학술논문
Automatic test equipment as a feedback link in a management control system.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*Production control
*Management
*Management controls
*Estimation theory
*Industries
Automatic test equipment
Ability
*
*
*
*
Language
ISSN
0020-7543
Abstract
The Western European market for automatic test equipment (ATE) purchases is currently estimated to be of the order of $200 000 000 American dollars per annum. The case for installation of ATE stations in the production line and in maintenance workshops is usually primarily based on the requirement for a high rate of test capability (to match the product volume flow) or to speed up the test because the time for manual test methods is too high relative to the product MTBF, or because of a shortage of test personnel of the requisite skill level. There are other benefits, and certain disadvantages, as listed in this paper.
It is the contention of the present authors that the enormous flow of test data offers an unusual opportunity to management which, if properly exploited, will lead to more efficient industrial production. The paper shows via a particular industrial application, that selective data processing can be used: (a) to assess information content of the current test schedules, so that redundant measurements may be identified and eliminated; (b) to reduce the number of test variables needing to be monitored; (c) to forecast the onset of unacceptable quality levels thereby permitting corrective action to be taken; (d) to highlight changes in quality levels, and by indicating the likely time of onset, to assist in detecting those events causing the change. Thus the paper regards the provision of ATE as an opportunity to provide an extra highly effective feedback link within the management control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
It is the contention of the present authors that the enormous flow of test data offers an unusual opportunity to management which, if properly exploited, will lead to more efficient industrial production. The paper shows via a particular industrial application, that selective data processing can be used: (a) to assess information content of the current test schedules, so that redundant measurements may be identified and eliminated; (b) to reduce the number of test variables needing to be monitored; (c) to forecast the onset of unacceptable quality levels thereby permitting corrective action to be taken; (d) to highlight changes in quality levels, and by indicating the likely time of onset, to assist in detecting those events causing the change. Thus the paper regards the provision of ATE as an opportunity to provide an extra highly effective feedback link within the management control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]