Because the Dimensional Measurement Interface Standard (DMIS) is a standard available through both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standards (ISO), one can be assured of the opportunity to participate in the maintenance and enhancement of the standard, and to suggest “fixes” that will resolve individual company and general industry problems.  The DMSC, Inc. is an ANSI accredited Standards developing organization, and is also recognized by ISO as an A-Liaison to TC184/SC1, which is an ISO committee that develops standards for Physical Device Control. 

The DMIS Standards Committee (DSC), a standards sub-committee of the DMSC, Inc.,  does the actual work of maintaining DMIS.  To provide the widest possible opportunity for input from those directly and materially affected by the standard, the DMSC, Inc. provides a method for the public to interact through a process called a Standards Improvement Request (SIR).  Anyone who can access the world-wide-web can view current SIRs and can submit a new SIR via the internet at http://www.dmisstandard.com/sirs/sirlist.cgi 

Most corporations rely on standards as the basis for their quality systems infrastructure; thus, when they develop robust processes today, these processes will still work well in the future, using software that is compliant with the standard.  Additionally, many corporations see the value of direct involvement in the development of these standards by participation or membership in the standards developing organization, providing them a voice on the direction that these standards should move.  The DMSC, Inc. is one such organization that provides the opportunity to participate in broad discussions with others in the metrology industry concerning the path forward for today’s technology and the metrology industry in general.

In future articles, actual “how to” techniques to solve real-world measurement problems will be discussed.  But, for now:

The TIP: Participate in the continued development of the DMIS standard by submitting SIRs for technology enhancements. 

 
The TRICK:  Attend DMSC meetings and give support to your industry needs, and help direct other emerging metrology standards.  (Information about the DMSC, Inc. can be found at www.dmsc-inc.org  )