Quality articles from March 2005

Quality archives from March 2005

Welch is on target.(From The Publisher)(John F. Welch, Jr. of General Electric Co.)
March 1, 2005... Does former General Electric CEO Jack Welch fall in the same category as other chief executives who are lauded as great leaders, only to later have their accolades shown as more hype than reality? I always have been reluctant to believe the...

Coming events.(Industry News)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... * Basics of Industrial Engineering, Orlando, FL, March 21-23. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Engineering Professional Development, (608) 263-5989. * EMS Implementation, Marlboro, MA, March 22. Quality and Productivity...

Juran CEO to deliver quality keynote.(Industry News)
March 1, 2005... NORWALK, CT -- Joseph De Feo, president and CEO of Juran Institute Inc., will deliver the keynote address at Quality Expo. This year Quality Expo, the event and conference focused on quality-related technologies and solutions for manufacturers,...

Survey analyzes performance improvement initiatives.(Industry News)
March 1, 2005... LEXINGTON, MA -- Celerant Consulting surveyed 276 Fortune 1000 companies on implementing and measuring performance improvement initiatives such as Six Sigma. Respondents were executives from eight markets-the largest percentage of respondents,...

Searching for zero is back.(Industry News)(American Measuring Tool Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... CLEVELAND -- The member companies of the American Measuring Tool Manufacturers Association (AMTMA) announce the second edition of Searching for Zero. The publication is a reference of dimensional metrology, outlining the most common sources and...

Carl Zeiss Industrial Measuring Technology.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Carl Zeiss Industrial Measuring Technology (Maple Grove, MN) receives A2LA accreditation in the field of calibration. The company complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and is approved to offer in-house and on-site A2LA calibration services...

Danatronics Corp.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Danatronics Corp. is a new company specializing in nondestructive testing. Located in Danvers, MA, the company offers equipment and expertise in ultrasonic transducers, thickness gages, flaw detectors, Hall-effect thickness gages and video...

Intertek ETL Entela.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Intertek ETL Entela (Grand Rapids, MI) changes the name of its automotive certifications division to Intertek Automotive Systems Certification. Entela Inc. was acquired by Intertek Group plc, a global testing, inspection and certification...

Phoenix/x-ray Systems + Services Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Phoenix|x-ray Systems + Services Inc. completes the move of its U.S. headquarters from Camarillo, CA, to St. Petersburg, FL. The company is the North American subsidiary of the Germany-based microfocus X-ray system manufacturer, phoenix|x-ray...

Redlake (San Diego, CA) partners with Integrated Design Tools Inc. (Tallahassee, FL) to co-develop a line of MotionPro CMOS high-speed digital cameras.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Redlake (San Diego, CA) partners with Integrated Design Tools Inc. (Tallahassee, FL) to co-develop a line of MotionPro CMOS high-speed digital cameras. Worldwide sales, marketing and customer support will be handled by Redlake.

Supra Alloys Inc.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Supra Alloys Inc. (Camarillo, CA) announces its ISO 9001: 2000 certification. The company is a worldwide titanium distributor and titanium service center.

Sensors Unlimited Inc.(Business News)(contracts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Sensors Unlimited Inc. (Princeton, NJ), a manufacturer of short-wave infrared cameras, announces a contract with the U.S. Air Force to research and design a communication device that can be added to the company's proprietary dual-spectrum...

Strahman Valves Inc. (Florham Park, NJ) acquires American Rubber and Metal Hose Co. (Carteret, NJ).(Business News)
March 1, 2005... Strahman Valves Inc. (Florham Park, NJ) acquires American Rubber and Metal Hose Co. (Carteret, NJ). The metal and Teflon hose manufacturer has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Strahman Valves.

A subsidiary of Sypris Solutions Inc., Sypris Test and Measurement Inc. (Orlando, FL), moves its Cleveland A2LA-accredited calibrations laboratory to a new, larger facility-across the street.(Business News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A subsidiary of Sypris Solutions Inc., Sypris Test and Measurement Inc. (Orlando, FL), moves its Cleveland A2LA-accredited calibrations laboratory to a new, larger facility-across the street. The relocation increases the lab floor space by 80%,...

Supplier-manufacturer relationships strained.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... DETROIT -- A study by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney found that 44% of automaker and supplier executives polled characterize their relationships with each other as "strained." Auto suppliers polled attribute the strain to a...

