ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a case study that demonstrates how the use of a structured problem-solving process not only solved two chronic quality problems but also significantly impacted throughput within the same department. It is important to understand that oftentimes as we solve a problem, there are positive side benefits that we may or may not have been anticipating. The company we will be studying is a manufacturer of stainless steel pressurized vessels used to hold a variety of liquids and gases. Two common problems encountered when welding products of this nature are pinholes and weld spatter. Weld spatter occurs when the welding arc virtually explodes and coats the surrounding area with bits of welding wire that must be ground off for aesthetic purposes. The team first looked at the completed rings and found that the legs were neither equal nor consistent in length.
