Quality Magazine

Shaft Measurement: What is the Best Tool for the Job?

Shaft measurement can be performed with a variety of metrology tools, from handheld devices to high-end coordinate measuring machines.

Patrick Nugent

November 1, 2019

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The simple shaft is one of the ubiquitous items in every mechanical system. Shafts contain a number of key functional elements, such as splines, tapers, grooves, threads, cams and gears, which all have associated critical dimensions to allow these mechanical systems to perform the function for which they were designed.

Prevention is the Key to Reduced Quality Costs

Customer-facing processes must be designed to prevent errors and minimize cost of failure.

Paul Keller

November 8, 2019

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Quality professionals see many costs of quality firsthand. These include our salaries and benefits, the equipment used to measure and analyze quality outcomes, and the waste generated by these processes when they fail to meet requirements.

Understanding How Management Involvement Impacts the Risk of Quality Cost

Here’s a hidden gem in the pursuit of quality.

Roderick A Munro

November 8, 2019

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As a full time auditor for the past six years for one of the large management system registrars, I start every interview, from production personnel to the CEO, with the question: “Given all of your job responsibilities at this company, what does the word ‘quality’ mean in your work?”

Taking a Data-Driven Approach to Commercial Automotive Quality

This approach gives manufacturers the data and insights to maximize their quality and efficiency.

Jim Hunsberger Paul Morrisson Louis Columbus

November 8, 2019

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The heavy trucking industry is defined by the many industry and regulatory standards it relies on to ensure safety, quality and reliability. Among the most notable is International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Standard 16949 for quality management, which as adopted by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) is known as IATF 16949.

Reverse Engineering for a Model-Based World

The list of reverse engineering applications is long and will continue to grow as engineers create new and creative ways to use the technology.

Nick Merrell

November 1, 2019

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Today’s design and manufacturing world is quickly evolving to a model-based environment, one where intelligent 3D CAD models are the authority, containing not only the information to build a part or assembled product, but also to verify the end result against the nominal 3D CAD design.

Seeing is Believing: 2D and 3D X-ray Technologies for Nondestructive Testing

X-ray based techniques have many advantages for inspection and quality control.

Herminso Villarraga-Gomez

November 1, 2019

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Two-dimensional and 3D X-ray technologies are among the most useful nondestructive testing methods. They enable the inspection of an object’s internal features without having to disassemble the sample or destroy the part in the process.

Why is it (quality) so hard?

How to navigate the change you wish to make in the world.

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Ian R Lazarus

November 6, 2019

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It has happened to all of us. We are inspired by a compelling idea that will drive gains in quality, only to have our bubble burst by peers that don’t share our enthusiasm.

Celebrate Yourselves! November is World Quality Month!

November 8, 2019

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When we think of November we immediately think about Thanksgiving, deer hunting season, and Black Friday shopping. These observations are well-known and carry a rich tradition.

No More Hamburger Helper

The correlation between certifications and eating better.

Jim Spichiger

November 8, 2019

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My youngest child graduated college last May and just transitioned into his very own apartment. As I helped him move I reflected on when I first ventured out on my own many years ago.

Facing Reality, Part II

When measurement disputes arise, the finger pointing begins.

Hill Cox

November 1, 2019

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Measurement disputes over gage calibration continue despite the results of the studies noted in my previous column.

Mentor Effectively, Part II

Mentoring effectively is about good leadership.

Jim L. Smith

November 1, 2019

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When people criticize negative feedback, they often misunderstand what it means to be an effective leader. We are surrounded by books and articles advising leaders to inspire.

Fully Leveraging Machine Uptime

Offset measurements away from the machine tool boost manufacturing efficiency.

Zeiss

November 5, 2019

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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.

Knapheide Saves Costs and Time in Nondestructive Vehicle Testing

The money saved would otherwise have been spent contracting outside test labs.

Jason Palmer

November 8, 2019

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The Knapheide Manufacturing Company of Quincy, IL, is a leader in the North American utility truck body market, so when they adopt manufacturing and testing procedures, the industry takes note.

Automate and Robotize Your 100% Alloy Verification QC Procedure with Handheld XRF

Current advances in handheld XRF technology provide users with analytical results in real time.

Peter Faulkner

November 8, 2019

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Current trends for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures in metal manufacturing plants are becoming more stringent. The need for 100% measurements for alloy verification is frequently becoming part of these procedures.

Elemental Technology Comparison for Metal Fabricators and Manufacturers

Often the biggest challenge is choosing the right technology for your application.

Brian Dalton

November 8, 2019

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Years ago, metal fabricators and quality control personnel needed to conduct expensive, time-consuming laboratory tests to perform material verification.

NDT Compliance: The Proper Test for High Quality Lamps

Standards are constantly getting upgraded to make NDT safe and reliable for inspectors and the public.

Michael Steigman Lou Mavroudis

November 8, 2019

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Nondestructive testing (NDT) is used in engineering industries to test equipment, components, and materials without causing any damage. With a reliance on quality assurance and rating systems for tools to be used for the correct tasks, adhering to industrial safety norms is a large factor behind the NDT market.