Automated dimensional inspection planning using the combination of laser scanner and tactile probe

Combining multiple sensors on CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines) is useful to fulfil the increasing requirements on both complexity and accuracy in dimensional metrology. Yet, the methodology to plan measurement strategies for systems combining different types of sensors is still a major challenge. Such planning is commonly done in an interactive way. This paper presents a methodology which can create inspection plans automatically for CMM inspection combining a touch trigger probe and a laser scanner. The inspection features are specified based on the extracted geometry features and the associated PMI (Product and Manufacturing Information) items from a CAD model. A knowledge based sensor selection method is applied to choose the suited sensor for each inspection feature. For touch trigger measurements, the sampling strategy considers the measurement uncertainty calculated by simulation. A geometry-guide method is developed for collision-free probing path generation. For laser scan measurements, the required view angles and positions of the laser scanner are determined iteratively, based on which the scan path is generated automatically. The proposed methodology is tested for several cases and validated by measurement experiments. The methodology provides suited planning results and can be used for automated dimensional inspection, i.e. Computer Aided Quality Control (CAQC).