You may work in groups of 2-3 only for this job. Please submit ONE report per group to the Blackboard "Job Assignments" page. The MS Word file should be labeled as "Job1 Last names.docx." Data for Job 1 will be available on the Blackboard page.
These data represent 384 observations (8 days of production) collected from a "tub" margarine filling system. Information on targets and FDA specifications are given in the spreadsheet. Do the following tasks for the process line manager of the margarine production facility:
1.) Completely "numerically summarize" the data set. This must include the basic statistics, a histogram and a box plot. Comment on these.
2.) Are the data normal? Perform tests required to determine this. Using probability plots as a guide, suggest an alternate distribution type if appropriate. Discuss your tests and findings.
3.) Create a time series of these measurements. Analyze and discuss it. Do you see patterns, runs or other issues? Is the process that these data represent stable? Are there any margarine filling relationships (to day or time) that can be determined. Draw on and label areas of the chart to discuss in your report.
4.) If the specification limits are as given in the data set, how is the process doing? How many measurements would be non-conforming under these limits?
5.) If these sample data were theoretically from a normal distribution (hint: z-tables), and all values of tub fills over or under specification represent lost money in the form of wasted product, what are those percentages? If the out of specification products represent monetary loss estimated at $0.15 per tub, what is the estimated loss from this sample data set? What is the estimated loss per year? Assume the average production rate for this line is 1,800 tubs per hour and the line operates 260 days per year.
6.) Evaluate the company's "stop and adjust" policy, which is: "If 3 consecutive measurements fall outside of specification limits, stop the process and adjust the system."
7.) Based on your analysis of the data presented, do you think the process is in need of adjustment? What would you recommend to the process manager of this margarine company?
Present your findings in a technical report format as given in the outline below. The report should be approximately 5 pages plus graphs and appendices (tables, calculations, etc).
1.) Title page (listing report title, your company name and team members, who you are reporting to (company name and process line manager name - be creative).
2.) Executive Summary (one page: what's the problem, what did you do, what do you recommend)
3.) Introduction (brief section describing the problem and the procedures & analyses you will do.)
4.) Results and Discussion (summarize your findings, including graphs, tables, etc.)
5.) Conclusions and Recommendations (did you solve the problem, what were the pitfalls, what assumptions were made that might change the results, what is your recommendation to improve the process?
6.) Appendices: calculations, tables and figures that support your report but don't belong in the main body.
Evaluation:
1.) Solving the problem (analysis sections 1-7 from above) 75%
2.) Professional engineering presentation of solution (written and graphical delivery) 25%