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SEPTEMBER 2003 PRODUCT NEWS

Blue Mountain Quality Resources to Supply Siemens Medical Solutions Ultrasound Division with Calibration Management Solution

Blue Mountain Quality Resources, Inc., the leader in calibration management software, announced today that the Siemens Medical Solutions Ultrasound Division, headquartered in Mountain View, California, has selected Calibration Manager™ 4e as its enterprise calibration management software solution. The Siemens Ultrasound Division intends to utilize Calibration Manager 4e’s leading edge, web-based architecture to standardize its calibration management process across multiple facilities.

“We are pleased to add this division of Siemens Medical Solutions to our growing list of enterprise Calibration Manager users,” said Jim Erickson, president of Blue Mountain. “We are looking forward to working together with the Siemens team to have Calibration Manager 4e installed, configured and validated in time to meet their early fall deployment goal.”

Initially, Siemens plans to implement Calibration Manager at four facilities within California, Pennsylvania, and Washington State. Additional locations may be rolled out in 2004. With Calibration Manager 4e’s distributed architecture, Siemens will be able to access their data via a wide area network and a centralized database server. This implementation will allow the division to optimize their network resources, increase productivity, and reduce validation and Part 11 costs.

“Siemens is always looking for new ways to improve productivity and efficiently manage compliance,” noted Bob Frogner, Quality Assurance manager at the Mountain View facility, “With Calibration Manager, we will be able to further optimize our overall calibration process and continue to provide the highest quality ultrasound equipment.”
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world.


Introducing Refmacal Labs LLC

Refmacal Labs LLC is a small company which was founded by Dr. Jerry D. Messman at the beginning of 2003 to focus on and continue his original company's proud tradition of science-based calibrations of spectrophotometric reference materials. Formerly known as Stranaska Calibrations LLC, the calibration laboratory is a commercial supplier of the reputable Stranaska™ series of secondary Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), most of which are patterned after or derived from the primary spectrophotometric Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CRMs are needed to verify measurement accuracy and to establish measurement traceability of calibration data for three important instrumental parameters of UV/VIS absorption spectrophotometers: wavelength accuracy, stray radiant energy (stray light), and photometric accuracy and linearity.

Refmacal Labs also provides a prestigious measurement service for the timely recalibration of NIST, Stranaska™ and other commercial UV/VIS standards. The company specializes in customizing the scopes of calibration for its CRMs and calibration measurements when it is necessary to extend their measurement application and traceability links to match the scope requirements for the analytical methods.

To learn more about the various services Refmacal provides please visit www.refmacal.com.

 

Troemner UltraClass Humidity, Dew Point and Frost Point Calibration Services

Troemner is capable of calibrating a wide variety of humidity measuring devices including chart recorders, data loggers, hygrometers, hygrothermographs, dew point gauges and sensors.

All Troemner humidity calibrations are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Troemner's facility is ISO/IEC 17025 compliant and application for NVLAP accreditation has been made.
Troemner’s humidity calibrations are based on the NIST proven “two-pressure two-temperature” generation process. This humidity calibration approach has been identified by NCSLI as an intrinsic/derived standard since the value of relative humidity is a mathematical relationship based on pressure and temperature. This type of humidity generation device is capable of continuously supplying accurately known humidity. Instruments are calibrated by subjecting them under test to atmospheres of known humidity at known test temperatures and test pressures.


IMC-2003 "Mastering the Maintenance Process"

The International Maintenance Conference, IMC-2003 is designed as an event to learn about practical ideas for running improved maintenance and reliability programs that add value and support process and manufacturing operations.

The experienced workshop and learning zone session leaders will share successful ideas they have gained or developed from their collective experience in creating effective maintenance and reliability strategies and techniques.

Register for IMC-2003 before October 1, 2003 and save $100! Call 239-985-0317 for details and to register or use this web link.

 

Tektronix Reports Strengthening Results For First Quarter Fiscal 2004

Tektronix, Inc. reported net sales of $201.4 million and net earnings from continuing operations of $11.4 million or $0.13 per share, for the first quarter ended August 30, 2003. This compares with net sales of $198.5 million and net earnings from continuing operations of $21.5 million or $0.24 per share, for the same period a year ago. Excluding business realignment and one-time items, net earnings from continuing operations were $15.7 million or $0.18 per share for the first quarter, as compared with $15.2 million or $0.17 per share for the same period last year.

