National Freeform Centre
The National Freeform Centre at NPL
Overview
Efficiency of aero engines, drag reduction for automotive bodies and increased life span of prosthetics are just some examples of the gains potentially achievable with suitable advances in freeform manufacture. However, such advances are partly limited by poor metrology infrastructure, lack of measurement traceability and absence of specialised facilities and knowledge base.
Aims
- To support UK end-users, manufacturers and academics in freeform measurement and also to co-operate with other measurement institutes and ISO-standards.
- To provide evaluation and traceability for CMMs with tactile and non-contact probes, laser scanners, articulated arms, fringe projection systems, and point cloud processing software.
- The development of freeform measurement standards, enabling best practice to be established.
- To establish a NPL Freeform common interest group, offering metrology support, networking, meetings, industrial visits and both collaborative and marketing opportunities.
Figure 1:
NPL freeform reference (300 mm) |
Figure 2:
Scanned data - Homer |
Figure 3:
Breuckmann stereoSCAN 3D |
Click here to view:
- Our Measurement Capabilities
- Downloadable presentations from the launch event held on 1 October 2009 at NPL
- Case studies:
If you are interested in Freeform measurement and/or the Freeform Centre, or would like to participate with the NPL Freeform common interest group, please contact us.
Contact
Customer Service tel: +44 20 8943 8631
E-mail: dimensional_enquiries@npl.co.uk