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What is MSA?

What is a Measurement System Analysis?

MSA stands for Measurement System Analysis. It is the application of ensuring that your organization’s inspection, measuring and test equipment provides reliable and relevant measurement data. How to determine error quantity present in a measurement system.

Learn More about MSA with this Tutorial:

MSA Tutorial

What is a Measurement System?

Measurement system is the collection of instruments or gages, standards, operations, methods, fixtures, software, personnel, environment and assumptions used to quantify a unit of measure or fix assessment to the feature characteristic being measured; the complete process used to obtain measurement

What is MSA?

Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

  • MSA primarily deals with analyzing the effect of the measurement system on the measured value
  • The objective of MSA is to assess the quality of the measurement system

We test the measurement system to:

  • determine its statistical properties, and use them in comparison with accepted standards, our needs and customer requirements

Measurement System Analysis

To evaluate a measurement system, determine:

  • If it has adequate resolution
  • If it is statically stable over time
  • If statistical properties are consistent over the expected range and acceptable for process analysis of control
  • If the sum of all the variables is an acceptable level of measurement uncertainty.

Measurement System Analysis Continued

Uncertainty of Measurement

  • The range within which the true value of a characteristic is estimated to lie
  • Can be expressed as statistical distribution of a series of measurements, standard deviations, probability, percentages, error as the difference between actual value minus the true value as a point on a control chart or diagram, etc.  

Measurement Knowledge to be Obtained

  • How big is the measurement error?
  • What are the sources of measurement error?
  • Is the measurement system capable for this study?
  • How do we improve the measurement system?

Implementing Good Measurement Systems

  • Identify all inspection, measuring and test equipment (IMT) and show calibration status
  • Ascertain accuracy and precision of IMT
  • Conduct variation studies of IMT (MSA)
  • Determine validity of previous results when IMT is found out of calibration

Implementing Good Measurement Systems Continued

  • Establish comprehensive procedures for handling, preservation, cleaning, maintenance and storage of all IMT
  • Records of calibration shall include employee gages
  • Use all criteria of MSA

PPAP, 4th Edition-MSA Requirements

2.2.8 Measurement System Analysis

  • shall include bias, linearity, stability and Gage R&R studies for ALL new or modified gages, test and measuring equipment

Application of MSA

Practical Sense of MSA Requirements

  • What is in the Control Plan?
  • Does it cover Process and Product Parameters?
  • Does it cover IMT from incoming to shipping?
  • Does it cover end of line and requirements for downstream activities?
  • Does it cover lab equipment used for testing and analysis?
  • Does it cover IMT for characterization and validation testing?

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