Gallery

This page contains images showing various measurement configurations and related software utilities. The process to calibrate a CMM is well defined but it does vary depending on the size and configuration of the machine. The image groups are arranged based on the measurement type.

Axis Data Collection

Data Collection 1

Setup of the XD6 Laser for data collection in the Y axis of a CMM. The sensor package mounted at the bottom of the Z axis can measure roll, pitch, yaw, horizontal straightness, vertical straightness, and scale error simultaneously.

Data Collection 2

Data collection setup for the X axis on a Global Chrome CMM. A tight fit when the Hexagon analogue probe remains attached.

Data Collection 3

Second image of the data collection setup for a Global Chrome CMM. The compensation map follows the DEA axis convention so this is the Y axis of the compensation map even though the machine moves in X.

Data Collection 4

One of two configurations for the data collection along the Z axis of this CMM. Two symmetrical setups are used for the Z axis measurement. Various configurations were tested with the symmetrical version the most reliable.

Data Collection 5

Second configuration for data collection along the Z axis of this CMM. The setup looks complicated but is actually easy once you do it a couple of times.

Data Collection 6

First configuration for data collection along Z axis showing the relative position of the laser. A trick to manually align the laser is to have the beam run parallel to one of the Z axis corners when setting up for this measurement.

Data Collection 7

Setup for Y axis data collection on a DEA Epsilon CMM. This is a bridge version of the DEA Delta CMM and one of my favourite models of machines.

Data Collection 8

Setup for the X axis for this Global Performance CMM. This is a typical setup with the sensor package mounted directly to the probe head.

Data Collection 9

Another view of the setup for the X axis for this CMM. Point of view is from the mirror.

Data Collection 10

Setup for one of the two Z axis measurements on this CMM.

Data Collection 11

Setup for the Z axis measurement of this CMM. The setup is one of two commonly used configurations for this axis.

Data Collection 12

Setup for the Z axis first configuration measurement of this CMM as seen from the side.

Data Collection 13

Setup for the second configuration Z axis measurement on a CMM as seen from the side.

Data Collection 14

Another view of the setup for the second configuration Z axis measurement on a CMM.

Data Collection 15

Setup for the second configuration Z axis measurement on another, medium sized, CMM.

Data Collection 16

Setup for the second configuration Z axis measurement on this CMM from a second point of view.

Data Collection 17

Setup for the Z axis measurement on a horizontal arm CMM. It is critical where the measurements are performed so that deflection correction does not interfere with Z data correction.

Data Collection 18

Setup for the Z axis measurement on a horizontal arm CMM from another point of view.

Data Collection 19

Data collection for a PH20 system. It is desirable to minimize the impact of the probe head changes as much as possible so the head is not removed from the machine.

Data Collection 20

Data collection along the X axis of a CMM. Internally this is the Y axis of the CMM's compensation error map.

Data Collection 21

Data collection along the Y axis of a CMM. Internally this is the X axis of the CMM's compensation error map which starts at the back/left/top corner of the machine.

Data Collection 22

Data collection for one of the two Z axis datasets. This configuration has the optics on the +Y side of the CMM.

Data Collection 23

Data collection for one of the two Z axis datasets. This configuration has the optics on the -Y side of the CMM.

Squareness Updates

Squareness Measurement 1

Data collection for squareness updates. The squareness correction is based on four diagonal measurements within 30 degrees of the axis common to XYZ. Using four diagonal measurements that cover a large part of the machine volume produces a very reliable and repeatable correction value.

Squareness Measurement 2

Image showing the laser and spherical retroreflector setup for a squareness measurement. Switching between the various measurement positions is very fast once setup on the base plate.

Squareness Measurement 3

Squareness update using a step gauge. For smaller CMM's a step gauge is used with routines to filter noise.

Squareness Measurement 4

Another image of a squareness measurement using the step gauge. The 2D squareness errors are extracted from the four sets of 3D diagonal measurements.

Squareness Measurement 5

Image of a squareness measurement from the point of view of the retroreflector.

Squareness Measurement 6

Another image of a squareness measurement. When the CMM has a big difference in length between the long and short axis the best results are achieved measuring closer to the central cube and not the full measurement volume.

Squareness Measurement 7

Another image of a squareness measurement. This machine is rather big which makes the laser look rather small.

Squareness Measurement 8

Image of a squareness measurement from another CMM. The process is the same between machines.

Squareness Measurement 9

Squareness setup for a machine with an analogue probe. The optics are attached directly to the Z axis with the probe swung out of the way.

Squareness Measurement 10

Typical setup for a squareness measurement. One of four diagonal positions with an axis that is appropriate for the CMM. This measurement is close to the diagonal measurement of Position 1.

Squareness Measurement 11

Typical setup for a squareness measurement. One of four diagonal positions with an axis that is appropriate for the CMM. This measurement is close to the diagonal measurement of Position 3.

Squareness Measurement 12

Typical setup for a squareness measurement. One of four diagonal positions with an axis that is appropriate for the CMM. This measurement is close to the diagonal measurement of Position 3.

