Quality articles from November 2002

Quality archives from November 2002

Choices. (From The Editor).(customers have developed an attitude about the availability of choices)(Column)
November 1, 2002... There is a new television commercial, and, to be frank, I'm not even certain what product is being marketed. It was the concept that I noticed. In the commercial, a customer is deciding what color car he wants. First he chooses red, then no, he...

Six Sigma strategies equate to new roles: Six Sigma advocates wear many hats. (Training Trends).(training for quality)
November 1, 2002... A company's quality mission of Six Sigma can be a noble pursuit of process perfection--an achievement that can entail significant cost and performance benefits. But, in the Six Sigma world, there are levels of perfection. Belden Electronics, a...

Simply a step. (Quality Mailbag).
November 1, 2002... Dear Editor, I can see how ISO-9000 could be viewed as negative if that's the place at which a company chooses to stop progressing. The ISO-9000 standard and certification process should not be viewed as an end state; it is simply a...

Can't believe some requirements. (Quality Mailbag).
November 1, 2002... Dear Editor, I read your article about ISO in the latest issue of Quality. I've been in the Quality field since 1977. My background is mostly nuclear. I've been with a company that just went through the 2000 ISO Certification and I can't...

ISO not easy. (Quality Mailbag).
November 1, 2002... Dear Editor, I believe that our company is part of a very small minority of registered companies that has benefited from an ISO 9000 registration--but it certainly was not easy or without high cost. During the implementation process, we...

Deeply disappointed in ISO attacks. (Quality Mailbag).
November 1, 2002... Dear Editor, Your siren's call for the silent majority of ISO 9000 supporters to speak out has gripped my fingers with a compulsion to write my first letter to a trade magazine. During my 30 plus years as a technician, engineer and manager...

Coming events.
November 1, 2002... DECEMBER * Implementing an ISO 9001:2000 QMS, Somerset, NJ, Dec. 2-3. Stat-A-Matrix Institute, (800) 472-647Z * IRCA Certified ISO 9001:2000 40-hour Lead Auditor Training, Denver, Dec. 2-6. Cavendish Scott Inc., (888) 857-7002. *...

Project could save auto industry a billion dollars annually. (Industry News).(the Automotive Industry Action Group tests a new technology)
November 1, 2002... The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has successfully tested new technology that allows automakers and suppliers to share previously incompatible product data files used to design auto components. The AIAG says the technology plays a big...

Roper Industries, parent company of Uson L.P. (Houston) has acquired The Qualitek Group (Cambridge, UK). (Business News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Roper Industries, parent company of Uson L.P. (Houston) has acquired The Qualitek Group (Cambridge, UK). The combination of the two companies forms a larger and more comprehensive leak test company.

Retlif Testing Laboratories. (Business News).(is adding another 3,000 square feet of space)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... An additional 3,000-square-feet will accommodate new and expanded testing capabilities, including shock, vibration and climate testing.

Omnex (Ann Arbor, MI) has formed a strategic alliance with Efficient Quality Services (Southfield, MI). (Business News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Omnex (Ann Arbor, MI) has formed a strategic alliance with Efficient Quality Services (Southfield, MI). The alliance adds a range of services to the Omnex family, including quality engineering and design services, containment and plant...

X-Rite Inc. (Business News).(launches a leasing program with GE Capital Vendor Financial Services)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... X-Rite Inc. (Grandville, MI), a provider of color-critical and light-measurement systems, has launched a leasing program with GE Capital Vendor Financial Services. Under the program, customers will have a variety of purchase options and payment...

Sun-Tec. (Business News).(moves to a larger site in Novi, Michigan)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Sun-Tec has moved to a larger facility in Novi, MI. The new facility houses offices, an accredited laboratory and larger production area.

E-C Enterprise Inc. (Grand Rapids, MI) has been awarded a deburring. (Business News).(Visteon hires E-C Enterprise Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... E-C Enterprise Inc. (Grand Rapids, MI) has been awarded a deburring, inspection and packaging project by Visteon (Dearborn, MI)

Edax Edax Inc. (Mahwah, NJ), a provider of X-ray analysis, X-ray fluorescene and electron diffraction instrumentation. (Business News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Edax Inc (Mahwah, NJ) a provider of X-ray analysis, X-ray fluorescene and electron diffraction instrumentation, has signed an agreement with Parallax Research Inc. (Tallahassee, FL), a provider of X-ray optic technologies, to develop and market...

