Quality Software
SOFTWARE REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
Quality Software |
|
|
|
|
Gage InSite 5.0 review by Craig S. Howell Gage InSite, a 32-bit client/server database application from IndySoft Corp., provides digital gage management and electronic information exchange in a user-friendly package. Reports, lists and calibration certifications can be digitally exchanged by e-mail, local network or diskette. Existing certifications can be scanned and maintained by the software. Wizards, direct RS-232 input, pop-up calendars, Year 2000 compliance and other features definitely make this package worth looking at. Gage InSite's main screen shows basic information on the gage being entered or viewed. Seven tabs on the lower half of the screen allow the user to select screens for further gage detail: Event Summary, Additional Info., Calibration Info., Calibration Test Points, Parts to Be Measured, Gage Studies and Notes. Users add gages to the database using a separate serial number and gage ID. An auto number feature can generate numbers sequentially, use company-specific defaults or use formulas to define the number produced. An auto fill feature shows matching items as they are typed and fills in the rest of the words. Cloning gages offers another shortcut when adding new gages. Auto fill and cloning not only simplify and expedite operations but also improve accuracy and result in less operator-input errors. Rather than functioning as a single database of gages, the program allows multiple databases to be defined, one for each company, department, plant, etc. An unlimited number of locations can be set up in this company field. The field can also be used to create gage libraries by inputting an identifier for a group of related gages. Used with the program's cloning functions, this field can quickly be used to enter information for similar types of tools. An import Wizard allows the import of 25 different types of information into the database, including user-defined fields. This greatly eases what is typically the most complicated part of switching to a new gage-tracking program. User-defined fields are available for almost every function, event, label and status. IndySoft made sure to allow user- defined functions throughout the program because there always seem to be situations unique to each user that must be addressed. The calibration screens are well-laid-out and intuitive. On the "Calibration Info." screen, the user specifies what procedures will be employed to calibrate the gage. Icons designate when a gage is checked in or out and are "sensitive" to where the gage presently is, showing the next logical choice for future action. A calibration procedure Wizard can be used to add a new procedure, and the calibration editor includes common word processing format tools. Once set up, clicking on the icon next to the procedure name will take the user there. Procedures can be created within Gage InSite, in other Windows programs, or pulled from CD-ROM or any other third-party vendor's procedures. Gage InSite provides calibration Wizards for several common gages, such as cylindrical plugs, rings and pin sets, with tolerancing provided. In the "Calibration Info." screen, the user can specify the master gages employed to calibrate a gage. The program prevents the use of a default master gage if it is out of tolerance, has failed a gage study or is overdue for calibration. In the latest release of Gage InSite, the user must enter measurement uncertainty. A calculation module is being looked at for future releases. The intervals field includes choices of days, weeks, months, years, "calibrate before use" and "calibrate after use." Choices for "accumulate designated gages" are hours, parts and uses. The program does not include automatic interval increases and "skip dates," due to the variables, assumptions and potential complications involved. Test points have a choice on tolerancing for new or used accuracy, and formulas can be used to calculate a tolerance. A built-in tolerance calculator assists with specialized tolerancing. The calibration results screen includes a place to average up to five readings for a test point. For gages without test points, there is an attribute screen that can show passed, failed, adjusted, limited or report of value. One feature I really like is a green status bar at the bottom of the screen that tracks progress as test points are entered. If an out-of-tolerance reading is entered, the bar turns red. The "Gage Studies" screen conducts studies on an individual gage or a more generalized study that applies to all gages of the same type or model. Types of studies include AIAG-based studies for bias, stability, linearity, and repeatability and reproducibility. A gage trend chart supplies a graph of the gage's calibration history, which shows the accuracy drift or trend. Results can be displayed in 2-D or 3-D graphs, printed or e-mailed and compared with reviews of previous studies. Fields are set up for check in and check out, calibration check in and out, repair check in and out, and customized events. If a gage is designated with a "limited in use" acceptance, a reminder stating the exact limitation will appear when checking the gage