Quality articles from April 2005

Quality archives from April 2005

Positive news at shows.(quality expos)
April 1, 2005... In planning my travel for April, I realized how important this month is for manufacturing and quality professionals. It's spring and "quality" is in the air. This month brings three major trade shows that are key quality events. Westec...

Coming events.(manufacturing industry workshops and training programs)(Illustration)(Calendar)
April 1, 2005... APRIL 18-22 LEVEL I THERMOGRAPHY COURSE Toronto, Canada. Snell Infrared, (800) 636-9820. 18-22 SIX SIGMA ADVANCED TOOLS WORKSHOP Chicago. Stat-A-Matrix Institute, (800) 472-6477. 19-21 QUALITY...

Quality announces plant of the year winner.(Diamond Electric Manufacturing Corp. gets annual Plant of the Year award)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BENSENVILLE, IL -- Quality magazine's first annual Plant of the Year award goes to Diamond Electric Manufacturing Corp. (Eleanor, WV). The automotive ignition coil manufacturer has taken tremendous steps to reduce defects and improve product...

NIMS receives apprenticeship grant.(National Institute for Metalworking Skills)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announces a grant of approximately $940,000 to the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) to continue development of an apprenticeship program to meet changing industry needs. The...

Manufacturer implements measurement solutions.(DaimlerChrysler AG to use Perceptron Inc.'s AutoGauge systems )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... PLYMOUTH, MI -- Perceptron Inc. announces that DaimlerChrysler has added three AutoGauge systems to its 2005-year Dakota truck lines. This completes a three-year transition from existing Perceptron P 1000 measurement systems to IPNet-based...

Starrett celebrates 125.(L.S. Starrett Co.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... ATHOL, MA -- 2005 marks the 125th anniversary of The L.S. Starrett Co. In 1880, Laroy Sunderland Starrett founded the company with one tool--the combination square. Over the years, the manufacturing company has created a line of more than 5,000...

Employee training and certification solution released.(SmartTrain solution)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... TAMPA, FL -- Pilgrim Software Inc. announces the release of SmartTrain solution as part of its SmartSolve 7.04 suite, an employee training and certification solution that helps organizations ensure regulatory compliance, reduce certification...

Cambridge recognizes achievements in scanning electron microscopy.(Cambridge Philosophical Society)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND -- The Cambridge Philosophical Society organized a meeting of microscopists and engineers to celebrate the evolution of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Held at the Engineering Department of the University of Cambridge,...

NQA approved as registrar for aerospace standards.(National Quality Assurance USA Inc. gets approval from Registrar Accreditation Board)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... ACTON, MA -- National Quality Assurance (NQA) has received approval from the Registrar Accreditation Board to certify companies to the AS 9120 standard. The standard covers specific quality requirements for the aerospace industry and applies to...

Hexagon Metrology North America.(relocation plans)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Hexagon Metrology North America (North Kingstown, RI) announces their acceptance of an offer by the state of Connecticut to support the relocation of Hexagon Metrology and Brown & Sharpe's North American headquarters to North Stonington, CT....

Leica Geosystems' Metrology Division (Switzerland) has signed a global software license and collaboration agreement with Metrologic Group.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Leica Geosystems' Metrology Division (Switzerland) has signed a global software license and collaboration agreement with Metrologic Group. Leica will supply its portable coordinate measuring machines with MetrologXG as its standard software...

Landerville and Associates (Santa Rosa, CA) has changed its name after 14 years to Isocert Solutions.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Landerville and Associates (Santa Rosa, CA) has changed its name after 14 years to Isocert Solutions. The quality management and engineering firm specializes in quality management software applications.

Bede (Durham, UK), a supplier of X-ray metrology tools for the semiconductor industry, aligns with Scientech, a semiconductor equipment distributor based in Taiwan.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Bede (Durham, UK), a supplier of X-ray metrology tools for the semiconductor industry, aligns with Scientech, a semiconductor equipment distributor based in Taiwan. Scientech will work with Bede Asia to bring the company's products and...

Optical Gaging Products Inc.(contracts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Optical Gaging Products Inc. (Rochester, NY) ships its 1,000th SmartScope Flash 200 video measurement system to Kennametal Inc. (Orwell, OH).

Arena Solutions Inc.(contracts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Four companies choose Arena Solutions Inc. (Menlo Park, CA) as their product life-cycle management solutions provider. Apple Computer, ESS Technology, Novera Optics and Zassi Medical Evolutions will replace their existing PLM solutions with the...

