FED-STD-595, the Federal Color Standard, is available in three formats

FED-STD-595 Revision C with Notice 1 from 2008 is titled “Colors used in Federal Procurement.”  We sell it in three different formats here at Document Center Inc., depending on the requirements of each individual customer.

The most common format is the FED-STD-595 standard itself.  It’s printed on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper.  It starts with the usual scope paragraph, referenced documents section and so on.  After the 5 pages of standard material, Appendix I then describes the pigments used in the master standard, as an informational list only.  Appendix II lists the new color chips added in 2007.  Appendix III is CIELAB values.  Appendix IV is the Master Color List.  Lastly Appendix V provides detailed notes.

Following this section, the actual color chips are divided into tabbed sections by color.  Each page contains three columns, Gloss, Semigloss, and Lusterless.  The 1/2″ by 1″ color chips are arranged by number into the appropriate columns.

The other two formats are simply collections of the color chips themselves, without the actual standard itself.  They are the FED-STD-595 Flip book and a complete set of FED-STD-595 Color Chips.

The flip book is like a color fan deck that you might find at any paint store.  It’s a little over 10″ long and 2″ wide and is a collection of the colors from light to dark on each page.  There is a further division by gloss, semigloss and lusterless (matte).  The colors themselves are 2″ by 1/2″.

The complete set of color chips is a boxed set of 5″ by 3″ chips, each in their own envelope.  Each chip may also be purchased separately.

To purchase the FED-STD-595 in any of the formats, or any publicly distributed (not classified) Federal Standard, please use our website, www.document-center.com.  Or phone us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or send us an email (info@document-center.com).  We’re glad to be able to assist you with any of your standards requirements.

IEC 60812, BS EN 60812, FMEA, and SAE-J1739 — Four important FMEA Standards (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

IEC 60812 Edition 2.0, BS EN 60812:2006, AIAG’s FMEA Standard, and SAE-J-1739 all provide standards users with information on how to identify the potential for system elements to fail.  Failure is the loss of the ability of an item to provide its required function. By using a FMEA standard, the designer may be able to eliminate the causes, or mitigate the failure effects to avoid undesirable consequences on the system.

Failure mode and effect analysis is a logical process aimed at identifying the potential failure modes of the elements of a system; the respective causes of failures; and the failure effects, initially on that element and then on its particular part of the larger system. A failure effect at a lower level may then be a failure cause for an item in the next higher level, hence the end effect on the system as a whole may be identified.

IEC 60812 Edition 2.0 from 2006, “Analysis techniques for system reliability – Procedure for failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA),” describes failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA), and gives guidance as to how these techniques may be applied to achieve various reliability programme objectives, by:

  • outlining the basic principles
  • identifying appropriate terms, assumptions, failure modes, and criticality measures
  • providing the procedural steps necessary to perform an analysis
  • providing examples of the typical forms used.

BS EN 60812:2006, “Analysis techniques for system reliability. Procedure for failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA),” is the European adoption of the IEC 60812 2006 Edition.

SAE J1739, “Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis in Design (Design FMEA), Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis in Manufacturing and Assembly Processes (Process FMEA),” describes Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis in Design (DFMEA) and Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis in Manufacturing and Assembly Processes (PFMEA). It is geared for the ground vehicle community and assists users in the identification and mitigation of risk by providing appropriate terms, requirements, ranking charts, and worksheets. As a Standard, this document contains requirements (must) and recommendations (should) to guide the user through the FMEA process.

AIAG’s FMEA 4th Edition, “Potential Failure Mode & Effects Analysis,” is a reference manual to be used by suppliers to Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation as a guide to assist them in the development of both Design and Process FMEAs. The manual does not define requirements; it is intended to clarify questions concerning the technical development of FMEAs.

These standards, and all IEC, BS, SAE and AIAG standards, are available from Document Center Inc.  Purchase them at our webstore, www.document-center.com.  Or call us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or send us an email (info@document-center.com).  We’re here to assist you with your standards requirements and questions.

Whatever happened to MIL-STD-105?

