December Newsletter December 15, 2007

ASQ Berkshire Section

Successful Q4 events with more to come!

http://groups.asq.org/106

· Upcoming Event – Save this Date ·

Portable Metrology and Laser Scanners

Dinner Meeting, Thursday January 10, 2008 6:00 p.m.

Over the Rainbow Restaurant, 109 First Street, Pittsfield

Guest speakers from FARO Technologies

What do CSI, the Corvette Racing Team, and local manufacturing companies have in common? They all have the need for accurate measurements in diverse situations.

David Fisher and Clint Miller from FARO Technologies will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate flexible, portable 3-D measurement devices. These devices collect measurement points with a click of a button and directly record this information digitally. Used extensively for CAD analysis, tooling and mold certification, reverse engineering, and first article inspections, FARO products allow manufacturers to perform 3-D inspections of parts and assemblies on the shop floor. This helps eliminate manufacturing errors, and thereby increases productivity and profitability for a variety of industries. These devices can already be found at a number of local corporations. On a larger scale, the laser feature can be used to model a crime scene or layout a factory floor for lean manufacturing.

© FARO Technologies, Inc. © FARO Technologies, Inc.

FARO laser generates 3-D data Measuring a mold with Faro device

The cost for this event is $10 which includes wood fired pizza and soft drinks. Cash bar available. Networking and get acquainted session from 6:00 to 6:30 followed by pizza and then demonstration. Feel free to bring a small part you are having problems with measuring. Please let us know that you are planning to attend by sending an email to no later than January 3, 2008.

Future Event

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 will be the date of a joint ASQ and BMA (Berkshire Management Association) meeting at Zucchini’s Restaurant in Pittsfield. Eb Schmidt from Productivity 21 will speak on personal productivity.

Large turnouts for VSM and Hospitality Events!

Value Stream Mapping Workshop

Mr. Salvatore Ganino led a Value Stream Mapping dinner workshop on October 4 at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire. Thirty area professionals participated in this enlightening, albeit highly condensed session. Sal walked through defining a current state situation and then showed what a future state could look like. Response to this overview was quite positive and as a result, the Berkshire Section ASQ is looking into the possibility of holding a half or full day workshop to delve into this topic in much more detail. If this is something you would be interested in, please let any board member know.

Workshop participants Speaker Sal Ganino

Delighting Customers through Quality

Daniela Garcia from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group gave an inspiring talk to 74 leaders of the Berkshire area hospitality industry on November 1 at the Cranwell Resort & Golf Club. Daniela outlined the tools and techniques used by Ritz-Carlton to provide the finest personal service and facilities for their guests. Attendees were impressed by the extensive training that all the ladies and gentlemen of Ritz-Carlton go through to achieve these world class results. Feedback from this event indicated a number of attendees plan to implement several of these techniques at their own companies. Berkshire Section ASQ is considering a follow up round table discussion on improvements made and lessons learned.

Hospitality leaders of Berkshire County Daniela Garcia, Ritz-Carlton ASQ Berkshire Section Board with Ms. Garcia