Finite Element Modeling and Simulation of Probe System

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) have been widely used for enhancing product quality, productivity and reliability. This powerful instrument assists the user by providing them with highly accurate and reliable measurement results. Many studies involving the application of various different methods have been carried out to enhance the performance of CMM. This paper discusses the application of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to study the probe system of CMM. Finite element modeling is utilized to investigate the displacement of the probe stylus, pretravel variation (lobing effects) and the associated measurement uncertainty. Different characteristics of styli have been considered and the corresponding effects on the probe operation are reported.