| A software framework is developed to address integration for coordinate metrology systems and other automation software for design and manufacturing. The results extend earlier efforts of the Dimensional Measuring Inspection Standard (DMIS) and provide a flexible means for tracking changes in the emerging application protocol (AP219) for dimensional inspection. To allow for data sharing among dissimilar applications, a storage and transformation service, based on relational database technology, is designed and implemented. This service provides a means for sharing XML representations of coordinate metrology information between different sites and between different software applications. The transformation service is demonstrated with an internet application that operates across wide area networks. The software framework enables new approaches to coordinate metrology where data collection and analysis are decoupled. This allows for efficient use of capital equipment, opportunistic use of software, and an open-systems approach for the development of future coordinate metrology processes. |
