Quality articles from June 2004

Quality archives from June 2004

Effectiveness or quality?(From The Editor)
June 1, 2004... Can "quality" be measured? Can it be documented that something is "of quality?" I recently sat in on a graduate-level class in education. The students, masters and doctoral candidates were faced with the task of defining "teacher quality" and...

Coming events.(Industry News)(Calendar)
June 1, 2004... JULY * NCSL International 2004 Workshop and Symposium, Salt Lake City, July 11-15. NCSL International, (303) 440-3339. * Advanced Product Quality Planning and Production Part Approval Process, Edison, N J, July 12-14. Stat-A-Matrix,...

Korean vehicles improve initial quality.(Industry News)
June 1, 2004... WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA-For the first time, Korean-branded vehicles outpace both European- and domestic-branded vehicles in initial quality, and is second only to Japan, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Study (IQS)....

Vision Engineering.(Business News)(production data)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Introduced by Vision Engineering (New Milford, CT) in 2002, the Kestrel noncontact measuring system, has shipped its 1,000th unit The unit uses an advanced optical design for a bright, clear image.

Tohnichi Mfg. Co. Ltd.(Business News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... In conjunction with its 55th anniversary, Tohnichi Mfg. Co. Ltd. (Northbrook, IL) has released the latest edition of its torque handbook. Applications, features and product specifications are included for each product type

Paulo Products Co.(Business News)(Achievements and awards)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The St. Louis facility of Paulo Products Co. has been given a preferred supplier award from Ford Motor Co. The award is in recognition of Paulo's sustained level of heat treating and customer service.

E. Toman & Co.(Business News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... E. Toman & Co. (Lyons, IL) has achieved ISO 9001: 2000 certification.

Testing Machines Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The Field Service Department of Testing Machines Inc. (Ronkonkoma, NY) has received ISO 17025: 1999 accreditation.

RWC Inc.(Business News)(quality management)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... RWC Inc. (Bay City, MI) has received ISO 9001: 2000 certification.

Entela Inc.(Business News)(Licensing, certification and accreditation)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Entela Inc. (Grand Rapids, MI) has been accredited for chemical and mechanical testing for a variety of applications and industries. The scope of accreditation has been expanded to include the following lighting equipment and applications:...

ipd. (Merriam, KS) as the Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska distributor.(Business News)(BarrThorp Electric Co. Inc.)(Distribution agreements)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... ipd, the intelligent products division of Coreco Imaging Inc. (Billerica, MA) has named BarrThorp Electric Co. Inc. (Merriam, KS) as the Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska distributor of its complete line of vision products for manufacturing end...

DVT.(People News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Yasuyuki Kadoma has joined DVT (Atlanta) as a director of business development for Japan.

Janos Technology Inc.(People News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Frederick Mullavey has joined Janos Technology Inc. (Townsend, VT), a manufacturer of precision optics, as director of quality.

Geotest-Marvin Test Systems Inc.(People News)(apointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Gretchen Adin has joined Geotest-Marvin Test Systems Inc. (Irvine, CA), a supplier of electronic test equipment, as the marketing program manager.

Makino.(People News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Preston Giles has been added to the sales team of Makino (Mason, OH). He will operate out of the company's Waukesha, WI, office.

Cyon Research Corp.(People News)(Cyon Research Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Rick Stavanja has been appointed vice president and chief technology officer of Cyon Research Corp. (Bethesda, M D). He will be based in the company's Spokane, WA, office. Cyon provides analysis and consulting for engineering technology...

Ircon Inc.(People News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Paul Olinick has joined Ircon Inc. (Niles, IL) as director of sales for the Americas. TH Lim has joined the company as director of sales for Asia, and Seung Chul Hong has been named regional manager for South Korea. Ircon manufactures thermal...

Alcoa Howmet Castings.(People News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Paul Woerz has been named vice president, environment, health and safety for Alcoa Howmet Castings (Cleveland). Alcoa produces primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina.

