Quality articles from January 2005

Quality archives from January 2005

Can you complain?(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... Whenever my Dad and I spoke of politics, he would always tell me that if I wasn't part of the process, I had no right to complain. I believe this certainly applies to the recent elections--if you didn't vote, you can't complain. A recent...

Coming events.(Industry News)(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... * SeminarFest 2005, Las Vegas, Feb. 13-19. American Society of Safety Engineers, (847) 699-2929. * Understanding and Implementing ISO/TS 16949: 2002, Charlotte, NC, Feb. 14-15. BSI Management Systems, (800) 862-4977. * Implementing ISO...

Baldrige winners announced.(Industry News)
January 1, 2005... GAITHERSBURG, MD-Four organizations received the 2004 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for quality and organizational performance excellence. The 2004 awards were given out in four categories: manufacturing, small business, education and...

Manufacturers optimistic on future of economy.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... CHICAGO--According to Grant Thornton's ninth biannual Survey of U.S. Business Leaders, 74% of manufacturing and wholesale respondents are optimistic about the improvement of the U.S. economy in the coming year. While nearly two thirds of...

Rockwell Automation.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Rockwell Automation (Milwaukee) has launched a Web-based training program for its customers. The first courses offered will support the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture platform, and will include instruction on the company's RSView...

Sypris Test and Measurement Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Sypris Test and Measurement Inc. (Orlando, FL), a manufacturer of calibration services and test and component sourcing services, has received a $3.5 million contract by Lockheed Martin for component test services.

Agilent Technologies Inc.(Business News)(STATS ChipPAC Ltd)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) announces a two-year, $125 million deal with STATS ChipPAC Ltd., a semiconductor test and advanced packaging service provider. Agilent was selected as the company's test supplier and will provide its...

Heim Bearings.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Heim Bearings, a division of RBC Bearings (Fairfield, CT), earns AS 9100 and ISO 9001:2000 certifications for its quality management system.

FKI Logistex.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... FKI Logistex (Frederick, MD) announces the expansion of manufacturing operations for its North American Airport, Post and Parcel division at its two largest facilities, Danville, KY, and Frederick, MD. The manufacturer of integrated material...

Nikon Corp.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Nikon Corp. (Tokyo) has made COSMOSDesignSTAR software from COSMOS (Los Angeles) its tool of choice for conducting analysis of its camera products. The software is a multi-computer-aided design analysis tool, which helps detect potential design...

KeyLabs.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... KeyLabs (West Lindon, UT) completes its 100th product certification test for Cisco's Compatible Extensions Program (CCX) for wireless client devices. KeyLabs is the exclusive compatibility testing provider for the CCX program. The program gives...

Lean Learning Center.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Lean Learning Center (Novi, MI) announces its Management Lean Learning Laboratory (ML3) program. The program involves six basic levels of activities through 10 sessions. Creative tension, control point standardization and direct observation...

Dynamic Metals LLC.(Business News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Dynamic Metals LLC (Elkhart, IN), receives ISO 9001:2000 and AS 9100B certifications. In addition, the manufacturer of roll-formed parts and rollover protection systems for aerospace and recreational vehicles industries, earned certification...

Laser shipments rise.(Industry News)
January 1, 2005... MCLEAN, VA--The Laser Systems Product Group (LSPG) of The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), made up of AMT member companies that manufacture laser systems and industrial laser sources, reports that for the first three quarters of...

JAI Group.(People News)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Jorgen Andersen, CEO of the JAI Group (Copenhagen, Denmark), also assumes the role of CEO of JAI Pulnix. Toshi Hori will lead the new business and technology unit of the JAI Group as chief technology officer based at the Sunnyvale, CA,...

Walla Walla.(People News)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Sonia Loeza is named regional manager of Mexico for Key Technology, a Walla Walla, WA-based manufacturing company.

Fastco Threaded Products Inc.(People News)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Patrick Henson joins the sales force at Fastco Threaded Products Inc. (Columbia, SC), working out of the Greenville, SC, office.

