On-machine roundness measurement of cylindrical work pieces by the combined three-point method

In this paper, we describe a new differential method for on-machine roundness measurement of cylindrical workpieces, which is called the combined three-point method. This method combines the advantages of the generalized three-point method and the sequential three-point method and can accurately measure roundness profiles including stepwise variations. In the combined three-point method, some data points in the roundness profile evaluated by the generalized three-point method are chosen as the reference points of the standard area and used to determine the relationships among the data groups of the sequential three-point method. An interpolation technique is employed in the data processing of the generalized three-point method to improve the accuracy of the standard area. Theoretical analyses and computer simulations confirming the feasibility of the combined three-point method are shown in this paper. A roundness measurement system using three capacitance-type displacement probes is constructed. The measurement system and the experimental results are also presented.