Last month, we started talking about data with the focus mainly on data management (aka data analysis) and only referencing data collection for a bit of context. Now I want to turn to data collection. Data collection is mostly about uncertainty (in this case “measurement uncertainty”) and more recently, thanks to increased computer power, the number of data points. Typically, we think of measurements as single entities, i.e., numbers on a report (bore size for example), or the distance between two features, and so on.

As with most things in life, technology improvements are developed to make tasks easier and faster. The metrology industry is certainly keeping pace with this norm. Because we have been given faster, easier, and more accurate measurements, we frequently ask for even more. And why not? The technology exists and it has been proven. It’s accurate, and it looks easy enough to use. I want more data, and I want it now! Well, I have just one question: What are you going to do with the data?

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