Rule Model for Selecting Dimensional Measurement Equipment in Inspection Planning

Process uncertainty can have negative effects on part quality and is, therefore, critical to the safety and performance of products. Those effects are manifested in the dimensional measurement uncertainty associated with those parts and products. To minimize the effects of process uncertainties, the sources of dimensional uncertainty must be identified and clearly communicated to collaborators and suppliers. A principal source of dimensional uncertainty is the measurement equipment itself. This article presents an activity model, rule types, and sample rules for selecting dimensional metrology equipment. The activity model represents key operations and information flows associated with the dimensional measurement. Analysis of the included activity model facilitates the development of rule types for measurement equipment selection as described in the Quality Information Framework (QIF) standard. Rule types are based on design information and measurement requirements. Standard rule types enable industrial metrologists to capture, exchange, and share equipment selection rules with their collaborators. Example QIF rules are defined for successful and cost-saving use in planning a measurement process with functionally complex and appropriate dimensional measurement equipment.