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2018 Indiana Manufacturing Survey: Push for Automation Increases

Indiana's employers are investing heavily in automation and manufacturing efficiency.




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UL Chemical Safety Research and Georgia Institute of Technology Release Pioneering 3D Printing Research

Desktop 3D printers generate ultrafine particles (UFPs) while in operation. UFPs may pose a health concern since they are the size of nanoparticles and may be inhaled and penetrate deep into the human pulmonary system.




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Study: Manufacturing Industry Faces Unprecedented Employment Shortfall

Persistent skills shortage could risk $454 billion in economic output In 2028.




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Companies Gain Competitive Advantage by Certifying Processes

As more companies expand operations and rely on supply chains that extend into many parts of the world, certifications are becoming more valuable.




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Easy Ain't Easy: Taking the difficulty out of making things easy to use.

Easy ain’t easy. Sounds like something said by cultural catchphrase artist and legendary baseball player Yogi Berra, but it sums up a conversation I had at a recent tradeshow in Atlanta.




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Electronics & Quality

Whether you are working on an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, a car, or an entirely new way to get around, such as a hoverboard, testing is a must. (Yes, hoverboards need testing too.) Physical evaluation testing is required in an increasing number of industries, including electronics.




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Titan Tool Depth Measuring Microscope

Titan Tool Supply, Inc. announced the introduction of its new model ZDM-3 vertical displacement microscope to measure minute variations in height. The Z-Axis electronic depth measuring microscope features a built-in LED co-axial illuminator to allow the user to focus on the top or bottom of the part being inspected.




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New York City Welcomes Quality Professionals

The MD&M East, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, EastPack, ATX East, PLASTEC East, and Quality Expo came to New York this week.




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Artificial Intelligence Meets Quality

Artificial intelligence is here, and it is can improve quality in a number of ways. It can prevent bad parts from being made, discover trends, and monitor machine performance.




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Is Your Sealed Device Leak Testing Method All Wet?

From e-vehicles to consumer electronics and implantable medical devices, standards and expectations for the quality and reliability of sealed devices and components continue to rise. This puts the burden on manufacturers to employ methods of leak testing that are objective, reliable and repeatable.




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Hitachi's Industry Executive Greg Kinsey: Black Belts Can (and Should) Drive the Digital Transformation of Manufacturing

Greg Kinsey, Industry Executive at Hitachi, reveals how creative uses of the DMAIC process with digital transformation are helping factories to unlock the next level of process improvement.




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Electronics Maker Uses Monte Carlo Simulation to Find Better Specs for Suppliers and Realize Significant Cost Savings

Testing potential improvements can get complicated when working with multiple suppliers in different steps of a process. Using a Monte Carlo Simulation can help illuminate the results you’d like to see.




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Shining A Light On Color Quality Control

Color is a critical part of any product. It’s the first thing your customer sees. Whether you are manufacturing components for assembly or finished assembled goods, the color has to be right every time or you risk scrapping, reworking, or discounting the product. This impacts your bottom line.




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2023 Quality Leadership Ranking: #3 Electro Product Management Inc.

Since they have achieved this cyber security status, EPM are currently ahead of the industry. Less than 30% of companies are where they need to be with cyber security compliance, according to their auditor.




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Data Mining: Making the Right Connections

While data mining can unearth a wealth of information, it takes discriminating analysis to make sure we are not just making connections, but the right connections.




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Machine Vision for Battery Production 4.0

For quality assurance purposes and to optimize the manufacturing workflow, machine vision is employed throughout the entire process to identify production errors, damage, or impurities early on.




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New Noncontact Technologies Meet the Challenges of the Evolving Automotive Industry

The transition from ICE to electric powertrain requires a complete review of the approach to quality and process controls. Some existing checks for ICE find even more extensive applications for the EV sector.




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AI Improves Inspection in Battery and EV Manufacturing

AI-based edge-learning streamlines complex battery and EV inspection tasks and separates scrap from suitable.




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Ultra Wide, No Distortion Lenses Tough Enough for Crash Testing

Theia's lenses help capture clear images of car crash testing. The MY23F lens is rugged and can survive impact at 50mph, while providing undistorted images.




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How Digital Twins Can Optimize Production, Fabrication, and Assembly

Digital twins replicate real-world environments digitally, aiding manufacturers in optimizing processes and improving safety and performance.




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Inside the Expanding Applications of Vision Measurement Systems in Automotive Manufacturing

Traditional measurement methods struggle with complex geometries and modern plastic parts. Advanced vision measuring systems offer advantages for automotive manufacturers, but traditional tools are still preferable in some areas.




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Argonne, Toyota Launch Battery Recycling Collaboration

The collaboration aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign sources of battery materials.




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Hurco, IndyCar Team Extend Partnership

Hurco Companies, Inc. and Indianapolis-based race team Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) recently announced a continuation of their long-standing partnership.




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Controlling Your Plans for Process Control

Earlier this year, AIAG released updated APQP and Control Plan reference guides, available at www.aiag.org. This release includes the stand-alone control plan document for completing control plans.




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Electric Vehicles and a Systematic Approach to Climate Change

In a world grappling with climate change, the push for sustainability has made electric vehicles (EVs) a popular choice. Some states are even phasing out gas engine vehicle sales by 2030/2035. However, considering the total impact of producing and operating EVs reveals a more complex picture.




