Use of Laser Scanners in Machine Tools to Implement Freeform Parts Machining and Quality Control

This work illustrates the results obtained integrating the most recent laser scanner within machine tools for precision machining. The main aspects addressed include an in-depth analysis of currently available devices and their test on a specially adapted measuring machine, the use of the same axis that move the tool to achieve the scan and the use of sensors that provide different measurements types combined together. Achieved results demonstrated the possibility, for the chosen measurement system, to directly measure the position of geometric features with an accuracy of less than 2 μm and to identify their position through 3D matching with an error, calculated along repeatability tests, always less than 18 µm.