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Error Compensation for CMM Touch Trigger Probes

Published

Author(s)

William T. Estler, Steven D. Phillips, Bruce R. Borchardt, Ted Hopp, G Witzgall, M Levenson, K Eberhardt, Marjorie A. McClain, Y Shen, X Zhang

Abstract

We present the analysis of a simple mechanical model of a common type of kinematic seat touch trigger probe widely used on modern coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). The model provides a quantitative description of the pretravel variation or probe-lobing characteristics that limit the use of such probes for high-accuracy dimensional measurements. We include the effects of stylus bending and the frictional interaction between the stylus ball and the part surface. The model is restricted to probes with simple straight styli, and we demonstrate significant error reduction both for vertically and horizontally oriented styli. In the latter case, gravitational forces are shown to play an important role in probe triggering and pretravel variation. Extensions to arbitrary orientations are discussed. Published by Elsevier Science Inc., 1996.
Citation
Precision Engineering-Journal of the International Societies for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology
Volume
19(2)

Keywords

coordinate measuring machines, dimensional metrology, error correction, modeling, touch trigger probes

Citation

Estler, W. , Phillips, S. , Borchardt, B. , Hopp, T. , Witzgall, G. , Levenson, M. , Eberhardt, K. , McClain, M. , Shen, Y. and Zhang, X. (1996), Error Compensation for CMM Touch Trigger Probes, Precision Engineering-Journal of the International Societies for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (Accessed March 28, 2024)
Created September 30, 1996, Updated October 12, 2021