Many continuous improvement (CI) champions encounter resistance to adopting the necessary mindset, often perceiving individuals as closed-minded or too comfortable. Unlearning long-held beliefs can be stressful, especially for those whose careers depend on them, and psychologists note this process can often be harder than learning new skills—particularly for the most successful individuals.

Recent quality issues with Boeing aircraft reveal critical flaws in ISO certification processes, despite adherence to standards like AS 9100. Strengthening these certifications is essential for maintaining credibility and ensuring that they truly reflect an organization’s commitment to quality and safety in aerospace products.

Women are increasingly sought in manufacturing, a field now prioritizing inclusivity and diversity. Employers recognize that diverse perspectives boost creativity and morale, and they are actively showcasing opportunities for success in this dynamic industry.

Reed Switch Developments Corp. (RSD), a woman-owned manufacturer in Racine, WI, specializes in magnetic reed switches and sensors. Recognized as last year’s Quality Plant of the Year, RSD has achieved a 25% increase in sales year-to-date, leveraging in-house technical expertise and automation to manage growth amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.

Former Boeing engineer Jim Doxey explains a previous motto at the company, why people (and teamwork) are the most important part of a quality system, and offers advice for manufacturers looking to avoid quality woes. He also shares his thoughts on a 30+ career working in manufacturing.

One of the major challenges in the manufacturing industry is the skills gap and the need to attract more individuals, especially young people, to pursue careers in this field. Organizations like IMTS and ASQ emphasize the importance of showcasing the opportunities that a career in manufacturing offers.

The ongoing challenge for many companies is how to upgrade or integrate internal audit knowledge/competence and maybe cross train auditors for all the auditing schemes that your company is currently registered to or may be planning on expanding.

Serving as the Chair of the ASQ Inspection Division has been a remarkable journey of leadership, collaboration, and growth. It has been both a privilege and a responsibility to guide the division through strategic initiatives aimed at empowering our members and elevating the quality profession.

This article considers how quality professionals and practitioners can more effectively prepare for their certification exams which are proctored or supervised as they complete a selection of responses from multiple-choice questions.

I have provided updates of the progress and development of ISO 10012 over the past three years. I am happy to say that after three years and numerous meetings the Draft International Standard (DIS) ISO10012 Quality management – Requirements for measurement management system has been released for review, approval, and comments. 

This may seem like two very different fields, but they surprisingly intersect, combining the precision and accuracy of measurements with the creativity and subjectivity of artistic expression.

In our ever-changing world of global business, quality is a cornerstone of success. Organizations striving for excellence cannot afford to overlook Total Quality Management (TQM), a management philosophy centered on the continuous improvement of processes, products, and services through the involvement of all employees. 

Process validation is becoming ever more important within regulated and non-regulated industries.

This series will discuss the patent process from concept to commercialization.

This series will discuss the patent process from concept to commercialization.
 

You started with a napkin drawing, revise it. Analyze component geometry and purpose. Eliminate parts where you can.

Personal resources may often dictate pace, but they should never govern your commitment.

A cohesive workforce is critical for success.

If someone gets hurt, you are not doing your job.

A bad boss creates more bad bosses.

We are missing an untapped reserve of excellent human material.

Express pride in what you do and draw young workers in.

Getting authority is easier than keeping it.

If you are blinded by any stigma, you are limiting your creativity.

3D measurement tools offer incredibly precise and accurate measurements. However, using them correctly requires specialized knowledge, and integrating them into current processes can be quite complex.

This article discusses the connection between surface finish and factors like friction, wear, and fatigue life. It explores how precise surface finish measurements improve product reliability and analyzes the evolving measurement technologies.

Manufacturers are facing stricter regulations and quality standards. Portable CMM arms help maintain exceptional quality control as they navigate these requirements.

Metrology is the science of inspection. It includes various measurement tools such as calipers, gauges, micrometers, and vision systems, which are often used for quality control in nondestructive testing (NDT).

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson advocated for weights and measures in the US, and a recent Saturday Night Live episode highlighted the confusion around this topic. This industry impacts everyone today.

The manufacturing industry relies on precision for safety and performance. Shaft measurement instruments are crucial for ensuring the functionality of mechanical systems.

In the 20th century, internal combustion engines drove progress, but now automotive manufacturers are rapidly transitioning to EV production, requiring new metrology approaches.

Michelle Banger, Managing Editor of Quality, talks with Matt Noonan. He's the Quality Manager of Pratt & Whitney Measurement Systems, Inc.

Equipment failure disrupts routine calibrations, making it hard to verify specifications. Consider the impact on products since the last calibration and document assumptions about equipment tolerance.

To simplify the interface, touchscreen monitors were integrated with metrology software. This eliminated dedicated controllers and made the system much easier to use, leading to the revolution of touch metrology. Today, touch technology and controllers are widespread on the manufacturing floor.

Automation requires precise data and careful attention to uncertainty, especially in longer processes with less human involvement, according to Chris Gordon from Optronic Laboratories.

3D optical profiling, developed in the early 1990s, is crucial for high-resolution measurement of optics, semiconductors, medical devices, and precision machining. Recent developments have expanded its capabilities, allowing high-resolution surface texture measurements over many square millimeters in minutes.

Backlit video metrology systems offer high-speed and precise inspection capabilities by analyzing digital part shadow images to determine feature position and size. Advancements in computing power and algorithms enhance precision, speed, and feature detection, while integration with part positioning systems allows for composite part images, rotating part profile examination, and rapid part sorting.

In manufacturing, microscopes and magnified viewing systems are crucial for inspecting products. Digital microscopes offer enhanced capabilities and AI-assisted inspections, revolutionizing the way manufacturers view and interact with macro and microscopic details.

Today, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations are a significant sub-industry within manufacturing, valued at $656 billion and projected to exceed $800 billion by 2032. MRO involves maintaining machinery, equipment, and systems in optimal condition through repairs and overhauls to extend their operational life.

Cable tension must be maintained precisely across various industries, and cable tensiometers are crucial for this. However, calibration of these instruments often faces issues due to communication between calibration labs and end users, leading to doubts about equipment functionality.

Justin Novak talks about what’s next for the society, the future (and past) of electric vehicles, and how to do well at your next CMSC 5K.

I kept waking up at 7:47 and also noticed the same time on the clock in the evenings. When I mentioned it to my niece, she said it happens to her too, at a different time of the day.

This article is an adaptation of my popular presentation, “Beyond the Sticker & the Cert (Ensuring Better Measurements & Reducing Risk).” Product manufacturers, testing labs, and calibration labs often overlook the importance of thoroughly reviewing calibration certificates, leading to potential measurement inaccuracies and increased risks.

Traditional manufacturing often results in waste of materials and energy due to imprecise measurements. 3D measurement technology enables precise measurement, early issue detection, and process adjustments, reducing waste and costs.

Statistical Process Control (SPC) is evolving to not just detect defects, but also to predict and prevent issues. Modern factories use more sensors and collect more data, allowing SPC to analyze real-time patterns and forecast potential issues.

In modern manufacturing, it's crucial to validate parts immediately after manufacturing or assembly and detect defects before further processing. Automation in manufacturing has outpaced inspection processes, creating a challenge and opportunity for the metrology industry.

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) play a crucial role in verifying the dimensions of manufactured parts with precision control. CMM controllers are central to coordinating movements and processing data, driving technological advancements in the metrology industry.

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.

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