Prof. Tushar N. Desai

Vimal Vyas

Dr. R. L. Shrivastava

Abstract

Design of experiments (DOE) is one of the most effective and scientific technique in Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. Today, Design of Experiments is viewed as a quality technology to achieve product/process excellence. It is a technique for analyzing the effect of multiple factors on the output characteristic of interest. It is observed that interactions are present in many processes andsignificantly affect the output characteristics of interest. Without the use offactorial experiments, important interactions may remain undetected. Factorial designs allow the simultaneous study of the effects that severalfactors may have on a process. The case study discussed in this paperis about optimization of a distillation process in a process industry using Six Sigma methodology, Design of Experiment (DOE) Factorial Design technique. The studies are carried out as per Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) methodology of Six Sigma. Implementation ofDOE has helped achieve savings of approximate Indian Rs 4.5 Million as well as reduction in throughput due to recycling technique of product (under utilization ofequipment processing capacity).

Keywords- Design ofExperiments, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Process Capability.