May 2026 Metrology News Magazine

Editors Message:

As metrology continues its rapid evolution from precision measurement to intelligent decision-making, one reality has become unmistakably clear: data is now among the industry’s most valuable assets. Big Data and advanced analytics are reshaping the future of quality, manufacturing, and industrial performance.

Across modern production environments, measurement systems generate enormous volumes of information every second. Yet the true competitive advantage lies not simply in collecting data, but in transforming it into actionable insight. From real-time process optimization to predictive maintenance strategies that reduce downtime and extend equipment life, analytics-driven metrology is enabling manufacturers to move from reactive quality control to proactive operational intelligence.

Progressive organizations are leveraging manufacturing intelligence to drive next-generation quality assurance, while also exploring the emergence of metrology data lakes and cloud-based architectures that break down traditional data silos. These technologies are creating centralized ecosystems where measurement data can be securely accessed, analyzed, and shared across the enterprise — accelerating both efficiency and innovation.

The metrology sector has always been built on accuracy, consistency, and traceability. Today, those same principles must also guide how we manage and interpret data. The organizations that succeed in the years ahead will be those capable of turning complex information into meaningful intelligence while maintaining the highest standards of reliability and governance.

Equally important is the growing role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in extracting value from metrology data. AI-powered analytics are beginning to identify hidden process trends, detect anomalies before defects occur, and support autonomous decision-making across production environments. As manufacturers pursue smarter factories and greater operational agility, metrology is becoming far more than a verification function – it is evolving into a strategic intelligence platform that connects quality, productivity, and business performance in entirely new ways.

This month featured articles included “Building the Foundation for Data-Driven Manufacturing Intelligence“; “Digital Manufacturing Workflow: From Digital Thread to Closed Loop”; “Driving Quality Through Manufacturing Intelligence”; “From Measurement Silos to Manufacturing Intelligence”; “Big Data and Analytics in Vision Metrology: Turning Optical Measurement into Actionable Insight” and “Integrated Inspection for Smarter Manufacturing“.

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

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

Keith Mills – Publishing Editor

Building the Foundation for Data-Driven Manufacturing Intelligence

With the launch of PolyWorks 2026, InnovMetric is driving the transition toward a connected ‘ultimate inspection lab’ where dimensional inspection data flows seamlessly across plants, suppliers, and engineering/manufacturing systems. Metrology News spoke with Marc Soucy, PhD, President of InnovMetric, about how creating a networked quality-management ecosystem is built on centralized data, collaboration, and interoperability … read more

Digital Manufacturing Workflow: From Digital Thread to Closed Loop

Manufacturing has spent the past decade talking about digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and the digital thread. Yet in many production environments, the thread remains incomplete. Data is created in engineering, consumed in manufacturing, and generated again in quality, but rarely connected in a way that enables continuous feedback and improvement. Closing the digital loop … read more

Driving Quality Through Manufacturing Intelligence

Quality control in manufacturing is no longer confined to inspection rooms or end-of-line checks. It has evolved into a dynamic, data-driven discipline that operates continuously across the production lifecycle. This transformation is being powered by manufacturing intelligence – the integration of metrology data, advanced analytics, connectivity, and software-driven decisions … read more

From Measurement Silos to Manufacturing Intelligence

For decades, metrology data has existed in fragmented islands across manufacturing enterprises. CMMs, laser scanners, vision systems, SPC software, and ERP platforms have all generated valuable data – but rarely in a unified environment. The result has been a persistent challenge for manufacturers: enormous volumes of data, but limited enterprise intelligence … read more

Integrated Inspection for Smarter Manufacturing

Manufacturing industries continue to evolve rapidly as businesses focus on higher efficiency, tighter tolerances, and improved product quality. In highly competitive sectors, even the smallest production error can lead to material waste, operational downtime, and costly defects. This is why advanced inspection systems are becoming increasingly important … read more

PC-DMIS FUSION Delivers Real-Time Metrology Insights

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence’s Stationary Metrology Division has announced the launch of PC-DMIS FUSION. It provides PC-DMIS users with real-time information, visualisation, insights, and SPC analysis to enable increased productivity based on data-driven decision making. “Modern manufacturers need to know if they’re making good parts … read more

QCFlex Delivers Automated AI Acoustic Defect Testing

The RESONIKS QCFlex is a standalone system that integrates seamlessly anywhere in-line to detect structural defects in manufactured parts after any process. Through AI-powered acoustic testing, manufacturers can achieve a fast and reliable 100% inspection of complex parts. With its fully automated system, RESONIKS enables industry leaders to rethink their entire quality control strategy … read more

BMW Inline Terahertz Paint Thickness Measurement

As the BMW Group systematically advances the digitalisation of its production processes, Plant Leipzig is introducing a -based measurement system for plastic exterior components in series production. Capable of determining paint layer thickness non-destructively, the technology has recently been scaled up … read more

How Point Clouds Are Revolutionizing Quality Control

For decades, manufacturing quality control relied on discrete measurements – touch probes, calipers, and coordinate measuring machines capturing individual points to verify tolerances. While effective, this approach inherently sampled only a fraction of a part’s geometry, leaving potential blind spots in quality assurance. Point cloud technology is transforming that paradigm … read more

Smarter Surface Inspection Through Integrated Robotics

A new concept for automation in metrology has been developed by Stäubli in cooperation with Mahr France. The prototype system combines a Stäubli robot with two different devices for optical and tactile roughness analysis. Future customers will benefit from the automation of reliable measurement results due to repeatability and reduced operator intervention … read more

