Coordinate Measuring Probe Go No-Go Tolerance Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 'go, no-go' gauge blocks are inefficient due to their own tolerance limitations, manual operation, and inability to provide precise failure point information, while coordinate positioning apparatus with probes face battery power and time consumption issues in collecting dimensional data for tolerance checks.
Innovation Solution
A coordinate positioning apparatus with a measurement probe that drives along paths based on object tolerances, monitors probe data for changes, and indicates non-conformance only when a state change occurs, allowing for efficient and precise tolerance assessments with reduced data transfer and battery usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 'go, no-go' gauge blocks are used for tolerance checking, then the method is simple and reliable for tolerances down to about 0.05mm, but the gauges themselves must have assigned tolerances which causes good objects to be rejected and some manual operation time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical gauge blocks with an automated coordinate positioning apparatus that uses electronic probes to measure object dimensions. The system automatically positions the probe, collects measurement data, and compares it against tolerance specifications, eliminating the need for manual gauge manipulation while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-verification by automatically comparing probe measurements against stored tolerance data. The coordinate positioning apparatus autonomously determines whether measurements fall within acceptable ranges without requiring manual interpretation or multiple gauge comparisons, thereby increasing inspection speed while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If 'go, no-go' gauge blocks are used for tolerance checking, then the method provides pass/fail results, but no information is given as to why the object failed
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinate positioning apparatus provides comprehensive feedback by recording not only whether measurements fall within tolerance but also the actual measured values and their deviation from specifications. The system can identify which specific features failed tolerance checks and by how much, enabling operators to understand the nature and cause of failures while maintaining ease of operation through automated reporting.
3Measurement precision
If coordinate positioning apparatus with probes is used for dimensional measurement, then precise measurement data can be collected, but a lot of battery power is consumed and time is required to collect data from each point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes measurement data locally at the probe or controller, comparing measurements against tolerance specifications in real-time. Only relevant results (pass/fail status and specific failure points) are transmitted back to the main system, significantly reducing the amount of data that needs to be communicated and processed, thereby reducing battery power consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements at critical points and features that are most relevant to tolerance compliance rather than collecting exhaustive data from every possible location. This selective measurement approach maintains sufficient measurement precision for quality control purposes while minimizing the total number of measurements required, thus reducing power consumption and inspection time.
4Measurement precision
If coordinate positioning apparatus with probes is used for dimensional measurement, then accurate picture of dimensions can be built, but the process consumes a lot of time
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinate positioning apparatus is pre-programmed with the object's CAD model, tolerance specifications, and optimal measurement paths. Before actual measurement begins, the system loads all necessary reference data and prepares the measurement sequence, enabling rapid execution of the inspection process while maintaining high measurement precision through pre-planned probe positions and measurement parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coordinate positioning apparatus is described that implements a 'go, no-go' method for determining whether the dimensions of an object, such as a workpiece 40, conform to tolerance. The apparatus comprises a measurement probe, such as a touch trigger, analogue, or non-contact probe, mounted on a measuring apparatus such as a coordinate measuring machine, machine tool, or a lathe. A measurement probe is driven around a path relative to the object, said path being based on a tolerance of the object. The path relative to the object may include at least a first path 46 based on the maximum tolerance of the object and a second path 44 based on the minimum tolerance of the object. Any probe measurement data acquired by the measurement probe is monitored as the probe is driven around the path, and there is an indication that the dimensions of the object do not conform to tolerance only if there is a change in state of the probe measurement data that is acquired as the measurement probe is driven around the path.