Juran Institutes.(relocation)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Juran Institute moves its headquarters. Originally in Wilton, CT, the new expanded facility will be based out of Southbury, CT. The company trains management of various industries in quality and performance improvements.

Sheffield Measurement Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Ken Parlee joins Sheffield Measurement Inc. (Fond du Lac, WI) as vice president of sales. Parlee brings an extensive background in the metrology industry, specifically CMM and vision products, holding sales and product management roles for a...

Proficiency.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Proficiency (Marlborough, MA), provider of feature-based CAD interoperability solutions, appoints Marc Dulude as chairman of the board. Dulude is a general partner at Ampersand Ventures, e private equity firm.

Rockwell Automation Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Keith Nosbusch is elected as chairman of the board of Rockwell Automation Inc. (Milwaukee). Nosbusch has served as president and chief executive officer of the industrial automation solutions manufacturer since February 2004.

Tosoh SMD Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Tosoh SMD Inc. (Grove City, OH) names Don York to marketing manager of copper and tantalum products. York, who has been with the company since 1991, now is responsible for marketing activities for semiconductor device producers using copper and...

Juran Institute.(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Eric D. Dmytrow joins Juran Institute (Southbury, CT) as vice president and account executive. In addition, Jennifer Volland, R.N., joins the company as a consultant and will serve as the healthcare practice leader.

Semiconductor industry expected as dominant end-user in microscope market.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... NORWALK, CT -- A report, "RGB-312 Microscopy," from Business Communications Company Inc. estimates the 2004 global market for microscopes and accessories at $1.65 billion. With an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 11%, the report estimates...

In memoriam.(Klaus Woerner)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2005... ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (Cambridge, ON) announces the death of Klaus Woerner, founder, president and chief executive officer of the company, following a battle with cancer. Woerner was 65 years old. "Klaus was a gifted...

Simple definition.(QUALITY MAILBAG)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... Dear Editor, I enjoy Quality and read it every month. I learn much from the articles and use the information frequently in my work. I wish to respond to your question, "What makes a good leader?" ("Be a Leader," Quality, September...

Tough to buy.(QUALITY MAILBAG)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... Dear Editor, I agree with your editorial, "Can You Complain?" (Quality, January 2005, p. 12). I try, whenever possible, to purchase American-made products. The problem with this issue is a "Catch-22" for most of the working class. The...

It's no answer.(QUALITY MAILBAG)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... Dear Editor, I just finished reading your column, "Answer to Shortage at Hand," in the February 2005 issue of Quality. I agree that there is a shortage of qualified personnel in the work force pool. I do not agree with bringing in outside...

Need rewards.(QUALITY MAILBAG)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... Dear Editor, You make some valid points in your recent column ("Answer to Shortage at Hand," Quality, February 2005, p. 6). One issue I believe you may have overlooked is the potential rewards, or lack thereof, for advanced machine...

ISO 9001 proves ineffective: a study confirms some quality professionals' view that ISO 9001 is ineffective at improving performance.
April 1, 2005... It has been a while since I commented on ISO 9001 so it is time to re-visit the topic with some statistical data. More than two years ago, I wrote a column, "ISO 9000: More Hindrance than Help," where I described my regret for championing ISO...

Kodak acquires OREX.(NEWS)
April 1, 2005... ROCHESTER, NY -- Eastman Kodak Co. announces the completion of its acquisition of OREX Computed Radiography Inc., a provider of compact, high-quality computed radiography systems for nondestructive testing (NDT) facilities and specialty medical...

In memoriam.(NEWS)(Obituary)
April 1, 2005... WALTHAM, MA -- Dr. Agostino Abbate, vice president of technology at Panametrics-NDT, has passed away. Abbate joined the nondestructive testing company in 1999 as a staff scientist. He became vice president of technology in 2004. During his...

X-ray manufacturer opens office in China.(NEWS)
April 1, 2005... STAMFORD, CT -- Feinfocus, manufacturer of high-resolution X-ray inspection systems, announces the opening of Feinfocus Asia/Pacific, a new office in Shanghai, China. The office provides sales and technical support to the company's customer...

New Co. specializes in NDT.(NEWS)
April 1, 2005... DANVERS, MA -- Danatronics Corp. is a new company specializing in the field of NDT. Located in Danvers, MA, the company offers equipment and expertise in ultrasonic transducers, thickness gages, flaw detectors, hall-effect thickness gages and...

