Method of generating an inspection program and method of generating a visual display

A method of inspecting a component with a coordinate measuring probe, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving nominal geometry data for the component,
• (b) receiving inspection requirement data specifying one or more selected shape characteristics of the component,
• (c) determining from the nominal geometry data and the inspection requirement data an inspection path for the coordinate measuring probe, the inspection path enabling the measuring probe to measure actual component coordinates associated with the shape characteristics, and
• (d) inspecting the component by moving the coordinate measuring probe along the inspection path.

A method of determining whether a component conforms to tolerances, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an actual profile of a component, and spaced inner and outer tolerance limits for the profile
• (a) superimposing the inner tolerance limit, the outer tolerance limit, and the actual profile,
• (b) scaling the tolerance limits and actual profile by displacing each point on one of the tolerance limits in a displacement direction away from the corresponding point on the other tolerance limit without displacing said corresponding point in the opposite direction, and furthermore displacing each point on the actual profile in said displacement direction, so that the spacing between the inner and outer tolerance limits is increased relative to distances along which the actual profile extends, but the position of the actual profile relative to said spacing is preserved,
• (c) generating a visual display of the superimposed and scaled tolerance limits and actual profile, and
• (d) determining from the visual display whether the actual profile is between the inner and outer tolerance limits.