The Role of Geometrical Metrology in Manufacturing–An Update
Leonardo De Chiffre
Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Denmark
ABSTRACT
Many products in the industrialized world would not exist without engineers having access to modern, advanced geometrical metrology as the decisional basis for controlling design, manufacture, and function. For instance, a gear's form, dimensions, and surface topography have an enormous impact on the noise in a gearbox, and the dimensional and form accuracy of a drug-delivery device is paramount for the correct treatment of a patient. The presentation updates a previous keynote, giving a short overview of the role of geometrical metrology in modern manufacturing with focus on the industrial situation in Europe. Based on trends and issues in modern manufacturing, a bird's-eye view of measuring techniques and quality assurance methods is given concerning component design, process optimization, and tolerance verification. The role of written standards, metrological infrastructures, and education is emphasized. Economic aspects of metrology are briefly discussed. It is shown how geometrical metrology is the decisional basis for controlling design, manufacture, and function. Modern manufacture is highly dependent on the availability of metrological tools, often hidden in the production means or provided by a not-always-visible infrastructure. Modern manufacturing across countries depends on the availability of written standards that provide a common language and a metrological infrastructure that assures comparable measurements. Metrology, which is connected with modern manufacturing, is strongly influenced by the capacity of the people involved, which makes education a factor of paramount importance. Metrology is a prerequisite for high-end technologies such as micro and nano technologies. Metrology is a value-adding activity in all phases of production.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Leonardo De Chiffre holds M.Sc. (1974), Ph.D. (1979), and D.Sc. (1990), all in Manufacturing Eng.ng, from DTU. Professor Emeritus, DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering since 2019. Full professor in Process Technology – Geometrical Metrology, DTU Mechanical Engineering 2002-2019. Director, Centre for Geometrical Metrology, DTU, 1992-2016. Area manager, Metal Cutting and Manufacturing Metrology, IPU (private foundation), 1994-2004. Associate professor, DIMEG, University of Padova, Italy, 1992-2002. Reader 1988-2002, IPL, DTU. Associate Professor 1983-1988, IPL, DTU. External Lecturer, Copenhagen Business School, 1974-1988. Research Associate 1974-1982, IPL, DTU. Consultant to a number of industrial companies in Denmark and abroad since 1974. Responsible for teaching and research activities in Metal Cutting and Geometrical Metrology. Initiator and coordinator of major framework programs. Responsible for installation and management of National Instrument Centre for Geometrical Metrology. Technical Manager of accredited calibration and testing laboratory at national primary level. Responsible of teaching technical Italian language at CBS. He has also created and directed during 1992-2002 the Laboratory of Industrial and Geometrical Metrology at the University of Padova and initiated a transnational virtual institute for geometrical metrology between DTU and Padova University. Fellow (Emeritus) of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) since 1999 (Member 1986-1999). Foundation Committee Member of European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (EUSPEN) since 1997. Fostered 3 Taylor Medals from CIRP. Founder & President of ARSID (Association of Italian Researchers and Scientists in Denmark) since 2021.