For decades now, the measurement systems analysis (MSA) approach has been the predominant method for evaluating measurement systems capability. Although this method is widely considered to be an acceptable and comprehensive approach throughout most of the world, a growing number of specialized industries, both overseas and in the United States, have begun to adopt a different system based on the measurement uncertainty approach.

A substantial minority of manufacturing companies use the measurement uncertainty approach, including many in aerospace, European automakers, their suppliers, and companies that certify under ISO 17025, among others. If you think it might be a better way to go, are just curious, or perhaps wish to certify certain gauges that you use to calibrate other gauges, read on. This article will describe what is different about the procedures, tell you where to get manuals which govern the measurement uncertainty approach, and provide an example using popular software.

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