How to Do Gage R & R
- 1). Instruct your first operator to measure the specified part. Ideally, you will have around 10 operators and 10 parts, but two of each will suffice for a simple measurement. The same general principles can be used to test any sort of measuring device, so how you take the measurement is dependent upon your measuring device.
- 2). Record the reading, and then get the person to repeat the measurement a few more times. This is to ensure that repeatable results are being gathered. Two or three extra measurements should be suitable, but if you have any singular unusual results, this should be increased as needed.
- 3). Get the other operators to measure the first part. They should use the same measurement tool so you can ensure that any variability in results is not related to the different measuring devices. Remember, each operator has to measure the part several times.
- 4). Repeat the measurement process with the remaining items that you are going to be measuring. It's important to have numerous different items to be measured in order to bring out deviation in results that may come with more difficult-to-measure items. Note down all the results as your operators work through the different parts.
- 5). Perform a rudimentary analysis of your results. The measuring tools you tested may be producing reliable results, but one user could be getting wildly different results and need retraining on the usage of the measuring device in question. A glance over the results should give you a basic overview of the findings.
- 6). Download a Gage R&R program or perform the required mathematical equations to generate the results (see Resources). Stigma, Minitab and BPI Consulting have their own Gage R&R programs, and these can be used to interpret your results more clearly.
- 7). Enter the results into the program, or substitute the relevant parts in the equations to produce your result. Ideally, the total variation should be under 10 percent.