Inspection Strategies for Complex Curved Surfaces Using CMM

The accurate measurement of complex surfaces is difficult. Accuracy demands precision in measuring technology, i.e., the measuring machine and also precise mathematical representation of complex geometries. This paper introduces a method of measuring a complex surface by using a Coordinate Measuring Machine and representing the measured surfaces mathematically. This enables comparison with other surfaces, e.g. the as-designed surface or the original unworn surface. The measurement of the knee prosthesis was taken as a case study.