Help

FEBRUARY 2007 INDUSTRY NEWS

 

Fluke Corporation Acquires DH Instruments, Inc.

Fluke Corporation, a worldwide leader in portable, professional electronic test tools, announced the acquisition of DH Instruments, Inc (DHI). DHI is an industry leading manufacturer of high performance pressure and gas flow standards, including calibration process software. DHI also offers A2LA accredited pressure and gas flow calibration services, as well as metrology training courses at their facility in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Under the agreement, DHI will become part of the Fluke Precision Measurement division, joining the Fluke calibration product and service teams. According to Tom Johnson, Fluke's Precision Measurement vice president, "DHI is well known for their innovative solutions in pressure and flow calibration. This high-quality product portfolio complements the Fluke line of dc/low frequency ac electrical, RF and temperature calibration products and allows us to offer customers an even broader range of integrated solutions and services." Fluke Precision Measurement encompasses a broad selection of standards, calibrators, data loggers, general purpose test instruments, software, training, and global support and service.

"In Fluke, we have found a partner who matches our commitment to quality and to the customer," said Martin Girard, DH Instruments president. "As part of the Fluke organization, we can strengthen our operations and expand further into new markets around the world. We are excited about the opportunity to better serve our existing customers and to reach more prospective new customers."

"This is a great move for both companies," confirms Barbara Hulit, Fluke president. "DHI products reinforce our business on several fronts, helping expand the breadth of our precision measurements business and also helping provide stronger support for other products in our range of test tools. Combined, our businesses will thrive, satisfying more customers worldwide."

The DHI product line is focused on metrology solutions and includes primary and transfer standards for pressure and gas flow calibration, accessories, training and services. These include PG7000 automated pressure balances, FPG very low pressure standards, a full range of digital pressure controllers and pressure monitors, and molbloc/molbox gas flow calibration systems. Customers include national labs, aerospace, the military, and manufacturers who rely on precise pressure standards to support their manufacturing processes. These are much the same customer base as addressed by Fluke's other calibration and test tools businesses.

DHI was founded in 1980 with one objective: To provide superior calibration solutions through innovative technology, first rate service, and uncompromising metrological integrity. DHI will continue to be based in Phoenix, Arizona, with its existing management team. Their existing service centers will be enhanced with the Fluke worldwide service organization. For more information, visit DH Instruments web site at http://www.dhinstruments.com.

Fluke Corporation is a world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools, calibration equipment and software. Fluke products are used by technicians and engineers in service, installation, maintenance, manufacturing test and quality functions in a variety of industries throughout the world. Founded in 1948, Fluke distributes its products in over 100 countries. The company's international headquarters are in Everett, WA, USA, (www.us.fluke.com) with European sales and service headquarters located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Fluke is a wholly owned subsidiary of Danaher Corporation.

 

Sypris Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Sypris Solutions, Inc. reported revenue of $109.5 million for the fourth quarter compared to $132.1 million for the prior year period. The Company reported a net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share for the fourth quarter compared to a loss of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share for the prior year period. Free cash flow for the fourth quarter reached $7.1 million.

For the full year ended December 31, 2006, the Company reported revenue of $497.7 million compared to $522.8 million for the prior year period and a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share compared to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share for the same period in 2005. Free cash flow increased 17% to $42.5 million for 2006 compared to 2005.

Revenue from the Test & Measurement segment was $10.5 million compared to $11.5 million for the prior year period. Despite strong growth in calibration services, softness in our test services market more than offset calibration gains. Gross profit for the Test & Measurement segment was $2.0 million compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2005, due to the aforementioned decline in testing services.

"The Company's fourth quarter earnings performance was in line with our expectations despite lower than expected shipments in each of our Industrial and Electronics groups," said Jeffrey T. Gill, president and chief executive officer. "Softening orders from our commercial vehicle customers reflected an early commencement of the expected 2007 down cycle for the industry, while our Electronics Group experienced lower levels of revenue as a result of the previously-announced rescheduling of shipments for certain classified military and intelligence programs into 2007."

Gill continued, "The year 2006 proved to be more difficult than anyone expected. Record demand in the commercial vehicle market exceeded the Company's demonstrated capacity and resulted in significant inefficiencies, including excessive overtime, punitive logistics costs, and higher levels of scrap, while the bankruptcy filing of a major customer had a significant impact on managerial time and outside advisory fees. When combined with the effects of the reconfiguration and delay of two major programs in our Electronics Group, the results were clearly less than anticipated going into the year."

