All Features
Smita Skrivanek
In the January 2010 issue of MoreNews, we discussed “Simpson’s Paradox,” a well-known phenomenon that can distort causal relationships in data sets in the presence of a confounder or covariate. In this article, we will talk about some practical ways to guard against becoming the victim of this…
Institute for Healthcare Improvement IHI
(IHI: Cambridge, MA) -- Having a dashboard that easily and clearly displays information about your performance measures can help your hospital know if it is progressing toward its goals.
To help you create a practical framework for developing and evaluating a dashboard of key measures, the…
Steven Ouellette
So I thought I was done with measurement system analysis after my last column, but I just finished reading Don Wheeler’s June 1 column, “Is the Part in Spec?” and the first thing I thought was, “Well, that was… complicated and ultimately unhelpful in answering the article’s title question.” I like…
Sal Lucido
In Part I, “Savvy Compliance Strategy Can Improve GMP,” we took a high-level look at a process for automating regulatory compliance management. The closed-loop process starts with documenting your processes, followed by monitoring or checking that the processes are being followed. Next, you…
ISO
(ISO: Geneva) -- A new edition of the successful handbook, ISO 9001 for Small Businesses – What to do: Advice from ISO/TC 176, has just been jointly published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC). The handbook has been updated to take…
Gradient Lens Corp.
(Gradient Lens Corp.: Rochester, NY) -- The new Hawkeye Rigid Video Borescopes offer the convenience and image quality of video built right into every scope. This new line of direct-to-video borescopes has integrated charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras built into each of 18 models of Hawkeye Pro…
GBMP
(GBMP Inc.: Boston) -- “Easier, Better, Faster, Cheaper: How Do We Improve?” is the theme of the sixth annual Northeast Shingo Prize Conference, which will take place Oct. 19–20 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Northeast conference will emphasize the value…
Instron
(Instron: Norwood, MA) -- Instron announces its new line of universal materials testing equipment. The 5900 Series offers exceptional performance packaged in innovative frames, designed with enhancements that deliver superior accuracy and reliability, improved ergonomics, and an enhanced overall…
The Modal Shop
(The Modal Shop: Cincinnati) -- Major parts recalls cost a company more than just money. A damaged reputation can be a large, long-term loss, negatively affecting sales for years to come—especially if the recalled parts are safety-critical. Avoiding major recalls can be done simply, quickly, and…
Pilgrim Quality Solutions
(Pilgrim Software: Tampa, FL) -- New food safety regulations moving through the U.S. Congress, combined with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), demand greater safety management by food processors. At the 2010 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting, Symposium 171, “The Operational…
Pointools Ltd.
(Pointools: London) -- Software from Pointools is being used to create 3-D walk-through models to explore the viability of laser scanning on the moon and Mars. Researchers from Navajo Technical College, together with representatives from NASA and New Mexico Tech, laser scanned a volcanic formation…
The Un-Comfort Zone With Robert Wilson
During the 1996 Summer Olympics, I saw a young athlete with his brand-new silver medal around his neck and a massive smile on his face. He was so thrilled with his achievement that he was mixing and mingling with everyone he met on the sidewalk. Perfect strangers were shaking his hand, slapping…
Tripp Babbitt
The worst man-made environmental disaster in history is a tough pill to swallow for everyone, but especially for those responsible for it. Overnight, BP’s name and reputation has turned from a respected energy company with a predictable dividend to the company that should not be named…
University Alliance
(University Alliance: Tampa, FL) -- There’s no doubt that professionals with the right post-recession skills will have the best career options. That same knowledge can also strengthen their bank accounts, according to a U.S. News University Directory article featured in the latest University…
(Productivity Europe: Olney, UK) – Productivity Europe presents Visual Workplace—Visual Thinking, a two-day workplace seminar conducted by Gwendolyn Galsworth, Ph.D., July 6–7, held at Britvic Soft Drinks in Rugby, England. At the seminar learn principles, concepts, models, methods, and tools that…
KIDASA
(KIDASA Software: Austin, Texas) -- KIDASA Software Inc. announces the release of v. 2010 of Milestones Professional. Both 32-bit and 64 bit versions are available. Milestones Professional earned the “compatible with Windows 7” logo.
Continuing the KIDASA 20 year tradition of cutting-edge…
Bruce Ballinger
A recent article published in Quality Digest Daily pointed out that to foster a problem-solving culture, managers must serve as mentors and cultural leaders—building the systems and atmosphere that support and encourage team members at all levels to problem solve effectively.
That is…
Pinpoint Laser Systems
(Pinpoint Laser Systems: Peabody, MA) -- Pinpoint Laser Systems is introducing a new four-axis microgage receiver that provides useful alignment information for evaluating and correcting machinery alignment problems. The new 4-D Microgage Receiver measures two linear axes, X and Y, and their two…
European Machine Vision Association
(EMVA: Munich) -- During a press conference at AUTOMATICA 2010, European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) Vice President Cor Maas noted, “The European machine vision industry is well on track to return to substantial growth this year. Results of our current European market survey point to an 11-…
Standards Council of Canada
The Bre-X gold scandal that rocked the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) during the late 1990s forever changed the Canadian mining sector. When millions in pension dollars were lost due to fraudulent and falsified test data, investors around the world were outraged.
It remains one of the most…
Bill Kalmar
Permit me to take a break from all things quality- and customer service-oriented and talk about what’s really important.
Baseball.
That’s right; I feel the need to respond to the “perfect game” controversy from a Detroiter’s point of view. We in the Motor City regularly get criticized and…
Emil Venere
This image shows a new “hybrid optoelectric” device, developed by researchers at Purdue. The device uses a combination of light and electric fields to position droplets and tiny particles, such as bacteria, viruses, and DNA, representing a potential new tool for…
NVision Inc.
(NVision: Coppell, TX) -- Materials Analysis Inc., a Dallas engineering firm specializing in litigation support, is using noncontact 3-D scanning to provide critical assistance in product liability cases. The technology is invaluable for showing details that are invisible to the eye or that might…
Advanced Test Equipment Rentals
(Advanced Test Equipment Rentals: San Diego) -- Advanced Test Equipment Rentals, a provider of electronic test and measurement equipment rentals, is pleased to announce immediate availability of the Keithley 2015 Total Harmonic Distortion Multimeter.
Combining audio band quality measurements…
International Quality and Productivity Center IQPC
(IQPC: New York) -- The International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC) will hold its 10th Lean Six Sigma for Biotech, Pharma, and Medical Device Excellence event in San Diego, July 26–28, at the Hilton San Diego Resort.
Explore how to leverage lean Six Sigma and operational excellence by…