Quality Column Updates
Published: February 6, 2026
Quality Column Update: Pre-Control Charts and AI for High-Mix Low-Volume Quality Management
MiDFUN senior consultant Pei-Chi Chiu published a quality column on a dual-track approach for high-mix low-volume manufacturing: use pre-control charts as a practical statistical foundation, then apply SPC and AI analysis where they can add operational value.
Context
A pragmatic HMLV starting point
High-mix low-volume production often lacks the stable sample size required for classic SPC rollout. Pre-control charts offer a practical bridge by helping teams judge process status quickly while still maintaining explicit operating rules.
Two-track AI adoption
The first track keeps statistics as the control foundation and uses AI to assist with data scarcity, virtual measurement, and pattern discovery. The second track uses LLM and RAG technology to make SOPs and abnormality history easier to retrieve and apply.
The article's main stance
AI should assist quality engineering rather than replace it. In process control, statistical methods remain the base layer for accuracy, stability, and explainability.
