Quincunx Boards
The Quincunx (pronounced quinn-cux) or bead board, as some
call it, was developed by a mathematician named Galton in the
late 1800's.
The device works by dropping a series of acrylic balls, or beads,
through rows of located pins. Each bead, as it hits a pin, has
a 50-50 chance of falling to the left or right. When the beads
pass through all of the pins they fall into a slot or cell. The
shape of the beads' distribution forms what looks like a bell
shape or 'normal curve'.
As any statistics student will tell you, a large number of populations of data or industrial processes will form what is technically called a 'normal distribution'. A true statistician will also tell you that the bead distribution in a quincunx is actually a 'binomial distribution'. However, since the binomial and normal distributions look so much alike, we are safe in mathematically treating Quincunx distributions as if they are normally distributed.
The real value of the quincunx is in being able to quickly simulate
processes or tests that would be impractical to perform in real
life. Some people actually refer to the quincunx as a 'factory
in a box". The quincunx performs two functions, one of generating
data, and secondly, visually displaying it along with the tolerances,
limits, etc.
 Model WD-7 Quincunx Board
3 Gates with Adjustable Pin-Block
One of the key elements of Total Quality Management is the concept
of continuous improvement. So why shouldn't that also apply to
the design of training aids? Well it has, and the result is the
Model WD-7 Quincunx.
After listening to the "voice of the customer" it was determined
that the Quincunx could be made even more effective by incorporating
certain new features like:
- Smaller and smoother gate locks
- An improved funnel
- An easel stand that locks open
- The ability to simulate distributions
-
The elimination of separate pin blocks
Item #: WD-7
Price: $1190.00 (US)
Soft Case: $90.00 - ZC-5
Hard Case: $390.00
- HC-5
 Model
WD-6 Quincunx Board
1½" x 14½" x 28"- 3 Gates with
Normal Distribution Pin-Block
The top part of the quincunx has a reservoir for holding the beads.
The bead release lever will drop five beads with every stroke,
or a single bead can be discharged. The moveable funnel, which
represents adjustments in a process or a shift in the mean, is
spring loaded to hold it in position until it is moved. In control
chart terms, a shift in the funnel is an 'assignable cause'. The
pins in the two different types of pin blocks, simulate the 'chance
causes' of variation in a process. One pin block simulates a normal
process, and a second pin block simulates an improved process
with less variation. Unlike some lesser brands, our Quincunx units
are designed so that the pin block slides in from the side into
a mitered slot, thus preventing binding were the wood to swell.
Each pin is accurately located and securely imbedded in its plastic
base. The channels of our units are painted white for high visibility
in a classroom session. Each Quincunx also has two or three gates
which hold the bead distributions in place for comparison. The
sturdy Plexiglas face can be marked with water-based transparency
markers or chart-pack tape to depict tolerance or size denominations.
Specs: 1½" x 14½" x 28"
Normal distribution pin-block
3 gates
Item #: WD-6
Price: $1090.00 (US)
Soft Case: $90.00 -ZC-5
Hard Case: $390.00
- HC-5
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