TigerStop. (Business News).(opens a 1,500-sq-ft training facility)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... TigerStop (Vancouver, WA), a manufacturer of automated positioning systems, opened a 1,500-square-foot, on-site training facility and certified its 100th trainee. New sales representatives for the company undergo a two-day sales training...

Indigo Systems Corp. (Business News).(secures $17.6 million in financing)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Indigo Systems Corp., a manufacturer of high performance infrared cameras and technology, has secured $17.6 million in financing from The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm. The investment will help Indigo deliver its products at...

The ETL SEMKO Div. of Intertek Testing Services (Boxborough, MA) has assumed ownership of the Consumers' Association Research and Testing Centre. (Business News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The ETL SEMKO Div. of intertek Testing Services (Boxborough, MA) has assumed ownership of the Consumers' Association Research and Testing Centre (Milton Keyes, UK), a consumer product performance testing and research facility.

Raytheon's Reliability Analysis Laboratory. (Business News).(expands its electronic component analysis)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Raytheon's Reliability Analysis Laboratory (Lexington, MA) has expanded its electronic component analysis services to include more detailed investigations in the areas of material characterization, nondestructive test and evaluation, and...

Ford revamping to improve quality. (Industry News).(Ford launches a five-year restructuring plan in order to improve quality)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2002... Ford's well-known slogan, Quality is Job 1, took a beating the past couple of years as quality gaffes and product recalls hurt business and damaged its reputation. But, the company is looking to improve quality with more efficient plants and...

ei3 Corp. (People News).(promotes James Rooney to vice president)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... James Rooney has been promoted to vice president of sales at ei3 Corp. (Montvale, NJ).

DataFlux Corp. (People News).(names Wally Maczka as director of corporate public relations)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Wally Maczka has been appointed director of corporate public relations at DataFlux Corp. (Cary, NC).

Newall Electronics Inc. (People News).(names Michael Hartman as district sales manager)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Michael Hartman was named district sales manager for Newall Electronics Inc. (Columbus, OH).

Powerway Inc. (People News).(names Stephen M. Walukas to its board of directors)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Stephen M. Walukas, vice president of global supplier quality for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands at DaimlerChrysler, has joined the board of directors at Powerway Inc. (Indianapolis).

A&D Weighing. (People News).(appoints Joel Jurasinski as business development manager)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Joel Jurasinski has been appointed business development manager at A&D Weighing (Milpitas, CA), He is responsible for southern region sales and channel development.

QMI. (People News).(promotes Wendy Tilford to president)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Wendy Tilford has been promoted to president of QMI (Toronto).

Trumpf Inc. (People News).(names Burke Doar as a vice president)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Burke Doar has been named vice president of Trumpf Inc.'s (Farmington, CT) newly created customer services division.

Flow Technology. (People News).(Andy Dieball appointment)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Andy Dieball has been named international sales manager at Flow Technology (Phoenix).

Nikon launches new business divisions. (Industry News).(Nikon Instruments Inc. )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Nikon Instruments Inc. (Melville, NY), a manufacturer of precision optics, has formed two new business divisions--Microscopy Sales and Microscopy Product/Marketing. The new divisions are part of the Instruments Group and will combine the...

Auto suppliers losing billions in sales opportunities. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Major auto suppliers are successful in winning new business only 25% of the time, and if this rate is improved by 5%, they could gain close to $700 million in revenue. The study, "Automotive Suppliers and the Revenue Acquisition Process:...

American Society for Quality (ASQ). (Association News).(Mohammad A.H. Kahn appointment)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Mohammad A.H. Kahn has been named a Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), one of the highest honors the association can bestow on its members. To attain the rank of Fellow, a candidate must achieve distinction in his or her...

Consumer satisfaction rises slightly. (Industry News).(manufactured goods satisfaction)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Consumers are slightly more satisfied with major manufactured goods this year than they were in 2001, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) produced by the University of Michigan Business School's National Quality...

Manufacturers not as optimistic. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Manufacturing continues to suffer, according to the Precision Metalforming Association's September 2002 Business Conditions Report. When asked to predict the trend of general economic activity for the next three months, 20% of the 189...