Sypris Solutions is a diversified provider of technology-based outsourced services and specialty products. The Company performs a wide range of manufacturing and technical services, typically under multi-year, sole-source contracts with major corporations and government agencies in the markets for aerospace and defense electronics, truck components and assemblies, and test and measurement services. To read the full report and for more information about Sypris Solutions, visit its Web site at www.sypris.com.

 

Troemner Announces Zero Tolerance Policy

Troemner, the world’s leading manufacturer of precision weights and provider of calibration services, has announced a new feature for their world renown Weight Recalibration Service, the Zero Tolerance Policy - If your weight is out of tolerance Troemner will replace it FREE*!

Send your precision weights to Troemner for recalibration service and if a calibration weight is found to be out of tolerance, the weight will be replaced for free*. With this innovative program, Troemner’s customers will not have to guess their final cost of weight recalibration service, or if there will be any additional costs for replacing out of tolerance weights. This program has streamlined Troemner’s recalibration service process so our customers will get their weights back faster. Best of all, Troemner will continue to provide our customers with the highest quality weight calibration with the lowest measurement uncertainties in the world.

To participate in this program, contact Troemner for a price quote for your precision weights. Fill out your order form completely and include this order form with your precision weights. Ship your weights and order form to Troemner. Troemner will take care of the rest. For complete details on this program visit www.troemner.com/recal or call Troemner’s Inside Sales Department at 1.800.352.7775.

Troemner continues to be the premier company in the metrology industry and now has the following calibration services available to our customers; Temperature, Pressure, Humidity, Pipette, Dimensional, Mass Flow, Weight, Electrical, Time and Frequency. Visit us at www.troemner.com or call 1.800.352.7775 to place an order for any of these calibration services.

*Troemner’s Weight Recalibration Service Policy does not apply to ANSI/ASTM Class 0 weights and OIML Class E1 or E2 weights. Troemner reserves the right to make the final decision on signs of excessive wear or damage that would exclude weights from this free replacement program. Contact Troemner with any questions on these restrictions.

 

Report on the Global Calibration Industry Forecasts Continued Growth

A new edition of the industry standard reference report on the calibration market has been released. “The Market for Calibration of Test and Measurement Equipment. Strategies, Trends and Forecasts 2007 – 2011” is now available. The report forecasts continued growth in the industry worldwide though the situation in different parts of the world varies considerably.

The report Table of Contents includes the following:

  • 1. INTRODUCTION AND MARKET DEFINITION
    • 1.1 Introduction
    • 1.2 Market Definition
  • 2. MARKET OVERVIEW
    • 2.1 Manufacturer Practices
    • 2.2 Services Pricing and Plans
    • 2.3 Accreditation
    • 2.4 Segments and Capability
    • 2.5 Industry Structure and Participants
    • 2.6 Geographic Influences
  • 3. MARKET TRENDS
    • 3.1 Factors Driving Growth
    • 3.2 Factors Inhibiting Growth
    • 3.3 The Changing Role of the Manufacturer
    • 3.4 Services Packaging
    • 3.5 Technology Development
  • 4. INDUSTRY SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS
    • 4.1 Aerospace/Defence
    • 4.2 Agriculture and Food Production
    • 4.3 Automobile
    • 4.4 Biomedical/Pharmaceutical
    • 4.5 Communication
    • 4.6 General Manufacturing
    • 4.7 High Technology
    • 4.8 Material Production
    • 4.9 Other
  • 5. MARKET SIZE AND FORECASTS
    • 5.1 North America
    • 5.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.3 Continental Europe including Russia
    • 5.4 The Far East
    • 5.5 Australia and New Zealand
    • 5.6 Africa and West Asia
    • 5.7 Central and South America
  • 6. CALIBRATION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
    • 6.1 Automation
    • 6.2 Promotion
    • 6.3 Customer Service
    • 6.4 Merger and Acquisition
    • 6.5 Competition
  • APPENDICES
    • I. Methodology
    • II. Major Metropolitan Markets
    • III. About the Author

The report covers all aspects of planning and managing a calibration operation including consolidation, accreditation, on-site service and specialization. More information on the report including sample pages is available at www.thesignalgroup.net/research.shtml.

 

The Expression of Uncertainty and Confidence in Measurement

Agilent Technologies’ Metrology Forum, found at http://metrologyforum.tm.agilent.com/index.shtml, is Agilent’s special interest site devoted to calibration issues. The following article is found on the Metrology Forum along with other interesting articles about measurement uncertainty.

