AccScience Publishing / IJOCTA / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/IJOCTA026200082
Cite this article
11
Download
149
Views
Related Info Links
More by Authors Links
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
News and Announcements
View All
RESEARCH ARTICLE

A process-incapability–based optimization framework for product quality inspection using variable repetitive group sampling

Armin Darmawan1*
Show Less
1 Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Gowa, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Received: 13 May 2026 | Revised: 23 June 2026 | Accepted: 24 June 2026 | Published online: 9 July 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
Abstract

Conventional variable single sampling (VSS) plans are commonly employed due to their straightforward implementation; however, the large sample sizes required result in substantial inspection costs and reduced quality control efficiency. To address the challenge of ensuring reliable quality assurance while minimizing inspection effort, this study proposes a novel acceptance sampling plan that integrates the process incapability index (Cpp) with a variable repetitive group sampling (VRGS) scheme. The objective is to minimize the average sample number (ASN) while satisfying specified producer’s and consumer’s risk requirements and quality standards. A nonlinear optimization model was developed under four scenarios to determine the optimal sampling parameters, with ASN minimization as the primary objective. The proposed Cpp-VRGS plan was evaluated through sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis against an existing Cpp-based VSS plan. The results demonstrate that the proposed Cpp-VRGS plan consistently achieves lower ASN values while maintaining the required risk protection levels. Different scenarios exhibit superior performance under different quality conditions, providing greater flexibility in selecting an appropriate inspection strategy. Sensitivity and comparative analyses further confirm the robustness and efficiency of the proposed approach. A case study involving monocrystalline silicon wafers validates its practical applicability in a real manufacturing environment. This study contributes to the acceptance sampling literature by integrating process incapability assessment with VRGS within an optimization-based framework. To support practical implementation, a user-friendly graphical user interface was developed to assist quality engineers in determining plan parameters and making inspection decisions efficiently. The proposed methodology offers a flexible, reliable, and cost-effective solution for industrial quality control.

Keywords
Inspection sampling
Nonlinear optimization
Process incapability index
Quality control and assurance
Repetitive group sampling plan
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The author declares he has no competing interests.
References
  1. Wu CW, Darmawan A. Designing an enhanced acceptance sampling strategy with the process loss index. Eur J Ind Eng. 2025;19(1). https://doi.org/10.1504/EJIE.2025.10064829
  2. Darmawan A, Bahri S, Putra ATB. Six Sigma Implementation in Quality Evaluation of Raw Material: A Case Study. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng. 2020;875(1):012065. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/875/1/012065
  3. Wu CW, Darmawan A, Liu SW. Developing a stage-independent multiple sampling plan with loss-based capability index for lot disposition. J Oper Res Soc. 2024;76(3):426-437. https://doi.org/10.1080/01605682.2024.2363264
  4. Darmawan A, Wang T, Wu C. Development of a Generalized Quick-Switch Sampling System Incorporating Process Loss Considerations. Qual Reliab Eng Int. Published online 2026. https://doi.org/10.1002/qre.70256
  5. Darmawan A, Bahri S, Amar K, et al. A flexible resubmitted variable sampling plan for product quality determination using the process loss index. Prod Eng Arch. 2025;31(2):201-211. https://doi.org/10.30657/pea.2025.31.20
  6. Wu CW, Darmawan A. A modified sampling scheme for lot sentencing based on the third-generation capability index. Ann Oper Res. 2023;349(1):25-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-023-05328-z
  7. Wu CW, Darmawan A, Wu NY. A double sampling plan for truncated life tests under two-parameter Lindley distribution. Ann Oper Res. 2024;340(1):619-641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-024-05955-0
  8. Jennett WJ, Welch BL. The control of proportion defective as judged by a single quality characteristic varying on a continuous scale. J R Stat Soc. 1939;6(1):80-88. https://doi.org/10.2307/2983626
  9. Hamaker HC, Bowker AH, Goode HP. Sampling Inspection by Variables. J Am Stat Assoc. 1954;49(266):386. https://doi.org/10.2307/2280944
  10. Darmawan A, Armayfa A, Sesa M. Developing an Integrated Optimization Inspection Scheme with A Flexible Sampling Mechanism for Quality Determination Based on the Process Loss Index. J Ind Eng Manag. 2026;19(1):120. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.9061
  11. Owen DB. Variables Sampling Plans Based on the Normal Distribution. 1967;9(3):417-423. https://doi.org/10.1080/00401706.1967.10490485
  12. Montgomery DC. Introduction to Statistical Quality Control. 8th ed. Dumas S, ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2019.
