(Wilcox Associates: North Kingstown, RI) -- Wilcox Associates, a Hexagon Metrology company, has released PC-DMIS Vision 2009.

(Lean Learning Center: NOVI, MI) -- The Lean Learning Center, a provider of lean consulting and transformation services in the world, recently announced its first expansion of lean topics in its Single Point Lesson package.

(Metrologic Group: Wixom, MI) -- The new Metrologic V5 Inspection suite is now available on CATIA V5 R19SP3 level.

ISO 13485 is an international standard that ensures that medical device organizations meet global quality management system regulations. Its aim is to provide consumers with safer medical devices and services.

(Sciemetric Instruments: Ottawa) -- Sciemetric Instruments, a provider of manufacturing quality control technology, is pleased to announce the newest addition to the sigPOD family of products.

(Hexagon Metrology: London) -- Hexagon Metrology has filed a patent infringement suit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts alleging that Metris N.V. and its U.S. subsidiary Metris U.S.A. Inc., and Mitutoyo Corporation and its U.S. subsidiary Mitutoyo America Corporation, have infringed U.S.

(Tohnichi Manufacturing Co.: Northbrook, IL) -- Tohnichi introduces a digital version of its popular TG torque gauge series.

For process manufacturers, regular calibration of instruments across a manufacturing plant is common practice. In plant areas where instrument accuracy is critical to product quality or safety, calibration every six months—and even more frequently—is not unusual.

We usually focus on lean and Six Sigma concepts as ideas for providing improvement. But there are many other approaches around the world that are insightful and worth noting as lessons learned for business and other organizations.

When someone mentions design for Six Sigma (DFSS), the initial thought usually turns to developing new, innovative products. While DFSS has its roots in product development, individual components of the toolset can be applied in a variety of ways.