Explore the freshest and most trending topics currently making waves in the quality industry. Dive into the latest buzz, timely insights, and noteworthy content that's driving our industry forward. https://www.qualitymag.com/rss/4497-quality-top-stories en-us smith_jim_l@cat.com (Jimmy L. Smith) Many suppliers are primarily motivated by purchase orders. While they may enjoy being “wined and dined,” what suppliers really prefer from their customers as reward for superior performance is additional business. Many suppliers are primarily motivated by purchase orders. While they may enjoy being “wined and dined,” what suppliers really prefer from their customers as reward for superior performance is additional business.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99740 Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99740-supplier-award-pitfalls The collaboration between Amro Fabrication and Verisurf Software demonstrates how precision manufacturing and digital inspection can enable missions once thought impossible. The collaboration between Amro Fabrication and Verisurf Software demonstrates how precision manufacturing and digital inspection can enable missions once thought impossible.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99738 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99738-how-precision-manufacturing-and-verisurf-helped-power-the-success-of-artemis-ii As traditional contact-based measurement reaches its physical limits, 3D optical metrology has emerged as the new standard for maintaining high-yield production. As traditional contact-based measurement reaches its physical limits, 3D optical metrology has emerged as the new standard for maintaining high-yield production.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99737 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99737-from-nano-scale-to-large-scale-optimizing-electronics-yield-with-3d-optical-metrology The data center industry cannot safely or efficiently scale if it continues operating without a standardized set of quality best practices. The data center industry cannot safely or efficiently scale if it continues operating without a standardized set of quality best practices.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99729 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99729-a-quality-foundation-for-the-ai-data-center-era-a-five-step-framework-for-sustainable-scale When I first joined ASQ, I simply wanted a way to stay connected to the quality profession outside my day-to-day work, but it ended up shaping my career—and even my personal growth. When I first joined ASQ, I simply wanted a way to stay connected to the quality profession outside my day-to-day work, but it ended up shaping my career—and even my personal growth.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99734 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99734-beyond-membership-discovering-the-unexpected-rewards-of-being-involved-in-asq Certification creates compliance, but education creates competence. Certification creates compliance, but education creates competence.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99725 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99725-certified-to-inspect-educated-to-lead In her role as an instructor, Dr. Cook discusses education and the changes she has witnessed. In her role as an instructor, Dr. Cook discusses education and the changes she has witnessed.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99728 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99728-podcast-hey-what-does-this-button-do Why do we perform internal audits in the first place, beyond the fact that ISO 9001:2015 requires them? Why do we perform internal audits in the first place, beyond the fact that ISO 9001:2015 requires them?

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99724 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99724-they-just-told-me-im-going-to-be-the-new-internal-auditor-yikes-part-1 Across the industry, one of the biggest challenges in technician development is the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world readiness. Across the industry, one of the biggest challenges in technician development is the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world readiness.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99733 Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99733-building-better-inspectors-through-hands-on-ndt-practice inquiry.msamericas@bsigroup.com (David Harvey) Quality and cybersecurity departments have operated as largely independent disciplines. That separation is no longer sustainable. Quality and cybersecurity departments have operated as largely independent disciplines. That separation is no longer sustainable.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99720 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99720-the-demand-for-integrating-cybersecurity-into-aerospace-quality The 2012 edition acknowledged electronic records. The 2026 edition regulates them. The 2012 edition acknowledged electronic records. The 2026 edition regulates them.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99714 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99714-why-inspection-bodies-should-think-differently-about-digital-evidence-under-iso-iec-17020-2026 jvdbd@hotmail.com (John Vandenbemden) ISO14001: 2026 doesn’t require more documented information, but instead expects organizations to better manage their EMS with proof of real performance and effective management. ISO14001: 2026 doesn’t require more documented information, but instead expects organizations to better manage their EMS with proof of real performance and effective management.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99713 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99713-iso14001-2026-is-published selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) The approach to both basketball and quality manufacturing deals with system predictability, elimination of waste, process control and enforcement, and continuous improvement. The approach to both basketball and quality manufacturing deals with system predictability, elimination of waste, process control and enforcement, and continuous improvement.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99732 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99732-flopping edg.goffin@pleora.com (Ed Goffin) The defense sector is undergoing a structural shift from highly customized systems to a new paradigm defined by speed, modularity, and adaptability. The defense sector is undergoing a structural shift from highly customized systems to a new paradigm defined by speed, modularity, and adaptability.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99711 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99711-dual-use-vision-technologies-transforming-modern-defense-systems Sea Box customizes standard shipping containers into unique box structures that serve as anything from a mobile military hospital to a nuclear-contamination-testing laboratory to a giant multicolored hotdog stand. Sea Box customizes standard shipping containers into unique box structures that serve as anything from a mobile military hospital to a nuclear-contamination-testing laboratory to a giant multicolored hotdog stand.