Quality control troubleshooting tools for the mill floor

Abstract

Statistical Process Control (SPC) provides effective tools for improving process quality in the forest products industry resulting in reduced costs and improved productivity. Implementing SPC helps identify and locate problems that occur in wood products manufacturing. SPC tools achieve their real value when applied on the mill floor for monitoring and troubleshooting processing problems. This paper looks at SPC tools called control charts and describes the interpretation of statistical process control information as it relates to troubleshooting processing problems and improved mill efficiency. The presentation is designed to bridge the gap between quality control and process performance problems encountered on the mill floor. Example control charts with step-by-step procedures show how control charts help identify processing and quality problems. A case study is presented to illustrate the benefits of such things as lumber size control, tightening up, and improved mill efficiency.

Citation

Dramm, John. 2000. Quality control troubleshooting tools for the mill floor. Proceedings : Wood Technology Clinic and Show Conference, 2000 March 15-17, Portland, OR. [S.l. : s.n., 2000]: 17 pages