A Cost Model for Skip-lot Destructive Sampling

This paper presents an idea concerning skip-lot inspection when sampling is destructive. A skip-lot cost model is developed by considering production costs, appraisal costs, and failure costs. The optimal inspection plan minimizing the average cost per good unit is characterized by the sample size, the acceptance number, and the inspection interval. Numerical evaluation of the model is discussed; a computer program facilitates the evaluation. When inspection is destructive, the lot-by-lot inspection procedure may not be the most economical. An optimal inspection plan can be designed by using skip-lot approach. The model also applies equally well to non skip-lot sampling except that a 100% inspection of the rejected lot is possible.