An Economic Analysis of Inspection Costs for Mistake-Proofing Binomial Attributes

Abstract

Mistake-proofing (or poka-yoke) devices are used to insure that conditions for high quality production exist (source inspection) or to provide rapid feedback on defects (self-checks). In this paper, self-checks are shown to be a special case of the np-control chart, not a competing process control method. Existing economic control chart design models are employed to show that managerial actions cannot always make self-checks as cost effective as other np-chart designs. A model of source inspection is analyzed to determine how low inspection costs must be in order for source inspection to be economical.

• Mistake-proofing
• Economic Design of Control Charts
• Inspection Costs
• Statistical Process Control

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian T. Downs

Dr. Downs is an Operations Research Consultant.

John R. Grout

Dr. Grout is David C. Garrett Jr. Associate Professor of Operations Management. His email address is [email protected].