Associations seeking nominations. (Industry News).(Robotic Industries Association and the Automated Imagining Association seeks moninations for 2003 award)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The Robotic Industries Association and the Automated Imagining Association are seeking nominations for the Robots & Vision User Recognition Program. Presented biennially at the International Robots & Vision Show, the award honors end-user...

Suppliers hopeful despite low IMTS numbers. (Industry News).
November 1, 2002... The latest news in manufacturing reveals a slow recovery from the downturn experienced during the past two years. However, if attendance numbers for IMTS 2002 are an indicator, it is a tentative recovery. According to recently released...

ISI and ASI DataMyte plan merger. (Industry News).(Integral Solutions Inc. )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Integral Solutions Inc. (ISI, Royal Oak, MI), a provider of advanced product quality planning software and a training firm has signed a letter of intent with ASI DataMyte Inc. (Minnetonka, MN) to merge the two companies. Company officials say...

Specifications vs. routine variation. (Brain Teasers).
November 1, 2002... Everyone who has faced a production problem with a need 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...

Affordable Multisensor CMM. (Brain Teasers).
November 1, 2002... The new MarVision[TM] Multiscope 222 3D CMM is ideal for complex measurement tasks. Its multiple sensing technologies are integrated into a compact, benchtop coordinate measuring machine with touch probe, vision and laser sensors. The...

Portable surface measurement. (Brain Teasers).
November 1, 2002... The new Perthometer S2 portable surface measurement system offers the highest mobile measurement accuracy under the most recent standards (DIN, EN, ISO 3274, JIS and ASME B46). Statistical functions for 200 measurements are included, along with...

Powerful, transportable form tester. (Brain Teasers).
November 1, 2002... This new low-cost form tester is an optimal combination of features found in Mahr's Formtester MMQ 10 and the Mahr Federal Formscan[R] 6100 form measurement systems. The MarForm[TM] MMQ 6100 is a light weight system offering the benefits of the...

Near-net forges quality: near-net shape forged gears can be produced at lower costs and better quality. (Innovations).
November 1, 2002... Near-net gears come from the forging press in almost the exact shape of the finished gear. Gear teeth are forged with an envelope of material around the tooth profile, unlike near-net blanks, which are forged cylinders into which the teeth must...

Surface standard set: a new revamped surface standard is set to be approved that incorporates changes in measurement technologies. (Measurement, Test & Inspection).
November 1, 2002... Surface analysis is a key specification, but one, at least according to some members of a surface texture standards committee, that not enough engineers knows enough about. They hope that a newly revised version of the standard will help...

GD&T improves inspection: properly rendered engineering drawings represent the quality professional's incorruptible standard against which to measure the parts. (Software & Analysis).(geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, includes brief corporate directory)(Directory)
November 1, 2002... A working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is necessary if engineers want to truly understand the designer's intent, and therefore plan accurate and appropriate inspection of the product the drawing represents. As part...

Make the switch to video: video measurement finds increasing use with those making critical parts. (Controlling The Manufacturing Process).
November 1, 2002... "If you can't check it, you can't make it" says Marcus Young, president of AcuTwist (Ridgway, PA), a cutting tool manufacturer. Young spoke at the International Manufacturing Technology Show 2002 in September. He referred to the fact that...

Assessing the Baldrige Award: on the verge of naming the 2002 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipients, get an inside view of the award process. (Quality Management).
November 1, 2002... Some organizations apply for awards, quality or otherwise, just to hang another certificate on the wall. Some do it to add another logo or tag line to their letterhead or advertising slogan. These companies often miss the true value of the...

CMM locks-in inspection productivity. (Case Studies).(Wilson Bohannan Co. uses coordinate measuring machine for quality control)
November 1, 2002... If asked what would be the most likely method for inspecting 0.111-inch hole diameters and the locations of a padlock, would a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) be the answer? Probably not. But based on limited options, careful...

Software tracks gages by the Thousands. (Case Studies).
November 1, 2002... Manufacturers need help to manage their gages. With standards such as QS-9000, which is being replaced by TS 16949, and ISO 17025, tracking gages has never been more important. Whether at the OEM level or all the way down to the Tier Three...

