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Article
Publication date: 3 January 2020

Tobias Mueller, Meike Huber and Robert Schmitt

Measurement uncertainty is present in all measurement processes in the field of production engineering. However, this uncertainty should be minimized to avoid erroneous decisions…

251

Abstract

Purpose

Measurement uncertainty is present in all measurement processes in the field of production engineering. However, this uncertainty should be minimized to avoid erroneous decisions. Present methods to determine the measurement uncertainty are either only applicable to certain processes and do not lead to valid results in general or require a high effort in their application. To optimize the costs and benefits of the measurement uncertainty determination, a method has to be developed which is valid in general and easy to apply. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a new technique for determining the measurement uncertainty of complex measurement processes. The approximation capability of artificial neural networks with one hidden layer is proven for continuous functions and represents the basis for a method for determining a measurement model for continuous measurement values.

Findings

As this method does not require any previous knowledge or expertise, it is easy to apply to any measurement process with a continuous output. Using the model equation for the measurement values obtained by the neural network, the measurement uncertainty can be derived using common methods, like the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. Moreover, a method for evaluating the model performance is presented. By comparing measured values with the output of the neural network, a range in which the model is valid can be established. Combining the evaluation process with the modelling itself, the model can be improved with no further effort.

Originality/value

The developed method simplifies the design of neural networks in general and the modelling for the determination of measurement uncertainty in particular.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 8 December 2022

Jonathan S. Greipel, Regina M. Frank, Meike Huber, Ansgar Steland and Robert H. Schmitt

To ensure product quality within a manufacturing process, inspection processes are indispensable. One task of inspection planning is the selection of inspection characteristics…

254

Abstract

Purpose

To ensure product quality within a manufacturing process, inspection processes are indispensable. One task of inspection planning is the selection of inspection characteristics. For optimization of costs and benefits, key characteristics can be defined by which the product quality can be checked with sufficient accuracy. The manual selection of key characteristics requires substantial planning effort and becomes uneconomic if many product variants prevail. This paper, therefore, aims to show a method for the efficient determination of key characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a novel Algorithm for the Selection of Key Characteristics (ASKC) based on an auto-encoder and a risk analysis. Given historical measurement data and tolerances, the algorithm clusters characteristics with redundant information and selects key characteristics based on a risk assessment. The authors compare ASKC with the algorithm Principal Feature Analysis (PFA) using artificial and historical measurement data.

Findings

The authors find that ASKC delivers superior results than PFA. Findings show that the algorithms enable the cost-efficient selection of key characteristics while maintaining the informative value of the inspection concerning the quality.

Originality/value

This paper fills an identified gap for simplified inspection planning with the method for the efficient selection of key features via ASKC.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 40 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 15 January 2018

Peter Schlegel, Lars C. Gussen, Daniel Frank and Robert H. Schmitt

This paper aims to provide an approach of modeling haptic impressions of surfaces over a wide range of applications by using multiple sensor sources.

179

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an approach of modeling haptic impressions of surfaces over a wide range of applications by using multiple sensor sources.

Design/methodology/approach

A multisensory measurement experiment was conducted using various leather and artificial leather surfaces. After processing of measurement data and feature extraction, different learning algorithms were applied to the measurement data and a corresponding set of data from a sensory study. The study contained evaluations of the same surfaces regarding descriptors of haptic quality (e.g. roughness) by human subjects and was conducted in a former research project.

Findings

The research revealed that it is possible to model and project haptic impressions by using multiple sensor sources in combination with data fusion. The presented method possesses the potential for an industrial application.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new approach to predict haptic impressions of surfaces by using multiple sensor sources.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

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Article
Publication date: 24 July 2020

Jasmin Ohlig, Thomas Hellebrandt, Amelie I. Metzmacher, Patrick Pötters, Ina Heine, Robert H. Schmitt and Bert Leyendecker

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of key performance indicators (KPIs) on shop floor level in German small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The…

1248

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of key performance indicators (KPIs) on shop floor level in German small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper focuses on the examination of perception differences between shop floor employees and managers with regard to collection, calculation and consolidation of KPIs as well as visualization and motivational aspects.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the hypothesis on differing perceptions regarding KPIs, 27 qualitative interviews with shop floor employees and production managers within 6 SMEs from the German machinery and equipment industry were conducted on basis of a semi-structured guideline.

