After the preceding decisions have been made, a sampling plan can be selected

for any given lot for which the lot size is known. A sample size code letter,
dependent upon the lot size and inspection level is obtained from Table I. The
appropriate sampling plan, sample size(s) with acceptance and rejection number(s),
can then be obtained from Tables II-IV. These tables are available in the
publication mentioned above or any text on quality control. For purposes of use in
this material, only Tables I through III are included. In a single sampling
plan, Table II, a sample of the prescribed size is drawn at random from the lot,
the characteristic checked, and the number of nonconformities determined. If the
number of nonconformities found in the sample is equal to or less than the
acceptance number, the lot should be accepted. If the number of nonconformities
found is equal to or greater than the rejection number, the lot should be rejected.
In double or multiple sampling, Table III or IV, a first sample of the prescribed
size is drawn at random from the lot, the characteristic checked, and the number of
nonconformities determined. If the number of nonconformities found in the first
sample is equal to or less than the first acceptance number, the lot should be
accepted. If the number of nonconformities found in the first sample is equal to or
greater than the first rejection number, the lot should be rejected. If the number
of nonconformities found in the first sample is greater than the first acceptance
number and less than the first rejection number, a second sample of the prescribed
size is drawn from the lot. The characteristic is checked, and the number of
nonconformities found in the first and second samples are accumulated. If the
accumulated number of nonconformities is equal to or less than the second
acceptance number, the lot should be accepted. If the accumulated number of
nonconformities is equal to or greater than the second rejection number, the lot
should be rejected. An multiple sampling this process is repeated until a decision
is reached. A decision is reached with one sample in single sampling, with two
or less samples in double sampling, and with seven or less samples in multiple
sampling. However, the size of the sample decreases as one goes from single to
multiple sampling, so that , in general, a smaller average amount of inspection is
necessary for multiple than for single sampling. The disposition of any
nonconformities found in the samples will depend upon the nature and magnitude of
the nonconformity and upon the agreement made between the producer and the
customer. AN EXAMPLE The selected AQL of 1. 5% has been agreed upon for a
certain characteristic. A shipment of 1500 pieces is received, and we are to
determine appropriate sampling plans based on general inspection level II, normal
inspection. From Table I, we obtain the sample size code letter K. From
the tables we obtain: Single Double Multiple
Sampling Sampling Sampling Sample Sample Sample
Sample Sample Size Ac Re Number Size Ac Re Number Size Ac Re 125
5 6 First 80 2 5 First 32 4 Second
80 6 7 Second 32 1 5 Third
32 2 6 Fourth 32 3 7
Fifth 32 5 8 Sixth 32 7 9
Seventh 32 9 10 ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF MIL-STD-105D Although the AQL
is commonly thought of as a percent defective, it can also be interpreted as the
number of defects per 100 units. The single sampling plans are particularly
adaptable and have AQL values ranging from 0. 010 to 1000 defects per 100 units.
This permits the use of these tables where the number of defects is a better
measure of quality than is the percent defective.