Full Six Sigma implementation at the everyday detail level is easier said than done. The first sign of Six Sigma implementation is a scramble to pressure suppliers to achieve Six Sigma quality levels on existing parts for current products. While not without some benefit, this effort roughly corresponds to parts of Steps No. 5 and 6 of the Six Steps to Six Sigma. Full implementation of all Six Steps, however, must be done throughout product development.
We need to understand and require knowledge the following:
- Sensitivities of end-product requirements to key part/assembly characteristics
- Ability of manufacturing processes to create those key characteristics
- Consistent way to communicate variability requirements to our suppliers
Our EWO effort addresses this need and focuses on developing methods and processes that enable engineers to allocate tolerances on sub-systems and individual parts based on customer requirements and manufacturing process capabilities. Mike PocciaÆs current model is based on Orthogonal Decomposition and assumes linearity in Systems. We plan to extend the methodology to non-linear systems.
We are currently developing a training course for engineers and designers in the use of this method where they will be able to get hands-on training in the tools we develop.
