Gage R&R study frequency - How often should a Gage R&R be performed?

[bobdoering]

In Reply to Parent Post by Bev D

I would add that I do perform "measurement system analysis" in various forms after the initial study.

• When we add a new inspector or test operator they must pass a MSA to perform the job.
• When we receive a new gage, it must pass a MSA
• When we have an out-of-control condition one of the first things we check is that the measurement was correct. This may involve multiple measurements of the failing unit and/or multiple measurements of a set of known standards
• Whenever there is a major maintenance or other event (such as an inspector returning from maternity leave or sabbatical) there is an MSA requirement

Now as most of you know this doesn't mean that I perform a full measurement system analysis; I only perform what is appropriate to determine if the gage and/or person are repeatable and reproducible...I don't view MSA as some monolithic checklist that must be checked off in order to proceed. And I'm not worried about third party auditor's un informed or mis guided questions. I simply tell them what I'm doing and why. logic a nd reason usually win.

These are good ideas - verifying that the operator is properly trained to use the gage, etc. I encourage folks to do as much verification as necessary to assure that when they go home at night they do not have to lie awake wondering if they are going to get their parts back. Bev's plan is a very comprehensive plan. May not fit all budgets or requirements, but is surely five star if you can do it.

I wish I could say I can't imagine an auditor would complain about doing those things - but I guess I really know better. Some folks do not have the resources to be that thorough, even though they wish they could. Worse, there are those who are simply trying to do the bare minimum to pass a generic standard. But, most of those folks likely never read the MSA book, or if so, barely understood its concepts. They just want to plug and chug. Many of them get swept up into these annual GR&R fiascoes because they would rather just do it than take the time to understand the GR&R tool. They are usually goaded by management with the same do as little as possible attitude, who graduated from the College of No-Time-To-Do-It-Right-But-Plenty- Of-Time-To-Do- It-Again. Pity.