On the evaluation of Six Sigma projects

Most of the research on the success in implementing Six Sigma agrees upon the fact that one of the key success factors is the selection of profitable projects. This seems to be especially important for high‐risk, large‐scope and long‐term projects, as is mostly the case in the design for Six Sigma projects. The purpose of this paper is to outline Six Sigma project characteristics and to present a new model for evaluating Six Sigma projects. To design a Six Sigma project evaluation model, we utilized mathematical optimization modeling techniques and real options theory. The model allows for the quantification of not only the project's value prior to its start but also its progress and the consideration of possible decisions based on this progress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Failure Investigation of a Furnace Tube Support

A furnace tube support failed after 6 months service at 850 °C. The support was an HK alloy, a member of the heat-resistant cast alloy family (H-Series) steels. The H-series steels are widely used in the petrochemical industry for components requiring enhanced high-temperature properties. Microstructural changes occurring at high temperature clearly affect the mechanical properties. The property degradation in HK-40 steel furnace tube support subjected to high temperature was caused by the formation of sigma phase. The investigation included metallurgical analysis, materials characterization, and mechanical analysis.     

Six Sigma in industry: some observations after twenty‐five years

Six Sigma has enjoyed considerable popularity in the industry for about a quarter of a century. While the standard contents of Six Sigma have been described and discussed widely, some little articulated aspects of Six Sigma implementation deserve the attention of serious practitioners. In this paper, a ‘5W+1H’ (What, Why, When Where, Who, How) format is used to elucidate the nature of Six Sigma in a non‐mathematical discussion, followed by observations peculiar to the usual mode of development of Six Sigma professionals. It is pointed out that Six Sigma has Statistical Thinking as its foundation; for Six Sigma and its associated frameworks such as Design for Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma to continue to be effective, it is important that users have a clear understanding of the nature of Six Sigma and be able to address the related challenges in practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐dimensional guidelines for measurement system indices

In this paper, we review two common measurement system indices and a common process capability index. With some simple plots, it will be shown that the traditional guidelines for these measurement system indices can often misdirect improvement efforts. By taking advantage of the relationship between the measurement system indices and the process capability index, two‐dimensional guidelines that can be used as an alternative to the traditional guidelines are developed. These two‐dimensional guidelines are intended to help address adequacy of the measurement system and better direct improvement efforts to where there will be the most benefit. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

6σ管理在炼钢质量管理中的实践与应用

介绍了6σ管理的特征、DMAIC改进模式，6σ管理在莱钢炼钢厂钢水成分、氧含量等质量控制中的应用及取得的效果。     

Downstream performance prediction for a manufacturing system using neural networks and six-sigma improvement techniques

Intelligent techniques have been applied in a range of industrial environments [Meziane F, Vadera S, Kobbacy K, Proudlove N. Intelligent systems in manufacturing: current developments and future prospects. Integrated Manuf Syst 2000;11(4):218–38; Stephanopoulos G, Han C. Intelligent systems in process engineering: a review. Comput Chem Eng, 1996;20 (6–7):743–91; Johnston AB, Maguire LP, McGinnity TM. Using business improvement techniques to inform the optimisation of production cycle time: an industrial case study. Proceedings of the IEEE SMC UK-RI Chapter conference 2004 on intelligent cybernetic systems. September 7–8, 2004 ISSN:1744–9189; Proudlove NC, Vadera S, Kobbacy KAH. Intelligent management systems in operations: A review. J Oper Res Soc, 1998;49(7):682–99] although their implementation is not the first choice of many process engineers. In contrast process engineers in a diverse range of manufacturing environments regularly deploy business improvement techniques, such as the six-sigma methodology. Such techniques aim to control and subsequently identify the relationship between the process inputs and outputs so that a process engineer can more accurately predict how the process output shall perform based on the system inputs. Factors such as cost reduction, automatic process control or simply process prediction may be the defining factors in establishing prediction models.     

DM与6Sigma模式在软件过程改进中的应用

分析了数据挖掘技术和六西格玛模式的特点,以数据挖掘的输出作为六西格玛项目管理正馈和反馈数据的输入,建立改进产品或服务的过程循环,提出了"数据挖掘与六西格玛模式在软件过程改进中应用模型",为软件企业的过程能力提供一个阶梯式的改进框架.     

基于“六法论”的动画造型艺术与技术研究

动画是高科技发展的产物之一,随着计算机技术和信息技术的发展,这些新技术逐渐被动画领域所吸收,成为现代动画技术的关键基础。动画造型是动画艺术的基本构成元素,同时也是品评一部动画作品优劣的关键因素。南朝谢赫的"六法论"是我国古代现存关于艺术审美的重要美学原则和标准。本文尝试用传统的"六法论"与现代动画制作技术相结合,分析动画造型的设计方法与制作技术,总结出一个优秀的动画造型如何结合六法论原理进行设计与制作。     

Delamination failures of Stellite hardfacing in power plants: a microstructural characterisation study

In recent years, several incidents of cracking and failures have been observed in Stellite (Stellite is a registered trademark of the Deloro-Stellite Corporation) hardfacing used in valves of modern high temperature combined cycle gas fired power plants. These hardfacing layers are applied as an overlay onto a steel substrate, such as CrMo steel (i.e. Grade 22, WC9) or creep strength enhanced ferritic steel (i.e. Grade 91, C12A). Cracking has been observed in valve components at the Stellite/steel interface and in the weld dilution zone formed between the steel and clad. Ultimately, disbonding or delamination of the weld hardfacing from the valve body occurs and has resulted in collateral damage to components in the plant (such as to the turbine) or valve failure. In this study, the microstructure formed near the Stellite/steel interface is investigated. Based on thermodynamic modelling, microstructure formed at these regions is hypothesised and a simple methodology is proposed to predict the occurrence of these failures.     

A strategic assessment of six sigma

Six Sigma as a quality improvement framework has been gaining considerable attention in recent years. The hyperbole that often accompanied the presentation and adoption of Six Sigma in industry could lead to unrealistic expectations as to what Six Sigma is truly capable of achieving. In this paper, some strategic perspectives on the subject are presented, highlighting the potential and possible limitations of Six Sigma applications particularly in a knowledge‐based environment. Without delving into the mechanics of the subject in detail, the points raised could be useful to those deliberating on the appropriateness of Six Sigma to their respective organizations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.