Flexible in-process inspection through direct control

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are used in most manufacturing processes. Efforts are being made to reduce the time and cost of measurement by measuring a part directly on the cutting machine. Research in Direct Machining and Control (DMAQ at Brigham Young University (BYU) has identified an improved application of CMM technology on machine tools. A machine tool was controlled as a CMM by integrating the PC-DMIS measurement software package, provided by Wilcox Associates, Incorporated (WAI), with the DMAC controller provided by Direct Controls, Incorporated (DCI). The DMAC controller can be directly controlled by CMM software such as PC-DMIS to conduct in-process dimensional inspection of parts. This process is referred to as DirectCMM because the DMAC controller communicates directly with PC-DMIS without need for post-processing. This research lays the groundwork for future efforts at developing systems that utilize in-process part inspection to dynamically correct computer aided manufacturing (CAM) process plans. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.