Quality Terms
This refers to the measurement and decision of whether or not the quality and performance of a product or service is acceptable. These criteria can be technical specifications (such as level of size tolerances allowed in parts), contract terms and conditions, or performance of a process or service. Implied in the term is the idea that all processes, products, and actions should have an assigned level of acceptable performance that one can measure. Consistent with the understanding that criteria grow out of process capabilities, technicians should periodically measure for acceptability to find out how well a process or item is meeting specification.
AQL is limit of a satisfactory process average at a particular quality level when a continuing series of lots is considered.
In judging the acceptability of a lot or batch, this is the maximum number of nonconformities allowed within a sample, based on a count of the nonconformities. If the batch passes, that is, it's amount of nonconformities falls at or below the acceptance number. If a batch does not pass, this usually indicates there is a problem with the process.
This is a plan for setting up the acceptable sampling technique that includes criteria setting sample size, and for accepting and rejecting a component, product, or service based on samples meeting prescribed quality criteria. Plans may involve single, double, sequential, chain, multiple, or skip-lot sampling techniques. With variable samples, management may deploy single, double, and sequential sampling techniques.
This is a manufacturing term that refers to the ability of a standard to be used for calibrating the accuracy of a gage or instrument used to measure quality or performance. It is best if such standards are traceable to the National Bureau of Standards. The term also appears when dealing with the measurement of processes and procedures.