Squareness Measurement 13

Typical setup for a squareness measurement. One of four diagonal positions with an axis that is appropriate for the CMM. This measurement is close to the diagonal measurement of Position 1.

Performance Testing

Performance Testing 1

Testing the machine volumetric performance. The laser is not normally visible but drawn in so that it can be seen relative to this rather large CMM. The diagonal test positions are from corner to corner broken down into five measurement lengths. The SMR is used in place of the XD6 Laser sensor package for all volume test positions.

Performance Testing 2

The measurement of the step gauge inside the volume of this smaller machine pushes it to the measurement limits. This image shows an E150 offset probe measurement in the YZ plane of the CMM.

Performance Testing 3

This image shows an E150 offset probe measurement in the ZX plane of the CMM.

Performance Testing 4

Testing of the machine volumetric performance. The laser is sitting on the table at the back corner as the machine moves to the opposite diagonal corner. The laser seems quite small on this machine.

Performance Testing 5

Example of a gauge block measurement on a CMM. The gauge block measurement pattern is combined with the laser measurement pattern so that the final results have a real measurement feel.

Performance Testing 6

Testing of the machine volumetric performance. The measurement length is from corner to corner rounded down to the nearest 100 mm. The laser is not normally visible but drawn to show the relative positions of the laser and SMR.

Performance Testing 7

Setup for a gauge block measurement in the X axis of this CMM. These short length measurements can shows a variety of problems that seem unimaginable when testing a machine.

Performance Testing 8

Measurement of one of the two E150 positions. The measurement must be done in either YZ or ZX squareness plane.

Performance Testing 9

Measurement of the second E150 position. The two E150 measurements were done in the YZ squareness plane of this CMM.

Performance Testing 10

Measurement of a short length gauge block in the X axis of this CMM. Gauge block measurements test the probing system and is a non-static measurement.

Performance Testing 11

Measurement of a short length gauge block in the Y axis of this CMM. This particular measurement can show a surprising variety of mechanical problems on a CMM.

Performance Testing 12

Measurement of a short length gauge block in the Z axis of this CMM. All gauge block measurements are combined with the laser measurement in order to represent a bi-directional measurement.

Performance Testing 13

Measurement of 10360-2 position 4 on a PFx size CMM. Position 4 is along a vector from XYZ (0,0,0) to (1,1,1) as described in the standard.

Performance Testing 14

Measurement of 10360-2 position 2 on a larger CMM. Position 2 is along a vector from XYZ (1,1,0) to (0,0,1) as described in the standard.

Performance Testing 15

Measurement of 10360-2 position 4 on a standard bridge size CMM. The reported result is the difference between the machine and laser position combined with a gauge block measurement. The gauge block measurement is added in order to recreate a bi-directional feel to the results.

Software Utilities

AutoCapture Utility 1

Screenshot of the latest version of the Autocapture program during data collection. This version includes the interface to the XD6 laser and further simplifies the setup and data collection process by eliminating non-essential options. This view shows the Autocapture utility running in data collection mode used to update the compensation error maps of the CMM.

AutoCapture Utility 2

View of the Autocapture program collecting data in testing mode. When performing a test of the CMM it is important that the machine moves the proper distance in a straight line both horizontally and vertically. Although straightness is not reported it is a very good indicator of how the diagonal measurements will turn out.

PMove Utility 1

Screen capture of the PMove program running on OSX. This program can drive certain controllers directly provided the controller handles all the compensation error map data. The alignment function allows easy switching between normal and rotated axis systems.

PMove Utility 2

Screen capture of the PMove program running on Windows 11. Machines that have a DEA map with a conventional axis order of Y-X-Z and a different starting point need to be dealt with properly.

Compensation Processor 1

The map2map compensation utility is a necessary tool to make use of the simultaneous measurement of all compensation error map data from the XD6 Laser. Without this software it would be necessary to build the map in stages and double all data collection efforts. The output of this program is a set of corrections to the existing compensation map. The graph in the above image shows the difference between the error described in the compensation map and what was actually measured with the laser.

Validation 1

All parameters from the CMM compensation error map are related in one way or another. When reviewing data finding correlations between the different sets of measurements is another method to ensure integrity in the collected data. In this example the real straightness of an axis is compared to the expected straightness extrapolated from the corresponding angular data.

Validation 2

Another example showing relationships between different compensation parameters. In the above image the X axis roll and X axis horizontal straightness are both shown on the same graph. They almost appear as a mirror opposite to each other and are clearly related.

Squareness Update 1

Squareness parameters are updated from four diagonal measurement lines of twelve separate measurement lengths. The reliability and stability using this method is absolutely amazing primarily because of the length of measurement.

Squareness Update 2

Squareness updates are based on the measured results for four diagonal positions. Using a large part of the machine volume will always produce the best results. The graphical view helps prevent problems related to simple mistakes such as not setting the proper map starting point or axis directions.