Carleton currently practices a Lean Six Sigma strategy to support our product lines (see brochure). Through the application of Six Sigma tools, Carleton provides solutions that result in meeting and exceeding customer requirements. Through the use of the Six Sigma process, Carleton manufacturing and quality engineers will Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control existing production programs.
During the Define phase, teams of cross functional disciplines are formed to initiate and scope projects focused on improving existing products and services.
In the Measure phase, the cross functional team applies basic problem solving tools to establish and baseline processes, variables contributing to key responses, and measurement systems. Historical data is reviewed and base lined at this time for existing products and services.
In the Analyze phase, statistical tools are applied to characterize variables and their relationship to each other and to key responses. In this phase information is analyzed to statistically describe and identify key variables.
During the Improve phase, the cross functional team uses statistical tools to prove their effort has made a statistically significant impact on improving the product or process.
During the Control phase, the cross functional team insures the improvements made are carried over into the operation. This is done through the application of control plan development to ensure product quality, delivery, and cost.
Carleton also currently practices a Design for Six Sigma strategy for our product development process. Through the application of DFSS tools, Carleton provides solutions that result in meeting and exceeding customer requirements. Through the use of the DFSS process, Carleton design engineers will Identify, Define, Optimize, and Validate new product designs.
During the Identify phase, teams of cross functional disciplines are formed to initiate and scope projects, develop strategic plans, and to obtain the voice of the customer through customer relationship building. Quality function deployment matrices are used to correlate and prioritize customer requirements, critical to customer characteristics, and product design characteristics.
In the Design phase, the cross functional team analyzes concept selection using QFD tools, implements the DFSS scorecard to drive data collection, analysis, and risk mitigation efforts, and applies classic DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) methods combined with engineering expertise to create mathematical models for product designs. Sophisticated statistical tools such as design of experiments are often used to evaluate design robustness.
In the Optimize phase, statistical and DFM (Design for Manufacturing) tools are applied to optimize design capability. Design solutions are derived that address common part usage, part number reduction, customer envelope interface, and key customer requirements.
During the Validate phase, the cross functional design team insures the design development process results are carried over into the production of the design in the operation. This is done through the application capability analysis.
