Engineers, metrologists gather at Disneyland
Staff -- Test & Measurement World, 3/1/2004
Measurement Science Conference, January 13–16, Anaheim, CA,www.msc-conf.com.
Hart Scientific (www.hartscientific.com) introduced a thermo-hygrometer. Dubbed, "The DewK," the model 1620 uses a temperature and humidity sensor that contains the ADC and calibration curves, thus producing a digital output for the main unit. The DewK accepts a second, optional sensor, providing two sets of measurements. You can connect either sensor directly to the base unit over a wire with no loss of accuracy because the signals are digital. The DewK then connects to a PC through its serial port, and it also accepts a memory card for data storage. The DewK is also sold by Hart's parent company, Fluke (www.fluke.com), which calls the instrument the Model 5020A.
Hart Scientific introduced the DewK 1620 thermohygrometer during
the show.
Southern California Edison (www.edisonmudcats.com) demonstrated the latest version of Mudcats Metrology Suite. The Mudcats suite provides calibration instrument control, engineering tools, and equipment management. The engineering tools include uncertainty analysis, guard bands, and calibration-interval analysis.
Two new entries to the calibration-management software market demonstrated their products. IndySoft (www.indysoft.com) showed Gage InSite, a calibration management package that comes in three versions—desktop, professional, and enterprise. The professional version offers features such as support for new and used equipment measurement tolerances, trending charts, and event-based tracking of instrument calibrations.
In December 2003, Indysoft announced that it had acquired the assets of Norfox Software, a publisher of calibration-management software. Indysoft currently supports users of Norfox's LabMate version 3.5 and Visual LabMate.
Pacific Edge Technologies (www.PacEdgeTech.com) introduced EMX, which performs workflow management, data management, and asset management for equipment calibration in repair facilities. The software works over networks including the Internet, providing engineers with calibration management data.
IET Labs (www.ietlabs.com) introduced an electronically controlled resistance box, the ohmSource. Covering the range of 0 MΩ to 24 MΩ, the three models produce resistances with resolutions of 1 Ω, 0.1 Ω, or 0.01 Ω.
Symmetricom (www.symmetricom.com) showed its latest cesium frequency standard, the Cs4000. At the adjacent booth, Geotest (www.geotestinc.com) displayed pulse, function, and arbitrary-waveform generators designed to replace obsolete models from Hewlett-Packard, Tektronix, and Wavetek.
The next Measurement Science Conference will take place January 19–21, 2005 in Anaheim, CA.
"Who needs good measurements?"
Keynote address at the MSC
Dr. Seton Bennett, deputy director of the UK's National Physical Laboratory (www.npl.co.uk), gave the keynote address at the 2004 Measurement Science Conference. Bennett's talk, "Who Needs Good Measurements?" pointed out the many ways that measurements affect everyday life. He focused on industry, medicine, and science as well as government regulators and consumers. He also touched on programs aimed at developing measurement standards where none currently exist.
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Dr. Seton Bennett gave the keynote address at this year's Measurement Science Conference. Courtesy of Measurement Science Conference. |
"Regulatory agencies also need good measurements," said Bennett. Regulators often don't consider uncertainties when making measurements. Bennett noted that to improve the situation, 10 EU calibration labs are communicating with regulators. And metrologists now educate regulators about measurement science and uncertainty. Regulators in the food, medical, and safety industries—and ultimately consumers—will benefit from these discussions.
