Enhanced Rolled Throughput Yield: A new six sigma-based performance measure

The quality level measurement of a given process is essential to some phases of six sigma methodology. So far, different indicators have been applied to estimate the capabilities of a process such as classic yield, defect per unit, sigma quality level and rolled throughput yield. However, the examination of the efficiency of total processes in a certain organization is a recent challenge which is, unfortunately, not thoroughly explored in scarce studies undertaken. The proposed approach called Enhanced Rolled Throughput Yield (ERTY), unlike other methods, pays particular attention to such factors as the difference between scrap and rework cycles, the cost of scrap and rework and the sequence of stages. Moreover, the proposed approach is able to cover all previous methods. The presented real case illustrates the results of applying this model upon the industrial production of electronic sets. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.