The Mitutoyo Quick Vision ACCEL CNC Vision Measuring System was designed with a primary focus on measurement speed and efficiency. The machine drives the X- and Y- axes at 400 mm/s.
industries
manufacturing

Industrial metrology is the science of measuring objects in manufacturing processes. It ensures products meet specifications, maintains quality, and detects defects for timely correction.
Manufacturers use metrology to ensure the products you buy meet quality standards. Metrology provides behind-the-scenes quality control for many products you use daily.
Metrology in manufacturing helps ensure product consistency and accuracy. Critical components must precisely conform to function correctly. Measurements identify variations affecting performance, ensuring parts meet required standards and quality. For example, a small variation in a medical implant could cause it to fail, harming patients.
Types of Products
Industrial metrology applies across manufacturing, including:
- Automotive – Engine, chassis, gear, and other component measurements check precision and accuracy for proper fit and performance in the cars you drive.
- Aerospace – Jet engine blades, wings, fuselages, and components are measured to exacting tolerances, often micrometer-level, critical for performance and safety of aircraft.
- Medical devices – Joint replacements, pacemakers, surgical tools require meticulous measurements confirming quality and consistency to avoid patient harm. Even small variations could risk patient harm.
- Semiconductors – Metrology tools inspect wafers and chips during production, confirming circuit widths meet specifications that allow your computer to function properly.
- Consumer products – Appliance and electronic measurements during manufacturing verify size, shape, and dimensional conformance, ensuring proper assembly and functionality of products you use daily.
Metrology applies to most manufactured products where quality, precision, and consistency are critical. Metrology tools match applications and specifications.
Metrology Systems
Advanced manufacturing metrology systems include:
- Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are high-precision measuring instruments using probes to precisely measure the shape and size of objects. Accurate to the micrometer level, CMMs are used for quality control inspection and reverse engineering.
- Optical inspection systems use cameras and sensors to inspect surfaces for defects or specification deviations via non-contact measurements done quickly. Optical comparators and vision inspection systems are common examples.
- 3D laser scanning systems use lasers to scan objects and create 3D models of the shape and size. The precision of laser scanning enables accurate measurements and reverse engineering. Portable scanners add flexibility.
- X-ray computed tomography (CT) uses X-rays to produce detailed 3D images of internal structures, revealing defects while precisely measuring objects without damage.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) uses tiny probes to measure surface microstructures at nanometer resolution.
- Interferometry uses the interference of light waves to precisely measure shape, size, finish, flatness, parallelism, and other parameters.
When Used
Industrial metrology applies at key manufacturing stages:
- Pre-production metrology involves measuring prototypes to confirm they meet specifications before full production begins. This verification ensures processes are capable of producing quality parts consistently.
- In-process metrology includes periodic measurements during production to monitor precision, catch defects early, and provide equipment calibration feedback for adjustments.
- Post-production metrology serves as final inspection confirming specifications were met. This quality control occurs before shipping products to consumers like you.
Ongoing periodic metrology testing helps maintain quality standards over time by identifying potential defects or process drift.
Precision metrology provides critical data at the right stages, confirming processes consistently meet specifications for performance and reliability. Ongoing metrology is vital for quality assurance.
Calibration Standards
To produce accurate measurements, metrology instruments must be calibrated based on trusted standards. This calibration establishes measurement traceability. Common calibration standards include:
- Gage blocks are high precision blocks with parallel sides used to calibrate measurement devices. They are available in a range of imperial and metric sizes.
- Master artifacts are precision objects of known dimensions. Different artifacts can calibrate for measurement of size, form, angles, straightness, threads, and more.
- Laser interferometers use laser light to accurately measure distance. They calibrate instruments for linear displacement measurement.
- Developed standards are customized in-house to allow calibrations tailored to meet a company’s specific process metrology needs.
Updating standards is essential. Inaccurate standards lead to imprecise measurements and potential defects. Metrology labs follow rigorous processes, ensuring integrity and traceability to recognized national and international standards.
Metrology Personnel
Qualified personnel operate, maintain, and analyze metrology systems:
- Metrologists are scientists trained in measurement principles who establish metrology methods, procedures, and programs.
- Quality assurance (QA) technicians conduct measurements and analyze results using metrology equipment to identify defects or variance from specifications.
- Maintenance technicians are responsible for calibrating metrology systems and maintaining them in proper working order for accuracy.