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What an 1894 Crisis Has in Common with the Climate Change Crisis

The 1894 Horse Manure Crisis revealed the negative effects of rapid industrialization. Today, we can learn from past strategies to address the current climate crisis and promote a sustainable future.






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The Accuracy Nexus: 3D Scanning in Additive Manufacturing for Custom Car Builds and Mesh Repair Solutions

The integration of 3D scanning and additive manufacturing has opened new possibilities in metrology. Analyzing the technical intricacies of 3D laser scanning hardware and software reveals their pivotal role in shaping engineering's future.




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The Importance of Digital Surface Inspection in Additive Manufacturing

3D printing is a revolutionary technology that enables the creation of intricate and complex designs by adding material layer by layer. The final surface roughness of the printed part is critical to its overall performance and can have a major impact on its functionality.




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How to Improve Quality Control by Managing a Drifting Zero Point during Air Leak Testing

Plant engineers and quality departments often struggle with zero point drift during air leak testing, where the initial zero reading shifts over time, leading to frequent adjustments of the leak test instrument. This article addresses the causes of zero drift, commonly attributed to changes in shop floor temperature, and provides strategies to minimize or eliminate this issue for improved efficiency in quality control processes.




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Beyond the Human Eye: AI Improves Inspection in Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence brings a new dimension of precision and efficiency to automated inspection applications.




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Universal applications and implementations of UTMs

UTM is versatile and cost-effective, evaluating physical properties while adhering to industry standards. They test durability and establish load thresholds for functionality, safety during use, and minimum loads for usability, improving the quality of the final product.




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Automating EV Battery Tray Inspection Increases Speed of Information

In the competitive electric vehicle (EV) industry, perfecting the battery tray's aluminum weld design is critical. It houses essential components and safety ensuring precise integration is crucial to prevent potential hazards such as torsion-induced bending of both the battery tray and the vehicle body due to thermal expansion of battery cells.




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Device Monitors Metal Stamping Press

Real-time data acquisition prevents defective parts at an auto parts manufacturer.




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The Importance of Quality Assurance and Safety

I started my career in quality assurance and configuration management in 1963. On April 10th of the same year, the USS Thresher SSN 593 sank during its sea trials, leading to the tragic loss of 112 Naval Personnel and 17 civilians.




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Screw Thread Inspection: Options, Dimensions and Decisions

The standardization of screw threads has been a historical endeavor involving several organizations. However, the ASME B1 Screw Thread Committee has emerged as the primary organization responsible for holding, updating, and curating these standards.




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System ‘Crushes’ Force Measurement Application

Rugged data acquisition technology helps a manufacturer design more reliable rock-crushing equipment.




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Smart Glasses Aid Inspection of Automotive Wire Harnesses

AI-based vision system ensures that relays and other components are installed correctly.




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AI-Based Vision System Inspects Cutting Tools

AI helps automated inspection system detect minute defects despite natural variation in the parts.




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Unboxing Paper Quality

When discussing material strength, a material only needs to be as strong as necessary. Other properties like lightness, manufacturability, and sustainability also matter. Paper can be the ideal choice with resourceful processing and innovative design, despite being seemingly weaker as a raw material.




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Materials Testing: Inside the Vascular Labyrinth

Catheters are used for various medical procedures, including addressing issues in a person's arterial network and urological conditions. They also deliver medical devices and treat conditions such as clogged arteries and irregular heartbeats. Testing for catheters includes tensile testing, lubricity testing, and usability/trackability testing.





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Test Methods in Combination Advance Quality for Metal Additive Manufacturing

This article introduces materials testing for metal powder and parts made using metal additive manufacturing. It covers types of testing and their objectives for characterizing printed metal, aimed at non-experts new to metal printing and testing.




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New Scale Robotics Automates Gauging Applications With FANUC Cobots

VICTOR, NY—New Scale Robotics has been named an authorized systems integrator (ASI) for FANUC America Corp., enabling the company to more effectively use its Q-Span automated gauging technology in conjunction with FANUC’s collaborative robots.




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Phenna Group Appoints New Group Head of Corporate Development

Phenna Group has appointed Jon Harrison as the Group Head of Corporate Development.




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How to Choose the Right PAUT Probe for Every Inspection

Selecting the correct phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) probe is critical for accurate inspections. This guide provides practical advice to help you make well-informed decisions and ensure optimal results.




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What’s Wrong with a Zero Leak Test Specification?

Leak testing is an important quality control measure in manufacturing. This article provides guidance on determining leak testing specifications by exploring factors and modifying existing specifications or creating new ones.





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Using Robotics and Automated Inspection in Manufacturing to Achieve Autonomous Process Control

For automation-focused companies, Autonomous Process Control (APC) isn’t just a tech advancement—it’s essential for achieving six sigma quality and boosting yields and profitability.




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

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.




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Time Series Analysis for Better Quality Control

Time series analysis enables manufacturers to track quality data, revealing patterns, trends, and anomalies to maintain consistent production standards. This method can be applied to daily production output or hourly quality measurements.




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Compression Testing Fundamentals

Compression testing is key in materials science for evaluating how materials respond to compressive loads. It helps determine mechanical properties like stiffness, strength, and fatigue life. This overview covers the testing process, material properties, standards, applications, challenges, and best practices.




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Webinar: Spearheading Growth in Troubled Times

The Harrington Institute Fellows are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, May 1.