For thirty years the British accreditation agency has always been at the fore-front in providing helpful advice on the complicated subject of calculating measurement uncertainty. Their earliest guide, known as BCS B3003 first published in 1977, became NAMAS NIS3003 in the following decade and then UKAS M3003 in 1997.

The document has received worldwide acclaim for many years because it presents the topic in a way that is probably more meaningful to calibration practitioners than the ISO GUM.

With such a pedigree, it might be a surprise to learn that it could again be improved but that is the case with a completely revised edition just released on the UKAS website (www.ukas.com). This latest version is freely available to everyone and is already claimed to be a "top download".

http://www.ukas.com/Library/downloads/publications/M3003.pdf

 

President Requests $640.7 M for NIST FY 2008 Budget

President George W. Bush’s fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget proposal, submitted to the Congress on February 5, requests $640.7 million is for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The proposed NIST budget includes $594.4 million for NIST’s core research and facilities programs, an 11 percent increase over the President’s FY 2007 request and a 21 percent increase over the proposed FY 2007 continuing resolution passed by the Congress. The President’s request will implement key components of the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), launched in 2006, which is designed to enhance our nation’s capacity to innovate.

The budget requests includes funding for five major new research initiatives in:

  • Enabling Nanotechnology from Discovery to Manufacture (+$6 million)
  • Measurements and Standards for the Climate Change Science Program (+$5 million)
  • Enabling Innovation Through Quantum Science (+$4 million)
  • Disaster Resilient Structures and Communities (+$4 million)
  • National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (+$3.25 million)

Continued funding also is provided for 12 research initiatives called for in the FY 2007 budget in the areas of nanotechnology, neutron research facilities, the hydrogen economy, manufacturing, quantum information science, structural safety, synchrotron research, international standards, measurement science, bioimaging, cyber security and biometrics.

Other key elements of the President’s proposed budget include:

  • $47 million for two new facility construction initiatives to construct modern laboratory facilities at NIST’s Boulder, Colo., campus and to continue the capacity and capability improvement of the NIST Center for Neutron Research (initiated in the FY 2007 budget request);
  • $46.3 million in funding for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership;
  • Provisions to modernize the Department of Commerce’s technology policy structure by replacing the office of the Under Secretary for Technology with a department-wide Technology Council, and to place NIST directly under the Secretary of Commerce; and
  • A provision to transfer the management of the fee-supported National Technical Information Services (NTIS) to NIST.

For further information on the President’s FY 2008 budget for NIST, see:

 

EFD® Announces Calibration Services

EFD, Inc., a Nordson Company, introduces accredited calibration services for the Ultra® 2400 fluid dispensing system, the first and only dispensing system that can be calibrated and traced to international standards.

The calibration service will ensure that the dispenser has been calibrated to EFD's specifications using standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The methods are in accordance with FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and International Standards, ISO/IEC 17025:1999 and ISO 9001:2000.

EFD is offering three options under their new Calibration Services Program. Customers can:

  • Buy a new factory-calibrated Ultra 2400 Dispenser directly from EFD for immediate use
  • Purchase the unique Ultra 2400® Calibration Kit for efficient on-site management of their dispenser inventory
  • Send their Ultra 2400 Dispenser directly to EFD’s calibration lab for factory recalibration

Calibration is the act of checking or adjusting the accuracy of a measuring instrument according to a known standard. Medical and pharmaceutical regulations, as well as cited standards for the automotive industry, require calibration of equipment used in their production processes. Regularly scheduled calibration services are typically performed every six to twelve months.

“At EFD we are constantly looking for new ways to help our customers build their products better, faster and more cost-effectively,” states Peter Lambert, President of EFD. “By expanding our services portfolio to include several new calibration options, we are giving our customers an efficient way to satisfy their process validation requirements with minimal downtime.”

For more information log on to www.efd-inc.com.

 

Accreditation vs. Certification

The terms “accreditation” and “certification” are sometimes used interchangeably, however, they are not synonymous. Certification is used for verifying that personnel have adequate credentials to practice certain disciplines, as well as for verifying that products meet certain requirements.

NIST’s National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program or NVLAP is a system for accrediting laboratories found competent to perform specific tests or calibrations or types of tests or calibrations. NVLAP is not a certifier of test data, a certifier of products, or an operator of a certification program.

Accreditation is used to verify that laboratories have an appropriate quality management system and can properly perform certain test methods (e.g., ANSI, ASTM, and ISO test methods) and calibration parameters according to their scopes of accreditation.

NVLAP accreditation covers both the management system of a laboratory and the technical capabilities of a laboratory. The assessment of laboratories is performed to check compliance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. NVLAP, as a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement, performs the assessment and offers accreditation services in conformance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.

