Coordinate Measuring Plan Validation for Reference Element Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinate measuring machines often inaccurately assess workpieces due to insufficient measurement accuracy of reference elements, leading to unjustified 'not-okay' evaluations and high reject rates, as operators struggle to identify the cause of errors between measurement uncertainties and object quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and computer device that consider accuracy variables for reference elements to determine error influences on test feature quantification, allowing for automatic identification of imprecisely measurable elements and subsequent adjustments to improve measurement accuracy and reduce incorrect assessments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement accuracy of reference elements is increased, then quantification accuracy of test features is improved, but measurement time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracy of reference elementsVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of the test plan by calculating error influences of reference elements on test feature quantification before actual measurement. This preliminary analysis identifies which reference elements require high accuracy, allowing the measurement process to focus resources appropriately rather than uniformly increasing accuracy for all reference elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts measurement parameters based on the calculated error influences. For reference elements with high error influence on test feature quantification, the system increases measurement accuracy parameters. For reference elements with low error influence, the system reduces measurement accuracy parameters, thereby optimizing the balance between measurement accuracy and measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If operator expertise in error investigation is reduced, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automated feedback by calculating and presenting error influences of reference elements on test feature quantification. This feedback mechanism identifies the cause of measurement uncertainties without requiring operator expertise in error investigation. The system reliably determines whether measurement uncertainties stem from reference element measurement accuracy or object quality issues, maintaining measurement reliability while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If test plan validation is performed, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-validation of the test plan by automatically calculating error influences of reference elements on test feature quantification. This self-service approach validates the measurement plan without requiring external complex validation systems or manual verification processes. The system independently identifies potential measurement issues and adjusts accordingly, improving reliability while avoiding additional device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4056945B1Validation of inspection plans for object measurement using a coordinate measuring device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIKE GMBH
  • EP4056945B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4056945B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4056945B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for validating a test plan for object measurement using a coordinate measuring machine (60), wherein the test plan includes at least one test characteristic (12) that is to be quantified during the object measurement, the quantification of the test characteristic being based on a measurement result of at least one reference element (14) of the object; wherein the method comprises: - obtaining at least one accuracy value indicating the accuracy of the measurement result of the reference element (14); - determining the influence of an error on the quantification of the test characteristic (12) of the reference element (14) based on the accuracy value. The invention further relates to a computer device (12) for validating a test plan for object measurement using a coordinate measuring machine (60).