Monitoring and control of tape production process
This thesis describes a project to collect and process manufacturing data produced by automated testing equipment used in the production of open reel magnetic tape for the computer industry. The thesis discusses the most appropriate method, in the context of the project, for collecting and processing relatively large volumes of data. The project identified process variables which could most readily be used to represent the overall performance of the combined tape slitting and testing equipment. An operator-machine interface was designed and implemented. This attempted to improve the representation of the process to the machine operators. This interface implemented principles of human computer interaction, particularly for computer naive users. The interface was hierarchical in structure using a rigidly structured method of interaction based on menu selection. Elements from statistical process control theory as defined by W. Edwards Deming were used in the design of the interface. These were used to assist in the identification of when and where the process was moving away from expected performance levels. The thesis also discusses areas where the work performed for this project could be developed further, and suggests that the data that this project has made available could be subjected to statistical analysis to adjust auditing and testing criteria to enhance yields and/or target specific markets.
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