The global contribution of the automotive industry to the world economy is approximately $3.4 trillion (2021 – Mc Kinsey). Yet very little is communicated about the nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques used for industrial inspection to meet those often mutually opposed pressures of productivity and quality.

In the past, simple X-ray radiography was sufficient in providing an image needed for this inspection. However, because it views structures in 2D, simple radiography is limited in engineering applications as the objects become more complex. This is where computed tomography (CT) becomes valuable.

One of the most fundamental decisions in mechanical design is selecting which material a part should be produced from. Often, a variety of factors will influence the success of a part.

When talking about processes and innovation it’s easy to confuse ‘process innovation’ and ‘innovation process.’ Both are important elements of a thriving organization, and it’s important to understand the differences and utilize each of them effectively.

What has happened to the quality professional? For some time, we have begun to talk and act more like part of the financial department rather than quality assurance.

In the longest-lasting version of the hypothetical situation, a hungry donkey is placed equidistant between two identical bales of hay. Paralyzed with indecision as to which bale to choose, the donkey will inevitably starve to death.

Before we dive into the quality issues that arise from manual data entry, let’s review the ways in which data is handled in industrial calibration processes.

Autonomous machine vision inspection provides quick, automated defect recognition and can implement the knowledge it gains, thereby decreasing false alarms and erroneous scrap.

While 2021 was a challenging year for many, others found ways to excel in spite of everything. Even amidst a pandemic, these companies continued to shine. Our annual Quality Leadership ranking provides much-deserved recognition for companies that prioritize quality.

It is time to make GD&T much easier to use correctly. Here, then, are a number of examples of confusing Y14.5 Standard terms and definitions, along with recommended improvements.