Quality articles from March 2009

Quality archives from March 2009

Still in the market.(Editorial)
March 1, 2009... Listening to the automotive company executives and industry veterans, you'd think nary a soul was planning a big purchase in these turbulent economic times, let alone buying a new vehicle. As has been reported by numerous news outlets, new car...

Coming events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... COMING EVENTS APRIL 22-23 BIOMEDEVICE, Boston. Canon Communications LLC, (310) 445-4200. www.biomedeviceboston.com MAY 4-7 QUALITY MEASUREMENT CONFERENCE (QMC), ...

Faro wins defense manufacturing excellence award.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(National Center for Advanced Technologies)(Faro Medical Technologies Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LAKE MARY, FL -- Faro, manufacturer of portable 3-D measurement and imaging technology, has won the Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award from the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT). The National...

ACLASS signs agreement for reference material producers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation)(ANSIASQ National Accreditation Board)
March 1, 2009... ARLINGTON, VA -- The ANSIASQ National Accreditation Board/ ACLASS has signed the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) for reference material producer accreditation. The signing ceremony...

PRI announces findings of 2008 polls.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Performance Review Institute)(Survey)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... PITTSBURGH -- The Performance Review Institute (PRI) has announced the findings of its polls conducted throughout 2008 with regard to the aerospace industry. PRI seeks to advance the interests of the mobility industries through development of...

AIAG seeks help for auto industry error proofing guide.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
March 1, 2009... SOUTHFIELD, MI -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is seeking industry volunteers to create a guide to effective error proofing. Ineffective error proofing in the automotive industry results in poor quality, loss of revenue from...

Exact Metrology Inc.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Exact Metrology Inc. (Cincinnati) has opened a 6,000-square-foot training and technology center In Cincinnati to support Its growing contract measurement services and measurement equipment sales business. The company provides onsite inspection,...

TUV Rheinland of North America (Newtown, CT), provider of testing and assessment services, has been accredited to the ISO/IEC 17021.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... TUV Rheinland of North America (Newtown, CT), provider of testing and assessment services, has been accredited to the ISO/IEC 17021: 2006 management systems certification standard by the American National Accreditation Body (ANAB, Milwaukee),...

ASI DataMyte Inc. (Plymouth, MN), provider of quality-related software solutions, has signed a distributor agreement with Nevalab (St. Petersburg, Russia), provider of analytical, laboratory, diagnostic and measurement equipment and labware to Industrial enterprises and research establishments.(BUSINESS NEWS)
March 1, 2009... ASI DataMyte Inc. (Plymouth, MN), provider of quality-related software solutions, has signed a distributor agreement with Nevalab (St. Petersburg, Russia), provider of analytical, laboratory, diagnostic and measurement equipment and labware to...

Intertek.(BUSINESS NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Intertek (Boxborough, MA), provider of testing, Inspection and certification, has announced the availability of two white papers aimed at helping medical device manufacturers better understand the changes to IEC 60601-1, the International...

Stratasys.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Stratasys (Minneapolis), maker of additive fabrication machines, has announced the availability of new material options for Its direct digital manufacturing and prototyping machines. For the FDM 360mc, PC and PC-ABS now are available, and for...

Tomos Technologies Inc.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Three-dimensional scanning service provider Tomos Technologies Inc. (Bellingham, WA) has opened an Industrial computed tomography scanning center, offering high-resolution scanning and analysis to a range of Industries. The company performs...

The Survice Engineering Co.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Belcamp, Maryland)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The Survice Engineering Co. (Belcamp, MD), provider of systems engineering support for the military and other customers, has opened a metrology center In Belcamp, MD. The center houses a suite of high-precision laser scanning and metrology...

Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC, Portland, OR), manufacturer of metal components and products, has agreed to acquire Fatigue Technology Inc. (FTI, Seattle).(BUSINESS NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC, Portland, OR), manufacturer of metal components and products, has agreed to acquire Fatigue Technology Inc. (FTI, Seattle). In 1969, FTI pioneered the cold expansion process, which extends fatigue life In both...

GKS Inspection Services.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... GKS Inspection Services (Detroit), provider of dimensional measurement, 3-D laser scanning and terrestrial scanning, is offering laser tracker services as a complementary measuring tool to its list of services. Because the laser tracker Is...

Deacom Inc.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Deacom Inc. (Wayne, PA), producer of Integrated accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for building component, modular building and batch process manufacturers, introduces an online version of Its business software-training...

The Robotic Industries Association.(ASSOCIATION NEWS)
March 1, 2009... The Robotic Industries Association (RIA, Ann Arbor, MI), a robotics trade association, has added six individuals to its 2009 board of directors. Joe Gemma, division manager, Staubli Corp. (Pfaffikon, Switzerland), Robotics Division, was...

