Image courtesy of: kynny (iStock / Getty Images Plus) Discover the future of quality control, unveiling the power of automation in manufacturing. https://www.qualitymag.com/rss/8450-automation en-us 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 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 Suzy Teele is the chief strategy officer for the ARM Institute. Suzy Teele is the chief strategy officer for the ARM Institute. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99679 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99679-robotics-and-ai-adoption In the automotive industry, digital twin technologies are a core part of product development and quality management. In the automotive industry, digital twin technologies are a core part of product development and quality management.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99667 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99667-how-digital-twins-are-helping-manufacturers-double-down-on-quality Discover the future of quality manufacturing with the power of automation. Discover the future of quality manufacturing with the power of automation.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99637 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99637-ebook-how-ai-driven-vision-systems-are-transforming-automotive-quality-control We know what we need. Companies just haven’t done the work to get there. We know what we need. Companies just haven’t done the work to get there.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99657 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99657-stop-talking-about-agentic-ai-until-you-fix-your-data-foundation rkhanna@3dinfotech.com (Rohit Khanna) Learn how new technologies are redefining how manufacturers approach quality, productivity, and consistency, and companies that move early will create a meaningful competitive gap. Learn how new technologies are redefining how manufacturers approach quality, productivity, and consistency, and companies that move early will create a meaningful competitive gap.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99652 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99652-robots-intelligent-machines-and-the-new-era-of-inspection Michelle Bangert, managing editor of Quality, sat down with Sainyam Arora, our 2026 Quality Rookie of the Year, at the MAX event in Nashville. Michelle Bangert, managing editor of Quality, sat down with Sainyam Arora, our 2026 Quality Rookie of the Year, at the MAX event in Nashville.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99635 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99635-the-rest-is-history-sainyam-aroras-journey-to-2026-quality-rookie-of-the-year When artificial intelligence enters the conversation in quality and continuous improvement (CI) circles, reactions tend to fall at two extremes. When artificial intelligence enters the conversation in quality and continuous improvement (CI) circles, reactions tend to fall at two extremes. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99608 Wed, 27 May 2026 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99608-ai-as-an-enabler-of-continuous-improvement-applying-quality-thinking-to-ai-prompt-engineering a framework for integrating AI in Corporate Intelligence (CI) This cartoon, titled "The Cox-Box" by Gary P. Cox, highlights the relationship between human decision-making and artificial intelligence Quality inspection today must cope with growing demands. Quality inspection today must cope with growing demands.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99591 Tue, 19 May 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99591-flexible-ai-inspection-how-learning-systems-are-changing-visual-quality-control Manufacturers continue to invest heavily in automation, cloud platforms, and artificial intelligence, yet many leaders still struggle to articulate whether those investments are delivering meaningful value, particularly across quality teams and functions. Manufacturers continue to invest heavily in automation, cloud platforms, and artificial intelligence, yet many leaders still struggle to articulate whether those investments are delivering meaningful value, particularly across quality teams and functions.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99588 Mon, 18 May 2026 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99588-the-real-roi-of-quality-automation-is-not-headcount-reduction Manufacturers have long understood the promise of AI’s potential, especially for improving product quality, growing employee productivity, and reducing errors on the plant floor. Manufacturers have long understood the promise of AI’s potential, especially for improving product quality, growing employee productivity, and reducing errors on the plant floor. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99583 Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99583-ai-is-getting-funded-roi-still-has-to-be-earned-how-manufacturers-can-break-through Industrial robotics automation often involves the use of specialized machinery and software the integration of human labor with advanced robotics and automation technologies Automation promises efficiency, cost savings, and fewer errors. What it cannot do is fix a broken process. Automation promises efficiency, cost savings, and fewer errors. What it cannot do is fix a broken process.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99581 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99581-when-automation-fails-the-process-is-usually-to-blame Manufacturers today face a paradox: quality expectations continue to rise, yet the labor available to perform consistent, repeatable inspection continues to shrink. Manufacturers today face a paradox: quality expectations continue to rise, yet the labor available to perform consistent, repeatable inspection continues to shrink.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99570 Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99570-standardized-cobot-inspection-is-reshaping-quality-controland-every-manufacturer-should-pay-attention This is a FANUC CRX collaborative robot This is a FANUC CRX collaborative robot featuring a white arm with green accents performing industrial automation tasks This is a FANUC CRX collaborative robot featuring a lightweight white design with bright green accents. Trevor Campbell, Sales Development Manager of Microscopy at Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, discusses artificial intelligence, microscopy, and a new manufacturing report deployed by Zeiss from the MAX Show in Nashville. Trevor Campbell, Sales Development Manager of Microscopy at Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, discusses artificial intelligence, microscopy, and a new manufacturing report deployed by Zeiss from the MAX Show in Nashville.