Jidoka is one of the core principles of the Toyota Production System, one that empowers production-line workers to take immediate action the moment a defect is detected.

In recent years, many airplane manufacturers have started building their planes from advanced composite materials, which consist of high-strength fibers such as carbon or glass, embedded in a plastic or metal matrix.

A recent column of mine described how deleting the cheese on a burger resulted in our not receiving a $10 credit. It was an example of a breakdown in customer service.

In recent years, many airplane manufacturers have started building their planes from advanced composite materials, which consist of high-strength fibers such as carbon or glass, embedded in a plastic or metal matrix.

A recent column of mine described how deleting the cheese on a burger resulted in our not receiving a $10 credit. It was an example of a breakdown in customer service.

Story update 3/29/2011: We corrected an error in the next to last sentence. "p < 0.05" was changed to "p > 0.05."

Story update 3/29/2011: We corrected an error in the next to last sentence. "p < 0.05" was changed to "p > 0.05."

(Delcam plc: Birmingham, UK) -- Delcam will launch the 2011 R2 version of its PowerINSPECT inspection software, which is the first version developed for use on 64-bit computers.

(Delcam plc: Birmingham, UK) -- Delcam will launch the 2011 R2 version of its PowerINSPECT inspection software, which is the first version developed for use on 64-bit computers.

The 2011 International Shingo Prize Conference & Workshops are ready, set, and going this week in Covington, Kentucky, at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Convention Center.