CIS to present Quality Symposium 2009.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(CIS Software)(Conference news)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... PHOENIX -- CIS Software, provider of business management software solutions, is presenting its 2009 Quality Symposium, to be held at the Embassy Suites, May 11 to 13, 2009, in Phoenix. "Collaboration, Learning and Execution" is the theme of...

Eric Brown has joined the Surfware.(PEOPLE NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Eric Brown has joined the Surfware (Camarillo, CA) sales team as direct sales manager. Brown is responsible for generating sales in the Surfware direct territories.

TUV SUD America Inc.'s.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Craig S. Casillas )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Craig S. Casillas has been appointed director of TUV SUD America Inc.'s (Peabody, MA) management services division in the United States. Casillas oversees the daily operations associated with certification of client...

Sparta Systems Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Tom Dalle-Molle and Nathan Birtle )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tom Dalle-Molle has been named vice president of North American sales and Nathan Birtle has been named vice president of EMEA and APAC sales at Sparta Systems Inc. (Holmdel, NJ). The new...

Faro Technologies Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Gary Telling )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Gary Telling has been appointed as a business development director at Faro Technologies Inc. (Lake Mary, FL). Telling is a 32-year veteran of the automotive industry.

Quality Inspection Services Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Robert E. Cameron)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Robert E. Cameron has been appointed director of NDE Training & Certification at Quality Inspection Services Inc. (Buffalo, NY). Cameron has spent more than 40 years in nondestructive testing, quality control and quality assurance, with more...

Dickten Masch Plastics LLC.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Thomas Walczak )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Thomas Walczak has been appointed director of engineering services and Doreen Lettau has been appointed business development manager for Dickten Masch Plastics LLC (Nashotah, WI). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Endevco Corp.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Stan Cunningham )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Endevco Corp. (San Juan Capistrano, CA) has appointed Stan Cunningham as director of programs for the company's aerospace business. Cunningham brings logistics and program management experience to the position.

Fonon DSS.(PEOPLE NEWS)(appointment of Rick Powers )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Rick Powers has been appointed business development manager at Fonon DSS (Lake Mary, FL). Bringing a technical background in laser electro optics and electronics, Powers will be responsible for building and maintaining market share.

Eastec to celebrate 30th anniversary.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA -- East Coast manufacturing event Eastec will celebrate its 30-year anniversary May 19 to 21, 2009, at the Eastern States Exhibition Center in West Springfield, MA. The three-day event will draw approximately 14,000...

Quality magazine launches podcasts.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Q-Cast launched)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... BENSENVILLE, IL -- Quality Magazine announces the launch of Q-Cast, free podcasts that offer a quick and easy way to gain new insights that will improve your company's bottom line. Q-Cast podcasts are first-hand audio interviews and...

Where do we go from here? Manufacturers need to change from reactionary to preventive strategies.(FACE OF QUALITY)(Column)
March 1, 2009... Recently while attending a meeting of our local American Society for Quality (ASQ) section, I had a conversation with one of our members. The conversation focused on the issues of Six Sigma and lean manufacturing in the United States. Some of...

Lean and Sick: corporations aggressively pursuing lean eventually will become sick.(MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE)(Column)
March 1, 2009... In the mid-80s, I learned about the practice of just in time (JIT) from the best practices at Japanese companies. To me, JIT focused on responsiveness to customer needs by reducing waste and streamlining processes. It gave a new name to the...

Sold! The price of auction bargains can add up fast.(OTHER DIMENSIONS)(Column)
March 1, 2009... In my last column I outlined some things to keep in mind when buying used equipment at auction sales. In this column we'll look at what you should know about the items you're thinking of buying. Major pieces of equipment, such as coordinate...

Modular fixturing takes off: modular fixturing offers manufacturers a versatile and viable alternative to traditional welded tools.(QUALITY 101)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In only a few short years the concept of modular fixturing has piqued the interest of many in the varied and distinct worlds of quality. Manufacturing has never had so many work holding choices for use in inspection...

Correctly investigating causes of failures.(BRAIN TEASERS)(Statistical data)
March 1, 2009... 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...

Spin cycle: the dynamic spin rig provides advanced mechanical, thermal, material utilization and vibration stress tests.(QUALITY INNOVATIONS)(Test Devices Inc.)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The aerospace industry is not a forgiving one. Extensive testing is required to ensure success in the field and to avoid engine damage. Engine blade testing cannot be overlooked, and one materials testing company has...

Five steps to selecting styli: choosing the proper styli for an application is imperative to help manufacturers get the most accuracy out of their equipment.(QUALITY MEASUREMENT)(Cover story)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Choosing an appropriate stylus for an application means the difference between meeting the application's needs and missing them. The stylus delivers the measurement or form information to the probe. "It could...

