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U.S. Manufacturing Grows at Fastest Pace in Three Years

A surge in orders for plastics and metals have helped power the world’s largest economy past a global slowdown.




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SPE Names Ian Strachan Thermoformer of the Year

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Thermoforming Division has named Ian Strachan as Thermoformer of the Year.




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Westmoreland Mechanical Testing and Research Becomes a Member of America Makes

Through its memberships in America Makes, WMT&R joins other leading member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies, and workforce and economic development resources that are working together to innovate and accelerate additive manufacturing and 3-D printing.




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NAM Praises Congressional Passage of Perkins CTE Reauthorization

U.S. House vote is a step toward closing the skills gap.




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Recognizing Women in Manufacturing with the STEP Ahead Awards

Manufacturing Institute now accepting nominations for annual STEP Ahead Awards.




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PrecisionPath Consortium Releases Technology Roadmap for Large-Scale Manufacturing

July PPC meeting at the CMSC Conference concludes last phase of Roadmap project.




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German Machine Vision Industry Has Doubled in Last 10 Years

Success of the industry again produces record numbers for VISION 2018.




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White Paper: A Roadmap to Increase OEE Performance

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) continues to gain in popularity as manufacturing teams seek to quantify plant and machine-level performance to find ways each area can be improved and keep production lines running at peak efficiency.




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With Great Risk... Comes Great Reward

Thomas Jefferson and MMA Fighter Jon Jones both emphasized the link between risk and reward, but it's debatable whether Jefferson meant to imply a direct correlation.




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Vision Measuring System

Mitutoyo America Corporation announces the latest version of the versatile Quick Image series 2-D vision measuring system.




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Optical Shaft Measurement System

Mahr Federal has introduced a new addition to their growing family of optical shaft measurement systems.




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AC Measurement Standard

The 5790B AC Measurement Standard is an ac voltage and current measurement or transfer standard designed for the most demanding calibration applications.




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LK Metrology Measurement Software

British coordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufacturer LK Metrology, Castle Donington, has announced the release of the latest version of its measurement, programming, simulation, analysis and reporting software.




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Mitutoyo Surface Measure Non-Contact Line-Laser Sensor

Mitutoyo America Corporation announced the release of our innovative SM1008S, the first non-contact line-laser sensor in the Mitutoyo Surface Measure product line.




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Mahr MarSurf CD 140 AF Contour Measuring Machine

Mahr Inc. announced a new solution for contour measurement.




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Greenpower Park to Establish UK as Center of Clean Energy, Electrification

The new campus will focus on battery research, manufacturing, and recycling, with the West Midlands Gigafactory as its anchor tenant.




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Meet the 2024 Quality Rookie of the Year: Justin Wise

Justin Wise is an exceptional individual who has been deployed seven times and is fluent in Navajo and Cahuilla. He is currently an inspector general with the Navy, having worked for several years at the DCMA, where he was recognized as the 2021 Quality Representative of the Year. Justin Wise is worth honoring as our 2024 Rookie of the Year.




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Exploring the Integration of AI and Machine Learning in AM Aerospace Applications

The aerospace industry constantly seeks new technologies for a competitive edge and enhanced capability. AI and maching learning in additive manufacturing offer significant value for meeting industry needs.




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The Case for Re-Educating Leadership on How to Manage for Quality

Leaders prioritize efficiency and productivity over quality management, compromising long-term standards, evident in the widespread adoption of operational excellence programs like Lean and Six Sigma.





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Taper Pipe Thread Inspection, NPT

Taper Pipe Threads are one of the more challenging threads to produce and measure. The ASME B1.20.1-2013 Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch) is the current standard that covers both the part thread specifications and the gages for NPT, NPSC, NPTR, NPSM and NPSL threads.




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Learns from ISO 9001:2015

Having conducted well over 700 audits, there are some patterns that have developed that are interesting to note.




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How Precision Measurement Tool Help Wave Worshippers Catch the Ultimate Barrel

Today, most surfboards are made with a CNC machine. 3D metrology laser trackers can assist with critical quality control safeguards to ensure the CNC machine is doing its job properly.




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A Holistic Approach to Quality: A Post-Show Q&A with 2023 Quality’s Plant of the Year, Reed Switch Developments Corp.

A Q&A with Reed Switch Developments Corp. president Debra Dahlin, and Engineering and QA Manager, Jeff Rosenbaum, to talk more about its holistic approach to quality.




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The Next Dimension of Precision: Integrating Rotary Tables into Coordinate Measuring Systems

This article explores the transformative impact of incorporating rotary stages into coordinate measuring systems, enhancing their capabilities and the efficiency of the measurement process.




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Pre-Plate Threads: 60° Thread Form

Gage accuracy depends on product info. Thread form plating changes pitch diameter. Compensate for buildup to make correct pre-plate allowances. 60° UN threads change pitch diameter by 4x plating thickness.




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Leverage Industry 4.0 to Support a Healthy Organization

Industry 4.0, or Technology 4.0, signifies the shift towards automation, data exchange, and advanced technologies like AI and IoT in manufacturing and beyond. Its value lies in aligning with organizational goals and strategic plans and enhancing employee efficiency, offering a comprehensive approach to modernizing operations across the board.