Image analysis helps develop products. (Case Studies).( Black & Decker uses turnkey image analysis system )
November 1, 2002... Prior to the introduction of automated image-analysis systems, lab operators often had to rely on expensive film-based methods of documenting and analyzing images. Typically, a lab would only take a limited number of pictures because of film...

Profile scanner. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The Profile Scanner PS200 is an optical measuring instrument for 2-D and 3-D contour measurement and analysis. It acquires surface features reliably by visualizing the surface shape, which helps to obtain tangible information on the function...

Surface and form measurement. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The MarSurf LD120 combines roughness and contour measurements into a single, integrated system. It is a single drive unit that incorporates a laser interferometer within the gage. The LD120 has a traversing length of up to 120 millimeters. It...

CAD/CAM software. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The Mastercam Version 9 CAD/CAM software for 3-Axis multi-surface and solids machines features smart hybrid remachining (SHR). The SHR function generates a toolpath that automatically cuts the areas a larger tool cannot reach. Smart Hybrid...

Thermal sensing. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The NTC Thermistors feature an operating temperature range of -50 to 110 C and are available in all resistance-temperature curve materials. It has a temperature precision of [+ or -] 0.3 C. Resistance values at 25 C are available from 1 to 47K...

Cylindrical grinder. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The 1300X microprocessor controlled cylindrical grinder has Universal and Plain wheelhead configurations. It has a touch key panel and electronic hand wheels for both X and Z axes. The universal wheelhead includes independent external and...

Calibration software. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Met/Temp temperature probe calibration software records data simultaneously from as many as 12 probes or temperature switches. Operators can enter up to 15 temperature calibration points, as well as control operations, test parameters, program...

X-ray system. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Digitome is a digital automated radiography system generating continuous volumetric image data by acquiring multiple digital X-ray images. It can do internal component location, precision part measurement and flaw characterization. The system...

Noncontact measurement system. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Pinnacle is a noncontact measurement system with direct drive, brushless linear and rotary motors for fast acceleration and high velocity positioning. The system has repeatability of 0.5 micron at 3 Sigma and X, Y and Z positioning resolution...

Automated inspection stations. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... EZ Vision FlexCells are automated inspection and vision guidance stations. These stations include a 14C Cognex-based machine vision system with a customer and application specific industrial robot. The system can be used for fixture-less...

Leak monitoring software. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... S-3085 software monitors leak testing tools. The software reports test parameters, dynamic test data, statistics, and final accept and reject status. It stores the last 100 tests for recall display, printout, statistical calculations or output...

Force calibrator. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Dead Weight Force Calibrator has an uncertainty better than 0.002%. The calibrator is available in capacities from 50 pounds per foot to 120,000 pounds per foot. Calibrations can be done in tension and compression. Weights are applied directly...

Vibration analysis platform. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... VirTe 3000 does sound and vibration applications. The platform includes the Model 2900B real-time analyzer and DNA software. The unit measures sound power, acoustic intensity and mapping, materials testing, transient analysis, building...

Test and analysis system. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The 300 series of industrial tests systems uses InspeXion software for in-process and end-of-line testing, process monitoring and quality verification. It uses redundant drives and power supplies and is designed for continuous operation on the...

Turning lathe. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Omega 60 multipurpose CNC vertical turning lathe has a 43.25-inch chuck, 53-inch turning diameter and 59-inch maximum swing. The lathe has a 75 horsepower table spindle motor with 5,500 pounds of maximum cutting force and a table spindle speed...

Probe software. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... UV Probe software is compatible with UV-2101 and UV-3101 spectrophotometers. The software operates in Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0. It has a multitasking capability that allows operators to set methods, perform manipulations, and create and print...

Surface profilers. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Dektak Series V profilers stylus profiler systems measure 200- and 300-millimeter wafers. These systems have a low inertia sensor that delivers lower noise characteristics, as well as an ultra low stylus force down to 0.03 milligrams. The...

Reliability estimator software. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Field Reliability Estimator Version 1.0 program estimates from all data subsets in order of accumulation. It shows actionable field reliability problems such as infant mortality, warranty expiration returns, preventive maintenance, retirement...

Model manufacturing cell. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Module-Mation manufacturing cells use a reconfigurable column to accommodate an array of applications. The cell accepts a variety of different spindles. Spindle orientation can be vertical, center mount or horizontal side mounted. The module is...

