Quality articles from May 2004

Quality archives from May 2004

Do you believe in Baldrige?(From The Editor)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" The answer "practice, practice, practice." Likewise, the best way to get to Washington, D.C., for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is, "quality, quality, quality." Don't ask me how I scored an...

Coming events.(Industry News)(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... JUNE * Lean Leadership, Novi, MI, June 1. Lean Learning Center, (248) 478-1480. * Product Safety & Liability Prevention, Chicago, June 3-4. Goodden Enterprises LLC, (262) 594-5198. * Introduction to Six Sigma, Detroit, June 7-8....

Bush calls quality winners 'confidence builders'.(Industry News)
May 1, 2004... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- More than 400 people crowded a ballroom in Washington, D.C., on March 9. In contrast to the mood one might expect when the President of the United States, the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Education appear to...

Scientific Instruments Co. (Edgewater. CO) has partnered with Carl Zeiss MicroImaging Int. (Thornwood, NY) to sell and support Zeiss microscope.(Business News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Scientific Instruments Co. (Edgewater. CO) has partnered with Carl Zeiss MicroImaging Int. (Thornwood, NY) to sell and support Zeiss microscope and image analysis products in the western United States.

R&R Sales. (Grand Haven, MI), in a collaborative effort with IronCAD LLC (Atlanta), has released FixtureBuilder, a software product to be used with R&R's Rayco Modular Fixturing.(Business News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... R&R Sales (Grand Haven, MI), in a collaborative effort with IronCAD LLC (Atlanta), has released FixtureBuilder, a software product to be used with R&R's Rayco Modular Fixturing. The program is a 3-D fixture modeling add-on that is fully...

A.K. Stamping Co. Inc.(International Organization for Standardization)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... A.K. Stamping Co. Inc. (Mountainside, NJ) has achieved ISO 9001: 2000 registration.

Hernon Manufacturing.(International Organization for Standardization)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Hernon Manufacturing (Orlando, FL) has achieved ISO 9001: 2000 certification.

Kistler Instrument (Amherts, NY), a sensor and instrumentation manufacturer, and National Instruments (Austin, TX), a provider of virtual instrumentation, have agreed to a marketing alliance to mutually support plug-and-play sensors compliant with IEEE P1451.4.(Business News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Kistler Instrument (Amherts, NY), a sensor and instrumentation manufacturer, and National Instruments (Austin, TX), a provider of virtual instrumentation, have agreed to a marketing alliance to mutually support plug-and-play sensors compliant...

Beta LaserMike.(received patent for snap technology software)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Beta LaserMike (Dayton, OH), a manufacturer of precision measurement and control systems, has received a patent for the snap technology software contained within the UltraScan DSP ultrasonic wall thickness measurement system. Used by...

Johann A. Krause Machinefabrik GmbH.(named its supplier)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Johann A. Krause Machinefabrik GmbH (Bremen, Germany), a supplier of assembly and test systems for the automotive industry, has named Cognex Corp. (Natick, MA) as its worldwide supplier of machine-vision systems.

Valenite (Madison Heights, MI) announced a new team of product and technology managers for its line of industrial cutting tools.(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Valenite (Madison Heights, MI) announced a new team of product and technology managers for its line of industrial cutting tools. The product managers include: Kurt Ludeking, parting, threading and grooving; Prasad Boppana, turning; Darrell...

Dresser Instruments.(John T. McKenna appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... John T. McKenna has been appointed president of Dresser Instruments, a business unit of Dresser Inc. (Dallas).

Winsert Inc.(Daniel Kippola appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Daniel Kippola has been appointed director of quality for Winsert Inc. (Marinette, WI), a manufacturer of cast and machined valve seat inserts.

Cohesia.(John F. Howaniec appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... John F. Howaniec has been appointed chief executive officer of Cohesia (Cincinnati). Cohesia is a product lifecycle management and collaboration company for product and component manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive and material...

SME names new president.(Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Richard C. Peters)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... DEARBORN, MI -- Richard C. Peters was named the 2004 president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). As SME's president, Peters' goals are to strengthen the core engagement opportunities and foster more member involvement. "SME is...

Mitutoyo celebrates 70 years.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... UTSUNOMIYA CITY, JAPAN -- Since 1934, when Mitutoyo began its operations with the vision of domestically manufacturing micrometers, the company has created various types of precision measuring equipment to respond to the industry's...

PMA commends house committee for hearing.(Industry News)(The Precision Metal-forming Association.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... CLEVELAND -- The Precision Metal-forming Association (PMA) praised House Small Business Committee Chairman Donald Manzullo for holding a hearing to probe the reasons behind the rapid raw material price increases being experienced by U.S....

