This is file Q8IM13D - The fourth of five files for solutions to this

chapter.
23.

The sample means and standard deviations gathered in a calibration project by the
Weighrite Corporation were observed for sample sizes of 10, as show in worksheet Prob.
13-23. Construct x - and s-charts and discuss the results.

Answer
23.

See data and control charts below and spreadsheet Prob.1323XSWeigh.xls for details.
For the Weighrite Corporation, the center line, CL x : x = 8.659; CLs : s =
7.474
a. Control limits for the x - s charts are:
x

A3 s = 8.659 0.975 (7.474) = 1.372 to 15.946

For the s-chart: UCLs = B4 s = 1.716 (7.474) = 12.825

LCLs = B3 s = 0

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

b. The process appears to be in statistical control, because values are distributed

randomly about the mean, all values lie within control limits, and there are no unusual
patterns on the x or s-charts.
24.

The temperature in a computer lab at Coyote University is very important for proper
functioning of the computer equipment. The data in the worksheet Prob.13-24 shows the
results of 30 samples of 5 each, taken at random at different times of day over a three
month time period. Construct x - and s charts and discuss the results.

Answer
24.

See data and control charts below and spreadsheet Prob.1324XSCoyote.xls for details.
For the Coyote University computer lab, the center line, CL x : x = 72.071;
CLs : s = 1.159
a. Control limits for the x - s charts are:
x

A3 s = 72.071 1.43 (1.159) = 70.414 to 73.728

For the s-chart: UCLs = B4 s = 2.09 (1.159) = 2.422

LCLs = B3 s = 0

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

b. The process appears to be in statistical control, although there seems to be a tendency

for values to hug the center lines on both the x and s-charts. However, all values
lie within control limits.
25.

Calculate the process capability statistics for the outside diameters of the bottles made on
the injection molding machine at the Moby Molding Co. (from Prob. 13-22). Use 0.12 as
the upper tolerance limit and -0.10 as the lower tolerance limit for this important measure
of process performance. What recommendation would you make to management
concerning the process, based on these findings?

Answer
25.

The process is not capable at this point. None of the values of Cp, Cpu, Cpl, Cpk are greater
than 1.0

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

Note that the spreadsheet uses an actual standard deviation of =

0.047 calculated from all of the sample values. Although this numeric
value happens to be the same, this is the overall standard deviation for
all sample values, and is not the same average statistic as s .
Process Capability
Upper specification
0.12
Lower specification
- 0.10

Cp
Cpu
Cpl
Cpk

0.789
0.795
0.784
0.784

Management should be advised that, the capability is not good, so they should work to
reduce variability, so as to approach a Cp = 2.0.
26.

Calculate the process capability statistics for the temperature in the computer lab at
Coyote University (from Prob. 13-24). Use 76 as the upper tolerance limit and 68 as the
lower tolerance limit for this important measure. What recommendation would you make
to management concerning the process, based on these findings?

Answer
26.

The process is capable at this point. All of the values of Cp, Cpu, Cpl, Cpk are greater than 1.0,
although the process is slightly skewed to the left.
Note that the spreadsheet uses an actual standard deviation of =
1.268 calculated from all of the sample values. This numeric value is
the overall standard deviation for all sample values, and is not the
same average statistic as s .
Process Capability
Upper specification
76.0
Lower specification
68.0

Cp
Cpu
Cpl
Cpk

1.051
1.033
1.070
1.033

Management should be advised that, while the capability is minimally acceptable, they
should work to reduce variability, so as to approach a Cp = 2.0.

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

27.

Chief Henry Batter of the Gotham City Police Department is trying to reduce the time
required to answer the phone at police headquarters (in fractions of a minute). The data in
the worksheet for Prob. 13-27 represent time in fractions of minutes for 3 individual
readings taken at random for 25 days.
a. Compute control limits for an x-chart (chart for individuals) using the statistic R / d2
with a 3-period moving range, as an estimate of the standard deviation.
b. Construct an x - chart for individuals, using the data. Interpret the results.