out. Costs involved with check in and out events can be designated, which may help with assigning calibration costs to different departments. When a gage is checked out, parts to be measured with it can be assigned and set up as default. These will automatically be copied into any future check-out events. The default list can be edited and modified, which helps with consistency, data accuracy and time saving, and provides a traceable path of where the gage was used. The program's Gage Navigator provides a way to select and navigate through subgroups of gages. When Gage Navigator is selected, a small screen appears showing the lists to choose. The user selects groups using a drop-down box. When the user chooses "Synchronize the Selected Gage with Gage InSite," details for the selected gage show up in the background. Another of the program's powerful tools--GageFinder--provides three different search methods. Individual gage selection searches for a gage by company or serial number. Advanced gage selection searches for a group of gages using up to six filters or qualifying statements that can select or remove the gages displayed. SQL-based gage selection uses SQL code-based language (including drag-and-drop options and automatic conversion of advanced gage selection into SQL statements) to search. By simply holding the cursor over any field of the selected gage, GageFinder displays the calibration due date of the gage and whether it has failed or is due for a calibration/gage study. Data can be exported or imported both to customers and networked users. This paperless information transfer can be done by disk, local network or e-mail. The export and import tools use GageFinder-style screens to find and select gages. These can be linked with Gage Navigator to set up to-do lists using the gages shown. This utility also allows calibrations to be performed in another Gage InSite database and transferred electronically. Reports and certifications are among the most important results of any calibration. Within these lie the traceability links, statements of accuracy, test points, acceptance/limitations/failure, numerous details about the gage and the specifics of the testing lab. Gage InSite offers 36 customizable, flexible reports that can be grouped into four categories: gages due, summary reports, history reports and miscellaneous reports. A separate program allows the user to open multiple reporting windows for gathering data. Networked users will welcome the fact that all report settings are stored by the user's name. When the user logs onto another workstation, the settings will follow. Gage InSite's CertBuilder creates calibration certificates and is just as easy and flexible to use as the reports generator. It combines word processing functions, spreadsheet functions and database fields. Header and footer areas can contain boilerplate or hard-coded text that saves time and ensures consistency of information. If you are upgrading from a paper system and want Gage InSite to maintain your existing certificates, the program has a certificate-scanning feature. The user assigns the certificate a vendor name, calibration date, certificate number and calibration result, then scans the paper certificate. The certificate is stored as a compressed TIFF file and can be zoomed, panned, rotated and deskewed, and the colors can be inverted (black to white). This keeps all history for a gage in one place in one program rather than keeping some data in a cabinet, some data on disks, some in a calibration program, etc. The file can be viewed or printed on demand. A Wizard creates calibration stickers, which can include company logos. The user chooses the layout, size and information. Barcodes can also be printed on the sticker. Program and administrative issues are well-covered. Revision levels of documents, procedures and gages are easy to keep traceable and in order. If any master gage is found to be out of tolerance, reverse traceability is easy to perform using the gage history recall report. Customer support comes via free e-mail or immediate phone support. IndySoft also maintains a Web site with frequently asked questions and product updates. The company also offers training through seminars. Gage InSite ensures ISO 9000 and QS-9000 compliance throughout each step. Traceability, revision tracking, validation and gage studies are well-addressed and integrated at each level. The program's easy-to-use digital capabilities are set up in all the logical places. E-mail of data, scanning of existing certifications, flexible reports, strong search tools and Wizards to guide users through most functions make this program powerful and easy to use--a rare and welcome combination. Gage InSite 5.0 System requirements: 486 or better PC; Windows 95, 98 or NT; 8 MB RAM; 25 MB free disk space. Multiuser version requires an existing network using either TCP/IP, IPX or NetBios protocols. Oracle, Sybase Adaptive Server or SQL Server versions require that you already have purchased a license for the appropriate database. All versions of Gage InSite include the Sybase SQL Anywhere database. Price: $1,495 for single user. Multiuser discounts available. Competitive upgrades: $595. Small Business Edition: $495 