It is the main task of the division to assure the traceability of industrial measurements in different length and angle ranges by application of special measuring instruments, methods and standards. Also hardness metrology belongs to its scope. The aim of these activities is to offer traceability to industry in an adequate way and to jointly solve respective measurement challenges.
The research and development activities needed for these tasks focus on new measurement methods, instrumentation and standards. In addition the division is engaged in manufacturing and measurement tasks in the field foundations of metrology. The Scientific Instrumentation offers construction and manufacturing services for special components and precision instruments for the whole PTB.

The data analysis support provides advice to adopt numerical and system theoretical procedures to the specific tasks of the different departments. The support covers detailed advice and implementation support as well as tests and comparisons. Furthermore, the roughness reference software RPTB is also taken care of here, https://www.ptb.de/rptb.