Support: SPC Explorer RT

Can you add data (such as Manufacturing Order number, Serial Number, etc.) via a barcode reader to the Traceability Fields?

If the barcode reader is a keyboard emulation type reader, then just put your cursor into the field then scan from the bar code.

How do you delete Work Sets, Parts, and Characteristics?

Prior to v3.1, Work Sets, Parts and/or Characteristics that were no longer needed could be made Inactive. Version 3.0 provides the ability to limit the views to only those records based on specified criteria (such as Active Only).
Version 3.1 allows deleting of Work Sets, Parts, and Characteristics, as well as Gages and ODBC Import definitions.

If a Characteristic is Inactive, why is it shown in a Work Set view? You shouldn't be able to collect data on it.

It was designed this way to allow on-line users the ability to view a characteristic w/o collecting data for it. If you don't want to see the characteristic in the Workset, you should use the Remove button in the Define Workset dialog to remove the characteristic from the Workset. Note also that Auto Advance will bypass the Inactive characteristic, and that data cannot be collected for the Inactive Characteristic.

Is the size of the database a concern for performance?

Performance does not degrade noticeably with the size of the database, at least within reasonable limits. Instead, performance is dictated by the amount of data being analyzed in the current workset charts. We have generated a large database to demonstrate performance: 288 processes, 384 characteristics, and 48,466 data records. When the charts had the usual 100 or even 200 subgroups there was no noticeable degradation in performance as compared to the much smaller sample database.

Although it is fair to say that MS-Access is not ideally suited for large number of users, or large number of records, you can easily circumvent that by using several databases throughout the plant for the different departments.

Version 3.1 supports the use of SQL Server databases, which are particularly useful for larger databases or frequent transactions.

Is SPC Explorer RT compatible w/ QS 9000?

QS 9000 Element 4.20 (Statistical Techniques) requires the use of statistical methods where applicable for analysis of quality-related operational data, as well as for on-going evaluation of Quality Management System effectiveness. Our SPC-PC IV Explorer software can be used to analyze both types of data, and our optional add-in for the Q-Pulse Quality Management System software provides an easy-to-use interface for this latter purpose.

The formulas used in Quality America's  SPC applications are in agreement with those found in the AIAG SPC Reference Manual (referenced by the QS9000 documentation). The Foreword to the AIAG SPC Reference Manual states the manual "should be considered an introduction to statistical process control. It is not intended to limit the evolution of statistical methods suited to particular processes or commodities, nor is it intended to be comprehensive of all SPC techniques."

In this regard, Quality America's SPC software does offer analysis options not discussed in the Reference Manual. These include non-normal Individual-X charts, non-normal Process Capability analysis, additional Run Test rules, etc. These options may or may not be used, at the user's discretion. Furthermore, the Reference Manual refers to some analysis techniques not offered in Quality America's SPC software, such as Median Charts and Measurement System Analysis (offered in Quality America's QA-Calibrate software).

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