Manuscript Abstract

An Economic Analysis of Inspection Costs for Failsafing Attributes

An Economic Analysis of Inspection Costs for Failsafing Attributes John R. Grout, and Brian T. Downs

Failsafing devices (or poka-yoke devices) are used to inspect the conditions for high quality production (source inspection) or for inspecting work as it is completed to provide the fastest possible feedback (self-checks). These techniques involve 100% inspection and are economical only if the cost of inspection is very low. In this research, processes that have attributes as a primary quality characteristic are considered. An existing model for the economic design of np-charts will be used to determine how low inspection costs must be before self-checks become economical. An existing model for checking proper operating conditions will be used to find how low the cost of source-inspection must be in order for it to be economical.


Complete 27 page manuscript available upon request (Working paper 95-0901). (Manuscripts will be sent on paper through the U.S. Postal Service. Please include postal address in request.)

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