This work describes a strategy to reduce the cost associated with poor quality, by reducing the parts per million defects by Defining, Measuring, Analyzing, Implementing and Controlling (DMAIC) the production process. The method uses a combination of principles of Six Sigma applications, Lean Manufacturing and Shanin Strategy. The process has been used in analyzing the manufacturing lines of a brake lever at a Connecticut automotive components manufacturing company for reducing the cost associated with the production of nonconforming parts. The analysis was carried out with the help of the data collected on nonconformance parts and the application of phase change rules from DMAIC (+). Data analysis was carried out on statistical process control softwares, MINITAB and SPC XL 2000. Although, the problem of tight bushing existed on only one line of the brake lever assembly, this problem solving approach has solved the tight bushing problems on all assembly and alternates lines in a time- and cost-effective way.
Computational steering in the problem solving environment WBCSim
