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The Engineering and Flow Metrology Programme underpins measurements of length, mass, density, force, gears and flow in the UK. The aims of the programme are to enhance wealth creation and industrial competitiveness by improving the quality and comparability of measurements, to support regulations, trade, defence, engineering measurements in the healthcare sector, and to co-ordinate the UK’s measurement system with those of other countries
The programme is organised into 7 themes:
1. Metrology for Energy Supply
2. Supporting Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
3. Advanced Manufacturing
4. Metrology for Healthcare
5. Innovative Metrology for Industry
6. Underpinning and SI Metrology
7. Gears Measurement
Projects in this theme aim to establish measurement standards for liquefied natural gas, and provide independent traceable calibration to national standards for the calibration of flow and energy measurement sensors. Also, the existence of suitable cryogenic flowmeter calibration facilities, and underpinning knowledge of the performance of flowmeters and sampling systems, will position the UK at the forefront of developments in these areas.
Accurate measurement of the flow of waste materials to the environment is essential for ensuring compliance to minimise impacts. Projects in this theme will provide underpinning support for UK compliance with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and help the UK to monitor its performance towards meeting its environmental emissions targets.
This theme is providing an infrastructure to support the validation of novel measurement technologies developed to support new requirements in the manufacturing sector. Examples of projects in this theme are 3D surface measurement; large-scale dimensional measurement; accurate flow rate measurement of often complex fluids, and better understanding of the performance of flow sensors in non-Newtonian environments such as for complex fluids.
The programme works with equipment manufacturers, evaluation laboratories and end users to develop standardised measurement equipment – a pressure waveform generator (PWG) - that is capable of reproducing digitally stored patient waveforms and test procedures by which interfacial pressure and shear forces can be determined under a range of conditions.
Projects in this theme will provide of a suite of micro-nano metrology tools and include areal (2½ D surface) measurement that will underpin the next generation of advanced manufacturing.
International trade relies on the acceptance of measurements made in one country by companies and regulators in other countries. This theme addresses the provision of underpinning metrology and metrological standards to meet this requirement.
The programme will re-establish and maintain gears measurement traceability to PTB, improving error assessment, develop and implement improved routine calibration procedures. It will also aim to improve, maintain and monitor the effectiveness of the calibration procedures and establish the use of new calibrated artefacts.