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Medical Devices: Breaking into an Industry

How did I end up working with medical devices? Reflecting on my career, it's been diverse. Three years ago, I was working on protein structure in research labs. I never thought I'd be in the world of quality later on!




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Video Podcast: Overcoming Threats to Quality Culture

Daniel Zrymiak highlights key threats to quality culture from his experience. Organizations must continuously check for these threats in operations and discussions, ready to respond appropriately.




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Delayed by Deadly Wastes: A Rented Car Gives Rise to All 8 of Them

In a world where every minute matters, a car rental turns into a frustrating ordeal of delays and inefficiencies. Will I reach my important meeting on time, or will I be exposed to the 8 deadly wastes?




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Nearly Two Million Manufacturing Jobs May Remain Unfilled due to Skill Gaps

American manufacturing is making a comeback, fueled by billions in investments and new technologies. This reshoring not only boosts job quality and economic opportunity but also mitigates supply chain risks exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. But is there a catch?




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The Hidden Goldmine: Reducing Costs and Raising Yield by Streamlining Knowledge Work

Are you throwing away a significant portion of your budget without realizing it? How often do engineers, scientists, and analysts regenerate knowledge work—solving problems or similar problems that have already been solved?




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Unlearning: Lean’s Toughest Challenge?

Many continuous improvement (CI) champions encounter resistance to adopting the necessary mindset, often perceiving individuals as closed-minded or too comfortable. Unlearning long-held beliefs can be stressful, especially for those whose careers depend on them, and psychologists note this process can often be harder than learning new skills—particularly for the most successful individuals.




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Leveraging Automation to Manage Growth: Catching Up with 2023 Plant of the Year, Reed Switch Developments Corp.

Reed Switch Developments Corp. (RSD), a woman-owned manufacturer in Racine, WI, specializes in magnetic reed switches and sensors. Recognized as last year’s Quality Plant of the Year, RSD has achieved a 25% increase in sales year-to-date, leveraging in-house technical expertise and automation to manage growth amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.




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Turning an Idea into a Patent: Part I

This series will discuss the patent process from concept to commercialization.




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Turning an Idea into a Patent: Part I

This series will discuss the patent process from concept to commercialization.
 




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Weapons Technology: A Tangential Benefit

If you are blinded by any stigma, you are limiting your creativity.




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The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Machine Learning in Modern Quality Management

We explore two critical applications of AI and ML in quality management: predictive quality analytics and automated quality inspections.




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Building a Framework for Machine-Learning Compliance in Regulated Industries

Regulatory bodies like the FDA and MHRA are adapting guidelines to accommodate the evolving AI landscape, stressing the importance of innovative compliance approaches alongside traditional software regulations, including audit trails, electronic records, and signatures.




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Enhancing Quality Management in the Automotive Industry with Digital Twins and Augmented Reality

The automotive industry is innovating to produce safer and more efficient vehicles. Quality standards are vital, as small defects can lead to serious safety issues. Digital twins and augmented reality (AR) are transforming quality management. This article explores their impact and associated challenges.





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SPC Without the “S” - Dealing with Automated Data Flows

Statistical process control (SPC) charts are crucial for process stability, especially with improved data collection. Introduced by Walter Shewhart in the 1920s, SPC uses random samples to estimate statistics and assess variation. With better data availability, techniques like the Rbar method, which estimates standard deviation using subgroup ranges, need reevaluation.




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ZEISS Leads IMTS Visitors on a Journey to Discover Their Superforce

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is presenting a hero's journey at the 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) booth #134302 in the East Hall, Level 3.




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Automated Solution for Long-Life Laser Modules by Robot Colleague at LASER COMPONENTS

LASER COMPONENTS Germany GmbH has taken a decisive step towards more efficient production processes by acquiring a new robot.




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July 2024 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $191.8 Million, Up 2.5% Year-to-Date

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $191.8 million in July 2024.




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Topeka, KS, High School Unveils New 50,000-sq-ft STEAM/STEM Innovation Center

Students at Washburn Rural High School (WRHS) will benefit from a new state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance career and technical education.




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Zygo Team Members Honored With Prestigious ASPE Awards at 39th Annual Meeting

Zygo, a business unit of AMETEK, Inc., announced that two of its distinguished team members, Dr. Peter de Groot and Dr. Vivek G. Badami, have been recognized by the American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE) for their significant contributions to the field of precision engineering.




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Sandvik Coromant Supports Future Leaders of Manufacturing at NAIT Awards Ceremony

Sandvik Coromant recently participated in the annual awards ceremony at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).




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Nine Reasons to Hire Outside Expertise When Putting a New Measurement Tool In Place

3D measurement tools offer incredibly precise and accurate measurements. However, using them correctly requires specialized knowledge, and integrating them into current processes can be quite complex.




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How Accurate Surface Finish Measurement Improves Product Life and Performance

This article discusses the connection between surface finish and factors like friction, wear, and fatigue life. It explores how precise surface finish measurements improve product reliability and analyzes the evolving measurement technologies.





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Portable Measurement Arms: Boosting Precision and Compliance

Manufacturers are facing stricter regulations and quality standards. Portable CMM arms help maintain exceptional quality control as they navigate these requirements.




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Efficient Use of Coordinate Measurement Machines