Delcam.(People News)(Appointment of Brian Griffiths )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Delcam appoints Brian Griffiths as business development manager for the company's PowerINSPECT inspection software in North America. The PowerINSPECT software is for the inspection of prototypes, tooling and production samples against...

IPC, Association Connecting Electronics Industries.(People News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... IPC, Association Connecting Electronics Industries (Bannockburn, IL), recognized 13 individuals for their leadership and contributions in the development of IPC-9194-the implementation of statistical process control applied to printed board...

Polytec Inc.(People News)(Michael Townsend appointed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Polytec Inc. (Tustin, CA) appoints Michael Townsend as president. The company manufactures precision, laser-based measurement systems.

National Instrument.(People News)(Rob Porterfield appointment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Rob Porterfield is promoted to vice president of manufacturing for National Instruments (Austin, TX), Porterfield has been with the company since 1992. Most recently, he led the expansion of the company's manufacturing operations in Hungary.

Information Handling Services Group.(People News)(Jeffrey Tarr appointment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Jeffrey Tarr joins the engineering division of Information Handling Services Group (Englewood, CO) as president and chief operating officer.

Fastco Threaded Products Inc.(People News)(appointments of Ritch Brandon )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Fastco Threaded Products Inc. names Ritch Brandon as general manager of its Columbia, SC, location. Brandon is responsible for the overall management of the company's home branch.

QVI appoints president of View Engineering.(Industry News)
March 1, 2005... SIMI VALLEY, CA -- Quality Vision International Inc. (QVI) announces the promotion of Vijay Patel to president of View Engineering Inc. The QVI company designs and manufactures vision measurement systems for process monitoring and quality...

InfinityQS moves headquarters.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... CHANTILLY, VA -- InfinityQS International moves its worldwide headquarters to 14900 Conference Center Dr., Chantilly, VA. The new office space is more than double the size of its original offices. The statistical process control (SPC) software...

Clarification.(Industry News)(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2005... The cover photo and photos in the article, "'Paint' a Full Measurement Picture," (Quality, January 2005, p. 38) originated from Romer USA (Farmington Hills, MI).

Precision Metalforming Association.(Association News)(appointments of Dennis Keat )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Precision Metalforming Association names Dennis Keat chairman of the board of directors. Keat, chief executive officer of Su-dan Corp., will serve a one-year term as chairman.

Society of Manufacturing Engineers.(Association News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) has created a Data Capture/Reverse Engineering technical group to develop and spread information on 3-D data acquisition and reverse engineering. Todd Grimm, president of T.A. Grimm and Associates,...

Caveat emptor.(Quality Mailbag)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... Dear Editor, I haven't had a chance to write before and have wanted to comment on your From the Editor column ("Can Quality Be Trusted?", Quality, October 2004, p. 6). You state that in the Firestone/Ford rollover issue that "The data that...

Can't we all just get along? Avoiding the discomfort of continual improvement can threaten the survival of organizations.(Probing The Limits)
March 1, 2005... When it comes to continual improvement, I often hear Rodney King's famous quote ringing in my head and holding us back from making important changes: "Can't we all just get along?" Continually improving quality and performance is a...

Do in-house labs need accreditation? Those wanting to be taken seriously and operate in comfort might consider a few thoughts.(Other Dimensions)
March 1, 2005... My recent columns on in-house gage and instrument calibration briefly commented on accreditation of such facilities. Questions and comments from readers and customers alike have prompted me to devote a column to this subject. The answer to...

Demystifying design FMEAs: learn an optimal method for establishing design FMEA ratings.(Quality 101)(Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
March 1, 2005... Some manufacturers have spent hours debating the correct way to arrive at the ratings for Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) only to find that the calculated Risk Priority Numbers (RPN) indicate working on issues that are not cause...

Leaky seals.(Quality Brain Teasers)
March 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...

Thread-view technology measures up: thread measurement system operators see accuracy and automation enter the marketplace.(Quality Innovations)(Johnson Thread-View Systems LLC)
March 1, 2005... It is a common challenge for operators of thread measurement methodologies: to identify new technologies that can improve the repeatability, accuracy and speed of measurements. They've been asking what they can do to reduce thread-plug...

CMMs create flexible feedback; a dynamic measuring system evolves from simple adjustment to master of real-time monitoring.(Quality Measurement)( coordinate measuring machines )
March 1, 2005... The use of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) in traditional quality control rooms, isolated from the production floor, often proves unsuitable for effective and timely feedback on the manufacturing process. The time required to collect...