Pore structure characterization course.(NEWS)
April 1, 2005... ITHACA, NY -- Porous Materials Inc. will offer two short courses for 2005 titled "Advanced Techniques for Pore Structure Characterizations." The course includes basics as well as advanced topics and is structured for both managers and...

X-ray systems manufacturer receives award.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... PALO ALTO, CA -- World X-ray and Vision Inspection Systems in Electronics Manufacturing Markets, a recent analysis from consulting company Frost & Sullivan, selected phoenix|x-ray Systems + Services GmbH as the recipient of the 2004 Product...

NDT profession raises the bar: the push is on to simplify delivery, unify standards and gain worldwide recognition for certification.(nondestructive test )
April 1, 2005... Nondestructive examination personnel have long sought a variety of options for qualification and certification through the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). In 1997, ASNT established yet another service, the ASNT Central...

Looking beyond film: NDT professionals can find applications for digital imaging in the real world.(nondestructive test )
April 1, 2005... A digital image is made from pixels, the smallest discrete element of a digital image. The image is expressed both in terms of the A to D conversion and in bits. It is helpful to address applications for digital imaging in the real world, where...

Stepping up to the plate: tried-and-true, portable hardness testers expand their use from testing heavy parts to testing hard-to-reach areas.
April 1, 2005... When nothing else will do, it is time for portable hardness testers to step up to the plate. Or, more accurately, it is time for these devices to step up to heavy or hard-to-reach parts. Portable hardness testers are useful in a number of...

Borescopes see product integrity: borescopes diagnose problems and provide preventive maintenance in many applications.
April 1, 2005... Two primary types of borescopes for industrial applications are rigid borescopes and flexible borescopes, or fiberscopes. The scopes are used to test product quality without destroying the parts tested. Flexible borescopes are used in a variety...

Fatigue testing speeds results.(APPLICATIONS)
April 1, 2005... When testing materials used in an F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter aircraft or the X33 Recoverable Launch Vehicle, the testing materials have to stand up to some very challenging conditions. You need to work with sophisticated and accurate...

Automotive component supplier achieves flawless product quality.(APPLICATIONS)(Walter Sohner GmbH and Co.)
April 1, 2005... One of the injection molding machines operated by Walter Sohner GmbH and Co., a manufacturer of precision plastic parts, produces about 5,000 coil forms an hour. In a standard three-shift cycle the output totals more than 120,000 parts per day....

X-ray fluorescence instrument.
April 1, 2005... The Fischerscope XDL-B is a Windows-based X-ray system for coating-thickness measurement and material testing. Measurement direction is from top to bottom. The distance-controlled measurement method automatically corrects intensity differences...

NDT processor.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The Industrex M43IC Processor is for mid- and high-volume nondestructive testing. The processor has a wide range of processing cycles, development times from 31 to 170 seconds and an integrated chiller unit to keep chemicals at the correct...

Integrity assessment system.
April 1, 2005... The IAS 50 is a field-deployable, ultrasonic integrity assessment system for corrosion mapping and general flaw detection. The system is for use in oil and gas, and energy industries and has analysis software in line with direct assessment...

Crack tester.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The Zetec InSite CT eddy current crack tester detects cracks and imperfections in critical components at production line speeds. The tester allows for 100% on-line inspection, supporting up to eight dual-frequency probes working from 5 Hz to 10...

Infrared thermometer.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The Dual Temperature (DT1100) infrared thermometer has a micro-electromechanical system infrared sensor with advanced optics and low voltage circuitry for measurement in a variety of applications. It has a temperature measurement range of -76...

Coating thickness gages.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... 3000 Series coating thickness gages are for nondestructive testing on steel and non-ferrous metals. The palm-sized tools offer menus in English, Spanish or French and provide infrared or serial data transfer and statistics. Each model has a...

Medical cutting tool measurement.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The LS-Smart measuring tool is a non-contact, laser-based system capable of measuring run-out and the diameter size of surgical and medical cutting tools. The device can accommodate long, thin components with run-out tissues. A double V-block...

Vortex mixers.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... Mini-vortex mixers are used with test tubes, flasks, beakers and small containers. The Touch vortex mixer is a one-touch unit with a fixed speed of 3,200 rpm designed for high-speed mixing of samples. Analog vortex mixers offer variable speed...

Noncontact sensors.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The Class 3R and Class 3B Selcom SLS 5000 noncontact sensors have an integrated sensor within the head and a built-in processor for data averaging and filtering. A dynamic laser feedback loop allows accurate measurement without regard to speed,...