"We are particularly pleased with our operating results compared to last year, which had the benefit of an extra week and a significant tax credit," said Rick Wills, Tektronix Chairman and CEO. "We saw orders growth of 11% driven by several large orders and continued stability in our base business. Also, we improved gross margins and continued to manage expenses, both of which contributed to strong operating results."

"We saw good customer response to products as well as strength in key geographic regions, most notably in Japan. Demand was high for our mobile protocol testing tools, our industry-leading logic analyzers and our video test products that support the advancement of digital and high-definition signals," continued Wills. "While we are certainly encouraged about our performance this quarter and are seeing some strength in the mobile and government sectors, we are still cautious about the timing and slope of a broad-based recovery."

For the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the company expects sales to be approximately $205 - $210 million. Earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be between $0.14 and $0.16, excluding business realignment and one-time charges of $10 - $15 million.

 

News From Primo Instrument, Inc.

For over 15 years, Primo Instrument has been at the forefront in the calibration industry. With the recent upgrade of our quality system to ISO/IEC 17025 standards and the acquisition of the calibration division of Orbtech, specialized in the high frequency and optical fields, our range of in-house services is more complete than ever. Visit Primo Instruments, Inc. on the web at www.primoinc.com.

 

40th Annual GIDEP Workshop --"Networking for Solutions"

The 40th Annual GIDEP Information Sharing Conference & Workshop provides an excellent opportunity for networking with members of the GIDEP community, learning what GIDEP has to offer, and how others derive benefits from using the program. The three day program is planned for May 18-20, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Sheraton Society Hill. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will focus on Government and Industry "scenario-based" presentations respectively. During Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, a mini version of our annual Clinic will be offered. Thursday the 20th will be dedicated to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS).

To learn more visit GIDEP. There is a call for papers.

 

Brüel and Kjær North American Service Center A2LA Accreditation

The Brüel and Kjær North American Service Center located in Norcross, Georgia is now accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) to provide accredited field calibration for acoustic and vibration transducers and acoustic and vibration instrumentation at customers’ facilities.

View their A2LA Scope of Accreditation (Certificate #1568.01) for technical details at www.bkhome.com/ser_a2la.html.

With over 60 years' experience Brüel & Kjær equips you with the know-how, the products or the complete solutions you need to explore the nature of sound and vibration – thus allowing you to create better products and ultimately a better quality of life.

 

DaimlerChrysler Releases New Customer-Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949 First and Second Editions, and QS-9000

DaimlerChrysler has released new customer specifics for use with ISO/TS 16949 First Edition, ISO/TS 16949 Second Edition and QS-9000 Third Edition. The release date for the new customer specifics is September 2003. Complying with your customer's latest edition of their customer-specific requirements is a requirement for your registration to ISO/TS 16949 and QS-9000. Visit AIAG for more information.

 

11th International Metrology Congress Planned For October 20-23, 2003

The International Metrology Congress is organized every two years by the French College for Metrology. The eleventh Congrès International de Métrologie is scheduled for 20-23 October, 2003 in Toulon, France. Presentations will be in French or English with simultaneous translation provided.

The aim of the Congress is :
- to bring forth and to highlight new techniques of measurement and calibration that have been or are being developed.
- to present the evolution of metrology, and its implication in industry, research, environment and safety economy and quality, at the national and international level.

The Congress gathers more than 600 people, from 30 different countries, and from every circle concerned with measure :
metrologists from companies,
metrologists from calibration, analysis and testing laboratories,
manufacturers and users of metrological equipments,
quality managers,
teachers and researchers.

The Congress is a meeting place for the exchange of information between people involved in scientific and industrial fields through :
oral conferences and poster sessions
round tables
the exhibition of 43 stands
technical visits

Visit www.cfmetrologie.com/index_congres.htm for more information.

