ENGINEERING

METROLOGY
Lecture 5: Error & Uncertainty
STATISTICS IN DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT- Part 3
Error & Uncertainty
The quality of a measurement result
can be described by its uncertainty
The concept of uncertainty is
comparatively new in the history of
measurement.
For decades it was error that was
calculated, but the fundamental
difference between the concepts of
error and uncertainty must be clearly
defined.
It is now known that once all the
known or suspected components of
the error
have been assessed and the
adequate corrections have been
made, there still remains an
uncertainty about the value of the
stated result (the correction is done
as accurately as possible, but it is
never perfect) as shown in Figure 1
Figure 1. Representation of the concept of uncertainty
Error & Uncertainty
The result of any physical measurement
has two essential components:
(1) A numerical value (in a specified
system of units) giving the best estimate
possible of the quantity measured, and
(2) the degree of uncertainty associated
with this estimated value.
Example: a measurement of the width of
a table might yield a result such as 95.3
+/- 0.1 cm. This result is basically
communicating that the person making the
measurement believe the value to be
closest to 95.3cm but it could have been
95.2 or 95.4cm
Figure 1. Representation of the concept of uncertainty
a) Error in science does not mean the
terms of mistake.
b) Error in a scientific measurement
means the different between the
individual result and true value.
c) Errors cannot be eliminated although
the measurement is being done very
carefully .
d) The total value of error is made up
of a number of error source
a) doubt that exists about the result of
any measurement
b) It is the parameter that characterizes
the dispersion of the quality values
that are being attributed to a
measurand based on the information
used.
c) The indication of the wrongness of
the measurement is the uncertainty of
the measurement
ERROR UNCERTAINTY
Error & Uncertainty
Type of Error
A component of the error of measurement
which in the course of a number of
measurements of the same measurand
varies in an unpredictable way occur
due to repeated measurement
The mean of a large number of
measurement influenced by random
errors is matches the true value
The smaller the random errors, the
greater the precision
It can be evaluate by study the repeated
measurement values.
Can be reduced by repeating the
measuring process
A component of the error of measurement
which in the course of a number of
measurements of the same measurand
remains constant or varies in a predictable
wayoccur when the individual readings
are the same
The exist of the error is known by inference
The mean of a large number of
measurements influenced by systematic
errors is deviates from the true value
It can be evaluate by comparing the
measurement results with a higher standard
It can be reduced by making correction to
the measurement standard
Random Error Systematic Error
The total error is a combination of both systematic error and random error
Classification of Measurement Error
Sources of Error
Dynamic error
Characterised by frequency and phase response of the system
for periodic variations in the measured input.
Loading error
It is the difference between the value measured before and
after the measurement system is measured.
Static error
It is cause by physical nature of various components of the
measuring system.
Characteristic error
It is the deviation of measurement under constant environmental conditions
from the theoretical predicted performance.
Elastic deformation
It is divided into two ;
a)Error cause from reflection when end gage is used for setting or measure.
b)Error cause from deflection due to self weight of the object.
Parallax
Any instrument that using pointer and scale may have parallax error
because the gap between pointer and scale is different at any reading
angle.
Abbe Error
Sources of Error
Contact pressure
While measuring, the pressure at contact causes some penetration causing error in
measurement.
Backlash
Due to backlash in gears and screw threads, some motion is lost to overcome
backlash
Hysteretic
It is a source of errors in electrical instruments. Ascending values are observed when
decrease current or voltage.
Avoidable error
The errors occurred due to non-alignment of workpiece centre, improper of
measuring instruments, etc.
Sources of Error
Human Error
Difficult to detect. It can be include a tendency to read high or low using a
wrong instrument. Human training is the best way to prevent these error.
Errors in Technique and Experimental Error
If wrong techniques is used. Example: Calibration technique for vernier is
used for micrometer. Education helps to prevent these errors.
Computational Error
Can be random or continuous, but, once an error has started, it usually
establishes itself in the computation. This error is affected by environmental,
fatigue and instrumentation.
Chaotic Error
Extreme disturbances that ruin or hide the measurement results. This error
include vibration, shock, extreme noise and etc.
Sources of Error
Example of Error quantification: Abb Error
Named after Dr. Ernst Abb a Germany Physicist, A co-founder of Zeiss, Inc.
Abbe Error is similar to parallax error but rather than resulting from alignment of viewing angles it results
from alignment of machine axes
Abbs Principle of Alignment:
The scale of a linear measuring system should be collinear with the spatial dimension or displacement to
be measured. If this is not the case, the measurement must be corrected for the associated Abbe Error
Abb Error:
Abb Error = (Abbe offset)*(sine of angular misorientation)
Abbe Offset: The distance between the desired point of measurement and the reference line of the
measuring system.
Figure 2. Vernier calliper are susceptible to Abbe Error as the measurement scale is not co-
axial with the object being measured
Uncertainty
No measurement is ever
guaranteed to be perfect.
Uncertainty of measurement is the
doubt that exists about the result
of any measurement. By
quantifying the possible spread
of measurements, we can say how
confident we are about the result.
A measurement result is only
complete when accompanied by a
statement of its uncertainty. A
statement of uncertainty is
