System and method of measuring gaps

Abstract

A method for measuring gaps between material layers include inserting a probe tip within a through-hole defined in a structural component. The probe tip is arranged at the end of a probe assembly attached to articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM). The method further includes contacting the probe tip with a hole surface of the through-hole. The method further includes translating the probe tip along the hole surface in a direction parallel to an axis through the through-hole. The probe tip passes over a gap along the through-hole. The method further includes measuring a radial position of the probe tip during the translation along the hole surface and across the gap including a deflection of radial position of the probe tip as the probe tip crosses the gap. The method further includes calculating a gap size of the gap based on the deflection and a size of the probe tip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.