Quality articles from November 2008

Quality archives from November 2008

Key to safety.(FROM THE EDITOR)(automobile industry)
November 1, 2008... It is amazing what options new automobiles now feature--or will soon feature. For example, Ford Motor Co. will roll out a new feature on 2010 models that can limit teen drivers to 80 mph by using a computer chip in the key. Called MyKey,...

IMTS 2008 deemed a huge success.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(International Manufacturing Technology Show)
November 1, 2008... CHICAGO -- The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2008 has posted its strongest showing since 2000. Total registration for the six-day event, which ran from September 8 to 13, 2008, at McCormick Place in Chicago, was 92,450....

NAM: exports offset housing downturn.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(National Association of Manufacturers )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The one bright spot on the economic horizon for the American worker is U.S. export-led growth and free trade, which are continuing to hold the economy above water, according to the 11th annual Labor Day report of the...

Coming events.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2008... JANUARY 2009 19-22 LEAN SIX SIGMA & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT SUMMIT 2009, Orlando, FL. IQPC, (800) 882-8684. www.site-members.com/Isspi/index.html FEBRUARY 2009 10-12 MEDICAL DESIGN &...

ISO/IAF announce ISO 9001: 2008 implementation schedule.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(International Organization for Standardization)(International Accreditation Forum)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... GENEVA -- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) have agreed on an implementation plan for transition of accredited certification to ISO 9001:2008. ISO 9001:2008, which is...

Shien-Ming Wu Awards conferred.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2008... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Joe Hinrichs, Ford Motor Co.'s group vice president for global manufacturing and labor affairs, and Dwight Carlson, chairman and chief executive officer of Ann Arbor, MI-based Coherix, have received Shien-Ming Wu Awards....

Viking Plastics (Corry, PA), a VPI Acquisition Corp. company and supplier of engineered, injection molded and assembled sealing solutions, received Delphi Corp.'s 2008 Pinnacle Above & Beyond Award for a second consecutive year.(BUSINESS NEWS)(contract between Viking Plastics Inc. and Delphi Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Viking Plastics (Corry, PA), a VPI Acquisition Corp. company and supplier of engineered, injection molded and assembled sealing solutions, received Delphi Corp.'s 2008 Pinnacle Above & Beyond Award for a second consecutive year. Delphi (Troy,...

Applied Vision Corp. (Akron, OH), provider of machine vision inspection systems for the container manufacturing industry, has selected CCH Engineering Ltd. (Cumbria, United Kingdom) as a provider of full-service sales and technical support services for new two-piece container manufacturing lines and plants in Europe and Southeast Asia, including India.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Applied Vision Corp. (Akron, OH), provider of machine vision inspection systems for the container manufacturing industry, has selected CCH Engineering Ltd. (Cumbria, United Kingdom) as a provider of full-service sales and technical support...

Z-Laser Optoelektronik GmbH.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Laser manufacturer Z-Laser Optoelektronik GmbH (Freiburg, Germany) has set up a sales office in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom, with an aim to enhance and expand its customer base. The requirements for industrial laser products in the...

ASI DataMyte Inc. (Plymouth, MN), provider of quality-related data collection, analysis and reporting solutions, and quality planning and control tools, has signed a distributor agreement with Marubeni Information Systems Co. Ltd. (Tokyo).(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2008... ASI DataMyte Inc. (Plymouth, MN), provider of quality-related data collection, analysis and reporting solutions, and quality planning and control tools, has signed a distributor agreement with Marubeni Information Systems Co. Ltd. (Tokyo)....

Mecmesin (West Sussex, United Kingdom), manufacturer of force and torque testing equipment, has announced the opening of an office in Shanghai.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Mecmesin (West Sussex, United Kingdom), manufacturer of force and torque testing equipment, has announced the opening of an office in Shanghai. Mecmesin Shanghai Pte Ltd. has been established to serve this region of industrial and economic...

Faro Technologies Inc.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Faro Technologies Inc. (Lake Mary, FL), manufacturer of portable computer-aided measurement hardware and software, has expanded its operations to Mexico. The company will use the same sales model in Mexico that it uses in the United States and...

FEI Co. (Hillsboro, OR), provider of high-resolution imaging and analysis systems, has selected Shimadzu Corp.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... FEI Co. (Hillsboro, OR), provider of high-resolution imaging and analysis systems, has selected Shimadzu Corp. (Kyoto, Japan), developer of analytical measuring and technology systems, as a sales agent in Japan. Shimadzu will sell FEI systems,...

Jergens Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Eric Van Steenlandt has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Eric Van Steenlandt has been appointed director of sales and marketing for Jergens Inc. (Cleveland). Steenlandt is responsible for all of the company's sales and marketing activities in North America. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

LDPI Lighting.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Kevin Kasmiskle has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Kevin Kasmiskle has been appointed regional sales manager for LDPI Lighting (Eau Claire, WI). Kasmiskie works with independent lighting representatives and OEM partners to market the company's products in the North Central and Northeastern...

