A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1987

This study is concerned with the allocation of screening inspection in single line multi-stage production systems . The general objective of the study is to develop a Tot al Quality Cost model in which an optimization technique can be applied . The best inspect ion program is determined when the required Ave rage Outgoing Quality is specified . Inspection cost s , penalty charged for defective item found by inspection and penalty charged for outgoing defects are considered in the 'cost model . Cumulative inspection and the number of components in each stage are also taken into consideration. The model is developed in the form of a non-linear program. To minimize the objective function of the model, a computer program is developed which employs the modified pattern search technique . The model is applied to a refrigerator production line as a case study . The solution from the developed model is compared with the current inspection program. The relationship be tween the average fraction inspection and the required Ave rage Outgoing Quality is provided . Since the inspection program in the case study essentially gives rise to a linear program, a more involved example g1v1ng a non- linear program is solved for illustration as well as validation .