Ensure the suitability of optical shaft gaging: to ensure that the process is suited for the task at hand, a measurement uncertainty budget should be established to bring clarity and transparency to the situation.(QUALITY TEST & INSPECTION)(Statistical data)
March 1, 2009... As workpieces become more complex and manufacturers are expected to provide fully inspected, documented parts, there is increasing interest in noncontact gaging, specifically optical gaging. Shafts, often including features such as gears,...

Compliant calibration management: calibration management software can help foster a management system compliant to ISO and other requirements.(QUALITY SOFTWARE & ANALYSIS)(International Organization for Standardization)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Organizations use calibration management software to help achieve compliance to industry standards and regulations. It facilitates an organization's effort to maintain accurate gage calibration records...

Quality leadership 100: the focus on quality is clear for these top companies.(QUALITY MANAGEMENT)(Company overview)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This year's Quality Leadership 100 companies are a great representation of manufacturing as a whole--covering small, privately owned companies to large multi-location manufacturers. Though the companies vary on many...

Interoperability: boosts lean inspection.(CASE STUDIES)(Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The pressure is definitely on at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL, Pasadena, CA), where scientists, engineers and technicians are working evenings and holidays to design, manufacture and test the cruise stage and...

Portable measurement: possibilities.(CASE STUDIES)(Cole Manufacturing Corp.)(Company overview)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cole Manufacturing (West Bend, WI) has stayed at the forefront of changes in the tool and die industry, specializing in metal stampings, fabrications, weldments and assemblies. The company's main priority is meeting...

Laser scanner.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LaserGauge HS701 DSP sensor is a handheld laser profiler with on-board processing, nonvolatile memory and a color display. The sensor functions autonomously, capturing 2-D surface scans, digitizing profiles,...

Materials microscope.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Eclipse MA200 is an inverted materials microscope designed for digital imaging and operator ergonomics. The microscope uses integrated intelligence to automatically combine captured images with data on their...

Linear encoders.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LIF 481V, LIP 481V and LIP 481U are linear encoders for use with vacuum technology. The first two models are for high vacuum to 10 to 7 millibar, the latter is for ultrahigh vacuum up to 10 to 11 mbar. The LIF...

Laser marker.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The MD-V9900 YV04 laser marker can mark in the X, Y and Z direction. This three-axis motion allows for a 42-millimeter variable focal length, distortion-free 300- by 300-millimeter marking area and the ability to...

Machine tool analysis.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The QC10 ballbar is a system for machine tool and motion system analysis and diagnosis. The system has a set up and test procedure of often less than 10 minutes per machine and includes reporting and analysis...

Document management.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... SmartEngineer technology allows customers to manage 3-D and 2-D computer-aided design (CAD) models within the company's document management solution. It is an optional solution designed to integrate engineering with quality, change management...

Roundness measurement.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... The RA-10 Roundtest roundness measuring instrument is suited for manufacturers requiring inspection of small, cylindrical workpieces in the lab or high-volume inspection on the production floor. The instrument has a large touch-panel control...

Solder paste inspection.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The VP5000 in-line 3-D solder paste inspection system helps increase the throughput of 100% quality inspection of solder paste on printed circuit boards. The unit's large field of view reduces the number of images...

Optical measuring.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... The OneTouch is an optical measuring system that can perform micron-level accuracy measurement on just a few features or highly complex part inspection with the touch of a button. The field of view measuring device automates the measuring...

Cad software.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Verisurf X expands capabilities and flexibility for rapidly acquired data from laser scanners and other high-volume devices. This version allows operators to inspect, analyze, build and reverse engineer. The current...

Video inspection.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Galileo KineMic is an entry-level modular video-based inspection system suited for quality assurance, receiving inspection, training, manufacturing, assembly, research and documentation. The system includes a 6-1...

Goodbye to misery.(THE LAST WORD)(Column)
March 1, 2009... "Misery loves company."--John Ray, English naturalist (1627-1705) John Ray is credited with this adage, although there is evidence that this proverb dates back to Publilius Syrus, a first-century B.C. writer. The age of this truism is...

Made in America.(FROM THE EDITOR)
March 1, 2009... Keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States is obviously a priority, but it must be done carefully. Like many industries today, machine vision is not a local business. Technology allows easy access to people and products worldwide. It...

Automated Imaging Association announces 2009-2010 Board.(NEWS)(appointments)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Automated Imaging Association (AIA) announced its newly elected board of directors for 2009-2010 at its annual business conference in San Diego. Michael Cyros, president of Allied Vision...

