Gathering test, measurement and inspection data from workstations throughout a manufacturing facility can be done the traditional way--with pen and paper. Or, quality control workers can use some of the handheld computers that are on the market, such as the Palm and CE, and integrate statistical process control software. Or, they can use some new systems that are dedicated to wireless statistical process control.
The Mobile SPC from Zontec (Cincinnati) allows workers to roam throughout the facility without traditional computer network cabling constraints and enter data at various workstations. The data can be entered using integrated handwriting recognition technology, on-screen keyboard or gages and measuring devices via the universal serial bus (USB) port.