Statistical Process Control in Manufacturing

Course Description

Welcome to the world of statistical process control in manufacturing! This intermediate-level course, offered by MITx, is an essential component of the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters program. Designed to equip you with powerful statistical methods for achieving world-class manufacturing quality, this course delves into the inherent randomness present in all manufacturing processes.

What Students Will Learn

• Variation modeling using Random Processes theory
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) foundations and applications
• Advanced control chart methods (Xbar, EWMA, CUSUM, and discrete event)
• Techniques for analyzing process changes through general process physics
• Practical application of statistical methods to achieve superior quality in unit manufacturing processes

Prerequisites

• Engineering undergraduate preparation
• Basic knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with probability theory is helpful but not required

Course Coverage

• Recognition of inherent variability in continuous production
• Identification of process output variation sources
• Structured description of variation
• Application of basic probability and statistics concepts to characterize process variation
• Differentiation between design specifications and process capability
• Synthesis of novel approaches for unfamiliar situations
• Assessment of various statistical methods' appropriateness for different problems

Who This Course Is For

• Engineering professionals seeking to enhance their manufacturing quality control skills
• Students pursuing a career in manufacturing engineering or quality management
• Individuals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of statistical process control methods
• Professionals looking to advance their careers in the manufacturing industry

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course have immediate real-world applications. Graduates have reported using these concepts daily in their professional lives, from driving quality improvements to assessing process stability and vendor performance. You'll be equipped to:

• Implement effective quality control measures in manufacturing processes
• Make data-driven decisions to optimize production efficiency
• Analyze and improve process capability
• Develop strategies for continuous improvement in manufacturing operations
• Communicate effectively about quality control issues using industry-standard terminology

Syllabus Overview

• Introduction to randomness in manufacturing processes
• Fundamentals of statistical process control
• Variation modeling and analysis
• Advanced control chart methods (Xbar, EWMA, CUSUM)
• Process capability analysis
• Application of statistical methods to real-world manufacturing scenarios

Conclusion

By enrolling in this course, you're not just learning theory – you're gaining practical skills that are in high demand in today's competitive manufacturing industry. Join us to develop the engineering and management skills needed for competence and success in modern manufacturing!