All Features
American National Standards Institute ANSI
(ANSI: Washington, DC) -- As big data continue to inspire innovative changes in industry and enhance the way organizations and stakeholders work together, standardization supportive of this field remains a top priority in 2016.
Last year, efforts to support standardization related to big data…
EPSON America
(Epson: Atlanta) -- Epson America Inc., providers of the Moverio augmented reality smart eyewear platform, has announced a partnership with Atheer, creators of Augmented Interactive Reality (AiR) software suite, to deliver remote expert collaboration, rapid task flow deployment, and on-the-go task…
The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence
(Shingo Institute: Logan, Utah) -- The Shingo Institute, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has awarded Ben Hartman with the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award for his book, The Lean Farm: How to Minimize Waste, Increase Efficiency, and…
Glebar
(Glebar: Ramsey, NJ) -- Glebar has developed a centerless grinding process on its GT 610 CNC for automotive manufacturers that expedites the development process of fuel injector nozzle valves, leading to reduced tooling costs, lower inventory levels and quicker integration of new technology for…
Harish Jose
In this article I want to look at the concept of equifinality in relation to the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. In systems theory, equifinality is defined as reaching the same end, no matter what the starting point was. This is applicable only in an open system, one that interacts with its…
Ruth P. Stevens
As the initial wild enthusiasm for customer relationship management (CRM) begins to plateau, and companies become increasingly skeptical of inflated claims for success, it’s time to take a hard look at how CRM projects should be measured. What is “successful” CRM, anyway? How will you know it when…
Thomas More Smith
Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor outlined changes to the existing overtime exemptions. Is this a win for workers? And a loss for employers? In truth, the real effect on both groups and the economy is much more nuanced.
As you are probably aware, some employees are exempt from being paid…
Delcam
(Delcam: Birmingham, UK) -- Delcam, an Autodesk company since 2014, continues to improve the software to help companies that need to increase productivity and reduce lead times. This often involves a re-imagined approach towards innovation and the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) with…
James Olthoff
I’m a physicist, and as anyone who watches the popular TV series The Big Bang Theory knows, it’s a commonly held conception that there is a strong connection between being a scientist and being enthralled with all things science fiction, fantasy, and superheroes. Anyone who walks into my office at…
Bruce Hamilton
Twice in the last month I’ve heard the phrase “traditional lean” used in public presentations. In neither case did the presenter explain the expression, but one displayed a slide with a Venn diagram showing the overlap between lean and Six Sigma.
I suppose this means that he defined traditional…
The QA Pharm
Aquality management review of data with responsible company leadership is a current good manufacturing practices requirement. Quality management review procedures vary, but there seems to be a struggle with presenting data from across the quality management system in a meaningful and consistent…
Barbara A. Cleary, Steve Daum
Quality alone will not ensure a successful future, as the classic story of the buggy-whip manufacturer demonstrates. His products were outstanding—better than any others—but when the market changed to automobiles, he found himself out of business.
Markets do indeed change, apparently at an…
NIST
Anyone who has ever covered a wall with sticky notes to clearly map all of the steps in a process knows how valuable that exercise can be. It can streamline workflow, increase efficiency, and improve the overall quality of the end result. Now, a public-private team led by the National Institute of…
For true freedom of design, 3D metal printing enables incredible solutions in industries as diverse as manufacturing and medicine. Now the technique has generated a humane resolution to a difficult problem confronting a team of veterinarians. For the first time ever, a prosthetic titanium beak has…
Visual Workplace Inc.
(Visual Workplace: Byron Center, MI) -- Visual Workplace, Inc. offers Gauge-Marking Vinyl for quick visual identification of gauge and inspection parameters and specifications. Gauge-Marking Vinyl is a durable, transparent, adhesive-back vinyl that applies easily to gauges and other smooth…
Mike Figliuolo
Work is a convenient excuse for not taking care of yourself. Not exercising, poor diet, and stress are a bad combination. You’ve got to make time for you. Work will always be there when you get back.
Just over a year ago, I had a heart attack. My second heart attack. Yep. Two. The first one…
Ben Vickery
A manufacturer can be innovative in various ways by using new business models and adopting measures to improve processes and enhance existing products. But to stay ahead of competition, manufacturers often turn to technology. Here are five technologies that are driving manufacturing innovation.…
Dan Jacob
The way an organization handles quality generally differs from how it manages other business areas. Although no one questions the importance of tangible industrial functions like production or scheduling, too often quality is treated as an add-on. Some companies take an antiquated approach and…
(U.S. Navy: Washington, D.C.) -- Is it possible to produce parts and equipment from scratch for sailors—aboard ships and on demand?
Can the Navy rush-deliver parts and high-tech gear such as customized unmanned systems, avionics components, and improvised explosive device detectors to its war…
Fred Schenkelberg
When products were crafted one at a time, the design and manufacturing processes were often done by the same person. For example, a craftsman would design and build a chest of drawers or a carriage. Some trades would employ apprentices to learn the craft, which also included design.
Larger…
Jeffrey Phillips
The tone of this article is a bit tongue in cheek, but the point is quite serious. Innovators go through a number of phases as they accept the reality of innovation based on what executives and corporate culture allow. Growing as an innovator is something like experiencing the seven stages of…
Rachel Tracy
Two things are true when it comes to making important decisions that affect your company: You need a way to quantify risk to make the best choice, and you need to be able to explain that choice. A risk matrix helps you do both.
Calculating risk across various outcomes can give you clear…
Schon Beechler
Firms that carefully design effective community projects for their employees can uncover new leaders, improve employee engagement, and even boost the bottom line. But crucial elements are required to ensure success.
Vik Hill, the managing director of Santander Consumer Finance UK (SCUK) in London…
(WCRI: Cambridge, MA) -- New studies published recently by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) compare outcomes of injured workers across 15 states. The outcomes examined in these studies include recovery of physical health and functioning, return to work, earnings recovery, access…
Harry Hertz
I recently returned from the ASQ World Conference in Milwaukee. After going through security in Terminal C at the Milwaukee Airport, there was an area (as is typical) for putting shoes back on, and reassembling belongings and yourself. What was different this time was a sign hanging over this area…
