3D Simulation System for GD&T Inspection Process Planning and Optimisation

The last generation of CAD software systems allows the creation of models that consider the whole product lifecycle. Along the product development phase important activities are related to the geometrical tolerances prescription and their control planning. However, the Geometrical and Dimensional Tolerances (GD&T) representation, analysis and verification processes are still rarely taken into account in CAD systems. Such a bottleneck implies a “over the wall” communication between design and quality control departments. On the other hand, the tolerances verification process needs an high level of automation in order to extend the number of inspected products and to shorten the time from control strategy definition to the measurement process. Our research work is focused on the development of an approach for the automatic inspection planning, simulation and optimisation of geometrical tolerances. The approach is based on the integration of three technologies: the augmented CAD models, the 3D optical digitizing systems and the articulated robot systems. In this paper the methodology is presented both for specific geometrical tolerances verification and for the global shape control.