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 measurement 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 measurement 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 industrial measuring systems. The third focal point of the alliance is to develop procedures on the use and cleaning of micro-parts.

The prototype of the F25 3D CMM for the quality assurance of micro-parts was introduced at Control 2004.