Computer integrated gaging system

The method of inspecting a fabricated structural part to determine conformance to known part dimensional feature and tolerance call-outs using a computer coupled to a multidimensionally movable position measuring apparatus, comprising the steps of

• constructing a multidimensional model of an inspection gage using the known part dimensional feature and tolerance call-outs,
• generating an inspection path relative to the part selected, thereby defining movement of the position measuring apparatus,
• moving the position measuring apparatus along the inspection path,
• determining the positions of the dimensional features on the fabricated part as the position measuring apparatus moves along the inspection path,
• constructing a multidimensional model of the fabricated structural part using the determined positions of the structural features,
• comparing the inspection gage model with the fabricated structural part model to determine if the part is within or out of said tolerance call-outs from the comparison and
• indicating if the part is reworkable or scrap if the part is determined to be out of tolerance, wherein the step of indicating if the part is reworkable comprises the steps of
• altering the fabricated structural part model within the known tolerance call-outs,
• recomparing the altered fabricated part model with the inspection gage model, and
• indicating that the fabricated structural part is reworkable if the gage fits the altered part model and scrap if the gage does not fit.

A method of inspecting a fabricated structural part having known critical and major dimensional feature and tolerance call-out data in accordance with a known geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standard, utilizing a computer connected to a display, the computer having access to the critical and major dimensional feature and tolerance call-out data for the part, and a three-dimensionally movable member carrying a position measuring apparatus operating to determine the positions of structural features on the fabricated part, comprising the steps of

• obtaining the computer accessible critical and major dimensions and tolerances of the part,
• displaying a model of the part including the critical and major dimensions and tolerances,
• selecting from the display the known tolerancing standard and the part dimensions to be inspected and to which the known standard pertains,
• forming data representative of a three-dimensional gage represented by the selected tolerancing standard and part dimensions,
• generating an inspection path in accordance with the selected part dimensions to be inspected,
• instructing the three-dimensionally movable member to follow the inspection path,
• measuring the position of the fabricated part features embodied by the selected part dimensions as the movable member follows the inspection path,
• forming data representative of a three-dimensional model of the measured fabricated part features, and
• determining if the gage fits the fabricated part model.

The method of inspecting a fabricated structural part having known critical and major dimensional features and tolerance call-outs in accordance with a known geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standard, utilizing a computer coupled to a display, and a three-dimensionally movable member carrying a position measuring apparatus operating to determine the positions of structural features on the fabricated part, comprising the steps of

• obtaining the critical and major dimensions and tolerances of the part,
• displaying a model of the part including the critical and major dimensions and tolerances,
• selecting from the display the known tolerancing standard and the part dimensions to which the known standard pertains,
• forming data representative of a three-dimensional gage represented by the selected tolerancing standard and part dimensions,
• generating an inspection path for inspection of the selected part dimensions,
• instructing the three-dimensionally movable member to follow the inspection path,
• measuring the position of the fabricated part features embodied by the selected part dimensions as the movable member follows the inspection path,
• forming data representative of a three-dimensional model of the measured fabricated part features,
• determining if the gage fits the fabricated part model,
• reworking the fabricated part model within the tolerances if the gage does not fit, and
• indicating that the fabricated part is reworkable if the gage fits the reworked model and that the fabricated part is scrap if it does not.

Apparatus for comparing a three-dimensional model of an inspection gage to a three-dimensional model of a manufactured part using computer aided design data for the part, comprising

• computer means coupled to receive the part design data,
• display means coupled to said computer for displaying models of the designed part, the inspection gage and the manufactured part,
• keyboard means coupled to said computer for selecting particular part dimensional and tolerance call-outs on the designed part model display from which selections data descriptive of the inspection gage model is obtained,
• means for moving a member in three-dimensions coupled to said computer so that an inspection path may be followed around the manufactured part, and
• a position sensor attached to said moving member and coupled to said computer for detecting the positions of the part features being inspected, so that data descriptive of the manufactured part model is obtained,
• said inspection gage and manufactured part models being compared visually on the display and mathematically by the computer to determine in and out of tolerance manufactured part conditions.

Apparatus for inspecting a structural part having known dimensional features and tolerance call-outs, comprising

• means for constructing a multidimensional model of an inspection gage using the part dimensional and tolerance call-outs,
• a multidimensionally movable position measuring apparatus for determining the positions of structural features on the part,
• means for generating an inspection path relative to the part defining movement of the position measuring apparatus,
• means for moving the position measuring apparatus along the inspection path,
• means for constructing a multidimensional model of the structural part using the determined positions of the structural features, and
• means for comparing the inspection gage model with the structural part model for determining if the part is within or out of tolerance from the comparison features data within the stipulated part tolerances, and
• determining whether the reworked data represents a part within tolerances.

A method of inspecting a manufactured structural part to determine conformance to known dimensional features and tolerance call-outs using a computer coupled to a multidimensionally movable position measuring apparatus comprising the steps of

• ascertaining syntactic correctness of the tolerance call-outs required for structural part definition,
• modifying the tolerance call-outs to assume syntactic correctness if found to be incorrect,
• constructing a multidimensional model of an inspection gage using the known dimensional features and tolerance call-outs,
• generating an inspection path relative to the manufactured part defining movement of the position measuring apparatus relative to the manufactured part,
• moving the position measuring apparatus along the inspection path,
• determining positions of the structural features on the manufactured part as the position measuring apparatus is moved along the inspection path,
• constructing a multidimensional model of the manufactured structural part using the determined positions of the structural features, and
• comparing the inspection gage model with the structural part model for determining if the part is within or out of tolerance from the comparison.

