The single most important thing manufacturing leaders can do to engage their employees is to share the ‘why’ behind their daily work, says Kathleen Skarvan, CEO at New Prague, MN-based Electromed—Quality’s 2021 Plant of the Year.

For their dedication to quality, Larsen Manufacturing (Mundelein, IL) has earned our 2022 Quality Plant of the Year award.

We review essential software specifications and cover how those attributes can be leveraged when considering computer-controlled physical product testing equipment in the lab or on the shop floor.

Automating testing and inspection requires careful consideration of tools, including robot type, end-of-arm tooling, and ancillary systems. While cobots are popular for quality tasks, their full collaborative capabilities may not be utilized in some applications, leading to higher costs without maximizing benefits.

Reverse engineering is the process of taking apart a product to understand its design and functionality. This knowledge is helpful for creating similar products or improving existing designs.

Labor shortages continue to pressure manufacturers, with some dedicating up to 20% of their workforce to manual inspection. Embracing Quality 4.0 with automated in-line inspections and AI process analytics could provide significant value.

AI is revolutionizing quality control in manufacturing, driving us into Industry 4.0 and beyond. Manufacturers can streamline processes, boost efficiency, and deliver top-notch products globally. Embracing AI isn't just advantageous; it's essential for thriving in today's economy. Businesses must invest in AI to empower their workforce and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.

Quality managing editor Michelle Bangert talked with Justin Newell, CEO of Inform North America, who recently wrote an article for Quality on trustworthy AI.

In a world where AI vision technology is setting new quality control standards across industries, machines can now detect even the smallest defects in car parts and ensure that every packaged product meets health standards.

The growing use of AI in manufacturing has revolutionized quality control. Traditional inspection methods struggle to keep pace with complex production processes, but AI augments accuracy and efficiency, upholding high-quality standards.

The aerospace industry is known for manufacturing parts with critical dimensions and tight tolerances. Despite the high-demanding inspections they are required to perform, important players in the industry have managed to reduce bottlenecks and detect problems early in the manufacturing process.

How can a QMS help your organization to achieve a strategic culture of quality? What can you learn from the unique challenges other organizations face in different industries? 

In manufacturing, the slightest deviation can have significant repercussions. This guide presents solutions, in the form of best practices, that will help quality and production managers solve their productivity issues and implement near-line and in-line automated dimensional inspections.

Download the ebook, How to Create a Quality Product Roadmap, to learn how to develop a quality plan based on customer-driven metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you establish a reputation as a trusted supplier for years to come.

Download the whitepaper to learn how Business Intelligence can be the catalyst to help your organization rebound and excel on quality during the second half of 2020.

SMAC electric gage actuators provide gaging solutions with consistent, fast and precise control of the process.

Quality is a non-negotiable point in manufacturing, especially when it comes to aerospace and defense parts.

This white paper explores how the automation of operations such as quality inspection and metrology – previously reserved for larger companies with hefty budgets – has changed dramatically with the advent of collaborative robots.

To help quality professionals understand how their processes and approaches compare to those of other companies and the future outlook, ENGINE interviewed quality and environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals to develop the present "2021 Quality Management Trends Report," commissioned by Veeva.

International manufacturer of electric vehicle components plans to invest $94.7 million in a 333,000-square-foot facility in New Century, Kansas.

A leading aircraft manufacturer faces $27B in losses due to slow supply chain fixes, aggravated by escalating quality standards like AS9102 Rev C. The solution lies in seamless communication of requirements from buyers to suppliers, streamlining operations for all parties involved.

A paper released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) addresses the importance of renewable energy in mitigating climate change and the challenges posed by the global energy crisis. It emphasizes the need to improve energy efficiency in response to increased energy consumption worldwide.

In our 21st Annual Spending Survey, we’ve looked into who will be buying what and when. Despite the economic upset resulting from COVID-19, equipment budgets look to be steady, if not growing, for the next fiscal year.

Discover the secrets behind X-ray CT system design and learn how rapid scanning can revolutionize production quality control. Uncover hidden internal voids, inclusions, and defects in molded and die-casted products—all without a single destructive test.

