Professor Derryck Telford Reid, Herriot-Watt University

Reliable measurement underpins precision manufacturing. Optical techniques play a key role, but are limited in their ability to measure absolute distances. Professor Derryck Reid is addressing this using two-photon dual-comb LiDAR (light detection and ranging). This uses the time-of-flight of femtosecond laser pulses to measure absolute distances to sub-100-nm precision and provides a continuous stream of data at kHz rates, suitable for real-time machine-tool calibration and control. With his partner Renishaw, Professor Reid and his team are developing the concept for high-priority industrial metrology applications.

The metrology approach will help manufacturing companies measure their products more accurately, thus improving yield and reducing waste. This is particularly important in high-value manufacturing, where a part might undergo a series of operations. Each one of these could add cost and value and require precision alignment at each stage to avoid irreversible damage during the machining process. These features directly improve the sustainability of manufacturing in our society.