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99566 Wed, 06 May 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99566-video-podcast-how-to-increase-speed-without-compromising-quality-in-aerospace-manufacturing Manufacturers increasingly want to use artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics to improve quality and reduce waste. Manufacturers increasingly want to use artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics to improve quality and reduce waste.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99564 Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99564-before-ai-can-help-the-data-has-to-be-ready Many manufacturers want to automate but struggle to figure out where to begin. Many manufacturers want to automate but struggle to figure out where to begin. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99563 Tue, 05 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99563-getting-automation-right-from-the-start an industrial fiber laser machine Semiconductor device inline planarity check with AT-Sensors 3D laser profilers. an automated 3D inline inspection system by AT Sensors Soda can pressure check with AT-Sensors 3D laser profilers. Mukesh Kumar, a SAP Premium Engagement Leader and enterprise transformation strategist, has spent more than two decades designing and delivering large-scale quality, compliance, and digital transformation programs across regulated industries. Mukesh Kumar, a SAP Premium Engagement Leader and enterprise transformation strategist, has spent more than two decades designing and delivering large-scale quality, compliance, and digital transformation programs across regulated industries. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99562 Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99562-building-quality-systems-for-complex-regulated-environments Antigone Sharris is a full-time faculty member of the Engineering Technology Team at Triton College. She is also faculty lead, NFPA Fluid Power Fast Track Hub Site; faculty advisor, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society; and mentor to the Team 2151 Robotics Team. Antigone Sharris is a full-time faculty member of the Engineering Technology Team at Triton College. She is also faculty lead, NFPA Fluid Power Fast Track Hub Site; faculty advisor, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society; and mentor to the Team 2151 Robotics Team.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99550 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99550-video-podcast-an-engineer-since-age-8 Robots are no longer confined to fenced cells performing repetitive tasks on the factory floor. Robots are no longer confined to fenced cells performing repetitive tasks on the factory floor. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99529 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99529-what-should-quality-professionals-know-about-the-updated-us-robot-safety-standard Machine vision cameras have crossed a threshold. Machine vision cameras have crossed a threshold.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99528 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99528-fiber-optics-the-data-transmission-backbone-powering-ai-driven-industrial-inspection This image displays a high-speed machine vision system used for real-time human pose estimation. Real-time human pose system incorporating BitFlow CoF frame grabber, Advantech AI edge computer, and Optronis fiber camera, accelerated by NVIDIA TensorRT deep learning. This image displays a real-time human pose estimation system in action. The landscape of automotive quality control is undergoing a profound transformation. The landscape of automotive quality control is undergoing a profound transformation. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99527 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99527-how-ai-driven-vision-systems-are-transforming-automotive-quality-control As professors Hirotaka Takeuchi and John Quelch stated in their famous Harvard Business Review article, “Quality is more than making a good product,” emphasizing that in manufacturing, excellent customer service and support are just as crucial as the product itself. As professors Hirotaka Takeuchi and John Quelch stated in their famous Harvard Business Review article, “Quality is more than making a good product,” emphasizing that in manufacturing, excellent customer service and support are just as crucial as the product itself.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99507 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99507-how-agentic-ai-improves-customer-service-and-support-in-manufacturing selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) You see it a lot with e-commerce. Online shopping is said to offer an advantage. An array of “reviews” posted by other shoppers of the product you are considering. Amazon and others have converted these comments on the worthiness of a product into tools that help browsers decide if they want to become purchasers. You see it a lot with e-commerce. Online shopping is said to offer an advantage. An array of “reviews” posted by other shoppers of the product you are considering. Amazon and others have converted these comments on the worthiness of a product into tools that help browsers decide if they want to become purchasers.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99493 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99493-how-do-we-get-to-the-positive No two eggs are identical, yet all are edible. This principle applies equally to industrial manufacturing: the diversity of produced parts and potential defects is virtually limitless. The added challenge for quality assurance and identification tasks? No two eggs are identical, yet all are edible. This principle applies equally to industrial manufacturing: the diversity of produced parts and potential defects is virtually limitless. The added challenge for quality assurance and identification tasks?

