Updated March 16, 2023
Introduction to Minitab MSA
Minitab MSA is a method to determine the acceptable system of measurement. The abbreviation of MSA in Minitab is measurement system analysis; we are using Minitab MSA for the response of continuous variables. We can also use it to determine the measurement system’s variation. For the response variable of the attribute, we can use MSA to evaluate the appraiser’s accuracy and consistency.
What is Minitab MSA?
As we know that any measurement system is very critical for the process of quality improvement. We need to evaluate our measurement before using the capability analysis, charts, and other analyses to prove that our measurement system is accurate and the data is reliable. It includes measurement procedures, devices, and operators affecting the measurement. The result will vary when we measure something repeatedly or use a different process. Variation will come by using two primary sources, a measurement system and the difference between the part we have measured.
We use the variable gage R and R to conduct the Minitab MSA to determine which portion of variability will come from the part and which portion will come from the measurement system. It is a systematic method to analyze and identify the components variation of system measurement as we know that it is mandatory in every six sigma project to ensure that our data is reliable before making any decision. Therefore, it is a checkpoint of data quality before we start any analysis and decide on data.
Below is the example of Minitab MSA as follows:
- Regression analysis
- Correlation analysis
- Analysis of variance
- Hypothesis testing
- Statistical process control
- Design of experiments
It is critical to know if any anomalies or variations found in our analysis were due to the data and not to inaccuracies in the measurement system. So the need for Minitab MSA is vital. A Minitab measurement system is the process that is used to obtain the product and process of data. We accept the data by using a measurement device or system.
The Minitab MSA observed values would be comprised by using two elements as follows:
- True value
- Measurement error
True value is nothing but what we are trying to determine by using a measurement system. It will reflect true results as part of the process and performance. Measurement error is nothing but the variation introduced by the system of measurement. This contains the inaccuracy of the measurement process. The observed value contains what our system of measurement will tell us. It is nothing but the value of measurement obtained by the measurement system. The observed values represent different measurement types, differentiating into continuous and discrete types.
How to Run an MSA in Minitab?
We need to first download and install Minitab in our system to run the MSA. Then, we require the Minitab statistical software application to run Minitab MSA.
In the below example, we have already downloaded and installed the Minitab statistical software application in our system.
Below are steps showing how to run Minitab MSA:
1. Check the Minitab statistical software application is installed in our system.
In the below example, we are checking the installation by opening the software.
2. After opening the Minitab click on stat tabs to open the below window.
Stat -> Quality tools
After opening the above window, select the number of parts as 10, the number of operators as 3, number of replicates as 3. Enter the part from 1 to 10. Then click on the options tab and click on the do not randomize radio button; after clicking on the radio button, click on the tab. After clicking on the ok tab, the new data sheet will be generated.
Then we need to active the Minitab worksheet. After activating the worksheet, we need to implement gage R & R.
After clicking on the tab, it will open the below window. In the part numbers tab, we need to give values as parts. In the operator’s tab, we need to provide the same values as the operator, and in the measurement data tab, we need to give the measurement field.
After clicking the ok button, it will create below Minitab measurement system analysis.
Example of Minitab MSA
Given below are the example of Minitab MSA:
The below example shows Minitab as follows. After opening Minitab, we need to click on the below tabs.
Stat -> Quality tools
After opening the above window, we have selected the number of parts as 5, the number of operators as 3, and several replicates as 3. Next, we need to select the do not randomize radio button to implement the example of Minitab MSA. After selecting the radio button, we need to click on the ok button to take the effect of changes in the current example. The example below shows us that the data-sheet is created automatically after providing all the details below.
In the above example, we can see that we have created total parts as five, total operators as 3, and total replica set as 3, so our entire run is 45.
After generating the worksheet, we will implement the example of Minitab MSA as follows.
We have added parts in the part number section, measurement in the measurement data section, and operators in the operator’s section. After clicking on the ok button, it will create the Minitab MSA.
Conclusion
When we measure something repeatedly or use a different process, the result will vary in measurement. Variation will come by using two primary sources. First, it is a method to determine the acceptable measurement system. The abbreviation of MSA in Minitab is measurement system analysis.
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This is a guide to Minitab MSA. Here we discuss the introduction and how to run an MSA in Minitab with examples for better understanding. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
