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Over the years, I’ve observed a number of efforts at various companies to implement A3 problem solving, an approach based on the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle that summarizes the problem and solution on a folded form, usually 11 in. × 17 in. I worked for some of those companies; I’ve observed…
Analytics, business intelligence, and key performance indicators (KPIs) are common phrases we hear just about everywhere in the workplace. The top focus for chief information officers has been on business intelligence and analytics and will likely continue through 2017 according to Gartner Inc.…
This article estimates the uncertainty for measuring a tool tip using dual Leica T-Mac sensors set up on opposite sides of an NC machine head and measured with tracking interferometers at opposite ends of a machine bed. Performance testing compares the estimated and measured uncertainties and…
President Obama’s State of the Union address called for an increase in the federally mandated minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. $7.25 an hour, or even $10.10 an hour, is an appallingly low wage for anybody in a modern industrialized country, but we can’t get a higher minimum wage through…
(Breuckmann: Meersburg, Germany) -- The range of scanning products offered by Breuckmann now includes the precise stereoSCAN-R16. Three-dimensional metrology at the highest level can be accomplished using this two-camera system, which is usable in almost any situation, thanks to its excellent…
You shouldn’t need Barney the giant purple dinosaur to remind you of the playground mantra “sharing is caring,” but maybe the medical device industry needs to do some quick Netflix streaming of back episodes.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), already working with more than a dozen drug makers, the…
In part one, we looked at the importance of understanding findings in order to make better decisions. To do this we and our decision-making leaders must become adept at data investigation and analysis so we can ask critical questions.
In part two I want to emphasize another truth that will prevent…
The Boy Scouts of America have a timeless motto: “Be prepared.” These are words to live by. In the wilderness, if an individual has a pocket knife, a length of string, and some matches, he can deal with most emergencies that may arise. In business, however, a Swiss Army knife is going to do little…
(Delcam: Birmingham, UK) -- Autodesk Inc., developer of 3-D design, engineering, and entertainment software, has completed the acquisition of Delcam, supplier of advanced computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.
Autodesk announced its intent to acquire Delcam on Nov. 7, 2013, for £20.75 per…
(Hexagon Metrology: North Kingstown, RI) -- Hexagon Metrology introduces the new TESA MH3D-DUAL coordinate measuring machine (CMM) in booth 702 at the Aerodef Manufacturing Expo, Feb. 25–27, 2014, in Long Beach, California.
The MH3D-DUAL CMM offers a unique-to-the-market combination of manual and…
Customer satisfaction improves for a third consecutive year for retail, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The retail sector overall gains 1.7 percent to an ACSI benchmark of 77.9, boosted by higher customer satisfaction with specialty retail…
They spanned 140 degrees of latitude—from Canada to Chile—and varied widely in age and experience. But their goal was the same: To improve their metrological capabilities for the benefit of their home countries and the Western Hemisphere.
For five extremely full days during the last week of…
(New River Kinematics: Williamsburg, VA) -- New River Kinematics (NRK), producer of SpatialAnalyzer (SA), a leading portable metrology software, celebrates its 20th anniversary by announcing strong 2013 growth and new expansion of headquarter facilities.
Significant growth in sales of…
(Hexagon Metrology: North Kingstown, RI) -- Hexagon Metrology has announced the Leica B-Probe, an entry-level wireless probing device that extends the capability of the Leica Absolute Tracker AT402. The handheld Leica B-Probe is designed for the inspection, alignment, and assembly of large-scale…
(FARO Technologies: Lake Mary, FL) -- FARO Technologies Inc., the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement, imaging, and realization technology, has released its most advanced scan processing software solution, SCENE 5.2.
In SCENE 5.2, 3D visualizations are rendered in even greater detail…
(API: Rockville, MD) -- Automated Precision Inc. (API) has announced that company COO Joe Bioty has been named its new president. Bioty has been associated with high technology businesses for more than 40 years and led API as COO since 2010, as well as from 2003 to 2007. Company founder and CEO Kam…
(Hexagon Metrology: North Kingstown, RI) -- Hexagon Metrology has announced the launch of the 7.10.7 SF, a new generation of shop-floor coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) specially designed to excel in harsh industrial environments. The new product line introduces significant advancements based…
The constant rapid changes in today’s business climate demands on-the-fly gear shifting for teams and business units. Few can afford to wait until next year’s three-day strategic off-site meeting, a model fast becoming a relic of more halcyon days.
So how do you quickly and nimbly get everyone on…
Metrologists are often faced with measurement processes that are repetitive and time-consuming. It’s not uncommon for a set of measurements to be taken repeatedly under different conditions and with different materials to maintain quality control. Afterward, the measurements must be formatted and…
Welcome to the winter edition of CMSC World. I want to touch on one of our biggest accomplishments of 2013—the Level-One Certification Program for Portable 3D Metrology. This program was requested and supported by many CMSC members. With your help and the tireless work of the Coordinate Metrology…
Innovative technologies, mobility, and flexibility in measurement technology are playing a major role for more and more companies. In addition to fixed coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) or traditional measurement arms, optical systems are increasingly becoming established in measurement…
Recently, I’ve run into posts, articles, and discussions concerning findings that employee morale doesn’t equate to productivity. They are an excellent example of how easily we can mislead ourselves with data.
By way of background, apparently some of the research groups and “better management”…
(PQ Systems: Dayton, OH) -- PQ Systems, developer of quality control solutions, has launched native language web pages for Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and China.
“The quality industry continues to evolve in these markets and we’re excited to be able to support their efforts,” says Beth Savage,…
An engineering manager who I worked with 25 years ago challenged me one day. “You know, Bruce, if all employees were engineers, you wouldn’t need mistake-proofing,” he said. At the time, I was too stunned by his comment to even respond. But happily, the memory provides good fodder for another…
In part one, I shared a case study of how a small bicycle-chain manufacturing company in India used Six Sigma’s DMAIC approach to reverse declining productivity. After completing the define, measure, and analysis phases, the team had identified the important factors in the bushing creation process…