np-chart

np-chart
Originally proposed by Walter A. Shewhart
Process observations
Rational subgroup size n > 1
Measurement type Number nonconforming per unit
Quality characteristic type Attributes data
Underlying distribution Binomial distribution
Performance
Size of shift to detect ≥ 1.5σ
Process variation chart
Not applicable
Process mean chart
Center line n \bar p = \frac {\sum_{i=1}^m \sum_{j=1}^n \begin{cases} 1 & \mbox{if }x_{ij}\mbox{ defective} \\ 0 & \mbox{otherwise} \end{cases}}{m}
Control limits n \bar p \pm 3\sqrt{n \bar p(1- \bar p)}
Plotted statistic n \bar p_i = \sum_{j=1}^n \begin{cases} 1 & \mbox{if }x_{ij}\mbox{ defective} \\ 0 & \mbox{otherwise} \end{cases}

In statistical quality control, the np-chart is a type of control chart used to monitor the number of nonconforming units in a sample. It is an adaptation of the p-chart and used in situations where personnel find it easier to interpret process performance in terms of concrete numbers of units rather than the somewhat more abstract proportion.[1]

The np-chart differs from the p-chart in only the three following aspects:

  1. The control limits are n\bar p \pm 3\sqrt{n\bar p(1-\bar p)}, where n is the sample size and \bar p is the estimate of the long-term process mean established during control-chart setup.
  2. The number nonconforming (np), rather than the fraction nonconforming (p), is plotted against the control limits.
  3. The sample size, n, is constant.

See also

References

  1. Montgomery, Douglas (2005). Introduction to Statistical Quality Control. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-471-65631-9. OCLC 56729567.