The unproductive cycle of mistake-blame-train-defend often is repeated in the quality industry, and manufacturing as a whole, as a reaction to problems. The best way to break the cycle and improve operator competency and morale is to take a proactive approach with training to prevent mistakes.

Today, three elements are found in every CMM: a sensing probe, a computer for data input and analysis, and a precision structure to transport the probe around the workpiece. Manual operation has largely given way to motorized direct computer controlled (DCC) CMMs.

There are some important criteria that should be considered when selecting a statistical software package to use in Six Sigma programs. Choosing the right software package has a lot to do with the eventual success or failure of the Six Sigma initiative.

ISO/IEC 13485: 2003 represents the management system requirements for companies that want to maintain compliance with medical device regulations. 13485 could be implemented by companies that manufacture everything from cotton swabs to pacemakers, contraceptives to examination tables or companies that provide related services, such as sterilization, packaging or labeling.

In an effort to become more competitive, increase profitability and improve quality, and meet or exceed a customer’s schedule, companies are turning to automated processes that increase production throughput and profitability, while improving quality and work consistency.

There is so much information out there about calibration and calibration frequency that it can be confusing. However, it is important to understand the basics of establishing calibration frequency.

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 great deal of flexibility to these systems, making them a good choice for many lower volume and family-of-parts applications.

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 cost product with rapid order fulfillment in a highly competitive market. Many companies are launching Lean Value Stream Management (LVSM) initiatives to drive operational excellence and improve profitability.

Vision dimensional metrology should not be confused with machine vision. While both are based on image analysis, vision dimensional metrology systems generally are off-line or near-line systems, collecting dimensional data points in 2-D or 3-D, analogous to those collected by coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

These days the requirements for coordinate measuring machine (CMM) metrology devices have expanded well beyond touch-probe inspection using automated CMMs. In addition to an array of devices, there also are numerous applications such as reverse engineering, hard-probing, noncontact scanning, laser tracking and digital tool building, using both portable and stationary types of devices.