CMM Path Planning, Position and Orientation Optimization Using a Hybrid Algorithm

In the present paper a Hybrid Optimization Method is applied in order to determine the optimal placement of a workpiece on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) as well as the optimal movements of the CMM probe, aiming to reduce the measurement time. Further to the review of the toolpath computation and optimization methods, the framework of the optimization problem is defined. A modeling methodology for the problem is proposed and a solving method is presented. The proposed methodology is a combination of a genetic algorithm, a quasi-Newton algorithm and a constraints-handling method. The final outcome is the determination of the best positioning location of the object as well as the best probe positioning location for the scanning. The evaluation is done comparing two methods; the first one uses a genetic algorithm while the second combines a genetic algorithm with a hill climbing method.