Industrial metrology is a branch of science and technology dealing with precise measurements used in various industries. It includes the measurement of geometric quantities, such as lengths, angles or dimensional tolerances, using dedicated instruments.
The role of metrology in quality control
Workshop metrology supports quality control by analyzing the compliance of products with the requirements of standards and specifications. Modern measurement systems, such as optical scanning heads, help determine dimensional accuracy. Measurement accuracy is important for maintaining high product quality. Small deviations can lead to financial losses and technical problems, which is why companies invest in accurate measurements. Learn about the Komatsu case study, where measurements helped to optimize welding machine settings.
Modern measuring instruments
Basic tools used in metrology include callipers, diameter gauges, meters and calibration devices. The development of digital technology brings industrial metrology to a completely different level of quality and accuracy.
Advanced systems, such as gauges and 3D laser scanners, allow measurements to be taken with a precision previously unattainable. At PROram, we use the hardware and software of our technology partner, HEXAGON AB. This is one of the leaders in industrial metrology systems. We use HEXAGON equipment in reverse engineering and quality control, among other applications.
Digital industrial metrology in practice
The use of digital equipment in industrial metrology brings a number of practical benefits. Digital equipment such as state-of-the-art multimeters and 3D scanners offer higher measurement precision and process automation. This saves time and provides more accurate measurement results. Integration with software enables remote monitoring and real-time data analysis. This makes it easier to identify problems and solve them based on hard data.
In one PROram project, shop-floor metrology was used to check the alignment of welding equipment, reducing deviations by more than 80%. Find out the details in the case study.
Advantages and disadvantages of 3D laser scanning
3D laser scanners use laser light beams to quickly and accurately capture the geometry of objects. The resulting point cloud reproduces the shape and dimensions of the component with an accuracy unavailable to traditional measurement methods.
Advantages:
- Speed of measurement: laser technology allows thousands of measurement points to be collected in seconds, significantly reducing analysis time.
- Precision and accuracy: the scanners offer very high resolution and accuracy of measurement, especially for complex and difficult to access shapes.
- Versatility: laser scanning can be used in both quality control and reverse engineering to create digital CAD models.
- Safety for delicate surfaces: non-contact scanning eliminates the risk of damaging the objects under examination.
- Integrated data: the resulting 3D model can be easily digitally processed, analysed and archived.
Disadvantages:
- Higher initial costs: the investment in 3D laser scanners and software can be significantly higher than for traditional tools.
- Technical expertise required: operating the equipment and analyzing the data requires specialized skills and software.
As you can see, the list of disadvantages is short and basically only covers implementation and operating costs. This is why it makes sense to use the services of specialized measurement companies.
What industrial metrology services do we offer at PROram?
PROram supports every stage of the product life cycle, from conception to operation. Our measurement results support companies in optimizing their production processes and quality control.
- Real-time quality control: 3D laser scanning precisely measures and verifies the compliance of products with technical standards.
- Reverse engineering: 3D scanners allow the rapid creation of digital models of existing parts, speeding up design and production processes.
- Extensive measurement reports: based on the data obtained, the company can generate detailed reports with analysis of the results, useful for both production processes and quality control.
- We work in a variety of conditions: we measure small components as well as bridge structures and offshore lift systems.
