Influence of the probing definition on the flatness measurement

The quality control of mechanical parts is generally performed on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The choice of the number of points to be sampled, their distributions and their positions on the surface, as well as the association criterion remains unresolved. This paper studies the variation of the flatness defect with regard to the number of palpated points. The methodology begins by sampling a cloud of points on a CMM. Then, a modal analysis study is carried out in order to generate a modal surfaces (digitally deformed). Insertion of the coordinate cloud points of these modal surfaces in the GEOVERIF software will allow estimation of the flatness defect. The results of the measured flatness by the three fitting criteria (minimum zone, least squares and minimum volume) are compared.