2024 October

Check out the October 2024 edition of Quality! Read our cover story on how CT quality analysis of EV batteries can help address demand and performance. Read our feature on transforming quality assurance with AI, an NDT special section, and much more!

Porosity detection in the weld seam of a battery.

Test & Inspection

How CT Quality Analysis of EV Batteries Can Help Address Demand and Performance

Higher volumes of new batteries and faster turnaround of recycled materials from those batteries—along with testing of used and repurposed ones—demand the most efficient quality-inspection approaches possible.

Dr. Daniela Handl

September 27, 2024

EVs could represent 45 to 58 percent of all vehicles by 2030, with the lithium-ion battery market expected to grow over 30 percent annually. The question is whether battery quality can keep up with this surge.

Close up of a man's hands on keyboard of lap top in the dark room.

Software

Big Money from Small Data

Over the last 25 years, I found endless opportunities to use small Excel files to cut costs and boost profits, often by millions of dollars.

Jay Arthur

September 25, 2024

The hype around "big data" has mainly aimed at niche market sales without delivering expected benefits. Similarly, the business world's obsession with Lean Six Sigma has shown minimal returns on investment. In contrast, over the last 25 years, I've leveraged small Excel files to significantly cut costs and increase profits, often by millions of dollars, through a reliable sequence I discovered.

Car Factory Engineer in Work Uniform Using Tablet Computer in an Automotive Industrial Manufacturing Facility Working on Vehicle Production with Robotic Arms Technology.

Quality 101

How to Ensure Your Robots Operate Safely

As robotics use grows throughout processing, packaging, and logistics environments, it’s important to understand your options — and how to keep up with safety guidelines.

Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

September 24, 2024

As robots gain prevalence in manufacturing, emphasizing their safe use is vital. This includes understanding safety features, challenges, and best practices across all robot types, such as industrial, collaborative (cobots), autonomous mobile (AMRs), and humanoid robots, to navigate their complexities effectively.

3D X-ray Microscopy and Dimensional Metrology of a Smartphone Camera Lens

Measurement

Taking Industrial Metrology to the Next Level: Dimensional Measurements with 3D X-ray Microscopy

X-ray CT can obtain dimensions of internal features normally inaccessible with CMMs.

Herminso Villarraga-Gomez

September 23, 2024

The push for smaller, more complex device components has spiked the need for precise, non-damaging metrology, with 3D X-ray microscopy (XRM) leading the way. This technology offers high-resolution measurements critical for quality control in the electronics and manufacturing industries.

Robot holding glue syringe Injection with robotic machine vision system.

Management

Machine Vision Project Management – What’s Different?

A major step towards avoiding issues is recognizing and adapting to the differences with machine vision.

Fred Turek

September 22, 2024

Machine vision projects often face challenges such as slow progress, difficulty in getting quotes, cost overruns, and unreliable operation. These issues require recognizing and adapting to the unique nature of machine vision projects compared to other types of projects.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Transforming Quality Assurance with AI: Strategies for a Smarter Future

Integrating AI into quality control processes requires a thoughtful approach that goes beyond mere technology adoption. Here are some proven strategies to ensure successful AI empowerment in quality control.

Kai Yang

September 21, 2024

The recent Boeing door plug failures highlight the urgent need for better quality control. Utilizing AI, particularly Large Vision Models (LVMs), offers a promising solution for enhancing quality assurance by providing unparalleled precision, efficiency, and scalability.

Software

Using Data to Drive Organizational Action

The primary challenge for quality professionals is not acquiring sufficient data but collecting the right data and analyzing it correctly.

Mark A. Nash

Dr. Sophronia Ward

September 2, 2024

In today's tech-driven world, companies use software to collect data, but the analysis can be flawed. Charts with only specification limits, arbitrarily chosen warning and action limits, and misused Process Behavior Charts contribute to misinterpretation.

Businessman using a computer with a virtual image of an analysis for process and workflow automation flowchart floating above his laptop.

Speaking of Quality | Jim Spichiger

My Favorite of the Seven Basic Quality Tools

ASQ identifies the basic quality tools as: data collection sheets, histograms, Pareto charts, scatter diagrams, cause and effect diagrams, flow charts/process maps, and control charts.

Jim Spichiger

October 3, 2024

This month, I'm honored to speak at the ASQ Columbus (Ohio) Section’s annual conference on the theme "What is in Your Toolbox?" I'll discuss the seven basic quality tools I've extensively used over my 30+ years as a quality professional. Interestingly, unlike with my children, I do have a favorite among these tools.

Small white dice with think black arrows, one rad with a white scribble and one green with a checkmark.

