Cooperation between Carl Zeiss and German National Metrology Institute

Scientific cooperation in the field of 3D coordinate metrology for micro-parts agreed – F25 coordinate measuring machine transferred

Carl Zeiss and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Brunswick, the German national metrology institute, have agreed to a scientific cooperation in the field of 3D coordinate metrology for micro-parts. This collaboration serves general research and the intensification of research and development in the field of 3D coordinate metrology for micro-parts. For its part, the Oberkochen-based company is contributing an F25 3D coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for the quality assurance of micro-parts, which has already been transferred to the PTB.

Together, Carl Zeiss and the PTB intend to develop procedures and standards (test pieces) to inspect measuring machines for micro-parts, to increase accuracy, and to determine and verify measuring uncertainty. The collaboration will also produce methods that permit the expansion of the range of application of such highly specialized measuring systems. The third focal point of the alliance is to develop procedures on the use and cleaning of micro-parts.

Karl Seitz, head of the New Technologies Department at Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, emphasizes the importance of this cooperation to the company: “Contact 3D micro-metrology with its miniaturized styli and accuracies in the range of nanometers is a challenge for dimensional metrology.” Professor Dr. Ernst O. Göbel, President of the PTB added that “we are convinced that, together, we will advance and shape the still young field of 3D micro-metrology.”


Partners in 3D coordinate measuring technology for micro-parts
The PTB performs a variety of scientific-technical services in Germany. Within the scope of its statutory tasks, the activities of the PTB include research and development in the field of dimensional micro-metrology with contact and optical probing. Carl Zeiss conducts extensive research and development in the field of 3D coordinate metrology for micro-parts with contact and optical probing. The prototype of the F25 3D CMM for the quality assurance of micro-parts was introduced at Control 2004.