- Engineers work with metrology personnel and data to improve manufacturing processes. They identify needed adjustments to enhance product quality.
Metrology requires attention to detail and skilled use of sophisticated measurement instruments. Ongoing training develops expertise in measurement science and equipment operation. Math, statistics, and computing skills are also important for analyzing metrology data.
Is Industrial Metrology Critical?
Industrial metrology has an enormous impact on the quality, safety, and reliability of the products you use daily across many industries. Skilled metrologists using advanced tools serve as manufacturing’s “quality police”, providing objective data verifying consistent specification conformance.
Without metrology, defects would multiply, performance would suffer, and product safety could be jeopardized. While you as the consumer rarely see these meticulous measurements, you benefit from the resulting product quality and reliability. When product performance integrity is critical for safety, industrial metrology’s vital role is clear.
FAQs About Industrial Metrology
What are the main objectives of industrial metrology?
Ensuring products meet specifications, detecting defects, improving quality, reducing waste, and ensuring proper performance and safety.
What types of metrology instruments are used?
CMMs, optical comparators, laser scanners, vision inspection systems, CT scanners, and more.
How precise are industrial metrology tools?
Systems provide micrometer or nanometer precision depending on the specific instrument.
What industries rely most on industrial metrology?
Aerospace, automotive, medical devices, electronics, and semiconductors have stringent requirements.
Why is calibration important in metrology?
Calibration using trusted standards ensures accuracy and traceability, providing reliable measurements.
Metrology Equipment for the Manufacturing Industry
L100 CMM Laser Scanner
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XC65Dx CMM Laser Scanner
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CARBstrato
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CRYSTA-Apex V500/700/900
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CRYSTA-Apex EX 1200R
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FALCIO-Apex 2000G/3000G/4000G/4500G
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Legex 500/700/900/1200
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MACH-Ko-Ga-Me
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MACH-V
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MACH-3A
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MiSTAR 555
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SJ-210 – Portable Surface Roughness Tester
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SJ-310 – Portable Surface Roughness Tester
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SJ-410 – Portable Surface Roughness Tester
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SV-3000 CNC – Extreme Type
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Contracer CV-2100 – Contour
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FTA-S3000
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FTA-C3000
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FTA-C4000
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RA-120 /120P – Roundness
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Roundtracer Flash
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RA-H5200 – Roundness / Cylindricity Capable
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RA-2200 CNC – Extreme Type
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SV 2100 – Dedicated Processor – Column Type
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Roundtracer Extreme
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CS-3300 – Singular Detector Type
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FTA-D3000 – Dual Detector – One Sided Contour Stylus Type
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FTA-D4000 – Dual Detector – Dual-sided Contour Stylus Type
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Quick Scope – Digital Microscopes
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PH-3515 Profile Projector
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PH-A14 with M2 2D
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Manual Quick Image
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Motorized Quick Image
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Quick Vision Active
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Quick Vision Ultra
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Quick Vision ACCEL
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Quick Vision Hyper Pro
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MiScan Apex
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CMM-Manager
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PolyWorks AR
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Quick Vision Hyper Pro Hybrid Type 4
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PolyWorks Reviewer
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PolyWorks Talisman
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Offline Seat
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Native CAD Import
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PolyWorks Inspector
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PolyWorks ReportLoop
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SNAP 350
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SprintMVP 624
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SprintMVP 1550-1552
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SNAP 100
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SNAP 200
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SNAP 300
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Fusion 600
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SprintMVP 400 & SprintMVP 600
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Fusion 400
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ShapeGrabber Ai820
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ShapeGrabber Ai620
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STRATO Apex 500/700/900/1600
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CRYSTA-Apex V1200/1600/2000
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SmartScope Quest 800
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SmartScope Quest 650
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Surftest SJ-500 / 500P
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SmartScope SP 332
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SmartScope SP 463
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SmartScope SP 663
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Offline Programming for Vision
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MiScan Hyper
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ShapeGrabber Ai320 3D Scanner
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SmartScope Quest 450
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SmartScope Quest 300
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SmartScope Quest 250
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SmartScope ZIP HR 250
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Smart Scope Flash 670
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Benchtop Multisensor Measurement System
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SmartScope ZIP 800
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SmartScope ZIP 635
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Flash 200 | Compact Benchtop System
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SmartScope ZIP 450
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SmartScope Flash 500
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SmartScope Flash 1500 | 1550 | 1552
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SmartScope ZIP 300
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SmartScope Flash 635
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