August 2026 Metrology News Magazine

Editors Message:

With the IMTS 2026 in Chicago and AMB 2026 in Stuttgart exhibitions fast approaching, the manufacturing world is preparing to showcase many of the technologies that are shaping the next generation of metrology and production. Visitors to both exhibitions will see the latest trends, we have been following in Metrology News, moving from concept to practical industrial application — including AI-assisted inspection, advanced robotics, machine vision, inline measurement, digital manufacturing, advanced scanning and increasingly autonomous inspection systems.

These exhibitions provide a timely opportunity to see how measurement is evolving from a source of quality information into an active component of manufacturing intelligence. Across the exhibition floors exhibitors will showcase measurement technologies becoming more closely integrated with production equipment, connected through digital systems and increasingly capable of making decisions in real time.

Artificial intelligence is accelerating this transformation, supporting automated inspection, image analysis, robotic guidance, anomaly detection and process optimisation. At the same time, advances in optical measurement, laser scanning, computed tomography and automated inspection are enabling manufacturers to capture and interpret increasing volumes of measurement data at production speed.

Perhaps most significantly, we will see the emergence of autonomous inspection. Robots and intelligent inspection systems moving beyond fixed measurement routines, adapting to changing production requirements and helping determine what should happen next. Measurement is becoming an integral part of the manufacturing process rather than a separate quality function.

The technologies on display at IMTS and AMB will provide a valuable snapshot of this transition — from data, to connectivity, to intelligence, and ultimately toward greater autonomy. While metrology remains founded on accuracy, traceability and uncertainty, these principles are increasingly being combined with speed, adaptability, automation and intelligent decision-making.

This month’s featured articles included “Reverse Engineering for Advanced Manufacturing”, “Closing The Loop with Shop Floor Coordinate Metrology”, “Automated Scanning Cuts Large-Part Inspection Times“, “Metrology Powers Closed-Loop Digital Manufacturing“, “Model-Based Characteristics: Enabling Persistent Identification in the Digital Thread“, The Rise of Digital Twins: Transforming Predictive Maintenance and Manufacturing Efficiency, and “From Calibration Schedules to Predictive Metrology – The Rise of Digital Twins“.

Access the full library of August Metrology News articles by clicking here.

As usual, I welcome your comments, news, and views – my inbox is always open.

Keith Mills – Publishing Editor

Reverse Engineering for Advanced Manufacturing

Reverse engineering has evolved from a largely manual process used to reproduce legacy components into a sophisticated digital workflow supporting product development, quality assurance, manufacturing and lifecycle management. Advances in 3D scanning, portable metrology, computational modelling and additive manufacturing are enabling manufacturers to capture, analyse and recreate physical products with levels of speed and accuracy … read more

Closing The Loop with Shop Floor Coordinate Metrology

For much of the CMM’s history, dimensional measurement has remained a downstream quality function, performed in environmentally controlled inspection rooms after parts have left the production line. Today, that model is changing. Manufacturers increasingly expect metrology systems to operate within the manufacturing process itself, providing rapid … read more

Automated Scanning Cuts Large-Part Inspection Times

Conmed Labmet, based in Mexico, is developing a new generation of automated dimensional inspection systems designed to address one of the most persistent challenges facing automotive and other high-volume manufacturers: the rapid measurement of large components. Through partnerships with leading technology companies including 3DInfotech, InnovMetric … read more

Metrology Powers Closed-Loop Digital Manufacturing

For decades, manufacturing has followed a largely linear process. Products move from design and engineering to production, followed by inspection and quality control. Once components are measured, the results are typically used to determine whether parts pass or fail specification, with little influence on the original design unless significant problems emerge… read more

Model-Based Characteristics: Enabling Persistent Identification in the Digital Thread

The Model‑Based Characteristics Standard closes the ‘digital‑thread’ gap between design intent and verification execution by providing a persistent, human and machine‑readable identifier for every product characteristic. It builds on Model‑Based Definition and the Quality Information Framework to deliver enterprise‑wide traceability, criticality classification, and … read more

From Calibration Schedules to Predictive Metrology – The Rise of Digital Twins

For many manufacturers, calibration management remains a largely calendar-driven activity. Measurement equipment is assigned a calibration interval, reminders are generated when the due date approaches, and instruments are removed from service until their status has been verified. While this approach can maintain compliance, it does little to answer … read more

FARO CREAFORM Launches MetraSCAN BLACK2 to Enhance Flexibility for Shop-Floor Dimensional Inspection

FARO CREAFORM has announced the launch of MetraSCAN BLACK2, a next-generation portable metrology-grade optical 3D scanner engineered to deliver total inspection flexibility on the shop floor. Designed for quality control and quality assurance teams, MetraSCAN BLACK2 combines certified accuracy under real-world conditions with the ability to support multiple inspection workflows in a single solution … read more

WENZEL Expands Portfolio with PMS Multisensor Measuring Machines from Dr. Heinrich Schneider

WENZEL Group is expanding its portfolio in the field of industrial metrology by adding the PMS series from Dr. Heinrich Schneider Messtechnik GmbH to its sales program. With these high-precision 3D multisensor bridge measuring machines, WENZEL complements its existing portfolio with powerful optical and multisensor measuring solutions for a wide range of industrial applications … read more

World First Combines Digital Holography with Coordinate Measuring Machines

Coordinate measurement technology is evolving from purely tactile devices to multisensor systems. For the first time worldwide, researchers at Fraunhofer IPM have fully integrated a high-precision digital holographic sensor into a coordinate measuring machine. Combining the flexibility of tactile measurements with the high speed and precision of digital holography … read more