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99490 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99490-ai-powered-machine-vision-technologies-are-revolutionizing-industrial-applications This image displays a modern automotive assembly line featuring industrial robots performing welding operations on a car body. Machine vision application for inspecting weld seams on car bodies. This image illustrates the concept of Automated Visual Inspection using machine learning for quality control. Deep learning-based algorithms learn automatically based on training image data.  The image displays a screenshot from a robot-assisted bin-picking system used to identify and organize plastic accessory bags. Robust Identification of translucent plastic bags overlapping of lying on top of each other with different contents. The image displays a dashboard or log file from an automated inspection system analyzing various controls, likely for industrial welding quality control. Deep learning technologies detect the difference between OK and NOK welds. The image shows baguette bread, a long, thin loaf of French origin typically made from lean dough. Defect detection on bakery goods. Quality teams now rely on a dense stack of tools: automated test frameworks, AI assisted test generation, self healing locators, visual testing, static analysis, and observability platforms. Quality teams now rely on a dense stack of tools: automated test frameworks, AI assisted test generation, self healing locators, visual testing, static analysis, and observability platforms. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99485 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99485-if-safety-is-on-the-line-designing-a-quality-strategy-that-does-not-overtrust-tools 1SmartQMS@gmail.com (Maria DiBari) We treat mistakes like something to be engineered out of existence. Every roadmap promises fewer defects. Every system promises more precision. We treat mistakes like something to be engineered out of existence. Every roadmap promises fewer defects. Every system promises more precision. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99468 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99468-the-gift-of-getting-it-wrong-why-human-error-is-innovations-secret-weapon My career started with the early days of the semiconductor industry, and a few years later techies started dreaming of large-scale semiconductor memory. My career started with the early days of the semiconductor industry, and a few years later techies started dreaming of large-scale semiconductor memory. 

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99467 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99467-exploring-quality-of-autonomous-systems David Ryeson, Kaushik Shubhank, and Dr. Jan Nöcker of the Boston Consulting Group have written for Quality about AI and Quality 4.0. David Ryeson, Kaushik Shubhank, and Dr. Jan Nöcker of the Boston Consulting Group have written for Quality about AI and Quality 4.0.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99469 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99469-video-podcast-the-dynamics-and-discussions-of-quality-40 The idea of the ‘dark factory’ has gained new attention as advances in robotics and AI accelerate. Stories range from fully automated automotive plants that operate around the clock and lights-out facilities in China, to experiments with humanoid robots on production lines, often framed as early signs of factories that no longer require people on the shop floor. The idea of the ‘dark factory’ has gained new attention as advances in robotics and AI accelerate. Stories range from fully automated automotive plants that operate around the clock and lights-out facilities in China, to experiments with humanoid robots on production lines, often framed as early signs of factories that no longer require people on the shop floor.

]]> http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99453 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/99453-the-dark-factory-myth