Smiths Aerospace.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Catherine Gridley is promoted to president of Smiths Aerospace's customer service business (Clearwater, FL) serving 140 countries. Prior to the appointment, Gridley was president of customer services in the United States for the company.

Webster Engineering and Manufacturing Co. LLC.(People News)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Theodore J. Wrona Jr. is named president of Webster Engineering and Manufacturing Co. LLC (Winfield, KS). Wrona is in charge of operations and strategic direction for the Kansas-based manufacturer of industrial and commercial combustion...

TUV Canada.(People News)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Tarek Sabry and James Cuff are named senior business development managers of TUV Canada (Cambridge, Ontario). Sabry brings 13 years of sales and marketing experience to the company. Cuff has more than six years of experience in the registration...

Garwood Laboratories celebrates 50.(Industrial Laboratory completes 50 years)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... PICO RIVERA, CA--In an open house celebration, Garwood Laboratories celebrated its 50th anniversary serving the automotive, aerospace, military, medical and transportation industries. Providing reliability testing and product certification for...

QMI offers ISO 13485 audits.(Medical equipment industry)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... CLEVELAND--North American management systems registrar, QMI, announces its accreditation by the Standard Council of Canada to perform ISO 13485:2003 audits. All medical device manufacturers applying for or maintaining a valid license for Class...

Precision Metalforming Association.(Association News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Precision Metalforming Association prepares for Metalform '05, its metal stamping, fabricating and forming exhibition. The show, which began in 1981, will be held from March 20 to 23, in Rosemont, IL. Twenty-six manufacturers are on board...

Automotive Industry Action Group.(Association News)(Appointment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Linda Plawecki is named acting executive director of the Automotive Industry Action Group.

The International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization have launched a Web site for the IEC/ISO Information Centre.(Association News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization have launched a Web site for the IEC/ISO Information Centre. The site, located at www.standardsinfo.net, includes general information about the...

The Standards Engineering Society (SES) awards president of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), James A. Thomas, the Leo B. Moore Medal.(Association News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Standards Engineering Society (SES) awards president of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), James A. Thomas, the Leo B. Moore Medal. The award, first given in 1963, recognizes distinguished service in the field of...

Nanosensors market expected to grow.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... NORWALK, CT--A report from Business Communications Co. Inc., "RGB-310 Nanosensors," expects the U.S. market for nanosensors to grow at an average annual growth rate of 26% to reach $592 million by 2009. The current market for nanosensors is...

Leadership traits.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Dear Editor, Great article about leaders and leadership ("Be a Leader," Quality, September 2004, p. 6). I agree with what you said for the most part, however, there are important aspects of leadership that are often overlooked. In my...

Short-term leaders.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Dear Editor, In your editorial, "Be a Leader" (Quality, September 2004, p. 6), you correctly identified and traced the traits of a good leader and a sector leading organization. I have also read books about management and how to be an...

Slap in the face.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Dear Editor, Your editorial, "Can Quality Be Trusted?" (Quality, October 2004, p. 6), is a slap in the face of quality personnel everywhere. The editorial clearly defines the guidelines for the pharmaceutical industry regarding what to...

Sell the sizzle or sell the steak? Before spending money on images, spend money on a better quality product.(Probing The Limits)
January 1, 2005... One of the maxims in product marketing is, "Sell the sizzle, not the steak." This means to focus on selling the emotional product attributes, such as the feeling ordinarily associated with the sound and smell of a steak cooking on the grill,...

Get calibration scheduled right: a clear calibration schedule and explanation increases the chances for successful implementation.(Other Dimensions)(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... Editor's note: This is the final installment in a multipart series focusing 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...

Practical uses of ring gages: learn more about ring gages' primary functions--indirect and direct gaging.(Quality 101)
January 1, 2005... In the high-precision world of industrial manufacturing, machinists implement a broad range of measuring tools. One of the most vast and versatile is the handheld gage. Handheld gages range from the familiar digital micrometer to tools as basic...

