QCs-linkage model based quality characteristic variation propagation analysis and control in product development

A QCs-linkage model based framework of quality characteristic variation analysis and control was proposed. Firstly the definition of quality characteristic variation propagation was clarified and the concept of linkage was introduced, based on which, QCs-linkage network and QCs-linkage matrix were constructed. Then the framework of variation propagation analysis and control consisting of 4 phases of quality characteristic variation identification, variation source-tracing, variation mitigation and variation prevention was given. Some typical variation propagation effects were concluded and the variation source-tracing process was studied, in which the algorithms of variation propagation probabilities in different linkage combination patters were discussed. In the following, the variation mitigation process and mitigation methods were discussed in detail and the variation mitigation principle based on minimum mitigation risk was given. A case of internal combustion engine study presented in this paper indicated that the framework was effective for quality control and improvement in product development.