Quality articles from December 2004

Quality archives from December 2004

Good news ahead.(From The Editor)
December 1, 2004... It's the end of the year, and the tendency of most is to look back on the year. Certainly 2004 was a good year for many in manufacturing. Steady gains in production, increased loosening of budgets by manufacturers and increased activity...

Coming events.(Industry News)(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... * Understanding ISO 13485, Chicago, Jan. 19. BSI Management Systems, (800) 862-4977. * Process Design and Implementation: Reengineering and Change Management, Cambridge, MA, Jan. 31-Feb. 3. Hammer and Co., (617) 354-5555. *...

Nikon's small world celebrates 30 years.(Industry News)
December 1, 2004... MELVILLE, NY -- The Nikon 2004 Small World Photomicrography Competition celebrates 30 years. Nikon Instruments Inc., a microscope and digital imaging technology manufacturer, sponsors the annual contest to celebrate the possibilities of...

Labsphere Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Labsphere Inc. (North Sutton, NH), a calibration system and components manufacturer, celebrates its 25th anniversary. The company specializes in light measurement solutions.

Vision Engineering.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Vision Engineering (New Milford, CT) shipped its 250th Hawk noncontact measuring system. Introduced in 2003, the product ranges from manual two-axis to automatic three-axis measuring systems.

National Technical Systems Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... National Technical Systems Inc. (Calabasas, CA), a provider of quality, conformance and certification testing and managed services, has purchased a telecommunications test laboratory in Calgary, Canada.

Fluke Corp.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Fluke Corp. (Everett, WA), a manufacturer of test and measurement technology, announces its I SO/IEC 17025-1999 standard accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.

TIP Technologies Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... TIP Technologies Inc. (Brookfield, WI) celebrates its 15th anniversary with the release of TIP QA version 6.3, its quality management software suite.

Great Lakes Carbide Tool Manufacturing Inc. (GLCT).(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Great Lakes Carbide Tool Manufacturing Inc. (GLCT) purchases Sonnet Tool, a custom-cutting tool manufacturer previously based in California. The company will be relocated to GLCT's headquarters in Peshtigo, WI.

QMC LLC.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... QMC LLC (Auburn, MI) announces a partnership with Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH Scanners and Sensory Systems, for which QMC will serve as a North American distributor. The company also announces an agreement with InnovMetric Software Inc. to...

Horizon International Group (Taylor, MI), a metal components manufacturer, selects Plexus Online software for its online business solutions.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Horizon International Group (Taylor, MI), a metal components manufacturer, selects Plexus Online software for its online business solutions. The software is a product of Plexus Systems (Auburn Hills, MI).

Kubota Tractor Corp.(Business News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Kubota Tractor Corp. (Gainesville, GA), a marketer and distributor of tractors, performance implements and consumer lawn and garden equipment, announces construction of a manufacturing facility in Jackson County, GA. The facility will be the...

Rockwell Software.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Kevin Roach joins Rockwell Software, a division of Rockwell Automation Inc. (Milwaukee), as vice president. Roach will be responsible for development of the company's global software business.

Sypris Test and Measurement.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Fred Mullavey is named national quality manager of Sypris Test and Measurement, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions Inc. (Orlando, FL).

SATO America Inc.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Scott Liniger is appointed product manager of SATO America Inc. (Charlotte, NC). His responsibilities include overall business performance and profitability of the printer product group.

Robotic Workspace Technologies Inc.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Ron Fukui joins the board of directors and is named chief technology officer of Robotic Workspace Technologies Inc., a subsidiary or Innova Holdings Inc. (Fort Myers, FL).

Winsert Inc.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Daniel Kippola is promoted to executive director of operations of Winsert Inc. (Marinette, WI). Kippola previously served as director of quality for the company.

Ametek Inc.'s Technical and Industrial Motors Products.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Matthew C. French is promoted to vice president and general manager of Ametek Inc.'s Technical and Industrial Motors Products (Paoli, PA). French has been with the company since 1990.

Proficiency.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Proficiency (Marlborough, MA) announces Trenton H. Brown as president and chief executive officer of the company. Brown brings more than 20 years of experience in the organizational management industry.

The wrong road toward improvement: get to the actual root cause of problems to affect improvements in people and processes.(Probing The Limits)
December 1, 2004... Well-intentioned efforts to improve processes and products often go down the road of waste and counter productivity. By avoiding some common mistakes, ineffective improvement efforts can be stopped before they go too far. Because quality...

Staff your cal lab: building the right employee skill set is critical to successful in-house calibration.(Other Dimensions)
December 1, 2004... Editor's note: This installment in a multipart series focuses on manufacturers doing their own calibration. The series looks at the reasons why a manufacturer might make this choice, as well as some of the considerations that must be taken into...

Moving range charts 'fix' on process behavior: control charts help analyze data for improving the manufacturing process.(Quality 101)
December 1, 2004... The analysis of data using process behavior charts--Walter Shewhart called them control charts--is the foundation of statistical process control (SPC) for process improvement. SPC focuses on the concept that all processes have routine variation...

