In high precision industry, the measurement of geometry is often performed using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). Measurements on CMMs can occur at many places within a long and global supply chain. In this context it is a challenge to control consistency, so that measurements are applied with appropriate levels of rigour and achieve comparable results, wherever and whenever they are performed. In this paper, a framework is outlined in which consistency is controlled through measurement strategy, such as the number and location of measurement points. The framework is put to action in a case study, demonstrating the usefulness of the approach and highlighting the dangers of imposing rigid measurement strategies across the supply chain, even if linked to standardised manufacturing processes. Potential mitigations, and the requirements for future research, are outlined.
Any measurement method of a physical quantity cannot provide an exact unequivocal result due to the infinite amount of information necessary to characterise fully both the physical quantity to be measured and the measuring process. A quantitative indication of the quality of a measurement result needs therefore to be given to enable its reliable use. Uncertainty is one such indication. Provision of incorrect uncertainty statements for measurements performed by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) may leads to very serious economic implications. In this study, the uncertainty of CMM measurements is estimated by a single parameter accounting for both systematic and random errors. The effects that environmental conditions (temperature), discretionary setup parameters (probe extension, stylus length) and measuring plan decisions (number of points) have on uncertainty of measurements is then investigated. Interactions between such factors were also shown to be significant.
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