Traditionally, part verification has been performed offline with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Moving the part offline requires additional setups and part handling, making it a time-consuming process. Inspecting the part with a probe while it is still on the machine tool reduces these nonvalue-added activities.
However, this type of inspection must take into account positioning errors that occur during machining, and are likely to be repeated during the inspection process, because the part is measured on the machine on which it was made. Laser vector measurement can help resolve these volumetric positioning errors and improve the accuracy of on-machine inspection. Integrated equipment and software can make on-machine inspection a viable process.