Assume that you are in a meeting with a product manager for a company that makes electronic products, and the head of manufacturing. Engineering has completed the design of the product, and the product manager is now meeting with the head of the manufacturing operation to set up the manufacturing line. As the product manager is describing the critical specifications that the product must meet, you notice that the manufacturing manager is writing down different numbers than what the product manager is communicating. You ask the manager why he is not writing down the correct numbers. The response is as follows: “The product manager is giving me specifications, but I can’t use specifications as-is. I think in terms of control limits, the capability of the process, and the natural variation exhibited by each product that is produced on the production line.” You look at the product manager and see him shaking his head. He says, “How can this be? I am giving you the specs, and it is your job to make sure that the manufacturing line tests it!”
Should there be a difference between specifications and control limits? If so, why? Also, if they are different, how are they related?
The manufacturing manager mentioned “process capability.” How is process capability related to the ability to produce products according to a customer specification?
How can the manufacturing operation produce products that meet the customer specifications given the presence of natural variation?
Respond to these questions with the information from Chapter 7 of the text.
