aids investigation and analysis into the causes of defective workpieces, as well as
helping to manage trends. Users can also leave notes for reference.

Transfer Data to a PC

With the CSV model, measurement data can be transferred automatically. And with the optional data
transfer software, measurement results from the IM Series can be automatically transferred to
designated cells within an excel spreadsheet on a PC.

Measurement results

PC

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 The IM Series: Instant Measurement System

An "Instant Measurement" System

The IM Series combines remarkable measurement speed and high measurement accuracy in a single
image dimension measurement system. Simply place the part on the stage and press the button to
display measurement results in a matter of seconds, even when measuring multiple points.

Step 1
Place

Step 2
Press

The Optical Technology That Enables "Instant Measurement"

The Instant Measurement System guarantees high accuracy measurements through ultra-crisp image
capture. The IM Series boasts a high accuracy telecentric lens with a large pipe diameter of Ø100
mm. As a result, targets remain in focus and stay the same size despite elevation differences, and
edges do not appear distorted.With the IM Series, users can be sure they're capturing high quality
images.

Typical lens IM-7000 Series

Differences in elevation cause Target is in focus even with
the target to be out of focus differences in elevation

Typical lens IM-7000 Series Typical lens IM-7000 Series

Differences in distance cause Uneven surfaces can be Distortion towards the Reduced distortion within
inaccurate measurements accurately measured edges the field of view

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Measurement Examples

Lathe-machined product

Pressed product Spring

Sintering Plastic moulding Gear

Connector terminal Position of printed letters Machine tool tip

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