What is MSA?

A Measurement system is a process by which we assign a number to a characteristic of a

product or service. The first step in assessing a system is to understand this process, and
determine whether it will satisfy our requirements.
Measurement System Analysis, often referred to as MSA, is used to assess the statistical
properties of process measurement systems.

MSA primarily deals with analyzing the effect of the measurement system on the
measured value in quantifiable terms
Emphasis is on the effect due to equipment and personnel
We test the system to determine the numerical values of its statistical properties and
compare them to accepted standards. It is a process used to standardize the
methods of analysis to ensure and demonstrate that your measuring systems have
adequate resolution, do not excessively bias results, and possess a small variability in
comparison with specified tolerances. It helps you assess, monitor, and reduce
measurement system variation. The objective of a measurement system analysis
study is to make sure that your measurement system - gages, methods, and
procedures are stable and capable of measuring data, before continuing with your
process improvement efforts. It ensures that your measuring procedures and systems
provide:
Adequate resolution
Results that are not unduly biased, and
Little variability in comparison with specified tolerances

Fundamental Issues
To evaluate a measurement system determine:

If it has adequate discrimination

If it is statistically stable over time
If statistical properties are consistent over the expected range and acceptable for
process analysis or control
If the sum of all variables is an acceptable level of measurement uncertainty

Overall Objective of MSA

Uncertainty of Measurement
It is the range within which the true value of a characteristic is estimated to lie. Such data
can be expressed as the statistical distribution of a series of measurements, standard
deviations, probability, percentages, and error as the difference between actual value
minus the true value, as points on a control chart or diagram.

Best-in-Class Approach

Determining these fundamental issues are most meaningful if made relative to

process variation
Reporting measurement error as only percent of tolerance is inadequate for the
worldwide market where emphasis is on continual process improvement

Use of Data in Measurement System Studies

The data collected using a measurement system is used:

To control process
In estimating the existence of relationship between variables that can affect the
outcome of a process
To conduct analytical studies to increase the knowledge about the system of causes
and its effect on processes
To focus on measurement systems where readings can be repeated on each part,
and reproduced by different operators.
A measurement is not always exact. Measurement system variation affects individual
measurements and decisions based on data. Measurement system errors are classified
into five categories: bias, repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and linearity. You need to
know the extent of variation before deciding on the following applications.

MSA Applications

Establish criteria for suitability and acceptability of new measuring equipment

Compare one measuring device against another
Evaluate suspect equipment
Compare the performance of an equipment before and after its repair
Calculate measurement system variation
Establish acceptability of manufacturing process
Manage & improve the measurement process

Where to start?

Evaluate the components of the measuring system, and control the variation in them
as much as possible to ensure that an item of measuring equipment complies with the
requirements for its intended use
Expand your consideration of Measurement Process Variation to Measurement
System Statistical Properties & Measurement Uncertainty.
Follow the basics of SPC.

Process Accuracy Measurements

Stability
Stability (or drift) is total variation in measurements obtained with a measurement system
on same master or parts when measuring a single characteristic over an extended time
period (a time period is days, not hours). Stability is the key to predictability. Stable
processes are those that are free from special cause variation. In terms of measuring
equipment, stability is determined by using a control chart. As measurements are taken,
points within the limits indicate that the process has not changed and the prediction is
made that it is not likely to change in the future. Statistical process control (SPC), scatter
plots, or other forms of statistical analysis are used to measure process stability.

Linearity
Linearity is the difference in the accuracy values through the expected operating range of
the equipment. Selecting the parts throughout the operating range of the instrument can
determine the linearity. The accuracy of these parts is determined by the difference
between the master measurement and the observed average measurement.

Bias

Difference between observed average of measurements and reference value. The

reference value, also known as accepted reference value or master value, is a value that
serves as an agreed upon reference for measured values. A reference value can be
determined by averaging several measurements with a higher level of measuring
equipment.

Process Precision Measurements

Gage R&R
Gage R&R statistically isolates different types of variation in the measurement process.
These types of variation include:

Repeatability = equipment variation = within variation

Reproducibility = appraiser variation = between variation
Residual or pure error
Variation due to interaction effects. For example, out of several inspectors, one might
have a tendency to read one gage differently than others.
Gage R&R- Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility can be applied to any kind of
measurement (attribute or variables, indeterminate or determinate). The two most
common methods used and supported by statistical software are the ANOVA method
(Analysis Of Variance) and the average and range method.
Repeatability refers to the variation in measurements obtained with one measurement
instrument when used several times by one assessor while measuring the identical
characteristics on the same part.
Reproducibility refers to the variation in the average of measurements made by different
assessors using the same measuring instrument while measuring the identical
characteristics
on
the
same
part.
R&R is the combination of repeatability and reproducibility variation, and is considered as
the total measurement variation excluding within part variation and variation in central
location.

Reference Material
A material or substance with one or more properties, which are sufficiently well
established to be used for the calibration of an apparatus, assessment of a measurement
method, or for assigning values to materials.

Measurement Uncertainty

Measurement Uncertainty is the sum of all the probabilities (percents) assigned to the
variables that make up the measurement system.
The total of these probabilities should be weighed, and carry importance in proportion
to the seriousness, and criticality of the measurements being made.
Decisions resulting from measurement system analysis include:
o Using the system as is, taking into account its uncertainty.
o Improving the system to control the variation in the contributing factors.
o Considering other measurement systems of higher levels of discrimination and
capability.
Product and process conformance are determined by the measurements taken by a
measurement system. If the measuring process is changing over time, the ability to use

the data gathered in making decisions is reduced. In essence, establishing the adequacy
of your measurement system using a measurement system analysis process is
fundamental to measuring your own business process capability, and meeting the needs
of your customer.