The combination of X-ray sensors and tactile or optical sensors in one coordinate measuring machine results in new potential applications. For various measurement tasks, other sensors besides the X-ray sensor can be integrated in the measurement programs. The image processing sensor, laser distance sensor, or even tactile sensors can be considered. Various potential applications arise:
Rapid definition of work piece coordinate systems
High precision measurement of functional dimensions in addition to an overview measurement by tomography
Partial areas of the work piece can be measured using tactile or optical sensor and others tomographically
Determine systematic measurement errors of tomography using comparative measurements
Perform autocorrection
Use as coordinate measuring machine without tomography, like a “normal” multi- sensor coordinate measuring machine.
The latter point is particularly advantageous for companies that do not want to invest in a large variety of equipment. The combined measurement method is explained in more detail here. In the first step, the reference elements are determined using a tactile or optical sensor. In the next step, one or more zones of interest of the work- piece can be tomographically measured with the X-ray sensor. The tomography results are then within the work piece coordinate system defined by the other sensors. Additionally, features from both measurements can be combined. Because the entire component does not need to be scanned tomographically just to find a few key elements, a significant amount of time can be saved.