Statistical process control

How it is used

Common in automotive and other high-volume industries, where customers often require it on key characteristics. Operators take samples, plot them on SPC charts and react when a point is out of control. SPC software can collect data directly from gauges.

Example sentences

1. The customer requires statistical process control on all critical dimensions.

2. Thanks to statistical process control, we saw the tool wear trend before any bad parts were made.

Common collocations

• SPC chart
• implement statistical process control
• SPC data
• SPC software

Related terms

• control chartA graph that shows measurements of a process over time, with a center line and upper and lower control limits, so you can see whether the process is stable.
• variationThe natural differences between the results of the same process, for example small changes in the diameter of parts made on the same machine.
• process capabilityHow well a stable process can produce parts within the specification limits, usually expressed with indices such as Cp and Cpk.
• standard deviationA number that shows how widely values are spread around their average; a small standard deviation means the results are close together. Its symbol is σ (sigma).

More terms: Quality Control and Assurance

• defect
• scrap
• rework
• quality control
• inspection
• corrective action
• nonconformance
• first pass yield
• FMEA
• audit