Answer
27.

See spreadsheet Prob.13-27IVGotham.xls for details. Values, below, for

x and R were obtained from the spreadsheet calculations.

a) Preparing a chart for individuals: Center Lines, CL x : x = 0.759; CLR :

R = 0.037
Estimated = R / d2 = 0.037 / 1.693 = 0.022; actual = 0.021
x - 3 est = 0.759 3 (0.021) = 0.696 to 0.822;
x - 3 actual = 0.759 3 (0.022) = 0.693 to 0.825

These limits apply to individual items only. In this case, the estimated
standard deviation was based on a three period moving range, and
was only 0.001 different from the actual standard deviation. This small
variation will not happen in every case, because = R / d2 is only an
estimator for the population standard deviation. Individual items can
only be plotted on x-charts, as shown below.
Control limits - R: UCLR = D4 R = 2.574 (0.037) = 0.095
LCLR = D3 R =
0 (0.037) = 0

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

b) The individual values should be plotted on x-charts, but students need

to understand how x - chart and R-chart results differ in comparison
with the above. The chart for individuals and the moving range chart
seem to be under control.
28.

Charlie Plato owns Charlies China Emporium, which sells inexpensive cups, dishes, and
bric-a-brack in a seaside resort. She has three checkout stations, which she would like to
test to see if they are under control and capable. She considers sales of $36.50 per hour,
per station, to be a representative average. Consider the data for 75 individual results of
sales dollars per hour, per unit, shown in the worksheet Prob.13-28.
a. Compute control limits for an x-chart (chart for individuals) using the statistic R / d2
as an estimate of the standard deviation with a 3-period moving range.
b. Construct an x - chart for individuals, using the data. Interpret the results.

Answer
28.

See spreadsheet Prob13-28IVCharlie.xls for details. Values, below, for

x and R were obtained from the spreadsheet calculations.

a) Preparing a chart for individuals: Center Lines, CL x : x = 36.58; CLR :

R = 20.64
x 3 est = 36.58 3 (12.19) = 0.01 to 73.15;
x 3 actual = 36.58 3 (11.38) = 2.44 to 70.72

These limits apply to individual items only.

Control limits - R: UCLR = D4 R = 2.574 (20.64) = 53.13
LCLR = D3 R =
0 (20.64) = 0

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

10

b) The individual values should be plotted on x-charts, but students need

to understand how x - chart and R-chart results differ in comparison
with the above. The chart for individuals and the moving range chart
seem to be under control.
29.

Ricardos Widgets makes a critical part for a popular brand of cell phones. Consider the
data for 60 observations of a key dimension for the part, shown in the worksheet
Prob.13-29.
a. Compute control limits for an x-chart using the statistic R /d2 as an estimate of the
standard deviation, with a 4-period moving average for the range calculation.
b. Construct an x- chart for individuals using the data. Interpret the results.

Ans
29.

a) See spreadsheet Prob.13-29IVRick.xls (X and MR chart template) for

details. Values, below, for x and R were obtained from the
spreadsheet calculations.
CLx : x = 0.112; CLR : R = 0.011 (with a 4-period moving average)
Estimated = R / d2 = 0.011 / 2.059 = 0.0053
3 est = 0.112 3 (0.0053) = 0.096 to 0.128;
for x 3 = 0.112 3 (0.0055) = 0.096 to 0.129
x

The limits above apply to individual items only. Individual items can
only be plotted on x-charts. See the chart on individuals, below.
Control limits - R: UCLR = D4 R = 2.282 (0.011) = 0.025
LCLR = D3 R =
0 (0.011) = 0

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

11

b) The individual values should be plotted on x-charts, but students need

to understand how x - chart and R-chart results differ in comparison

Chapter 13 - Statistical Process Control

12

with the above. The chart for individuals and the moving range chart
seem to be under control.
See file Q8IMC13E.DOC - the last file, for more solutions to end-ofchapter problems for Chapter 13.