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The slogan on the back of Q-Mark’s free hats is likely to resonate with anyone who has seen production lines shut down for lack of inspection probes. Although the supply of hats may be limited, this company aims to ensure that its customers’ probe supplies are not. As illustrated in an animated short at the booth involving race cars, speedy styli delivery is possible because all of Q-Mark’s products are manufactured under one roof in Southern California.

Although the company reports that its e-commerce business is booming, IMTS presents in-person opportunities to showcase benefits beyond fast delivery. One example is ceramic stems that ensure styli break in the event of a collision. The basic idea is that replacing probes (particularly when there is no fear of running out of styli) is a smaller price to pay than scrapping expensive parts or repairing damaged measuring machines. Snapped styli might also alert personnel to quality or process problems, particularly when robots are doing the inspection.

For attendees already familiar with the company’s range of ruby-, diamond- and ceramic-tipped probes, there’s always the free hat. Get one while supplies last.