Upon satisfactory assessment and successful completion of proficiency testing (where applicable), the laboratory is issued a Certificate of Accreditation along with a Scope of Accreditation listing the test methods or calibration parameters that the laboratory is accredited to perform. The NVLAP accreditation period is one year. To renew its accreditation, a laboratory must demonstrate that it continues to satisfy all NVLAP requirements for accreditation.

Please visit the following links for additional resources and information about these conformity assessment terms:

For more information about NVLAP accreditation, visit the NVLAP website at http://www.nist.gov/nvlap.

 

Transcat Inc. Announces Expanded Capabilities at the Calibration Center of Excellence in Rochester, NY.

Transcat Inc. has announced the Rochester Calibration Laboratory has expanded its capabilities in Temperature, Infrared, and Oscilloscope Calibration.

The addition of the Hart Scientific 7380 Metrology Bath and the Hart Scientific 1560 Black Stack temperature measurement system extend and improve temperature measurement uncertainties across the range -80ºC to 600°C. The acquisition of the Mikron M340 complements the laboratory's Mikron M300 resulting in the capability for the calibration of infrared temperature devices across the range -20°C to 1000°C using blackbody sources.

Transcat has purchased Fluke's 9500B Oscilloscope Calibration Workstation with Met/Cal software for the fully automated calibration of the industry's ultra-high performance multi-channel oscilloscopes. The system in the Rochester Lab has been configured for the fully automated, hands free, simultaneous calibration of a 4-channel, 3.2 GHz bandwidth oscilloscopes and the ability to calibrate rise times to 25 ps.

"The expanded capabilities of the Rochester Laboratory exemplify our core belief that investing in new technology and equipment to improve our service and reduce our cost will serve our customers and our commitment that Transcat's first responsibility is to its customers and fulfill our promise of quality, service, and value," said Phil Mistretta, Program Manager for Laboratory Operations for Transcat Inc. For more information visit www.transcat.com.

 

Measurement Uncertainty Road Show

Join the North Carolina section of the NCSLI for an exciting day on March 7, 2007 exploring the topic of measurement uncertainty in electrical, pressure, temperature, and dimensional metrology. The topic is handled at an introductory level and is a welcome treatment of an otherwise daunting subject.

Location is University Of North Carolina Charlotte, Duke Centennial Hall. The meeting is hosted by Duke Energy Carolinas. Speakers include:

  • Jim Salsbury from Mitutoyo America
  • Tom Wiandt from Hart Scientific
  • Karl Kurtz from DH Instruments
  • Joe Baker from Fluke Corp

Attendance is FREE but limited to available / reserved seating. Contact James Reid at 704-875-5798 or jsreid@duke-energy.com. To register and get directions RSVP by 2/14/2007.

 

Calibration Services Built On Bedrock At Mahr Federal

In addition to being a leading manufacturer of dimensional measuring instruments, Mahr Federal offers inspection and recalibration services for dimensional standards—including gage blocks, master rings, discs, plugs and balls, and cylindrical form and precision reference specimens and surface roughness standards—as well as for a wide range of gages. Quality of these services is assured by the Mahr Federal metrology Lab which realizes high accuracy measurements with uncertainty as low as 0.06 microns, or 2.3 microinches, on gage blocks.

"The environment is the biggest contributor to measurement error," said George Schuetz, Director, Precision Gages, for Mahr Federal. "This is especially true of precision measurements such as calibration. Our Precision Measurement Center in Providence, RI, has been built to minimize these environment related errors."

Unlike most metrology labs, Mahr Federal's Precision Measurement Center is isolated from the surrounding structure, resting on a five-foot thick concrete slab that weighs nearly 375 tons and is supported by three, 30-foot tubular steel columns that rest on vibrationally stable bedrock. This isolates measurement equipment from external vibrations that can cause inaccuracies.

Air and atmosphere are also tightly controlled in the Precision Measurement Center. A complex air conditioning, circulating and filtration system maintains temperature at 68°F/20°C ± 0.2°F and relative humidity at 40% ± 10%. Air cascades through the room from ceiling to floor, replacing itself every half-minute, eliminating stratification, controlling dust, and providing a barrier of clean air between sensitive gages and technicians.

Equipment in the Precision Measurement Center includes a Mahr 828 CiM that offers gaging uncertainty of as little as 4 microinches, and a number of Mahr Federal Model 130B Gage Block Comparators, widely recognized as standards in the industry. Mahr Federal Grand Master Sets are regularly calibrated at NIST, providing direct traceability. Mahr Federal's calibration system is certified to ISO.IEC 17025 and ISO 9001:2000. Certification bodies are NVLAP for 17025, and NQA, USA for ISO 9000.

