A virtual machine-based uncertainty evaluation for a traceable areal surface texture measuring instrument

摘要

The National Physical Laboratory has recently developed a traceable measuring instrument that uses a stylus probe to measure topography in three dimensions. This paper presents the uncertainty evaluation associated with the new instrument. A sound mathematical model has been developed to describe the instrument geometry and functionality. Based on this model the uncertainty associated with the point co-ordinate measurement has been evaluated using a Monte Carlo technique, similar to the "virtual CMM" method. A short description of the instrument is presented along with the mathematical model and uncertainty calculation results.