From the minute I arrived on site, I knew that this would be a Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference unlike any other. First of all, it was in Phoenix… in July.

The electromagnetic force has gotten a little stronger, gravity a little weaker, and the size of the smallest “quantum” of energy is now known a little better.

Terahertz radiation can penetrate numerous materials—plastic, clothing, paper, and some biological tissues—making it an attractive candidate for applications such as concealed weapons detection, package inspection, and imaging skin tumors.

Despite a laser tracker’s many capabilities, its main function presents some limitations that can make it difficult to measure certain features of a part.

Variation Reduction Solutions Inc. (VRSI) is an independent integrator of machine vision and applied metrology technologies for automated manufacturing.

Since 1975, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that all prescription tablets or capsules have a unique identification in terms of size, shape, color, and imprint.

Machine vision systems rely on quality images for quality output. High-quality images enable a system to accurately interpret the information extracted from an object under inspection, resulting in reliable, repeatable system performance.

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a tunable superconducting circuit on a chip that can place a single microwave photon (a particle of light) in two frequencies, or colors, at the same time.

Traditionally, 3-D dimensional inspection was performed in the quiet, stable, spotless, and controlled environment of quality labs.

Since 2009, there has been a recovery in the white-light scanner market, and the manufacturing industry and metrology vendors acknowledge this. However, research indicates that there is still uncertainty among end-user spending.