Where rubber meets the road.(Quality Brain Teasers)
January 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 that are encountered by workers in...

'Paint' a full measurement picture: laser probe surface technology gives complete 3-D inspection information.(Quality Measurement)
January 1, 2005... One of the most compelling trends in measuring parts is the drive toward 100% inspection. At its heart are systems and techniques capable of digitally "painting" surfaces with millions of data points. Doubt can be eliminated as to whether...

JMP[R] statistical analysis software.(Profile)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2005... JMP[R] continues the 15-year tradition of providing innovative, high-quality analytical solutions for identifying new opportunities, developing new products, and increasing quality throughout your organization. JMP provides enhanced data...

Keep manufacturing in control: calibration management systems ensure control in highly regulated manufacturing environments.(Quality Software & Analysis)
January 1, 2005... The need for control of manufacturing processes has never been more important than in today's regulated manufacturing environment. As this requirement has increased, so has the need for better management of the measurement equipment used to...

Six sigma's seven deadly sins: while the seven sins can be deadly, redemption is possible.(Quality Management)
January 1, 2005... Quality and productivity initiatives have come and gone during the past few decades. The list of "already rans" includes quality circles, statistical process control, total quality management, Baldrige protocol diagnostics, enterprisewide...

Turnkey solutions offer the right prescription: global quality systems provider predicts long, healthy life for material and components testing.(Quality Test & Inspection)
January 1, 2005... The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the need for biomedical devices and materials offering life-long performance, particularly in the orthopaedics profession. It is only natural that this technological evolution and concurrent...

Photogrammetry aids effective inspection processes.(Case Studies)
January 1, 2005... BMW Manufacturing Co.'s (Spartanburg, SC) quality control team tries to balance their attention between making sure production lines don't break down and ensuring they are producing quality parts and products. But the problem lies in their...

Vision sensor improves ring measurement process.(Case Studies)
January 1, 2005... Rotor Clip Co. (Somerset, NJ), a manufacturer of retaining rings, produces billions of rings annually at its 238,000-square-foot production facility. From steering wheel assemblies to household appliances, Rotor Clip retaining rings help secure...

Force measurement test stand.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The TSF, manually operated force measurement test stand, is ideal for material testing, spring testing and product integrity testing. The stand can test up to 1,000 pounds of force and measures 32 by 10 by 9.5 inches. The movable table has...

Laser sensor head.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Class II, 3r and Class IIIb Selcom SLS 2401 provide accurate measurement in a tight work envelope requiring a faster sampling rate, higher resolution and higher speed profile of problematic areas. The sensor has a measuring range of 20...

Motion analysis camera control software.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Motion Tools, automated slow-motion analysis camera control software, is designed for use with Photron's PC-based high-speed video cameras. The basic camera control and image replay software includes simple, automatic single-point tracking or a...

CMM accessories.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Coordinate measuring machine accessories and styli are available in lightweight aluminum 7075, including cubes, double cubes, cube stars, disc probes, extensions, adapters and knuckles. Styli feature ruby balls of grade 10 or better. Many styli...

Machine vision system.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The upgraded EZVision 12X machine vision system is a PC-based inspection system that operates on Windows NT/98/2000. The product can be used for applications such as label, cap and package inspection, assembly or kit verification, mold or die...

Pin chuck.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The dial indicator pin chuck is an inspection aid for hold and slot depth measuring. The product uses inspection gage pins ranging from 0.010 to 0.135 inch as indicator points. The pin chuck adds 0.90 inch to the indicator stem length and has a...

Diameter measurement tape.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Diameter measurement tapes are available in inches or millimeters and yield a diameter reading accurate to 0.001 inch. The product line includes direct outside and inside diameter measuring tapes, go/no-go tapes, linear tapes and O-ring tapes....

Test monitoring and analysis software.(Products)
January 1, 2005... TestWorks 4, for TestStar and FlexTest controllers, performs monotonic tests and tests with a limited number of tensile and compressive ramps. The product allows users to graphically display data during a test and compare data from different...

