Metrology is the science of measurement. It’s a very broad topic because so much is measured. In manufacturing, the need to verify and validate dimensions of parts is crucial. These dimensional measurements are done at many stages in the manufacturing process with a range of devices, from simple hand gages to coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). Many times, the choice of measuring device to be used is based on its resolution and range of the desired measurement. One such technology is known as video measurement, performed with video measuring systems. So, what’s video metrology?A video measurement system is a machine that optically magnifies the image of a part captured by a camera and converted to a video signal that’s analyzed by electronics and software to determine edges and features. The relationships among edges and features in one magnified image are monitored and tracked for comparison to other imaged areas to provide dimensions across the measurement range of the system’s translation stages. High-resolution imaging over large areas or volumes without any part contact makes video measurement a popular technology for manufacturers in many industries.

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