Integrating statistical process monitoring with feedforward control

Feedforvard control is a particular form of engineering process control. If a known input variable z(t) can be measured and appropriate relationships built between the input variable, a compensatory variable x(t), and the desired output y(t), then a feedforward control system can be developed. Using feedforward control, we show under both sudden jump shifts and trends in the mean of the input and compensatory variables that the use of statistical process monitoring tools, such as the exponentially-weighted moving average and the cumulative sum (CUSUM), significantly reduces variability in both the output variable and the controller relative to the use of feedforward control alone. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.