---
alias: tutorials-instruments-management-overview
tags:
- data collection
timetoread: true
description: "Learn what instruments are in Critical Manufacturing MES, why they matter, and which permissions support the tutorial workflow."
---

# Overview

In Critical Manufacturing MES, **Instruments** are **Resources** with the **Processing Type** set to **Instrument**. They represent physical measurement devices used to capture quantitative data during production operations, such as dimensions, weights, temperatures, or pressures.

Examples of **Instruments** across industries include:

- Electronics: calipers used to measure PCB thickness or component dimensions.
- Pharmaceutical: precision scales used to weigh active ingredients or finished products.
- Semiconductor: wafer thickness gauges or film thickness measurement tools.
- Industrial equipment: torque meters used to verify assembly operations.

**Instruments** are associated with a process **Resource** so the system can validate that each measurement in **Data Collection** is performed with a specific, known, and calibrated device. This setup creates traceability between what was measured, which **Instrument** was used, and when it was last calibrated.

![Screenshot showing a caliper instrument example used for dimensional measurements.](images/instrument_example_caliper.jpg)

![Screenshot showing a scale instrument example used for weight measurements.](images/instrument_example_scale.jpg)

## Why Instruments Matter

| Benefit | Impact |
| --- | --- |
| Measurement traceability | Links each measurement to the device used for audits and compliance. |
| Calibration integrity | Keeps **Calibration Status** and **Last Calibration Date** on the **Instrument**. |
| Prevention of out-of-calibration use | Filters out invalid **Instruments** at **Track-In** time. |
| Exclusive usage control | Prevents high-precision **Instruments** from being shared across **Resources** simultaneously. |
| Measurement capability definition | Defines range, resolution, precision, and accuracy for each **Instrument**. |
| Integration with data collection | Stores the **Instrument** identity with each measurement in the **Data Collection Instance**. |

Table: Benefits of instrument-enabled data collection

## Security Features

The permissions used to manage **Instruments** are listed below. You can find them under **Administration** > **Security** > **Feature**.

| Permission | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| `Resource.Create` | Creates an **Instrument** **Resource**. |
| `Resource.Edit` | Manages measurement capabilities and **Instrument** fields. |
| `Resource.ManageInstruments` | Associates **Instruments** with a process **Resource**. |
| `Resource.SetInstrumentMode` | Changes the **Instrument Mode** of an **Instrument** **Resource**. |

Table: Permissions used in the instruments workflow

Continue to [Configuration](configuration.md).