Using Statistical Process Control to Troubleshoot and Track Trends in Manufacturing Elastomeric Shot Bushes

Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods were used to troubleshoot the process problems that occur in the manufacturing of elastomeric shot bushes. This developed procedure helped to identify the variables responsible for the process going out of control and demonstrated that, given the existing engineering tolerances, even when the process is in control, it would still not be capable.

When it was determined that the manufacturing process was not in control, SPC techniques were implemented to investigate the causes and effects and to bring the process back in control. Ultimately, the process was shown to be significantly improved and very close to capable by adjusting the engineering tolerances. This paper will demonstrate how SPC techniques identified the problems, tracked trends in the manufacturing process, and alleviated future process problems. The intent of this paper is not to train people in SPC, but to show how SPC was used as a decision making tool for a real world problem.