  13. Wu CW, Aslam M, Chen JC, et al. A repetitive group sampling plan by variables inspection for product acceptance determination. Eur J Ind Eng. 2015;9(3):308. https://doi.org/10.1504/EJIE.2015.069340
  14. Sherman RE. Design and Evaluation of a Repetitive Group Sampling Plan. 1965;7(1):11-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/00401706.1965.10490222
  15. Shankar G, Sahu AK, Srivastava RK. Two-stage conditional repetitive group sampling plan. Def Sci J. 2001;51(3):297-302. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.51.2243
  16. Balamurali S, Park H, Jun CH, et al. Designing of variables repetitive group sampling plan involving minimum average sample number. Commun Stat Simul Comput. 2005;34(3):799-809. https://doi.org/10.1081/SAC-200068424
  17. Balamurali S, Jun CH. Repetitive group sampling procedure for variables inspection. J Appl Stat. 2006;33(3):327-338. https://doi.org/10.1080/02664760500446010
  18. Aslam M, Yen CH, Jun CH. Variable repetitive group sampling plans with process loss consideration. J Stat Comput Simul. 2011;81(11):1417-1432. https://doi.org/10.1080/00949655.2010.487826
  19. Wu CW. An efficient inspection scheme for variables based on Taguchi capability index. Eur J Oper Res. 2012;223(1):116-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2012.06.023
  20. Wu CW, Wu TH, Chen T. Developing a variables repetitive group sampling scheme by considering process yield and quality loss. Int J Prod Res. 2014;53(7):2239-2251. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2014.986300
  21. Wu CW, Liu SW. A new lot sentencing approach by variables inspection based on process yield. Int J Prod Res. 2018;56(12):4087-4099. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1424365
  22. Liu S, Wu C, Tsai Y. An Adjustable Inspection Scheme for Lot Sentencing Based on One-sided Capability Indices. Appl Math Model. 2021;96:766-778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2021.03.034
  23. Darmawan A. Innovative Quick-switching Sampling System for Product Quality Sentencing Integrated with Process Incapability Index Cpp. QIP J. 2025;29(3):157-177. https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v29i3.2269
  24. Sheu LC, Yeh CH, Yen CH, et al. Developing acceptance sampling plans based on incapability index Cpp. Appl Math Inf Sci. 2014;8(5):2509-2514. https://doi.org/10.12785/amis/080548
  25. Darmawan A, Rahman A, Parenreng SM, et al. Innovative Quality Determination by Integrating Process Incapability Index into Variable Sampling Plan Design. Int J Ind Eng Manag. 2026;17(2):204-215. https://doi.org/10.24867/IJIEM-412
  26. Lieberman GJ, Resnikoff GJ. Sampling plans for inspection by variables. J Am Stat Assoc. 1955;50(272):1333. https://doi.org/10.2307/2281227
  27. Wu CW, Shu MH, Wang TC, et al. Integrating capability index and generalized rule-switching mechanism for enhanced quick-switch sampling systems. Int J Prod Econ. 2024;276:109366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2024.109366
  28. Boyles RA. The Taguchi Capability Index. J Qual Technol. 1991;23(1):17-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224065.1991.11979279
  29. Chan LK, Cheng SW, Spiring FA. A New Measure of Process Capability: Cpm. J Qual Technol. 1988;20(3):162-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224065.1988.11979102
  30. Chen KS. Estimation of the process incapability index. Commun Stat - Theory Methods. 1998;27(5):1263-1274. https://doi.org/10.1080/03610929808832157
  31. Greenwich M, Jahr-Schaffrath BL. A process incapability index. Int J Qual Reliab Manag. 1995;12(4):58-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656719510087328
  32. Chen KS. Incapability index with asymmetric tolerances. Stat Sin. 1998;8(1):253-262. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24306353.
