Metrology Areas
The work in NMISA is grouped into five metrology areas. (For a list of laboratories, click on the services link.)
- International and metre convention affairs
Participates in the activities of the international Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM), facilitates cooperation between regional metrology organisations (RMOs) and represents Africa on the CIPM. Assists the dti with national metrology-related issues and the negation of technical barriers to trade.
- Regional and Africa
Provides measurement traceability in the form of calibration of measurement equipment and measurement standards to neighbouring countries. Interacts with other African metrology institutes and assists the region and Africa to establish basic technical infrastructure. Hosts the SADC Cooperation in Measurement (SADCMET) secretariat. Provides metrology-related assistance to SMEs.
- Electromagnetic metrology
Realises, maintains and disseminates the national measurement standards for DC, low frequency, time & frequency, radio frequency, fibre optics, photometry & radiometry, temperature, humidity, ionising radiation and radio-activity standards.
- Mechanical metrology
Realises, maintains and disseminates the national measurement standards for acoustics, ultrasound and vibration, dimensional, force, torque and hardness, pressure, flow, mass and volume. Provides measurement not yet commercially available locally to the automotive sector and creates awareness of metrology in the automotive manufacturing sector.
- Metrology in chemistry
Prepares and certifies organic and inorganic reference materials and standards through a comprehensive suite of techniques or by primary method, prepares and certifies primary gas mixtures, calibrates gas and breath alcohol analysers, provides sophisticated surface and micro analysis and traceability for nano-technology-related measurements, provides proficiency testing and performs value assignment of materials.
Appart from these areas, focus groups exist for specific instrustry sectors. Currently, these areas are:
- Automotive metrology
- Nanometrology
- SMME