My work in inspection, and as a quality management system auditor, provides numerous opportunities to acquire knowledge. It also provides areas of risk for ensuring valid and reliable results. 

The National Association of Manufacturers released the results of the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2020 showing that despite a historic drop in optimism, to nearly 34%, and challenging business conditions, the vast majority of manufacturers (98.7%) have continued or only temporarily halted operations.

Mold and tool makers are under pressure to reduce their throughput times and unit costs in order to stay in business. How much of a competitive edge do companies enjoy with a zero-point clamping system and a measuring machine? The CEO of WESCHU GmbH ran the numbers.

CNC rotary tables play a vital role in the performance of multi-axis machining centres. As table accuracy and reliability are of paramount concern throughout the product’s lifetime, Matsumoto Machine Corporation (MMK) has taken a pragmatic two-pronged approach to reducing indexing errors and improving performance.

First article inspection (FAI) is a process to validate your manufacturing process can produce an item that meets the requirements as designed. In the aerospace and defense industries in the U.S. most companies are conducting AS9102 first article inspections.

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. unveiled Illuminate™ Manufacturing Intelligence, a next-generation factory optimization Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform solution.

Find detailed, clear information on the correct use of metrology products and instruments - including proper nomenclature, valuable tool diagrams, readings and much more.

Marposs Corp. has expanded its MIDA VTS visual tool setter family with the addition of the VTS WF45 and WF85 wide field versions suited for non-contact measuring and verifying “double-sided”, larger diameter tools. Relying upon LED technology, the wide field versions can perform both profile and surface integrity inspection of the entire tool front to back, identifying any minor faults in the work tool that could affect workpiece integrity.

The proverb “time is money” applies to almost every profession today, but especially to manufacturing, and certainly to CNC machining. Lights-out facilities are becoming more prevalent, and the importance of active controls with automated feedback is growing, too.

Recently, I walked through the premier U.S. exposition featuring world class manufacturers of measuring systems in Chicago and modular fixturing is now even more popular than ever. I guess the concept is now a proven “missing link” and wrestling with parts and work holding challenges are nearly a thing of the past.