  33. Pearn WL, Lin GH. On the reliability of the estimated incapability index. Qual Reliab Eng. 2001;17(4):279-290. https://doi.org/10.1002/qre.378
  34. Wu JU, Yang CC. Estimated incapability index: Reliability and decision making with sample information. Qual Reliab Eng. 2002;18(2):141-147. https://doi.org/10.1002/qre.455
  35. Pearn WL, Chen KL, Chen KS. A practical implementation of the incapability index C-pp. Int J Ind Eng Appl Pract. 2002;9(4):372-383.
  36. Chen KS, Chen KL, Li RK. Contract manufacturer selection by using the process incapability index C-pp. Int J Adv Manuf Technol. 2005;26(5-6):686-692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-003-1886-5
  37. Lin GH. A Bayesian approach based on multiple samples for measuring process performance with incapability index. Int J Prod Econ. 2007;106(2):506-512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2006.06.012
  38. Ke JC, Chu YK, Chung YT, et al. Assessing Non-normally Distributed Processes by Interval Estimation of the Incapability Index C-pp. Qual Reliab Eng. 2008;25(4):427-437. https://doi.org/10.1002/qre.979
  39. Kaya İ. The Process Incapability Index Under Fuzziness with an Application for Decision Making. Int J Comput Intell Syst. 2014;7(1):114-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/18756891.2013.858905
  40. Kaya İ, Baracli H. Fuzzy Process Incapability Index with Asymmetric Tolerances. J Mult-Valued Logic Soft Comput. 2012;18(5-6):493-511. https://www.oldcitypublishing.com/journals/mvlsc-home/mvlsc-issue-contents/mvlsc-volume-18-number-5-6-2012/mvlsc-18-5-6-p-493-511/.
  41. Liao MY. Assessing process incapability when collecting data from multiple batches. Int J Prod Res. 2015;53(7):2041-2054. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2014.952796
  42. Abbasi Ganji Z, Sadeghpour Gildeh B. Assessing Process Performance with Incapability Index Based on Fuzzy Critical Value. Iran J Fuzzy Syst. 2016;13(5). https://doi.org/10.22111/ijfs.2016.2731
  43. Ganji ZA. Multivariate process incapability vector. Qual Reliab Eng. 2018;35(4):902-919. https://doi.org/10.1002/qre.2435
  44. Sadeghpour Gildeh B, Abbasi Ganji Z. The effect of measurement error on the process incapability index. Commun Stat Methods. 2019;49(3):552-566. https://doi.org/10.1080/03610926.2018.1543777
  45. Shirani Bidabadi H, Shishebori D, Ahmadi Yazdi A. Multivariate Process Incapability Index Considering Measurement Error in Fuzzy Environment. J Ind Eng. 2020;54(2). https://doi.org/10.22059/jieng.2021.323883.1765
  46. Leony F, Lin C. The PO bootstrap approach for comparing process incapability applied to non-normal process selection. Qual Technol Quant Manag. 2021;19(2):215-233. https://doi.org/10.1080/16843703.2021.2015827
  47. Pakzad A, Basiri E. A new incapability index for simple linear profile with asymmetric tolerances. Qual Eng. 2022;35(2):324-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/08982112.2022.2129025
  48. Chen KS, Huang TH, Lin JS, et al. Fuzzy Testing Method of Process Incapability Index. 2024;12(5):623. https://doi.org/10.3390/math12050623
  49. Bera K, Anis MZ. Process incapability index for autocorrelated data in the presence of measurement errors. Commun Stat - Theory Methods. 2023;53(15):5439-5459. https://doi.org/10.1080/03610926.2023.2220921
  50. Wu CW, Shu MH, Nugroho AA, et al. A flexible process-capability-qualified resubmission-allowed acceptance sampling scheme. Comput Ind Eng. 2015;80:62-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2014.11.015
Share
Back to top
An International Journal of Optimization and Control: Theories & Applications, Electronic ISSN: 2146-5703 Print ISSN: 2146-0957, Published by AccScience Publishing