An Approximate Solution for the Optimum Process Mean in a Single Stage Production System

This paper develops an approximate solution for the optimum process mean of a single stage production system. The model developed assumes a normally distributed quality characteristic with different costs associated with values falling outside the specification limits. The proposed framework takes into account a Markovian model in conjunction with a logistic approximation to the cumulative normal distribution. By combining these two concepts, a closed-form solution can be found that, given all system parameter inputs, the optimum process mean and corresponding maximum profit can be easily calculated. The proposed model is illustrated through a numerical example and a comparison with an existing model