Applicability of Metrology 4.0 Technologies for the Manufacturing Industries

Abstract

This study investigates the applicability of Metrology 4.0 (M4.0) technologies for manufacturing industries (MIs). The study employed a mixed-methods design whereby sixty MIs participated fully. The convergent parallel design was employed to collect, analyse, and integrate qualitative and quantitative data and results simultaneously. Minitab® version 21, Microsoft® Excel 2016, and SPSS® software collaboratively performed inferential and descriptive analyses. The results indicate a high level of awareness within MIs. MIs have implemented M4.0-related operations at the preliminary stage. Regarding the general M4.0, respondents are very unsatisfied with how their enterprises apply the metrological-related technologies by 6.65%, unsatisfied (23.33%), satisfied (56.67%), and very satisfied (13.33%). Respondents are very satisfied with how their enterprises undertake metrological activities (operations) by 16.67%, satisfied (26.67%), unsatisfied (33.33%), and very unsatisfied (23.33%). Despite these findings, the readiness level was 3.0 out of 5.0. There is room for transiting Metrology 3.0 to M4.0, thus requiring the transition framework. M4.0 can influence accruing benefits and motivations: pattern approval in metrology, improving standardisation, digitalise traceability, argument human intelligence, product improvement, managing measurement uncertainty, enhancing digital accreditation, assisting with a virtual inspection, automating quality checks, verification enabling, assisting predictive and data analysis, speeding up calibration, and assist in decision-making.