Case Studies and White Papers


Published: October 2006
Authors: Patrick Whitcomb, Mark Anderson

This mini-paper, provided on pages 5-8 in the publication via the link above*, addresses concerns about mixture designs coming up short on power. *(Manuscript available under Download link below.)

Publication: ASQ Statistics Division Newsletter

Published: September 2006
Authors: Fabio Leao, Ian Pashby, Patrick Whitcomb, Martyn Cuttell, Peter Lord

EDM fast hole drilling is one of the most important variations of electrical discharge machining. The process plays an important role in the aerospace industry as it is one of the few that can be applied to the drilling of precision small holes in a number of parts, including turbine blades. One of the most important factors affecting the speed of EDM fast hole drilling is the high pressure dielectric fluid, which is usually supplied to the gap through the bore to tubular electrodes. Thus, it can be expected that the bore size and geometry have a great impact on the process performance. However, there has not been much research on this topic. By employing statistical methods to optimise the process performance, this work shows that drilling time and electrode wear can decrease 165% and 25% respectively, depending on the type of electrode geometry used.

DOE for Coatings

Published: August 2006
Authors: Mark Anderson, Patrick Whitcomb

This article provides an introduction to design of experiments (DOE) for improvement of coatings processes and formulations. It includes a case study on a spin-coater.

Publication: Coatings Technology Handbook, 3rd Edition

Published: February 2006
Author: Shari Kraber

This paper demonstrates response surface methods (RSM) that build on subject-matter knowledge to objectively fine-tune processes to a sweet spot where all specifications are met. The RSM tools for design and analysis of experiments is illustrated by a case study on process improvement for a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) .

Publication: Adhesives and Sealants Industry

Application of Design of Experiment (DOE) Techniques to Process Validation in Medical Device Manufacture

Published: February 2006
Authors: D. Dixon, J. Eatock, B.J. Meenan

This paper provides an overview of DOE, including response surface methods (RSM), applied to medical-device process validation. It provides two practical examples of manufacturing application. The benefits of this multi-factor approach to medical-device validation are spelled out in a convincing manner.

Publication: Journal of Validation Technology

University & Industry Collaboration to Solve Welding Quality Problem Using Design of Experiments (DOE)

Published: January 2006
Authors: David Gore, Donald Langston

A local automotive seat supplier experienced a major quality problem in the fabrication of the metal seat frame used for the front bucket seats of automobiles. DOE was used to help solve the quality problem.

Publication: 2006 CIEC Conference

Pilot-to-Production Requires Design of Experiments to Unclog Herbicide

Published: January 2006
Author: David Long

The introduction of Aventis CropScience's herbicide should have been a routine pilot-to-production transfer, but an there was a problem: the new herbicide clogged spray application equipment. Scientists initiated a series of designed experiments to analyze how diverse factors in the system were interacting.

Using Simulation Software for Design of Experiment Training

Published: January 2006
Author: Mark Rusco

Design of Experiments (DOE) is an intrinsically hands-on topic; teaching students to apply the techniques in a classroom setting can be difficult. Especially difficult are students with differing backgrounds, for example, adult students that work full time in various industries but come together in the classroom. Finding examples that everyone can relate to is nearly impossible, so why not try a video game?

Publication: Quality Magazine

Using Design of Experiments to Assess Escherichia Coli Fermentation Robustness

Published: October 2005
Authors: Arun Tholudur, Todd Sorensen, Xiaoyue Zhu, Scot Shepard

Aided by DOE, scientists at Diosynth Biotechnologies established critical parameters and their acceptable ranges for a fermentation process. The results enabled more flexibility for manufacturing an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Publication: BioProcess International

Trimming the FAT: Part II

Published: September 2005
Author: Mark Anderson

The first article, "Trimming the FAT out of Experimental Methods," presented arguments against one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) techniques in favor of multifactor DOE. This follow-up article offers a case study that illustrates how a two-level factorial DOE can reveal a breakthrough interaction. A similar article appeared in OE (Optical Engineering) magazine.

Publication: Optical Engineering