CMM Scanning Path Segmentation for Fewer Wrist Reorientations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) face inefficiencies when measuring objects with complex geometries, requiring significantly longer measurement times compared to manufacturing times, due to the need for frequent adjustments of the wrist orientation to accurately capture dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A method that segments complex objects into measurable segments based on discrete wrist orientations, allowing for sequential measurement of segments with the same wrist angle, even if they are discontinuous, thereby reducing the number of wrist orientation adjustments and minimizing non-value add motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the CMM probe traverses slowly around complex geometry objects to ensure accurate measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement task is segmented into multiple measurement sessions, each dedicated to a specific wrist orientation. The object geometry is divided into regions that can be measured with each wrist orientation, allowing the probe to traverse each region efficiently without frequent wrist repositioning. This segmentation reduces total measurement time while maintaining accuracy within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the object geometry to identify optimal wrist orientations and the regions measurable at each orientation. This preliminary planning allows the measurement path to be pre-optimized, reducing the need for slow, cautious traversal during actual measurement and enabling faster data collection while maintaining precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the CMM uses continuous wrist adjustment to measure complex geometries, then adaptability is improved, but measurement time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects from a discrete set of wrist orientations based on the measurement region being accessed. Rather than continuously adjusting the wrist, the system transitions between predetermined wrist orientations that are optimized for specific geometric features, reducing adjustment time while maintaining the ability to adapt to complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrist orientation parameter is changed in discrete steps corresponding to different measurement regions rather than continuous adjustment. Each wrist orientation parameter setting is optimized for measuring specific types of geometric features, allowing the system to adapt to complex geometries while minimizing the time spent on orientation transitions.
3Measurement precision
If the CMM probe frequently adjusts wrist orientation to capture all dimensions, then measurement completeness is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The complete measurement task is segmented into multiple measurement sessions, each focused on capturing specific dimensional information with a fixed wrist orientation. This segmentation allows the system to systematically cover all required dimensions across multiple sessions without the overhead of frequent wrist repositioning, improving productivity while ensuring dimensional completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary planning to determine which dimensions can be captured with each wrist orientation and schedules measurement sessions accordingly. This preliminary action ensures that all required dimensions are accounted for in advance, allowing the probe to efficiently collect data without frequent interruptions for wrist adjustment, thereby maintaining measurement completeness while improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method efficiently measures an object having a feature. The feature has a plurality of cross-sections that each have a surface. The method provides a coordinate measuring machine having a discretely indexable wrist coupled with a measuring probe. The wrist has a given wrist orientation, relative to an arm of the coordinate measuring machine, that is adjustable between a plurality of different orientations. The probe is able to measure different surfaces as a function of the different wrist orientations. The method segments an object to be measured into a plurality of segments that are each measurable with a given wrist orientation.