Evaluation of Actual Geometric Tolerances Using Coordinate Measuring Machine Data

Abstract This paper focuses on the development of a procedure and algorithms for the systematic comparison of geometric variations of measured features with their specified geometric tolerances. To automate the inspection of mechanical parts, it is necessary to analyze the measurement data captured by coordinate measuring machines (CMM) in order to detect out-of-tolerance conditions. A procedure for determining the geometric tolerances from the measured three dimensional coordinates on the surface of a cylindrical feature is presented. This procedure follows the definitions of the geometric tolerances used in the current Standards, and is capable of determining the value of each geometric tolerance from the composite 3-D data. The developed algorithms adopt the minimum tolerance zone criterion. Nonlinear numerical optimization techniques are used to fit the data to the minimum tolerance zone. Two test cases are given in the paper which demonstrate the successful determination of geometric tolerances from given simulated data.