Traceability in manufacturing metrology: do we still need artefacts?

Today, dimensional artefacts – ranging from measurement standards to calibrated workpieces – might look dusty in comparison to some of the most evident innovations in advanced manufacturing, including cyber-physical systems and Industry 4.0 concepts that seem light years away from material artefacts. However, dimensional artefacts continue to play a fundamental role to establish the traceability of measurements in production, which is an essential prerequisite to control manufacturing processes and assure the quality of products, as well as for the comparability of the properties of components in global manufacturing environments. In fact, metrological traceability becomes even more important in today’s manufacturing contexts, where reliable and accurate digital models of products, processes and production systems are needed. In this keynote, dimensional artefacts are discussed, encompassing their characteristics, design, availability, selection and role in supporting production by establishing metrological traceability.