From the Editor | Darryl Seland

Change and Adaptability

Darryl Seland

October 1, 2024

Change is inevitable, and our greatest tool to deal with it is adaptability.

Businessman walking into bright light from inside building.

Exit Strategy Series | Dane Sanders

When It Makes Sense for a Business Owner to Walk Away from Selling, Part 6

Key indicators and considerations.

Dane Sanders

September 30, 2024

Selling a business marks years of effort and investment, profoundly affecting the owner, employees, and community. However, finalizing a sale isn't always certain, and sometimes, walking away is the smarter option. This article examines when it's wise to do so and identifies key factors to consider in making that decision.

After installing a program on the robotic arm, a female engineer with a robotic arm controller performs a test run.

Column | John Vandenbemden

ISO45001 and the OSHA Regulations

Since its publication there have been numerous articles about ISO 45001 but very little about OSHA and its requirement in Occupational Safety and Health Standards 29 CFR 1910.

John Vandenbemden

September 29, 2024

Safety is paramount in manufacturing and distribution, with ISO 45001 (2018) guiding Health and Safety programs under federal regulations. However, there's less focus on OSHA's requirements in 29 CFR 1910.

Factory worker or technician observing production machine process.

Guest Column | Harshala Patil

How QMS Helps with Nonconformance Product Management

A good QMS will control nonconformities by acting as a defense line, catching discrepancies and abnormalities in products before they ever reach the customer.

Harshala Patil

September 28, 2024

Manufacturers thrive in a competitive market by prioritizing customer needs: price, quality, and delivery. However, long-term success hinges on quality, which ensures products perform as expected from manufacturing through to post-sale. While price is influenced by costs and market dynamics, and delivery by productivity, quality is key to building trust and customer loyalty.

Column | Emily Hoshor and Sharla Rouwhorst

The Critical Role of Functional Gaging in Manufacturing

When ordering gages, two key factors should be considered.

Emily Hoshor

Sharla Rouwhorst

September 28, 2024

This article will explore benefits of limit gaging and the advantages of functional gaging.

Woman in a line with other workers, checking and testing industrial equipment cables in a large electronics wire and cable manufacturing plant.

AME Column

Workplace Stability Key to Driving Top Talent

It is generally accepted that team-member participation is the number one driver for organizational success.

Robert Martichenko

September 27, 2024

The second article in a monthly series addressing the important topic of building Meaningful Employment Environments.

Empty airport at sunset, airplanes on the tarmac.

NDT | Materials Analysis

Materials Matter: The Science of Lightweighting in Aerospace

Material analysis is a critical component of successful lightweighting strategies.

September 12, 2024

In aerospace, lightweighting is crucial for fuel efficiency, range, and emissions. Material analysis and technology advancements offer weight reduction without sacrificing performance or safety.

Vector color spectrum background, rainbow colors, palette of rgb colors, blurred colored illustration

NDT | XRF

Combining X-ray Fluorescence, Infrared Spectroscopy and Software Algorithms for Positive Material and Contaminant Identification

In an ideal situation, every contaminant and raw material would have its own XRF and FTIR spectrum, which can be used to compare to unknown contaminants or incoming materials.

Joel Langford, Haihan Chen, Gilbert Vial

September 11, 2024

FTIR is the primary method for material and contaminant identification but lacks sensitivity to metallic components. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can fill this gap and improve identification accuracy.

Manufacturing professional analysing machines. Manual worker is looking at pipe. He is in reflective clothing.

NDT | Fatigue Testing

Adapting to Modern Demands in Fatigue Testing

Equipment needs to be more intuitive and automated, making it easier to set up, control, and process test results without requiring expert skills.

Genevieve Diesing

September 10, 2024

Fatigue testing has made significant progress in recent years, especially in test and environmental conditions. Remote monitoring has advanced with the use of AI-enabled camera systems, making it easier to integrate legacy instruments.

The company's product quality certificate is compliant, the check mark symbol represents the standard quality control. Certification and standardization process, iso certified business, conformity to international standards and quality assurance concept.

NDT | Certification

Nondestructive Testing Certification Mandatory for Individuals

NDT certification is mandatory for individuals working in industries where the integrity of materials and structures is of utmost importance.

Gregory James Weaver

September 9, 2024

NDT certification is essential for professionals in industries where material and structural integrity is critical. It demonstrates expertise and professionalism, benefiting individuals and organizations by improving career prospects, quality control, and compliance with industry standards.

Designed specifically for quality professionals in the manufacturing industry, this session aims to equip you with the tools and strategies to transform your role and your organization's approach to quality.

Unlock the power of 3D measurement data to identify root causes, prevent dimensional issues, and gain actionable insights for quality assurance in this comprehensive 60-minute webinar.

Quality Magazine

Cover Story