Conducting a Capability Study:

The purpose of a capability study is to estimate the process average and variation, relative to the specified tolerances.
To begin a capability study, identify the product, the characteristic, the tolerances, and the measurement method.
Capability studies are frequently performed using 30 consecutively-produced units.
If the units for the study are not consecutive, note the times, groupings, and conditions under which the units were produced.
Measure the units in time-order-produced if possible, to permit deeper investigation if desired.
Enter the tolerance maximum (if applicable) and minimum (if applicable) on the form where shown.
Characteristics with only a minimum tolerance are usually "higher is better" characteristics.
Characteristics with only a maximum tolerance are usually "lower is better" characteristics.
Characteristics with both a maximum and minimum tolerance are usually "nominal is best" characteristics.
Some characteristics are special "closer to tolerance is better" characteristics. Examples are speed limits and gear diameters.
Determine which direction the characteristic is supposed to be "better," to be able to interpret the capability study.
Enter the 30 measurement readings on the form where shown.
The template will automatically construct a histogram to visually estimate the shape of the process distribution, relative to the t
Note the Cp ratio, which is the ratio of the tolerance width to the width of 6-sigma of process variation.
A Cp of less than 1.33 signals trouble staying within the tolerance. A Cp greater than 2.0 signals a good potential to meet the
The Cp ratio is independent of the location of the process average. Processes with off-target averages can still score good Cp
If the characteristic has only a one-sided tolerance, the Cp ratio does not apply.
Note the Cpk, which is the distance from process average to closest tolerance, divided by 3-sigma.
A Cpk of less than 1.33 signals trouble with exceeding the closest tolerance. A Cpk greater than 2.0 signals a good safety ma
Both Cp and Cpk are estimates based on random sampling, and are subject to variation from one sample to another sample.
Histogram distributions with unexpected shapes deserve investigation.
Histograms with unexpected shapes can be caused by process average changes during production, mixing of two or more pro
Process capability should be studied in coordination with process control (SPC) in order to evaluate both capability and stabilit
Process capability estimates are misleading if the process is subject to significant special causes (changes in average or varia
To avoid producing defects, the process needs BOTH capability AND stability.
ecified tolerances.
ment method.

he units were produced.

imits and gear diameters.

pability study.

stribution, relative to the tolerance limits.

ood potential to meet the tolerances.

es can still score good Cp ratios.

signals a good safety margin to the closest tolerance.

mple to another sample.

mixing of two or more processes, and many other causes.

both capability and stability of the process.
anges in average or variation).
Capability Study Instructions: Re-name & save file, delete old data, enter Maximum, Minimum, and up to 30 data readings in Column "B"

Part # or SKU#: 124789 Operation #: 20 Person: John Smith

Product name: Housing Operation name: drilling Shift: 1
Characteristic name: Flange diameter Workstation #: 456123 Date: 1/10/05
Specification Maximum: 0.529 Histogram Maximum: 0.5318
Specification Minimum: 0.501 Coded data point: Histogram Minimum: 0.4982
0.53096
Data Reading 1 0.515 10 Upper bound cell 20 0.5318 Count above Cell Midpoint
Data Reading 2 0.516 0.52928
10.5952380952381 Upper bound cell 19 0.53012 0 0.53096
Data Reading 3 0.514 0.5276
9.40476190476191 Upper bound cell 18 0.52844 0 0.52928
Data Reading 4 0.513 0.52592
8.80952380952381 Upper bound cell 17 0.52676 0 0.5276
Data Reading 5 0.512 0.52424
8.21428571428572 Upper bound cell 16 0.52508 0 0.52592
Data Reading 6 0.516 10.5952380952381
0.52256 Upper bound cell 15 0.5234 0 0.52424
Data Reading 7 0.517 11.1904761904762
0.52088 Upper bound cell 14 0.52172 0 0.52256
Data Reading 8 0.518 11.7857142857143 Upper bound cell 13 0.52004 0 0.52088
0.5192
Data Reading 9 0.516 10.5952380952381 Upper bound cell 12 0.51836 2 0.5192
Data Reading 10 0.517 0.51752
11.1904761904762 Upper bound cell 11 0.51668 7 0.51752
Data Reading 11 0.515 0.51584 10 Upper bound cell 10 0.515 13 0.51584
Data Reading 12 0.519 0.51416
12.3809523809524 Upper bound cell 9 0.51332 18 0.51416
Data Reading 13 0.513 0.51248
8.80952380952381 Upper bound cell 8 0.51164 23 0.51248
Data Reading 14 0.5144 9.64285714285712
0.5108 Upper bound cell 7 0.50996 25 0.5108
Data Reading 15 0.518 11.7857142857143
0.50912 Upper bound cell 6 0.50828 25 0.50912
Data Reading 16 0.517 11.1904761904762 Upper bound cell 5 0.5066 25 0.50744
0.50744
Data Reading 17 0.513 8.80952380952381 Upper bound cell 4 0.50492 25 0.50576
Data Reading 18 0.5145 0.50576
9.70238095238092 Upper bound cell 3 0.50324 25 0.50408
Data Reading 19 0.5155 0.50408
10.297619047619 Upper bound cell 2 0.50156 25 0.5024
Data Reading 20 0.512 0.5024
8.21428571428572 Upper bound cell 1 0.49988 25 0.50072
Data Reading 21 0.511 0.50072
7.61904761904762 Lower bound cell 1 0.4982 25 0.49904
Data Reading 22 0.51 7.02380952380953
0.49904
Data Reading 23 0.5155 10.297619047619
Data Reading 24 0.5155 10.297619047619 Average: 0.515096
Data Reading 25 0.52 12.9761904761905 Standard Deviation: 0.002475964459
Data Reading 26 -296.547619047618 Upper 3 Sigma Value: 0.522523893376 "# of Sigmas Capability": 5.6
Data Reading 27 -296.547619047618 Lower 3 Sigma Value: 0.507668106624 2-tail PPM "Traditional": 0.019589323318
Data Reading 28 -296.547619047618 Cp Index: 1.884787421141 1-tail PPM "Traditional": 0.009794661659
Data Reading 29 -296.547619047618 Cpk: 1.871863164539 PPM "w/1.5 Sigma Shift": 19.30955566629
Data Reading 30 -296.547619047618 Average to max 0.013904