NPL and Coventry University recently co-authored a measurement study report entitled 'How Behaviour Impacts Your Measurement' based on the results of a large-scale, two-day interactive measurement study carried out at the 2011 Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference, hosted annually by the Coordinate Metrology Society.

Keith Bevan (Product Development Manager for NPL Training) and Trevor Toman (Metrology Manager at Coventry University) asked over 100 participants to perform three tasks using portable 3D coordinate metrology equipment for data acquisition. They were asked to:

1. measure a door using a combination of a laser tracker, retro reflectors, and software;
   
   
2. measure an engine component using a combination of an articulating arm, probe and software; and
   
   
3. measure a vehicle using a combination of a laser tracker, probing, and laser scanning system.

The final report reveals varying results based on 3D measurement tasks executed with little or no instruction, as compared to the outcome of 3D measurement tasks completed using procedures, or a participant guiding an operator with methodology to collect the needed measurements.

"The outcome of this study drives home the importance of defined best practices, and understanding measurement fundamentals that enable an individual to make informed judgements about a measurement - irrespective of the technology used whether it is hand tools or 3D portable metrology systems," states Keith Bevan. "Clearly, questioning and planning the requirements of the measurement help reduce the possibility of making poor measurements."

In 2010, the CMS certification committee developed the idea to perform a statistical study at CMSC. The aim of the study would tie in to identified skill gaps in the general metrology community. In addition to this, the workshops at CMSC would relate content to data developed in the study. The CMSC 2010 study was an open measurement workshop inviting conference delegates to participate in a measurement study. Following on from the success of the 2010 measurement study, CMS commissioned a follow-up study for CMSC 2011. This study would be based around Co-ordinate Metrology equipment with the focus on the core knowledge, understanding and behavioural requirements, whilst collecting measurement results

Read the 'How Behaviour Impact Your Measurement' report.

Find out more about the Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference

Find out more about the NPL Training Framework

Contact: Keith Bevan