MIL-STD-105, “Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes,” is another of those popular military standards that got cancelled during Mil Spec reform in the mid-1990’s.  The documents referenced in the cancellation notice can cause confusion for users, so some assistance with this can be helpful.

The last revision of the MIL-STD-105 was Revision E from 1989.  This last issue was cancelled three times, first in 1995, then in 2001 and finally in 2008.  Cancellation Notice 1 from 1995 simply replaced the standard with ASQC-Z1.4 (now ASQ-Z1.4).  This ASQ document is actually a reprint of the MIL-STD-105 and an obvious choice to use in lieu of the MIL Standard.

However, Notice 2 from 2001 really put a wrench in the works.  It stated “MIL-STD-105E … is hereby canceled without replacement.  Current DOD PREFERRED METHODS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF PRODUCTS are described in MIL-STD-1916… and should be considered for future acquisitions.”  However, MIL-STD-1916 is an administrative standard.

In fact, MIL-STD-1916 was developed to encourage defense contractors to submit process control (prevention) procedures instead of using prescribed sampling requirements like those detailed in ASQ-Z1.4.  In other words, the standard supports the DoD desire to change contractual requirements from a system of acceptable quality levels to one of continuous improvement.

Quality documents referenced by MIL-STD-1916 include ASQ-B1, B2, and B3, ISO-8402, and ISO-9000 (ASQ-Q9000) and ISO-9004 (ASQ-Q9004).  They are all quality standards, but do not address the issue of sampling by attributes, with the many tables that ASQ-Z1.4 contains.

Apparently, this approach got some push-back because in 2008, Cancellation Notice 3 again modified the replacement information.  It now allows for use of either the MIL-STD-1916 or the ASQ-Z1.4.

And while we’re on the topic of the ASQ-Z1.4, we should also mention the ASQ-Z1.9 standard, “Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Variables for Percent Non-conforming.”  It’s the replacement document for the cancelled MIL-STD-414 (with the same title).  The two ASQ documents are often purchased at the same time and can really be considered to be a set.

All the standards above can be purchased from Document Center Inc.  You can use our website, www.document-center.com, but if you need any of the obsolete documents, you’ll get a quote before you purchase.  That’s because we want to confirm that you understand you’re purchasing a withdrawn document prior to purchase.  Or you may prefer to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re able to provide you with many obsolete standards, as well as help you determine what replacement documents are available.

TAPPI-T564 on the use of the Transparent TAPPI Dirt Estimation Chart is available in the New 2011 Edition

TAPPI Standard Practice T 564 sp-11, “Transparent chart for the estimation of defect size,” is now available.  This new 2011 Edition for the paper and pulp industry provides users with an editorially corrected standard practice on the use of the transparent chart itself.

There are many applications where it is desired to measure the size of spots, defects or inclusions in paper and other industrial materials such as textiles or plastics. The transparent chart was developed from the paper format “TAPPI Dirt Estimation Chart” to provide an additional means for size estimation.

The opaque TAPPI Dirt Estimation Chart is a photographic print of the original chart developed for use with TAPPI T 213 “Dirt in Pulp” and T 437 “Dirt in Paper and Paperboard.” The basis for these two tests is to determine the numerical or visual estimation of dirt in paper, paperboard, or pulp in terms of equivalent black area (EBA). EBA of a dirt speck is defined as the area of a round black spot on a white background on the Dirt Chart which makes the same visual impression on its background as does the dirt speck on the particular background in which it is embedded. Reflected light is the proper basis of comparison.

Only the TAPPI Dirt Estimation Chart, printed on the opaque, white background can properly be used in the tests. Photocopies, transparencies, plastic-covered cards, or printed reproductions of the chart (including the reproductions of the charts printed in the Test Methods for informational purposes) will not give equivalent results and must not be used in order to run the tests as specified in the Test Methods.

