Coordinate Measuring Test Plan Validation for Reference Element Errors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinate measuring machines often incorrectly evaluate workpieces due to insufficient accuracy in measuring reference elements, leading to high rejection rates and unnecessary evaluations of test features as not OK.

Innovation Solution

A method to validate test plans by determining accuracy values for reference elements and calculating error influences on test feature quantification, allowing for adjustments to improve measurement accuracy and reduce incorrect evaluations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement of reference elements is performed with standard accuracy, then measurement speed is maintained, but measurement precision of test features deteriorates due to error propagation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precision of test featuresVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary validation of the test plan by calculating error influences of reference elements on test features before actual measurement. This preliminary analysis identifies which reference elements have high error influence, allowing the system to pre-determine optimized measurement strategies for those specific elements rather than uniformly increasing measurement accuracy for all elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The method applies differentiated measurement strategies based on local error influence characteristics. Instead of uniformly increasing measurement accuracy across all reference elements, the system identifies specific reference elements with high error influence and applies enhanced measurement only to those local areas, while maintaining standard measurement for elements with low error influence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If measurement accuracy of reference elements is increased, then measurement precision of test features improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precision of test featuresVSAvoidmeasurement process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method enables the measurement system to self-evaluate its own accuracy by automatically calculating error influences of reference elements on test features. The system performs self-validation by comparing measured values against calculated error bounds, identifying whether measurement inaccuracies originate from reference elements or test features, and generating self-diagnostic reports without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The method implements feedback by using calculated error influences to guide subsequent measurement actions. The system feeds back the error analysis results to adjust measurement parameters, select appropriate measurement strategies for specific reference elements, and validate whether observed deviations are due to measurement errors or actual feature variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If standard test plan validation is performed, then productivity is maintained, but reliability of measurement results deteriorates due to undetected errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of measurement resultsVSAvoidproductivity of measurement process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary validation of the test plan by calculating error influences before actual measurement execution. This preliminary analysis identifies potential error sources in advance, allowing the system to adjust measurement parameters or select alternative measurement strategies to prevent unreliable results before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-validation by automatically analyzing whether measured deviations are caused by reference element inaccuracies or actual test feature variations. This self-diagnostic capability eliminates the need for extensive external validation procedures while ensuring measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3805693B1Validation of test plans for object measurement using a coordinate measuring device
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIKE GMBH
  • EP3805693B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3805693B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3805693B1 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).