Process Capability Database Usage in Industry: Myth vs. Reality

Abstract

Abstract Process capability data (PCD) is used during design to assess manufacturability, allocate tolerances, and evaluate robustness. Process capability databases (PCDBs)1 have been developed by many design/manufacturing industries to capture their process capability and communicate it to the entire organization. While these databases are being used to monitor quality, they are not being effectively utilized by design. A survey of design and manufacturing companies was used to determine both how PCD is being used and the barriers preventing design from fully utilizing PCD. Two key barriers were identified: lack of a company-wide vision for PCD usage and poor communication between manufacturing and design. Management support, training, database population, common databases, and common indexing schemes were identified as solutions to these barriers.