Metrology Today Podcast

Metrology Today Podcast S4E5: Sandeep Nair, Metquay

On this episode of Metrology Today, we go global with Sandeep Nair, founder and CEO of Metquay, whose software is helping commercial calibration labs around the world break out of the Excel rut.

Sandeep’s story is unlike any other: He started as a computer scientist in India, found his way into calibration by chance, and wound up building a platform that empowers labs to create their own uncertainty calculations, templates, and workflows—no “black box” required. Sandeep shares:

• His journey from services in India to running a tech company for metrology labs across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the U.S.

• Why most labs are still stuck in spreadsheets—and what it takes to break free

• How true software customization is changing the calibration business model

• The importance of data sharing, open APIs, and industry collaboration (and why holding your data too tightly might actually be a red flag!)

• How AI and modern software can help labs with quality, documentation, and even workforce training in a rapidly changing industry

• His vision for Metquay’s unified measurement platform and what’s coming next

If you care about the intersection of technology, quality, and business—or just want a fresh perspective on the calibration world—this conversation will get you thinking.

Listen now and connect with Sandeep on LinkedIn or at metquay.com.

Metrology Today Podcast S4E4: Greg Cenker, IndySoft

On this episode of Metrology Today, we’re joined by Greg Cenker—industry veteran, educator, and now a driving force at IndySoft—for a deep dive into the business and technical realities of running a calibration lab. Greg shares his path from the Marine Corps to aerospace, power, Fluke, SpaceX, and beyond, illustrating just how small (and interconnected) the metrology world really is. We discuss:

How buying the wrong equipment can quietly cost millions—and how to actually model those costs

The reality of probability of false reject/false accept, and why most labs underestimate their true risk

Justifying equipment and software investments to management (with real ROI examples)

The limitations and frustrations of industry standards and why committees move so slowly Cross-checks, continuous improvement, and what every lab manager should know

What’s coming next from IndySoft, including force and balance modules and smarter calibration workflows

Greg’s upcoming article and free cost modeling spreadsheet in Quality Magazine:

https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/98705-how-much-does-that-calibration-test-really-cost

Whether you’re a bench tech, a lab manager, or just metrology-curious, this episode will open your eyes to what’s really at stake in calibration—and how small decisions add up to big dollars.

Listen now, and let us know: Can you think of a single product that isn’t affected by measurement?

Metrology Today Podcast S4E3: Rob Knake, NIST

Rob Knake is a professional specializing in quality systems, metrology, and standards development. He is actively employed with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and involved with NCSL International, where he contributes to training, technical exchanges, and the advancement of measurement science. With expertise in ISO/IEC 17025, measurement traceability, and laboratory accreditation, Rob frequently leads seminars and workshops aimed at enhancing metrology practices. His roles encompass coaching, public speaking, and organizational leadership, focusing on improving quality systems and fostering collaboration within the metrology community. Rob's professional endeavors are highlighted through his active participation in events like the NCSL International Technical Exchange and the MSC Annual Training Symposium. His contributions have been recognized in various capacities, including hosting sessions and delivering presentations on metrology and digitalization topics. For more detailed information about Rob Knake's professional background and contributions, you can visit his LinkedIn profile.

Metrology Today Podcast S4E2: Galen Liao, MSC President 2025

Galen Liao is department manager of Engineering Asset Management for Northrop Grumman Corporation, a leader in global security. 

 

Experience: Galen leads the company’s Engineering Asset Management (EAM) organization which supports program execution through the reuse of company resources via the test equipment pool and by providing top of the line calibrations.  EAM is recognized as an industry leader and runs the largest calibration laboratory in the company, arguably the largest cal lab west of the Mississippi, and is the 3rd largest general purpose electronic rental pool agency.  EAM leads and manages the NGC metrology & equipment rental organizations by providing an affordable comprehensive solution for managing the measurement and test equipment life cycle. 

 

Experience: After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley (Go Bears!) Galen joined Northrop Grumman in 2003 as a Test Engineer for the Experimental Test Facility, He then went on to work Airborne Laser Test bed project and was responsible for managing the operation of the high energy laser.  In 2010, he joined the Metrology Services organization as a Physical Dimensional Discipline Engineer.  

 

Prior to NG, Galen has notably worked on testing a novel drug delivery system at Johnson and Johnson (Pharmaceuticals), finding and mapping oil well levels at Breitburn Energy(Oil and Gas), setting up computer networks at the California Science Center (IT), and developing next gen shuttle tile at NASA (Aerospace).  

 

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and half-way through a masters in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University 

 

Background:  Born and raised on the hard streets of Torrance, CA. Galen was a latchkey kid and has gone to public school all his life.  His premier achievements include skipping kindergarten and setting the CAMS (California Academy of Math and Science) waterpolo team record (8) steals for a single game.  In the BC (Before Child) era he enjoyed running marathons, surfing, snow boarding, and dragon boat racing.  Now he spends his weekends coaching his son’s AYSO soccer team, teaching him how to swim, or cheering him on in his local YMCA basketball league.  Galen has completed several leadership-development programs and volunteer organizations, serving as an officer for Connect1NG, Space Dragons Dragon Boat team, and is currently the President and on the Board of Directors for the Measurement Science Conference.

