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Metrology: Precision under pressure
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Metrology: Precision under pressure

In the summer of 2002 a China Airlines 747 en route from Taipei to Hong Kong disintegrated midair and crashed into the Taiwan Strait killing all 225 people on board. The deadliest crash in Taiwan’s history, the accident was later attributed to metal fatigue stress, cracking in the fuselage.

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How Universal Shaft Machines are Redefining Shop Floor Measurement
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

How Universal Shaft Machines are Redefining Shop Floor Measurement

Although shafts are a foundational component in numerous mechanical systems, including power transmission in automotive and aerospace drivetrains, actuation in hydraulics, micro-rotors in medical devices, and many other variations of turned components in industrial machinery, advances in design and manufacturing have made them increasingly difficult to measure.

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How new metrology and digitalisation technologies are redefining aerospace
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

How new metrology and digitalisation technologies are redefining aerospace

The aerospace industry is entering a new period of high-volume production, with Airbus planning to increase its A320 output from around 45-50 per month to 75 by 2026, and OEMs and suppliers around the world working to meet the demand. But with longstanding facilities, skills shortages, and rising pressure to decrease costs, the challenge is not just about modernising how aircraft are made but also about increasing output

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Making Sense of Gage R&R Analysis
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Making Sense of Gage R&R Analysis

The term Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) refers to a collection of experimental and statistical methods designed to evaluate the error introduced by a measurement system, and the resulting usefulness of that system for a particular application. In manufacturing, measurement system quality directly affects decisions about processes, products, and a manufacturer’s ability to meet their customers’ requirements.

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Anchoring Precision: Advanced Metrological Strategies for Primary Datum Plane Establishment on Coordinate Measuring Machines
GD&T, Datums Mark Boucher GD&T, Datums Mark Boucher

Anchoring Precision: Advanced Metrological Strategies for Primary Datum Plane Establishment on Coordinate Measuring Machines

The integrity of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) specifications hinges entirely upon the stability and accuracy of the Datum Reference Frame (DRF). As the foundation of this framework, the primary datum plane—typically designated Datum A—serves the critical function of establishing the initial orientation and location of a manufactured component in three-dimensional space.

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LK Metrology expands into industrial CT by acquiring ProCon X-Ray
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

LK Metrology expands into industrial CT by acquiring ProCon X-Ray

Through this acquisition, LK Metrology can now offer its customers an even wider range of products for inspection and measurement from a single source, from traditional CMMs, portable measuring arms and laser scanners to high-resolution X-ray equipment and CT analysis.

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Laser scanning transforms inspection of roofing products
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Laser scanning transforms inspection of roofing products

Few people outside the tile-making and building industry know that a good quality roof tile has to be manufactured to a tolerance as tight as plus or minus half a millimetre. It places a requirement on the research and development and quality control (QC) functions in that sector to measure prototype tiles and mass produced tile samples to ensure they are accurate.

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PRECISION IN MEDTECH: METROLOGY FOR MEDICAL DEVICE COMPLIANCE
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

PRECISION IN MEDTECH: METROLOGY FOR MEDICAL DEVICE COMPLIANCE

In the realm of medical device manufacturing, precision isn’t just a benchmark—it’s a necessity. For metrologists and production engineers, ensuring that each component meets exact specifications is vital for patient safety, regulatory compliance, and product efficacy. This article delves into the pivotal role of metrology in the medical device industry, highlighting advanced techniques, integration strategies, and the benefits of precise measurement.

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The Future of Metrology: From Precision to Prediction
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

The Future of Metrology: From Precision to Prediction

The future of metrology is rapidly changing. Instead of merely verifying quality, metrology is now poised to become an active, predictive force that drives continuous improvements throughout the manufacturing process. Today’s advancements in metrology are moving beyond simple measurement to become integral tools for smarter manufacturing systems.

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Review: The DMIS Handbook
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Review: The DMIS Handbook

Here’s a review of The DMIS Handbook, a guide aimed at helping metrologists and CMM programmers master the DMIS language:

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Reducing costs and improving productivity with metrology
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Reducing costs and improving productivity with metrology

Margins are under constant threat and businesses need to find ways to reduce costs, improve efficiency and productivity, and drive down waste. Metrology can help alleviate some of these pressures on the business when used efficiently.

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TYPES OF METROLOGY: DIMENSIONAL, OPTICAL, AND MORE
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

TYPES OF METROLOGY: DIMENSIONAL, OPTICAL, AND MORE

In the realm of modern manufacturing, precision is paramount. Whether you’re a production engineer overseeing complex assemblies or a lab equipment supplier ensuring the accuracy of measurement tools, understanding the various types of metrology is essential. This comprehensive guide delves into the primary categories of metrology—dimensional, optical, and others—highlighting their principles, applications, advantages, and limitations.

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Plant Tour Reinforces Commitment to Quality in Automotive Manufacturing
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Plant Tour Reinforces Commitment to Quality in Automotive Manufacturing

Nissan Motor Co.'s Smyrna, TN, plant recently hosted a group of Assembly South attendees before the third annual show began in Nashville. Sixty participants toured the 42-year-old facility with more than 6-million-square-feet of production space, including a body shop, a paint shop, a final assembly line and a two-mile-long test track.

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Standard-compliant and future-proof measurement
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Standard-compliant and future-proof measurement

The new ISO 21920-1, -2 and -3 profile standards for surface texture were published by the Geneva-based ISO Institute at the end of 2021 and adopted as national standards DIN EN ISO 21920-x around a year later.

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Precision in Optical Metrology: Telecentric vs. Endocentric Imaging
Mark Boucher Mark Boucher

Precision in Optical Metrology: Telecentric vs. Endocentric Imaging

In industrial quality control and measurement applications, optical metrology plays a critical role in ensuring precision and repeatability. Accurate dimensional measurement of parts, components, and assemblies is essential in industries such as automotive, electronics, and medical devices, yet machine vision systems face challenges due to physical limitations

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