 

FDA Announces New Progress Toward "21st Century" Regulation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - Five New Guidances Issued

On the first anniversary of the launch of its initiative, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today outlined new steps in its strategic initiative to modernize the regulation of pharmaceutical manufacturing and product quality. This initiative aims at ensuring that regulatory review, compliance and inspection policies are based on state-of-the-art pharmaceutical science, and do not impede rapid adoption of new technological advances by the pharmaceutical industry. It also promises to enhance safety and quality in drug manufacturing while increasing efficiencies. Its achievements reflect valuable advice provided to FDA through many public workshops and meetings, and written comments from experts and interested parties in academics, industry, and other groups.

"All of the major steps announced today are part of our program to increase efficiencies while maintaining and enhancing FDA’s high standards for safety in our regulation of the manufacturing of human drugs and biologics and veterinary drugs," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "This two year effort was launched last August, and under the direction of FDA’s cGMP Steering Committee, it is on track to accelerate the public health benefits from modern methods to produce more precise, effective medicines and assure their quality."

First, the agency issued five new guidances designed to enhance the consistency and coordination of its drug quality regulatory programs. These include:

  • Guidance Document: Part 11, Electronic Records; Electronic Signatures - Scope and Application
    Available in Word, HTML, or PDF format.
  • A draft guidance on a process for resolving disputes arising over scientific and technical issues related to pharmaceutical current good manufacturing practices (cGMP)
  • A draft guidance on the aseptic processes used in the manufacture of sterile drugs, emphasizing current science and risk-based approaches.
  • A draft guidance on preparation and use of a comparability protocol for assessing chemistry, manufacturing and control changes to protein drug products and biological products.
  • A draft guidance for Process Analytical Technology (PAT) —a framework for allowing regulatory processes to more readily adopt state–of-the-art technological advances in drug development, production and quality assurance.
    Available in Word, HTML, or PDF format.


FDA has taken steps to streamline and improve its internal processes. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The Office of Regulatory Affairs and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research was signed on August 22, 2003, setting up the Pharmaceutical Inspectorate (PI). The PI will consist of a staff within the FDA Field force of highly trained individuals who will devote most of their time to conducting human drug manufacturing quality inspections on the majority of prescription drug manufacturers and other complex or high risk pharmaceutical operations. The PI will also conduct pre-approval inspections and may conduct or assist in investigations that would benefit from their expertise.

To read the entire press release go to: www.fda.gov.

 

Ruska Pressure Calibration Discussion Forum Forming

Join the new Ruska Discussion Forum.
Participate in a unique on-line community to discuss Ruska products, services, applications and pressure calibration in general.

Visit www.ruska.com/CGI-BIN/discus/discus.cgi to sign up and post your first question!

 

AMETEK Deals for Oil and Gas Instrumentation Company

AMETEK, Inc. will pay $50 million to pick up Chandler Instruments Co. LLC, a manufacturer of measurement instrumentation for the oil and gas industry.

"Chandler adds to AMETEK's strong presence in the oil and gas industry by expanding into upstream drilling and completion instruments as well as extending our product offering in downstream markets, adding new technologies and customers," said AMETEK chairman and chief executive officer Frank S. Hermance.

Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Chandler Instruments designs and manufactures products through two operating companies: Chandler Engineering and Grabner Instruments. Chandler Engineering focuses on the upstream markets of oil and gas exploration and production, selling to integrated petroleum and oil services companies. Chandler Engineering produces instruments for the drilling and completion market as well as instrumentation for production enhancement, reservoir development, and pipeline transmission.

Grabner, based in Austria, designs and makes test instruments for analyzing fuels and other liquids. Products include vapor pressure measurement instruments, flash point analyzers, and spectrometers. These products focus on downstream petroleum refining and distribution markets as well as the fragrance, flavors, and paint markets.

Chandler Instruments joins AMETEK as part of its Electronic Instruments Group (EIG), which sells its instruments to the process, aerospace, power, and industrial markets.

