TAGUCHI LOSS FUNCTION

EXAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. A blueprint specification for the thickness of a dishwasher part at Partspalace, Inc. is0.325 ± 0.025 centimeters (cm). It costs $10 to scrap a part that is outside thespecifications. Determine the Taguchi loss function for this situation.

2. A team was formed to study the dishwasher part described in Problem 1. Whilecontinuing to work to find the root cause of scrap, they found a way to reduce the scrapcost to $5 per part.a. Determine the Taguchi loss function for this situation.b. If the process deviation from target can be held at 0.015 cm, what is the Taguchi loss?

3. An electronic component has a specification of 180 ± 5 ohms. Scrapping the componentresults in an $100 loss.a. What is the value of k in the Taguchi loss function?b. If the process is centered on the target specification with a standard deviation of 2ohms, what is the expected loss per unit?

4. Ruido Unlimited makes electronic soundboards for car stereos. Output voltage to acertain component on the board must be 15 ± 0.2 volts. Exceeding the limits results in anestimated loss of $75. Determine the Taguchi loss function.

5. An automatic cookie machine must deposit a specified amount of 15 ± 0.1 grams (g) ofdough for each cookie on a conveyor belt. If the machine either over- or underdeposits themixture, it costs $0.015 to scrap the defective cookie.a. What is the value of k in the Taguchi loss function?b. If the process is centered on the target specification with a standard deviation of 0.05 g,what is the expected loss per unit?

6. In the production of transformers, any output voltage that exceeds 120 ± 30 volts isunacceptable to the customer. Exceeding these limits results in an estimated loss of $300.However, the manufacturer can adjust the voltage in the plant by changing a resistor thatcosts $2.25.a. Determine the Taguchi loss function.b. Suppose the nominal specification is 120 volts. At what tolerance should thetransformer be manufactured?