3D measurement of an object. Close-up of a coordinate measurement machine (top, black) measuring the dimensions of a small sphere (pink, centre) mounted on a holder. Machines like this are capable of accurate 3D measurements of complex, precision-engineered components such as fuel injection nozzles. This machine has both a touch-sensitive probe, and an optical probe located on the same probe head (silver, above black sphere). Photographed at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England.