In a previous column I railed against corporate cost cutting strategies where the only element taken into consideration was the money involved. The fallout from decisions made in such isolated circumstances will not be immediately evident, while the savings will be. But when the chickens come home to roost, the costs to put things right often exceed the savings many times over.

Other Dimensions: Calling the Shots

October 24, 2008

By Hill Cox

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One of the good things about getting items calibrated is the information the process provides. The bad news is some folks don’t know how to deal with that information. Far too many buyers of calibration services only scan the reports and, in the absence of red flags, file them in case an auditor wants proof of calibration.

Other Dimensions: Single Source Calibration

October 2, 2008

By Hill Cox

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I’m surprised at some of the ideas that drift down from the loftier realms of the corporate world in the endless quest to reduce costs. In many cases, the assumption is that a philosophy that appears to work in one area of a company’s operations can be applied to all areas.

Other Dimensions: Some Don't Like It Hot

August 29, 2008

By Hill Cox

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There are two approaches to take regarding temperature changes and the effects they have on measurement. The first is to control the shop or lab environment to such an extent that, whatever temperature variations remain, they will have no significant effect. The alternative is to control and correct the key items involved-the gages and the product being measured. The simplest method for most folks is to control and correct.

Other Dimensions: Some Don't Like it Hot

July 31, 2008

By Hill Cox

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When it comes to dimensional measurement, we have to take the environment-particularly temperature-into account.

Other Dimensions: Hints for Quality Auditors

June 2, 2008

By Hill Cox

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As a provider of calibration services, I frequently take shots at some quality auditors for the silly things they demand during audits.

Other Dimensions: Certainties About Measurement Uncertainty

April 25, 2008

By Hill Cox

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Measurement uncertainty is about how close your measurement is to reality. These days, “close enough for artillery” won’t cut it and neither will “a couple of tenths or so.”

Other Dimensions: Buyer Beware

March 28, 2008

By Hill Cox

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Many battles are waged over what someone buying equipment thought they would get compared to what is usually supplied by the industry.

Other Dimensions: Making Your Mark

February 22, 2008

By Hill Cox

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One of the essential elements in any quality program is identification of all the measuring instruments and gages that are part of it.

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The purpose of this field guide is to assist organizations, step by step, in implementing a quality management system (QMS) in conformance with ISO 9001:2008, whether from scratch or by transitioning from ISO 9001:2000. It examines each sub-clause of Sections 4–8 of ISO 9001:2008, which contain the requirements, and gives a list of the documentation/documents required, internal audit questions, a summary of management’s responsibilities, and a flowchart of the steps that need to be undertaken to satisfy the requirements.

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