Glossary
Shop floor terms, in plain language
Definition, formula, a numerical example and what it looks like in the system.
8DQuality controlThe standard response to a complaint, from forming a team to preventing recurrence.ReadCAPAQuality controlA workflow that makes sure a problem is removed at the source and does not come back.ReadControl chartQuality controlA plot of results over time with a centre line and control limits calculated from the process data.ReadCpQuality controlCompares the tolerance width with the process spread. It does not look at whether the process is centred.ReadCpkQuality controlLike Cp, but it accounts for the shift of the mean from the centre of the tolerance. This is the index the customer cares about.ReadFAIQuality controlA full measurement of the first piece after a production start or a change, before the run begins.ReadFPYQuality controlThe share of pieces that passed inspection without rework and without rejection.ReadLPAQuality controlShort, frequent process audits performed by different levels: leader, manager, director.ReadMTBFProduction efficiencyHow long a machine runs on average from one breakdown to the next.ReadMTTRProduction efficiencyHow long it takes on average to clear a breakdown, from the stop to the restart.ReadNCRQuality controlA record of a non-conforming product: what, how many, why and what decision.ReadOEEProduction efficiencyThe indicator that tells you what share of planned time a machine actually spent producing good pieces at the standard rate.ReadOOEProduction efficiencyOEE calculated against the total time the plant operates, including planned stops.ReadPPMQuality controlThe defect level expressed per million pieces. A common language with the customer at very low reject levels.ReadSPCQuality controlA way of supervising a process that tells normal variation apart from a signal that something has changed.ReadTEEPProduction efficiencyMachine utilisation against full calendar time: 24 hours, 7 days a week.ReadTraceabilityBatch traceabilityThe ability to reconstruct what a product was made from, which processes it went through and where it went.Read