1. What is Defects Per Unit (DPU)?

Definition: DPU is a quality metric that measures the average number of defects per unit in a production process.

Purpose: It helps manufacturers and quality professionals assess and improve product quality by quantifying defect rates.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( DPU \) — Defects per unit (unitless)
• \( D \) — Total number of defects observed
• \( U \) — Total number of units inspected

Explanation: The total defects are divided by the total units to calculate the average number of defects per unit.

3. Importance of DPU Calculation

Details: DPU is fundamental in Six Sigma and quality control, helping identify process issues, track improvements, and compare performance across products or processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total number of defects observed and the number of units inspected. Units must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good DPU value?
A: It varies by industry, but lower is better. Six Sigma aims for 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO).

Q2: How is DPU different from DPMO?
A: DPMO accounts for the number of defect opportunities per unit, while DPU simply counts defects per unit regardless of opportunities.

Q3: Can DPU be greater than 1?
A: Yes, DPU can be any non-negative number. A DPU > 1 means units have multiple defects on average.

Q4: How should I collect data for DPU calculation?
A: Track all defects found during inspection of a representative sample of units from your process.

Q5: What's the relationship between DPU and yield?
A: First-pass yield ≈ e^(-DPU) when defects follow Poisson distribution.