Design-Expert is a comprehensive statistical software package developed by Stat-Ease Inc., specifically designed for performing Design of Experiments (DOE). This powerful tool is tailored to help users optimize processes, screen vital factors, characterize interactions, and achieve optimal process settings and product recipes.
What Design-Expert Does
Design-Expert is indispensable for professionals in various fields who need to streamline their experimental design and data analysis processes. It enables users to design, analyze, and optimize experiments efficiently, making it an essential tool for research and development, quality control, and process improvement.Key Features and Functionality
Experimental Design
- Test Matrices: Design-Expert allows for the creation of test matrices for screening up to 50 factors, including factorial designs, mixture designs, and combined designs.
- Design Wizards: The software features intuitive design wizards and layouts, such as the stoplight configuration for two-level factorials, which simplify the design process.
Data Analysis
- ANOVA and Regression Analysis: Design-Expert uses Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis to establish the statistical significance of factors and interactions. It also provides automated model-reduction tools and in-line diagnostic graphs to streamline the analysis process.
- Response Surface Methodology (RSM): The software utilizes RSM to map out the design space using a relatively small number of experiments, allowing users to comprehend multi-dimensional surfaces with non-linear shapes.
Visualization and Interpretation
- Graphical Tools: Design-Expert offers a wide range of graphical tools, including 2D and 3D surface plots, contour plots, interaction plots, Pareto charts, and custom graphs. These tools help in visualizing the response surface from all angles and identifying the impact of each factor on the desired outcomes.
- Custom Graphs and Analysis Summary: The latest versions include enhanced graphical capabilities, such as the ability to plot analysis data like predicted values and residuals, and a comprehensive Analysis Summary that replaces the Coefficients Table with more model-fit statistics.
Optimization
- Numerical Optimizer: The software includes a numerical optimizer that helps determine the ideal values for each factor in the experiment to achieve optimal process settings and product recipes.
- Desirability Functions: Design-Expert allows users to maximize desirability for all responses simultaneously, helping to identify the “sweet spot” that meets all specifications.
Additional Features
- Power Calculator: A power calculator is available to establish the number of test runs needed for an experiment.
- Data Import/Export: The software supports data import and export, making it easy to work with existing datasets.
- Monte Carlo Simulation: Design-Expert includes Monte Carlo simulation capabilities to further analyze and validate experimental designs.
User Support and Distribution
- Global Distribution: While Stat-Ease Inc. is based in Minneapolis, MN, the software is distributed globally through partnerships with international software resellers and statistical support providers.
- Webinars and Conferences: Stat-Ease hosts regular online webinars and an annual DOE Summit to support users and demonstrate the software’s functionality.