DYNAMIC MANUFACTURING PROCESS-CONTROL

A business need existed for a data management system to combine raw ma terial quality data, in-process statistical control data, and the resu lting customer satisfaction data in a manufacturing environment. No sy stem existed that analyzed these three sets of data to optimize custom er satisfaction. Therefore, an expert system was developed to fill thi s need. It includes a relational database for correlating data about t he manufacturing process and customer needs. The Customer Quality Anal ysis (CQA) system has been implemented as a pilot program within IBM. The program that initiated the development of this data management sys tem will be highlighted, then specific materials applications will be discussed. It will conclude with suggestions for possible extensions o f this process into other manufacturing process areas [1].