SPC Collection Software Saves Time and Reduces Waste
Hertzler's GainSeeker SPC

HyTech Spring and Machine, founded in 1984, was recognized as an outstanding business in Allegan County, Michigan, and one of the fastest-growing private companies in the state. The Plainwell-based corporation was collecting statistical process control data by hand and realized the unnecessary amount of time this wasted. The company began looking for a product that would replace its current SPC collection method.

HyTech wanted to find a software product that would not only collect, manage, analyze and report information, but would also be flexible enough to fit the company's particular needs and be compatible with its existing ERP system. After researching products from a number of companies, HyTech chose Hertzler Systems' GainSeeker SPC.

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Midwest Machining Company Implements Real-Time Process Control
High Tech's Micronite

Gormac Products, located in Racine, Wisconsin, is a typical job shop with a mix of short run and high-volume jobs. Gormac operates more than 90 machines--including Swiss CNC lathes, Swiss automatics, centerless grinders, multiple-spindle diamond bore finishing equipment and machining centers--and manufactures high-precision turned parts for automotive, aerospace, fluid power, medical and other applications. Due to competitive demand for zero-defect product quality and improved productivity, Gormac began a search for a computerized process control system suitable for a diversified job shop.

Gormac selected the Micronite system, developed and marketed by High Tech Research Inc. in Deerfield, Illinois. Micronite's system provides protection against ordinary errors in tool adjustments and changes, and helps uncover and eliminate assignable causes of variation.

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Height Gage Helps Pennsylvania Shop Raise Quality Levels
Fowler's Trimos V-300 Height Gage

IMAC Systems Inc., a 20-year-old distributor of gas meters, was looking to upgrade its ability to measure diameters to hundred-thousandths of an inch, to finish grindings of inner and outer diameters, and to shorten and rerun CNC processing programs. The 3,300 square-foot plant manufactures controls for measuring natural gas flow equipment.

The company has made a major investment in quality in order to qualify for government contracts for U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force fixtures, hardware and assemblies used in ordinance, helicopter and jet aircraft for its own flow measuring equipment and its commercial machine shop operations. As a result, the company no longer relies on older metrology equipment. Instead, IMAC acquired high-technology height gages, OD/ID grinders and computer-compatible CNC machinery and turning centers. IMAC turned to Fowler for its Trimos V-300 height gage and the Kellinberger ID-OD grinder.

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Golf Club Manufacturer Implements Quality Management System
MetricStream's Quality*Stream

TaylorMade-Adidas Golf is one of the largest golf club manufacturers in the world. The company's metalwoods, irons, wedges and putters are widely used by professionals on the PGA tour.

TaylorMade uses a complex supply chain in its global operations. Suppliers from many continents cooperate in manufacturing the thousands of variations in a club, such as lie, loft and face-angle, that give professional and amateur golfers the performance they seek. The company has to manage hundreds of process attributes on each club--measurements taken at different times and locations--to ensure minimal variance and maximum adherence to standards.

A need for an enterprisewide footprint for supplier quality was realized. Quality*Stream, a QMS from MetricStream, seemed to fit the bill.

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