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New OPC Server for Machine Vision Applications
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

DVT Corp. recently announced the availability of a new PC-based object linking and embedding for process control server designed to work with the company’s Legend series of smart camera-based machine vision systems.

OPC technology can eliminate expensive custom interfaces and drivers normally required for interconnecting equipment and moving data throughout the organization. It also promotes interoperability among different computing solutions and platforms both horizontally and vertically in an enterprise.

“The DVT OPC server opens the world of plug-and-play interoperability to machine vision users,” says Steve Gieseking, DVT director of research and development. “It’s easier to configure and is more robust than existing OPC software options.”

The OPC server was developed for DVT by Iconics Inc., a leader in OPC-based, Web-enabled visualization software for manufacturing, automation and business solutions. The following standards are supported by the OPC server: OPC DA 1.0, OPC DA 2.05A, OPC DA 3.0, OPC DA Auto 2.0, OPC XML-DA 1.0, OPC AE 1.10 and OPC Complex Data 1.0.

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Leica Geosystems Signs Contract with Vought Aircraft Industries
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. recently signed a contract with Leica Geosystems to buy six laser tracking systems for its manufacturing operations in Dallas.

Vought reports it will extend the contract over a span of four years to replace its existing measurement systems with approximately 24 Leica LTD800s and LTD600 laser tracking systems. The contract value could total $4 million.

Under the sales agreement, Leica Geosystems will help Vought maximize its use of the high-tech portable coordinate measuring machines through extensive training services, technical support and maintenance. Vought Aircraft will use the laser trackers for the precision inspection of all its tooling operations in Texas as well as other Vought facilities in the United States. The industrial measurement instruments Vought plans to buy will be used for quality control in high profile military and commercial aircraft programs, although the devices can also be used in a wide variety of mobile precision measurements for the construction, assembly and mating of aerospace parts.

For more information, visit www.leica-geosystems.com.

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QFD Teleconference Announced
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

As organizations pursue quality and value, many find that Six Sigma alone isn’t enough to compete in the global marketplace. The addition of quality function deployment, however, often translates into increased functionality, quality and profitability.

International TechneGroup Inc. will host a teleconference seminar, “QFD At Its Best: Enabling Your Organization,” at 2 p.m. on Aug. 26. The company reports that participants will learn to make smarter decisions related to choosing, planning and delivering quality products to customers. In addition, participants will learn how QFD:

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Pilgrim Software Releases SmartAudit Offline Solution
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

Pilgrim Software recently announced the availability of its SmartAudit Offline solution.

The suite is based on Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003, though it’s a new and separately licensed add-on to Pilgrim’s SmartAudit version 7.03.5 internal and external audit management system. It allows users to perform remote offsite audits or any audit where a network or Internet connection isn’t available. Data can be entered into SmartAudit Offline and then synchronized with the centralized database later.

“SmartAudit Offline is a powerful tool that enables collaborative mobile auditing to enhance team-based global audits, improved audit quality and reduced auditing time,” says Atulya Risal, Pilgrim Software’s chief technology officer. “Because audit data can be recorded from remote offsite locations and then aggregated together and tracked over time, SmartAudit Offline provides management with both site-level and enterprise-level visibility into their global operations.”

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NQA USA Earns ANSI/ESD S20.20 Accreditation
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

National Quality Assurance USA recently announced its accreditation through the ElectroStatic Discharge Association to provide auditing services against ANSI/ESD S20.20:1999.

The accreditation will allow NQA USA to help organizations develop electrostatic discharge control programs. The ANSI standard addresses requirements to design, establish, implement and maintain electrostatic discharge control programs to protect electrical parts, assemblies and equipment susceptible to ESD damage.

With support from major electronic OEMs and government agencies, ESD S20.20 programs and registrations are becoming the preferred means to prevent costly field failures and in-house rework of electronic components in the telecommunications, aerospace and medical device industries. An ESD control program helps eliminate component failures before they occur, saving the organization money while increasing quality and customer satisfaction.

