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Collecting DMS Data

DMS data, or Defect data, refers to Inspection results that capture categorical or attribute-based outcomes, such as pass/fail checks, defect counts, or ratings of physical features. These types of data differ from SPC data in that they are typically discrete rather than continuous.

This guide builds on GS's Core Concepts and the Getting Started with Inspections guide.

Common Use Cases

This section provides best practices for common use cases of collecting DMS data.

Collecting Pass/Fail (Go/No-Go) Data

When an inspection or test of a Part results in it either being accepted or rejected as a whole, use a Pass/Fail Test. For example,

  • Whether a thread gauge fits (Pass) or does not (Fail).
  • Whether a valve passes a pressure test.
  • Whether a refrigerator cools to a target temperature within 30 minutes.

To collect this type of DMS data, add a Pass/Fail Test to a Sub-Inspection and:

  • Select the Defect that should be recorded if the Test fails.
  • Set the Label to clearly describe the Test to the operator.
  • Set the Sample Size to the number of physical parts that undergo the test simultaneously. This value is usually 1.
  • Set the NCU Count on Failure to the number of non-conforming units that should be recorded if the Test fails (i.e. the number of units scrapped). This value is typically set to match the Sample Size.

Collecting Multiple Defects

When multiple types or instances of Defects can occur on a single Part, use a Defect List Test. For example,

  • An inspector walking around a boat's hull, marking the number of scratches and dents.
  • A motherboard is inspected in a lab and has its number of burns counted.
  • A sample of individually-packaged brownies is inspected for the count of misprinted or smudged labels.

To collect this type of DMS data, add a Defect List Test to a Sub-Inspection and:

  • Select the Defect Category containing the list of available Defects.
  • Set the Sample Size to the expected number of units that are inspected simultaneously.
    • If the user should not be able to change this value while running the Inspection, uncheck Enable Sample Size.
  • Determine how the count of non-conforming units should be set while running the Inspection.
    • If the user should be able to manually set the number of NCUs, set NCU Behavior to User Input.
    • If the number of NCUs is always equal to the number of Defects, set NCU Behavior to Auto Sum.
    • If the number of NCUs will be set through a script, set NCU Behavior to Script Controlled. The NCU count can be set via the ncuCount property of the DefectListTestApi.updateProperties() function.

Collecting Rating Scale Data

When you want to rate qualitative attributes like visual finish, tactile feel, or packaging quality using a consistent scale, use a Rating Test. For example,

  • Color consistency is rated on a scale of 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent).
  • Packaging damage is rated as None, Minor, or Severe.
  • An inspector eats a potato chip and rates it as Not Salty, Perfect, or Too Salty.

To collect this type of DMS data, add a Rating Test to a Sub-Inspection and:

  • Configure the Test's Options.
  • Set the Sample Size to the number of physical parts that undergo the test simultaneously. This value is usually 1.
  • Set the NCU Count on Failure to the number of non-conforming units that should be recorded if the Test fails. This value is typically set to match the Sample Size.

Dynamic Inspections

In this section, you will create a dynamic, no-code Inspection in which Pass/Fail Tests automatically show or hide based on the selected Part. This approach is useful for shared Inspection layouts across multiple similar Parts.

Setup

Begin by creating three Defects and two Defect Categories.

  1. Navigate to the Defects list page and click Add.
  2. Name the Defect Thread Check and click Save.
  3. Repeat the process to create Paint Check and Toughness Check Defects.
  4. Navigate to the Defect Categories list page and click Add.
  5. Create a Standard Bolt Checks category and select only two of the Defects: Paint Check and Toughness Check.
  6. Create an Additional Bolt Checks category and select only the Thread Check Defect.

Your Defect Categories should now resemble the following images.

An image showing the Defect Category of Standard Checks

An image showing the Defect Category of Additional Checks

Next, create two Parts.

  1. Navigate to the Parts list page and click Add.
  2. Name the Part 3" Bolt.
  3. Select Standard Bolt Checks in the list of Defect Categories.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Create another Part named 5" Bolt and select both the Standard Bolt Checks and the Additional Bolt Checks Categories.

Create the Inspection

  1. Navigate to the Inspection list.
  2. Press the Add button. An image showing the location of the Add button on the Inspection list
  3. Fill in the Name field with Dynamic DMS Inspection.
  4. Press the Save button. An image showing the Inspection create form
  5. Add a Part Test.
  6. Add three Pass/Fail Tests. For each Pass/Fail Test:
    1. Set the Test's Defect to Thread Check, Paint Check, and Toughness Check respectively.
    2. Check Only Show if the Part Contains this Defect. An image showing a sub-inspection with three Pass/Fail Tests and a Part Test
  7. Select the Save and Run action.

Run the Inspection

  1. Run the Sub-Inspection with the Tests. Initially, only the Part Test appears.
    1. This is because the Pass/Fail Tests will only show themselves after the Part is selected. An image showing a running sub-inspection with only a Part Test
  2. Select 3" Bolt in the Part Test. Notice that the Paint Check and Toughness Check Tests appear.
    1. This is because the 3" Bolt has a Defect Category with the Defects assigned to those Tests.
    2. The Thread Check Test does not appear because the 3" Bolt does not have any Defect Categories with that Defect. An image showing a running sub-inspection with a Part Test and the 3" Bolt Pass/Fail Tests
  3. Select values for the Pass/Fail Tests, then click Submit.
  4. Rerun the Sub-Inspection and select the 5" Bolt. Notice that all three Pass/Fail Tests appear.
    1. This is because the 5" Bolt has Defect Categories with the Defects assigned to those Tests. An image showing a running sub-inspection with a Part Test and the 5" Bolt Pass/Fail Tests
  5. Flip back and forth a few times between the two bolts. Notice that the Pass/Fail Tests change their visibility based on the selected Part.

See Also