Standardization is one factor which has made it possible to do large scale and high quality manufacturing. The very basis of standardization is ensuring accurate measurement. Over the years, the science of accurate measurement has advanced to form a discipline of its own and is known as metrology.

Broadly, the concept of metrology involves development of measurement standards as wella s defining different and consistent measurement processes.  Further, these processes have to be used to quantify physical properties of objects, materials, or phenomena. 

Accuracy, reliability, and consistency in measurements are the key tenets of measurement studies.  All these are very crucial for various scientific, industrial, and commercial applications. It is because of accurate and reliable measurement that making of high precision machines is possible which can further be used for making different products.

This also leads to the ability for companies to get contract manufacturing done from different vendors and yet achieve very high quality of products. The following are a few of the basic tenets of measurement sciences. 

The basic tenets of metrology

• Standardized measurement: The very basic tenet of metrology is that measurement has to be standardized. For many years different measurement systems were used in different parts of the world. However, thanks to the International System of Units (SI), which establishes standards for measuring length, mass, time, temperature, and other physical quantities, things are no more like a wild west out there but a controlled and balanced system which is the same for everyone across the globe. 

• Precision, Repeatability and Traceability: This is essentially one factor which is made up of three connected, yet independent aspects. Precision means that margin of error has to be extremely low and tolerances have to be very tight. Repeatability means that the same measurement can be taken from different items time and again. Traceability means that in case of any error or mistake, it is possible to identify where the error is and why it occurred. 

• Calibration: No standards can be of any use unless it is possible to make different equipment, platforms and products comply with them. As time passes and things are used, they will move and shift around and this is also common in measuring equipment. Calibration allows equipment to be made compliant to precise scales and tolerances as required. It is especially important in contract manufacturing when different contractors use their machines for production to ensure consistent product output. 

Role of metrology in contract manufacturing

• Quality assurance: When you are doing contract manufacturing, it becomes very important to get quality assurance because not every contractor may have the same skill level or production equipment. In such a case ensuring proper compliance is necessary with regard to size, shape, form and dimensions and this is where metrology comes to play a vital role. 

• Product reliability: When you are getting large scale manufacturing done by different contractors, it becomes very difficult to ensure product reliability. Yet this is one factor on which there can be absolutely no compromise. Thanks to the ability to take precise measurements, it is possible to ensure that the finished product will work reliably regardless of being made in house or by a contractor. 

• Cost control: When getting your manufacturing work done from the outside, you need to keep the costs in check especially if you are doing small scale production work where economies of scale might not always be in play. In such cases, if you have accurate measurements of all parts and products, it becomes much easier to keep manufacturing costs in check by getting forms and templates ready. 
• Waste Reduction: Thanks to accurate measurement, accurate production is possible and you can be assured that only minimal wastage of materials will occur in the production process, if any.