Q-Cast

Tash R. Baksh is a seasoned expert with 20-plus years of international experience in operational management across various fields, including medical devices and responsible care. He's a member of the ASQ inspection division and holds three ASQ certifications. He recently wrote an article for Quality about training and workforce development in which he stated, “Pursuing entry-level training programs is not just an alternative—it’s a strategic move to secure stable, well-paying careers in high-demand fields.”

The NDT industry has established in-depth guidelines and requirements for formal classroom training, but a shortfall in the standardization of on-the-job training (OJT) requirements remains.Donald Booth, CEO of the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing, explains.

Coy Limon of 3D Infotech explains the cutting-edge innovations that transform quality control inspection processes. From metrology automation to machine learning-driven defect detection, we will explore how these high-end technologies reshape manufacturing standards. One major trend? Augmented reality (AR) enhances inspection accuracy, and smarter defect detection, while automation is accelerating processes without sacrificing precision. But that’s just the beginning. Here we break down the latest advancements driving efficiency, accuracy and Industry 4.0 integration in modern quality control processes.Watch the video podcast

Atty Chakraborty, our 2025 Quality Rookie of the Year, discusses her work in the emerging field of AI in the medical industry, including examples, predictions for the future, and how it may apply in your work.

Jim Mayer, the Manufacturing Connector, explains how culture starts at the individual level, offers an example of culture from the world of F1 racing, and how the proposed ISO standards may include a cultural component as well.

Meet our 2025 Quality Rookie of the Year, Attrayee Chakraborty. She is a quality professional in the medical field with a background in biotechnology and expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI). (Image courtesy of Attrayee Chakraborty)

Our 2025 Plant of the Year CEO Explains How to Train, Maintain High Quality, and Find the Right Software With a commitment to people, new technologies, and the highest quality standards, Spectrum Custom Packaging aims for zero defects in every product they make. “We keep scrap and defect rates low, we always aim for zero,” says CEO Shawn Pereira. “It’s nearly impossible but we try.” (Image courtesy of Spectrum Custom Packaging)

Our 2025 Quality Professional of the Year has nineteen competencies listed on his CV as well as 50 skills listed on LinkedIn—if you’re looking for a certified quality engineer (CQE) or an AS9100 lead auditor, you’re in luck—but also stresses the importance of emotional intelligence. Here, Ben Tomic shares his insights from a long career in quality. (Image Source: Magenta Photo)

Donald Booth is the CEO and founder of the American Institute of Non-Destructive Testing. He will be giving a presentation at the Quality Show in April titled "The Evolution of NDT Education and Training." (Image courtesy of Donald Booth) ⮞ The Assembly Show South Agenda

Lisa Weis explains why asking questions instead of giving answers is the best way to get results, why talking things out is so helpful in learning, and how people centric leadership works well at work – and at home. She’ll be presenting at The Quality Show this April in Nashville. (Image courtesy of Lisa Weis) ⮞ The Assembly Show South Agenda

Many of the concepts of lean manufacturing are deceptively simple. It’s easy to read or hear about them without understanding how big of an impact they can have. Eric Hayler will be presenting a workshop called The Power of Lean at The Quality Show in Nashville on April 15. His hands-on workshop will include a manufacturing simulation and allow attendees to practice using lean skills right away. Hayler is the Principal of the Hayler Group, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and Adjunct Professor of Business Analytics at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He has led Continuous Improvement efforts at BMW Manufacturing and Amazon. He is a long time member of ASQ and has served in a variety of roles including Chair of the Board of Directors in 2017. Eric’s workshop will take place on Tuesday, April 15, from 10:30 to 12:30. ⮞ The Assembly Show South Agenda Image courtesy of Eric Hayler

Like all successful journeys, some special preparations may be required like a positive attitude, good planning, seamless execution, and a solid end goal in mind. Susan Gorveatte shares her secrets from 25 years of auditing, including an important what NOT to do. (Be prepared to laugh.) Susan is an auditor, trainer, public speaker and coach is president of Gorveatte Consulting Inc. For more than 25 years Susan has trained Internal and Lead Auditors across North America. She is an active Member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), holding positions with the Quality Management Division, Audit Division, and is Chair of the Technical Program Committee for ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement. Image Credit: Susan Gorveatte READ MORE Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Management System Auditing

Heather Wade offers a preview of her workshop entitled “The 3 Rs of Calibration; Reading, Writing, and Reviewing Accreditation Scopes, Service Requests and Calibration Certificates.” In the more than 100 presentations she’s given – from Toledo to Shanghai – Heather Wade has offered practical and well-received information on metrology. Image courtesy of Heather Wade

Glenn Graney, QAD’s Marketing Director for the Industrial and High Tech markets, is an optimist about AI. Here he explains how AI might work for your manufacturing application, how it can improve a business, and why a technology-first approach is not the best way forward.

A race inspired Dr. Rochelle Cook to share her insights on validation studies, also known as pilots. This type of trial can benefit manufacturers in a variety of ways, by testing a process, system, or product. Rochelle Cook, PhD, CMBB, PMP, CPHQ, is an Adjunct Professor, College of Continuing and Professional Education, California State University Dominguez Hills. She will be speaking at The Quality Show in Nashville on April 17th at 9:30 a.m.

If you’re looking to recruit more staff, a manufacturing boot camp may be the answer. Ranae Stewart is the Senior Executive Director of the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership, part of the MEP National Network™️. Image courtesy of Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Aleigha Schulke, application engineer at ANCA, describes the appeal of working in manufacturing, how to recruit the next generation, and the surprising travel benefits of working in manufacturing, including business trips to Germany and Australia. Image Source: ANCA

Nicholas Blake of Advex AI explains how synthetic examples can be used to help improve training models, what machine vision offers, and how AI inspection can cut training time down from years to hours. Image courtesy of Advex AI

Rodrigo Perez of MxD is here to explain this – along with the interesting elements of a career in manufacturing. Perez is a manufacturing systems integration engineer at MxD, the digital manufacturing institute and National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing. Here he shares advice on recruiting the next generation to manufacturing, what someone new to the industry should know, and how digital twins can help your organization. Image courtesy of MxD

Alyssa Rodriguez, PhD, director of the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, talks manufacturing, labor, and more in Alaska. Image courtesy of Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center.