Edmund Optics appoints vice president of European operations.(NEWS)(Thomas Kessler)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... KARLSRUHE, GERMANY -- Dr. Thomas Kessler has joined Edmund Optics, supplier of industrial optics and optical components, as vice president, European operations, operating from the company's offices in Karlsruhe, Germany. Kessler is responsible...

Leadership change at Erhardt + Leimer.(NEWS)(appointment of Udo Skarke)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... DUNCAN, SC -- Erhardt + Leimer, provider of system solutions and process control equipment to Web-based industries, has announced the appointment of Udo Skarke as chief executive officer of its North American headquarters in Duncan, SC. Skarke...

Navitar hires regional sales manager.(NEWS)(Patrick Buve)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ROCHESTER, NY -- Navitar, supplier of optics, optomechanical subassemblies and optoelectronic systems, announces the appointment of Patrick Buve as regional sales manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Buve...

Point Grey Research announces distributor in Taiwan.(NEWS)(Apo Star Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... RICHMOND, CANADA -- Point Grey Research Inc., maker of digital camera systems, has announced the appointment of machine vision camera distributor Apo Star Co. Ltd. as its sole distributor in Taiwan. Headquartered in Taipei City, Apo Star...

Braintech opens Detroit office.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... MCLEAN, VA -- Braintech Inc., designer, developer and implementor of software and peripherals for vision-guided robotics systems, opened an office in Detroit in early January that houses its U.S. engineering, sales and development center and...

Applied Vision recognized for growth.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... AKRON, OH -- Applied Vision Corp., supplier of machine vision inspection equipment, has been honored with the Weatherhead 100 award as one of the fastest growing companies in the Northeast Ohio region. Widely considered the most influential...

Allied Vision introduces software partner program.(NEWS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... STADTRODA, GERMANY -- Allied Vision Technologies (AVT), a maker of cameras for machine vision applications, has launched the AVT Certified Vision Software Partner Program. This cooperative effort connects the camera manufacturer with selected...

Secure vision: smart security cameras offer an old industry a new way into some machine vision applications.(INTEGRATION CORNER)(Column)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I got my first job in machine vision at a company called Control Automation in 1984. I had just graduated from college and like many a good mechanical engineer with an interest in software, I wanted to go to work in...

Simple software: ease-of-use is key for machine vision applications.(MACHINE VISION 101)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is possible to look at a vendor's specifications and verify that a machine vision system's hardware meets the application's needs. However, vision software specifications are not as easy to determine because each...

Understanding Camera interfaces: various camera interfaces are available today, each with unique specifications.(CAMERA INTERFACES)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Camera interface standards--including analog, Camera Link, Fire Wire, USB and Gigabit Ethernet (GigE)--all provide features suited to different applications. There is no perfect one-size-fits-all solution, so...

Image capturing on the cheap: by installing frame grabbers into high performance computer systems, machine vision systems have reduced the cost of inspection, measurement and quality control.(FRAME GRABBERS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Frame grabbers are plug-in boards for a computer's expansion slots that take camera image data and convert the data to a computer's bus format. They have connectors for cables that attach to machine vision cameras....

Accelerate processing performance: acceleration is the key to improved processing performance.(IMAGING)(Statistical data)
March 1, 2009... The continual increase in processing power has allowed the machine vision industry to push performance boundaries. Machine vision users also are demanding more from their applications including acquiring more, processing more and analyzing...

Making a million flawless parts.(CASE STUDY)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Meister Group is a Belgian industrial group that largely caters to the automobile market. With factories in Belgium, France and the Czech Republic, Meister specializes in the mass production of cut steel parts....

CMOS camera.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The CleverDragon CSC12M25BMP19 is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based camera with a 12-megapixel, 1.9-inch CMOS monochrome progressive scan sensor. The camera can be used by OEMs and system...

High-speed video imaging.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Fastcam MC2 is a high-speed video imaging system incorporating two camera heads. Designed specifically for production line and automation faultfinding, the camera has a global electronic shuttering rate from 20...

5-megapixel camera.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A 5-megapixel progressive scan camera equipped with a Camera Link interface is available in two versions, the BM-500CL (monochrome) and BB-500CL (raw Bayer color). Both models are built around the Sony ICX625...

GigE camera.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The TXG14-fast digital camera can provide up to 30 full frames per second (fps). The 1.4-megapixel Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) camera was designed for fast processes that also require high resolution. The camera has a...

Modular camera.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Stingray has two FireWire IEEE 1394b interfaces for daisy chain multip camera operation. Available options are either two copper connections with screw-type connector for a connection of up to 20 meters, or a...

Intelligent cameras.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2009... The Impact T3X Series of intelligent cameras, along with the bundled Impact software suite, is available for industrial imaging applications. The series, available in a range of image resolutions, offers onboard image processing, real-time...