Big Data and Analytics in Vision Metrology: Turning Optical Measurement into Actionable Insight

As manufacturing environments become increasingly digitised, the role of metrology is undergoing a fundamental shift. No longer confined to post-process inspection, measurement is evolving into a real-time, data-driven function at the heart of production. Nowhere is this transformation more evident than in vision and optical metrology systems, where high-resolution imaging generate volumes of rich, complex data … read more

New µCMM NEO Combines Dimensional, Form and Surface Analysis in One Optical Platform

Bruker Alicona has unveiled the µCMM NEO, the next generation of its optical CMM. Presented as part of the company’s 25th anniversary, the system reflects a decisive technological step forward in coordinate metrology – driven by increasing demands for precision, efficiency, and full-surface data acquisition in manufacturing. The launch signals measurement is moving away from probing toward surface-based data … read more

AI and Laser Tracking Drive New Era of Industrial Inspection

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence has unveiled new laser-guided solutions that make it possible, in some cases for the first time, to automate inaccessible and large-scale quality inspections in labour-intensive operations such as aircraft assembly, shipbuilding and wind turbine manufacturing. Globally, large-scale manufacturing such as aircraft production and shipbuilding are under sustained pressure to ‘ramp up’ … read more

High-Precision 3D Measurement in a New Ultra-Compact Form

The scanCONTROL 8500 laser scanners from Micro-Epsilon redefine industrial 3D measurement technology. As the smallest SMART 3D laser scanner in its class with 4K resolution, the series combines maximum measurement performance with minimum space requirements, creating the best conditions for inline measurement … read more

PolyWorks 2026 Elevates 3D Measurement with Cloud Technology, AI, and Universal Compatibility

InnovMetric, the independent software development company that empowers manufacturers of every size to digitally transform their 3D measurement processes has announces the launch of PolyWorks 2026. The Polyworks major release delivers three key pillars of innovation: A data management solution in a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Improved software compatibility to support a broader range of measurement devices … read more

BMW i Ventures Launches $300 Million Fund III to Back AI-Driven Industrial Innovation

BMW i Ventures has launched its third fund, putting $300 million behind a clear premise: that AI will fundamentally reshape how the auto industry operates and creates value across its entire ecosystem. Fully backed by the BMW Group, Fund III will focus on physical AI, agentic AI, industrial software, manufacturing & supply chain technologies … read more

Verisurf Device Interface Supports New API iLT Laser Tracker

Verisurf Software has announced enhanced workflow capabilities enabled by full application support for the API iLT laser tracker. Built on Verisurf’s universal, CAD/CAM-based metrology platform, manufacturers can unify inspection, alignment, assembly, and reverse engineering processes within a single, model-based environment, driving faster, more accurate … read more

Deva Native CNC Integration with PolyWorks|Inspector 2026

Deva Electronic Controls has announced the native integration of its CMM controller technology with PolyWorks|Inspector 2026, enabling direct touch-probe CNC control in the PolyWorks metrology process. Building on years of successful collaboration on manual CMM solutions, this development represents a natural progression toward fully automated inspection … read more

Edge Cloud and AI Transform Audi’s Quality and Inspection Systems

Audi is consistently rolling out AI in production and logistics: the company is scaling up its own cloud platform for production and introducing new AI use cases and technologies for large-scale series production. In doing so, the premium manufacturer is relying on the expertise of strong partners. Decades of manufacturing expertise meet smart digital solutions … read more

Inline Inspection to AI Automation – The Evolution of Laser Sensors

Most engineers don’t start by wanting inline inspection. They end up needing it. The trigger is usually the same. A batch fails late. Scrap goes up. Someone asks why the issue wasn’t caught earlier. Then the conversation shifts from inspection to timing. Not whether to measure, but when. End-of-line inspection works until it doesn’t … read more

Twyn AR Platform Enhances Quality Assurance and Reduces Rework at WISAG

Visometry’s AR platform, Twyn, is delivering measurable value for WISAG Industrie Service Group by improving the speed, precision, and efficiency of visual quality inspection processes. From incoming goods inspection through to final assembly verification, the AR-driven solution is helping WISAG streamline QA workflows while increasing customer satisfaction … read more

Nikon Introduces Large-Stage Optical Measurement System for Advanced Packaging

Nikon has expanded its NEXIV 3D Confocal series with the launch of the new NEXIV VMF-K6561, a high-speed optical measurement system designed to support the growing demand for large-format panel-level package (PLP) inspection in semiconductor and precision engineering applications. Building on the proven capabilities of the NEXIV VMF-K series … read more

AI Cobot Inspection System Automate Engine Quality Checks

Horse Powertrain, a leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, has deployed the Siemens Inspekto Visual Inspection system at its Skövde engine production plant through its Aurobay Technologies division. Powered by AI, the system automates quality checks at the engine inspection station, replacing a process previously performed by hand … read more

Portable Automation Arrives With FANUC Ultra-Light CRX-3iA Cobot

FANUC America has expanded its popular CRX collaborative robot series with the introduction of the CRX-3iA , an ultra lightweight cobot designed for fast redeployment across small, high mix tasks. Weighing only 11 kg (24 lbs.), the CRX 3iA can be carried and set up in minutes, giving manufacturers a portable way to automate jobs … read more

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