Non Contact Displacement Transducers Implementation as Stage in the Development of a Flexible Low Cost Coordinate Measuring Machine

Abstract

The paper presents a stage of the research concerning the development and improvement of a low cost small flexible coordinate measuring machine (CMM) that could be used in the future both in research and industry. Its main advantage could refer to the low cost (only about 30 ÷ 40% of the cost of a CMM in the category on the market, having similar dimensions) in conditions of high performance criteria. This could be possible due to the fact that they were implemented some recycled components in the construction of the robotic drive axes of the machine structure, low cost scanning devices and low cost mechanical systems for fixing and adapting the scanning devices. The research stage presented in the paper is essential for the later stages of research to develop an integrated concept: low-cost, flexibility, precision and efficiency, all criteria referring to a small portable scanning CMM, with possible application in any domain. Specifically, the described research stage refers to evaluate the implementation of some scanning systems, type non-contact low-cost and modern displacement transducers, on the principle of emission of LASER radiation, in terms of scanning accuracy. The reason is that currently these systems are used more and more in the CMMs construction.