Integrated Vision and Touch Sensing for CMMs

This paper describes a calibrated and an uncalibrated method for integrating a vision system with touch sensors and a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). Traditionally, vision systems are used to measure machined parts and to localize manufacturing defects based on appearances. Our system relies on a “coarse-fine” approach to integrating vision with CMMs. Vision guides the CMM to the feature to be measured and the CMM performs the actual measurement. The resulting system is capable of quickly inspecting large regions with high resolution. We will examine what impact the internet may have on CMM technology and the ways in which vision can make CMM technology accessible over it. We will also present results demonstrating the power and flexibility of new, uncalibrated vision techniques.