Running or shutting a production facility during the search for the assignable causes(s) of failure models comparison

Implementing a reliable, precise manufacturing line with high speed computers reduces the rate of defective items produced. The cost of consistent maintenance and updating equipment adds significantly to the cost of items produced. In the long run a low fraction of defective items satisfies the producer and the consumer who are interested in producing and purchasing lots of high quality with minimum costs. The cost of an item is then due to the cost incurred by sampling and inspecting lots of finished products, and the cost of keeping a production process under control, which is the subject of the paper. Shutting or running a production facility during the search for the assignable causes of failure is necessary to maintain the quality of items produced and controlling the production cost per item. A comparison between the cost per unit for the two possibilities is essential at all stages of production.