Meld quality to manufacturing: meld quality and manufacturing for great results.(probing the limits)
May 1, 2004... For more than 10 years at my current company, my title was vice president of manufacturing and quality manager. Traditionally, manufacturing managers are portrayed as the guys trying to shove product out the door and quality managers are...

Don't 'shop' calibration: in the effort to save costs, manufacturers may end up paying for poor calibration decisions.(other dimensions)
May 1, 2004... Many gage and measurement tool users put their product quality at considerable risk in their efforts to save money. Senior managers often issue cost-cutting edicts without fully realizing what effect it might have on the gages that help them...

Defining optical measurement: optical measurement ensures that processes are under control and that parts are within specification.(Quality 101)
May 1, 2004... It is common to hear "optical inspection and measurement," but is that one thing, or two separate processes? Optical inspection usually means visually observing a part to look for imperfections or inconsistencies with the desired outcome....

Internal enemies.(Quality Brain Teasers)
May 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...

Thickness measured in many ways: from measuring the part nondestructively to cutting it up, coating thicknesses can be measured in many ways.(Quality Measurement)
May 1, 2004... A variety of recognized methods can be used to determine the thickness of organic coatings. The method employed in a specific situation is most often determined by the type of coating and substrate, the thickness range of the coating, the size...

It's quality time!
May 1, 2004... Quality Expo Detroit 2004, June 9 to 10, in convenient Novi, MI, is your most efficient, hands-on way to see a full range of the latest quality-related technologies and services, and gain the ideas and solutions you need to improve your...

Zero defects is the Finish Line: a NASCAR engine development engineer gears up to talk about quality and success.(Keynote Speaker)
May 1, 2004... Zero defects. For some it is the holy grail of quality; for others it is a difficult--if not impossible--level to reach in the fast pace of the factory floor. For a few others, zero defects is not a goal; it is not a pipe dream; it is a...

At the center of quality: spotlighting the ideas, solutions, products and companies that impact our industry.
May 1, 2004... ideas Making Quality Improvement Easy Today's quality improvement projects are more complex than ever. They need to be rooted in an analysis of hard data and produce measurable results, yet many of the professionals implementing...

Business improvement services.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... This company provides business improvement services through the transfer and application of knowledge, has trained more than 200,000 people worldwide and provided specialized on-site training and consulting to thousands of companies....

Measurement system for microhardness testers.(Show Products)
May 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...

Thread checker.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed as a go/no go tool, ThreadChecker can discriminate between a threaded and an unthreaded hole and provide a switched output. It offers reliable and repeatable, high-speed thread detection for nearly all thread specifications. Two sensor...

Inspection and measurement system.(Show Products)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Optiflex QCZ-2000 Granite Z series inspection and measurement system is a compact and easy-to-use turnkey system with features including color video, quality zoom optics and the new Metronics QC200 Series Geometric Measure-ment DRO now...

Gaging systems.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The company designs and builds complete gaging systems for applications including manually-loaded gage fixtures and fully automated gaging systems. Standard products allow the capture of most measurement features, both contact and noncontact...

Fixturing system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The CARFIT modular fixturing system for inspection incorporates all of the features of a dedicated fixture using standard modular components. The frame-based system is suitable for high volume manufacturing, pilot production, master checking...

Vision measurement system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The SmartScope Flash measurement system's XYZ travel is 20 inches by 18 inches by 8 inches. The system's optical assembly moves in the X-axis across an angled steel crossbeam while the part moves in the Y axis on a precision servo-driven stage....

Coating thickness gage.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The PosiTector 6000 gage measures coating thickness on ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It has two-button operation and does not require calibration for most applications. Specialty features include average zero for rough substrates, automatic...

Surface analyzer.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Formtracer CS-Series measuring system measures form/contour and surface roughness from a single trace of the work-piece. It analyzes the data with Formtracepak software and prints a report. The system comes in two configurations. The...

Video measurement system.(Show Products)
May 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...

Management training.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... A comprehensive program of training courses, workshops and seminars covering every aspect relating to the understanding and implementation of a management system is offered. Class offerings range from single-day introductory courses to five-day...

Video measurement.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Benchmark 300 is a benchtop system with a 12 inch by 12 inch by 6 inch measuring range. It features advanced optics, illumination, available through-the-lens laser and image processing capabilities. It can be used for product design and...

3-D fixture creation.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... FixtureBuilder software enables users to build a fixture setup from the company's catalog of components and base plates. Users can drag a component from the catalog and snap it into position. The software automatically builds a list of...

Laser scanner.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Laser ScanArm is a seven-axis contact/noncontact measurement device with a fully integrated laser scanner. The ScanArm's hard probe and laser scanner work interchangeably without having to remove either component. It does not require a...

