Quality Magazine - March 2009 - (Page 59) over? Would it bring the entire hole patterning in? Is the patterning good unto itself but just off in respect to another side of the part?” “You can play all these games in the software to analyze the discrepancies you fi nd and work with the engineer to determine the acceptability of the part,” says Clark. “So we can remotely give source inspection approval or recommend changes that will bring the part into conformity with our needs while the part is still at the supplier, and we continue to accomplish other inspection work back in our own lab.” JPL acquired an arm-type measurement system with PC-DMIS Portable interoperable software and then integrated it into the lean team’s inspection processes. Now it is being used for on-machine inspection of components. With very little modification, programs written originally for use on a CMM can be used with the arm. This came in handy recently when JPL decided to measure some parts on machine at a supplier so that if modifications were needed, they could be accomplished while the part was still in its original setup in the machining fixture. JPL also has extended the measurement range of its CMMs by using the measurement arm to pick up features that fall outside the CMM’s measuring envelope. This can be done either by incorporating the arm and the CMM into the same program or importing the data captured by the arm into the master program. In either case, JPL avoids the time and expense of sending parts to an independent lab for measurement. When parts are far too big to be measured at the lab, JPL has access to a gantry style measurement system, which it rents during the graveyard shift of one of the JPL’s machining suppliers. JPL also uses the services of independent inspection labs to handle workf low volume spikes. No matter where the parts are measured, the inspection equipment all uses the same measurement software so that programs and reporting are consis- tent throughout JPL’s inspection supplier base. Clark says the greatest contribution of interoperable software is the flexibility it gives the lab to control when, where and how a part will be measured and by whom on a daily and hourly basis. “PC-DMIS EMS enables the transfer of the inspection plan through a single part program, executable on various inspection equipment at various facilities,” says Clark. “When conditions change, it gives us options— and having options is very good. Our interoperable software takes the focus away from the measurement contraptions themselves and allows the lean inspection team to focus on the big picture goal of qualifying all the parts that are going to take the spacecraft, rover robot and instrumentation on another successful Mars mission.” Wilcox Associates Inc., a Hexagon Metrology company (800) 343-7933 www.pcdmis.com Reply 11 ProFicient Plants are: Proactive. Process-Oriented. Productive. They prevent defects before they result in scrap, rework, or even recalls. They understand process behavior across all parts for true process control. They have insight into planning and maintenance to increase productivity and reduce costs. Only ProFicient™ SPC software from InfinityQS can provide the realtime statistical tools you need to ensure optimal product quality and reduce the costs of scrap and rework. ProFicient is uniquely able to quickly and easily analyze multiple parts across various processes on a single chart for a 360-degree view of process behavior. Call 1-877-772-7978 or visit www.infinityqs.com to learn more about making your plant ProFicient. Pro cient manufacturing needs ProFicient software. www.in nityqs.com 1.800.772.7978 Quality Quick Clicks 431 at qualitymag.com Quality Quick Clicks 432 at qualitymag.com Please visit us at WESTEC, Booth 2605 www.qualitymag.com March 2009 | QUALITY 59 http://www.pcdmis.com http://www.ramoptical.com/find http://www.infinityqs.com http://www.ramoptical.com/find http://www.infinityqs.com http://www.infinityqs.com http://www.qualitymag.com http://www.qualitymag.com http://www.qualitymag.com
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