https://www.qualitymag.com/rss/2129-featured-stories en-us http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/96620 Sun, 01 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/96620-quality-inspector-in-quality-40 info@nelpretech.com (David M. Nelson) Over the last couple of years, numerous articles have been published by OEM equipment providers on the uses and benefits of industrial CT scanning for manufactured parts.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95616 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95616-computed-tomography-a-look-inside Nondestructive testing (NDT) dates back to the late-1800s, to the railroad industry. The “Oil and Whiting” method of crack detection was used to find damage in heavy steel parts.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95615 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95615-training-to-be-a-nondestructive-testing-technician In the ultra-competitive world of professional motorsports, a winning edge can come from a combination of many incremental gains. Arguably few in the industry know this better than Roush Yates Engines located in Mooresville, NC.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95600 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95600-performance-demands-precision bangertm@bnpmedia.com (Michelle Bangert) Gabriel Hughes was once asked to calibrate a 2x4 at a previous job. While this may sound strange, the customer sent it in to have the precise dimensions calibrated. The wood was used to keep a door closed at a certain height, which they needed to monitor because of airflow.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95599 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95599-calibration-101 pickettl@bnpmedia.com (Leah Pickett) In a lean manufacturing process, a poka-yoke method is employed to eliminate product defects by preventing, correcting, or drawing attention to human errors in real time. Industrial engineer Shigeo Shingo first applied the term poka-yoke (“mistake-proofing” in Japanese) to the Toyota Production System. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95598 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95598-the-state-of-sensors-in-the-industrial-iot With the publication of ISO 45001, the world’s first international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management, businesses can now easily integrate OH&S with their quality and environmental management systems. This provides major benefits to organizations that might not be easy to see.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95597 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95597-all-together-now-the-benefits-of-integrating-management-systems Leak testing is a quality control measure used by manufacturers to identify product inconsistencies that occur during manufacturing or assembly.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95614 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95614-leak-testing-complex-systems-recommendations-best-practices 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.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95613 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95613-how-to-create-an-as9102-first-article-inspection-report One of the requirements for management system standards is that internal audits be conducted of the processes of the management system. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95596 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95596-auditing-in-an-electronic-age In the manufacturing world there are many different types of data collection. Some types involve production counts or machine up time, but this discussion is centered on data collection for establishing and monitoring product quality. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95595 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95595-selecting-software-for-data-collection-spc Regardless of your industry, manufacturers face similar challenges—increasing costs of raw materials, labor and talent shortages, global competition, and other factors limiting profitability. More than ever, manufacturers must create products more quickly and efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95594 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95594-the-most-important-but-potentially-overlooked-aspects-of-effective-color-management Surface finish affects how a part will fit, reflect light, transmit heat, wear, distribute lubrication, accept coatings and more. The right finish should ultimately be determined by the part’s function and the engineering requirements of the application.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95593 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95593-how-to-make-the-right-choice-between-2d-vs-3d-in-surface-metrology Compression is the application of pushing or crushing forces acting upon an object or a material that allows it to become squeezed or squashed. It is the opposite of tension, or the application of pulling forces that allow a material to stretch or elongate.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95563 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95563-compression-testing-basics Computers and software play a major role in force measurement and quality control. Whether in the engineering lab, quality control inspection area, receiving inspection or on the production floor, the use of computers and measurement software are beneficial to product quality and production efficiency.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95562 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95562-force-gage-technology Additive manufacturing (AM) is everywhere and anywhere nowadays. Every day technical websites, and even most social media sites, are posting cool videos and new applications. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95561 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95561-additive-manufacturing-and-the-inspection-processes Aero-engine discs are very critical parts since they are exposed to high stress and temperature during flights. Engine disc components such as bearing rings, fan and compressor discs are subjected to extensive inspections during the different manufacturing stages, including dimensional controls up to the detection of the tiniest surface flaws on rolling surfaces (bearing raceways).

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95560 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95560-automated-eddy-current-testing-solution-for-aero-engine-discs Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is the name given to the processes designed to verify the integrity of a structure in such a way that the performance of that component is not impaired by the test.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95559 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95559-nadcap-non-destructive-testing-in-aerospace Historically, in-process gaging has not been widely used in the machine tool industry, but today that’s changing. Gaging companies have been evolving their products and making them easier to use, while enabling users to do more with gaging routines.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95558 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95558-getting-started-with-in-process-gaging For as long as there’ve been in-process gaging systems, they’ve used hydraulic or pneumatic actuators to drive them. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95557 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95557-in-process-gaging-101 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. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95556 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95556-how-to-realistically-kick-off-a-digital-transformation-project-and-ensure-long-lasting-benefits bangertm@bnpmedia.com (Michelle Bangert) Daniella Picciotti still remembers her first auditing experiences. On a supplier audit with more senior colleagues, it was difficult to determine her role. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95555 Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95555-the-joy-of-auditing Machine vision is a key technology for highly automated and seamlessly networked processes in the context of Industry 4.0, a.k.a. the Industrial Internet of Things. The use of new artificial intelligence processes such as deep learning is gaining in importance. A great many benefits make the technology attractive, but it also has limitations.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95548 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95548-self-learning-intelligence-for-object-recognition pwminc@covad.net (Linda Marino) “Since the beginning, humans have searched for superior more practical methods to fulfill holding and clamping needs.” I said this a long time ago about modular tooling and the beat goes on.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95544 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95544-fixturing-101-the-sky-is-the-limit thomas.parker@inficon.com (Thomas Parker) Electromobility is currently one of the most significant trends worldwide, and it is destined to change the way people purchase vehicles, travel and enjoy their leisure time. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95543 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95543-important-reasons-to-check-for-leaks-in-battery-manufacturing Sensors are an essential part of a metrology system, and there are several key factors that inform a buyer’s choice. These include ease of use, accuracy, speed and cost. Comparing the options can involve both analysis of features and actual demonstration of capabilities, but to get meaningful information for either you have to ask the right questions.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95542 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95542-choosing-sensors-for-your-cmm I love to cook and for the most part, it is a precise science…at least when you are first learning how to do it.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95540 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95540-food-for-thought-regarding-depth-gages steve.kinney@smartvisionlights.com (Steve Kinney) The world of machine vision imaging is largely performance driven. We’re looking for features on a part, finding edges, gaging, etc. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95531 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95531-the-future-of-machine-vision-imaging-systems Machine vision cables play a central role in the overall performance of machine vision systems. Those in need of robust, reliable vision results are wise to use the highest quality cables. Far too often, machine vision cables are seen as a place of potential cost savings on system design.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95530 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95530-how-machine-vision-cables-impact-machine-vision-performance Within a metrology inspection environment, fixturing is a three-step process of positioning, locating and securing a workpiece within a measuring volume for inspection. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95517 Sat, 15 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/95517-are-you-maximizing-the-benefits-of-metrology-fixturing