WORKSHOP OBJECTIVE
This two-day workshop serves as a broad introduction to designed experiments including fractional factorial (screening experiments) and response surface studies. It further teaches you to perform one type of designed experiment called a screening experiment. A screening experiment is a systematic approach to identifying the key input parameters of a process or product that affect the output performance. You will become proficient at designing, analyzing and interpreting screening experiments by working three real-life problems. Using the SCREEN software package provided in the class, you will determine the correct experimental design plan and analysis approach for the problems presented. You will then generate and analyze the data and interpret the results. Use of the software allows the course to concentrate on the strategies and interpretation of designed experiments rather than the mathematics.

Finally, through a series of case studies, you will develop an appreciation for other types of designed experiments including response surface studies and Taguchi methods. This will prepare you for participating on a team running one of these other types of experiments. In this workshop, you will learn:

• The advantages of using experimental design over trial and error methods
• How to design a screening experiment using the software provided in the class
• How to analyze a screening experiment using the software provided in the class
• How to interpret the results and optimize the output performance of a process or product
• About other types of designed experiments and be capable of serving on a team responsible for designing such a study

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This course is designed for those managers, engineers and scientists responsible for developing or improving products and processes. No previous exposure to designed experiments is required. The attendee should be familiar with such statistical concepts as the normal distribution and standard deviations.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

1. Introduction
2. SPC Review and Exercise 1: RF Heat Sealer
3. Principles of Screening Experiments
4. Designing a Screening Experiment
5. Analyzing a Screening Experiment and Exercise 2: RF Heat Sealer Revisited
6. Special Design Topics
7. Running a Screening Experiment
8. Special Analysis Topics and Exercise 3: Sonic Sealer
9. Uses of Screening Experiments and Exercise 4: Flo-Former
10. Wrap-up

COURSE MATERIALS

Participants receive course manual and copy of Windows software package SCREEN for designing and analyzing screening experiments.