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Summary
The Dimensional Measurement Services (DMS) project delivers unique high-accuracy length based calibrations that are essential to global trade, support basic research, and spur innovation by providing a path for traceability to the SI unit of length. We perform thousands of artifact-based calibrations yearly and develop unique high-value measurement solutions to address the critical measurement needs of industry and government institutions.
Description
The Dimensional Measurement Services project promotes manufacturing innovation and U.S. industrial competitiveness by providing critical technology-enabling high accuracy dimensional measurements within an internationally accepted quality system. These measurements span the dimensional metrology needs over length scales ranging from micrometers to kilometers. Our measurements are targeted to provide measurement results that are either of very high value to our customers or high leverage to the industrial metrology community, where a single calibration may propagate into hundreds or thousands of subsequent measurement results. This is accomplished by taking state-of-the-art equipment and optimizing its performance using superior environmental control, process development, and other metrology techniques informed by experience. Rigorous focus on continuous improvement and flexibility of our measurement systems result in state of the art traditional measurement services and, in many cases, unique capabilities unmatched at the industrial or NMI level. Research and development efforts target industrial needs for smaller uncertainties, faster turnaround, and expanded measurement capabilities.
Resources
Engineering Metrology Toolbox-An array of tools available to help metrologists achieve high-accuracy dimensional measurements traceable to national and international standards.
Selected Historical Publications on Dimensional Metrology:
Major Accomplishments
High Value and High Leverage Measurements
- Successfully perform approximately 3000 calibrations (over 15% of NIST’s measurement services revenue) for our customers each year.
- Dimensional Measurement Services comprise approximately 70 NIST Store Calibration SKUs.
Providing Dimensional Metrology Expertise
- Supported Champlain Towers collapse investigation through digitization and preservation of physical evidence, devising and applying methods to assure measurement traceability.
- Designed and constructed an ultra-high accuracy one-dimensional laser micrometer instrument for US Navy.
- Developed measurement processes and supplied dimensional measurements (traceability) for NIST coaxial airline standards and rectangular waveguide standards in support of 5G communications.
- Improved the dimensional characterization of piston–cylinder assemblies, used for the realization of pressure, to unprecedented precision.
- Custodians of the American Petroleum Institute (API) Grand Master rotary thread gauges and responsible for associated calibrations, which serve a key role in maintaining traceability of threaded ring and plug gauges needed to ensure interchangeability of threaded pipe connections used in drilling operations.
- Videos
- The INSANE Precision of The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Machine Thinking Youtube Channel, >500k views
- The Most Accurate Tape Measure? I found it and can prove it, Machine Thinking Youtube Channel, >75k views
- How do Scientists Measure a Measuring Tape?, NIST Youtube Channel, >2M views
Continuous Improvement
- Participated in key and supplementary comparisons:
- CCL-K4.2015: Calibration of Diameter Standards (pilot)
- CCL-K1.n01: Interferometric Measurement of Central Length Gauge Blocks
- SIM.L-S8.2019: Calibration of Long Gauge Blocks by Mechanical Comparison
- SIM.L-S7.2019: Calibration of Short Gauge Blocks by Mechanical Comparison
- SIM.L-K3.2019: Calibration of Angle Standards
- CCM key comparison in the pressure range 0.05 MPa to 1 MPa (gas medium, gauge mode). Phase A1: Dimensional measurements and calculation of effective area.
- Developed, implemented, and tested new vision probe for Moore M48 CMM to increase capability and lower uncertainties. It is now possible to measure linescales up to a meter long, grid plates up to 700 mm x 700 mm, and stage micrometers with line widths down to 5 µm. It is expected that, with additional testing, the uncertainty for this service (10050S) will be able to be lowered.
- Realized improvements through upgrades to systems used for sphere diameter measurements by mechanical comparison (associated NIST services 11031C, 11032C), roundness and straightness (11014C, 11034C, 13020C, 13030C), and micro-feature characterization (12070S).
Looking to the future
- Investigating the comparability of traditional thread measurement methods and equipment to newer, more efficient methods and equipment. In particular, working with US industrial partners and governmental agencies to examine the new technology via a round robin comparison.
- Procurement of Leitz Infinity 12-10-7 CMM to support high-accuracy CMM measurements into the future.
- Development of a test bed for double ended gauge block interferometry. This technique could fundamentally change how gauge block measurements by interferometry (associated services: 10013C and 10014C) are performed by eliminating wringing variability, a major contributor to the overall uncertainty.
- Implementation of new extended measurement range gauge block comparator for mechanical comparison of customer gauge blocks (associated service: 10011C). This will be achieved through adaptation, optimization, and implementation of a new commercially available gauge block comparator that uses opposing-contact laser-displacement interferometer probes. If successful, this system will reduce the number of primary reference gauge blocks, from roughly 460 to 50 or less, which require routine measurement by the very time-consuming classical gauge block interferometry process.
Adaptation of the NIST-designed wire/cylinder laser-displacement based micrometer for mechanical comparison of sphere diameter (associated services: 11031C and 11032C). Successful implementation with an improved reference sphere characterization process and inclusion of software controlled mechanical automation technologies could improve reported uncertainties by 20 % or more.
Technical Goals
Develop and deliver measurements, standards, and infrastructural technologies that address critical needs for innovation and traceable metrology, process control and quality in manufacturing for length scales from micrometers to kilometers.