Corrosion thickness gage.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The MG2-DL corrosion thickness gage has thru-coat technology, which displays both metal thickness and coating thickness at the same time-without needing to remove the coating. A file-based alphanumeric data logger employs incremental,...

X-ray inspection system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The Concept FX, modular X-ray inspection system is adaptable, upgradeable and expandable to fit application requirements as needed. Available options include 30 possible configurations, three X-ray source options, and three image processor...

Embedded eddy-current system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The smartEDDY 4.0 Embedded System is a PC-based, fully automated, contact-and operator-free system for metal and metal-parts inspections. Depending on the material being inspected, users select any test frequency from 0 Hz to 25 MHz. The system...

XRF spectroscopy system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The MiniFuse 2 is a benchtop XRF spectroscopy system. The system is a semi-automatic and prepares high-quality beads for accurate and reproducible XRF analysis. A platinum crucible is loaded with accurately weighed sample and flux. The bead is...

Videoscope system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The IPLEX MX is a compact videoscope system that weighs less than 10 pounds. The battery-operated system uses remote visual inspection technology and has a 6-millimeter diameter flexible insertion tube that is 3 meters long. Operating for two...

Articulating fiberscope.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The 2.4-millimeter diameter series of high-resolution, two-way articulating fiberscopes are available in four standard lengths: 400, 700, 1,000 and 1,300 millimeters. The scope has a 120-degree, two-way articulation. The working length can...

Classroom training books.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) offers classroom training books from the society's series of Personnel Training Publications. Each testing method book includes level I and level II training and point-to-point references...

Video recording system.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... ForeEyes 2020 is a video recording and testing system that combines a pocket digital video recorder, a 3.5-inch color display and a 20 Gb hard drive that connects to a waterproof CCD camera. The product allows the user to turn on the lights...

Leakage current tester.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The Model 1855 is a tester for leakage current and insulation resistance measurements on capacitive components. The product performs highspeed testing in an automated product environment or bench-top testing in R&D applications. It has a charge...

Ultrasonic thickness gage.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The UTG-2000 and UTG-2020 are ultrasonic wall thickness gages that are supplied as a complete turnkey package. The gages measure wall thickness of metallic and non-metallic materials. The products have menu-driven software, and users can print...

Controller.(PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2005... The TouchPanel controller for Instron 3300 Series electromechanical instruments can be used for tension and compression tests, and quality control screening of materials and components. Test data can be transferred to a memory stick or printed...

Recalibrating intervals: establishing a frequency for calibrating your own instruments and gages can be achieved.(OTHER DIMENSIONS)
April 1, 2005... Whether you calibrate your own instruments and gages or send them to an outside laboratory, you must establish a frequency for doing so. What are the rules for determining how often equipment should be calibrated? The short answer is: The...

Demystifying design FMEAs: learn an optimal method for establishing Design FMEA ratings.(QUALITY 101)(Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
April 1, 2005... Last month Quality 101 began exploring the correct way to arrive at the ratings for Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEAs) with a discussion on establishing a severity rating system and occurrence rating. This month the discussion...

Monitoring the fat.(BRAIN TEASERS)
April 1, 2005... Anyone who has faced a production problem with a need to solve it by using production data can relate to the notion of a brain teaser. The brain teasers presented here are based on real-world situations encountered by workers in manufacturing...

Optical technology delivers definition: dynamic optical microscope delivers three-axis noncontact and full automation for inspection tasks.(QUALITY INNOVATIONS)
April 1, 2005... Trying to get a handle on industrial noncontact measurement requirements can be a bit like opening Pandora's Box. The challenge for many inspectors of plastic automotive, precision machined and other components is finding the right mix of...

Tolerance and inspection go hand-in-hand: optical gages that measure parts also scan the conical seat, including roundness, straightness, roughness and more.(MEASUREMENT)
April 1, 2005... Tight tolerances and rapid form-and-surface inspection might not have gotten along very well in the past. But they certainly seem to be going hand-in-hand much more often these days--if developments in fuel-injector manufacturing are any...

Machine vision: gets friendly: the migration of machine vision to the masses means an increase in user-friendly interfaces.(Test & Inspection)
April 1, 2005... Machine vision has migrated from being customized for a single application and being used by large OEMs to being deployable by the masses. And becoming deployable by a wider audience means that machine vision systems have to be user-friendly....

