Design Input & Specs vs. Test & Measure Capability

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When defining design inputs and specifications, what does a design engineer need to consider about the test and measure capability? What are the typical ways that we assess the variability that a test or measurement introduces into our result?

What's the insight to action?

  • Continue to recognize that there's variation in everything, including how we test and measure our products. We need to understand how that variability affects the results because we're making decisions based off of those results.
  • Remember that rule of thumb, that 10 years from now another engineer in a similar position as you will be able to pick up and recreate and reproduce the results that you were getting with your test and measurement system.
  • Check your test methods. Even if you're using standard test and measurement methods, double check that it's validated for the range that you need for your design.
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Get a deeper dive of these topics through these other QDD episodes:

The Way We Test Matters

Statistical vs. Practical Significance

What is ‘Production Equivalent’ and Why Does it Matter?