Implementation of Six Sigma in a Manufacturing Process: A Case Study

Authors

  • Adan Valles Research and Graduate Studies Division Cd. Juarez Institute of Technology
  • Jaime Sanchez Research and Graduate Studies Division Cd. Juarez Institute of Technology
  • Salvador Noriega Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Institute of Engineering and Technology Autonomous University of Cd. Juárez
  • Berenice Gómez Nuñez Research and Graduate Studies Division Cd. Juarez Institute of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2009.16.3.263

Keywords:

Six Sigma, Repeatability and Reproducibility Gauge Study, Quality Improvement

Abstract

This paper presents a Six Sigma project conducted at a semiconductor company dedicated to the manufacture of circuit cartridges for inkjet printers. They are tested electrically in the final stage of the process measuring electrical characteristics to accept or reject them. Electrical failures accounted for about 50% of all defects. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the main problems, causes and actions to reduce the level of defects. With the implementation of Six Sigma, it was possible to determine the key factors, identify the optimum levels or tolerances and improvement opportunities. The major factors that were found through a design of experiments 3 factors and 2 levels were: abrasive pressure (90-95 psi), height of the tool (0.06-0.05) and cycle time (7000-8000 msec.). The improvement was a reduction in the electrical failures of around 50%. The results showed that with proper application of this methodology, and support for the team and staff of the organization, a positive impact on the quality and other features critical to customer satisfaction can be achieved

Author Biographies

Adan Valles, Research and Graduate Studies Division Cd. Juarez Institute of Technology

Jaime Sanchez, Research and Graduate Studies Division Cd. Juarez Institute of Technology

Jaime Sanchez is a Professor and former Principal of the Instituto Tecnologico de Cd. Juarez. He has Bachelor and Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico de cd. Juarez and also has a Master Degree in Mathematics and a Ph. D. in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University. His areas of specialty include applied statistics, statistical quality control, and experimental optimization, design of experiments, response surface methodology and mathematical programming. He is author of two books of statistics and design of experiments and co-author of a number of national and international journal publications.

Salvador Noriega, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Institute of Engineering and Technology Autonomous University of Cd. Juárez

Salvador A. Noriega is a Professor at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Head of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de Cd. Juárez. He has the Masters and Dr. Sc. Degrees in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico de Cd. Juárez. His areas of specialty include manufacturing-technology strategies, quality improvement and ergonomics. Coauthor of a book on Applied Occupational Ergonomics published by the International Journal of Industrial Engineering Press.

 

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How to Cite

Valles, A., Sanchez, J., Noriega, S., & Nuñez, B. G. (2009). Implementation of Six Sigma in a Manufacturing Process: A Case Study. International Journal of Industrial Engineering: Theory, Applications and Practice, 16(3), 171–181. https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2009.16.3.263

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2009): Special Issue: Six Sigma - Its Application, Practice and Utility

Section

Production Planning and Control

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