A quality management system program ensures that products and services meet predefined standards, customer expectations, and company-wide benchmarks. One key principle is "first time right," addressing errors immediately at every step.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries power many of our daily devices. However, manufacturing them requires scarce base metals and has supply and sustainability challenges. Battery recycling is vital for the supply chain. This article discusses using analytical technologies to maximize Li-ion materials and optimize production.

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is crucial for producing complex, accurate parts with minimal waste. Ensuring the quality of raw materials and finished metal parts is essential for its success. This paper emphasizes the need for compositional analysis and strict quality control in AM.

Corrosion prevention is vital for quality assurance in metal goods manufacturing. It helps avoid production delays and customer complaints from rust. Key strategies include four types of corrosion testing: VIA, humidity and salt fog, and iron chip testing. These tests aid in selecting effective protection methods and the right rust preventative dosage.

Batteries are key to electrification, demanding high-quality control and efficient production. The use of Automated Defect Recognition (ADR) and other technologies is critical as the industry aims to scale up to meet the rising demand from electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage sectors, while also minimizing environmental impacts.

QT9 Software launched QT9 QMS Version 16.0, adding two new modules and numerous improvements to its quality management software (QMS).

ETQ, part of Hexagon, launched the ETQ Reliance® Predictive Quality Analytics solution, bringing a new level of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics to its ETQ quality management system (QMS).

Would it shock you to learn that spending on artificial intelligence is on the rise? According to respondents of our Annual Quality Spending Survey, 55% of companies expect to increase their spending on AI for 2024.

Welcome to our ranking of perennial quality superstars. DIT-MCO International has been on our Leadership list for multiple years. Congratulations and keep up the good work.

On March 9, NPR reported Boeing was unable to find any paperwork about the door plug and attributed a top Boeing official saying, “It was likely that such records never existed.” Roughly one day later, the Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department had opened a criminal investigation.

Justin Wise is an exceptional individual who has been deployed seven times and is fluent in Navajo and Cahuilla. He is currently an inspector general with the Navy, having worked for several years at the DCMA, where he was recognized as the 2021 Quality Representative of the Year. Justin Wise is worth honoring as our 2024 Rookie of the Year.

As the public trials and tribulations of Boeing continue, we have started to hear discussion of the loss of a culture at Boeing.

Boeing needs to improve its manufacturing approach to prioritize transparency and continual improvement, which can also help other organizations improve their quality and bottom line.

Quality training is crucial for success in rapidly evolving industries like additive manufacturing, welding, and nondestructive testing.

The aerospace industry uses automation and metrology to improve product quality and safety. Components require precise measurements for high quality and efficient production.

Leaders prioritize efficiency and productivity over quality management, compromising long-term standards, evident in the widespread adoption of operational excellence programs like Lean and Six Sigma.

Calculating the true cost of quality becomes faster and simpler with an ERP system that does it for you. This requires a system that includes four essential capabilities.

The topic of Quality 4.0 is rapidly becoming a legend due to its mysterious nature; it seemingly has no formal description. Very few people can confidently say that they have seen it or used it. 

Digital twin solutions are emerging throughout smart factories everywhere. Virtual replicas of factory floors provide real-time information about processes, system health, performance and more. But why not apply digital twin methodology in other manufacturing stages, such as quality control?

Pareto charts provide clarity and direction, helping quality control departments target and resolve key challenges.

Model-Based Definition (MBD) offers a modernized approach to implementing GD&T into electric motor production using 3D models instead of traditional 2D drawings.

A Q&A with Reed Switch Developments Corp. president Debra Dahlin, and Engineering and QA Manager, Jeff Rosenbaum, to talk more about its holistic approach to quality.

Ensuring high quality in medical device manufacturing requires operational excellence, which optimizes efficiency and enhances product quality and compliance. Let’s explore some of the key elements and best practices.

Quality control in manufacturing and engineering relies heavily on compression force testing to determine material strength, durability, and stability. This article highlights the key uses and equipment needed for such testing.

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.

Daniel Zrymiak highlights key threats to quality culture from his experience. Organizations must continuously check for these threats in operations and discussions, ready to respond appropriately.