ERRORS IN

MEASUREMENT
What is a Measurement Error?
• Also known as Observational Error
• Difference between a measured value of a quantity and
its true value
• An error is not a “mistake”
• Variability is an inherent part of the results of
measurements and of the measurement process
Types of Measurement Error

• Random Error
• Systematic Error
Random Error
• Repeated measurement of same parameter of same
part provides values different from each other
• lead to measurable values being inconsistent
• Caused by out of Control factors
• Always present in measurement system
• Unpredictable fluctuations in the readings
• Can be estimated by comparing multiple
measurements
• Can be reduced by averaging multiple measurements
Causes of Random Error
Part: form, position, surface finish, taper, sample
Consistency
Causes of Random Error
Instrument: repair; wear, equipment or fixture failure, poor
quality or maintenance
Causes of Random Error
Average influence of different setting standards
in the measurement process.
Standard: quality, class, wear
Causes of Random Error
Methods: variation in setup, technique, zeroing, holding,
Clamping
Methods: average difference caused by changing point
densities, manual versus automated systems etc.
Causes of Random Error
Appraiser: technique, position, lack of experience,
manipulation skill or training, feel, fatigue
Causes of Random Error
Environment: Short-cycle fluctuations in temperature,
humidity, vibration, lighting, cleanliness
Environment: Caused by environmental cycles; this is the
most common for highly automated systems
Causes of Random Error
Instrument design or method lacks robustness, poor
uniformity
Causes of Random Error
Wrong gage for the application
Causes of Random Error
Caused by training, technique, skill and experience.
Operator training effectiveness
Causes of Random Error
Distortion (gage or part), lack of rigidity
Causes of Random Error
Application – part size, position, observation error
(readability, parallax)
Systematic Error
• Measured value contains an offset
• Constant or proportional to the true value
• Systematic Error is predictable
• If the cause of the systematic error can be identified,
then it usually can be eliminated
Causes of Systematic Error
● Instrument needs calibration
Causes of Systematic Error
● Improper calibration or use of the setting master
Causes of Systematic Error
● Worn instrument, equipment or fixture
Causes of Systematic Error
● Worn or damaged master, error in master
Causes of Systematic Error
● Poor quality instrument – design or conformance
Causes of Systematic Error
● Linearity error
Causes of Systematic Error
● Measuring the wrong characteristic
Causes of Systematic Error
● Distortion (gage or part)
Causes of Systematic Error
● Environment – temperature, humidity, vibration,
cleanliness (Constant)
Causes of Systematic Error
● Violation of an assumption, error in an applied constant
Causes of Systematic Error
● Application – part size, position, operator skill, fatigue,
observation error (readability, parallax)
Question & Answer

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