Findings

The findings show that shop floor employees self-assess a lack of relevant knowledge when it comes to understanding KPIs. Moreover, the results show that shop floor employees perceive the visualization of shop floor KPIs as insufficient and non-motivational. This goes along with the finding that managers are aware of the lacking benefit of KPIs resulting from the rather negative perception of shop floor employees. The interviewed managers recognize a strong potential for improvement of their KPI systems.

Originality/value

The interview results confirm the need to design a performance management system on the shop floor that considers and aligns both management and operations, is directed to the shop floor level, considers explicitly the perspective of employees and integrates motivational elements.

Details

International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-669X

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Article
Publication date: 25 January 2022

Tobias Mueller, Alexander Segin, Christoph Weigand and Robert H. Schmitt

In the determination of the measurement uncertainty, the GUM procedure requires the building of a measurement model that establishes a functional relationship between the…

101

Abstract

Purpose

In the determination of the measurement uncertainty, the GUM procedure requires the building of a measurement model that establishes a functional relationship between the measurand and all influencing quantities. Since the effort of modelling as well as quantifying the measurement uncertainties depend on the number of influencing quantities considered, the aim of this study is to determine relevant influencing quantities and to remove irrelevant ones from the dataset.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, it was investigated whether the effort of modelling for the determination of measurement uncertainty can be reduced by the use of feature selection (FS) methods. For this purpose, 9 different FS methods were tested on 16 artificial test datasets, whose properties (number of data points, number of features, complexity, features with low influence and redundant features) were varied via a design of experiments.

Findings

Based on a success metric, the stability, universality and complexity of the method, two FS methods could be identified that reliably identify relevant and irrelevant influencing quantities for a measurement model.

Originality/value

For the first time, FS methods were applied to datasets with properties of classical measurement processes. The simulation-based results serve as a basis for further research in the field of FS for measurement models. The identified algorithms will be applied to real measurement processes in the future.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Meike Huber, Dhruv Agarwal and Robert H. Schmitt

The determination of the measurement uncertainty is relevant for all measurement processes. In production engineering, the measurement uncertainty needs to be known to avoid…

59

Abstract

Purpose

The determination of the measurement uncertainty is relevant for all measurement processes. In production engineering, the measurement uncertainty needs to be known to avoid erroneous decisions. However, its determination is associated to high effort due to the expertise and expenditure that is needed for modelling measurement processes. Once a measurement model is developed, it cannot necessarily be used for any other measurement process. In order to make an existing model useable for other measurement processes and thus to reduce the effort for the determination of the measurement uncertainty, a procedure for the migration of measurement models has to be developed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an approach to migrate measurement models from an old process to a new “similar” process. In this approach, the authors first define “similarity” of two processes mathematically and then use it to give a first estimate of the measurement uncertainty of the similar measurement process and develop different learning strategies. A trained machine-learning model is then migrated to a similar measurement process without having to perform an equal size of experiments.Similarity assessment and model migration

Findings

The authors’ findings show that the proposed similarity assessment and model migration strategy can be used for reducing the effort for measurement uncertainty determination. They show that their method can be applied to a real pair of similar measurement processes, i.e. two computed tomography scans. It can be shown that, when applying the proposed method, a valid estimation of uncertainty and valid model even when using less data, i.e. less effort, can be built.

Originality/value

The proposed strategy can be applied to any two measurement processes showing a particular “similarity” and thus reduces the effort in estimating measurement uncertainties and finding valid measurement models.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 40 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

Malte Schröder, Sebastian Schmitt and Robert Schmitt

Business processes have an open and dynamic character and are influenced by internal an external disturbances. Without an adequate use of feedback mechanisms, those processes…

2767

Abstract

Purpose

Business processes have an open and dynamic character and are influenced by internal an external disturbances. Without an adequate use of feedback mechanisms, those processes become unstable and do not achieve the expected performance. The purpose of this paper is to face the challenge and to ensure a competitive quality level, a framework for entrepreneurial quality management is given.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the method of analogy formation the transfer of cybernetic approaches to business processes is shown. Especially quality control loops are analysed in order to find appropriate solutions for their design and implementation in enterprises.

