Coordinate Measuring Machine Testing With AI Signal Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the functionality of coordinate measuring machines rely heavily on human expertise, which can be subjective and time-consuming, and struggle to accurately assess specific temporal data patterns indicative of machine health.

Innovation Solution

Employing artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate data sets obtained during functional testing, utilizing training data sets with additional information to derive objective and timely assessments of a coordinate measuring machine's functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If human expertise is used to evaluate functionality test data, then subjective assessment can be performed, but time consumption increases and objectivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment accuracyVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual evaluation process (human expertise) with an automated evaluation device that uses machine learning models and algorithms to assess functionality test data. This substitution eliminates subjective human judgment and significantly reduces evaluation time while maintaining or improving assessment accuracy through consistent, data-driven analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation device performs self-learning through machine learning algorithms that automatically analyze test data patterns and improve assessment capabilities over time. The system serves itself by continuously refining its evaluation models without requiring manual programming or human intervention for each assessment task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If functionality testing is performed frequently, then machine health can be monitored proactively, but time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine health monitoringVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated evaluation of functionality test data using pre-trained machine learning models. By having the evaluation device ready with established assessment algorithms, the system can quickly process test data without requiring extensive manual analysis, enabling frequent testing while minimizing time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Automated evaluation replaces manual assessment, allowing frequent functionality tests to be conducted without proportionally increasing time consumption. The machine learning-based system processes test data rapidly and consistently, enabling proactive monitoring at high frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated evaluation is implemented, then time consumption is reduced, but complexity of the evaluation system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation device is divided into modular functional components: data acquisition modules, machine learning model processing units, analysis algorithms, and output generation systems. This segmentation allows the complex automated evaluation system to be built from manageable, independent modules that can be developed, tested, and maintained separately, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4303530B1Method and assembly for testing the operability of a coordinate measuring device
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIKE GMBH
  • EP4303530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4303530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4303530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing the functionality of a coordinate measuring machine (211), comprising the following steps: - operating the coordinate measuring machine (211) and automatically acquiring operating signals generated during operation by at least one first generating unit, which is part of the coordinate measuring machine (211) or is an additional generating unit, and which correspond to the values ​​of at least one physical quantity characteristic of the operation of the first generating unit and/or the coordinate measuring machine (211), - automatically generating a test data set from the acquired operating signals by a second generating unit (5) and automatically transferring the test data set to an evaluation unit (7) comprising an artificial intelligence (8), - evaluating the test data set by the evaluation unit (7) using the artificial intelligence (8).wherein the artificial intelligence (8) is in an operational state based on training using training datasets with associated additional information, each containing at least one piece of information about a functionality of the coordinate measuring machine (211) or a comparable coordinate measuring machine (211) that can be determined from the respective training dataset, and wherein the artificial intelligence (8) derives a statement concerning the functionality of the coordinate measuring machine (211) from the test dataset, - outputting the statement concerning the functionality of the coordinate measuring machine (211).