Height measuring solution.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The No. 3752 electronic height gages have a 0.380-inch liquid crystal display and an intuitive control panel. The gages are available in two sizes in ranges of 0 to 12 inches, or 300 millimeters and 0 to 24 inches, or 600 millimeters. The...

Standards and regulations training.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Training and consulting programs for FDA-regulated organizations to respond effectively to international standards and government regulations are offered, including ISO 9000, ISO 13485, FDA regulations and European Union Directives. The company...

CAD-based software.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Calypso 4.0 version of computer-aided design (CAD) programming software has the ability to self-center scan a spline and create a cylinder for use as a datum. The coordinate measuring machine (CMM) software also has a navigator check, which...

Leak tester.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Sentinel M24 is a leak test instrument functioning in single- or multiplestation configurations and can manage up to four independent stations. The product has auto calibration and corrects for temperature changes. The 16-by 14- by 8-inch...

Vibration isolation tables.(Products)
January 1, 2005... PAT series pneumatic isolation tables have low frequency isolation and a self-leveling work surfaces. With a range of sizes and work-surface options, the tables are ideal for sensitive equipment in clean rooms, inspection areas and...

Sharpness testing.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Sharpness Testing Systems collect data in cutting tests for needle sharpness and are available for a number of ISO standard tests. The product is ideal for cutting tests where force remains at peak for short periods of time-such as a cannula's...

Stereo zoom microscope.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The LYNX stereo-zoom microscope produces images up to 120X on a viewing area. The product includes 6 to 40X magnification and long working distances for applications where manipulation is necessary. Digital camera options are available for the...

Aseptic sampling products.(Products)
January 1, 2005... These products sample high-purity fluids for pharmaceutical and biotech uses. The sterilized sampling bottle has a one-piece cap and C-FLEX tubing to help eliminate contamination and product loss. An aseptic sampling septum allows samples to be...

Updated HPLC systems.(Products)
January 1, 2005... New versions of the Method Development High Performance Liquid Chromatography systems are available. The product is offered in both analytical and preparative systems. Updates include more user-defined features and control options, as well as...

Ultrasound gel.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Clear Image Singles are unit-dose, scanning gel packets for ultrasound use. Packets are individual and replace the need for refillable gel bottles, which can carry the risk of cross contamination. The product is marketed toward high-risk areas...

Vision systems.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Galileo Class of Vision Systems is offered in six models. The product is available in manual, motorized and fully automated models in two measuring envelopes. Manual and joystick-controlled motorized systems are upgradeable. Fully automated...

Secure software.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Synergy 2000 SE Version 5.3 statistical process control software incorporates full SQL database capabilities. The software is designed for companies with a data warehousing strategy, allowing process information and event logs to be integrated...

Gage amplifier.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Gage Chek has programmable gaging routines and audio cues. The product has a 6-inch LCD display panel with digital read-out or analog formats available in dial, vertical or horizontal bars. Color cues indicate go/no-go measurements. The gage...

Knee simulator.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Biopuls Dual-Station knee simulator is created for long-term wear testing of total knee replacement prostheses. Tests can be performed in both force and displacement modes, with up to 120-degree flexion motion. The product uses load and...

Inspection light source.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Intralux IWL-500e is a metal halide light source used for illuminating small fiber optic bundles with a concentrated illumination area up to 5 millimeters. With an average lamp life of 3,500 hours, the product is designed for endoscope...

TEC laser.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Lasiris thermoelectrically cooled lasers project from 375 to 1,550 nanometers with a selection of output power. The wavelength stays consistent when the ambient temperature varies. StockerYale Canada Inc. (514) 685-1005 Reply 623...

Online testing module.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Web-based testing and quizzing product is an add-on to the TMSWeb Training and Document Management System. The product is an alternative to paper testing, and quizzes are customizable. The compliance and productivity testing product rotates...

