Data Driven Continuous Improvement by Six Sigma in Aircraft Industry

Other conference contribution, 2014

Continuous improvements initiated by unsatisfactory output variation often require data or combinations of data from other up-stream variation sources than previously monitored. Three Six Sigma projects have been recently carried out in order to improve the process capability of welded components at GKN Aerospace. Common to these three projects are problems with the measurement systems and sub-sequent analysis related to the Key Characteristics (KC) evaluation. Parameters are traditionally monitored relative their individual requirements but not to the combined set of measures that form the KC. All three projects identified a need to establish a standardized procedure to develop data collection and analysis procedures relative specific KC based on downstream requirements in order to be able to evaluate KC baseline capability. The aim with this article is to recognize the development of an overall measurement system (containing probes, data collection routines and analysis procedures) as enabler of Continuous Improvement of downstream KC capability requirements. Note: GKN Aerospace is a Tier 2 supplier in the Aerospace business with a large variety of components that is available on more than 90% of all new engines.