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99710 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99710-the-journey-towards-a-true-digital-thread X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) inspection has become one of the most powerful tools available for diagnosing quality problems that other inspection methods simply cannot reach. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) inspection has become one of the most powerful tools available for diagnosing quality problems that other inspection methods simply cannot reach.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99707 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99707-crisis-mode-a-manufacturers-guide-to-x-ray-ct-inspection-services-for-critical-quality-situations If you don’t integrate these systems so they can accurately hand off information to each other, you may be creating internal inefficiencies, roadblocks and workarounds that will surely impact final product quality. If you don’t integrate these systems so they can accurately hand off information to each other, you may be creating internal inefficiencies, roadblocks and workarounds that will surely impact final product quality.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99706 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99706-why-is-manufacturing-data-different-from-any-other-kind One of the most common misunderstandings is the belief that quality is something checked at the end. But in real operations, quality starts much earlier. One of the most common misunderstandings is the belief that quality is something checked at the end. But in real operations, quality starts much earlier.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99689 Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99689-iso-9001-the-most-recognized-standardand-the-least-truly-used The robotics industry has entered its prove-it era. The main evaluation criterion is whether it works in real-world deployments, not just controlled demos. The robotics industry has entered its prove-it era. The main evaluation criterion is whether it works in real-world deployments, not just controlled demos.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99703 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99703-its-time-for-the-robotics-industry-to-prove-it Christopher Chidzik is the principal economist at AMT, the Association for Manufacturing Technology. Christopher Chidzik is the principal economist at AMT, the Association for Manufacturing Technology. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99701 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99701-not-such-a-cruel-summer-an-economic-outlook In 42 years working with calibration laboratories, I have yet to meet one that has solved the same stubborn question: how do we verify our own work without verifying every single piece of it? In 42 years working with calibration laboratories, I have yet to meet one that has solved the same stubborn question: how do we verify our own work without verifying every single piece of it?

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99702 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99702-the-100-qa-myth-the-more-you-review-the-less-you-catch The purpose of this system is simple: to ensure that processes are defined, measurable, and capable of being analyzed. The purpose of this system is simple: to ensure that processes are defined, measurable, and capable of being analyzed.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99700 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99700-what-iso-9001-2015-really-means-to-an-organization jvdbd@hotmail.com (John Vandenbemden) I did not know what to expect based on past experiences with the manual but this was surprisingly well developed. I did not know what to expect based on past experiences with the manual but this was surprisingly well developed.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99695 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99695-a-first-look-at-the-aiagvda-spc-manual the.mfg.acad@gmail.com (Ray Harkins) Most organizations track downtime in some form, but far fewer distinguish meaningfully between how often downtime occurs and how long it lasts. Most organizations track downtime in some form, but far fewer distinguish meaningfully between how often downtime occurs and how long it lasts.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99694 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99694-measuring-manufacturing-effectiveness-downtime-frequency-and-duration jvdbd@hotmail.com (John Vandenbemden) Although supply chain concerns are sometimes reviewed, their direct impacts on organizations are often overlooked. Although supply chain concerns are sometimes reviewed, their direct impacts on organizations are often overlooked.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99693 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99693-where-is-iso9001-2026-taking-us In quality control for machined parts, even a small deviation in diameter can mean a component falls outside tolerance. This metric is your first line of defense. In quality control for machined parts, even a small deviation in diameter can mean a component falls outside tolerance. This metric is your first line of defense.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99688 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99688-how-accurate-is-your-3d-laser-scanner-the-4-precision-metrics-that-actually-matter dlbrecken@sbcglobal.net (Don Brecken) By emphasizing continuous improvement in education, ASQ prepares students for future career challenges and cultivates a culture of accountability and innovation within educational systems. By emphasizing continuous improvement in education, ASQ prepares students for future career challenges and cultivates a culture of accountability and innovation within educational systems.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99685 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99685-asq-quality-in-education-think-tank jonreneberg@purdue.edu (Jon Reneberg) Think of AI as the world’s most capable intern: fast, patient, and perfectly happy running the same analysis a hundred times without complaining. Your job is to direct it. Think of AI as the world’s most capable intern: fast, patient, and perfectly happy running the same analysis a hundred times without complaining. Your job is to direct it.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99684 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99684-ai-in-the-quality-department-a-practical-path-forward-for-small-manufacturers http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99681 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99681-why-your-escalation-queue-is-getting-longer-and-what-it-actually-means Most organizations treat meetings as calendar events. Looking at it that way would be a fatal system thinking error. Most organizations treat meetings as calendar events. Looking at it that way would be a fatal system thinking error.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99680 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99680-the-meeting-room-is-a-quality-system-are-you-managing-it-like-one