Improvement of an Industrial Thermostat Using Designed Experiments

Abstract

An increasing number of quality control managers are using designed experiments to assist in process improvement. This paper presents a step-by-step description of the design and execution of an experiment conducted by employees of the Athens, Alabama plant of Eaton Controls Division to improve the performance of an industrial thermostat. The paper includes a detailed account of how experimental factors were determined and the logic and results of the designers' approach to defining “good” factor levels. In addition, the paper presents the results of the actual experiment, problems encountered in data analysis, and analytical techniques for handling the censored data that arose during the experiment.

• Case Studies
• Censored Data
• Plackett-Burman Designs
• Reliability
• Taguchi Methods

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert G. Bullington

Mr. Bullington is Product Manager for Hot Controls, Controls Division. He is a Member of ASQC.

Scott Lovin

Mr. Lovin is Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance-Sutures. He is a Member of ASQC.

David M. Miller

Dr. Miller is a Professor in the Department of Management Science and Statistics. He is a Member of ASQC.

William H. Woodall

Dr. Woodall is a Professor in the Department of Management Science and Statistics. He is a Senior Member of ASQC.