Validation of an information model for inspection with CMM

Abstract

Application of Simultaneous Engineering concept can be made at two levels: the first one refers to project work and administration methods, reorganizing teams; the second level refers to the use of computer systems which not only transmits product and process information among them, but also allows them to share it [S. Bloor, J. Owen, Product Data Exchange, UCL Press Limited, London, 1995]. Nowadays, several research groups are working on this second alternative. In this context, the definition of a product information model is very useful: a mechanism able to provide product information to the activities in the production cycle [P. Gu, K. Chang, Product Modelling Using STEP, Computer Aided Design, 27(3) (1995) 163–179; P.R. Wilson, Information Modelling, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 7(12) (1987) 65–67]. This model should satisfy the different points of view that the product lifecycle activities have about the same information [O.J. Canciglieri, R.I.M. Young, A multi-viewpoint reasoning system in design for injection moulding, International Conference on Design and Production of Dies and Molds, Istambul, 19–21 Junio, 1997, pp. 195–205; T. de Martino, B. Falcidieno, S. Habinger, Design and engineering process integration through a multiple view intermediate modeller in a distributed object-oriented system environment, Computer Aided Design, 30(6) (1998) 437–452; Product Data Representation and Exchange. Part 1. Overview and Fundamental Principles, ISO 10303 Part 1, ISO, 1993]: functionality, geometry, manufacturability or inspectionability. STEP standard [Product Data Representation and Exchange. Part 1. Overview and Fundamental Principles, ISO 10303 Part 1, ISO, 1993] provides a way to solve the problem of information integration along the cycle. However, this standard still does not consider the dimensional inspection process integration. This paper shows a solution to integrate the dimensional inspection process in the production cycle using coordinate measuring machines. The integration is achieved by means of an information model implemented in a product central database, accessible to every activity in the cycle. The information model has been defined according to STEP standard philosophy, in such a way that interaction with other information models related to other activities in the cycle is possible. A new framework called IFCIA is presented. Here, the model has been tested taking as reference the information objects included in the previously developed model. This framework was already introduced in Refs. [J. Barreiro, J.E. Labarga, A. Vizán, J. Ríos, Information model for the integration of the inspection activity in a concurrent engineering framework, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, 43(8) (2003) 797–809; J. Barreiro, J.E. Labarga, A. Vizán, J. Ríos, Functional model for the development of an inspection integration framework, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacturing, 43(15) (2003) 1621–1632] but it is explained in detail now. The framework architecture and the difficulties that arise to integrate dimensional measuring equipments in the cycle are shown.