The research presented in this thesis was carried out within the Large Volume Metrology group at the University of Bath. The main goal of the research study is to develop and demonstrate novel applications of integrated and automated metrology systems in aero- structure production, with a particular focus on the development. and capability assessment of real-time metrology integration. A survey through the relatively limited amount of literature on the state of the art of integrated and automated metrology showed some promising results. Encouraged by the positive results, studies were undertaken showing that many of the current aero-structure production issues involving measurement and data processing can be solved through better integration and automation of metrology systems. It was partially demonstrated that the health assessment of an entire wing jig could be carried out automatically within 13 minutes, compared to the traditional manual process which could takes many days. To better understand and quantify the capabilities and benefits of a hypothetical production system with integrated metrology, methods of mathematically simulating Metrology Assisted Assembly (MM) systems were developed, and tested in a number of application case studies. It was shown that MAA processes can be effectively simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The case studies showed that these simulations can provide critical insight and information of the processes to the decision makers. The practical implementations of rea l-time integration with metrology instruments, a key enabler of MAA, were then addressed, and software methods of interfacing directly with a number of instruments in real-time were developed and demonstrated. The potential application of real-time metrology in mobile robot navigation was also highlighted. Finally, building upon software instrument interfaces, a prototype 3-axis machine was constructed using Low cost off-the-shelf components in order to demonstrate the potentials of real-time MAA for manufacturing processes such as milling and drilling. Using a laser tracker to provide real-time error correction, it was possible to dramatically increase the positioning accuracy and repeatability of the machine. Using real-time feedback a 50% reduction in static repeatability and 40 to 140 times reduction in statc positioning errors were achieved.

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This thesis describes and evaluates two new interferometric distance measurement methods based upon the well known method of Frequency Scanning Interferometry (FSI). These new methods are known as Dynamic FSI and Cascaded FSI. Dynamic FSI addresses the two problems, commonly seen in previous FSI implementa- tions, of not being able to measure a moving target and having a slow measurement rate. This method measures stationary and moving targets equally well, and can determine the distance to the target at all times during the measurement, in contrast to previous methods, which obtain only a single measured length from a measurement process which can take up to a second to make. Cascaded FSI was developed with the aim of increasing the accuracy and precision of FSI. This method allows for measurements with precision equal to that of displacement interferometry, and also provides a way of measuring length relative to the frequencies of atomic absorption lines, which are inherently more stable length references than a physical length artefact.

Cette étude est un travail de recherche, d'inventaire, d'analyse (archéologique, épigraphique, métrologique, technique et artistique) et d'une nouvelle approche méthodologique sur des différents témoignages archéologiques et épigraphiques relatifs à la mesure du poids, capacité et temps en Algérie romaine. Cette étude est un nouveau thème qui mérite beaucoup d'attention et qui représente beaucoup d'intérêt pour l'archéologie algérienne en particulier et de l'Afrique romaine en générale et qui contribuera à l'enrichissement de la bibliographie spécialisée dans ce domaine. Notre objectif principale, c'est de réaliser un inventaire systématique des instruments de mesures (poids, balances, pesons, crochets et plateaux de balance, ponderarium, mensa ponderaria, cadrans solaires) en notant les spécificités de chaque élément ainsi que l'état de conservation et le lieu de son emplacement actuel. L'étude de l'ensemble de ces objets, malgré leur état de dégradation pour certains et la disparition d'autres, les résultats obtenus sont tout de même importants et prometteurs : ils contribuent à éclaircir l'histoire des cités romaines en Algérie dans les domaines de l'économie, du commerce, de la technique et de l'organisation de la vie publique; ils témoignent néanmoins l'intégration de ces instruments dans la société et attester d'une connaissance de la multiplicité typologique, et les différentes caractéristiques d'utilisation. La plupart sont inédits et non répertories, certain sont rares (les deux cadrans solaires du type plan vertical dièdre de Djemila et le ponderarium du marché de cosinius) et d'autre hors normes (les deux cadrans plan horizontaux monumentaux de Timgad et de Lambèse). Ils sont considérés comme une valeur ajoutée ajoutant du crédit à nos propos et éclairant d'une façon exhaustive notre étude et qui ouvrer des nouvelles perspectives. / This study is a research, inventory, analysis (archaeological, epigraphic, metrological, technical and artistic) and a new methodological approach on various archaeological and epigraphic testimonies relating to the measurement of weight, capacity and time In Roman Algeria. Tis study is a new topic which deserves much attention and which represents a lot of interest for Algerian archeology in particular and of Roman Africa in general and which will contribute to the enrichment of the specialized bibliography in this field. Our main objective is to carry out a systematic inventory of weighing instruments (weights, scales, weighers, hooks and balance trays, ponderarium, mensa ponderaria, sundials), noting the specificities of each element and the state of Conservation and location of its current location. The study of all these objects, despite their state of degradation for some and the disappearance of others, the results obtained are still important and promising: they contribute to clarify the history of the Roman cities in Algeria in the Economy, trade, technology and the organization of public life; They nevertheless testify to the integration of these instruments into society and attest to a knowledge of the typological multiplicity, and the different characteristics of use. Most of them are unpublished and not repertory, some are rare (the two sundials of the type vertical plane dihedron of Djemila and the ponderarium of the cosinius market) and other out of norms (the two monumental horizontal planes of Timgad and Lambèse). They are seen as an added value adding credit to our remarks and enlightening our study in a comprehensive way and opening up new perspectives.