Accuracy and Precision

TM

Accurate but not precise - Precise but not accurate -

On average, the shots are in The average is not on the
the center of the target but center, but the variability is
there is a lot of variability small

OSSS LSS Green Belt v9.0 - Measure Phase 1 OpenSourceSixSigma.com

 MSA Uses
TM

MSA can be used to:

Compare internal inspection standards with the standards

of your customer.

Highlight areas where calibration training is required.

Provide a method to evaluate inspector training

effectiveness as well as serves as an excellent training tool.

Provide a great way to:

–Compare existing measurement equipment.
–Qualify new inspection equipment.

OSSS LSS Green Belt v9.0 - Measure Phase 2 OpenSourceSixSigma.com

 Bias
TM

Bias is defined as the deviation of the measured value

from the actual value.

Calibration procedures can minimize and control bias

within acceptable limits. Ideally, Bias can never be
eliminated due to material wear and tear!

Bias Bias

OSSS LSS Green Belt v9.0 - Measure Phase 3 OpenSourceSixSigma.com

 Stability
TM

Stability of a gauge is defined as error (measured in terms

of Standard Deviation) as a function of time. Environmental
conditions such as cleanliness, noise, vibration, lighting,
chemical, wear and tear or other factors usually influence
gauge instability. Ideally, gages can be maintained to give
a high degree of stability but can never be eliminated
unlike reproducibility. Gage stability studies would be the
first exercise past calibration procedures.
Control Charts are commonly used to track the stability of a
measurement system over time.
Drift

Stability is Bias
characterized as a function
of time!

OSSS LSS Green Belt v9.0 - Measure Phase 4 OpenSourceSixSigma.com

 Linearity
TM

Linearity is defined as the difference in Bias values throughout

the measurement range in which the gauge is intended to be
used. This tells you how accurate your measurements are through
the expected range of the measurements. It answers the
question, "Does my gage have the same accuracy for all sizes of
objects being measured?"

Linearity = |Slope| * Process Variation Low Nominal High

+e

B i a s (y)
% Linearity = |Slope| * 100
0.00
*
-e
*
*
Reference Value (x)
y = a + b.x
y: Bias, x: Ref. Value
a: Slope, b: Intercept

OSSS LSS Green Belt v9.0 - Measure Phase 5 OpenSourceSixSigma.com

 Types of MSA’s
TM

MSA’s fall into two categories:

– Attribute
– Variable

Attribute Variable
– Pass/Fail – Continuous scale
– Go/No Go – Discrete scale
– Document Preparation – Critical dimensions
– Surface imperfections – Pull strength
– Customer Service – Warp
Response

Transactional projects typically have attribute based

measurement systems.
Manufacturing projects generally use variable studies
more often, but do use attribute studies to a lesser
degree.
OSSS LSS Green Belt v9.0 - Measure Phase 6 OpenSourceSixSigma.com