Acceptance sampling plans are used to determine the acceptability of a product or process, based on the results of a sample inspection.
They are used to decide whether to accept or reject a shipment or lot of materials based on a sample size.
The sample size is determined by the sampling plan, which is based on the quality characteristics of the product.
How to calculate
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Determine the sampling plan: The sampling plan should be based on the quality characteristic of the product, the acceptable quality level (AQL), the lot size, and the required confidence level.
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Collect a sample: The sample should be collected according to the sampling plan.
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Inspect the sample: The sample should be inspected according to the inspection procedure.
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Determine acceptability: The acceptability of the lot should be determined based on the results of the sample inspection.
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Take action: The appropriate action should be taken based on the acceptability of the lot. If the lot is acceptable, it should be accepted and shipped. If the lot is not acceptable, it should be rejected or reworked.
Examples
- Acceptance sampling plans are used by manufacturing companies to check the quality of their products.
In statistical sampling, a predetermined number of product units are randomly selected and inspected for defects. If the number of defects in the sample meets the acceptance criteria, the entire batch of products is accepted.
- Acceptance sampling plans are used in the health care industry to test for the presence of disease-causing organisms in a population.
Statistical sampling is used to select a predetermined number of individuals from the population and then test them for the presence of the particular organism. If the number of positive tests meets the acceptance criteria, the entire population is deemed safe.
- Acceptance sampling plans are used in the food industry to inspect for food-borne pathogens.
Statistical sampling is used to randomly select a predetermined number of food items from a batch or shipment and then test them for the presence of a particular pathogen. If the number of positive tests meets the acceptance criteria, the entire batch or shipment is deemed safe.