# US 11,965,736 B2 · Measurement routine motion represented by 3D virtual model > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,965,736 B2 - Document ID: US11965736B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/006,269 - Filed: 2020-08-28 - Published: 2021-03-04 - Granted: 2024-04-23 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-28 - Assignees: Hexagon Metrology, Inc. - Applicants: Hexagon Metrology, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Mariani; Milan Kocic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11965736B2 ## CPC - G01B 5/008: using coordinate measuring machines - G01B 11/005: {coordinate measuring machines} - G05B 19/41805: {characterised by assembly} - G05B 19/41865: {characterised by job scheduling, process planning, material flow} - G05B 19/4188: {characterised by CIM planning or realisation} - G05B 19/41885: {characterised by modeling, simulation of the manufacturing system} - G05B 2219/37193: Multicoordinate measuring system, machine, cmm - G05B 2219/37453: Simulate measuring program, graphical interactive generation of program - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A method measures a given object using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) having a measurement space. As such, the method determines one or more portions of the given object to be measured and then forms a virtual 3D movement model representing CMM movement required to measure the one or more portions. The method then uses the 3D movement model to virtually position and orient the given object within the CMM measurement space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of measuring a given object using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) having a measurement space, the method comprising: determining one or more portions of the given object to be measured; forming a virtual movement volume model representing movement of the CMM used to measure the one or more portions; and virtually positioning and orienting the given object within the CMM measurement space as a function of the movement volume model. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein using comprises using the virtual movement volume model to virtually coordinate the given object with a fixture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein using comprises virtually coupling a fixture to one or more surfaces of the given object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the given object has a virtual object model, the method comprising combining the virtual object model and the virtual movement volume model, combining identifying one or more portions of the given object available for support without interfering with movement of the CMM. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein combining comprises displaying the combined virtual object model and the virtual movement volume model. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising producing a fixture as a function of the virtual movement volume model. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising mechanically validating the virtual position and orientation of the given object within the CMM measurement space. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising making a fixture as a function of the validation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising virtually positioning a second virtual movement volume model in the CMM measurement space, the second virtual movement volume model being formed for a second object to be measured. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: providing a virtual object corresponding to the given object; providing a second virtual object model corresponding to the second object; modifying the position and/or orientation of the second virtual movement volume model when the second virtual movement volume model overlaps with the virtual object model; and/or modifying the position and/or orientation of the given virtual movement volume model when the given virtual movement volume model overlaps with the second virtual object model. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising measuring the given object after virtual positioning and virtual orientation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the CMM comprises a probe, further wherein movement of the CMM required to measure the one or more portions includes movement of the CMM probe. ### Claim 13 A system for measuring a plurality of objects with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), the CMM having movable components and a base on which the objects are positioned, the system comprising: an object model configured to represent an object; a scan-path generator configured to generate a scan path for one or more features of the object to be measured; a movement-volume engine configured to generate a virtual movement volume model representing movement of the movable components of the CMM required to measure the one or more features; a positioning engine configured to determine a position and an orientation of the object on a base of the CMM such that the virtual movement volume model does not have interference from a fixture of the object and/or a second object positioned on the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system as defined by claim 13, further comprising a measurement module configured to efficiently measure a plurality of objects on the base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system as defined by claim 13, further comprising a CMM. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system as defined by claim 13, further comprising a second object model configured to represent a second object, wherein the movement-volume engine is configured to generate a second virtual movement volume model, the positioning engine is further configured to determine a position and an orientation of the first object and the second object on the base such that the first virtual movement volume model and the second virtual movement volume model does not have interference from the fixture of the object, the fixture of the second object, the object, and/or the second object. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system as defined by claim 16, wherein the second object model is different from the first object model. ### Claim 18 A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform steps of: determining one or more portions of a given object to be measured; forming a virtual movement volume model representing movement of the CMM required to measure the one or more portions; and virtually positioning and orienting the given object within the CMM measurement space as a function of the movement volume model, such that the virtual movement volume model does not have interference from a fixture of the object and/or a second object positioned on the base. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform steps of: determining one or more portions of a second given object to be measured; forming a second virtual movement volume model representing movement of the CMM required to measure the one or more portions of the second given object; and virtually positioning and orienting the second given object within the CMM measurement space as a function of the second movement volume model, such that the second virtual movement volume model does not have interference. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform steps of: modifying the position and/or orientation of the second virtual movement volume model when the second virtual movement volume model interferes with the given object model.