7/1/2015 Design of Experiments (DOE) Tutorial - ASQ
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Design of Experiments (DOE) Tutorial
Overview Design of experiments (DOE) is a powerful tool that can be used in a variety of experimental situations.
Read More DOE allows for multiple input factors to be manipulated determining their effect on a desired output
(response). By manipulating multiple inputs at the same time, DOE can identify important interactions that
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Box and Whisker
Plot may be missed when experimenting with one factor at a time. All possible combinations can be
investigated (full factorial) or only a portion of the possible combinations (fractional factorial). Fractional E-Mail Address (or Log-in ID)
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factorials will not be discussed here.
Control Chart
When to Use DOE
Design of
Experiments Use DOE when more than one input factor is suspected of influencing an output. For example, it may be
Histogram desirable to understand the effect of temperature and pressure on the strength of a glue bond. Password:
Scatter Diagram DOE can also be used to confirm suspected input/output relationships and to develop a predictive
Stratification equation suitable for performing what-if analysis.
Survey DOE Procedure
1. Acquire a full understanding of the inputs and outputs being investigated. A process flow
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diagram or process map can be helpful. Utilize subject matter experts as necessary. become-a-
2. Determine the appropriate measure for the output. A variable measure is preferable. Attribute member/overview.html)
measures (pass/fail) should be avoided. Ensure the measurement system is stable and
repeatable. Featured advertisers
3. Create a design matrix for the factors being investigated. The design matrix will show all
possible combinations of high and low levels for each input factor. These high and low levels
can be generically coded as +1 and -1. For example, a 2 factor experiment will require 4
experimental runs:
Input A Level Input B Level
Experiment #1 -1 -1
Experiment #2 -1 +1
Experiment #3 +1 -1
Experiment #4 +1 +1
Note: The required number of experimental runs can be calculated using the formula 2n where
n is the number of factors.
4. For each input, determine the extreme but realistic high and low levels you wish to investigate.
In some cases the extreme levels may be beyond what is currently in use. The extreme levels
selected should be realistic, not absurd. For example:
-1 Level +1 Level
Temperature 100 degrees 200 degrees
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7/1/2015 Design of Experiments (DOE) Tutorial - ASQ
Pressure 50 psi 100 psi
5. Enter the factors and levels for the experiment into the design matrix. Perform each experiment
and record the results. For example:
Temperature Pressure Strength
Experiment #1 100 degrees 50 psi 21 lbs
Experiment #2 100 degrees 100 psi 42 lbs
Experiment #3 200 degrees 50 psi 51 lbs
Experiment #4 200 degrees 100 psi 57 lbs
6. Calculate the effect of a factor by averaging the data collected at the low level and subtracting it
from the average of the data collected at the high level. For example:
Effect of Temperature on strength:
(51 + 57)/2 - (21 + 42)/2 = 22.5 lbs
Effect of Pressure on strength:
(42 + 57)/2 - (21 + 51)/2 = 13.5 lbs
7. The interaction between two factors can be calculated in the same fashion. First, the design
matrix must be amended to show the high and low levels of the interaction. The levels are
calculated by multiplying the coded levels for the input factors acting in the interaction. For
example:
Input A Level Input B Level Interaction
Experiment #1 -1 -1 +1
Experiment #2 -1 +1 -1
Experiment #3 +1 -1 -1
Experiment #4 +1 +1 +1
8. Calculate the effect of the interaction as before. Effect of the interaction on strength: (21 + 57)/2 -
(42 + 51)/2 = -7.5 lbs
9. The experimental data can be plotted in a 3D Bar Chart.
The effect
of each factor can be plotted in a Pareto Chart.
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7/1/2015 Design of Experiments (DOE) Tutorial - ASQ
The negative
effect of the interaction is most easily seen when the pressure is set to 50 psi and Temperature
is set to 100 degrees. Keeping the temperature at 200 degrees will avoid the negative effect of
the interaction and help ensure a strong glue bond.
Conduct and Analyze Your Own DOE
Conduct and analyze up to three factors and their interactions by downloading the 3-factor DOE
template (Excel, 104 KB).
Summary
More complex studies can be performed with DOE. The above 2-factor example is used for
illustrative purposes. A thorough discussion of DOE can be found in Juran’s Quality Handbook.
Contributed by Dean Christolear.
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