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No.28 July 2004
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REPORT FROM MEMBERS
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 SCL, Hong Kong Grows from Strength to Strength
A method to calibrate distortion meters using a test signal of known distortion produced by combining two harmonically related signals through a resistive network; a procedure to measure complex voltage reflection coefficient in both polar and rectangular formats; and the setting up of a new high precision displacement measuring laser interferometer - these are some of the latest achievements of Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL). They are in line with SCLfs efforts to upgrade its facilities and improve its measurement accuracy and capabilities. |
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A metrology institute of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), SCL has grown from strength to strength since it was first set up in 1984. Its main functions are:
- the development and maintenance of reference standards of physical measurements traceable to the International System of Units (SI)
- the promotion of international acceptance of these standards through mutual recognition arrangements
- the provision of a traceable calibration service to serve Hong Kongfs economy.
The laboratory already has measurement standards and calibration facilities in the fields of direct current, low frequency, radio frequency and microwave, time and frequency, temperature, humidity, mass, dimension, volume, density, pressure, hardness, torque and force. The calibration services in these fields have been accredited by the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS). SCLfs quality system conforms to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025.
To further enhance its capabilities, SCL is embarking on several new projects. A key highlight is the setting up of calibration facilities for acoustic measurements. In line with this, a primary standard system for the calibration of laboratory standard microphones will be set up this year while facilities for the calibration of sound calibrators and sound level metres will be set up in 2005. SCL is also enhancing its dimensional measurement capability into the nanometric scale. An integrated system of high precision displacement measuring laser interferometer, piezoelectric table and high magnification optical microscope will be set up in support of this.
SCL is now headed by Mr Tse Chun Cheong who has been with SCL since 1998. Formerly a Quality Manager and Senior Electronics Engineer in charge of DC/LF electrical laboratories, Mr Tse became the acting Head in November 2003.
On the international front, SCL represents Hong Kong, China as an Associate of Conference Generale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) and is a signatory to the gMutual Recognition Arrangement for National Measurement Standards and for Calibration and Measurement Certificates issued by National Metrology Institutesh. SCL is also a full member of the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP).
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 New Director for National Metrology Centre, SPRING Singapore
The National Metrology Centre (NM) of SPRING Singapore (Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board) has a new director. Mr Steven Tan assumed the post in September 2003. Mr Tan, who was formerly NM's deputy director from 1996 to 2000 left to pursue his MBA in 1999. After completing his MBA in 2000, he was posted to SPRINGfs Productivity and Innovation group, to drive organisation excellence and innovation.
Since Mr Tan joined the organisation in 1985, he has been involved with metrology work in the electrical, temperature and optical areas. He holds an honours degree in physics from the National University of Singapore, a Masters degree in Metrology and Quality Assurance from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, and a Nanyang Fellows MBA - a Nanyang Technological University executive MBA programme in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technolgoy, United States.
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| CMS Hands Over Accreditation Scheme to TAF
Center for Measurement Standards of Industrial Technology Research Institute (CMS/ITRI), Chinese Taipei handed over the Chinese National Laboratory Accreditation (CNLA) scheme to the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on 24 Dec 2003. This is the result of the merger of the CNLA and the Chinese National Accreditation Board (CNAB) into a new organisation named the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF) which took effect from 1 Jan 2004.
TAFfs mission is to set up a national database, to engage in participating international activities, and to enhance research development, related to conformity assessment. It aims to provide just, objective and independent third-party accreditation in accordance with international regulations.
Dr Neng-Jong Lin, Director General of BSMI, affirmed the significant accomplishments of CNLA over its one decade of operations and explained that it was necessary for TAF to be formed in order to match the requirements on the basic structure of conformity assessment defined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the trend of multi-national integration.
CMS/ITRI was appointed to operate the CNLA scheme from BSMI in 1990. Over 800 laboratories have been accredited under the accreditation scheme. CNLA is currently the largest laboratory accreditation scheme and plays a vital role in Asia.
Based on ISO/IEC Guide 58, an accreditation management system is set up to carry out tasks according to ISO/IEC 17025 ? a new version of general requirements for laboratories. CNLA represented Chinese Taipei as a founding member of both the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). In addition, it has signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with 44 national accreditation bodies from 35 economies.
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 New Director for National Institute of Metrology Thailand
Dr Pian Totarong, a 24-year veteran of military research in the field of Electronic Warfare, has been appointed as new Director of National Institute of Metrology Thailand (NIMT). Prior to his appointment, Dr Totarong was with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Calibration Laboratory as a Research Officer. The RTAF was established in 1965 to serve the need for military equipment calibration in the Armed Forces. One significant achievement was the development of an associated calibration system for the Multispectral Scanner Aerial Imaging System.
Dr Tatarong has also worked as a Research Officer at the Military R&D Center (MRDC) and Director of Communications & Electronics R&D Division and Science & Technology R&D Division at MRDC. His outstanding performance during his service won him the Best Military Research Project Award 2002.
Dr Totarong received his BSc (Hons) in Physics from Mahidol University, MSc in Electrical Engineering from Ohio University, United States (US) and PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Pittsburgh, US.
Besides being a part-time lecturer and thesis advisor at several universities in Thailand, Dr Totarong is also an active member of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and has published 15 papers in IEEE journals and other international conferences.
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