Piedmont Tech to Offer New Precision Metrology Certificate

Piedmont Technical College is taking the lead once again. Beginning in the fall of 2013, the college will be offering a precision metrology certificate at the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) in Laurens.

The certificate will be the only training curriculum of its kind in South Carolina.

Metrology is the science of measurement behind the quality assurance processes that allow modern manufacturing facilities to make high quality products. Because companies constantly work toward eliminating defects, the level of technology required for quality assurance continues to increase.

Today, highly sophisticated inspection equipment such as optical comparators, profilometers and CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) systems are commonplace throughout manufacturing.

The precision metrology certificate is designed to upgrade or refresh skills for people familiar with the measuring systems required in advanced manufacturing industries and those involved in quality assurance.

“For modern manufacturing, the CMM is the backbone for making sure everything is being produced right to size,” said Bob Koster, department head for metal trades. “The new program included in this certificate will benefit those with the responsibility to inspect manufactured products.”

 Students enrolled in the program will have hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment currently in use in manufacturing facilities all over the state.

To make this possible, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, a global leader in precision metrology solutions, recently entrusted $1 million in software to the college’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing to complement the ZEISS CONTURA G2 CMM already in place.

“The Zeiss measuring equipment and the accompanying software are almost the standards for quality,” said Koster. “We’ll be the only college in the state offering a program like this. The training will be of great value to the manufacturing sector.”

Enrollment for the upcoming fall term is open now. For more information on the precision metrology certificate, contact Koster at (864) 941-8471 or visit www.ptc.edu/metrology.    

Photo Caption: Beginning in the fall of 2013, the college will be offering a precision metrology certificate at the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) in Laurens, the only program of its kind in the state. Pictured, Bob Koster, department head for metal trades (right), instructs Crystal Hughes, an assembler with ZF Group from Laurens, on how to use the Zeiss Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).