The Statistical Process Control (SPC) term, Range, refers to what?

The term "Range" in Statistical Process Control (SPC) specifically refers to the difference between the maximum and minimum values in a data set. This measure provides insight into the variability and spread of the data, indicating how spread out the values are. A wider range signifies greater variability among the data points, while a narrower range indicates that the values are more clustered together.

Understanding the range is crucial in SPC as it helps in analyzing the consistency and reliability of a manufacturing process. By focusing on the maximum and minimum values, practitioners can quickly understand the extent of variation, which is fundamental in maintaining quality control and ensuring that processes remain within desired limits.