Can Automation Save American Manufacturing?
In the latest episode of our podcast, Innovating the Industrial World, Cross CEO John King sits down with former Automation Group President Lynn Crump to discuss challenges facing manufacturing plants in America as they compete to stay in business.
Discover how automation and collaborative robots are future-proofing jobs and driving innovation in the manufacturing industry. From addressing labor shortages, misconceptions of robots, strengthening the economy, and much more, don’t miss out on this insightful episode as we talk about paving the way for a more resilient manufacturing sector in the U.S.
Legal-for-Trade Scales: Are Yours Meeting All the Requirements?
Any scale which is used for commercial transactions, where products are bought and sold based on weight, must be legal-for-trade. But what does legal-for-trade really mean? And how can you make sure that your scale is compliant?
In the United States, Handbook 44 outlines the requirements for legal for trade scales. When a scale meets the standards set by Handbook 44, it ensures that the scale is capable of providing accurate and consistent measurements repeatedly. In turn, this prevents disputes and ensures fairness in transactional situations.
All legal-for-trade scales must be clearly marked with a sticker, metal plate, or alternate form of identification displaying that the scale is NTEP approved. If the scale is not appropriately marked, it is not considered legal-for-trade and cannot be used in commercial transactions involving weight.
One other requirement for being trade approved is that the scale has been inspected by a calibration service provider for the requirements of HB44. They then submit paperwork to the State Weights and Measures department, although the state reserves the option to retest the scale to verify accuracy.
What's New at Cross
Measure More with M: Introducing the New Multi-Sensor Measurement Line from OGP
Cross partner OGP recently launched their SmartScope® M-Series multi-sensor measurement equipment line. With instantaneous magnification, low image distortion and ZONE3 software, the M series delivers exceptionally accurate measurement results. This means you can maximize your machine up-time without compromise and with minimal costs.
The M series features both benchtop and floor models and can be paired with a variety of tactile, laser, and rotary sensors to create the most advanced 3D multi-sensor measurement system on the market today.
New to OGP?
Schedule a demo to see how the M Series stands out thanks to its ability to measure complex parts with ease, reliability, and speed.
Already have a SmartScope?
Ask us how patented technology in M allows you to measure more!
Measure X Tips and Tricks Video Series
Measure-X metrology software from Cross partner OGP is the powerful, yet easy-to-use software on OGP’s OGP’s Smartscope E Series and StarLite video systems, C-Vision optical comparators and SNAP Large Field of View video systems. From fast walk-up measurements to robust multisensor routines, Measure-X’s flexibility is unmatched.
In his latest video series, Product Specialist Chris Johnson shares his tips and tricks to get the most out of Measure-X in a production environment.
Using ZONE3 from OGP? Chris also has an excellent series of tips and tricks for that software too!
Did you know?
Calibration Provider Not Getting Your Equipment Back Fast Enough?
Calibration is an essential part of compliance in the consumer products industries, almost a cost of doing business. But if your calibration provider isn’t getting your equipment back to you in a timely manner, you have the extra cost of purchasing and maintaining spare equipment while it’s out.
Cross Precision Measurement is a full service, ISO 17025-accredited calibration provider with twenty labs across the Southeast and Midwest, including our newest labs in Atlanta and Charleston. We are accredited in over 150 different parameters and can perform NIST-traceable calibration on literally thousands of types of equipment. Critically, 90% of the equipment we calibrate is turned around in 7 days or less.
Don’t carry the cost of spare equipment because your calibration provider is too slow. See how Cross Precision Measurement can help!
Cross Provides Tangible Value for You
Raise Quality
Don’t let careless errors in recording measurements impact the quality of your product or process. Cross partner Microridge provides measurement collection solutions which connect any gage to any software.
Whether you want to send data from a single micrometer to a simple Excel spreadsheet or from hundreds of gages to a cloud-based SPC system, Microridge offers the tools needed to move data in real-time with 100% accuracy. Convenient, mobile and easily implemented, Microridge’s data collection solutions eliminate human error in data transfer.
Raise Quality
It’s not possible to overstate how important accurate and repeatable measurements are for the motorized vehicle industry. Tight tolerances are a part of life so you need the best measurement equipment possible.
What if you’ve invested in high tech measurement equipment but have employees who don’t know how to properly operate it? This can be a recipe for disaster.
Let us help! We have a team of measurement experts available to come onsite and train your team to use your measurement equipment. We want you to feel confident in the quality of your measurement data!
Improve Efficiency
If you have humans repeatedly loading parts into a machine, you may want to consider automating that task. Robotic machine tending is a great way to improve efficiency while also freeing up human labor for more valuable tasks in other areas of your facility.
Machine tending robots are typically able to produce a very quick return on investment. Cross has expertise tending a wide range of industrial machinery, including CNC, press brakes, injection molders, and laser etchers (just to name a few). Cross automated machine tending robots are available in mobile or fixed configurations depending on your unique application needs, personnel, and production process.