Over the years, a transparent version of the TAPPI Dirt Estimation Chart was produced by request from industry segments that wanted only to have a size estimation method for determining size of spots, defects, or inclusions in paper or other industrial materials such as textiles or plastics.  In 1996, a method, T 564 “Transparent Chart for the Estimation of Defect Size,” was developed for use with a transparent version of the Dirt Chart. The transparent Size Estimation Chart (ordered and purchased separately from the TAPPI Test Method) should only be used as proscribed by the procedure described in T 564. The transparent chart has also been adopted for use with an International Standard, ISO 5350-3 “Pulps – Estimation of Dirt and Shives. Part 3 – Inspection by Reflected Light.”

These TAPPI Standard Practices, and all TAPPI Standards, may be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or call us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or send us an email (info@document-center.com).  We’re happy to assist you with all your standards questions and requirements.

New AMS-QQ-A-367 Revision B on Aluminum Alloy Forgings just released

Document Center Inc. has just received the newly released Revision B for SAE AMS-QQ-A-367, titled “Aluminum Alloy Forgings.”   This specification covers aluminum alloy die forgings and hand forgings.

This is another example of the impact of MIL-Spec reform of the mid 1990’s. Originally it was a federal specification (QQ-A-367), then cancelled and picked up by an industry association (in this case, SAE).

The last  edition of the QQ-A-367 was revision H.  The cancellation occurred in February of 2001 and users were referred to the AMS edition.  Since that time, the AMS specification has been revised twice (AMS-QQ-A-367A and this new AMS-QQ-A-367B).

The Federal Specification QQ series on metals was among the most commonly referenced documents for plating and manufacturing companies until Mil-Spec reform came along.  The old QQ specifications have been replaced by SAE reprints, SAE standards and ASTM standards for the most part.

All SAE Standards and Federal Specifications, including many obsolete revisions, can be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re happy to answer your questions and provide you with fast delivery on all standards publications.

New ASTM F899 2011 Edition on Wrought Stainless Steels for Surgical Instruments

New ASTM F899:2011, “Standard Specification for Wrought Stainless Steels for Surgical Instruments,” has just been released.  The document covers the chemistry requirements for wrought stainless steels used for the manufacture of surgical instruments.

Classes of stainless steels covered are Class 3 (austenitic stainless steel), Class 4 (martensitic stainless steel), Class 5 (precipitation hardening stainless steel), and Class 6 (ferritic stainless steel).  The data contained in this specification are for reference only and include typical hardness values, common heat treating cycles, and examples of selected stainless steels that have been used for surgical instruments.  Mechanical property, heat treatment, hardness, and all other requirements except for chemical composition, are governed by the appropriate material standards as specified or as agreed upon between purchaser and supplier.

Previous editions of ASTM-F899 include ASTM F899:2010, ASTM F899:2009(e1), ASTM F899:2009, ASTM F899:2007, ASTM F899:2002, ASTM F899:1995, ASTM F899:1994, ASTM F899:1984.  All these editions, and all ASTM standards, can be purchased from Document Center Inc. using our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re happy to assist you with all your standards needs.

New MIL-HDBK-115 Revision B released on Reverse Engineering

MIL-HDBK-115, “U.S. Army Reverse Engineering Handbook (Guidelines and Procedures),” has just been released as the new Revision B dated 4/27/2011.  This 78 page handbook provides guidelines and procedures for reverse engineering, and can be employed by in-house personnel, engineering services contractors, and manufacturing contractors performing reverse engineering.

The primary objective of reverse engineering as presented in this handbook is the development of unrestricted technical data, adequate for competitive procurement, through engineering evaluations of existing hardware. The nominal reverse engineering process is covered in Figure 1. Detailed procedures are described as well. In Process Reviews are expected to be performed at the end of each principal phase of the reverse engineering process to assure compliance to the process and to evaluate the need for continuing reverse engineering on the item.

The material is presented as a handbook, rather than a standard, as it has been developed for guidance only and is not applicable for inclusion in any government procurement contract.  MIL-HDBK-115 was created using knowledge gained during a trial program from July 1985 to April 1987, and is based on experiences obtained from both military and industry participants.