Feinfocus acquired by Comet AG.(Industry News)(Mergers, acquisitions and divestments)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... STAMFORD, CT-Feinfocus, a supplier of Microfocus X-ray inspection systems and tube technology, has been acquired by Comet AG (Switzerland), a supplier of conventional X-ray tubes for nondestructive testing (NDT), security, analytics, food...

Partnership in noise and vibration testing.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AUSTIN, TX, and EDEN PRAIRIE, MN-MTS Systems Corp. and National Instruments have entered a long-term contractual agreement to deliver a low-cost framework for standardized noise and vibration testing. The companies will address the need for...

R.J. Bagan celebrates 30 years.(Industry News)(Richard J. Bagan Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... COLUMBIA CITY, IN-Richard J. Bagan Inc. is completing 30 years as a technical services company, serving calibration and electronic repair customers coast to coast. Dick Bagan began calibrating, servicing and installing industrial control...

QMI introduces New Corporate identity.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... CLEVELAND-QMI, a management system registrar, has unveiled a new corporate identity and branding theme, "Advancing Business Excellence." The new identity was developed to better represent the company's broader service offering and current...

Scientist wins lifetime award.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO-Donald Thompson, scientific adviser for the Institute for Physical Research and Technology at Iowa State University (ISU, Ames, IA), has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) from the International...

Photon annihilation project commissioned.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... BOISE, ID-In a project commissioned by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Positron Systems demonstrated that its Photon Induced Positron Annihilation (PIPA) and related technologies can measure the effectiveness of cold expansion techniques in metal...

Quality in understanding.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, I purchased a new laptop from Dell Computer a few months back ("Who Answers Customer Questions?," Quality, February 2004, p. 6). When I called to add some features I was routed to india for customer service. I could not...

Domino effect.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, Your article, "Who Answers Customer Questions?" (Quality, February 2004, p. 6) brought up some interesting points. It is true that the trends these days show more and more customer service and engineering jobs moving to India...

Likes leading by love.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, I just read your column, "Lead by Love" (Quality, January 2004, p. 8). I loved it! I plan to purchase the book you refer to. As you may already know, "agape" is one of the Greek words for "love." It's the word used in the...

Agape is nothing new.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Dear Editor, I enjoy your magazine very much. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised and amused at your editorial ("Lead by Love," Quality, January 2004, p. 8). The "agape" concept is certainly nothing new. Guess who invented it?...

It's all about quality: the pursuit of quality is key to a happy life.(Probing The Limits)
June 1, 2004... Several quality gurus and authors such as Robert Pirsig have suggested that quality theory is the key to living a happy, fulfilling and productive life at work and at borne. To keep things simple, I define quality as "goodness" or the desire to...

Set your masters: getting everyday use from your masters doesn't require perfection.(Other Dimensions)
June 1, 2004... A customer recently called and wanted a setting ring made to within one millionth of an inch of the stated size. This request was frightening enough until I subsequently received a request for gage pins that had zero errors. In terms of...

CMM fixturing goes modular: modular fixturing emerges and holds its place in the market.(Quality 101)
June 1, 2004... Since coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) began to be used, CMM operators have searched for more practical methods to hold and clamp products. Dedicated fixturing is the traditional way to hold a part, but emerging fixture technology can bring...

Cookie mysteries.(Quality Brain Teasers)
June 1, 2004... Anyone who has faced a production problem with a need to solve the problem 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...

Ultrasonic transducer requires no contact: integrating a gantry plays a critical role in noncontact ultrasound testing.(Quality Innovations)(SecondWave Systems)
June 1, 2004... Ultrasound has been used to determine a range of material characteristics without damage to the test article. But, industrial applications of ultrasound have been limited by the need to physically couple the transducer to the test medium....

Weapons for flexible inspection: multisensor CMMs let users deploy the best sensor for each operation.(Quality Measurement)(coordinate measuring machine)
June 1, 2004... Greater productivity is the battle cry in the automotive industry. Every piece of machinery must advance the mission of making products faster, better and cheaper. For this reason, a growing number of automotive manufacturers are deploying a...

