The term “a measure of confidence” has always been considered a nebulous thing. But it becomes very real when applied to body armor testing at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) in Maryland. Using a FaroArm Quantum scanner and Geomagic Qualify 3-D inspection software, the Army has decreased the uncertainty of its body-armor test results by as much as tenfold over its former caliper-based process. That translates directly into confidence, according to Craig Miser, chief of the Applied Science Test Division.

“Our accuracy is significantly better now,” says Miser. “We have taken human decision out of the process. Our current process has removed sources of uncertainty and is now defendable and repeatable.”

Accuracy is no small matter when you are dealing with products that are used to protect U.S. soldiers facing armed attacks. It’s also critical to ensuring that customers are getting the maximum benefits out of testing.

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