The pervasive role of measurements in the industrial world [Guest Editorial]

Something that often delights researchers working in the measurement field is the strong multidisciplinary that characterizes applied metrology. The diversity of contexts and aims makes this measurement discipline always amazing and stimulating. This becomes much more evident when dealing with the challenging problems and requirements typically encountered in real industrial situations. In these cases, the crucial role of metrology fully comes into the spotlight, becoming the real referee between quality and cost, and at the same time, the only player able to provide industries with some of the instruments necessary to reach their goal.