A method of inspecting a structural part having known critical and major dimensional feature and tolerance call-out data in accordance with a known geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standard having defined syntax, utilizing a computer connected to a display, the computer having access to the critical and major dimensional feature and tolerance call-out data for the part, and a three-dimensionally movable member carrying a position measuring apparatus operating to determine the positions of structural features on the part, comprising the steps of

• obtaining the computer accessible critical and major dimensions and tolerances of the part,
• displaying a model of the part including the known critical and major dimensions and tolerances,
• selecting on the display the known tolerancing standard and the part dimensions to which the known standard pertains,
• ascertaining syntactic correctness of the known computer accessible tolerance call-outs as required for structural part definition,
• forming a three-dimensional gage corresponding to the selected tolerancing standard and part dimensions,
• generating an inspection path relative to the structural part for inspection of the selected part dimensions,
• instructing the three-dimensionally movable member to follow the inspection path,
• measuring the position of the part features embodied by the selected part dimensions as the position measuring apparatus is moved along the inspection path,
• forming a three-dimensional model of the measured part features,
• aligning the three-dimensional measured part model with the three-dimensional gage, and
• determining if the gage fits the part model.

A method of inspecting a structural part having known critical and major dimensional features and tolerance call-outs in accordance with a known geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standard having defined syntax, a computer coupled to a display, and a three-dimensionally movable member carrying a position measuring apparatus operating to determined the positions of structural features on the part, comprising the steps of

• obtaining the critical and major dimensions and tolerances of the part,
• displaying a model of the part including the known critical and major dimensions and tolerances,
• selecting on the display the known tolerancing standard and the part dimensions to which the known standard pertains,
• ascertaining syntactic correctness of the known tolerance call-outs as required for structural part definition,
• forming a three-dimensional gage represented by the selected tolerancing standard and part dimensions,
• generating an inspection path relative to the structural part for inspection of the selected part dimensions,
• instructing the three-dimensionally movable member to follow the inspection path,
• measuring the position of the part features embodied by the selected part dimensions as the position measuring apparatus is moved along the inspection path,
• forming a three-dimensional model of the measured part features,
• aligning the three-dimensional measured part model with the three-dimensional gage,
• determining if the gage fits the part model, comprising steps of
• reworking the part model within the tolerances if the gage does not fit, and
• indicating that the part is reworkable if the gage fits the reworked part model and that the part is scrap if it does not.

A method of predetermining a job sequence to be performed on a part by a system including a computer coupled to a multidimensionally movable position measuring apparatus, a store coupled to the computer containing a stored CAD model of the part to be subjected to the job sequence, and a machine for performing operations on the part, the machine being adapted to be attached to and governed by the system, comprising the steps of

• informing the system of the identity of the machine,
• connecting the machine to the system,
• identifying a point on the CAD model for orientation of the position measuring apparatus and the machine,
• designating the sequence of operations by the machine and the position measuring apparatus,
• analyzing the data obtained from operations involving the position measuring apparatus, and
• disconnecting the machine.

A method of analyzing data relating to a physical part resulting from the operation of a system including a computer coupled to a multidimensionally movable position measuring apparatus and a machine governed by the system, and a store coupled to the computer containing CAD data relative to a part to be subjected to the analysis and data received relative to the physical configuration of the part, comprising the steps of

• constructing data representative of an inspection gage for features on the part by retrieving CAD data relative to such features,
• measuring the corresponding physical features of the part,
• storing data relating to the part physical features, and
• determining the fit between the gage and the measured part data.

A system for inspecting a structural part coupled to computer aided design data for the part, comprising

• means for reading the dimensions and tolerances from the computer aided design data for the part features to be inspected,
• means for mathematically constructing a three-dimensional inspection gage for the part utilizing the dimensions and tolerances,
• means for measuring the part features to be inspected and for providing inspection data representative thereof,
• means for mathematically constructing a three-dimensional model of the inspected part features, and
• means for comparing the three-dimensional model with the three-dimensional gage, whereby compliance with design data tolerances is determined.

A method of investigating compatability of predetermined standard dimensioning and tolerance call-outs on mating parts utilizing a computer, wherein design and tolerance data for the mating parts is available to the computer in memory, comprising the steps of

• retrieving the design and tolerance data relating to the mating parts from the memory,
• consulting the rules governing the predetermined standard tolerance call-outs to obtain proper tolerance interpretation for the retrieved data
• applying the interpreted tolerance call-outs to the mating design data,
• computing the worst case tolerance conditions for material interference between mating parts, and
• displaying the results of the worst case tolerance condition computation.

A method of determining tolerance call-outs for fixed and floating fastener features on mating parts wherein design data for the mating parts is available in memory, comprising the steps of

• selecting a fastener,
• designating the position on a part where the fastener is to be used,
• designating the datums on the part to which the fastener location is to be referenced,
• selecting a tool for forming the part features to receive the fastener,
• determining the part feature maximum and minimum sizes for accommodating the fastener considering the tool and the selected fastener, and
• displaying the true position tolerance for the fastener accommodation part features.