The ATRONA Article Series.
Advances in Material Testing.
The ATRONA Article Series looks at history of material testing, as well as innovative approaches, capabilities and solutions.
THE 5-WHYS METHOD
ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS? WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS!
When a product, machine or component fails; it's important to ask the right questions beyond what the immediate evidence of that failure or problem may indicate. One of the best approaches to this process was developed by Taiichi Ohno (pictured), the engineer and former Executive Vice President who pioneered Toyota Motor Company's production line in the 1950s. Ohno called his method The "5-Whys" and used the example of a welding robot stopping in the middle of its operation to demonstrate the usefulness of his "persistent enquiry" method to finally arrive at the root cause of the problem.
WELD VERIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
MINIMIZING THE RISK OF FAILED WELDS
Welding is considered a special process and an essential element in many manufacturing and fabrication processes; as well as a vital tool to maintain assets in industries ranging from Oil & Gas to Chemical Processing and from Building to Transportation. Unfortunately, welds can fail. And that means costly downtime or rework at a minimum. In a worst-case scenario, that defective or failed weld can cause harm to life and property. A weld testing and analysis plan or protocol can help you minimize this risk. At ATRONA Test Labs, we can verify that welds have the strength, hardness, ductility...
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CHARPY IMPACT TESTING
THE EVOLUTION OF THE CHARPY V-NOTCH TEST
The impact-pendulum test method and associated equipment in nearly its current form was first developed more than a century ago. And while the basic concept behind this testing method is generally credited to two different engineers, S. B. Russell (1898) and G. Charpy in (1901); the test is now known by only the latter's name. The reason for this is due in large part to Georges Augustin Albert Charpy's technical contributions in the first half of the 20th century. These efforts included writing testing procedures in the use of a pendulum to apply an impact force to a specimen and measure the amount of energy absorbed during its fracture.