Improve pressure decay leak testing: hydrogen testing addresses the limitations of the pressure decay method.(Quality Test & Inspection)
March 1, 2005... Pressure decay has been the most widely used method of leak testing in manufacturing production lines for decades. The process is uncomplicated, inexpensive and easily automated. Air is injected into a test object, and any decrease in air...

Create alignment and synergy for core tools: effective generation of core tool documentation and use of core tools help to meet customer requirements and reduce variation.(Quality Software & Analysis)(Failure Mode and Effects Analysis )
March 1, 2005... In implementing a Quality Management System (QMS), fundamentals play a key role. These fundamentals in automotive manufacturing are basic quality methods and techniques. During the era of QS-9000, these were a part of the "seven pack." Now,...

It's quality time!(Letter From The Show Manager)
March 1, 2005... Quality Expo 2005 is just around the corner. We hope you'll join us April 19 to 21 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, for the most comprehensive presentation of inspection, test and measurement equipment, software and...

Free events.(Conferences)(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... Tuesday, April 19 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS: BREAKTHROUGH SOLUTIONS TO ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN A CUTTING EDGE IN QUALITY LEADERSHIP Joseph De Feo, president and CEO, Juran Institute Attaining quality leadership in the...

Quality control increases throughput.(Case Studies)
March 1, 2005... In the spring of 2004, Mercury Marine (Fond du Lac, WI) introduced the Verado--a six-cylinder, four-stroke 275-horsepower outboard engine. In addition to being the industry's first supercharged outboard engine, it is noteworthy in terms of its...

Sensors provide continuous quality control.(Case Study)
March 1, 2005... Vredestein Banden BV (Enschede, The Netherlands) is a medium-sized independent tire manufacturer whose strategy is to produce quality tires at an attractive price. Tires at the Enschede plant range from passenger tires for summer and winter...

Imperx.(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... LYNX IPX-11M5-L is a high-resolution, fully programmable, field upgradeable camera, built around Kodak's KAI-1100 interline transfer CCD. The camera delivers 5 frames per second at full 4000 x 2672 resolution. The camera features programmable...

Fixed limit Gages.(Literature Review)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... The new 2005 catalog from Meyer Gage Company offers new and improved Class Z gage pins and sets. In addition to the Class Z gage pins the catalog offers many new products. New offerings for 2005 include Class XX gages, Hex gages, Progressive...

Plug, ring, snap, and thread gages.(Literature Review)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Dundick product guide offers excellent opportunity for making significant savings in gauging costs. Descriptive 20-page catalog illustrates and provides complete information on the comprehensive line of plug gauges, gauge sets, and thread, ring...

WINSPC software.(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... Looking for Statistical Process Control software that's easy to configure and use? WINSPC software provides administrators with a color-coded dashboard that automatically displays the status of plant-wide data collection operations on a single...

Accurate portable CMMs.(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... Visit www.romer.com to learn about the latest innovations in portable metrology. Including the NEW INFINITE portable CMM with Wi-Fi wireless connectivity and battery power for infinite portability. New inspection software includes PowerINSPECT...

COGNEX Vision for Industry[R].(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... Machine Vision Seminar Understanding and Applying Machine Vision * Learn how vision sensors work * See how applications can be set up quick and easily * Find out how to reduce production costs * See live demonstrations,...

Extensometers.(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... Compatible with nearly any brand of tester. High-accuracy strain measurement for all types of materials testing. Catalog covers tensile, compression and cyclic models, plus many others for specific test. Large variety covers gage lengths from...

Precision gages for quality assurance.(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... Call or go online to order your next Thread Ring or Thread Plug gage. Gage Assembly Company offers a 50-year heritage of manufacturing excellence, value and matchless customer service. Thread gages are made with the finest fabrication and tool...

Mitutoyo's new coolant proof micrometers and calipers!(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... New waterproofing technology creates higher IP-protection levels in Mitutoyo's digital micrometers and calipers. This provides protection levels of IP66/IP67 allowing the tools to be used in environments where large amounts of cutting oils are...

New "3700" series S-T 14" horizontal beam comparator.(Literature Review)
March 1, 2005... The new "3700" series S-T 14" horizontal beam comparator features a 5"X20" nickel plated stage with 100 pounds load capacity, 12" X-axis and 6" Y-axis, erect image, duplex fiber optics surface illumination, digital screen protractor and NEW...

