Variable Sample Size and Sampling Interval Charts with Runs Rules for Switching Between Sample Sizes and Sampling Interval Lengths

Abstract

Variable sample size and sampling interval (VSSI) charts are substantially more efficient than are the static charts. However, the frequent switches between sample sizes and sampling interval lengths can be a complicating factor during the implementation of these charts. In this article, runs rules are proposed for switching between the sample sizes and the sampling interval lengths of these charts to reduce the frequency of switches. The expressions for the performance measures for the charts with these runs rules are developed. The methods presented are general and can be applied to other VSSI Shewhart control charts. The effects of different runs rules on the performances of the charts are compared numerically. The runs rules substantially reduce the frequency of switches. Some runs rules do not significantly alter the statistical performances of the charts; however, some adversely affect that in detecting large shifts in the process mean. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.