Leak standards test accuracy: calibrating helium mass spectrometer leak detectors ensures measurement accuracy.(Quality Test & Inspection)
June 1, 2004... Helium mass spectrometer leak detectors are designed to measure the partial pressure of trace amounts of helium passing through small leaks and then display the measurement as a function of leak rate. To ensure the accuracy of the measurement,...

Circuit-device supplier sees way to improve: an investment in automated video measurement helps improve quality assurance.(Quality Test & Inspection)(UltraSource Inc. developed automated vision measuring system )
June 1, 2004... When UltraSource Inc. (Hollis, NH) experienced a significant increase in parts production, they knew they needed faster and more reliable inspection than what was being used. After looking into various optical inspection options, the quality...

Flowing through a process: flowcharts provide a visual representation of an organization's processes.(Quality Software & Analysis)
June 1, 2004... Flowcharts provide a graphical representation of the steps within a process. But flowcharts are much more than just a visual depiction of a process; they're a mixture of things--a simplification of process steps, a means to communicate...

Document control advances quality: good document control systems remove ambiguity and lead to better quality.(Quality Software & Analysis)
June 1, 2004... While consistency may not be the most glamorous or talked about facet of overall quality, when it comes to efficient and profitable product development and manufacturing, it is essential. Poorly managed and inconsistent product documentation is...

Culture drives ISO registration: the right company culture can help, or hinder, ISO registration.(Quality Management)
June 1, 2004... ISO registration is among the most desirable accomplishments a company can pursue. Adopting ISO registration improves internal processes, and usually reduces operational costs and increases sales and market share. Companies from...

Consistency across a global organization.(Case Studies)(QSi System)
June 1, 2004... When Rockwell Automation Power Systems upgraded to ISO 9001: 2000, the independent ISO lead auditor noted a marked acceleration in the maturing of the quality system. This division of Rockwell Automation, headquartered in Greenville, SC,...

Going wireless.(Case Studies)
June 1, 2004... CNH Global (Racine, WI), component manufacturers for Case Construction Equipment, had a problem. The manufacturer of parts for tractors, transmissions, axles and valves for the farm and construction industries, was using a wired gaging station...

Metallurgical microscope.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The Axiovert 200 MAT inverted microscope features the Enhanced Contrast Epiplan Neofluar series of objectives. Transmission, homogeneity and correction have been tailored to materials application requirements. All microscope settings from...

CMM.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The DEA PRIMA direct computer-control coordinate measuring machine (CMM) provides flexible gaging for largo workpieces. The unit is available in five models ranging in size from 2,000 millimeters by 1,200 millimeters by 1,600 millimeters to...

Measuring projector.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The HE400 MkIII, a large-screen bench-top projector, has a 16-inch screen with an integral hood, precision crosslines and calibration markings. Fan-cooled halogen profile illumination with high and low intensity allows the user to adjust the...

CMM fixturing.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... XTensions are lightweight aluminum extrusions used along with standard Rayco components for building a setup vertically or creating a support structure to fixture a part. The components are available in standard lengths from 6 inches to 60...

Data export.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... The ESZ 800 is designed for readings, treatment and for signal visualization. It can also be connected to different types of probes. The unit allows data export via RS232 serial connection for a centralized surveillance of the production. It is...

Telecentric lens.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Ideal for metrology and machine vision applications, the 0.08X MVO Telecentric Lens is free of perspective error and magnification changes within a defined depth of field. The maximum field of view is directly related to the front aperture of...

Vision system.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The ZFL Scope, a macro/micro fluorescent vision system, uses interchangeable professional fluorescent cubes and internal focus to create an image compatible with most existing camera systems. Field of view is up to 9.2 millimeters with a...

Materials testing system.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The MTESTWindows materials testing system for tension and compression testing is a 32-bit Windows application program that controls electrohydraulic and electromechanical test frames and records test results. It includes an external interface...

X-ray inspection.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The Direct Digital Detector (DDD) series of nanofocus X-ray inspection systems features an X-ray detector with three image acquisition modes, automatic noise level reduction and a high-resolution flat panel monitor on which users can choose...