W.S. Tyler.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Candace Blaker has been appointed)(Jeff Pope has been appointed)(Bill Conway has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... W.S. Tyler (Mentor, OH) has named Candace Blaker interim customer service supervisor, Jeff Pope manager of particle analysis and industrial screening, and Bill Conway manager of engineering research and development.

Sunnen Products Co.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Tom Dustman has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Tom Dustman has been appointed director of global sales for Sunnen Products Co. (St. Louis). Dustman has been with Sunnen for 29 years and was global manager, premier accounts, prior to his promotion.

Mark Pigott.(PEOPLE NEWS)(winner of Six Sigma & Business Improvement )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Mark Pigott, chairman and chief executive officer of Paccar (Bellevue, WA), has been named the winner of WCBF's (Chicago) Six Sigma & Business Improvement CEO of the Year Award. The award is part of WCBF's greater Global Six Sigma & Business...

TI Automotive.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Thomas Buchholz has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Dr. Thomas Buchholz has been named managing director of TI Automotive's (Warren, MI) European Fluid Carrying Systems business. He will report to Joachim Burkhardt, president of Fluid Carrying Systems and chief operating officer. ...

Zontec Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Alfred D. Tyree has been appointed )(Lisa Hood and William "Clint" Chadwell have been joined )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Zontec Inc. (Cincinnati) has expanded its account team with three new staff members. Alfred D. Tyree, Jr. has been appointed senior account executive, and Lisa Hood and William "Clint" Chadwell have joined as account executives.

Optical Gaging Products Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(William Bill Stickles has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... William "Bill" Stickles joins Optical Gaging Products Inc. (OGP, Rochester, NY) as eastern regional sales manager. Stickles works with the OGP sales channel to maximize sales, customer support and service efforts throughout the Eastern United...

Endevco Corp.(PEOPLE NEWS)(James Rodriguez has been appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... James Rodriguez has been named vice president of engineering for Endevco Corp. (San Juan Capistrano, CA), a Meggitt group company. Rodriguez brings more than 15 years of experience in engineering management, program management and product...

LaserLinc Inc.(PEOPLE NEWS)(Jeff Kohler)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Jeff Kohler has been appointed the director of global sales and marketing for LaserLinc Inc. (Fairborn, OH). Kohler is a co-founder and member of the board of directors of the company and has more than 22 years of experience in noncontact...

ANSI, ACLASS announce joint accreditation programs.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(American National Standards Institute)(ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board)(Assured Calibration and Laboratory Accreditation Select Services )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board--ACLASS brand (ACLASS) have agreed to conduct joint assessments to promote the global recognition of services provided by product...

Survey: lack of skilled workers hurts economy most.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... DEARBORN, MI -- More manufacturing executives today believe the lack of skilled labor and management skills in the work force--not current oil prices or the weak U.S. dollar--most hurt the growth of America's economy, according to a poll...

Sunnen honored by U.S. Department of Commerce.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... CHICAGO -- Manufacturer of honing systems and abrasives Sunnen Products received an Export Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service. The award is presented to companies that have benefited from Commercial...

IQPC'S Lean Six Sigma Improvement Week rolls through Chicago.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(International Quality & Productivity Centre)(Conference notes)
November 1, 2008... CHICAGO -- IQPC's Lean Six Sigma Improvement Week transpired September 16 to 19, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency, McCormick Place, in Chicago. Quality Magazine was on hand as attendees crowded the conference to learn the secrets of a speaker panel...

Lighting the innovation fire: innovation must light the fire in every individual's mind at all levels through awareness, mass education and long-term initiatives.(MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE)(small Business Innovation Research)
November 1, 2008... It occurred to me that most talk on innovation has been about culture change or product development. The real-life stuff happens in manufacturing where we are losing our livelihood faster than we can imagine. It should awaken us now, otherwise...

Calling the shots: the only one who should call the shots when it comes to tolerances on used equipment is the person or company using it.(OTHER DIMENSIONS)(Column)
November 1, 2008... One of the good things about getting items calibrated is the information the process provides. The bad news is some folks don't know how to deal with that information. Far too many buyers of calibration services only scan the reports and, in...

The many faces of automatic gaging: available in a variety of configurations, automatic gaging systems are appropriate for many applications and environments.(QUALITY 101)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Automatic gaging systems often are thought of as dedicated solutions suitable for only long-run, high-volume applications. While that may have been true in the past, today's technology makes it possible to add a...

Misusing trend lines.(BRAIN TEASERS)(production management)
November 1, 2008... 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...

Industrial inspection made easy: whether viewing large or small parts, this camera is suited for a variety of inspection applications.(QUALITY INNOVATIONS)(Linos Photonics Inc. )
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dentistry and metrology have more in common than one might think. In the case of Linos Photonics (Milford, MA), a dental application led to many more uses for its handheld video inspection device (HVID). The...

Everything you need to know before you ask about custom gaging: custom gaging may be one way--or the only way--to meet a manufacturer's needs.(QUALITY MEASUREMENT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These days many people assume only rich men have their suits custom tailored. But as any tailor knows, this is far from the truth. There are many reasons, other than economic, why men--rich or otherwise--have suits...