Length measuring system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The DMS 680, O-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...

Laser gap gun.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Gap Gun, a handheld laser gage, provides instant data on gap and mismatch between adjacent panels. The non-contact system is portable and lightweight. Gap and step information is displayed directly on the unit. Information also is displayed...

X-ray inspection system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The MU2000 Radioscopic X-ray Inspection System is used for off-line inspection of light-metal die castings, turbine engine parts, steel components, plastics and ceramics. It requires minimum floor space and its C-arm manipulator, bi-parting...

Portable CMM.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Sigma portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) arm combines a strong mechanical design with a light weight that starts at 10 pounds. It features high-resolution encoders and miniaturized electronics. It is Ethernet capable and has its...

Microindentation/Vickers tester.(Show Products)
May 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...

SPC.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The WinSPC C/S V1.70 statistical process control software package has new capabilities including: dynamic plant monitoring, which has a dashboard screen to monitor all data collection operations; simplified data entry form that enables users to...

Data management.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... GDM-3D tracks improvements in overall quality while graphically identifying and statistically analyzing areas of improvements. It allows users to import and read data from any measurement device. Raw data can be reported and analyzed as it...

Universal testers.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Autograph AG-IS Series of universal testers range in capacity from 1 newton to 250 kilonewtons. An extended column and wider frame are optional. Operation control options include PC control, an integrated touch panel for the MO Model, and a...

Measurement uncertainty calculator.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Uncertainty Toolbox for Microsoft Excel is an Excel plug-in tool for calculating measurement uncertainty. QUAMETEC Corp. (810) 225-8588 Booth #438 Reply 122

CMM fixture accessories.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... A new line of fixturing kits and components for coordinate measuring machine (CMM) applications has been introduced. The line includes soft-touch clamps that were designed specifically for CMM applications. CMM fixture plates come in standard...

X-ray analyzer.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The X-MET 3000TX uses X-ray tube technology to analyze alloys in the field, in the laboratory or in production facilities. The handheld unit can be used to analyze environmental samples for hazardous heavy metals. The analyzer enables grade...

Statistical process control.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Monitoring and Alerting Server (MAS) software centralizes and automates the monitoring of process and product parameters. It simultaneously monitors many critical parameters and provides summaries to personnel based on their...

AS9120 registrar.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... AS9120 is the aerospace quality management standard that requires distributors to be externally audited. All phases of manufacturing require hundreds of commodity items such as fasteners, bearings, seals and wire that ultimately are placed on...

Noncontact surface finish analyzer.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Tropel LaserCheck surface finish analyzer uses laser-scattering to determine the roughness of materials such as glass, ceramic, plastic, metal and magnetic media. It makes several measurements per second and is noncontact. A handheld...

Inspection machine.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Witness Series 100 Flexible Inspection Machine is designed to inspect and sort many products using digital vision-based technology. It features quick changeover and simple programming. The machine is able to measure to within 0.001 of an...

Business scorecard system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Vital Metrics Business Scorecard System is a measurement and graphical scorecard software package that adds to management decision-making capabilities and corporate communication. It can identify and quantify inefficiencies in real time,...

DOE software.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Design-Expert 6.0 software for design of experiments reveals vital factors in products or processes and the interactions between them. The software simultaneously analyzes dozens of responses to find and display the best one. Tools for...

Failure mode and effects analysis.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Quality Plus Version 3.0 links design failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), design verification plans, process FMEAs and controls plans. The new version allows users to develop a system FMEA for a system comprised of multiple products and...

Web-based quality analysis.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Statit e-QC software combines interactive Web technologies with statistical quality analysis techniques to transform company intranets and extranets into quality control systems with Web-enabled strategic analysis functions. A standard Web...

Infrared camera.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The FUR ThermaCAM P60 infrared camera records onboard infrared radiometric and visible digital images and enables the user to link them to each other. It features a removable remote control handle and LCD screen, and can record both audio and...

Coating measurement gage.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The CMI100 Series coating measurement gage is a portable gage that packs electronics, probe and back lit display into one unit. It is battery-operated and weighs 2.3 ounces. It comes in both eddy current and magnetic induction models. Four...

Inspection laboratory.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The inspection laboratory is A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. Inspection services are done in a 1,000-squarefoot, climate-controlled inspection lab. Inspection services are performed on contact, noncontact, laser and portable CMM inspection...

Portable air gage.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Micro-Dimensionair portable air gage uses a Micro-Maxum Digital Indicator and an interchangeable handle to provide readouts at the measurement site. The digital dial on the gage rotates 270 degrees. The unit features a fixed resolution,...

