GTMA says 2006 looks very busy

The GTMA's Metrology Section has seen the appointment of a new Metrology chairman, John Adams and National technical manager, ASAP Calibration Service.

2006 has been an 'action-packed' year already for GTMA Metrology Section, with developments including the appointment of a new Metrology chairman, John Adams, National technical manager, ASAP Calibration Service, the part-time secondment to GTMA of Colin Harper from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the creation of a new Metrology strategy and the organisation of a Metrology Road Show to be held in the autumn.

Unsurprisingly, with so much activity, the association has also attracted additional metrology members, including leading-light companies such as Coventry Gauge, Hexagon Metrology, PowerKut and Quality Gauging Systems.

GTMA CEO Julia Moore, commented: "Metrology is key to success in manufacturing today, yet it remains too often relegated to obscurity, due in large part to a general lack of understanding of the topic.

GTMA is keen to raise the profile of metrology and has been actively pursuing policies that will bring the benefits of this much misunderstood science to a larger section of the engineering world.

For some time we have been keen to work with NPL to raise awareness of measurement issues, so we were delighted to be able to arrange for Colin Harper, industry sales manager at NPL, to join us on a part-time secondment, to act in the role of 'metrology champion'.

A workshop was held at NPL, subsequently supported by a GTMA member survey, to establish which areas of measurement technology and measurement related issues should be treated as priorities for the group.

This resulted in the definition of four main themes: Industry / Sector Specific Change Drivers Funding Opportunities Training Emerging Technologies are posing challenges and offering opportunities to everyone in the metrology arena, areas which are of particular interest to GTMA members are: MEMS, nano-technology, bio-materials and materials characterisation.

GTMA's overall goal in this area is to create an awareness of the continuous innovation, which will inevitably impact the strategic planning process for all manufacturing organisations.

Industry and Sector Specific Change Drivers - GTMA will inform the members of legislative and other changes which will create a need for, or change the technical requirements for the sector.

The association will also disseminate information regarding the likely impact on measurement issues of the migration of manufacturing centres towards lower cost-base countries.

GTMA's overall goal is to help members make informed strategic decisions.

Funding Opportunities - There is much uncertainty regarding funding mechanisms for RandD activity in general and measurement support in particular.

GTMA will aim to de-mystify the range of funding schemes and maximise the potential for members to get the most from their RandD spend.

Training - There is a strong and on-going need to advice members on appropriate training.

GTMA will disseminate information and case studies on the benefits of training as well as the availability of accredited training frameworks.

The GTMA Metrology Roadshow, which will take place later in the year will offer GTMA metrology members the opportunity to promote their products and services to an invited audience of potential purchasers including representatives from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

In addition, keynote speakers will be providing additional insights into the benefits of metrology in real world situations.

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