Blackwell Reference Online

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Taguchi “methods” are normally used as a label for two separate but related sets of ideas. The first is that, by the use of statistical methods aimed at developing an understanding of variance, experiments may be constructed that enable the critical design factors responsible for degrading product performance to be identified. The second idea is that in judging the effectiveness of designs, the degree of degradation or loss is a function of the deviation of any design parameter from its target value. The first of these ideas was reportedly developed by Dr. Genichi Taguchi when he worked at the Japanese telecommunications company NTT in the 1950s and 1960s. His concept of off‐line quality control involved attempting to attain both high‐quality and low‐cost design solutions through the effective use of experimental techniques. He proposed that the design process should be seen in three stages: 1 Systems design is intended to identify the basic elements of the design that will produce the desired output, such as the best combination of processes and materials. 2 Parameter design takes the system design elements of the design and sets the most appropriate parameter values for them. This stage identifies the “settings” of each parameter that will minimize variation from the target performance of the product. 3 Tolerance design identifies the components of the design that are sensitive ... log in or subscribe to read full text