Industry University Collaboration To Improve Test Data Quality

A major engine manufacturer, Cummins, Inc., had organized a charter to provide training to a group of employees involved with data collection. Their objective was to improve data quality by improving the calibration of test instruments. The group of employees would also be encouraged to take the Certified Calibration Technician examination as part of obtaining this certification offered by the American Society for Quality. Essentially, their training served as a preparatory class for the CCT exam. However, other benefits outside of the exam were identified. They included improved efficiency and knowledge of calibration issues, establishment of a common vocabulary about calibration, and development of a professional development path for technicians. According to the Cummins, Inc. charter, “at the end of the day value will be added to Cummins as data quality, productivity and efficiency improve.” After conducting the class once, Cummins decided it was too costly for them to continue and approached the Purdue University College of Technology in Columbus, Indiana about offering the class as part of their curriculum. The mechanical engineering technology (MET) department of the College of Technology decided to implement the class. An outline of the class with desired objectives was submitted to the curriculum committee of the MET department and approved as a “Special Topics in MET” class. The class was offered with no prerequisite classes and approved as a technical selective for the two-year associate of science degree in MET. Employees from local industry as well as current students in MET were encouraged to register for the class. This class has been conducted during the fall semester in 2005, 2006 and 2007, serving over 40 students. This work details the organization of the class including objectives, hands-on activities, assessments, and course materials. Basically, the Book of Knowledge published by the ASQ for calibration technicians was adopted as the text book but was supplemented often with materials from MET classes as well as classes from the Organizational Leadership and Supervision program that involve quality concepts. Descriptions of the hands-on activities include the calibration of a Bourdon tube pressure gauge, measurement of temperatures and volts for thermocouples and use of simulation software to provide lessons in using measurement equipment.