CMS Releases CMSC 2011 Measurement Study Report

By DE Editors

The Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS) announced the results of their large-scale, interactive measurement study conducted at the 27th annual Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference (CMSC). The 58-page report, entitled How Behavior Impacts Your Measurement,  focuses on measurement strategies and behaviors of coordinate metrologists.  More than 100 conference attendees participated in the data collection activity coordinated by the National Physical Laboratory (UK), and assisted by members of the CMS Certification Committee.

Nearly a quarter of the participants had less than three years of measurement experience, a dozen fell in the midrange of three to seven years of practice, while 69 participants were veteran metrologists with more than seven years of hands-on experience with various measurement systems.

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

During the two-day study, participants were asked to perform three tasks using portable 3D coordinate metrology equipment for data acquisition: 1) measure a door using a combination of a Laser tracker,  retro reflectors, and software; 2) measure an engine compartment 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 various 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 study was sponsored by Metrologic Group and its U.S. subsidiary ATT Metrology.

You can download the study here.

For more information, visit the CMSC.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.