Quality Control News

A vision system designed for UK-based HUF inspects boxed sets of car door handles before shipment, reports Vision Systems Design. Featuring six cameras linked to a PC, the system identifies the type of handles, including locking/nonlocking parts, and determines whether components are properly seated. As product moves down the conveyor, the system reads the barcode on the side of the box and sends the information to a PLC, which triggers the correct check routine.

For inspection applications in very tight, confined spaces, OC Robotics of Filton, England has designed a snake-arm robot with just a 1/2 in. diameter, notes Military & Aerospace Electronics. Developed for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the robot features an endoscope-like camera at its tip and uncoils from a briefcase-sized control unit. OC Robotics previously designed a similar robot that Airbus uses in Toulouse, France for assembly and inspection tasks within aircraft wings.

Avoid administrative and reporting headaches from the European Union's new REACH regulations on chemicals with a compliance software suite from YASH. Developed within the SAP Environment, the package helps companies track chemical substances and volumes, as well as collaborate workflows with customers and suppliers. The new EU regulations require companies that use, manufacture, or import more than one ton of a chemical substance annually to identify and manage risks associated with products they market.

Premium boat maker Correct Craft has adopted the new release of AIMS Manufacturing Lifecycle Management software to maintain its quality reputation, including J.D. Power's top ranking. The company uses a quality improvement software for inspection, data collection, and analysis, replacing a paper process with tablet PCs and wireless connectivity. The hosted software package monitors manufacturing operations in real time, and visual quality data collection helps to quickly identify specific areas for improvement.

A new family of testers promises to help engineers explore design alternatives in complex embedded systems, reports Electronicstalk. Featuring embedded hardware and three interconnected PCs, the first of these testers reproduces the system architecture for adaptive cruise-control in autos. With the tool, developers can assess the impact of different network architectures on car operation. The tester also targets companies developing products that incorporable a dual CANbus protocol in industrial automation, elevator control, and medical devices.

To help university departments comply with Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standards, Virgina Tech's IT managers run vulnerability scanners via security software on a department's credit card processing machines, notes SC Magazine. If problems are spotted, the software deposits a program on the machine, alerting the user that that the machine is subject to attack. The program also takes steps to patch the machine, such as adjusting firewalls to deny access.

Pharmaceutical researchers and designers can ensure integrity in drug packaging with a new tactile pressure-indicating sensor film. Requiring no special training or ancillary instruments, Pressurex film provides fast determination of pressure magnitude (2-43,000 psi) and distribution between any two mating or contacting surfaces. The film changes color in direct proportion to the actual pressure applied, and results are compared to a color correlation chart. Get a free sample from the manufacturer.

A new oil analysis sensor prevents gear-unit failure by detecting oil deterioration in power transmission assemblies. Featuring an integrated temperature sensor, onboard library of reference data, digital display, and four-channel digital output, the device monitors the temperature of lubricating oil every minute and predicts its remaining lifespan. Operators can select mineral, synthetic, poly-glycol, or food-grade oil types. The device also saves money by eliminating premature oil changes.

Most engineers involved in test and quality control are faring quite well in these tough economic times, according to a new careers report from Test & Measurement World. Engineers involved in QA/QC work earned an average of just over $88,000 in 2007, and a full 90% of respondents reported that they were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their careers. Still, engineers noted growing time pressures from an increasing number of projects.

To measure key properties of wine, such as acid, sugar, and alcohol content, the Barcelona Institute of Microelectronics is developing a hand-held device it calls the "Electronic Tongue." Inventor Spot reports that the instrument features six sensors that can detect substances that are characteristic of specific wine varieties. Results have demonstrated the potential of using such devices for distinguishing samples by grape type and vintage, as well as for quantitative prediction of sample parameters.

Is It Really China's Century?

Business experts argue that China's remarkable growth puts it in a position to dominate the world economy, but others question if the People's Republic can instill a necessary new culture of individualism and entrepreneurship. Do you think China can wrest global economic leadership from the U.S.?