Select the right gage R&R calculation method: not all calculation methods are equal. Use this guide to help pick the right method for your job.(SOFTWARE & ANALYSIS)(Repeatability and Reproducibility)
April 1, 2005... Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (GR&R) studies provide information on measurement system performance by analyzing measurement error from various sources. Typically the sources of variation are divided into three categories: part-to-part,...

Polisher/grinder and power head.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The MetPrep 4 polisher and grinder and the AP-4 power head are constructed with corrosion-resistant machined aluminum and stainless steel. The MetPrep 4 includes backlit four-line LCD display, manual or programmable operation up to 10 steps,...

Beam comparator.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The 3700 Series 14-inch horizontal beam comparator has a 5- by 20-inch nickel-plated stage with 100-pound load capacity. The comparator has a 12-inch X-axis, 6-inch Y-axis, 0.00005-inch/0.001-inch precision glass scales, duplex fiber optics...

Electronic indicators.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... Electronic indicators are ISO 9001:2000 registered. Travel is 0.06 inch to 4 inches. The indicators have resolutions from 0.001 inch to 0.00005 inch. The products have T.I.R. presets and tolerancing. In addition, granite stands are available in...

Leak Test System.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The Falcon Leak Test System simultaneously determines leak location and total leak rate, providing real-time process control. The system interfaces with integrated Intelense sensors. In-probe microprocessors initiate data processing while...

SPC software.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... Version 6.0 of Synergy 2000 SPC software has three additional SPC charts, additional query functionality and more comprehensive activity logs. The software allows users a simultaneous view of all processes occurring at multiple production...

Laser-based measurement.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... Labmaster Universal is a laser-based instrument for virtually all ID and OD applications. It measures gage blocks, end standards, plain rings, threaded rings and plugs, tapered plugs, ball bearings, micrometers, indicators, LVDTs and snap gages...

Ultrasonic flaw detector.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The handheld EPOCH LT is a digital ultrasonic flaw detector that has a 1.5-inch profile, ideal for hard-to-reach areas where portability is necessary. The product weights 2.35 pounds and has automated transducer calibration and an internal...

Videoscopes.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The 6 and 8 millimeter diameter series of videoscopes are available in three configurations: non-articulating, two-way articulating and four-way articulating. The videoscopes come in working lengths from 1.5 to 15 meters. The products have a...

Audit Manager.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... Audit Manager is a system for containment and suspect lot audits for high volume, physically large, serialized products such as an automotive VIN. The system eliminates the need for paper check sheets and data re-entry. It includes an ASI...

Ultraviolet inspection lamp.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The Maxima ML-3500D and Maxima ML-3500FL are ultraviolet lamps that use micro discharge light (MDL), plus a filter and bulb/reflector, to produce 10 times more UV-A (365 nanometers) than conventional inspection lamps. An instant en/off/restrike...

Cylinder head measurement.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The valve seat mandrel (VSM) and SIKO valve inspection system performs complete measurement of cylinder heads on the shop floor. The VSM uses mandrels with inductive built-in transducers. The SIKO is made up of a measuring head adapted to the...

Coating thickness gage.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The Phascope PMP10 is a handheld spot-coating thickness measurement gage using the eddy current method. The gage measures small parts such as nuts, bolts and screws, and can measure copper plating on a printed circuit board and thru-hole copper...

Videoscope system.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The IPLEX MX is a compact videoscope system that weighs less than 10 pounds. The battery-operated system uses remote visual inspection technology and has a 6-millimeter diameter flexible insertion tube that is 3 meters long. Operating for two...

CNC roundness testers.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The RA-2000 and RAH-5000 roundness testers are available in CNC versions. The RA-2000 has a fully automatic work-piece centering and level function, 360-degree rotating detector, and can take 39 different measurements, including spirals. The...

Crimp pull testing system.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The wire crimp pull-testing system for testing the pull-off tensile force of crimped joints consists of a motorized test stand, digital force gage and gripping fixtures. The motorized system has adjustable limit switches to allow the technician...

Ultrasonic thickness gage.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The UTG-2000 and UTG-2020 are ultrasonic wall thickness gages that are supplied as a complete turnkey package. The gages measure wall thickness of metallic and non-metallic materials. The products have menu-driven software, and users can print...

Universal tester.(QE PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2005... The Autograph AG-IS Series of universal testers range in capacity from 1N to 250kN, with an optional extended column and wider frame availability. The series have test speeds ranging from 0.00005 to 1,000 millimeters per minute with high-speed...