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

Industries

Manufacturing

We help manufacturers to harness the potential of the
digitally-enabled supply chain and take advantage of new
materials and processes

Digital manufacturing and the increasing importance of data integrity

The manufacturing industry is driven by the needs such as reducing costs, cutting energy use, improving sustainability credentials and strengthening supply chain security. Digitisation through the adoption of the Internet of Things, cloud and edge computing, automation and AI is providing the foundation for transformation, enabling data-driven decision making to help manufacturers fine tune production, optimise processes and build a fully integrated supply chain. Emerging technologies – such as additive manufacturing and composites – show great promise, offering new capabilities at lower costs. However, adoption of these innovations can be limited as, before they can be deployed at scale, they need to be tested to ensure performance, safety and reliability.

At NPL, we help manufacturers to reduce costs, boost productivity and quality through training, advanced quality control and manufacturing measurement solutions. We ensure data integrity and enable trusted information to flow across the supply chain, so businesses can make confident choices and demonstrate compliance in digitally enabled manufacturing. Our world-leading expertise spans digital calibration certificates, real-time measurement and inline inspection, as well as independent testing and verification. Our advanced dimensional metrology and materials characterisation solutions give manufacturers the confidence that new materials and processes are safe, reliable and ready for industry.

Talk to our metrology experts

eBooks

Discover how NPL’s advanced measurement science supports digital transformation, material innovation and sustainable manufacturing. These eBooks showcase how we help industry to improve quality, reliability and resilience, offering everything from non-destructive testing and tribology to structural health monitoring and AI-driven inspection.


Precision tribology testing for advanced surface performance

Knowing how materials respond to stress is crucial to maintaining performance, reliability and lifespan in harsh conditions. This eBook highlights how NPL applies advanced tribology techniques – including abrasion, erosion, friction and wear analysis – to help industries strengthen product durability, cut costs and refine designs.

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Avoid failures through non-destructive testing and condition monitoring

Detecting defects in safety-critical materials and structures is essential to prevent failures and extend operational lifespans. This eBook explores how NPL’s expertise in non-destructive testing, condition monitoring and structural health assessment helps various industries to identify and address issues early, ensuring the reliability and longevity of vital infrastructure.

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Our industrial metrology expertise

NPL provides a broad portfolio of manufacturing metrology and industrial measurement services, giving manufacturers the tools they need to innovate with confidence. Our scientists and engineers work across every stage of production, from research, and prototyping to process control and compliance testing.

Advanced engineering materials

Supporting design and production through advanced materials characterisation and durability testing.

Biometrology measurements

Applying precision measurement techniques to biological and healthcare-related manufacturing challenges.

DC and LF electrical measurements

Delivering impartial calibration and standards testing for electrical equipment and utilities, with full traceability to primary standards.

Corrosion testing

Providing advanced testing and expert advice to assess material performance in harsh environments, supporting safer asset management and reliable material selection.

Digital manufacturing

Enabling digital transformation and data-driven decision making with data science for manufacturing and digital twins traceability.

Dimensional measurements

Specialising in advanced dimensional metrology and manufacturing measurements solutions that ensure conformance, improve quality and support precision manufacturing.

Electromagnetic materials

Providing independent characterisation across a wide frequency range as part of our industrial measurements services, helping to verify performance of materials and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Electronics reliability

Delivering independent testing and analysis to improve the performance of electronic assemblies throughout their lifetime, including semiconductor process metrology and semiconductor materials characterisation to support high-performance devices.

Force, pressure, mass and density

Delivering trusted calibrations with real-time measurement solutions for production environments.

Graphene and 2D materials

Providing unique expertise in novel material systems, from research to inline inspection and scalable production.

Ionising radiation protection

Ensuring compliance with legislation through calibration of radiation-monitoring instruments for alpha, beta, photon and neutron radiation, supported by trusted conformance testing and interoperability testing.

Measurement for manufacturers

Tailoring manufacturing measurements and verification services to specific industrial needs.

Optical measurement

Enabling precision inline inspection and quality assurance with advanced optical technologies.

Temperature measurements

Ensuring stability and reliability in demanding manufacturing processes through accurate monitoring.

Ultrasound

Offering non-destructive approaches for defect detection and industrial measurements in safety-critical applications.

Case studies

Case study

Validating the effectiveness of thermal paints at high temperatures and humidity

Article

Case study

Demonstrating a quality control method for liquid dispersions of 2D materials

Article

Case study

Developing in-line quality control of advanced materials for net-zero applications

Article

Find out how we can help you

Working with us opens the door to state-of-the-art facilities and over 500 passionate scientists with world-class measurement capabilities.