Integrating statistical process monitoring with feedforward control

Feedforvard control is a particular form of engineering process control. If a known input variable z(t) can be measured and appropriate relationships built between the input variable, a compensatory variable x(t), and the des ired output y(t), then a feedforward control system can be developed. Using feedforward control, we show under both sudden jump shifts and trends in t he mean of the input and compensatory variables that the use of statistical process monitoring tools, such as the exponentially-weighted moving averag e and the cumulative sum (CUSUM), significantly reduces variability in both the output variable and the controller relative to the use of feedforward control alone. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.