Nonparametric progressive sign chart for monitoring process location based on individual data

Statistical process control (SPC) plays a vital role in the maintenances and improvements of quality outputs in manufacturing, industrial and service production processes. Control chart is an important SPC tool, used to detect noises and to improve process performance. When the underlying process distribution lacks the assumption of normality, nonparametric (NP) control charts become essential and particularly are useful because their in-control (IC) run length properties remain the same for every continuous distribution. This article develops the NP progressive mean sign (NPPM-SN) chart for monitoring the process target through 100% inspection by taking individual measurements from the process. The performance of the proposed NPPM-SN chart is examined under zero-state and steady-state scenarios. The IC and out-of-control run length properties of the proposed control chart are evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed NPPM-SN chart is compared with traditional exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA), nonparametric EWMA sign (NPEWMA-SN) and traditional progressive mean (PM) control charts based on individual measurements using average run length and some other characteristics of the run-length distribution. The proposed NPPM-SN chart is found more robust (for all distributions) and efficient (for skewed distributions) as compared to its competitors. Along with a real-life example related to high voltage power supply, a simulated data example is also presented for the implementation of the proposed NPPM-SN chart.