Inspection & Quality

Articles • December 1, 1997 • Steve Pike

Absolute Zero

When digital calipers that did not have to be zeroed before each measurement were introduced, they represented a significant advancement in electronic gaging. This article explains the technology behind these absolute-reading instruments and how they are used to make typical shop-floor measurements.

Articles • August 1, 1997 • Bernard Nadel

Seats of Knowledge

In the lab, researchers are using artificial intelligence to turn CAD and CAM programs into systems that can think and make decisions. This article looks at several of these efforts and the capabilties of the systems that have been developed.

Articles • August 1, 1997 • Mike Lynch

Use Your CNC Wisely

CNCs have the power to dramatically increase productivity, yet many shops fail to make use of their controllers' full potential. This article suggests ways that a shop can fine tune its CNCs to create controllers that are optimized for the type of work being performed. The tips include many CNC features, capabilities and options that users often overlook.

Articles • August 1, 1996 • Martin Eastman

Quality Through the Tiers

Manufacturing customers have begun demanding that their suppliers institute quality-control processes. At the same time, they are expecting their suppliers to adopt more efficient processes so that suppliers can reduce their prices while maintaining profitability. This article discusses these pressures and how even subtier suppliers are being affected by them.

Articles • February 1, 1996 • Kevin Harding

Measuring with Moire

Casting a pattern of light on a part and viewing that pattern at a different angle through a grating with the same pattern creates a moire pattern that can reveal small changes in the part's shape. This article tells how this phenomenon can be used by machine vision systems to measure part dimensions or pinpoint variations from a specified contour.

Articles • December 1, 1995 • Michael Smith

For Good Measure

Software-based video tool inspection systems can read tool geometries much more precisely than other measurement systems. This article looks at the technology behind these systems and explains how this technology detects and measures tool edges and angles.

Articles • September 1, 1995 • Joe Kraemer

Anatomy of a High-Performance Machine

This article looks at different machine tool components and their impact on the machine's ability to operate at high speeds and feeds. Components covered include motors, drives, bearings, spindle coolant mechanisms, toolholders and CNC.

Articles • August 1, 1995 • Martin Eastman

It’s All Been Arranged

Managers at California's Dowty Aerospace take full advantage of computers to design parts, program machines and track jobs from beginning to end. This shop profile talks about how Dowty has combined this computer-based organization with cell-based manufacturing to maintain efficiencies and keep lines of communications clear.

Articles • February 1, 1995 • Martin Eastman

The Common Code

In 1995, the Big Three automakers dropped their individual quality programs and requirements for suppliers and adopted a common program based on ISO 9000. This article discusses how the automakers' standard, called QS-9000, was developed and how they plan to implement and enforce it. Some advice for suppliers planning to earn QS-9000 registration is also given.