This Handbook, and all U.S. military publicly distributed publications, are available from Document Center Inc. on our website, www.document-center.com.  Or you may prefer to call us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or email us (info@document-center.com).  We will be happy to help you with any of your standards requirements.

Newly released Revision B for JESD9, Inspection criteria for microelectronic packages and covers

Document Center Inc. announces the availability of  a new JEDEC Standard, JESD-9 Revision B dated 5/1/2011.  Titled “Inspection criteria for microelectronic packages and covers,” the standard’s purpose  is to verify the workmanship and requirements of microelectronic packages and covers (lids) used in fabricating hybrid microelectronic circuits/microcircuits.

This standard establishes the general requirements and quality assurance provisions that can be specified and met in procuring microelectronics packages and covers, manufactured from matched seal with and without high thermal conductivity base materials, intended for use in fabricating hybrid microelectronics circuits. This document details those minimum requirements necessary for metal and ceramics packages’ use.

The previous edition, JESD 9 Revision A, covered only metal packages and JESD 27 covered ceramic ones.  However the new Revision B covers both and so replaces JESD 27, Ceramic Package Specification for Microelectronic Packages.  The new edition is meant to be used in conjunction with MIL-STD-883, Test Method 2009: External Visual.

JESD-9 is applicable for use by the package manufacturer (i.e., package components) and the microcircuit manufacturer (i.e., from incoming inspection of package components through final inspection of the completed microcircuit).

These JESD standards, and all standards from JEDEC, can be purchased at Document Center Inc.’s website, www.document-center.com.  Or phone us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or email us (info@document-center.com).  We’re happy to assist you with all your standards requirements.

CAN/CGSB/CSA-Z1610-11, A new Canadian national standard for protecting first responders

There’s a new national standard available from Canada, CAN/CGSB/CSA-Z1610-11 – Protection of first responders from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events.  The document is standard is specifically targeted to fire, police, and medical first responders/receivers in the front line of the response.

CSA-Z1610 specifies requirements for the selection, use, and care of personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders to a deliberate chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) incident, including releases and contagious outbreak events.  It takes a systems approach in identifying the requirements for whole-body protective system performance (respiratory, ocular, and dermal), including integration with other equipment. It also provides guidance on the capabilities and limitations of CBRN PPE and on how to enhance the protection provided by, and interoperability of CBRN PPE.

Within the Canadian legislative framework, a variety of regulations apply to the first responder.  But now, for the first time, first responders in Canada have a national standard, recognized across jurisdictions, to help protect them in their vital work.

This Canadian Standard, and all CSA standards, may be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or call us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or email us (info@document-center.com) your orders and queries.  We appreciate your business.

MIL-PRF-38804, Preparation of Time Compliance Technical Orders

MIL-PRF-38804 Revision C with Amendment 1 is titled “Time Compliance Technical Order, Preparation of.”  It’s one of the military’s TMSS specifications, on Technical Manual Specifications and Standards.  I used to write a column on changes to these documents for the Society for Technical Communication and find that folks still have questions about this particular military document.

The first thing people need to know is the definition of Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO).  The answer can be found in TO 00-5-15, “Air Force Time Compliance Technical Order Process.”

It states “TCTOs provide instructions to modify military systems or commodities within specified time limits, initiate special ‘onetime’ inspections, or impose temporary restrictions and track configuration on systems or equipment.”

TCTO’s are similar to Service Letters or Service Bulletins, a technical update that has a specific time value assigned to it.  Some examples are Immediate action, Urgent action and Routine action.  TCTO’s are frequently used for Air Force aircraft, for example.

The MIL-PRF-38804 covers the general style and format requirements for creating TCTO’s and TCTO supplements. These type of Technical Orders need to be developed according to this performance specification and also to those requirements specified by the acquiring activity. In addition to delivery in paper format, MIL-PRF-38804 provides for electronic delivery of data using the specified Document Type Definitions (DTD), if required.

This Mil Spec, and all publicly distributed DOD specifications and standards, are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  We’ve been supplying industry with these documents since 1982.

Or call us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or send us an email (info@document-center.com) with any questions or comments.  We appreciate hearing from you.