This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at La normalización en metrología dimensional

The national dissemination of new philosophy GPS in the normalization of dimensional metrology, a challenge for the future

Standardisation in dimensional metrology

Maria a. Sáenz-Nuño15/05/2003

This article presents the stages of evolution of Subcommittee 2 of AENOR AEN/CTN 82/SC 2 on dimensional metrology and its activity during the past four years, under the environment of the new system GPS, Geometrical Product Specification and verification. In short, a sketch of the history of the dimensional metrology in Spain from the viewpoint of the standardization, within the framework of the new GPS system, promoted from ISO.

The first question that one can make in addressing this issue is whether normalization in dimensional metrology is truly useful. On the basis of which until now had been in Spain in the field of dimensional metrology, became aware of the need of openness towards Europe. The European Committee ISO/TC 213 had just been reactivated, only 3 years earlier.

Many new ideas and proposals in this part of metrology, arise in the new draft standards, which is why the Spanish presence is important, not only to find out what lies ahead, but to convey the feeling of the industry.

New organization

After a period of lethargy, it was necessary to resume activity in standardization. On the one hand were the old standards and calibration procedures. Thus, while the old MINER in collaboration with the Spanish Center of metrology updated procedures for IBS, Subcommittee 2 of AENOR on dimensional metrology was echoed international concerns. We should highlight that many of the participating experts members collaborate in both projects.

In Figure 1, is already showing the main thematic lines dealing with each group. However, weights and measures is a living science, and as such is evolving, so probably, at the time of the presentation of this article, and there will be varied.

Figure 1: Organization of Subcommittee 2.

Annual work plan

At least two meetings of the Subcommittee, are held annually but nevertheless, each working group meets independently of the principal. In this way, it makes work plan to follow in the next six months. Basically works to ISO and European in, working on what will be usually known with UNE EN ISO standards.

Figures 2 and 3 detail details the work carried out since the first meeting of 1999.

Little by little, grows the work, mainly for the contribution of each of its members.

But it should not think that the ultimate goal of the SC 2 is the preparation of the regulations links. Certainly, this is not the reason for its Constitution, but it has gradually become a forum for discussion, to which are invited to participate to all the interested professionals (so just send an email to the address msaenz@dim.icai.upco.es).

Figure 2: To ISO and envelope that is has been working in each semester.

Figure 3: Comparison to ISO and above which it has work in each semester.

Figure 4: To ISO and that has work each working group in each semester.

Figure 5: Integrated system of management of standards.

Work strategy

New information technologies are already a common tool in many areas, but the same thing with the functioning of this Subcommittee was not. The first strategy was to update the form of communication between the members, renew procedures, even creating new, but always with reference to the International Committee of ISO.

Thus the organizational structure, the distribution of tasks according to the areas of interest of each participant was formed and created the web page support for the exchange of information. In short, be optimized communication. He is currently working on a project of management of the Subcommittee via the internet, which will considerably optimize its operation. This programme will be called sign and form part of a joint project between two universities.

Conclusions

However much remained to be done, and some of the challenges for the future are: the national dissemination of new philosophy GPS in the normalization of dimensional metrology, international collaboration with Spanish-speaking countries, with the Spanish rules update and expansion of the Sub-Committee to a larger number of experts

References

[1] M.A. Sáenz, a. Quiñones, Dimensional Metrology, history of a new Subcommittee, magazine UNE (publication of AENOR, Spanish Association of normalization and certification), 157 (2001) p. 25.