Callista Private Equity Acquires Zero Touch Metrology from Sandvik Group

Callista Private Equity GmbH has announced the acquisition of Industrial Metrology Solutions LLC (ZeroTouch) from the Sandvik Group by Callista Asset Management 35 GmbH. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon and Saint-Erblon, France, ZeroTouch Metrology is a provider of non-contact, in-line-capable inspection and measurement systems for automated manufacturing … read more

The Rise of Digital Twins: Transforming Predictive Maintenance and Manufacturing Efficiency

Digital twins have evolved from an innovative concept into one of the most transformative technologies in modern manufacturing. By creating a dynamic virtual representation of physical assets, production lines or even entire factories, manufacturers are gaining unprecedented visibility into their operations. This capability enables organisations to monitor equipment in real time, optimise production processes … read more

New Artec Point II Combines Faster Data Capture with Certified Metrology Accuracy

3D scanning hardware and software supplier Artec 3D has announced Artec Point II, the successor to Artec Point, its target-based handheld laser scanner for industrial metrology. With an expanded laser configuration, Point II captures up to 5.8 million points per second, more than double the original, letting operators gather denser, more detailed 3D data in every pass … read more

Beyond Measurement: Building Quality into Customer Experience

Hyundai Motor and Kia’s award-winning vehicle lineups are built on a foundation of rigorous testing and engineering, driven by the innovative minds at the Namyang R&D Center in South Korea. This article goes behind the scenes to see how engineers are using a state-of-the-art Digital Measuring Center (DMC) where Hyundai Motor and Kia validate 1,000 measurement points on every vehicle … read more

360° Optical Measurement Delivers Reliable Thread Inspection

Whether a thread holds reliably in operation depends largely on its usable length. Today, modern optical measuring systems record this parameter fully automatically and independently of the rotational position of the component. This shortens measuring times and stabilizes test results. Alongside diameter, pitch and flank angle, the usable length is one of the most important … read more

Backflip AI Launches AI Copilot to Convert 3D Scans into Parametric CAD

Backflip AI has launched its AI copilot for CAD, powered by a new foundation model that converts 3D scans, STLs, and other mesh files into fully editable, parametric CAD models – complete with the feature trees an experienced engineer would build by hand. The copilot is available in Backflip’s add-in for Autodesk Fusion and as a standalone web application … read more

Siemens Energy Enhances Visual Inspection with Augmented Reality

Siemens Energy is advancing its digital transformation in quality assurance by integrating SuPAR, an Augmented Reality based inspection solution, into selected visual inspection and quality control processes. By allowing physical components to be compared directly with their corresponding 3D CAD models in real time on the shop floor … read more

Machine Safety Enters a New Era Under EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230

The implementation of the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, effective from 20 January 2027, marks one of the most significant changes to European machinery safety legislation in recent years. While manufacturers remain responsible for compliance when machinery is first placed on the market, the regulation introduces expanded responsibilities for operators … read more

BMW’s Smart Battery Factory Combines AI, Digital Twins and Inline Inspection

In December, the new BMW Group Plant Woodruff will begin series production of high-voltage batteries for the new fully-electric BMW iX5. As part of the vehicle’s world premiere, the company offered a first glimpse of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. With AI-supported production processes, digital twins and virtual reality applications, the plant is setting industry standards … read more

Smarter, Faster, Leaner: How Multi-Sensor Inspection Platforms Transform Production Lines

Part inspection is essential to manufacturing quality, but it also consumes production time, floor space, engineering attention, and capital. As manufacturers push for faster throughput and tighter tolerances, inspection systems must do more than find defects; they must reduce touch time, preserve valuable shop-floor space, and deliver reliable data without without slowing production. The opportunity is not simply to automate inspection … read more

3D Digital Measurement Transforms High-Performance Exhaust Manufacturing

For over 25 years, Primary Designs has been at the forefront of high-performance exhaust design and manufacture, supplying precision-engineered systems to Formula One teams, hypercar manufacturers and specialist automotive customers. The company has built its reputation on delivering lightweight, high-quality exhaust solutions where precision … read more

Scantron Advances Automated Surface Defect Detection with Proscan DDMS 3D Line

Scantron Industrial Products has announced the development and build of its latest Proscan DDMS 3D Line Defect Detection and Measurement System. The DDMS 3D Line is an advanced, fully automated solution designed to deliver exceptional accuracy, speed and reliability in surface defect identification and measurement. The new system represents a significant … read more

Fraunhofer Advances In-Line Packaging Inspection with Optical Coherence Tomography

Every year, billions of products are sealed in film packaging. This packaging must be reliably leakproof, especially in regulated sectors such as in the medical and food industry. In the OCTInline project, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS have developed an innovative testing system. Optical … read more

Metrology at Production Speed: Balancing Uncertainty, Test Time and Acceptance Decisions

Modern production test systems operate under conditions that are very different from those of a metrology laboratory. Measurement accuracy remains important, but it has to be achieved together with repeatable operation, controlled test time, and reliable acceptance decisions. Metrology News spoke with Tatiana Krasik, an independent researcher and measurement engineer … read more

Beyond Dimensional Conformance: Using Measurements to Predict Miniature Assembly Performance

A miniature component can pass every dimensional check on its inspection report and still fail in the finished assembly. That apparent contradiction usually does not mean the measurement was wrong. More often, the inspection plan measured features that were convenient to reach, used a fixture that changed the part, or never linked the reported dimensions to the function that matters after mating, filling, sealing … read more

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