Abstract:
In order to enhance customer satisfaction which is the highest value of the case study company, the objective of this research is to improve quality of the engine valve clearance adjusting process for every model of diesel engine, manufactured by the company. Because improper engine valve clearance is one of the causes which induce unusual engine noise and result in customer dissatisfaction. This research was proceeded following Consumer Driven 6-Sigma methodology which was divided into 5 phases : Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. It was found that the current method of valve clearance measurement, by feeler gage, did not comply with Gage R&R criterion. Therefore, a new measurement method, by lead wire, was developed. Then, data of current process was collected and found that the defect opportunity for intake valve clearance is 2,435 PPM and 364,722 PPM for exhaust valve clearance. Result of the analysis shows that the factor which significantly effects to the variation and mean of valve clearance is the operators. To change from adjust by feeling of each operator to the measurable unit, a trial of valve clearance adjusting by torque driver, which is able to set operating torque, was done. This method is not implemented because the instrument does not appropriate to work at the very low torque range, also the budget constraint. In conclusion, the following items were implemented to improve quality of valve clearance. 1. Control usage period of feeler gage blade not exceed 1 month to increase accuracy of valve clearance adjusting. 2. Modify feeler gageʻs to facilitate the operators in valve clearance adjusting. 3. Add identification mark at the grip to prevent wrongly uses between intake and exhaust blade by visual control. The data after implementation for 1 month shows the reduction of average defect opportunity, intake and exhaust valve clearance, for 113,289 PPM which is 61.71% compare with data before improvement. Also, at firing test, no unusual engine noise caused by valve clearance is detected.