Fixtures meet need for flexibility: economic uncertainty needs to be met with flexibility. One way to meet this challenge is with modular fixturing.(QUALITY TEST & INSPECTION)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The recent economic climate has been a constant moving target for most individuals and corporations. Increasing fuel costs have promoted most of the automotive OEMs to shift their focus to smaller, more fuel-friendly...

The automated management system: improved quality and the fulfillment of industry, regulatory and customer requirements can be facilitated through the use of ISO conformance software.(QUALITY SOFTWARE & ANALYSIS)(International Organization for Standardization)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A management system built in conformance to an organization's applicable ISO standard can bring a host of benefits. After becoming ISO certified, it is likely that an organization will achieve process improvement,...

Managing outcomes in a lean enterprises: to succeed when launching lean initiatives, manufacturers need to define, manage and control their waste.(QUALITY MANAGEMENT)
November 1, 2008... Competitive pressures compounded by increased customer expectations with respect to quality, service and price, has prompted many businesses to seek creative solutions. These manufacturers are experiencing pressure to provide the lowest total...

Error-proofing fastener assembly.(CASE STUDIES)(Case study)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Star Headlight and Lantern Co. Inc. (Avon, NY) has manufactured warning lights for the railroad and automotive industries for more than 119 years. As the company expanded into new product lines, increased customer...

Video measurement.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Galileo AV1824 video measurement system, the largest in the Galileo line, offers versatility through its multi-sensor measuring capabilities including vision, touch probe and laser scanning. The system provides...

Micromanipulator stage.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The high-precision micromanipulator stage MT 130-50-DC is manufactured from high-strength anodized aluminum. The standard table offers travel of 50 millimeters with positioning accuracy of 10 micrometers,...

Laser scanner.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Photon 80 and Photon 20 belong to a family of 3-D laser scanners that replace the LS 880, 840 and 420, offering clarity, accuracy and portability. The laser scanners are portable, computerized measurement devices...

Universal testing.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 1000HDX universal testing machine has a dual test space for tension, compression, bend, shear and flexure testing on high-strength materials. The machine can be used for testing materials for the metal, fastener...

CAD software.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new update of EnSuite Version 2, a multicomputer-aided design (CAD) viewing, translation and productivity software, has been released. The software is able to view two models superimposed on top of each other with...

Universal module.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... The universal mobile module is designed to be universal in its ability to connect to new and existing instruments or gages with digital or RS-232 output by changing the cable. The module is intended for the roving inspector or anywhere it is...

Quality control software.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ProFicient 3, an upgraded version of the quality control software, is primarily focused on fully automated data collection, real-time analysis and event generation services. The upgrades provide flexibility through...

Height measurement.(QUALITY PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... The Digimar 817 CLM height measuring instrument offers three distinct ways to initiate measurement. In addition to normal keypad initiation, a Quick Mode feature allows the measurement cycle to be initiated by pushing the carriage in the...

Innovation from the ordinary.(THE LAST WORD)(automobile industry)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Usually I devote this space to addressing issues of quality, manufacturing, the corporate culture or politics (I write to you from the outskirts of Washington, DC). Often these issues stand on their own, and...

Master index.
November 15, 2008... MASTER INDEX Acceleration Test Systems and Equipment 12 Accelerometers and Sensors 12 Acoustic Emission Test Systems and Equipment 12 Acoustical Test...

Product index.(ACCELERATION TEST SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT-GAGE STANDS)
November 15, 2008... Product categories are in alphabetical order underneath their individual categories with sources listed under each heading. Addresses for the listed companies are given in the Suppliers/Sources section ACCELERATION TEST SYSTEMS AND...

Product index.(GAGES-SINE BARS)
November 15, 2008... GAGES AMPLIFYING, LASER * Mitutoyo America Corp. (630) 820-9666 See ad in this issue AUTOMATIC SIZE CONTROL * Control Gaging Inc. (734) 668-6595 See ad in this issue * Mahr Federal Inc. (800)...

Product index.(SIX SIGMA-X-RAY TUBES)
November 15, 2008... SIX SIGMA AEC International Inc. Breakthrough Mgmt. Group Intl. * IBS (781) 862-9002 See ad in this issue International Quality Institute * Minitab Inc. (800) 448-3555 See ad in this issue Oriel...

Suppliers/sources: companies providing products included in the Product Index appear alphabetically here.
November 15, 2008... 3M Electronics 6801 River Place Blvd. Bldg. A130, 3N-52 Austin, TX 78726 (800) 328-1368 Fax: (800) 858-9136 www.3M.com/electronics AAF International American Air Filter P.O. Box 35690 Louisville,...

NDT product.(SOURCE BOOK)
November 15, 2008... 3-D IMAGING Automation Technology GmbH Terarecon Inc. * YXLON International Inc. (330) 798-4800 See ad in this issue ACCELEROMETERS AND SENSORS Physical Acoustics ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING Physical...

NDT suppliers.(SOURCE BOOK)
November 15, 2008... Accurate Technology 270 Rutledge Rd. Unit E Fletcher, NC 28732 Admet Inc. 51 Morgan Dr. Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 769-0850 Fax: (781) 769-0884 sales@admet.com www.admet.com Advanced Test Concepts...