- Back to overview of measurement topics
Dimensional measurement is how we know and quantify the size and shape of things. It involves lengths and angles as well as geometrical properties such as flatness and straightness. Dimensional measurement is of fundamental importance for interchangeability and global trade. It is how we ensure that things will fit together. Without global length standards as the basis for standardized parts globalized industry would not be possible.
Dimensional measurement is also key to ensuring products perform as intended. For example the strength of structures is calculated using measurements such as the thickness of a flange or the span of a beam. Uncertainty in these measurements therefore increases uncertainty in the strength. This is very important for safety critical structures, for example an aircraft wing or a bridge. Another example of how measurements affect product performance is aerodynamics. If the body of a car or wing of an aircraft does not closely match the aerodynamic form which has been optimized in wind tunnel testing then the performance will not be as expected.
Dimensional metrology continues to be a key in fundamental science. For example, in particle physics, accelerator experiments currently depend on tracking detectors with sensors positioned at the micron level over 10’s of metres while the next generation light sources and high energy colliders will require highly accurate magnet positioning over 10’s of kilometres. In astronomy dimensional measurement is also critical with the most accurate optical telescopes requiring very large mirrors with sub-micron accuracy. The science of dimensional measurement is dimensional metrology, these terms are often used interchangeably.
Read more about:-
- Length Measurement
- Metrology introducing the concepts of uncertainty, traceability and confidence, and explaining how this allows us to prove, with known statistical confidence, whether or not something conforms to a specification.
- An introduction to evaluating uncertainty of measurement.