Increasing moisture content.(Quality Brain Teasers)(food company's inspection of its products quality)
December 1, 2004... 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 that are encountered by workers in...

New arm is 'infinitely perceptive': portable coordinate measuring machine capabilities continue to grow.(Quality Innovations)(Romer CimCore released new portable machine)
December 1, 2004... Portable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are among the continually evolving tools in the test, measurement and inspection market. Arms have become longer, accuracies are tighter and capabilities have increased. When one portable CMM...

ABCs of multisensor measurement: knowing how to make use of multiple sensors can improve productivity.(Quality Measurement)
December 1, 2004... More and more companies are offering multisensor measurement systems, yet most of the available information about such systems is with regard to sensor technologies. Although it is helpful to know how different sensors work, it is more...

Casting company opens its testing labs: one of the world's largest investment casting companies has opened up its captive laboratory to other companies.(Quality Test & Inspection)(Howmet Castings )
December 1, 2004... The "lab" is more of a labyrinth than just a laboratory. Each corridor feeds room after room. And each room holds sophisticated, multifunctional testing equipment. In one room, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is engaged in nondestructive...

Doing more with less: software can help companies do more with fewer resources.(Quality Software & Analysis)
December 1, 2004... According to the Department of Labor, the United States has experienced more than 2.7 million jobs disappear from the manufacturing sector since 1998. Some experts claim that these jobs have disappeared because of the recession, fierce global...

Quality spending nears $3b mark: projected increases put quality spending near pre-9/11 numbers and signals an end to recession.(Quality Management)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... Manufacturers and equipment suppliers, throughout most of 2004, have been reporting increased activity in receiving new orders for products and equipment. These anecdotal results seem to have been borne out in the recent Quality Spending Survey...

New SterREO Discovery.V12 for materials microscopy.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... SteREO Discovery is an outstanding choice for applications in materials research and quality control. It has impressive stability, exceptionally large specimen room, increased depth of field, excellent color reproduction, high-contrast images...

Non-contact roughness gage.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The Tropel LaserCheck[R] surface roughness gage provides fast, non-contact Ra roughness measurements from a wide variety of surfaces. It is simply the most rugged gage ever made and never needs maintenance. Use the compact sensing head with the...

GD&T training made easy.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The GD&T Trainer Professional Edition (Y14.5M-1994) is a virtual classroom in the fundamentals of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing right on your desktop. This comprehensive computer-based training program includes 28 lessons covering the...

Instron, introduces its new AlignPRO[TM] system for real-time concentricity and angularity adjustment.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... AlignPRO effectively measures unwanted specimen bending, due to loadstring misalignment, improving the accuracy of test data by ensuring load string alignment before testing. The new software and electronics are fully compatible with the...

Ultra high-precision non-contact measurement system.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The INNOVA series of non-contact critical dimension measurement systems incorporate sound metrology principles and powerful image analysis algorithms to provide exceptionally accurate measurements. IN NOVA systems have found a multiplicity of...

New electronic height gages.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The versatile new Starrett No. 3752 Height Gages feature a large .380" (9.65mm), easy-to-read LCD display, and intuitive control panel. Gages have superior stability, clear bar graduations, resolution of .0005" (0.01 mm), RS232 output and a...

$18k leak detection.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... For $18.000 you get a full-featured Heliot 700 helium leak detector with color touch screen featuring onscreen maintenance and troubleshooting capabilities. Rotary Vane Pump--$18.000 Dry Diaphragm--$19.995 Large Rotary...

OGP SmartScopeFlash1500.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Flash 1500. www.ogpnet.com/ ogpVidFlash1500.jsp SmartScope[R] Flash[TM] 1500 is a unique dimensional measurement system for diverse measuring applications, Its generous XYZ travel of 900 x 1.500 x 200mm (36" x 60" x 8") accommodates...

STATISTICA.(Product Review)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... STATISTICA is data analysis software, used worldwide for Process Improvement and Six Sigma. STATISTICA s comprehensive including exploratory techniques, DOE Quality Control Charts. Process Capability, Regression, Clustering, Classification and...

Electronic caliper.(Products)
December 1, 2004... With IP65 protection, the 797 electronic caliper series is resistant to coolant, water, dust, dirt and metal chips. The calipers have an easy-to-read LCD with 0.31-inch high characters zero at any position, instant inch and millimeter...

Height gage.(Products)
December 1, 2004... The Digimar CX2 family of digital height gages is a series of motorized, programmable height measuring systems suited for both gage lab and production measurement use. The fully motorized measuring slide minimizes operator influence on part...

pH testers.(Products)
December 1, 2004... The Oakton pocket-size pH testers have been updated, including a redesigned IP67-rated housing with a 1 1/16-inch display. The pHTester 30 has dual pH tester and temperature readout. All models offer increased buffer recognition at both U.S....

Software inspection modules.(Products)
December 1, 2004... Both the qfp|module and the mlf|module are fully automated measurement solutions and eliminate the need for an operator to determine pass/fail criteria. With the release of new automation tools, both modules increase automated inspection...

