An Overview of Six Sigma 

An overview of Six Sigma reveals a methodology for quality improvement. The trademark is owned by Motorola, and as such Six Sigma is a "brand name." Because it is also used by thousands of consultants, you see it capitalized when it is used by Motorola and in lower-case letters otherwise.

What does Six Sigma mean?

Sigma is a long-standing symbol used by engineers, mathematicians, and statisticians as a unit to measure statistical variation. Sigma is Greek for the letter 'S'. Why the 'six'? This refers to the amount of deviation from the common bell curve used to measure change. Six sigma represents "almost perfect", or 3.4 defects per million.

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So, if you could count the bars to the right of the top of a bell curve, you would get six sigma. This represents the deviation from perfection. Obviously, if you are making plastic parts, you would be very happy indeed if you could have only 3.4 defective parts per million! That is what this is all about. It is a method that enables you to measure your processes in order to improve your bottom line.

One reason it is difficult to define six sigma is because it means different things to different people and different industries. Though it was originally developed by Motorola as a way to improve manufacturing, but it soon grew to include management and service industries, such as banking.

Benefits for plastic injection molding companies 

• Improvements related to in-process inspection effectiveness
• Increased weigh-count throughput
• Cycle time and scrap reduction
• A help to reduce process variation and costs

This is not only something that benefits large corporations, it can be tailored to suit small and medium sized companies as well. A good example of this is GW Plastics, in Bethel, Vermont.

Six Sigma lean manufacturing begins at the top

Six Sigma is a top-down program, and it is common knowledge that a program such as this will only work if there is an absolute commitment from top management. It is a complicated, time consuming and somewhat expensive program to become involved with. The rewards can be huge though, and the company bottom line will show it.

There are many, many companies offering six sigma services. There is even one called Motorola University, the same people who developed this in the first place! You can earn your "green belt" or "black belt" and become a trainer by taking online courses as well. This is certainly the most popular quality improvement program in history.

It is not a "flash in the pan", though some companies fail to follow through and realize the benefits. It really encompasses the best of the quality programs that have preceded it and can help your company in many ways.

This overview of six sigma should give you a general idea of what it is, what it can do and how to begin.

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