Performance Evaluation of Machine Tool Probe for In-process Inspection of 2D and 3D Geometries

Dimensional measurement of work piece in between the manufacturing process is an essential method to achieve the precision components. The machine tool probing system can measure machined features of work piece placed on the machine table after partial or final machining operation. The in-process machine tool probing system is helpful in minimising the lead time of component by eliminating the unloading time on the machine and loading and inspection time on the measuring instrument. It also improve the part quality through process control. In this research, the component inspection is performed by optical machine tool probe when position into the spindle of CNC milling machine. The relative movement between the probe and job are programmed by developing a CNC part program. The probe touches the machined surface as per the program codes and the optical machine interface (Transceiver) receives signal data through infrared optical waves and these signals transformed into the CNC controller through wired network. The CNC controller displays the data points on the screen. These data points were transferred into CAD system for generating lines, curves and thereafter surfaces and these generated surfaces were analysed against CAD model of the designed component for dimensional evaluation. The results obtained by this machine tool probe for 2D features are validated through digital height gauge and 3D features are by coordinate measuring machine (CMM). It was found that the optical probing system can be employed during in-process inspection and can be replaced measurement by costly CMMs for inspection of 3D features of low precision components. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.