Quality Control News

Six Sigma has delivered impressive productivity and quality gains for companies, but this Quality Progress article stresses one factor that often doesn't get enough emphasis: the human dimension. Specifically, the author cites evidence showing that implementing positive psychology in a Six Sigma program encourages adaptability and coping skills and enhances employee talents and strengths. Find out how each core tenant of positive psychology addresses the human element of each corresponding phase of DMAIC methodology (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control). For more details, listen to this podcast with psychologist Frank Johnson.

MSI-Viking Gage has composed a list of the most important factors you need to know about your calibration company. Whether accurate calibration is critical in adhering to your industry regulations, or it's just a smart business practice, this list can save you time, money, and headaches. What you should know...

ShapeGrabber automated 3D laser scanners are ideal for measurement, inspection, and quality control. Even complex-shaped parts can be measured in minutes and directly compared to CAD data, with no delays in production and no jigs or fixtures required! Request a sample part inspection...

Detecting the many defects that can occur in fast-moving Web applications like paper, aluminum, and textile processing isn't just a matter of selecting the right smart camera. In many cases, notes this article, proper lighting holds the key to success, and increasingly long-lasting LED illumination wins the day over traditional fluorescent, halogen, or metal halide sources. Learn about some of the latest LED line light options, including color choices, for demanding inspection applications.

A new inspection system helps electronics manufacturers get maximum quality and throughput from their reflow ovens for printed circuit boards. This Reflow Process Index (RPI) manages reflow ovens to maximize desired results through such operations as creating heat, blowing air, removing volatiles from the air, and controlling temperature and static pressure. In addition, the RPI alerts users to process deficiencies that cause defects (see video). Once programmed, the RPI works automatically without operator involvement.

Stryker, a $7 billion global medical device company, believes its success depends on achieving a high level of employee engagement. When one New Jersey plant failed to meet those standards, the company sent in its top European human resources executive. This Quality Digest report shows the techniques she relied on to win employee buy-in, ranging from the Clifton StengthFinder to extensive feedback and action-planning sessions. Essential to the process: Finding "engagement voices."

With the new PAS Inspection Lifecycle Management (ILM) suite, manufacturers and machine shops can establish a complete automated inspection process from a CAD model through inspection results. The ILM eliminates the need for data translation throughout inspection, and users can generate inspection plans directly on-model and then output inspection results to FAI-compliant forms or other documents. Find out more about the ILM modules that provide interactive analysis at every step of the inspection process.

The Phantom v641 is the second generation v640 camera. It's smaller and lighter than its predecessor, with a number of new convenience features requested by users. More info...

ACANTO Absolute Length Gages plus ND 2100G GAGE-CHEK readouts are ideal for fixed gaging and inspection. Holds 2 µm accuracy over entire length while ensuring linearity. Spring operated and pneumatic models, 12 mm and 30 mm lengths. ND 2100G manages up to 100 parts: 16 visible plus 16 hidden features each.

ISO has introduced a new standard, ISO 14470:2011, which provides state-of-the art requirements for food irradiation, commonly used to improve quality and safety in food processing. The standard gives directions for a technical agreement between the customer and the irradiator operator and establishes a documentation system to support the controls on the food irradiation process. ISO says the standard will benefit manufacturers, irradiation operators, regulators, food sellers, and consumers. This video describes the irradiation process.

For QC engineers in the aerospace field, the DO-160 RF emissions and immunity test module from Teseq simplifies test set-up by providing preloaded, standard hardware configurations for selected tests. Users can select various settings, including: standards, test levels, test methods, modulation settings, leveling methods, peak analysis, and failure analysis. You can also customize the results graph and table to include company logo, text, test details, and photos.

The same laser-sonar tool used for on-product measurements of ultrathin to thick opaque films in the front end of wafer processing is now serving the back end of IC manufacturing. With the MetroPULSE® metrology system, you can now measure under bump metallization (UBM) and redistribution layers (RDL) used in advanced packaging technologies. The system offers nondestructive measurements with the small spot size, speed, and accuracy required for patterned wafers.

Failures can be both costly and catastrophic in gasifiers and other critical vessels found in petrochemical refining, power generation, chemical processing, waste management, and plastics production. To provide early detection of flaws, the UK's Land Instruments has developed a new monitoring system featuring thermal imaging cameras. The system provides higher measurement density than traditional thermocouple methods, measuring surface temperature once every 16 cm², versus every 250 cm² for thermocouples.

ThermometerSite.com is the premier location for temperature indicating color changing thermometers, thermographic supplies, and reference material on the Web. We offer liquid crystal materials for nondestructive research, testing, and education. Household, personal care, medical, and industrial color changing thermometers are available in individual quantities.

In the microelecronics industry the demands of higher yields and shrinking device geometries mean that process reproductability and understanding is vital. Hiden plasma probes measure some of the key plasma parameters and provide detailed information relating to plasma reaction chemistry. From Hiden Analytical.

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