Appraisal of injection molding systems: A statistical approach

Ifeyinwa Faith Ogbodo 1, Chukwutoo Christopher Ihueze 2, Ogbodo Emmanuel Utochukwu 3 and Christain Emeka Okafor 4

1 Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
2 Department of Electronics & Computer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2023, 09(02), 157–169.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2023.9.2.0216
Publication history: 
Received on 11 June 2023; revised on 18 July 2023; accepted on 20 July 2023
 
Abstract: 
The deployment of statistical process control (SPC) in manufacturing environments is a prominent global phenomenon. Statistical Process Control is largely used in industries for monitoring the process parameters. It is a standard method for visualizing and controlling processes on the basis of measurements of randomly selected samples. SPC was used to evaluate the quality of production of five sample products from Injection mould system for years 2012 and 2014.  This paper presents a rapid method for quality appraisal using Statistical Process Control to analyse quality of production during corrective and preventive maintenance of Innoson Injection mould system. SPC was used to visualize and control processes of the Injection mould system for 2012 and 2014 on the basis of measurement of randomly selected sample of five product. SPC used mean, standard deviation and range to detect variations in the process so that it can be controlled. SPC was used to evaluate the quality of defective production during corrective maintenance in 2012. Quality of defective production during preventive maintenance in 2014 was also monitored and analysed.  The data collected from the production personnel was used to adjust the process to achieve the desired results. Those results were dependent on customer requirements, efficiency, quality, and reliability. Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a powerful collection of problem-solving tools useful in achieving manufacturing process stability and improving capability through the reduction of variability. Charts were   used to determine the actual capability of production process, guide modifications for improving the output quality of process, and monitor the output. The monitoring function shows the current status of output quality and provides an early warning of deviation from quality goals. The key to quality is to detect when the process goes out of control so that we can correct the malfunction and restore the control of the process.  SPC in 2012 during corrective maintenance of the system, shows out of control reflecting excessive defective products. While SPC, in 2014 during preventive maintenance of the system, shows in control for the X, S and R charts, depicting reduce defective products. In this paper need of SPC to analyse quality of production during corrective and preventive maintenance of Innoson Injection Mould system, by SPC as a quality control tool is discussed. 
 
Keywords: 
Upper Control Lower; Lower Control Lower; Statistical Process Control; Injection Molding Systems; Continuous Improvement; Production Capability.
 
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