Application of MSA Measurement Analysis in the SW-LIMS System

2025-12-04 14:40:16

For enterprises, ensuring quality control and improvement of their various products typically relies on a series of measurement systems, including sensors, instruments, and test equipment. Product quality and performance must be guaranteed through precise measurement methods. However, measurement systems themselves can encounter various issues, such as errors in measurement equipment, subjective bias from operators, and interference from environmental factors. These can all lead to inaccurate measurement results. Such inaccuracies may misguide judgments on product quality, increase scrap rates, lower customer satisfaction, and potentially cause problems on production lines.

MSA (Measurement System Analysis) is a key method in the field of quality management for ensuring the accuracy and consistency of measurement systems. It quantifies variation within the measurement process to determine whether the errors of a measurement system are within acceptable limits. Implementing MSA helps enterprises address these issues. Through MSA, enterprises can enhance measurement precision and efficiency, optimize measurement processes, grasp trends in measurement system performance, promptly identify and rectify problems, ensure continuous stability in production quality, and thereby improve product quality and production efficiency.

1. Overview of MSA
MSA employs statistical analysis methods to determine the variation in measurement results from a measurement system and understand the sources of this variation. Factors typically affecting measurement system variation include the gauge (instrument instability, component wear, etc.), personnel (operator proficiency, measurement technique, etc.), measurement method (measurement procedure, location, frequency, etc.), and environment (temperature, humidity, etc.). The main evaluation indicators for a measurement system include:
(1) Bias: The deviation between measurement results and the true value.
(2) Stability: Measurement accuracy over extended periods of use.
(3) Linearity: Accuracy and stability across different measurement ranges.
(4) Repeatability: Consistency of multiple measurements by the same operator under identical conditions.
(5) Reproducibility: Consistency of measurement results from different operators under identical conditions.

When does an enterprise need to perform MSA?
(1) During New Product Development: When a new product design is completed and enters trial production, critical dimensions and performance indicators need measurement. At this stage, MSA is required to verify whether newly introduced or existing measurement equipment and methods can meet the new product's measurement needs, ensuring reliable measurement data.
(2) After Measurement Equipment Maintenance or Calibration: MSA can assess whether the measurement performance has returned to normal and meets enterprise requirements after calibration or repair.
(3) Following Product Process Improvements or Changes: MSA can evaluate the effectiveness of the new measurement system (as process changes may alter measurement methods, environment, etc.), ensuring measurement data accurately reflects product quality after the change. This helps judge if process improvements achieved the desired effect and provides reliable data for further process optimization.
(4) When Changing Operators or Operator Roles: MSA can assess the impact of personnel changes on the measurement system and verify if measurement personnel have mastered the correct methods and skills.
(5) After Changes in Measurement Environment: MSA can be utilized to ensure the stability and accuracy of the measurement system.

2. Application of MSA in the SW-LIMS System
To ensure continuous improvement and optimization of the measurement process, and the stability and reliability of the measurement system, Sunway Land independently developed a laboratory information management system (SW-LIMS) which includes an MSA Analysis Management module. This module supports relevant personnel in conducting MSA analysis management within the system when situations arise such as significant product variation in new products, introduction of new instruments, or changes in measurement personnel. This helps guarantee the accuracy and credibility of measurement results.
This module enables end-to-end management of the MSA process: from plan application, plan review, task assignment, result entry, result verification, to the generation of MSA reports. It promotes traceability of measurement data, ensures effective monitoring of product quality and production processes, achieves comprehensive recording and traceability of measurement data, and provides strong support for product quality control and improvement.

Relevant personnel can use the system to prepare MSA analysis plans, including specifying the MSA analysis method, number of appraisers, test items, etc. The system supports setting plan execution timelines and can automatically remind relevant personnel when the time arrives. Once prepared, the MSA analysis plan can be submitted within the system. Authorized personnel can review submitted plans; only approved plans can proceed to the measurement analysis stage. During review, users can view detailed application information, sample information, etc., and can directly reject plans that do not meet requirements.
For approved plans, the system supports assigning tasks to involved personnel. Once assigned, task personnel can receive tasks within the system, perform measurement analysis, and record related analysis data. After data entry is completed and submitted for review, for approved data, authorized personnel can use the system to generate MSA analysis reports, including Measurement System Bias Reports, Measurement System Linearity Analysis Reports, etc.

Figure 1 System-generated Bias Report

Figure 2 System-generated Linearity Analysis Report

Figure 3 System-generated Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R) Report

3. Significance of MSA Analysis
The application of MSA enables the analysis and evaluation of a measurement system's accuracy, precision, etc. It facilitates the timely identification of errors and sources of variation within the measurement process. Consequently, effective corrective measures can be implemented to ensure measurement data truly and accurately reflects the actual quality characteristics of products. This avoids product misjudgment due to inaccurate measurements and ensures consistency and stability in product quality.
MSA application helps enterprises determine whether their measurement systems are stable and reliable, providing an accurate basis for adjusting and optimizing production processes. By analyzing measurement data, potential issues in the production process can be detected promptly, such as fluctuations in process parameters or abnormal equipment wear. This allows for corresponding improvement measures, enhancing production efficiency and reducing production costs.
The application of MSA promotes continuous improvement within enterprises. Based on MSA results, enterprises can formulate corresponding improvement plans, continuously optimize measurement systems and production processes, and drive the overall performance of the enterprise to higher levels.

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