Multiple orientation technique for the calibration of cylindrical workpieces on CMMs

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are widely used in various fields of precision engineering and science. Although they are highly accurate instruments, for some tasks, e.g. calibration of reference artifacts, the accuracy even of the best available instruments is not sufficient. In this paper, we describe a highly accurate technique using a CMM for the measurement of cylindrical workpieces. The proposed method is a combination of multiple orientation and substitution techniques and compensates for all geometrical errors of a CMM, systematic probing effects and the bending of the workpiece due to gravity. We demonstrate the method on a cylinder gauge with flat ends that incorporates a number of different geometrical features. The evaluation of the measurement uncertainties for each characteristic was performed manually and using the Virtual CMM (VCMM) [Trapet E, Franke M, Haertig F, Schwenke H, Waeldele F, Cox M, et al. Traceability of Coordinate Measurements According to the Method of the Virtual Measuring Machine: Final Project Report MAT1-CT94-0076, PTB-Report F-35, Parts 1 and 2; 1999; Haertig F, Trapet E, Waeldele F, Wiegand U. In: Proceedings of the 5th IMEKO TC-14. Traceability of coordinate measurements according to the Virtual CMM concept; 1995. p. 245–54.]. The results show, that very low uncertainties can be achieved by the proposed measurement techniques. It is also demonstrated that the VCMM approach considers reversal effects correctly for the calculation of measurement uncertainties.