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Measuring accuracy

"Accuracy" is a collective term

The term measurement accuracy is colloquially understood to mean everything that characterises the uncertainty of measurement results. In detail, however, a distinction must be made between different categories:

  • Description of the smallest distinguishable step of the values measured with sensors and machines or also the smallest measurable characteristics (resolution).
  • Definition of characteristics and procedures for their reverification in order to specify the metrological performance of coordinate measuring machines (specification, acceptance test, monitoring)
  • Uncertainty of measurement results when measuring features on workpieces, taking into account all influencing factors (measurement uncertainty) and procedures for determining it
  • Determination and reverification test of suitable values for the ratio of measurement uncertainty to feature tolerance (measurement process capability).
Resolution
Resolution
Specification and acceptance test
Specification and acceptance test
Measurement uncertainty
Measurement uncertainty
Temperature influence
Temperature influence
Measurement process capability
Measurement process capability

Traceability ensures comparability

It is also important to consider the traceability of measurement results to international standards. This ensures that sizes are measured in the same way worldwide. If internal company processes are to be regulated, it is often sufficient to consider reproducibility alone.

The aspects of measurement accuracy mentioned above are discussed in more detail below. Due to the special feature of the influence of temperature, this aspect is dealt with in a separate section.