Contact: IndySoft Corp. About the author Craig S. Howell is president of CPM Labs, a full-service calibration and ultra-precision measuring lab located in Rancho Cordova, California. He can be reached by telephone at (916) 635-4489. Stats on the Fly Quality Analyst 5.1 review by Gary Crawford Here is my wish list of the features a statistical software package should include: easy installation on a standard PC; a full gamut of SPC charts, with a toolbox of statistical analysis tools; the ability to create automatic routines for users who have little statistical experience; the ability to import data from other software packages and in real time from the shop floor; a well-written user's manual, with help that is just a mouse click away; a set of tutorial lessons with data files for training; and the ability to interface with intranet and Internet Web sites. Now, let's see how Northwest Analytical's latest version of Quality Analyst compares. Quality Analyst consists of several fully integrated components, including data and SQC chart management, statistical analysis, graphics presentation, a run file interpreter and an SQC chart Web server. The Quality Analyst editor creates and manages data files. Data can be entered directly to a data file, or it can be imported. Entering and manipulating data is very easy, especially for anyone comfortable with using a mouse and navigating within programs such as Excel or Access. Data files are stored in ASCII format, which makes it easy to exchange data with other software packages in both Windows and DOS format. In addition, data and charts can be copied and pasted into other software files for quick report generation. As part of the database setup, Quality Analyst lets users select the appropriate data type for chart creation, including options for measurement, attribute and description. The editor also allows users to set data grouping, filter data and setup formulas. As well as importing data files or entering data at the keyboard, Quality Analyst offers dynamic data exchange, which can automatically retrieve data from equipment, such as gages that have data-acquisition capability, for real-time analysis. Users create SPC charts from the program's editor. The gallery of available charts should more than meet the requirements of most manufacturing operations. Variable charts include X-bar, range, standard deviation, individuals, median, cumulative sum and exponentially weighted moving averages. Attribute charts include percent defective (p), number defective (np), nonconformities per unit (u) and nonconformities (c). Quality Analyst also allows users to create a short run chart for any charts listed. On top of all that, the editor offers process capability charting and analysis, Pareto diagrams, run charts, scatter diagrams, normal probability plot, quantile plot, Weibull analysis and box plots. In addition, users may also select from the toolbox of statistical analysis methods, which includes one-way ANOVA, Chi-square, correlation, t-statistics and regression analysis. Once you have analyzed the data, you can customize your graphics and text with the Quality Analyst graphics viewer. The module allows users to annotate charts and combine graphics and text in a variety of layouts. The graphics and text can be sent directly to a printer or it can be copied with a mouse click to another program. If you think that Quality Analyst is too sophisticated for your needs, don't worry. It also offers a run-file interpreter to create routines to automate procedures and simplify the program's operation. The run-file option automates repetitive tasks, creates reports automatically, builds standard control charts, establishes simple routines for novices and integrates the software with manufacturing. Quality Analyst is also available with a Web server that will create a Web page for both Internet and intranet users. Data and charts can be linked to the Web site, and users can view data in real time. A feature that I always look for in a software package is the quality of documentation. Quality Analyst includes a well-written user's manual as well as companion volumes for setup, tutorials and the Web server. The tutorials include a set of exercises that take the new user from creating a control chart and data sets and performing data analysis to modifying the appearance of charts and reports to creating a run file. A host of data files and charts complement the tutorial exercises. An interactive tutorial to train new users would be a nice addition. In all, given the strong feature set, configurability and good documentation, Quality Analyst scores just about perfect on my wish list. Quality Analyst 5.1 System requirements: 386 or better PC, Windows 3.1 or higher, 4 MB RAM and 12 MB free disk space. Price: $995. Quality Analyst Web Server 1.1 is $3,995 and includes a single-user version of Quality Analyst with Database Connectivity, Web server and five graphics viewers. Contact: Northwest Analytical Inc. About the author Gary Crawford is a senior quality assurance engineer with CAMCO Products and Services in Houston, Texas. He may be contacted at gcrawford@qualitydigest.com. |
|
| [QD Online] [Software] [Books] [First Word] [Letters] [Applications] [SPC] |
|
|
