A NEW Huddersfield laboratory is measuring up to change the face of manufacturing.

Huddersfield University has officially opened its ultra-modern National Physical Laboratory – a facility set-up to measure highly complex surfaces.

The centre is expected to provide an important service to manufacturing industries in the regions.

NPL staff will work closely alongside the University’s academics to share equipment, resources and expertise.

Laser-trace equipment will be among the technology being used.

The kit can also be taken off site to measure large and complex machine tools.

Procedures that once took weeks, will now be possible in days.

The University is already home to the Centre for Precision Technologies – which has expertise in metrology, precision engineering and the development of machine tools.

Simon McKenna, employer engagement manager for the University’s computing and engineering department, said: “The National Physical Laboratory hold all the standards for measurement.

“Basically, if you want something measuring correctly, you take it to them.

“This will be their first base outside their main London site and they have decided to put it here in Huddersfield.

“It is really significant in engineering.”