Scanner.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The JF-15 High Speed Scanner is designed for NDT inspections of bolt-holes. When coupled with the company's US-454 EddyView instrument, cable and sensitive rotating probes, the unit scanner finds indications of defect amplitude and...

Measurement system for microhardness testers.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... Version 4 of C.A.M.S., Computer Assisted Measurement System for microhardness testers, includes improvements in traverse operations, interface and a new graphic test mode. The traverse function enables the operator to perform a dry run in...

Video measurement system.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The Sprint CNC 300 is an automatic dimensional measurement system that fits on a benchtop and features a 12-inch by 12-inch X-Y travel range and a 12-inch by 12-inch by 6-inch X-Y-Z measuring range. It features a rock-solid granite base and...

Length measuring system.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The DMS 680, 0-27-inch internal and external universal length measuring system calibrates thread and cylindrical plug and ring gages, snap gages, gage blocks, micrometers, setting masters, dial indicators and electronic probes. It includes an...

Microindentation/Vickers tester.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The Tukon 2100B Microindentation/Vickers Tester does both micro and macro load range hardness testing. With test forces as low as 10 gram force (gf) and as high as 50 kilogram force (Kgf), the system can do micro and macro Knoop and Vickers...

Compliance management.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The QSI Websystem for Compliance Management is a Web-based product that helps companies comply, and document compliance, with an array of internal and externally imposed regulations. A document-control module was designed to help companies...

Unique hand gages.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... Custom, special application hand or table gages, ID grove gages, Min-wall thickness gages. We are "The King of Specials." Free experienced application engineering. Fast, easy to use, accurate, repeatable, gage R&R rated. 24-7 shop rugged....

Stop Machine!(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... "Stop Machine!" is the message your operators will see on computer screen BEFORE your process starts producing defects. Altegra's SPC software for machine shops predicts defects, schedules tool changes, and tracks downtime causes. Protect your...

Gage and tool management software.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... JBL Systems provides powerful, flexible, software for Gage, Tool end Equipment Management. 2 and 3-Tier options allow multiple departments and locations into one client/server database, while maintaining flexibility, autonomy and security for...

Precision bore gages.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... World's fastest delivery, 24-48 hours service. High accuracy, dedicated bore gages [empty set] sizes 0.118" (3mm) through 12.000" (305mm). We are "The King of Specials." Fast, experienced application engineering, gage R&R rated [less than or...

Faster 100% inspection of powdered metal and cast parts.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... 100% inspection is quickly becoming the standard for powdered metal, cast and stamped parts. With no part preparation required, Resonant Acoustic Method NDT uses a simple impact to test parts as fast as one part per second with no complicated...

GD&T training made easy.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... The GD&T Trainer Professional Edition (Y14.5M-1994) contains 28 student-focused lessons covering the fundamentals of GD&T. Instant lesson feedback and quizzes reinforce the material. Highlights include a GD&T glossary, tolerancing application...

Statit Software--the best damn SPC company ... period!(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... Statit Software offers a dynamic process optimization strategy that fundamentally changes the way your enterprise monitors, analyzes and improves manufacturing processes. Organizations worldwide use Statit applications, components and tools to...

Thread gages.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... Gage Assembly offers: * Standard and special thread plug and ring gages * Inch and Metric * Hard chrome on standard thread plugs * Fast delivery on Special Threads * Traceable to NIST For a free 2004 catalog, call at...

Promess torque control system for quality test, assembly.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2004... Promess offers turnkey plug 'n play motorized torque control systems from 50 to 250 Kn. Designed for test and assembly equipment builders, MTC features non-overloadable torque sensors, hardware, electronics, software, cabling, motor, motion...

Force gauges and testers for industry.(Manufacturing Solutions Showcase)
June 1, 2004... Stocking distributor of Force Measurement Products Calibration of Force, Torque, Material Testers, Dynamometers, Tensiometers, Spring Testers, Torsion Testers, Scale, Mass. ISO/IEC 17025 calibration facility. We represent Ametek/Chatillon,...