Using spreadsheet to teach on-line statistical process control

This paper gives the design considerations for on-line statistical process control (SPC) using spreadsheet software. The system combines a data acquisition system, data translation board, spreadsheet package, and a microcomputer. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate, by means of examples, how a microcomputer spreadsheet software and a data translation board can be used to teach on-line SPC as an alternative to the expensive commercial SPC software. Moreover, in the training and education environment, computer simulated data can be used for different case studies. Experience in using this approach to teach on-line SPC will be described.