Using Interactive Analysis Tools

Using Quality, you can view control charts, histograms, Pareto charts, and more. In addition, you can assemble a variety of graphics, charts, and statistical tables for reports and documents. Use the extraction process to build reusable queries that produce a concise dataset automatically filled with the appropriate control limits, specifications, and other relevant quality information. Along with the sorting and filtering capabilities for defining an extraction, you can also use mechanisms built directly into the analysis tools to explore the dataset.

You can perform offline interactive analysis in the Quality application client. The Quality application client is an analytical software service module that enables you to display, manage, and analyze quality data. Using the application client, you can create datasets and export results directly into spreadsheets to further analyze process data.

You can use a dataset created by extracting data from the database, and you can add more data, modify existing data, or delete data in a what-if scenario. For example, to see results of a new sampling or control scheme, you can change information locally in a control chart and examine the results. Based on the results, you can put the new process into active production or discard the dataset. The results are never written to the database, but you can save them to a file.

These options are instantly available using buttons on the Quality application client toolbar:

• Control chart

  Provides charts for variable and attribute data, including XB/R, XB/s, X/MR, p, u, c, and np. You can build additional control charts, such as precontrol or hybrid. Functions and display settings include selecting chart points, sweep points for details, display alarms, and change control limits.

• Histogram

  View the distribution of the data, view key statistics, test for normality, and apply Pearson criteria for non-normal distributions. You can select cells, display box plots, sweep cells for boundaries, count, and percent, display curve fits, and overlay specifications.

• Pareto chart

  View the top defects, probable causes, corrective actions, or control test violations. You can use filtering and redraw options to display cumulative percentages, display top n cells, order cells, and display cell totals.

• Bar graph

  Compare statistical values among multiple characteristics. You can group the characteristics by machines, work centers, stations, or other components, for unique within-process comparisons. You can view the results in ascending or descending order and mark the minimum and maximum bars and set scales.

• Box plots

  Compare several distributions simultaneously. You can view data by Box and Whisker plots, boxed capability graphs, or simple minimum/maximum plots. You can also display statistical summaries, overlay six sigma regions, and modify graphic scales.

• Line graph

  Overlay up to six lines of data in one display. You can also connect lines, observe for trends, sweep points for details, and display symbols.

• Statistical Matrix

  Displays information about the dataset. With the statistical matrix format, you can view tabular-formatted statistics related to one or more subsets of the dataset.