Gage block comparator.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Fienmess EMP 25 gage block comparator was designed to increase productivity while decreasing costs and maintaining accuracy. In gage calibration, maintaining reference standards can be costly and the unit can help reduce the standards...

Ultrasonic flaw detector.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The EPOCH 4PLUS is a digital ultrasonic flaw detector that combines flaw detection and measurement capabilities, data storage, and the ability to transfer inspection data to a PC via a USB port. It has a multi-color LCD and the Dynamic Waveform...

Roughness measuring system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Automotive Roughness measuring system checks the surfaces and contours of engine components. It is an automated, computer numerical controlled (CNC) system that can help users meet tolerances to microns for meting parts. The system, which...

Rockwell hardness tester.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Clark CLC-200R Rockwell type tester allows users to test products in all Rockwell scales, regular and superficial. The touch-screen system does not use knobs or stack weights. It has a userfriendly interface and an entire test cycle ...

Calibrate leak testers.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... An advanced method to define leak tightness, the equivalent channel standard is used to correlate and calibrate leak testers through a controlled micro channel. ATC Inc. (317) 328-8492 Booth #343 Reply 142 [ILLUSTRATION...

Compliance management.(Show Products)
May 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...

Measuring instrument.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The laser-based Labmaster Universal was developed for gage calibration laboratories that need to precisely measure length, outside diameter, inside diameter, pitch diameter, linear displacement and thickness. The system can measure gage blocks,...

Statistical analysis software.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... qs-STAT, a statistical software analysis tool, allows users to drill down into different process issues, identifying and resolving problems with the measurement system, machines or processes. The Windows-based program can be configured to...

Leak and flow testers.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... A complete range of instruments helps meet production quality testing requirements. New technical developments contribute to improved measurement, stability, speed, repeatability and testing capacity. Advanced user interface has a graphical...

Quality control software.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... InfinityQS SPC 2004 gives manufacturers the ability to enforce stricter quality control measures and minimize human error. New enhancements include lot genealogy tracking and reporting to merge complete lot traceability with advanced...

Eddy current testing.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The eddylinerP tests components to verify correct material properties from heat treatment including hardness, case depth and pattern, and retained austenite. It is used to identify material mix and correct alloy, confirm sinter density and...

Motorized torque tester.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Typical applications of the TSTM motorized torque test stand include material testing, spring testing, bottle cap testing, torque-tool calibration, fastener testing and product-integrity testing. The unit can test up to 100 pound-inches of...

Shopfloor solutions.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Shopfloor Online allows operators to take control of their processes. The system provides clear feedback with easy to interpret charts and alarms. The system can interface with special gaging for data entry and can be integrated with ERP...

Color changing comparator display.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... When used with a linear gage sensor, the color changing digital gage display allows the operator to easily see if a part is in or out of tolerance. The unit is compatible with more than a dozen linear gage sensors to fill a variety of...

Process controller.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The two-channel 5863A CoMo Net process controller for DIN rail mounting is operated by a standard Web browser via the Ethernet on a PC or Web terminal. The unit accepts sensor data and can be adjusted to control and monitor a variety of...

Assembly press.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Great White is a stand-alone computer numeric controlled electro-mechanical assembly press and test machine for use in the lab and plant-floor assembly operations. The machine has a 27,000-pound capacity. Applications include a variety of...

Horizontal beam comparator.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The 3700 Series 14-inch horizontal beam comparator has a 5-inch by 20-inch nickel-plated stage with 100-pound load capacity. Other features include 12-inch X-axis and 6-inch Y-axis travel, 0.00005 inch/0.001 inch precision glass scales, quick...

Hardware upgrade.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... Ethernet support is available for the nondestructive testing application using the Resonant Acoustic Method based on the SDC003 LanSharc hardware platform with the NDT-LAN2 option. With no part preparation, the technique identifies internal and...

Videoscope.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The extended length 6-millimeter videoscope offers group viewing, sharp images, easy recording and online transmission from areas only accessible through small openings. The unit's design allows for one-hand use and finger-tip control of...

Virtual instrumentation.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... LabView 7.1 continues to advance automated instrumentation for hardware platforms ranging from high-performance modular instruments to real-time data acquisition systems and handheld devices. The system delivers data-acquisition functionality...

Inspection and sorting system.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The G-100 washer inspection system incorporates laser, eddy current and vision technology. A variety of washers can be inspected and sorted at rates exceeding 300 parts per minute. The machine uses lasers for flatness, vision for hole diameter...

In-process grinding gage.(Show Products)
May 1, 2004... The Model 66 in-process grinding gage has a three-year warranty along with quick setup to minimize part changeover time and a slip-clutch mechanism to reduce maintenance costs. Gages are available for most production grinders including...