A Note on Optimum Chain Sampling (ChSP-1)

Abstract This paper discusses several designing procedures for chain sampling inspection plan (ChSP-1) for given values of AQL and LQL and with associated requirements with respect to the risks. Though, these procedures differ methodologically in arriving at solutions, their common primary aim refers to minimise the actual risks. This study reveals that too many procedures yield too many rather different solutions, thus confusing the user in choosing a plan. In this paper a procedure is developed to compare the seven different procedures in order to show the ambiguity of the procedures and their results. Moreover, some fundamental considerations concerning product control and process control lead to the conclusion that acceptance sampling and in particular chain sampling which was introduced more than 50 years ago might be out-of-time and should be replaced by efficient process control using the possibilities of modern IT technologies.