Management

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Cardinal Manufacturing, at Eleva-Strum High School in Wisconsin, provides students with hands-on experience in machining and metalworking using industry-standard equipment like CNC machines and lathes. Students work on custom projects, employing CAD and CAM software, and develop skills in 3D printing and laser engraving to prepare for the manufacturing industry.

Quality interviewed the CEO of Spectrum Custom Packaging, our 2025 Plant of the Year, on how to train, maintain high quality, and find the right software.

Quality focuses on quality technology, including measurement and gaging equipment. This has been the historic focus of the quality profession, but it is essential to recognize that quality is merely the price of admission to the marketplace. Rapid and reliable delivery, and especially low prices, are what win market share.

Quality assurance in aerospace has shifted from hands-on inspections to digital checklists, creating potential lapses in verification, as demonstrated by incidents like the Alaska Airlines door blowout. Despite tracking compliance, digital records do not guarantee that physical checks were performed.

By 2025, automation technologies such as AI-driven inspection systems and autonomous robots are essential for manufacturers, enhancing productivity and quality assurance through precision and intelligent decision-making.

TRIZ reduces the risk of unpredictable outcomes common in brainstorming by identifying that 90-95% of engineers' root problems have already been solved, often in different industries using different technologies.

Certification as a supplier boosts reputation and efficiency in the aerospace market by ensuring quality and compliance. This leads to better communication, change management, and higher customer satisfaction.

The phrase "time is money," often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, originally appeared in his 1748 essay "Advice to a Young Tradesman" as "Remember that time is money." This concept highlights how critical business processes can create bottlenecks that negatively impact efficiency and capacity limits.

Our learning theater speakers and workshop hosts, including Heather Wade, Eric Hayler, Rochelle Cook, Lisa Weis, and Donald Booth, share the things you should know as we rapidly approach the opening of The Quality Show 2025.

Companies often confuse verification with calibration and seek cheaper services, sometimes from local providers unaware of manufacturer specifications. They may also overlook whether those providers' ISO-17025 accreditation covers their equipment, risking invalid calibration.