1. Taguchi believed that the traditional view of quality, which considers products acceptable if they fall within specification limits, is flawed. Instead, quality loss occurs whenever there is a deviation from the target or nominal value.
2. Taguchi expressed this concept through a quadratic quality loss function, where loss increases as the deviation from the nominal value increases, even if the product is still within specification limits.
3. There are different types of quality loss functions depending on whether smaller or larger values are preferred, but they all evaluate loss based on variability from the target value, with the goal of continually improving processes to minimize loss.
1. Taguchi believed that the traditional view of quality, which considers products acceptable if they fall within specification limits, is flawed. Instead, quality loss occurs whenever there is a deviation from the target or nominal value.
2. Taguchi expressed this concept through a quadratic quality loss function, where loss increases as the deviation from the nominal value increases, even if the product is still within specification limits.
3. There are different types of quality loss functions depending on whether smaller or larger values are preferred, but they all evaluate loss based on variability from the target value, with the goal of continually improving processes to minimize loss.
1. Taguchi believed that the traditional view of quality, which considers products acceptable if they fall within specification limits, is flawed. Instead, quality loss occurs whenever there is a deviation from the target or nominal value.
2. Taguchi expressed this concept through a quadratic quality loss function, where loss increases as the deviation from the nominal value increases, even if the product is still within specification limits.
3. There are different types of quality loss functions depending on whether smaller or larger values are preferred, but they all evaluate loss based on variability from the target value, with the goal of continually improving processes to minimize loss.
1. Taguchi believed that the traditional view of quality, which considers products acceptable if they fall within specification limits, is flawed. Instead, quality loss occurs whenever there is a deviation from the target or nominal value.
2. Taguchi expressed this concept through a quadratic quality loss function, where loss increases as the deviation from the nominal value increases, even if the product is still within specification limits.
3. There are different types of quality loss functions depending on whether smaller or larger values are preferred, but they all evaluate loss based on variability from the target value, with the goal of continually improving processes to minimize loss.
Lecturer, Department of IPE Quality Loss Function Traditionally it is believed that any quality characteristics should be measured within a specification limit, which is to be set either by the designer or by the customer. But Taguchi, a famous expert of quality, believes that the product acceptance based on specification limit is a flawed concept. Not all of the quality characteristics can be viewed within limits, they should be considered best (or accurate) at a perfect measurement (mean or target value). Taguchi says that as soon as a quality characteristic departs from its mean or target value ( nominal value), performance starts deteriorating with increased customer dissatisfaction, although measurements may be well within specification limits. Thus, departure from mean is a quality loss, because the part may require rework at extra time and cost or it may be considered as rejected. Taguchi expresses this quality loss as a quadratic function known as Quality Loss Function or Taguchi Loss Function. Quality Loss Function Broadly, the Taguchi loss function explains that until a component is manufactured in the nominal size, it incurred a certain amount of loss to the manufacturer even though it has been manufactured within specified tolerance limit. The loss incurred by the component is zero in its nominal size and gradually increase as it deviates from the nominal size. Traditional Approach to Quality Traditionally, companies measure quality by the number of defects or the defect rate. In this system, defects are identified through inspections of the materials and products. Upper and lower quality limits are established. Everything that does not fall within the limits is considered a defect. As long as an output fell within acceptable limits (specification limits) around a desired or nominal mean value, it is deemed conforming, good or acceptable .This is known as the ‘goal post view of quality’. The figure shows that this view of quality states that losses arising from deviation from the nominal value are minimal until lower specification limit or specification limit is reached. Then, suddenly, losses become positive and constant beyond the limits, regardless of the magnitude of the deviation from the nominal value. Traditional Approach to Quality
This view is referred too as the goalpost view because it can
be conformed to the use of goalposts in football. If the extra point goes between the goal posts it is considered a success. It does not matter whether or not it is in the center or close to the sides. However, if the ball goes wide, left or right, it is unsuccessful
Example: A great example of the goal post vie of quality and specification limits is to insert a medical device into the chest of a patient that is 25 mm in diameter (the nominal value). A deviation of 5 mm above or below the nominal value is acceptable to the surgeon performing the operation. Thus if a medical device’s diameter measures between 20 mm and 30 mm , it is considered as conforming to specifications, Continuous Improvement view of Quality According to this view of quality, Taguchi states that any variation away from the nominal (target) performance will begin to incur customer dissatisfaction. As the variation increases, the customer will gradually (exponentially) become dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction is deemed as loss of quality and shown in a parabolic curve known as the loss curve, which depicts the loss of deviating from the nominal within specification. William Ducan defines loss function as, ‘’ A parabolic representation of the loss function that estimates the quality loss that results when quality characteristics deviate from the target values. The cost of this deviation increases quadratically as the characteristic moves further from the target value Continuous Improvement view of Quality The loss function demonstrates that the target value and the bottom of the curve intersect, implying that as parts are produced at the nominal value, no loss occurs. Also the curve flattens as it approaches and departs from the target value. This shows that as products approach the nominal value, the loss incurred is less than when it departs from the nominal value. Any departure from the nominal value incurs a loss.
This curve clearly shows how even a little variation from the nominal results in a loss, hence, the tendency should be to try and keep product and process as close to the nominal value as possible. This is what is so beneficial about the Taguchi Loss Function. It al the focus on the need to continually improve.ways keeps Taguchi Loss function The loss generated by one unit is calculated using the formula L(y)=k(y−m)2) k=c/d2 where: L(y) - the loss in currency k - a proportionality constant dependent upon the organization’s failure recovery structure y - actual value of quality characteristic, m - target value of quality characteristic, c - loss associated with the specification limit, d - deviation of the specification from the target value. Taguchi Loss function Taguchi Loss Function Both views of Quality Types of Quality Loss function There are many types of quality loss functions. However, in all types, the loss is determined by evaluating variation from a specific target. Taguchi’s philosophy includes three general ways to evaluate the relationship between quality and variability. Nominal is best approach: In this approach, the closer to the target value, the better. It does not matter whether the deviation is above or below the target value. Under this approach the deviation is quadratic. The following exhibit portrays the nominal is best approach. Some examples include diameter of a vessel, voltage, current etc. Types of Quality Loss function The Smaller is Better Approach: The smaller is better approach is when a company desires smaller values. As the value gets larger, the loss incurred grows. The following exhibit portrays the smaller is better approach. Some quality factors are such that their values need to be set as small as possible, preferably zero. Examples include shrinkage, wear, pollution etc.
Larger is better approach: Larger is
better occurs when a company desires higher values of a characteristic. Under this approach, the larger the characteristic, the smaller the quality loss function. The following exhibit portrays the larger is better approach. These factors are such that their values need to be set as high as possible. Examples are strength, life cycle etc.
