A process improvement methodology based on path modelling and simulation is proposed. Benefits from using path modelling include the ability to model direct and indirect relationships between process variables and to convert the calculated coefficients into a process state matrix that can be used in process simulation. By identifying critical process variables, a correlation matrix can be constructed and used as input for library procedures incorporated in off-the-shelf statistical analysis software. The system equations may be inverted and solved for the unknown inputs as a function of desired outputs on the basis of the inverted state matrix. The results are indicative of the degree of control and improvement required to avoid intractable process problems and can be used to specify and select new process technology.
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