required in order to decide if the
result is adequate for its intended
purpose and consistent with other
similar results.
Figure 1. Representation of the concept of uncertainty
Two numbers are typically used to quantify an uncertainty
1. the width of the margin, or interval.
2. a confidence level, states how sure we are that the true value is within that margin.
All contributing uncertainties should be expressed at the same confidence level, by
converting them into standard uncertainties, usually shown by the symbol u (small u), or
u(y) (the standard uncertainty in y).
Uncertainty
Source of uncertainty
Any error which value we do not know is considered as a source of uncertainty
Many things can undermine a measurement:
The measuring instrument
Errors due to bias, wear, drift, noise, reliability
The measurand
Stability, example: Imagine trying to measure the size of an ice cube in a
warm room
The measurement process
Difficulty of measurement, example: measuring the weight of small but lively
animals presents particular difficulties in getting the subjects to co-operate
Source of uncertainty
Imported uncertainties
Uncertainty associated with calibration of instrument which has an uncertainty
then built into the uncertainty of the measurements you make
Operator skill
Skill and judgment of the operator, example : The use of an instrument such as
a stopwatch depends on the reaction time of the operator
Sampling issues
When and where you take measurements, example: If you want to know the
temperature at the work-bench, dont measure it with a thermometer placed
on the wall near an air conditioning outlet
The environment
Temperature, air pressure, humidity etc. can affect the measurement.
Why does Uncertainty matter?
Calculating and expressing uncertainty is important to
anybody wishing to make good quality measurements.
Other cases:
calibration - the uncertainty of measurement must be
quoted.
test - uncertainty of measurement is needed to
determine pass or fail.
tolerance - you need to know the uncertainty before a
decision on whether the tolerance is met can be made.
Distribution of Data
In a set of readings, sometimes the
values are more likely to fall near
the average than further away. This
is typical of a normal or Gaussian
distribution.
Example: if you examined the
heights of individuals in a large
group of men. Most men are close to
average height; few are extremely
tall or short.
When the measurements are quite
evenly spread between the highest
and the lowest values, a rectangular
or uniform distribution is produced
Figure 3. Sketch of a normal distribution
Figure 4. Sketch of a rectangular distribution.
Steps to Evaluating Uncertainty
The main steps to evaluating the overall uncertainty of a measurement:
1. Decide what you need to find out from your measurements
2. Carry out the measurements needed.
3. Estimate the uncertainty of each input quantity that leads to the final
result. Express all uncertainties in similar terms.
4. Calculate the result of your measurement (including known corrections for
things such as calibration, temperature etc.)
5. Determine the combined uncertainty from all the individual aspects.
6. Express the uncertainty in terms of the coverage factor, together with a
size of the uncertainty interval, and state the level of confidence.
7. Write down the measurement result and the uncertainty, and state how
you arrived at these values.
Calculating Uncertainty
To calculate the uncertainty of a measurement, firstly you must
identify the sources of uncertainty in the measurement, then
estimate the size of the uncertainty from each source.
The individual uncertainties are combined to give an overall
figure for the measurement uncertainty. There are two types of
evaluation of measurement uncertainty:
1) TYPE A
2) TYPE B
Type A and Type B Evaluation
Type A evaluation
Method of estimation of uncertainty by the statistics from series of
observations (usually from repeated readings).
Type B evaluation
Method of estimation of uncertainty from any other information. This could be
information from past experience of the measurements, from calibration
certificates, manufacturers specifications, from calculations, from published
information, and fromcommon sense.
Type A Evaluation
Obtain a series of repeated measurements and
determine the variance of the measurement result, from
which the estimated standard uncertainty, UA, can be
calculated:
where s is the estimated standard deviation of the
sample of n measurements taken (referred to as the
standard deviation of the mean).
Type B Evaluation
These are uncertainty estimates found from any other
source, such as calibration reports, manufacturers
specifications, calculations, published information etc.
The calculation of the Type B uncertainty, UB, depends
on the information made available.
It is important to realize that Type B uncertainty can be
as important (and reliable) as a Type A evaluation.
Type B Evaluation
Calculation general guidelines:
If a stated confidence is stated along with an uncertainty, then
assuming a normal distribution, then it should be devided by 1.960
or 2.576 if a 95% or 99% confidence interval is specified
respectively
Thus

=

. .
Model the quantity by a uniform probability distribution, such as
rectangular distribution, and calculate the estimated standard
uncertainty as:

= / 3
Where a is the semi range (half width) between the upper and
lower limit
Combining Uncertainties
Example of Calculation of Uncertainty
A balance is used to weight a stainless steel mass of
nominal value of 1 kg. Considering the widespread use
of high-resolution digital electronic weight scale, the
measurement data are shown in the table.
The uncertainty of the mass used is quoted as 0.005 g
at 95% confident level. The uncertainty from the
resolution of the digital display is 0.001 g.
Calculate the mean mass and standard uncertainty at a
95% confidant level
Example of Calculation of Uncertainty
Example of Calculation of Uncertainty
Example of Calculation of Uncertainty
Calculate Type B standard uncertainty
uncertainty due to the reference mass used. In this case a 95%
confident interval is specified, so divide the quoted uncertainty by
1.960

=
.
.
= 0.0025 .
Uncertainty due to the resolution of the digital display
=
(.)

= 0.0005 .

=
.

= 0.00029 .
Thus, Combine uncertainty type B is

= 0.00252 .