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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

Locations

Our team in Huddersfield

Powering aerospace, automotive and medical sectors supply chains

Enabling confidence and innovation in manufacturing

The Manufacturing Metrology Group, based in Huddersfield, provides UK companies with confidence in applying novel, innovative measurement solutions to enhance productivity and improve manufacturing products and processes.

Our world-leading measurement capabilities support the digitalisation activities of manufacturers. Through our expertise in process metrology and digital system uncertainties, and our collaborations with academic and industrial partners, we ensure that manufacturers can pursue a digitalisation journey with confidence and traceability built in.  

Our work lays the foundation for a range of process-optimising, efficiency-improving technologies and is accelerating innovation and productivity within the UK’s advanced machinery sector.  

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Our expertise

In our Huddersfield hub, we are experts in supporting manufacturers and precision engineering companies.
 

Our research and consultancy areas

Standardisation of dynamic large volume metrology

The development of dimensional metrology test methods allows the application of novel large volume metrology (LVM) technologies to expand into new areas such as robot guidance, in-line monitoring of industrial robots and manufacturing process control. NPL’s research in this field will enable innovative, UK-built, multi-target LVM systems to enhance the performance of industrial robots and increase the flexibility of automation.

Image analysis

Assessing uncertainty within the field of image analysis is challenging due to the complexity of methods available for the collation and processing of data. However, it has become an important requirement due to the rise of machine learning and the opportunities this technology presents. 

NPL is helping manufacturers to extract, quantify and interpret information captured in an image or video. Our ability to work with complex, mixed-modality data, such as point cloud, mesh and parametric computer-aided design (CAD) models, has enabled us to pioneer methods for synthetic data generation. When combined with traditional validation approaches, these can be used to calculate uncertainty estimations and provide confidence in data collection methods, allowing our customers to make better informed decisions and to optimise their data collection processes.  

NPL can help you establish the confidence required to capitalise on these technological advances. We can create bespoke analysis routines to operate as a standalone GUI application, an automated service within an edge node or system or even integrated into a cloud platform such as Azure.   

Digital calibration and verification

As industry adopts digital technologies such as automation, virtualisation and digital twinning, it has become increasingly critical for quality infrastructure to evolve. As the UK's National Metrology Institute, NPL is engaged in multiple projects to meet the changing requirements of industry - from machine-readable calibration certificates to automated measurement service data-handling and reporting. 

 

X-ray computed tomography (XCT)

X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) is a non-line-of-sight imaging method, capable of non-destructively imaging both the inside and outside of objects.

XCT has been used in new applications within engineering, each with unique challenges and stringent requirements for accuracy and quality assurance, varying widely between sectors and applications. It has been a identified as a key technology for enabling emerging markets such as additive manufacturing and battery inspection. 

NPL can support with: 

  • Developing bespoke methods to ensure the quality and consistency of data collection
  • Optimising data collection for batch processing or high throughput to reduce costs 
  • Using image analysis and modern machine learning to extract information from data  
  • Establishing traceability of measurement, providing you with the confidence to push ahead of your competitors.

Dynamic monitoring and machine learning

NPL is addressing new manufacturing challenges as processes evolve to become increasingly digitalised. We are enabling the adoption of technologies such as predictive maintenance, digital twinning and co-bot / robot-facilitated automation.  

By quantifying variables and parameters in and around the manufacturing process, we can exploit this information to improve equipment uptime, material efficiency and process control.  

Dynamic monitoring of intelligent machine systems project

This project, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Strength in Places Fund, and part of the Advanced Machinery and Productivity Initiative (AMPI) portfolio, aims to address measurement challenges associated with machining systems. 

The five-year project has three broad focuses: 

  • The development of quantifiably accurate and traceable  
    in-process monitoring systems. 

  • The development of machine learning-based analysis methodology for in-process data. 

  • Trialling a predictive approach to part quality evaluation, to improve productivity in the manufacturing process. 

Manufacturer Measurement Network

Join a community of SMEs working with us to identify appropriate validation methods within their business with the aim of increasing efficiency, reducing waste and improving product quality.

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We’re here to help

Still struggling to work out what you need?

We pride ourselves on giving sound technical advice to guide you. By combining expert advice, standard tests and bespoke consultancy, you can be confident in our approach. 

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Meet The Team

Daniel Povey

Daniel Povey

Higher Scientist

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NPL Huddersfield

National Physical Laboratory
3M Buckley Innovation Centre
Firth Street
Huddersfield
HD1 3BD

Tel: 01484506055

Public transport

Buses: There is a free bus linking key locations within Huddersfield to our location at the University of Huddersfield.

Trains: Huddersfield train station is a 15-minute walk away, with services to Manchester, Leeds and the North East.