Step 6: Block Configuration

In this step, the experiment plan can be divided into several parts (blocks) that can be measured separately. Each block by itself corresponds to the requirements of the design of experiments.

The advantage of block building is that the effort involved in measuring is reduced. By measuring just a few blocks, the model precision achieved is satisfactory.

The total number of measurements (Current Number of Measurements) and the Number of Cluster Points are shown at the top. The latter number is of particular importance since it is used to define minimum size of a measurement block.

Block Size Table Area

The size of the individual blocks is defined here.

The sum of the defined measurement blocks is displayed under Sum of Assigned Measurements. If this number is less than or greater than the Current Number of Measurements, it is highlighted in red under Deviation.

Creating and Editing Blocks

• In the Number of Blocks field, enter a number and press <Return>.

  If you entered n, n blocks of equal size are created.

  Or

  In the last row of the table, with Block ID = Add, click in the Number of Measurement cell, enter the number of measurements for the new block and press <Return>.

  

  A new block is added.

• Adjust the number of measurement for the old blocks so that the sum of assigned measurements equals the current number of measurements.

  

  Note
  If the sum of assigned measurements deviates from the current number of measurements, the experiment plan is invalid.

Deleting a block

• In the block size table, select the block you want to delete.

• Click Delete.

  The block is deleted. The number of measurements in the deleted block is displayed as deviation below the table.

  

• Adjust the number of measurements in the remaining blocks so that all measurements are assigned to a block.

Block Size View Area

The size of the blocks (defined in the Block Size Table area) is graphically displayed here.