About the Six Sigma Component

When you use the Six Sigma component a product or process is simulated repeatedly, while varying the stochastic properties of one or more random variables, to characterize the statistical nature of the responses (outputs) of interest. The “sigma level,” or probability of satisfying design specifications, is reported, along with statistics on performance variation.

You can choose a run mode when you use the Six Sigma component:

• Six Sigma Analysis. Isight evaluates the quality level of a single design. A set of points are sampled around the mean value point—the current design point—based on the analysis type and technique that you select.

• Six Sigma Optimization. Isight performs a six sigma analysis at each new design point selected during a robust design optimization strategy. The focus of robust design optimization is to search for robust or flat regions of a design space to reduce the effects of variations in uncertain design parameters, while satisfying design requirements with a high degree of certainty (reliability or sigma level).

For more information about the run modes, see Configuring the Six Sigma Component.

If you select Six Sigma Optimization, you can select an optimization technique. For information about the Optimization techniques, see About the Optimization Techniques.

Regardless of the run mode that you choose, you can choose from three analysis types:

• Reliability Technique. The focus in structural reliability analysis is to assess the probability of failure—the probability of violating a constraint—of a structural component or system, resulting from performance (output) variation caused by the variation of uncertain, random (input) variables. For more information, see About the Reliability Techniques.
• Monte Carlo Sampling. Monte Carlo simulation techniques are implemented by randomly simulating a population of designs, given the stochastic properties of one or more random variables. The focus is on characterizing the statistical nature (mean, standard deviation, variance, range, distribution type, etc.) of the performance responses (outputs). For more information, see About the Monte Carlo Sampling Techniques.
• Design of Experiments. In a Design of Experiments analysis a design matrix is constructed that specifies the values for the design parameters (uncertain parameters in this context) for each sampled point or experiment. For more information, see About the DOE Techniques.

The techniques that are available in the Six Sigma component depend on the analysis type that you select, as shown in the table below:

Upon execution in the Runtime Gateway, Isight automatically creates a Six Sigma Results aggregate parameter containing basic results (see About the Six Sigma Results Aggregate Parameter).

The following figure shows the Six Sigma Component Editor:

To start the Six Sigma Component Editor, double-click the Six Sigma component icon . When you have finished configuring the Six Sigma Component Editor, click OK to close the editor. For more information about inserting components and accessing component editors, see Working with Components in the Isight User’s Guide.