December 2006 Newsletter
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2007 Wisconsin Forward Award Website - www.forwardaward.org

Variation - I was recalling the discussion that Fox Valley Metrology led at the November Program meeting, where they asked; "why do we calibrate?" and "why do my tools need to be calibrated?" One answer was because measuring tools contain variation. Another was that some new gages are not set to your standards when manufactured, a variation in what is acceptable. I looked at a sophisticated gage that measures to the Nth degree and it was hard to believe that its readings could vary, but they can - it has a listed tolerance. I imagine that by calibrating it to the center of its tolerance range, the resulting measurements, with the variance of the worker, will give you the most accurate indication that you could expect.

This led me to reflect back on our Fall Conference where we studied Measurement System Analysis and learned that the same gage in the hands of different workers can yield different measurement results. This can be because of variation in measurement acquiring techniques. MSA showed how we test for this worker-induced variation.

Associating variation to change, I recalled that nothing is constant, but change. Have you seen changes in your job or your company? Change can sometimes be boundless. We don't always see it coming and may have no control over the degrees of change. So what does this have to do with variation? It reminded me that so much in the world is beyond our realm of influence; we just have to deal with changes and variation when they happen.

Measurement variation is one thing that you can take control over, or at least it is bounded. Timely and proper calibration, along with instruction in proper technique or standard procedures can put your products closer to that theoretical exact measurement you intended. Much of that measurement variation may be within your realm of influence. With your products closer in size to what they are suppose to be, your customers will have fewer problems and may turn out to be happy customers, you know - the ones that give you repeat business and tell other companies about how great your products are.

What do you know?! Reducing variation through re-calibration and instruction may help you and your company succeed!

Ron Jochimsen, ASQ#1206 Section Chair

Board Meeting Location: Board meetings will continue at Sergios in Appleton for the time being. May look into rotating to other locations.

Section sponsored training sessions: More interest is needed to have the 6 Sigma class for small business offered. If no more interest is shown the class most likely will be canceled.

Central Wisconsin Sub-Section 2041: The sub-section is active and it was suggested that the Program Team might want to explore a Co-Host Section/Sub-Section meeting.

Board member list updates. More updates will be coming in so the list will be updated. Recognition Chair still has an opening to be filled.

Committee reports:
Treasurer - Finance report was reviewed. Looking into a "Quicken" program to use for the future reports.

Fall Conference - Highest turn out for a conference in recent history. Survey indicated very favorable responses from "I am glad I attended" to "I learned something I can use in the future".

Program - Suggested that we may want to have a program near the sub-sections area to them more involved.

Internet - 2006 - 2007 ASQ Section 1206 Website visitors was graphed and is attached. Upward trend shown.

Membership - Reviewed and showed an upward trend. Information is being passed from Jim Wenske to Hilda Wise.

Database - Information is being passed from Mark Green to Bob Wenzel.

Nomination - Exploring opportunities for other ASQ members to fill in the Recognition Chair that is still open to date.

New business: New name tags made for new officers.
 

In this 8 hour overview of Lean Enterprise Systems, you will learn the basic concepts, goals, and benefits of implementing Lean in your business whether manufacturing, service or healthcare. Hands on exercises will demonstrate the key points of several Lean concepts and give you an understanding on the positive effects of waste elimination, inventory reduction and process improvement. Additionally, you will learn the steps of successfully implementing Lean in your business.

Glen Thielke joined Moraine Park Technical College in 2005 after 29 years in industry. His background includes 15 years in Quality, 10 years in Manufacturing and four years in Supply Management/International Sourcing. Glen has trained and implemented Lean Manufacturing Techniques; is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt; a Senior Member of ASQ; and an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer. He received an Associate Degree in Engine Technology from Moraine Park in 1976, his Bachelors of Industrial Management Degree from Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1984, and his Masters in Business Administration from Marquette University 1994.

• Register for the Spring Conference:
  • Fill out the registration form
  • Email BBerg@giddings.com or phone 920-906-2485 for more info.
  • Make checks payable to: American Society for Quality - Section 1206.
  • Send check with registration to:
    Bruce W. Berg
    Sr. Quality Engineer
    Giddings & Lewis, LLC
    142 Doty St
    Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Directions to Moraine Park Technical College:
Take Hwy 41 to the Johnson St / WI 23 Exit (exit 99) in Fond du Lac. Turn east onto W Johnson St / WI-23 E. Go 3 miles on W Johnson Street. Turn left onto N National Ave. End at 235 N National Ave, Fond Du Lac, WI 54935-2884 The conference will be in room O-102. For a MapQuest map and directions, go to http://www.morainepark.edu/aboutus/maps-report.shtml.

Also - The ASQ’s Career Center is free to all job seekers and provides you with access to the best employers and jobs in the quality industry. Go to www.asq.org to search for jobs, post your resume, and learn about other helpful resources for advancing your career.