Metrology Today Podcast S4E1: Patrick Jester

Patrick Jester is the visionary behind Blackthorn Consulting Group, Inc. in Baton Rouge, LA, where he delivers transformative quality management system and training solutions that convert knowledge into measurable success. As a Lead Assessor for ISO/IEC 17025 Calibration Laboratories and an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, Patrick plays a pivotal role helping companies reach their strategic objectives. His leadership credentials include previously serving as Vice President of Quality & Corporate Compliance for a large, multiple location calibration laboratory, and as a Divisional NCSLI Vice President and contributing to various NCSLI Committees.  Patrick is the current NCSLI Board of Directors Secretary and ASQ Measurement Quality Division Chair.

Metrology Today Podcast S3E11: Season Finale - A reflection on the season

Join Henry and Ryan as they reminisce back on the fantastic guests of Season 3. 

Metrology Today Podcast S3E10: Georgia Harris - NIST Ret.

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Georgia Harris, a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in U.S. Weights and Measures. Georgia’s career includes 5 years with the State of Minnesota and an impressive 28 years at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she made significant contributions before her recent retirement.

In our conversation, Georgia shares insights from her extensive career, including her pivotal role in evaluating and accrediting State weights and measures laboratories and her work ensuring accurate measurements for over 350,000 calibrations each year. She also discusses her involvement in training and proficiency testing for State metrologists and the development of key documentary standards for Weights and Measures field enforcement and laboratory activities. Georgia has not only presented and published widely across the U.S. but also on the global stage, including Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and Colombia.

Her accolades include multiple best paper awards and notable honors such as the MSC Andrew J. Woodington Award, the NCSLI Education and Training Award, and the ASQ Measurement Quality Division Max J. Unis Award. She also served as a liaison to the Measurement Science Conference and held a long tenure on the NCSLI Board of Directors, including a term as President. Tune in to hear about her journey, her insights into the field of metrology, and her experiences from a distinguished career dedicated to advancing measurement science.

Metrology Today Podcast S3E9: Tony Hamilton

On today's episode we have Tony Hamilton, here is a little more information on Tony: Tony Hamilton has more than 20 years of experience in the metrology field. He received his technical training in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear qualified electronics technician. During his six-year stint, he served four years on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), qualifying as a reactor operator, shutdown reactor operator, and reactor technician.

After leaving the Navy in 1997, Tony worked as a nuclear instrument technician at the Surry Power Station in Virginia. In the summer of 2000, he accepted a position as a process instrument technician for Eli Lilly and Company. With a strong background in physics and math, Tony was asked to assist in the Company’s primary calibration laboratory during a restructuring, which began in the summer of 2002. This position became permanent by the end of that year. In 2006, he became the primary metrologist over pressure and vacuum measurement systems, and in 2008 he was promoted to the position of engineer. Tony has calibration experience in many types of water chemistry, electromagnetics – dc/low frequency, mechanical, and thermodynamic measurements. As a metrologist, he was also responsible for the validation, work instruction, maintenance, and training.

Tony has more than 16 years of experience using the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty (GUM) in the development of complex uncertainty budgets. As of June 2021, Tony accepted a quality engineer role as the quality assurance representative for the Company’s primary calibration lab, which has been accredited by the ISO/IEC 17025 since 2008.

In addition to his accomplishments at Lilly, Tony is a Senior Member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) since 2010, as well as a member of its Measurement Quality Division. He is qualified as an ASQ Certified Calibration Technician and Certified Quality Auditor and is a contributing author to the ASQ Metrology Handbook, 3rd Edition, as well as the 5th Edition of the NCSLI RP - 6, Recommended Practice for Calibration Quality Systems for the Healthcare Industries (2022). Tony earned his Bachelor of Science in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2005.

Tony was accepted and trained as a calibration assessor in 2018, becoming a lead assessor the following year. He is qualified to assess calibration facilities to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 (R2002), and ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 (R2013), as well as ISO 15195 and its dependent standards, ISO 15193, 15194, 17511, and 18153.

Metrology Today Podcast S3E8: Under Pressure with Cees Veth

In this episode we have the pleasure of interviewing Cees Veth, a high pressure expert from the Netherlands! Now when we say Cees works with high pressure we mean it... he owns a deadweight standard that produces ~1625 MPa, or 235686.3 PSI!

 

In the episode we mention the Measure Magazine article featuring Cees. Unfortunately that article is no longer public, but we will update the description if we have a link to share it.

NCSL International Annual Preview with Mike Schwartz

The 2024 NCSL International Conference is coming up July 6th through 11th. Mike Schwartz from Cal Lab Magazine and Cal Lab Solutions joins us to chat about some of the activities, tutorials, and more!

 

Main page for the conference: https://ncsli.org/mpage/ws_2024