Microwave synthesis system.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Discover Benchmate microwave synthesis system accommodates elevated temperature reactions with its self-regulating pressurized vial, the Intellivent vessel. The vessel automatically releases pressure generated by a reaction exceeding the...

Vinyl disposable gloves.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The vinyl disposable gloves are designed for use with scientific research, food processing, assembly and inspection. The gloves are available in packs of 100 and each glove is ambidextrous. Travers Tool Co. (800) 221-0270 Reply...

Connectors for leak testing.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The FE and FI series connectors are designed for minimum parts and medical product testing. Air actuation creates a leak-tight seal for sealing pipes, tubes, barbed fittings and threads. The FE series seals outside diameters as small as 0.025...

Hydrogen leak detector.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The H2000 uses a 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen mixture as a tracer gas to detect leaks. The transportable leak detector is electronic and requires no pumps, valves or vacuums. The product can detect leaks smaller than bacteria. A protective...

Charting software.(Products)
January 1, 2005... A new version of CHARTrunner has a Microsoft Excel add-in. The addition allows Excel users to draw charts from within Excel. The stand-alone charting tool reads data in Excel, Access, SQL Server, Oracle and other data sources and creates...

Precision grinding.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Precision grinding of medical bur blanks for the OEM medical industry is available. A variety of tip designs and are manufactured to customer specifications. A range of materials, as well as in-house heat treating and cryogenic cold...

Optical imaging profiler.(Products)(Sensofar)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Sensofar is a noncontact optical imaging profiler designed to see details such as the electronic packaging of pace makers. The product is meant for assessing the structure of stents, bone allografts and biotech fluid pumps. The sensor head...

Quality control FDA edition.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) edition is software designed to aid pharmaceutical companies and other FDA-regulated manufacturers in assessing their quality control with real-time statistical process control intelligence while following...

Torque screwdriver.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Ideal for medical device applications, the torque screwdriver can be adjusted to a required torque value. Once the product is locked into its torque value, if a manufacturer applies more force than necessary, the screwdriver will ratchet...

Power quality tester.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Fluke 430 Series three-phase hand-held power quality analyzers are rated to CAT III, 1000 V and CAT IV, 600 V for all four channels. The product has an autotrend feature, which records everything on the screen automatically. Manufacturers...

XRF alloy analysis.(Products)
January 1, 2005... These handheld nondestructive X-ray fluorescence alloy analysis tools weigh 1.7 pounds each. The products use signal processing electronics and Super Pin X-ray detector technology. These tools are used for installation qualification,...

Temperature probe.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The LS400 and LS700 series of temperature probes are designed for life sciences applications. The disposable, negative temperature coefficient thermistors are offered in two sensor designs for skin or catheter use and are compatible with YSI...

SPC software.(Products)
January 1, 2005... WinSPC C/S Enterprise V1.70 is a real-time statistical process control software for the medical device and pharmaceutical industry. The software supports combined automated and manual data collection, and has tools to enable compliance with FDA...

Machine mounts.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The stainless steel machine mounts are designed for pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing equipment. The mount has a rubber sole with no voids that is vulcanized to the housing of the mount for a hygienic seal. The product is available in a...

Interchangeable force gage.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Force One Model FDI has interchangeable force cell modules. The force gage allows seven interchangeable force cell modules in capacities from 2 to 200 pounds, with an accuracy of 0.3%. In addition, the product has a selectable peak sampling...

Video optics system.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The video microscopy system is designed for quality control inspections. Systems come with camera, zoom lens, rack stand with monitor and all necessary cables. Import images into a computer system with the optional video capture card. A variety...

Multinest plate system.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The nest plate measurement system uses a single gage and individual nest plates, which allow multiple measurement functions for multiple pads. The system is ideal for medical products where components differ in size and thickness. Alliance...

Cabinet imaging system.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The MX-20 imaging system is used for small-animal research. The system uses a focal spot size of less than 20 microns and produces magnified ultra-detailed radiographs for non-invasive, in vivo studies of animals. The product has a fully...