US 5,419,222 A · Method for measuring the contour of a machined part

Abstract

A method for measuring the contour of a machined part with a contour gage apparatus, having a probe assembly including a probe tip for providing a measure of linear displacement of the tip on the surface of the part. The contour gage apparatus may be moved into and out of position for measuring the part while the part is still carried on the machining apparatus. Relative positions between the part and the probe tip may be changed, and a scanning operation is performed on the machined part by sweeping the part with the probe tip, whereby data points representing linear positions of the probe tip at prescribed rotation intervals in the position changes between the part and the probe tip are recorded. The method further allows real-time adjustment of the apparatus machining the part, including real-time adjustment of the machining apparatus in response to wear of the tool that occurs during machining.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for measuring the contour of a three-dimensional machined part carried on a machining apparatus, to obtain measurement data, the method comprising the steps of:

a) retaining the machined part on the machining apparatus;
b) positioning a contour gage apparatus, which is independent of the machining apparatus but operationally connected thereto through computer means for providing feedback to the machining apparatus, said contour gage apparatus having a probe tip, whereby the probe tip continuously contacts the machined part during the measurement operation;
c) indexing the machined part and the contour gage apparatus to a defined position for the origin of a predetermined path for measurement;
d) performing a scanning operation by sweeping the entire surface of the machined part with the probe tip, according to the predetermined path, by changing the positions of the probe tip and the machined part relative to each other, for obtaining measurement data along the predetermined path;
and
e) providing direct feedback of the obtained measurement data from the contour gage apparatus to the machining apparatus for correction of potential errors in the machining of the part before completing the machining process.

3 more elements

A method for real-time adjusting of a machining apparatus that machines an actual part, comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining ideal contour data representing an ideal machined part;
b) performing an initial machining operation on the actual part;
c) retaining the actual machined part on the machining apparatus;
d) positioning a contour gage apparatus, which is independent of the machining apparatus but operationally connected thereto through computer means for providing feedback to the machining apparatus, said contour gage apparatus having a probe tip, whereby the probe tip continuously contacts the actual machined part during the measurement operation;
e) indexing the actual machined part and the contour gage apparatus to a defined position for the origin of a predetermined path for measurement;
f) performing a scanning operation by sweeping the entire surface of the actual machined part with the probe tip, according to the predetermined path, by changing the positions of the probe tip and the actual machined part relative to each other, for obtaining actual contour data along the predetermined path;
g) providing direct feedback of the actual contour data from the contour gage apparatus to the machining apparatus for correction of potential errors in the machining of the part before completing the machining process;
h) comparing the actual contour data with ideal contour data and determining an actual disparity between the actual machined part and the ideal part;
i) adjusting the machining apparatus in real-time if the actual disparity is greater than a predetermined disparity between the actual machined part and the ideal part;
j) performing an additional machining operation on the part to reduce the disparity between the actual part and the ideal part.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for measuring the contour of a machined part

Life of this patent

Method for measuring the contour of a machined part

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27