North American sales of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) fell 33% in 2001 compared to 2000, according to the Metrology Automation Association (MAA, Ann Arbor, MI).

America's small manufacturers are getting closer to keeping the public-private program that helps them remain globally competitive.

According to a Sept. 12 story in the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether L.S. Starrett (Athol, MA) sold Rapid Check coordinate measuring machines to NASA, the Pentagon and other customers knowing that the machine had flaws.

Buying a new car is no longer simply being loyal to a brand, going down to the nearest dealership and driving the car off the lot.

The automotive industry improved initial quality by 10% compared to 2001, the largest quality improvement for the industry since 1997, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Initial Quality Study. Initial quality has improved by 24% during the past five years.

Xygent Inc. (Warwick, RI) has signed an agreement with SIP (Geneva), the Swiss coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and computer numerical control machine (CNC) tool manufacturer.

Newport Corp. (Irvine, CA) has completed the sale of its U.S.-based noncontact metrology business to Quality Vision International Inc.

Applied Statistics Inc. (St. Paul, MN) has signed an agreement to acquire the DataMyte business of Rockwell Automation Inc. Applied Statistics is a developer of statistical process control software for the manufacturing industry.

National Engineering Week, Feb. 17 to 23, aims to promote the importance of engineering, technology and science to young audiences.

Robert H. King Jr. has been named president of the Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB).