If you’ve ever worked in a lab, you know an optical microscope uses an eyepiece and objective to magnify a small object. But as technology continues to advance, digital microscopes are becoming more popular.

Semiconductors are essential components in many electronic devices. Semiconductor manufacturing can be broken down into two processes—circuit formation and packaging.

Zarbeco, LLC announces the MiScope Megapixel MP3, the newest addition to the popular MiScope line of portable digital microscopes. The palm-sized USB3 microscope with 10 – 180x magnification features resolution to 1.7 microns, 3.4 megapixels, up to 60 frames per second and optional UV/IR multispectral imaging. 

Digitizing an organization’s existing systems, processes, tasks and assets can be a daunting undertaking. There are a myriad of different workflow processes to examine, siloed departments to incorporate and even existing connected device (i.e. IoT) data to consolidate. 

The L.S. Starrett Company has introduced a range of Digital Electronic Indicators conforming to true AGD (American Gage Design) Group 1 dimensions, providing the ability to replace traditional mechanical indicating applications in the smallest AGD size specification class. 

Toshiba America Information Systems’ (TAIS) Imaging Systems Division introduced a small, digital video borescope with illumination, the SV-1000. 

Mahr Inc. announced a new family of Micromar 40EWRi-L digital micrometers with high speed measuring spindle positioning. The digital micrometers, with the latest MarConnect interface, allow measurements that are 10 times faster than a standard micrometer, saving the operator time when numerous different dimensions need to be measured on a single workpiece.

Manufacturing professionals in quality assurance and process improvement are not new to understanding the importance of quality. However, do they know the difference to be made in creating a culture of quality with regards to driving the policies, practices, and processes needed to accomplish an organization’s work?

“Remaining competitive” takes on many meanings, depending on your location in the world, but here are some thoughts on how American manufacturers can do it better today. By the time you finish reading this column, another entrepreneur will have figured out a way to make it happen for his or her company.  

In the 1980’s the concept of data collection for process control took a major leap forward. This was about the time that a combination of electronic technology and economics allowed gaging to become digital.