An overview of the basic concepts and terms related to manufacturing process capability evaluation

Process planning, and process capability have always been closely interconnected and have play a pivotal role in manufacturing. Process planning involves defining the necessary steps to produce a certain product, such as: the required machinery, tools, equipment, measuring instruments and materials, as well as the skills and training needed for the personnel involved in the production process. Process capability, on the other hand, analyzes and evaluates the different variations in process planning, using statistical indices, to ensure that the selected optimal process plan provides efficient manufacturing and high-quality products, as required in responsible industries such as automotive. This paper presents review of the basic concepts and terms related to process capability analysis and evaluation. Additionally, it will also review the requirements outlined in the standards and industry regulations as to the evaluation of process capability evaluation.