Mahr Federal Inc., a member of the Mahr Group, is known worldwide for its expertise in providing dimensional measurement solutions. The ISO 9001:2000-certified company manufactures and markets a wide variety of dimensional metrology products, and is headquartered in Providence, RI. Visit www.mahr.com for more company information.

 

Keithley Instruments Reports 15 Percent Sales Growth for Fiscal 2007 First Quarter

Keithley Instruments, Inc., leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, announced results for its fiscal 2007 first quarter ended December 31, 2006.

Net sales of $41.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 increased $5.2 million, or 15 percent, over net sales of $35.8 million in last year's first quarter. A weaker U.S. dollar caused approximately a two percentage point increase in sales compared to the prior year. Sequentially, sales were flat compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company reported net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 of $3.1 million, or $0.19 per share compared to net income of $1.9 million, or $0.12 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, a 60 percent increase.

Orders of $36.9 million for the first quarter increased nine percent from last year's first quarter orders of $33.8 million. Geographically, orders decreased four percent in the Americas, increased 49 percent in Asia, and decreased 15 percent in Europe when compared to the prior year. Orders from the Company's semiconductor customers were flat, orders from wireless communications customers increased approximately 20 percent, orders from precision electronic component/subassembly manufacturers increased approximately ten percent, and research and education customer orders increased approximately 15 percent compared to the prior year's first quarter. For the first quarter, semiconductor orders comprised approximately 30 percent of the total, wireless communications orders were approximately 15 percent, precision electronic component/subassembly manufacturers orders were approximately 25 percent, and research and education made up about 20 percent. Sequentially, orders were flat as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Order backlog decreased $4.9 million during the quarter to $12.3 million at December 31, 2006.

"We were pleased with our year-over-year first quarter growth in both sales and earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2007," stated Joseph P. Keithley, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "During the quarter, we introduced several new products and software updates that add complementary capability to our offering. These products provide our customers with critical tools to serve their R&D and production application needs. With the announcement of our new product line based on the PXI platform, we are now able to provide customers who build hybrid systems, based on multiple platforms, a unique solution for accomplishing their testing needs. We also now offer a family of RF products that include the Model 2810 RF Vector Signal Analyzer with spectrum analyzer capabilities and the Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator, both of which were honored this month by Electronic Products Magazine for their 'Product of the Year' award."

For more company details visit www.keithley.com.

 

2007 Woodington Award Winners

The Measurement Science Conference (MSC) presented its annual Woodington award to Dr. Howard Castrup of Integrated Sciences Group, Dave Deaver of Fluke, and Dr. Dennis Jackson of the US Navy's NSWC Corona, CA, facility. This marked the first time the Woodington award has been granted to three people. All were cited for their contributions to analytical metrology.

 

National Instruments Earnings Up in 4th Quarter

Instrumentation hardware and graphical software maker National Instruments Corp. said fourth-quarter net income grew 17 percent, helped by sales of its virtual instrument products.

Quarterly profit totaled $24.4 million, or 30 cents per share, versus $21 million, or 26 cents per share, during the same period a year before. On an adjusted basis, income rose to $28 million, or 34 cents per share, from $22.7 million, or 28 cents per share.

Revenue grew 14 percent, to $181.5 million from $159.7 million.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected net income of 29 cents per share on revenue of $181.7 million.

The company said instrument control product revenue fell 5 percent during the quarter, reflecting a slowdown in traditional test and semiconductor capital equipment markets. Revenue from virtual instrument products grew 16 percent.

For the year, net income grew 18 percent to $72.7 million, or 89 cents per share, from $61.5 million, or 76 cents per share last year.

Revenue grew 16 percent to $660.4 million from $571.8 million. Shares rose 18 cents to close at $27.71 on the Nasdaq.

For more information visit National Instruments at www.ni.com.
ARCHIVED NEWS

2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

 


eCalibration.com
PO Box 830 ~ State College, PA 16804
P: 800-982-2388 ~ P: 814-234-2417 ~ F: 814-234-7077
editor@ecalibration.com
News ~ Events ~ Directories ~ Careers ~ Resources ~ Global ~ Life Sciences ~ Home
Terms of Use ~ Privacy Statement
© Blue Mountain Quality Resources
eCalibration and The Premier Calibration Resource are Trademarks of Blue Mountain Quality Resources