Findings

As a core element of the paper an approach for the systematic implementation of control loops is given. This approach offers a framework and a description for an operative implementation of quality control loops for stable business processes.

Originality/value

The idea to use closed quality control loops for the design of several processes is already known. Anyway, both a robust framework and a appropriate, sufficient and detailed description for an operative implementation is the new aspect and an important further development within the topic.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Ina Heine, Robert Schmitt and Patrick Beaujean

– The purpose of this paper is to present research about identifying critical management behaviour regarding quality orientation in organisations.

656

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research about identifying critical management behaviour regarding quality orientation in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to describe how quality orientation is manifested in management behaviour, the critical incident technique was chosen. First, quality orientation was defined based on an extensive literature review. Then, critical incidents that represent a behavioural manifestation of each dimension were derived through a deductive approach. Lastly, an expert group consisting of scientists and practitioners were asked to categorise the critical incidents and evaluate their practical relevance and completeness.

Findings

The results show that the construct quality orientation is related to the five variables internal customer focus, external customer focus, continuous improvement orientation, systems-thinking perspective, and data-driven. For each variable four critical incidents were developed and evaluated by the expert group. Analyses of the data show fair agreement between the raters with an overall agreement index of 0.38.

Originality/value

The results of the present study can be used to support managers in understanding and practising behaviour critical to organisation-wide quality and thereby improving working conditions as well as business results.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Robert Schmitt and Yu Cai

Automated robotic assembly on a moving workpiece, referred to as assembly in motion, demands that an assembly robot is synchronised in all degrees of freedom to the moving…

356

Abstract

Purpose

Automated robotic assembly on a moving workpiece, referred to as assembly in motion, demands that an assembly robot is synchronised in all degrees of freedom to the moving workpiece, on which assembly parts are installed. Currently, this requirement cannot be met due to the lack of robust estimation of 3D positions and the trajectory of the moving workpiece. The purpose of this paper is to develop a camera system that measures the 3D trajectory of the moving workpiece for robotic assembly in motion.

Design/methodology/approach

For the trajectory estimation, an assembly robot-guided, monocular camera system is developed. The motion trajectory of a workpiece is estimated, as the trajectory is considered as a linear combination of trajectory bases, such as discrete cosine transform bases.

Findings

The developed camera system for trajectory estimation is tested within the robotic assembly of a cylinder block in motion. The experimental results show that the proposed method is able to reconstruct arbitrary trajectories of an assembly point on a workpiece moving in 3D space.

Research limitations/implications

With the developed technology, a point trajectory can be recovered offline only after all measurement images are acquired. For practical assembly tasks in real production, this method should be extended to determine the trajectory online during the motion of a workpiece.

Practical implications

For practical, robotic assembly in motion, such as assembling tires, wheels and windscreens on conveyed vehicle bodies, the developed technology can be used for positioning a moving workpiece, which is in the distant field of an assembly robot.

Originality/value

Besides laser trackers, indoor global positioning systems and stereo cameras, this paper provides a solution of trajectory estimation by using a monocular camera system.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Tilo Pfeifer, Robert Schmitt and Thorsten Voigt

The continuous change with which companies are faced, requires an approach to implement the necessary changes to the organization's structure. Existing approaches represent…

11314

Abstract

Purpose

The continuous change with which companies are faced, requires an approach to implement the necessary changes to the organization's structure. Existing approaches represent sequential procedures, which do not meet the requirements to deal with the characteristics of continuous change. Furthermore, existing models for managing change only state what has to be done but do not explain how it can be done. Aims to remedy these shortcomings.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on existing models and on the criteria of the EFQM model, a control loop for the management of strategic change processes was developed. A quality gate concept was defined to measure the performance of the change process by measurements at the quality gates after each phase of the process.

Findings

The integrated methodologies and tools were validated in projects with various companies and adapted to practical needs.

Research limitations/implications

A crucial point for the presented procedural model is the applicability of the integrated tools. Therefore, in an actual investigation project the tools are implemented in a multimedia training module to train the handling and application of the tools.

Practical implications

The procedural model and the training module will enable companies and their employees to plan and implement necessary change processes autonomously.

Originality/value

The procedural model is the first one to meet the requirements to deal with continuous changes, with which companies are faced. It describes the tools and methodologies to complete the phases of a change process.

Details

The TQM Magazine, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-478X

Keywords

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