scope:

Introduction

Welcome to the Measurement Precision Calculator. This utility will help perform the calculations for Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) described in the IPC Test Method IPC-TM-1.9.

This software is useful in cases where the measurement data is recorded as variables data and recorded on a continuous scale. The calculations allow for up to five repeated readings, taken on each of up to 10 samples by up to 10 test laboratories or test conditions.

Please refer to the test method before beginning the study. The test method defines the terms and equations used in detail. This User Guide provides detailed instructions for analyzing the MSA data on the Measurement Precision Calculator, and how to draw conclusions from the metrics.

This software is an Excel workbook and includes the following:

• A blank spreadsheet to enter measurements

• A spreadsheet with example data

• A form for manual data entry, if desired

• Further information on the K factors used in the calculations

The goal in preparing this workbook was to keep it as simple and easy to implement as possible, but still provide a good basic MSA. This procedure has been used many times and can often be completed with as little as an hour's work on each of three consecutive days. This method provides a good initial assessment. It is quick and easy enough to be used on all tests, current and new. It can help isolate cases where further analysis is needed. It is useful both on current production tests and as a test validation review for new designs.

This spreadsheet has been tested with the Excel versions included with Office 97 and Office 2000. It does not use macros, so compatibility problems have been minimized. The sheets were formatted to print on 8-1/2 by 11 pages on most laser and ink jet printers.