Mechanical tester.(Products)
December 1, 2004... The all-electric tabletop mechanical tester is capable of tensile, compression and cyclic fatigue tests with static force ratings to 4,000 pounds and test speeds to 20 hertz. The 800L performs screw-driven machine applications such as tension,...

Temperature recorder.(Products)
December 1, 2004... A battery-powered thermocouple temperature recorder can operate over a wide temperature range and transmit data instantly up to 1 mile away. The portable, two-channel device can record up to 4,095 readings per channel and display data in real...

Infrared camera.(Products)
December 1, 2004... The InSight T250 delivers precision temperature measurement up to 250 C. With thermal sensitivities of less that 0.10 C, clear images are provided even with hot spots in the background. The unit offers point-and-shoot use. SightView image...

InfinityQS[R] International: trusted provider of Statistical Process Control (SPC) software and technical services.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... InfinityQS[R] International's clients include national and international manufacturers such as Rockwell Automation, Caterpillar, Honeywell, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Ball Corporation, Duracell, Boeing, Quaker Oats, Tyson Foods, Raytheon, Osram...

GBI Cincinnati: "doing the right thing".(Supplier Showcase)(distrubution and supplying services)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The formation of GBI Cincinnati was a key part of the Cincinnati Machine/Lamb merger strategy and yet another evolutionary step in the 120 year history that "Cincinnati" companies have consistently undertaken to align themselves with market...

Breakthrough Management Group launches ProjXTM 2.0: Six Sigma project tracking software takes program management to new heights.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Most companies know Breakthrough Management Group (BMG) for its highly regarded Six Sigma training and consulting programs. However, many people do not know that BMG also has an intense commitment to technology--and more importantly--to...

How to succeed with machine vision.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Successful machine vision users locate, identify, inspect, and gauge products with confidence, and communicate essential data with ease. These users have one thing in common... Cognex, the world leader in machine vision. Cognex has...

ONE design focuses on shop floor performance.(Supplier Showcase)(Brown & Sharpe's ONE[TM] CNC coordinate measuring machine)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Brown & Sharpe's ONE[TM] CNC coordinate measuring machine is designed to provide high accuracy and repeatability in even the harshest shop floor measurement and inspection applications. The ONE's compact size and small footprint allows it...

Auditing ISO 9001: 2000--put aside the checklist!(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Quality professionals familiar with the 1994 version of ISO 9001/2 and QS-9000 understand evaluating compliance by completing a checklist is the primary focus of an audit. Enter ISO 9001:2000 and the process approach. How do we audit this...

Carl Zeiss IMT Corporation.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Carl Zeiss offers many products and services, from eyeglass lenses, special visual aids, binoculars, microscopes, camera lenses, medical systems, equipment for industrial metrology, optical systems for chip production and astronomical...

Optical Gaging Products offers website for one-stop metrology solutions.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Optical Gaging Products, Inc. (OGP[R]), an innovator in non-contact and multi-sensor dimensional measurement systems, optical comparators, and laser surface scanners for manufacturing quality control, has kicked off a redesigned website...

TestWorks[R] 4 enhances testing.(Suppliers Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... TestWorks[R] 4 software is the latest iteration of flexible, easy-to-use electromechanical testing system software from MTS Systems Corporation. Upgrading from TestWorks 3 to TestWorks 4 is a quick and economical way to enhance the productivity...

Data-driven decision-making.(Supplier Showcase)(STATISTICA Enterprise software system)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The STATISTICA Enterprise software system is the ultimate data analysis platform for Six Sigma and Manufacturing Intelligence applications. STATISTICA respects the fact that Six Sigma and Process Improvement operations are not conducted by...

Making quality improvement easy.(Supplier Showcase)(Minitab's tools )(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Today's quality improvement projects need to be rooted in an analysis of hard data and produce measurable results. And even though the projects are more complex than ever, many of the professionals implementing them--such as those working in...

A broad range of precision tools.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... S-T Industries Inc. started manufacturing precision measuring instruments at its St. James, MN, factory in 1942 under the brand name of Scherr-Tumico. S-T has continued to expand its line of precision measuring instruments over the last 58...

PROQUIS[R] & allCLEAR[R]: make compliance easy AND produce rapid business benefits.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Over the last 12 years PROQUIS Group have been developing and supplying a range of QA and Business Management software. PROQUIS is a suite of modules that provide a massive extension to the capabilities of front and back office software like MS...

DeFelsko Corporation--the measure of quality.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... DeFelsko, a U.S. manufacturer of coating thickness gages and inspection instruments, offers a variety of instruments designed specifically to meet your measuring requirements. For coating thickness on ALL Metals, the popular PosiTector[R]...

New approach to leak testing determines leak location and leak rate in just one test.(Supplier Showcase)(The Falcon Leak Test System)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... An array of helium sensors incorporating new patent pending Intelense technology quickly detects the presence of the leak. The Falcon System analyzes the accumulative response of the strategically placed sensors to calculate the total leak...

GAGEtrak 6--feature-rich budget priced calibration management software.(Supplier Showcase)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... GAGEtrak calibration management software improves quality, reduces costs, and helps you meet international calibration standards. Users can schedule calibrations, track gages, retrieve calibration records, generate work orders, print reports,...