1958 IRE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION 545

The Organization, Administration, and Operationof an Industrial Standards Laboratory*

JAMES N. WHITAKERt

INTRODUCTION pairinig or adjustinig such inistruments to an accuracy

O PERATIONAL requirements and modern manu- rendering them capable of certificationi. Also, many offacturing techniques dictate the need for toler- the more commoni bench type of instruments must beances that until very recently were found only referenced to highly accurate standards during or after

in the laboratory, if at all. More often than not, a com- servicing. For these and other lesser reasonis, it wasplex mechanism or system comprises sections and indi- found expedient to combine the prinmary standardsvidual parts produced by various organizations and and instrument maintenance facilities of the Hughesdivisions of a company, and in many instances, by dif- Aircraft Conmpany, unider a single administrative head,ferent companies in widely separated geographical loca- forming a section known as "Primary Standards andtions. Close tolerances are maintained only by careful Instrumeintation," later chaniged to "Primary Stanid-and advanced measuring techniques, and the require- ards and Jnstrument Maintenance."ment that parts made in different divisions of a com- ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATIONpany must fit and work together is met by the referenceof all measuring instruments to a common basic stand- te fnctioa organz iniandwr flowis adard. cated in Fig. 1. Except for administrative functions andModern technology has resulted in the establishment certain records and instrumenit handling facilities, the

of many standardizing laboratories owned and operated Primary Standards and the Instrument Maintenatnceby the organizations which they serve, with a scope and groups are operated as entirely separate organizations,sophistication tailored to the needs of the individual employing different categories of personnel. The Pri-company. By periodically referencing their basic or pri- mary Standards groups are concerned primarily withmary standards to those of the National Bureau of precision measurements associated with the certificationStandards, reliable coinicidence is assured between of seconidary or transfer standards, the development ofmeasurements made by different organizations regard_ new and improved measuring techniques and standards,less of their geographical separation; hence, the proper and with special precision measurements as required byuniformitv and fit of parts or systems manufactured by various other divisions of the company where the equip-various organizations is assured. ment, personnel, environmeit, or techniques are not

otherwise available.STANDARDIZATION WORK AT THE HUGHES

AIRCRAFT COMPANY PRIMARY STANDARDSAND

The need for precise measuremenits was recognized by INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCEthe Hughes Aircraft Company almost from its incep-tion. As the organization increased in size and as thecomplexity of its work developed and expanded intonew fields, new divisions of the company and additionalstandardizing or measurement laboratories were formed. C-C A-C MICROWAVE MN INS

It was sooni recognized that there was a need for a STANDARDS STANDARDS jTASARDS STAND MNC

central laboratory which would maintain the basicreference standards required by the company-in other ' , ' CNNlD,

* , | | | SCH~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~EDUILES LOWH IG_ SPECIALwords, a primary standards laboratory so far as the I ' F CST

various divisions of the Hughes Aircraft Companiy were .. . .-concernied, their standards being secondary only with _ ADMINISTRATVE RESPONSIBLITYreference to the National Bureau of Standards. Accord-inly th Prmr Stnad Laoatre of the Fig. 1-Functional organization chart showing administrativengly, the PrlmaryStanuarus Lasoratorles OI tlleresponsibilities and work flow.Hughes Aircraft Company were formed with the presentbasic organizational structure in 1953. The Instrument Maintenance groups, on the otherThere iS often an appreciable amount of work in- had ar cocre prmrl wihterpar ane

volved in preparing secondary or transfer standards in- nance, and calibration of the bench type instruments,struments for certificationl, and in some instances, in re- not normally considered as secondary or tranlsfer stand-

ards, and with the repair and maintenance as required* Manuscript receiv-ed by the PGI, July 30, 1958. of secondary or transfer standards types of instrumentst Systems Development Labs., Hughes Aircraft Co., Culver City, ro otercriiain nte itntoewe

Calif. rototercrfiaonAnte stntobewn

546 IRE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION December

the Primary Stanidards and Instrument Maintenance measurements, rectangular coordinates, angular meas-groups is that while the Primary Standards groups urements, involute forms, flatness, surface finish, hard-service all parts of the Hughes Aircraft Company, the ness, mass mechaiiics (tension, compression, force, andprimary responsibility of the Instrument Maintenance torque), pressure, flow, etc. A view of the Mechanicalgroups is to service the company laboratories located in Standards Laboratory is shown in Fig. 5.the Culver City area. Each Standards group is responsible for the develop-

Since this paper is concerned with the Primary Stand- ment of new and improved standards and measuringards functions, further discussions of the Instrument techniques in its specialized field. Often such develop-Maintenance groups will be omitted. ments are the result of the joint efforts of two or moreThe organization of the Primary Standards Labora- groups. All groups have made contributions to the art

tories provides for specialization to the greatest prac- of precision measurements.tical degree, while still providing for common points of The Primary Standards Laboratories are responsiblereference for all basic measurements, utilizing elements for performing the following functions for all activitieswhich are certified periodically by the National Bureau of the Hughes Aircraft Company.of Standards. Cross reference of basic measurements be- 1) Conducting all calibration and certificationtween specialized groups is a general practice, and the negotiations with the NBS.over-all operation is so organized that in general, only 2) Establishing and maintainilng primary stand-the more basic elements are regularly returned to the ards and comparative equipment for all basic unitsNBS for annual certification. Other standards are certi- of measurement of an electrical, mechanical, orfied by the appropriate standards laboratory within the physical nature as required by the company.organization, with reference to the elements bearing 3) Conducting comparisons of secondary and oper-NBS certifications. ational standards with primary standards for the pur-The Primary Standards Laboratories are divided pose of test, calibration, and certification as required

into four specialized groups descriptively designated as by all operating activities."DC Staindards," "AC Standards," "Microwave Stand- 4) Arranging for the adjustment and repair ofards," and "Mechanical and Physical Standards." Each secondary standards when necessary to calibration.group is supervised by a man who is an expert in his 5) Developing and specifying techniques of stand-particular field of specialization, and each laboratory is ardization and measurement as required by the com-housed in an area carefully arranged to provide the pany in its present and future operations.proper environment for the work involved, including 6) Providing advice to all activities, as required,rigid temperature control. on problems of quality, suitability, and application of

instruments proposed for specific or general applica-RESPONSIBILITY AND OPERATION tions.

