Abstract

Recent presentations by the National Standards Educators Association have exposed the presence of a dimensional metrology crisis within our American industrial institutions that has not been recognized by management, the military customer, or the quality czars. This technical report focuses on those aspects affecting the design, manufacture, and qualification of optical system components. Although the crisis stems primarily from the lack of industrial acceptance and proper use of the national geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standard ANSI Y14.5M-1982, the failure of quality assurance departments to detect those errors gives implications that the crisis extends far beyond metrology itself. The revelation of the metrology crisis and its blistering impact on the multitudes of industries will be felt among those who cry for "QUALITY". This cry is being offset today with a new cry - "ACCOUNTABILITY". There can be no quality without accountability. Those who hold responsibility of confirming adherence to all design, manufacturing, and inspection requirements must be held accountable that they truly understand the content of those requirements.

© 1988 Optical Society of America