10.01.2013 Views

ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf

ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf

ComputerAided_Design_Engineering_amp_Manufactur.pdf

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

FIGURE 2.18 Approximation of scanned head.<br />

This algorithm will provide a minimum or near-minimum number of biarcs to fit a given set of data<br />

points. Figure 2.18 shows a cross-sectional profile of a scanned head approximated 12 inches by 12 inches<br />

in size. The initial data set consists of 760 points. Using 0.1 inch, 0.05 inch and 0.01 inch tolerances,<br />

respectively, the number of biarcs needed are only 10, 17 and 47, respectively.<br />

2.4 <strong>Design</strong> Data Extraction for Computer-Aided Measurement<br />

In terms of measurement and inspection equipment, the computer controlled coordinate measuring<br />

machine (CMM) is a highly flexible piece of equipment for inspection of different parts that<br />

effectively replaces costly and specialized gauges. There are essentially three programming methods<br />

for the CMM:<br />

• Self-teaching, whereby the inspection program is created by manually operating the CMM to<br />

inspect a part but at the same time recording the procedure as a CMM program. The drawbacks<br />

of this method include reduction of the machine productive time and requirement that the physical<br />

part must already be available. 37<br />

• Off-line Manual Programming, whereby the operator has to manually program the CMM using<br />

programming languages such as Dimensional Measuring Interface Specification (DMIS) 38 or the<br />

native language of the specific CMM. The off-line programming method has the advantage of not<br />

incurring CMM downtime and not requiring the physical part to be available and set up in the<br />

CMM. However, the programming process is very tedious to the operator compared to the selfteaching<br />

approach.<br />

• Computer-aided Programming through interaction with a CAD/CAM system. 39,40 Although this is<br />

the most suitable approach for CMM programming in terms of having a standard platform for<br />

design and manufacture, the commercially available CMM programming option for CAD/CAM<br />

systems still requires interactive input from the programmers. Automation level in terms of path<br />

planning, selection of inspection points, and other operation parameters is still limited.<br />

All the aforementioned methods of CMM programming currently suffer from the following drawbacks:<br />

• CMM programming requires trained personnel who must be familiar with the programming<br />

system (especially for CAD/CAM system), as well as the process knowledge for CMM inspection.<br />

• The programming process is still very tedious, leading to high labor turnover—especially for highly<br />

skilled personnel.<br />

• The flexibility in programming will leave room for inconsistencies in measurement approaches<br />

by different programmers.<br />

© 2001 by CRC Press LLC

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!