r/Metrology

Say I am validating a caliper with a 0.05” resolution by comparing it with a gage block that’s actual value is 6.001”. With the caliper, I measured 6.1”.

When doing an error calculation Abs(Block-Measured), would I report the error and pass/fail based on an error of 0.1” or 0.099”? On one hand, the .099” ignores the accuracy of the gage block, but on the other, the 0.099” implies accuracy to the caliper that does not exist.

Any advice?

(Note: this isn’t an actual procedure I’m just trying to find out how to correctly report error with different resolutions)

I have had a lot of parts coming in recently where ID chucking would be the best way to access all of the features that I need to evaluate. I thought maybe a 3-jaw chuck that can be mounted to the granite somehow would be best as a fixturing device that could be used on multiple parts. Does anyone know of any products like this? I see hexagon makes one but I was wondering if anyone had seen any others or if anyone had tried something similar? Thanks!

I have a 2000ml graduated cylinder. It has a marked tolerance of +/- 6ml. The markings are every 20ml which should result in +/- 10ml uncertainty. To get the total uncertainty of a measurement taken with this tool, do I:

1. Add the uncertainties for a total of +/- 16ml?

2. Do a quadratic sum for a total of +/- 12ml?

3. Take the larger of the two for a total of +/- 10ml?

4. Use only the marked tolerance for a total of +/- 6ml?

Thanks!

With the aligned the scan to my measured CAD, a lot of measurements don't show up. The most important ones such as the cylinders and endpoints are mapped on the 3d scan. I reached out to support, but it appears I'm waiting.

Hi everyone, We are currently building a metrology lab for a ZEISS CONTURA CMM along with a ROMER arm, I would like guidance on a few important aspects of the lab setup:

• Is an air lock room or ante room really necessary for a CMM environment?
• What should be considered regarding desktop shelves, operator workstations, and general layout inside the CMM working area?
• For the machine foundation, can vibration isolation air dampers be sufficient, or is it strongly recommended to construct a fully isolated foundation?
• Is there a need of ISO Class 6 or 7 CMM room, is changing clothes or using cleanroom garments generally required for operators?
• From practical industry experience, is an ISO Class 6 cleanroom actually necessary for a ZEISS CONTURA setup, or would a controlled temperature metrology room be adequate?

I would sincerely appreciate thoughtful insights, real-world experiences, and recommendations from experts who have worked on similar installations.

I once saw a program that had a setup picture in the edit window. Not a icon, not a comment, it was a picture, chilling in the edit window.

I dont want to execute the program to see it either....Id like for someone to see the setup before execution.

Any ideas how to pull this off?

What kind of equipment can measure to an accuracy of +/-0 .0003mm? Our CMM has an accuracy of 4 microns

We’ve seen slight variations in calibration weights over extended use and were wondering how common this is in other labs.

• How often do you verify or recalibrate yours?
• Does storage or handling make a big difference?
• Have you noticed differences between premium and budget sets?

I’m finishing a physics master’s focused on optical metrology, interferometry, precision measurement systems, and industrial sensing.

I’ve been thinking seriously about long-term career direction.

I’m trying to understand the realistic entrepreneurial paths that can come out of it later

Some questions for people already in industry:

• Which career paths in metrology/opening systems/semiconductor tooling actually lead to business opportunities later?
• What kinds of companies do former engineers realistically start?
• Is the most common path consulting/integration/services?
• Are there realistic software/tooling opportunities around measurement systems?
• How capital-intensive are the realistic entrepreneurial paths in this field?
• Which roles give the best exposure to valuable industrial problems/customers?

I currently have a rare opportunity where I can still pivot relatively freely into different roles/industries before committing deeply to one path. I also do not come from capital, so realistic startup costs and entrepreneurial accessibility matter a lot to me.

Titles of roles that could lead to entrepnueral paths are appreciated.

Would appreciate honest answers from people actually working in the industry.

Any coaches? I will pay money for solid advice and someone who takes a deep look at my case and situation.

Job opportunities for medical device engineer into metrology field?

Apologies in advance guys, not trying to spam with personal content but just felt I can get insights from people who do the same work/those I can relate to.

I’ve recently interviewed for two inspector roles in the UK and I’m genuinely torn between them for very different reasons.
Company 1 is a huge defence manufacturer. The interview honestly fascinated me. They had one of the biggest double-probe gantry ZEISS CMMs I’ve ever seen, loads of advanced equipment, strong training culture, opportunities to travel to Germany/France for knowledge exchange, and pathways into production/manufacturing engineering or quality engineering later on. The first CMM I ever touched in my career was a ZEISS, and working in defence/aerospace environments was always something I admired growing up in India. The company is also very established, close to home, good salary/benefits, early finishes, solid work-life balance etc.
Company 2 is almost the opposite. Smaller medical/moulding company, tiny team, highly specialised work with nano-level surface finishes, long hours but flexi culture/overtime, and a lot of room to grow and become deeply involved. Management also seemed genuinely interesting and invested in development. Commute is harder though sometimes.

