Alternative energy has been around for decades, but only recently, with volatile oil prices, has consumer interest and government intervention factored into alternative energy efforts.
Government contractors, national and state defense agencies, military medical systems and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been using performance improvement techniques such as Total Quality Management, Six Sigma and lean for more than a decade. Most government agencies and contractors are faced with finding ways to reduce costs and save taxpayers money while ensuring the United States and its allies remain safe and healthy.
Inspecting is the first step in determining the quality of manufactured parts. But how to react when the quality begins to drift is a key question many people ask. Real-time statistical process control (SPC) identifies a problem, but it may not be the right tool for reaction plan managing.
With the metrology industry’s seemingly boundless quest for ultra high accuracy and sophisticated designs, the question is begged, how much accuracy is absolutely necessary and at what cost? Fortunately, recent advancements in video measuring equipment design provide accurate, productive, cost-effective solutions that are well within the vast majority of even the most stringent metrology requirements.
Hardness testing-a quick, relatively inexpensive nondestructive test-is used to characterize materials and determine if they are suitable for their intended use. Though many complex tests are available, hardness testing gets the job done.
The quality profession has provided guidance that has helped businesses trim billions of dollars in waste using various improvement processes and training. More is needed, however, from quality leaders as well as business leaders.
It is a given that U.S. corporations are struggling-be it manufacturing, finance or service organizations-with multiple diseases because of innumerable bacteria. The business bacteria strain keeps getting bigger and so do the business diseases.
I stand in awe of the lowly screw thread because of the engineering that goes into it. A cursory look at a typical screw thread standard will show you what I mean. Despite their innocent appearance, screw threads are difficult to measure.
It was reported by CNN during April, that on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, business owners and residents pulled together to complete a $4 million repair job to a state park-for free.
RSS
