Traceable In-process Measurement (TIM) - Producing dimensional transfer artefacts for the assessment of workshop machine tool performance

摘要

Inspection of parts is traditionally carried, out once a manufacturing procedure has been completed, in an environmentally controlled metrology laboratory. Financial pressures, increases in production speed and automation have led to inspection moving out of the metrology laboratory to the production floor and traditional tactile sensing tools such as CMMs are being replaced by 3D optical scanners. The use of this novel technology allows for inspection to take place during manufacture rather than waiting for the part to be completed. Unlike metrology laboratories, workshops tend to be particularly harsh environments where there is little control over important factors such as: temperature, humidity and lighting. With this in mind, NPL has designed and manufactured dimensional transfer artefacts to provide dimensional traceability from the metrology laboratory to the workshop. These artefacts include features that can be easily modelled mathematically, machined accurately and are representative of those typically produced on production lines.