Without testing equipment and machines, many diseases would go undiagnosed, problems with food would be common, and products would not be of uniform quality. Almost every industry uses at least some type of equipment to test the quality of their product, or, in the case of medicine, to identify hard-to-see problems. Other users of testing equipment include the auto industry, the food production industry, and the technology sector. Here is a quick look at how these industries use some of this equipment.

The most often used type of medical testing equipment is the thermometer; no matter the reason you are seeing the doctor, the first thing they do is take your temperature. Gone are the mercury thermometers of old; they have been replaced by digital or “scanner” types that are capable of reading a temperature more accurately than mercury.

The automotive industry employs several testing machines, including voltage-meters (to check batteries), and engine-diagnostic machines. Food production uses all types of testing equipment to determine food safety; most food producers employ labs which test for everything from metals to anthrax.

In the technology sector of industry, testing takes on a different meaning; physical health and safety is not often the greatest reason for testing in this industry. Technological testing equipment and machines are programmed to detect any hazards to operating systems, any “bad” software or websites, or unauthorised access to your system. Testing equipment is specific to each industry; research about the industry and the equipment will help you know the right questions to ask should the necessity arise.