Measurement Systems Analysis

In order to successfully conduct design of experiments, it is important to use an adequate system for recording measurements (where a "measurement system" includes the operators who perform the measurements, the measuring device that they used and their method for using the device). Weibull++'s DOE feature includes three tools for evaluating and comparing measurement systems. You can use these tools to:

• Help you determine whether you should use a particular measuring device.
• Compare one measuring device to another.
• Compare a measuring device's performance before and after a repair.
• Investigate the sources of variation in the measurement results (e.g., variation could result from differences in how operators use a measuring device).

The three tools for measurement systems analysis are described next:

• The linearity and bias folio is used to estimate a measuring device's accuracy (i.e., the extent to which the device underestimates or overestimates the measured values, across the device's expected operating range).
• The gage R&R folio is used to estimate a measurement system's precision (i.e., the variation in measurements that can be expected when the same part is measured repeatedly using the same measuring device).
• The gage agreement folio is used to compare the accuracy and precision of two systems.

To add one of these folios to your project, right-click the Test and Planning folder in the current project explorer or choose Home > Insert then choose the folio type (Linearity and Bias, Gage R&R, or Gage Agreement).

The ReliaWiki resource portal provides more information on measurement systems analysis at: http://www.reliawiki.org/index.php/Measurement_System_Analysis.