Which statement best describes Cp/Cpk vs design capability?

Which statement best describes Cp/Cpk vs design capability?

• A. Cp/Cpk relates to design tolerances and reliability.
• B. Cp/Cpk measures product aesthetics.
• C. Process capability assesses manufacturing ability; design capability relates to tolerances and reliability.
• D. Cp/Cpk relates to supply chain.

Answer: (C)

Cp and Cpk quantify how well a manufacturing process can meet the specified tolerances. They look at variation in the process and compare it to the allowable tolerance range. Cp is the potential capability assuming the process is centered, while Cpk adjusts for any shift of the process mean away from the tolerance center, giving a more realistic view of actual performance. Design capability, by contrast, is about whether the design tolerances and reliability targets are achievable in production. It links how parts are designed to how they will be manufactured and how reliably they will perform, considering manufacturability and life-cycle reliability. The idea is that good design capability considers what tolerances are realistic and maintain function and reliability, given the production process. That’s why the best phrasing is that process capability assesses manufacturing ability; design capability relates to tolerances and reliability. The other options don’t fit because Cp/Cpk aren’t about aesthetics or supply chain, and they aren’t inherently about design tolerances themselves.

Cp and Cpk quantify how well a manufacturing process can meet the specified tolerances. They look at variation in the process and compare it to the allowable tolerance range. Cp is the potential capability assuming the process is centered, while Cpk adjusts for any shift of the process mean away from the tolerance center, giving a more realistic view of actual performance.

Design capability, by contrast, is about whether the design tolerances and reliability targets are achievable in production. It links how parts are designed to how they will be manufactured and how reliably they will perform, considering manufacturability and life-cycle reliability. The idea is that good design capability considers what tolerances are realistic and maintain function and reliability, given the production process.

That’s why the best phrasing is that process capability assesses manufacturing ability; design capability relates to tolerances and reliability. The other options don’t fit because Cp/Cpk aren’t about aesthetics or supply chain, and they aren’t inherently about design tolerances themselves.