WHAT’S GOIIMG ON HERE?
' jC'Vi-'
^ V ’
It
mr 1.1
ft
llHii
lull
Ril
-^^iiiii'iiii^
list
I x-'Z
TOM ORR, Process Laboratorian (foreground) mak
ing an analytic casting determination, white JIM SNYDER
Laboratorian, takes a density reading. ’
THE CONTROL LABORATORY
by M. J. Brandon
Employees of the Control Laboratory monitor the
quality of all phases of the manufacturing process, furn
ishing information required to assure the operating areas
their raw materials, packaging materials, and other items
which may affect the finished product are within specified
quality standards. The finished product is tested exhaust
ively to maintain a quality level that will create and main
tain satisfaction among our customers.
The Control Laboratory employees routinely per
form many tests; and they must develop skills to use the
specilized equipment to analyze the raw materials. They
also monitor air contamination (radiation), and water pol
lution. After water is used, it is tested at five different
locations before it is returned to the river.
Many tests are performed for the Casting Units to
insure that the physical properties of the base are within
specified limits for its varied uses. Some of these tests
are to check color, dimensional stability, and strength of
the base.
A sample coating on the Lab’s trial coater is used
to obtain a quick check of certain variables in raw ma
terials of the Coating Area. The trial coater is also used
to check for possible contamination in the finished base.
In the sensitometric section, the Lab makes checks
of the photographic quality of the finished product. This
is done by simulating conditions our customers would
encounter in the use of our product. The sheets of x-ray
film are processed through equipment designed to dup
licate the customers’ facilities and conditions. Technicians
even go so far as to take simulated chest and skull “shots”
to better analyize the diagnostic clarity of the film.
In test after test, the employees of the Control Lab
oratory work hand in glove with the employees of the man
ufacturing areas, continually performing exacting tests and
assuring high quality x-ray film to our customers. The em
ployees who work in this area have a great responsibility —
it is their tests, and their results which guide the manu
facturing areas.
GERALD LUSK, Laboratorian, performing a Coating
weight analysis.
bass on°Slf
f^EE McCall, Finishing Area Service Operator
(foreground) and MARVIN WHITMIRE Finishing Area
Quality Control Checker use information from the Control
Lab s tests to make decisions before finished x-ray film
IS sent to the warehouses.