The bigger issue is the ethical side of defence work and how it’s affecting my relationship.
My partner is strongly against military involvement and previously left a consulting role because of work connected to defence. Since I interviewed with Company 1, they’ve been extremely emotional and concerned that I don’t feel the same level of moral conflict they do.
What makes this difficult is that I do understand the ethical concerns. At the same time, I come from a background where defence/government engineering work was viewed very differently. I’ve worked with government organisations before and always saw things like armoured vehicles, bridge systems, logistics etc as also having humanitarian/disaster-relief applications alongside military ones.

I’m trying to figure out:
how people here view working in defence companies

whether engineers/inspectors in these environments wrestle with this morally

I also feel conflicted because part of me thinks healthy relationships should allow room for different values and boundaries without emotional pressure becoming overwhelming.

Would appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people who’ve worked in defence, medical, aerospace, manufacturing etc.

I’m still waiting for the outcome next week but I just feel so drained by my partner.

I’m very new to the field (6 months of experience mainly as a calibration tech moving towards more field work now). I’m very close to getting BS in aerospace engineering and was curious to hear about any stories of metrology peeps moving over to the engineering side. It’s pretty clear that this work gives you a unique and very valuable set of skills that can be applied to engineering so I am very much considering taking on a metrology role for a while, but would like to hear some others experiences about transitioning to engineering roles.

Hey friends. I just started my own machine shop and one of my meals has 60 in of travel in x so I imagine I might end up making some large molds and whatnot. If I want to make something and scan a surface for profile of a surface on a semi-finish pass to make sure my cutter comp is good before I make my final pass, is a laser tracker good enough for something like that? Can it kind of replace a CMM for certain work?

I’m trying to qualify a new stylus on a ZEISS system using a VAST XXT sensor and I’m running into issues with the qualification path “shanking out.”

Current setup:

• Sensor: VAST XXT
• Reference sphere: 8 mm
• Stylus: 1 mm ruby star stylus (M3 XXT, DK1 L40)

The path that the qualification wants to take is 'shanking' out. After some research, it looks like I may need to switch to a 'Six Points' option under the Mode section of the Probing Systems Qualification menu. However, my drop down menu in the mode section only shows "Qualify passive stylus" as an option.
Do I need the 'Six Points' option under the mode section in order to qualify the 1mm star probe?
If yes, how do I get this added?
If no, how do I qualify this stylus?

From this thread, the author states that a custom sphere was used for the initial qualification; I'm hoping this isn't the only solution: https://qualityforum.zeiss.com/topic/18078-qualifying-small-star-probe/

https://preview.redd.it/xm5p728dbd1h1.jpg?width=1296&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1059b8a4a88ee6e50ab4bed33305fb5794b965e3

https://preview.redd.it/vgnl7zgdbd1h1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e95beb5ff3523d27199489660208997d6553a448

https://preview.redd.it/a2rtvopdbd1h1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f3adc9263d921c60f7b9fa5bf6c0aad5a1162742

https://preview.redd.it/1f1yohcebd1h1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f9b43a0dafa51893d00bcdb2bf71f9604d069e2

https://preview.redd.it/62citbmebd1h1.jpg?width=668&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8fd3121636ea1aa1f748d41dd7a01952817bd8a2

https://preview.redd.it/g7xkujakbd1h1.jpg?width=611&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f077d5ce3efccf671cccddeb24cc83df6d477a5c

So, we're now sitting on pair in college and I saw a star with 5 angles and next to the star is 2,5 what is accuracy class.

Our teacher asked us to see the info about that star but each time I type in star accuracy class - it's a stars in cosmos.

I have taken on a new inspection role recently in a new company, I have for the last ten years programmed and ran Aberlink CMM software but the CMM here is MSCOSMOS. The old inspector has left with all of his knowledge and I'm trying to get this thing running.

Can anyone advise on how to find the programme to calibrate the probes using the reference ball?

Also the previous inspector left very poor set up notes and pictures for programmes. Does anyone know how to manually probe dimensions in a programme to teach the cmm where the part is on the table?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Have a good weekend all!

We had a part arrive where it had been made to CAD and not the drawing. The CAD was different to the drawing. The supplier is stating CAD is master and we are saying drawing is. Is there anything I can point to that says which is master unless otherwise stated. The drawing does not say.