Improving foundry process control: an investigation of cluster analysis and path model Online publication date: Sat, 21-Apr-2007
by Vivek V. Khanzode, J. Maiti
International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management (IJPQM), Vol. 2, No. 4, 2007
Abstract: Although the use of multivariate statistical methods in quality control is numerous, the relevance and use of cluster analysis and path modelling in multivariate process control have not been effectively investigated. In this study, an attempt was made to model and control the melting process of a grey iron foundry in western India using cluster analysis and path modelling. Online data was collected for 18 variables in total: three raw materials, six processes, and nine quality variables. Initially, cluster analysis was done and the raw material, process and quality variables were grouped into four clusters. Then, path modelling was conducted to model the interrelationships of the quality, process and raw material characteristics of each of the four clusters separately. The results of these analyses were used to develop an improved control scheme and validated through field investigation under the control scheme. The study showed encouraging results with substantial improvement in Cp values for the quality parameters.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management (IJPQM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook