Setting Expectations for Your Next Metrology Job

Published: Thursday, August 13, 2015 - 10:29

In the business of metrology services, a critical part of the process is setting expectations with customers and their management teams. Setting the stage for any measurement or inspection job requires clear communication so that both parties understand what they will receive in return for services rendered. Customers should be briefed and in some cases provided with documentation on what they can expect as a result of measurements being taken on an article of interest, such as an automobile part or an aircraft component.

Often, a metrology services job will entail comparing measurement data to the nominal shape of a part or to the stated dimensions on an engineering drawing. Sometimes, measurement data is gathered for use in the reverse engineering process. But most important, the measurement data will always, always, always represent the truth about the artifact of interest. Measurements may be misinterpreted, but ultimately, the truth lies in the data.

In many cases, the metrologist who is responsible for delivering this truth data is often unnoticed. He or she is often asked to work long hours and to conduct the work during off-shifts so production is not disturbed. While manufacturing is humming along, production groups often don’t want to make time for scheduled or even unscheduled measurements. The metrologist shows up to carry out the inspection work, and when a problem is discovered, the temptation is to find fault with the truth sayer!

Nonetheless, the metrologist delivers a reality check to the manufacturing process, and frankly, should command respect from the manufacturing community. Not just anyone can be the bearer of truth data. A competent metrologist must be a skilled operator of hardware and software and understand the production process. A metrologist has knowledge of 2D drawings, 3D CAD, measurement techniques, industry best practices, quality control, production processes, assembly processes, error source determinations, machining techniques, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). In the final analysis, the metrologist must use finesse to tell engineers and management the truth about their product or process.

So I tip my hat to all of you hardworking, and often overlooked, metrologists. It was my great pleasure to see so many of you at this year’s CMSC, coming together again to gain new insights, sharpen your skills, and get current with the ever-changing landscape of metrology. At the end of the day, we should give the metrology community some well-deserved respect. After all, they are the truth sayers.

About The Author

Rina Molari-Korgel

Rina Molari-Korgel is a portable metrology application engineer at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. She has more than 30 years of industrial metrology experience, specializing in high-precision, three-dimensional data acquisition and analysis as it pertains to manufacturing processes. Molari-Korgel has been involved with the Coordinate Metrology Society since its inception in 1984, and has had an appointed place on the Executive Committee every year since 1995. She is the current executive chairperson for the Coordinate Metrology Society, a position that she has held several times in the past.