I + + Dme System Development In The Coordinate Measuring Machine

As an important geometric inspection equipment, 3-D Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is widely used in the manufacturing industry. However, the research conducted on the CMM measurement software and controller is under-developed for a long time in the domestic market. The difficulty arises due to the lack of an industry standard for connecting measurement software and controller from different vendors. I++ DME (Dimensional Measurement Equipment Interface) is an industry attempt to resolve this problem. It is an industry standard created to define a standard communication protocol between dimensional measurement equipment and measurement software. This standard is brought forward by I++ (Inspection plus plus)which is an European work group.Through a brief introduction of CMM and analysis on the market and development of CMM, the paper shows the need of this research. It starts with an overview of the I++ DME background, and then goes into the details of its system layout, object model, method, syntax, protocol, and etc. With the development of the measuring software, this paper describes how to use I++DME to design the interface module, solves the communication between the software and the controller, and implements auto-measuring function by using the I++ methods. The complete measuring system comprises the Renishaw's UCC Lite CMM controller, and a measuring software. Both modules are in conformance with the I++ DME standard. The system was capable of conducting auto inspection of a typical part and has been verified in actual tests.This paper highlights the importance of the I++ DME as a standardized interface in CMM development. Hopefully, it will serve as a useful guide for any domestic development in geometric inspection equipment.