 

MidEast, Asia and European Contacts for Pressure and Flow Solutions

Contact Artvik, Inc. for DHI Calibration Solutions for Pressure and Flow in:
ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, BELARUS, GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, MOLDOVA, TADJIKISTAN, TURMENISTAN and UZBEKISTAN.
www.dhinstruments.com/find1/mideast.htm#armenia

Contact Artvik R Ltd (Artvik Inc. affiliate) for DHI Calibration Solutions for Pressure and Flow in RUSSIA.
www.dhinstruments.com/find1/asia.htm#russia

Contact Sindec (Artvik Inc. affiliate) for DHI Calibration Solutions for Pressure and Flow in UKRAINE.
www.dhinstruments.com/find1/euro.htm#ukraine

 

October Meetings and Workshops At NIST

There are two upcoming meetings at NIST - Gaithersburg, MD location - that may be of interest to the calibration/metrology professional.

  • The Twelfth Annual CIRMS Meeting (Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards) is being held on October 27-29, 2003. The purpose for this meeting is to identify common needs for ionizing radiation measurements and standards by industry, government and academic institutions. Topics covered include: traceability in measurement standards for medical applications; homeland security; occupational, public and environmental radiation protection; and industrial applications and materials effects. For more information visit NIST.
  • Precision Thermometry Workshop is being held on October 20-24, 2003. The purpose of this workshop is to provide advice and assistance on measurement and calibration problems, tracing to NIST the accuracies of measurement standards needed for research work, factory production, or field evaluation. Topics covered include: temperature scales, platinum resistance thermometry, vapor pressure and gas thermometry, low temperature calibrations, thermistor thermometry, liquid-in-glass thermometry, and thermocouple thermometry. This workshop is intended for calibration laboratory personnel and others who wish to undertake precision temperature measurements. For more information visit NIST.

 

TrigasFI and Agilent Announce Agreement

TrigasFI announced that agreement has been reached with Agilent Technologies for Calibration and Service of Agilent’s LFE (Laminar Flow Element) Flow Tracker flowmeters.

Located next to the Munich Airport, TrigasFI GmbH is an ISO 9001 :2000 certified Instrumentation Laboratory specializing in Flow and associated measurements such as Pressure, Temperature, Viscosity, Density, etc. The company operates several flow calibators and provers for Gas and Liquid flowmeters of all types. NIST, PTB and BNM traceability are maintained for all measurements. The Liquid Flow laboratory is also DKD accredited by the PTB to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 :2000.

Being primarily a Service organization and an independent lab, TrigasFI concentrates on Calibration and Repair/Overhaul of flow metering and calibration equipment. The announcement of the new service agreement means that Agilent Technogies’ customers outside of the United States can be assured of precise calibrations and fast turnaround time. Standard turnaround time is usually 5 work days or less but Emergency Next-Day Service is also available.

For more information visit TrigasFl.

 

Cummins Appointed New Executive Director of AIAG

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announced Andrew J. Cummins has been appointed the new executive director of the association. As executive director, Cummins will lead the organization in pursuing its goals and objectives set forth by the AIAG board of directors. AIAG provides a unique forum for auto manufacturers, suppliers and vendors to interface, develop solutions that reduce the cost and complexity of doing business with multiple trading partners, and create a seamless, efficient and responsible supply chain for the global auto industry.

"AIAG is pleased to have such an experienced and accomplished professional in the lead position within our organization," said Jeff Reest, AIAG board chairman. "His extensive experience in communications and operations, as well as his perspective from both the OEM and supplier sides, will play a critical role in AIAG achieving its objectives and securing its position within the industry."

Prior to joining AIAG, Cummins was vice president of corporate communications for Oxford Automotive, a leading Tier One supplier of specialized metal-formed modules, assemblies and related services to the automotive industry. Cummins' position prior to joining Oxford Automotive was publisher and editorial director of Automotive Industries magazine, a leading publication serving the information needs of the global automotive industry. In this position, he gained extensive exposure to every aspect of the automotive business.

Cummins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and Automotive Public Relations Council, and also serves as an Honorary Board Member of the Oakland Literacy Council.

Founded in 1982, the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is a not-for-profit association of companies involved in the automotive industry. Through the cooperation of OEMs and suppliers, AIAG's purpose is to create and offer solutions to common industry challenges, resulting in more improved and productive processes that will benefit the entire automotive supply chain.
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