Prerequisites

• Access to the Execution > Data collection (SP006) menu.
• Planned collection.
• User as member of the collection execution team.

Introduction 

With the initial configurations performed and the collection planning finished, the collection execution step starts, which consists of inserting sample reading data for future analysis. 

The execution of a data collection may vary according to the configurations set in the previous steps. In general, it can be classified into two categories:

Manual execution

The user must manually type the values of the readings, which can be subdivided into:

• XLS spreadsheet: the system allows for downloading a file in .xls format to be filled out locally and later importing data through this spreadsheet. To learn how to import data using an XLS spreadsheet, click here.
• Execution to-do task: if there is a frequency configured for the data collection of the characteristics, the system generates the to-do task for the user to execute it when it is close to the due date. To learn how to configure a frequency for the collection, click here.
• Execution screen: the parties responsible for the execution have access to the execution menu in order to carry the data collections.

Automatic execution

Data is acquired without the need for typing, which reduces errors related to manual input. There are three execution modes for this type:

• CMM: acronym for Coordinate-measuring machines. For this execution type, the output file is configured in the system beforehand, which makes it possible to import data through scheduling. To learn how to configure this resource, click here.
• Scale: resource that can be configured in SoftExpert Asset or directly via the Execution > Data collection (SP006) menu. Data is acquired with one click.
• Measurement gages: devices that send data and can be connected directly to the computer. To learn how to configure this resource, click here.

See an example of how to configure a manual data collection execution, without a frequency control associated:

Executing a data collection

1. Access the Execution > Data collection (SP006) menu.

2. Select the desired collection and click on the button.

3. On the data collection screen, provide the readings (if the characteristic is variable) or the number of items (if the characteristic is of the attribute type).

4. Use the Information section to specify the machine, operator, inspector, gage, work shift, lot, and MO (manufacturing order) used in the data collection.

5. Click on the Save and next characteristic button. Once all characteristics are filled out, the system will notify that the sample has been finished.

Conclusion

This article showed how to execute a manual data collection in SoftExpert SPC and described the available execution types.

The next step is to track the data collection, a stage that involves event log queries and analyses, among other features.