Topics in the body text of this DOE FAQ Alert are headlined below (the "Expert" ones, if any, delve into statistical details):

P.S. Quote for the month: Definitive advice from famous physicist Feynman.
(Page down to the end of this e-zine to enjoy the actual quote.)

1: Newsletter alert: New issue of the Stat-Teaser features office coffee made perfect, a mountain bike experiment and much more

Check out the latest issue of our Stat-Teaser newsletter via this link. It features two fascinating and informative applications of DOE:

• “Brewing the Perfect Pot of Office Coffee” by Consultant Martin Bezener (check out this video to see what he and Stat-Ease Program Leader Hank Anderson concocted for our staff of ‘caffiends’)
• “Shock-ing Improvement: An Experimental Design to Improve Mountain Bike Riding “by guest writer and long-time Stat-Ease software user Jim Anderson (aka my “other dad”—an inside joke)

This issue also provides a tutorial by Consultant Shari Kraber on how to achieve “Minimum Runs—Maximum Results”.

2: FAQ: Is mixture design needed when components are only in parts per million?

Original Question from a Senior Statistician:
“Mark, what does Stat-Ease suggest for designing experiments where component elements are added to a mixture in parts per million. For example, we have formulations where all the actives are added in ppm and the rest is all water. Would you still recommend a mixture or a simple factorial?”

Answer:
Yes, a mixture. For explanation, see “The Peril of Parts & the Failure of Fillers as Excuses to Dodge Mixture Design” on pages 2-3 of our May 2013 Stat-Teaser.
—Mark

3: Video alert: See new two-minute demo of Design-Expert software version 10

Please spare a few minutes from your busy day to take a look at this newly released video that provides a look at how our Design-Expert software makes it easy to do DOE. Pass along the link to anyone you think might benefit. We really appreciate your referrals, this being our primary means for surviving as long as we have (since 1982!).

P.S. For a complete array of videos produced by us, go to the Statistics Made Easy by Stat-Ease YouTube Channel.

4: Info alert: Article in Chemical Engineering explains how to handle hard-to-change factors; R&D Magazine touts a drug development taking months instead of years—all due to DOE

Being a chemical engineer (P.E. State of Minnesota), I am happy to achieve this Chemical Engineering publication advising my peers on how to handle hard-to-change factors via split plot design and analysis tools, all of which can be found in our most recent versions of Design-Expert software.

Also, it is great to see R&D Magazine pass along this success story from VerGo Pharma Research Laboratories.

5: Blog alert: State Fair Bread—through SCIENCE!

As you all must know (me not being shy to promote!), I write the StatsMadeEasy blog. But you may not be aware that Stat-Ease produces another blog that generally is not so offbeat, that is, “corporate”. It comes up on our home page. However, I want to call your attention to this extraordinary report by our Client Specialist, Rachel Pollack, detailing how she optimized her recipe for challah bread in preparation for this year’s Minnesota State Fair. After a few taste testings I quit bringing in my homemade sandwich and learned that a man can live by bread alone, at least for a while and if it is really good. : )

6: Events alert: Do not miss these opportunities to network on DOE and charge up your know-how

(Second and Last Notice) Consultant Martin Bezener will present a talk on “Restricted-Randomization Optimal Design of Experiments Combining Mixture and Non-Mixture Factors” at the Fall Technical Conference (FTC) in Minneapolis which will be held on October 6-7. Register here. The General Chair for FTC is Stat-Ease Consultant Shari Kraber.

Click here for these and other upcoming appearances by Stat-Ease professionals.

P.S. Do you need a speaker on DOE for a learning session within your company or technical society at regional, national, or even international levels? If so, contact me. It may not cost you anything if Stat-Ease has a consultant close by, or if a web conference will be suitable. However, for presentations involving travel, we appreciate reimbursement for travel expenses. In any case, it never hurts to ask Stat-Ease for a speaker on this topic.

7: Workshop alert: Experiment Design Made Easy coming to California and Spain

You can do no better for quickly advancing your DOE skills than attending a Stat-Ease workshop. In these intensive classes, our expert instructors provide you with a lively and extremely informative series of lectures interspersed by valuable hands-on exercises with one-on-one coaching. Enroll at least 6 weeks prior to the date so your place can be assured—plus get a 10% “early-bird” discount*. Also, take advantage of a $400 discount when you take two complementary workshops that are offered on consecutive days.

• Experiment Design Made Easy (EDME)
• November 7-8, San Jose, CA
• November 29-30 Barcelona, Spain (click here to register for this class)
  

• Mixture and Combined Designs for Optimal Formulations (MIXC)
• December 6-8, Minneapolis, MN

See this web page for complete schedule and site information on all Stat-Ease workshops open to the public. To enroll, scroll down to the workshop of your choice and click on it, or contact the Client Specialist, Rachel, at workshops@statease.com or 612-746-2030. If spots remain available, bring along several colleagues and take advantage of quantity discounts in tuition. Or, consider bringing in an expert from Stat-Ease to teach a private class at your site.**

*Discount does not apply for workshops outside the US.
**Once you achieve a critical mass of about 6 students, it becomes very economical to sponsor a private workshop, which is most convenient and effective for your staff. For a quote, e-mail workshops@statease.com.

I hope you learned something from this issue. Address your general questions and comments to me at: mark@statease.com.

Please do not send me requests to subscribe or unsubscribe—follow the instructions at the end of this message.

Sincerely,

Mark

Mark J. Anderson, PE, CQE
Principal, Stat-Ease, Inc.
2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 480
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413 USA

P.S. Quote for the month—Definitive advice from famous physicist Feynman:

"If it disagrees with experiment it is wrong.”
—Richard Feynman

Trademarks: Stat-Ease, Design-Ease, Design-Expert and Statistics Made Easy are registered trademarks of Stat-Ease, Inc.

Acknowledgements to contributors:
—Students of Stat-Ease training and users of Stat-Ease software
—Stat-Ease consultants Pat Whitcomb, Shari Kraber, Wayne Adams, and Martin Bezener
—Statistical advisor to Stat-Ease: Dr. Gary Oehlert
—Stat-Ease programmers led by Neal Vaughn
—Heidi Hansel Wolfe, Stat-Ease sales and marketing director, and all the remaining staff that provide such supreme support!

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