This article proposes a combined theoretical and experimental approach to assess andquantify the global uncertainty of a high-speed camera velocity measurement. The study isdivided in five sections: firstly, different sources of measurement uncertaintiesperformed by a high-speed camera are identified and quantified. They consist ofgeometrical uncertainties, pixel discretisation uncertainties or optical uncertainties.Secondly, a global uncertainty factor, taking into account the previously identifiedsources of uncertainties, is computed. Thirdly, a sensibility study of the camera set-upparameters is performed, allowing the experimenter to optimize these parameters in orderto minimize the final uncertainties. Fourthly, the theoretical computed uncertainty iscompared with experimental measurements. Good concordance has been found. Finally, thevelocity measurement uncertainty study is extended to continuous displacement measurementsas a function of time. The purpose of this article is to propose all the mathematicaltools necessary to quantify the individual and global uncertainties, to highlight theimportant aspects of the experimental set-up, and to give recommendations on how toimprove a specific set-up in order to minimize the global uncertainty. Taking all theseinto account, it has been shown that highly dynamic phenomena such as a ballisticphenomenon can be measured using a high-speed camera with a global uncertainty of lessthan 2%.

Efficient solar energy installations depend largely on the availability of meteorologicaland geographical data (geographical coordinates, solar radiation, ambient temperature,wind speed) and the technical characteristics of the photovoltaic arrays. Usually, both,radiation and meteorological measurements are based on hourly surface observational data,not always easily accessible therefore requiring enormous memory capacity to be processed.From a practical point of view, this work investigated whether or not monthly averageresource data can be used to assess the efficiency of the photovoltaic conversion (andthus the electrical energy obtained from this conversion) whenever hourly-basedmeteorological data are scarce or unreliable. Photovoltaic efficiency was calculated frompredicted temperature of the cell by making use of classical analytical models ofphotovoltaic conversion. Calculations performed based on monthly average solar resourcedata reproduced within 0.5 K the temperature of the photovoltaic array and within 6% thetotal amount of energy converted as compared to hourly average solar resource data madeavailable by official solar radiation and meteorological data bases.

Capable measurement of the size and shape of components is a prerequisite for precisionmanufacturers. However, the design community may not fully consider measurement issuesthat could arise when components are manufactured, and the manufacturing community may notwholly appreciate the value that measurement data can bring to design. This paperinvestigates measurement knowledge in this relationship to find out if there are specificknowledge types that could be developed to improve the likelihood of fulfilling designintent. A proven systems-based approach was applied to an illustrative case to develop amodel of knowledge flows and identify key knowledge types. For this case study, it wasfound that knowledge about measurement is dispersed and managed through a variety ofpractices which are relatively isolated from design. Furthermore, conflict was uncoveredbetween the knowledge types, reinforcing the view that a more inclusive and integratedapproach is required. In the course of the research, a novel methodology was developed inwhich group modelling was used to generate questions, rather than the more typicalapproach of grounding a systems model on interview data.

Optical and tactile single scanning probes usually are used in dimensional metrologyapplications, especially for roughness, form, thickness and surface profile measurements.To perform assessments with nanometre level of accuracy, specific ultra-high precisionmachines have been developed by the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) such as the LNE,VSL, METAS, SMD, generally in collaboration with industrials and academics partners. Suchdevelopments are not devoted only to NMIs but many industrials develop and commercializetheir own ultra-high precision machines as the IBSPE and TNO companies. All these machinesprovide optical and tactile precise measurements and cover a large domain of applicationsuch as the form’s characterization of optical lenses. In this paper the performance andcapability of ultra-high precision machines of some National Metrology Institutes (LNE,VSL, SMD and METAS) and industrials companies (TNO and IBSPE), involving together in theIND10 European EMRP project titled “Optical and tactile metrology for absolute formcharacterization”, will be detailed. Theirs probing systems and accuracies levels will beevoked. Relevant results especially for measuring optical lenses will be also presentedand discussed.