For decades three-dimensional (3D) measurements of engineering components have been made using fixed metrology-room based coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) fitted most commonly with single point or to a much lesser extent, scanning tactile probes. Over the past decade there has been a rapid uptake in development and subsequent use of portable optical-based 3D coordinate measuring systems. These optical-based systems capture vast quantities of point data in a very short time, often permitting freeform surfaces to be digitized. Documented standards, for example ISO 10360, for the verification of fixed CMMs fitted with tactile probes are now widely available, whereas verification procedures and more specifically verification artefacts for optical-based systems are still in their infancy. Furthermore, the industry is seeking traceability in 3D measurements of high precision components. A recent requirement is the demand for highly accurate measurements of large gears with diameters up to 1000 mm as used in gear boxes of wind turbines. Up until now it has been impossible to ensure traceability of 3D measurements of big gears, since no traceable standards were available. This paper describes three different types of artefacts that were developed during the project, namely tetrahedron artefacts for testing the basic measurement capability of optical 3D devices, freeform verification artefacts for testing the capability of measuring complex geometry, and a large gear artefact for task related calibration of different types of CMMs. In addition, artefact calibration data and associated measurement uncertainties and international intercomparisons are presented. These developments will be of considerable value to end users, calibration laboratories and producers of optical and tactile CMMs.

Non-contact optical three-dimensional measuring, scanning and digitising are increasingly present in quality assurance systems. Simple scanning procedures, high density of data acquired in a single scan, and the possibility of integrated reverse engineering and inspection, are all advantages of optical scanning compared to conventional measuring methods. Due to the three-dimensional acquisition of measuring data, an optical scanner is often considered to be an alternative possibility for coordinate measuring machines. However, the accuracy of the measured data acquired by optical scanning (even with a high-end system) is still far below the level achieved by high-level coordinate measuring machines. This paper examines the possibilities of using a three-dimensional scanner for workpiece inspection. The first part presents a special field of workpiece inspection in which, even with currently achievable accuracy, optical scanning is a viable solution for the inspection of manufactured parts. In addition, the achievable dimensional accuracy of an optical scanner is tested by scanning several gauge blocks. In conclusion, a head to head comparison with a coordinate measuring machine is made by scanning and verifying a sphere.

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An Internet of Things-network (IoT-network) allows for the communication of data both within the network and to data hubs. However, the usefulness of the data depends on its ability to be interpreted correctly. For metrology data, effective use of the data is only possible if the numerical value, associated unit and uncertainty, expressed in a standard format, are also available. In order to develop, provide and distribute a formal framework for the transmission of metrology data on the basis of the International System of Units, European project EMPIR 17IND02 SmartCom was agreed between the European Commission and the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (Euramet). The SmartCom project aims to provide the methodological and technical foundation for the unambiguous, universal, safe and uniform communication of metrological smart data in the IoT and Industry 4.0. The project will increase the industrial capabilities and the provision of regulations for data exchange in the IoT. It will also assist countries within the European Union (EU) and those with an association agreement with the EU in developing products that are able to communicate in IoT environments worldwide. In addition to describing the general ideas and aims of the project, this article presents the research results achieved in the first midterm period.

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Interlaboratory comparisons are the most powerful tools for determining the competences of laboratories performing calibrations and testing. Performance metrics is based on statistical analysis, which can be very complex in certain cases, especially for testing where transfer standards (samples) are prepared by the pilot laboratory. Statistical quantities are calculated using different kinds of software, from simple Excel applications to universal or specific commercial programmes. In order to ensure proper quality of such calculations, it is very important that all computational links are recognized explicitly and known to be operating correctly. In order to introduce a traceability chain into metrology computation, the European project EMRP NEW 06 TraCIM was agreed between the EC and the European Metrology Association (EURAMET). One of the tasks of the project was also to establish random datasets and validation algorithms for verifying software applications in regard to evaluating interlaboratory comparison results. The statistical backgrounds for resolving this task, and the basic concept of the data generator are presented in this paper. Background normative documents, calculated statistical parameters, boundary conditions for generating reference data sets are described, as well as customer interface.