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Carl Zeiss SMT Inc. Opens Silicon Valley Lab
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

Carl Zeiss SMT Inc. recently opened a new applications and demonstration lab in Redwood City, California.

The company plans to use the new Electron Microscopy Applications Lab to serve West Coast customers with better applications, sales and service support. Customers can bring samples in for evaluation on the lab’s state-of-the-art equipment, which includes Zeiss’ CrossBeam, SUPRA and EVO technologies.

CrossBeam combines high-resolution, simultaneous-imaging and distortion-free analysis of magnetic specimens with a compact multichannel gas injection system. SUPRA is an ultra high resolution variable pressure FESEM for semiconductor applications, materials analysis, life science and variable pressure solutions. Finally, EVO is a general purpose SEM with superior imaging capabilities and extended pressure.

For more information, visit www.smt.zeiss.com.

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Hexagon Acquires ROMER CimCore
By: Quality Digest 08/16/2004

Hexagon AB added to its market share recently by acquiring ROMER CimCore Inc., a consolidation that is already underway.

ROMER CimCore Inc., which has operations in Carlsbad, California, and Farmington Hills, Michigan, manufactures and markets metrology equipment used widely in the automotive, aerospace and general industrial markets. Its products include portable coordinate measuring machines, software and various enhancement accessories. ROMER counts ABB, The Boeing Co., Caterpillar Inc., DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Co., General Electric and General Motors, among others, as its customers.

Hexagon plans to join ROMER CimCore and ROMER S.A., which it acquired just two months ago. The companies were one from their inception in 1986 until their split in 1999. By re-merging the companies, Hexagon expects to further expand its market share and manufacturing capabilities. The seller of the company, Homer Eaton, will remain responsible for the continued research and development of articulated arms technology. Hexagon reports that it plans to adapt its PCDMIS software to fit ROMER’s products.

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NQA Approved as AS9003 Registrar
By: Quality Digest 08/09/2004

National Quality Assurance announced it was accredited by the American National Standards Institute-Registrar Accreditation Board to register companies to AS9003.

NQA representatives report the approval demonstrates that its assessors meet the exacting standards and expertise required in the inspection and testing of aerospace systems and that NQA’s certification systems are fully compliant with AS9003—both domestically and internationally.

“The AS9003 certification allows us to continue to support the important subcontractor segment of the industry,” says Jeff Carr, NQA aerospace business unit director. “Being one of the first to provide AS9003 registration demonstrates NQA’s continued commitment and leadership to the aerospace industry.”

For more information, visit National Quality Assurance online.

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ISO Publishes Seaport Security Standard
By: Quality Digest 08/09/2004

A new standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization and international maritime organizations aims at making ports around the world more secure.

ISO/PAS 20858 was adopted by more than 100 member countries of the International Maritime Organization. It contains detailed security-related requirements for governments, port authorities and shipping companies, and is intended to help ports better monitor freight flows, combat smuggling and respond to terrorist threats. It took effect on July 1.

“This is a major maritime security standards initiative,” says Capt. Charles Piersall, chairman of the ISO technical committee that developed the standard. “The document is designed to facilitate a consistent implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code worldwide as a way to create a safe and secure international shipping regime.”

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IAF Technical Committee Names Chair
By: Quality Digest 08/09/2004

Randy Dougherty, the Registrar Accreditation Board’s director of registrar accreditation, was recently named chair of the technical committee of the International Accreditation Forum.

The appointment was made at a meeting held in Bern, Switzerland. Dougherty’s three-year term began on July 1. His selection marks the first time an American has been tapped to lead the committee, which governs the application of international third-party certification. As chair, Dougherty will lead the consensus process for developing IAF guidelines.

“My goals are to strengthen the third-party system by building consensus for technical positions and to promote a better working relationship among accreditation bodies and the certification bodies they represent,” says Dougherty. “We need to make sure the system is responsive to the needs of stakeholders and put into practice our commitment to increase harmonization and cooperation among accreditation bodies.”