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Definition: Tactile measurement methods are contact-based measuring techniques in which a mechanical stylus traces or makes point contact with the surface of a workpiece. The position data acquired serve to determine geometric or topographical characteristics. They are widely used in industrial metrology.

Practical relevance: Applications include coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), stylus instruments for roughness measurement and form measuring instruments. Their advantages are high accuracy and robust measurement results under defined boundary conditions. Influencing factors are the probing force, the stylus tip radius and the surface condition. Normative bases are found, among others, in ISO 10360 and ISO 4287.

Decision-making perspectives:

• Technical decision-makers: Selection of suitable measurement strategies for function-critical geometries.
• Purchasing/project management: Weighing up tactile against optical metrology in terms of accuracy and component suitability.
• Science: Analysis of measurement uncertainty and comparison with non-contact methods.
• Insurance/law: Reliable geometry verification in quality or liability matters.

Typical testing or verification methods: CMM point measurement, stylus profiling, roundness and form measurement.

FAQ:

• When are tactile measurement methods particularly suitable?
• For high-precision measurement tasks with defined surfaces and when maximum measurement accuracy is required.

Definition: Technical due diligence is the systematic assessment of the technical condition, safety and regulatory conformity of plants, properties or production systems in the context of transactions. It serves to identify technical risks, maintenance backlogs and investment requirements. The analysis is carried out independently and is supported by documentation.

Practical relevance: The assessment covers plant integrity, remaining service life, maintenance history, spare parts availability and compliance with statutory requirements (e.g. BetrSichV, Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU). Methods include document audits, on-site inspections, material analyses and RBI assessments. The results influence the purchase price, warranties and risk provisions.

Decision-making perspectives:

• Technical decision-makers: Assessment of technical weak points and modernisation requirements.
• Purchasing/project management: Investment decision based on quantified CAPEX/OPEX risks.
• Science: Methodical evaluation of condition and service life models.
• Insurance/law: Documented evidence of risk and compliance review for liability questions.

Typical testing or verification methods: Document review, NDT (UT, VT), materials analysis, remaining service life analysis, RBI.

FAQ:

• When is a technical due diligence required?
• For company acquisitions, investments or refinancing to assess technical risks and obligations.

Definition: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a high-resolution analysis method in which an electron beam passes through an extremely thin specimen. Interactions generate imaging and diffraction information with atomic or nanometric resolution. The method allows the investigation of crystal structure and defects.

Practical relevance: TEM is used to analyse precipitates, dislocations, phase boundaries and nanostructures. Complementary techniques such as electron diffraction (SAED) or STEM-EDX enable detailed structural and chemical analyses. Specimen preparation (e.g. FIB lamellae) is demanding and requires great care.

Decision-making perspectives:

• Technical decision-makers: Investigation of nanoscale defects or failure mechanisms in high-performance materials.
• Purchasing/project management: Commissioning specialised analyses for complex development or failure questions.
• Science: Analysis of atomic lattice structures, phase identification and defect characterisation.
• Insurance/law: High-resolution verification of material defects in disputed damage cases.

Typical testing or verification methods: TEM imaging, SAED diffraction, STEM-EDX analysis, FIB specimen preparation.

FAQ:

• What is the advantage of TEM compared to SEM?
• TEM achieves significantly higher resolutions and enables the analysis of crystal structures at the atomic level.

Definition: The tensile test is a destructive mechanical testing method for determining the deformation and strength behaviour of a material under uniaxial tensile loading. A standardised specimen is elongated until fracture while force and change in length are recorded continuously. For metallic materials, the method is governed by DIN EN ISO 6892-1.

Practical relevance: The characteristic values determined include yield strength (ReH or Rp0.2), tensile strength (Rm), elongation at fracture (A) and modulus of elasticity (E). The stress-strain curve provides information on elastic and plastic behaviour. The tensile test is the basis for material approvals, procedure qualifications (e.g. welding procedure qualification) and static component design.

Decision-making perspectives:

• Technical decision-makers: Assessment of the load-bearing capacity and safety margins of a material.
• Purchasing/project management: Definition of minimum characteristic values in material specifications.
• Science: Analysis of the plastic deformation behaviour and material model.
• Insurance/law: Verification of mechanical properties in cases of failure or liability.

Typical testing or verification methods: Tensile test on a universal testing machine, extensometer measurement, evaluation of the stress-strain curve.

FAQ:

• Why is the tensile test so important?
• It provides key mechanical characteristic values that are required for design, standard compliance and safety assessment.

Definition: Test equipment management refers to the systematic administration, monitoring and calibration of measuring and testing equipment within a quality management system. The aim is to ensure correct and traceable measurement results. Requirements arise, among others, from ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.

Practical relevance: Among the items recorded and assessed are test equipment identification, calibration status, intervals, relevant measurement uncertainties and areas of use. Complete and up-to-date documentation makes it possible to avoid the use of unsuitable or overdue measuring instruments. Faulty test equipment can lead to systematic wrong decisions, complaints or liability cases.

Decision-making perspectives:

• Technical decision-makers: Ensuring reliable and traceable measurement data in production and testing.
• Purchasing/project management: Selection of suitable test equipment as well as competent calibration and testing service providers.
• Science: Assessment of measurement uncertainties, comparative measurements and measurement methods.
• Insurance/law: Proof of standard-compliant test equipment monitoring in the context of liability and damage cases.

Typical testing or verification methods: Calibration, test equipment monitoring systems, auditing, measurement systems analysis (MSA).

FAQ:

• Why is test equipment management legally relevant?
• It documents compliance with duties of care and the validity of quality-relevant measurements.