Off-line programming of coordinate measuring machines

This thesis describes the state-of-the-art of off-line programming (OLP) for co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM's) and explores two important aspects of OLP systems; automatic generation of inspection programmes, probing points and movements between these, and data transfer from computer aided design (CAD). A method of generating inspection programmes using a 'feature' based definition of component geometry is described. This has been implemented as both free standing code and as a prototype, known as the Inspection Planning Assistant (IPA), which is based upon the robot simulation software GRASP. Current neutral data exchange formats such as IGES and DMIS are limited in their ability to transfer a toleranced 3D CAD model to OLP systems. The new standard for the exchange of product model data (STEP ISO 10303) offers the potential to resolve these problems. The scope and application of a STEP application protocol for inspection process planning is describedGodkänd; 1996; 20080328 (ysko