White Papers

Transitioning to RTCA DO-178C/DO-278A: A Business Manager Brief

By Hoyt Lougee, Engineering Director - Foliage Inc.
With the release of the new development guidance for certifiable aviation software, RTCA DO-178C/DO-278A, executives and business managers for manufacturers of both airborne and ground-based systems are examining the short- and long-term impacts on their certifiable-product development approaches with respect to cost, schedule, and risk. Although the changes within DO-178C/DO-278A proper are relatively few, manufacturers can expect critical wide-ranging business impacts on their current certifiable aviation software development. More significant are the four detailed supplements intended to address 20 years of technology and process progress since the last major revisions of development guidelines.

	Implementing the 5S Workplace Organization Methodology Programs in Manufacturing Facilities Benefits to the companies from using the 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain) methodology include raising quality, lowering costs, promoting safety, building customer confidence, increasing factory up-time and lowering repair costs. Lista International assists companies in implementing 5S methods as part of the lean manufacturing programs to drive waste out of manufacturing processes. The Lista products offer waste elimination through space reduction, organization improvement and inventory management.

	Taking the guesswork out of pneumatic control Here's a step-by-step approach to efficiently designing systems that work right the first time.

	Technical Guide: How to Match Today's Laser Cutting Technology to Application Requirements The continuing improvements in best-in-class laser cutting technology have not only made incorporation of laser cutting into flexo print operations a reality, but also allowed the combination of digital printing with digital cutting (a.k.a. laser cutting) to bring more variable data products into the world at highly competitive prices.

	Demystifying Ball Spline Specs There is the right ball spline for an endless number of automated operations: Robotics, inspection, spinning, loading, coating, wire winding, grinding, indexing, die setting, transferring, conveyance, molding, drafting, measuring, optical measuring, welding, riveting, printing, book-binding, packaging, filling, pressing and more.

	Spotlight on Medical Device Manufacturing Medical device manufacturers have long marketed their products with limited concern for costs. But today, an aging population and skyrocketing medical costs are prompting private insurers and government payers worldwide to limit reimbursements for medical devices.

	Building a better CMM — real-world performance for real-world solutions Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) are used in practically every industry that requires precise dimensional inspection of manufactured parts. In today's competitive environment, manufacturers demand CMMs that are accurate, reliable, fast, economical, and provide maximum flexibility with respect to operating environment.

	Tap Into Blue Chip Metrology Expertise The business of manufacturing is a colossal world of outsourcing: from product design to parts to services. This practice makes it possible to leverage expertise when you need it. In a field such as metrology where the difficulty of finding and training qualified staff remains an industry-wide issue, outsourcing is a growing nationwide trend.

	A Brief Discussion of Speed Increasers Gearing Solutions Inc. When a speed reducer may be used as a speed increaser, when it cannot, and why.

	AR Series Lower Loss Technology Development Oriental Motor U.S.A. Corp. The demand for stepping motors that have high efficiency and low losses has been increasing, although it had been previously focused on high torque. The selection of the most suitable grade for and the improvement in fastening of the laminated cores has reduced the losses significantly at their peak when compared to conventional stepping motors. Lowering the losses of the motor has enabled continuous operation that was previously impossible. An expansion of the stepping motors usage into applications where another motor has been used for continuous operation and other uses due to the heat generation problem can now be pursued. In addition, these motors are very effective for energy saving. This paper explains the technology used for lowering the iron losses of the stepping motor.