Joint analysis. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... BoltFast, Windows-based bolted joint analysis software, helps engineers determine the fatigue endurance limit of a thread. The software includes a joint analysis program, thread analysis program and torque analysis program. Sensor...

Benchtop scale. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Model 160276 counting scale has a 0.01 pound resolution. The scale weighs and counts small parts to 0.02% accuracy. It includes Tare and Auto Zero tracking functions, a memory function and a stainless steel platform. Operators can select 10,...

Test system operations. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... TestExec SL 4.1 controls test system operations and automates test engineering tasks. The software does test sequencing, limit checking, data logging, and export and ready-to-use operator interface. It works in Windows-based environment. Data...

Temperature logger. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... HumidityLogR temperature and relative humidity data logger records and retains up to 1,000 readings with date and time. The data logger has push button storage and recall, Celsius and Fahrenheit option, minimum and maximum readings, hold...

Tool length probe. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The Z-Nano is an automatic probe for tool length setting and breakage detection. It measures precise linear movements, exact [+ or -] 0.002 millimeter parallelity between measuring face and mounting face, and a minimal, torque-free 2.5 N...

Machining center. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... FP100A bridge-style machining center has a 30 horsepower Cytec AC digital integral spindle motor that powers the spindle from 60 to 20,000 rpm. It has an oil and air mist spindle bearing lubrication system, as well as swivel control panel. The...

Tensile tester. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... MicroTest does tensile, compression, flex, shear, cyclic and fatigue tests on subminiature materials and components. The tester can be used with the Series 5500 or FastTrack 8800 controllers. For monotonic and simple cycle testing, it can be...

Grinder. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... G-1000 double disc grinder maintains tolerances as close as 0.005 millimeter for flatness and parallelism. The grinder uses a plunge cut grinding method that removes stock with plunging disc wheels. The grinder has a linear way system for...

Horizontal machining center. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... H-15 Series 06A horizontal spindle machining center, a three-axis unit, has a traveling column design with a 24- by 29-inch table. The X-axis travel is 24 inches, Y-axis travel is 21 inches and Z-axis travel is 18 inches. Positioning accuracy...

Tachometer. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... With an accuracy of [+ or -] 0.1 rpm, the HT-3100 is a tachometer that provides two measurement modes: a low mode covering 1.5 to 2,000 rpm, and a high mode covering 15 to 10,000 rpm. An alarm warning appears when the measured speed exceeds the...

Mobile Fastening cart. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The Mobile Fastening System II (MFS II) is a portable fastening and torque and angle auditing tool cart used in joint analysis and troubleshooting, prototype component building and testing, and production line repair. The system includes a...

Contoured surface testing. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Model 5700 linear abraser tests contoured surfaces. It has adjustable stroke length, speed, load and a wide selection of abradant materials to customize test parameters. The abraser has a free-floating head that follows the contour of each...

Stereomicroscope. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The MZ16A stereomicroscope offers a motorized zoom, automatic and precalibrated measurement functions at every magnification. It has a digital LED displaying these current magnifications in millimeter, inches or mils, and a capacity to image...

Thermometer. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... 65 IR thermometer has shock absorbing hoister and backlit dual-LCD screen. The tool measures from -40 to 932 F and allows manufacturers to measure temperature on hot, electrically live or rotating equipment. Jensen Tools Inc. (800)...

Flaw testers. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... Upset testers are computerized to find surface flaws in rods and bars. The testers have a digital linear position encoder that lists order of magnitude improvement in upset accuracy and repeatability to [+ or -] 0.0015 inch in final height. It...

Vision sensor. (New Products).
November 1, 2002... The Impact vision sensor system has a dedicated processor and sub-pixel software algorithms which allow tasks such as pattern find, blob, edge find, OCV, OCR, gage and contrast sensing. A capture rate of 60 full frames per second can be...

Be part of the solution, not the problem: don't be afraid to take the steps necessary. (Probing The Limits).(Column)
November 1, 2002... I've learned a great deal about how quality professionals feel in the past few months. I've learned that those of us who are frustrated with the issues plaguing the quality profession and impeding our potential contribution to our...

Your source for quality.
November 15, 2002... The Quality 2003 Equipment, Software & Services Buyers Guide is the most comprehensive source available for the products and services needed to improve manufacturing processes. Whether looking for measurement, test or inspection equipment, or...