This course first provides introduction to key concepts of metrology (science of measurement) such as traceability, uncertainty, accuracy, calibration, world metrology systems and accreditation. Then the focus is production- related metrology mainly based on dimensional measurement applications such as displacement, flatness and gauge block interferometric-mechanical measurements, diameter, form and surface texture standards measurements, scale and displacement sensor calibrations, coordinate metrology (CMMs), in-process measurements, optical tooling, nanometrology (atomic scale measurements), machine tool metrology, angle metrology and uncertainty calculations. Principles for precision engineering applications will also be covered including preliminary errors in dimensional metrology and motion mechanism , Abbe principle and applications conforming this principle and self- elimination/separation of errors, metrology loop , influence of temperature, force and vibration in dimensional measurements and precautions for precision engineering to lower the uncertainty of measurements. Laboratory exercises will be carried out with selected examples such as calibration of CNC machine tools using laser interferometers, effective use of reference standards for manufacturing and angular axis calibration of rotary tables using optical components and non-contact measurement equipment.

To teach fundamentals of metrology (science of measurement) by focusing on dimension measurement methods widely used in manufacturing engineering, manufacturing process management and nanotechnology.

The following topics will be covered during this semester. It will be to your advantage to read the material before coming to the lecture. 

·         Metrology: Science of measurement and SI units, World metrology system, Metrology Organizations, National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), Legal issues and regulations.

·         Quality Infrastructure (QI):  Metrology, Standardization, Testing and Accreditation. 

·         Quality system standards (ISO9000s, ISO 17025, AQAP) and Conformity Assessment.

·         Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), Notified Bodies (NA) in Europe  and Product Certification.

·         Metrology research programmes: European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) under Horizon 2020

·         Terms and definitions in metrology:  Traceability, uncertainty, accuracy, calibration, repeatability, reproducibility etc.). Calibration and Verification (Conformity assessment issues).

·         Dimensional Metrology (Length and Angle), Manufacturing/Production Metrology, Engineering metrology.

·         SI unit "metre" and realization. Traceability in dimensional measurements.

·         Introduction to precision engineering and error sources: Abbe and Cosine errors, temperature effects, drifts etc.

·         Error separation methods, self calibration examples, error compensations. 

·         Introduction to Uncertainty calculations.

·         Basic standards and instruments in dimension measurements: Gauge blocks, ring-plug  gauges, step gauges, stage micrometers etc. Calipers, micrometers, dial gauges, height gauges. Standards and guides for calibration.

·         1, 2 and 3 Dimensions measurements:  Laser interferometers, length, diameter and  Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMMs).

·         Form and Surface roughness measurements.

·         Angle metrology: Angle encoders, autocollimators, small angle generators and angle standards (Rotary and indexing tables, angle gauge blocks, laser angle interferometers). Performance of encoders in automation and robots . New generation angle encoders. Nanoradian angle metrology and high level demands.

·         Machine tool metrology, in-process measurements.

·         Optical tooling and large volume metrology: Applications in Aerospace and defense industries.

·         Metrology for nanotechnology: Introduction to Nanometrology. Traceable Calibration of e.g. piezo actuators and nanosensor for nanometrology 

·         Term exercise report: 

Laboratory exercises will be carried out with selected examples such as 

o    calibration of CNC machine tools / CMMs  using laser interferometers, 

o    or 

o    Calibration  of rotary tables using optical components and non-contact measurement equipment.  

o    Students will prepare a report for the exercise. The date will be selected during course.

Text Books:
Dimensional Metrology; By Han Haitjema, Richard Leach, ISBN 9780367420925, 346 Pages 197 B/W Illustrations, Published July 22, 2025 by CRC Press

Fundamentals of Dimensional Metrology Paperback– November 21, 2006 by Connie L Dotson (Author).

Reference Books and Other Documents:

·         Metrology for Engineers, John Frederick Wise Galyer, Charles Reginald Shotbolt

·         METROLOGY - IN SHORT  

https://www.euramet.org/publications-media-centre/documents/metrology-in-short/

·         International Vocabulary of Metrology – Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms https://www.bipm.org/en/committees/jc/jcgm/publications

·         9th edition of the SI Brochure    

http://www.bipm.org/en/publications/si-brochure/

·         GUM: Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement https://www.bipm.org/en/committees/jc/jcgm/publications