CMM Inspection Programming with User-Defined Collision Volumes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CMM programming systems are difficult for users to navigate, requiring time-consuming modeling of undefined or unpredictable fixturing, and lack intuitive editing and visualization tools for inspection programs.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to create auxiliary collision avoidance volumes independently of CAD files, providing real-time feedback on editing changes and execution time, enhancing the ease of creating and editing inspection programs for CMMs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users model fixturing in separate CAD programs, then collision avoidance can be achieved, but programming time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidprogramming time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the collision avoidance volume definition directly into the CMM programming environment, allowing users to define auxiliary collision avoidance volumes within the same software interface used for programming inspection operations. This eliminates the need to switch between separate CAD programs and CMM programming software, thereby reducing programming time while maintaining collision avoidance reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces auxiliary collision avoidance volumes as intermediary objects that can be defined independently of detailed CAD models. These volumes serve as simplified representations of fixturing and other obstacles, allowing users to create collision avoidance zones without requiring complex CAD modeling, thus reducing programming time while ensuring reliable collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If detailed CAD models are created for all fixturing, then accurate collision avoidance is achieved, but device complexity and programming difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance accuracyVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs auxiliary collision avoidance volumes as simplified, temporary objects that do not require detailed CAD modeling. These volumes can be quickly defined using basic geometric parameters and are sufficient for their purpose of preventing probe collisions, eliminating the need for complex and time-consuming detailed fixturing models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from modeling detailed geometric features to defining collision avoidance zones using simplified parametric representations. Users can specify auxiliary collision avoidance volumes through basic parameters such as position, size, and orientation, rather than creating detailed CAD models, thereby reducing programming complexity while maintaining collision avoidance accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple windows with different information are provided, then comprehensive inspection planning is enabled, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection planning capabilityVSAvoiduser interface ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the collision avoidance volume definition, inspection operation programming, and visualization functions into a single integrated user interface. Users can define auxiliary collision avoidance volumes and program inspection operations in the same environment, eliminating the need to navigate between multiple windows and applications, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive inspection planning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3292060B1Inspection program editing environment providing user defined collision avoidance volumes

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 MITUTOYO CORP

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AI summary

A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine. The system includes a computer aided design (CAD) file processing portion, an inspection motion path generation portion and a user interface. The user interface includes a workpiece inspection program simulation portion and auxiliary collision avoidance volume creation elements. The workpiece inspection program simulation portion displays a 3D view and the auxiliary collision avoidance volume creation elements are operable to create or define auxiliary collision avoidance volumes that are displayed in the 3D view. In various implementations, rather than requiring a user to model a physical object (e.g., as part of a workpiece or CMM) in a CAD file, the user may instead create and position an auxiliary collision avoidance volume at a location where the physical object is expected to be, so as to prevent collisions that could occur with the physical object.