Statistica.(Literature Review)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Even the most advanced Data Analysis/Mining, QC/Six Sigma, and Web-based Analytics are user-friendly in the STATISTICA environment. StatSoft--one of the world's largest data analysis companies--brings cutting-edge, desktop and enterprise-wide...

Temperature calibrators.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The ATC140 and ATC250 can be used as liquid baths or dry-block calibrators. Customers can order the calibrators as liquid baths or dry-blocks or as a kit, which allows technicians to switch between liquid-bath and dry-block calibration. The two...

Viewer software.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The PolyWorks/IM View is free software for visualization of point-cloud-based inspection projects and polygonal models for use with PolyWorks, a software that uses high-density point clouds to measure and control quality. With the software,...

Industrial-grade vision sensors.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Both vision sensors, the In-Sight 5100C and the In-Sight 5401, include vision spreadsheet interface and In-Sight Explorer software for development and network administration applications. The 5100C sensor is a color inspection sensor that can...

Turbo pumps.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The TPH 1201 and TPH 2301 turbo pumps are designed for high particulate semiconductor chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition applications with a median time to failure of more than 250,000 hours. The 1201 pump has a 1,200 liter...

Humidity and temperature monitoring.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The networked data logger system monitors temperature and humidity and connects to a facility's existing computer network. The lab monitoring system has remote monitoring and data backup and comprehensive reporting. Each data logger has an...

Interferometer.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The TMS-300/320 TopCam, white light interferometer is a compact, industrial, on-line inspection system. The product has a 19-millimeter field of view and Z resolution of up to 10 nanometers. The inspection system can be mounted in any direction...

Illuminated UV magnifiers.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The Wave+UV rectangular-lens, illuminated magnifier has a 3.5-diopter lens and a large-view 6.75- by 4.5-inch precision-ground, optical quality glass lens. The KFM UV is a round-lens illuminated magnifier for heavy-duty applications and has a...

Image management system.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The PAX-it image management system catalogs digital and analog images and measurement data. The system uses a Windows-based software that can be used through an on-site network or Internet connection. Also available is the PAX-cam digital USB...

3-D measuring probe.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The MarTest 802 EW measuring probe is available in both digital and mechanical versions. Applications for the 3-D measurement tool include determining the zero position of a workpiece and correcting its position, providing length and depth...

Force calibration system.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The MTESTWindows force calibration system is for calibrating load cells in tension or compression. The system performs a regression analysis of force transducers and generates reports that include coefficients of the best-fit polynomial,...

Dual-spectrum camera.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The Visible-InGaAs miniature camera is a dual-wavelength range camera that has simultaneous visible and short-wave infrared capabilities. The camera weighs less than 11 ounces, without the lens, and has a pixel array of 320 by 240 with a...

Optical micrometer.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The LS-7010 optical micrometer samples targets at a rate of 2,400 samples per second. The product's low noise, light-emitting diode light source produces a continuous 6-millimeter wide beam with no gaps in target detection because of beam...

UHD interconnect system.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The ultra high density (UHD) interconnect system is a cable-to-board and cable-to-cable coaxial interconnect for high-speed signals. The interconnect comes with performance up to 15 GHz and supports data rates up to 10 Gbits per second. Typical...

Thermocouple temperature recorder.(Products)
March 1, 2005... The battery-powered thermocouple temperature recorder, the TCTEMP1000, is 100% waterproof and has a replaceable thermocouple probe that can record ambient and remote temperatures unattended. The product has a response time of less than two...

Full spectrum lighting.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Full spectrum lighting (FSL) is available on all Magnilites, Vision Lite and Prolite products. This feature enhances visibility of dull or rough lead-free alloys, improving inspection. FSL is standard for all the company's illuminated magnifier...

Pressure sensors.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Series 121 industrial, dynamic ICP pressure sensors detect small pressure fluctuations in the presence of high-static background pressures. Built-in microelectronic circuitry delivers a clean, voltage output signal. The sensors are available in...

Six Sigma leaders: ex-CEO of GE believes Six Sigma goes beyond quality.(View From The Top)
March 1, 2005... Former-General Electric CEO Jack Welch either inspires or ,frustrates. His shoot from the hip' management causes anger or admiration and esteem. There is no middle ground. In the quality world he was, and still is, a champion for Six Sigma. He...