Briefly, the DC Standards group is responsible for all 7) Performing special highly precise measurementsbasic dc measurements of voltage, current, and resist- on parts or devices where such measuremenits requireance. They are also responsible for dc to low-frequency the use of highly accurate inistrumenits, techniques,ac transfer measurements and for temperature measure- or environment not otherwise available for suchments. A typical view of this laboratory is shown in measurements.Fig. 2. Complete records are maintained for each instrumentThe AC Standar(ds group is responsible for all ac certified by this facility. These records include the work

measurements up to 1000 mc. These responsibilities in- sheet for each set of measurements as well as a copy ofclude measurements of voltage, current, power, dc to the certificate issued for the instrument at the conclu-high-frequency transfer measurements, attenuation, im- sion of the tests.pedance, inductance, capacitance, ratio, and time and The work sheet carries a notation of each significantfrequency. A setup in the shielded room of the AC reading or measurement made on the instrument underStandards Laboratory is shown in Fig. 3. test, the value or reading of the standard against whichThe Microwave Standards group is responsible for all the instrument was checked, the corrections applied to

microwave measurements, from 1000 mc to the highest the standard to obtain a true reading, the temperaturefrequency required by the Hughes Aircraft Company. and humidity of the area in which the measurementsThese responsibilities include measurements of power, were made, the signature of the person or persons con-frequency, attenuation, dielectric constants, etc. A fre- ducting the tests, anld the date. As may be seen fromquency measuring system and a coupler directivity the foregoing, a complete history of the instrument ismeasurement setup in the Microwvave Standards Lab- available at all times. This information is of considerableoratory is shown in Fig. 4. value in determining the relative reliability and sta-The Mechanical and Physical Standards group is re- bility of instruments.

sponsible for all mechanical and physical measurements The basic standards maintained by each group are ofsuch as of length, mechanical comparisons of lengths the highest quality obtainable and in many instancesand outside diameters, gauge block certifications, deter- are similar or identical to those used by the NBS. Theseminations of diameter, straightness and roundness of elements are submitted annually to the NBS for certi-thread wires,concentricity determinations, direct linear fication, but in an emergency, the Primary Standards

1958 WAhitaker: Organization of an Industrial Startnlards Laboratory 547

Fig. 2---.A typical view ill the DC Standards Laboratorv. Ihe setuopin the far corner is being used for the certification of standard Fig. 4-Frequency measurements (left) anid directional coupler di-cells. rectixity determinations (right) in the Mlicrowave Laboratory.

Fig. 3-A dutal setuip in onie co01iicr of the shie1dled roomiof the AC St mdinrds Laboratorv

Fig. 5- A general view of the Mechanical Standards Laboratory.

Laboratories cotil( in all probal)ility operate in(lepenid-ently for a prolonge(lperiod of time without serious de- volume of standards meastiremiienits, it is necessary toparture from the nationial standards of measurement. explore all possible means of re(Iucing the time required'I'his is made possible not only by the type of basic for the certification of instrtimenets periodically sub-standards in use, but also by the manner and( by the en- mitted for test. I'he retluiremelnt for more accuratevironiimenit in which they are maintained. Every reason- measurements, together witlh a reductioni in man hoursable precaution is taken to provide for emergency power expenlded, poses a very real problem.to assure the proper continuity of operation andI tem- The magnitutde of the primary standards operationperature control durinig a power failure, etc. at the Hughes Aircraft Comnipany is in(licated by the

'I'he over-all organization provides for a miniimtjim re- fact that durinig the year of 1957, 6467 instrmLlenIts were(luiren1enit from the NBS conisistenit with a maximUm tested and certified. In addition, 677 special precision)of accuracy to the Usinig activity. While in general, all measuremiienits were performed, accounting for an addi-new instrumenits purchased for use in the Primary tional expenditure of 4237 nian hours.Standards Laboratories are initially submitted to the The developments of new standardls and measuringNBS for certification, all subseqIitit certifications are techniques by this organization are usually carried outmadle internially by comparisoni with the NBS certified with the full cooperation of the NBS. Many measuringbasic elemenits. devices especially constructe(d for and in use by theseThe future expansion of the Primary Standards laboratories were designe(d or suggested in part or in

Laboratories will be dependent entirely upon the needs their entirety by the NBS. Others were originated inof the various departments. It is a -well-known fact that the laboratories of the Hughes Aircraft Company andimoclern technology is demandinig accuracies of a magni- submitted to the NBS for stu(ly and final approval. Wetude not previously believed possible, and all stanidards believe this policy has proveni iitually beneficial. Mostorganizationis are hard pressed to further the art in certainily it has been beneficial to this organization, and(keeping with these (lemaiads. It is therefore necessary to future plans includle an expansion of this policy, par-devote a considerable amount of time and( energy to the ticularly in the field of time aiid frequency measure-development of more accurate standards anid measure- ments, and( in the developmlenit of new standards instrul-ment techniques. Also, because of the ever-increasing menits for use in power measurements at all frequenicies.