The New Nino Capability Index for Dynamic Process Capability Analysis

The process capability analysis is a crucial activity to evaluate if the process outcome meets the design specifications. Classically, such analysis is performed by verifying the in-control condition of the process and evaluating suitable capability indices, by assuming the process in-control steady-state condition. However, the in-control period of the process characterizes only a part of the system functioning cycle, the one with the lower defective rate. In particular, the system functioning cycle is also characterized by the out-of-control period, during which a greater defective rate is produced, and such increasing is not considered by the widely adopted capability indices. As consequence, the classical approaches to perform the process capability analysis involves an overestimation of the process capability level. For this reason, in order to overcome the previously described limitation, in the present paper it is proposed a new capability index based on the real defective rate of the process. Thus, such new index is able to estimate the real process capability level. Finally, in order to compare the new index to the conventional Cp capability index, a numerical comparison study related to a process capability analysis is carried out, and the related practical considerations are given. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.