Patent Abstract:
An exemplary method for measuring workpieces is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: measuring a workpiece; recording the measuring procedures of the workpiece; generating procedure codes according to the measuring procedures; storing the procedure codes in a program file; generating a measuring program by compiling the procedure codes and saving corresponding procedure commands of the compiled program file in a measuring program command package; and measuring a same type of workpieces by executing the procedure commands of the measuring program command package. By utilizing the present invention, the same type of workpieces can be measured automatically, measuring time can be reduced, and measuring efficiency can be enhanced.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a system and method for measuring workpieces. 
   DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
   In modern manufacturing processes, it is generally desirable to have as much control and automation as possible. In order to improve the manufacturing processes as much as possible, and to provide as great a control as possible, large amounts of information are collected and analyzed that allow for a refinement of the process and improving quality control. 
   For example, before a type of workpiece is mass produced, at least one sample of the type of workpiece needs to be measured manually in order to inspect the quality of the workpiece sample—an important factor for keeping the ability of enterprise competitive. Then, an operator collects the measuring procedures, and analyzes the sizes of the workpiece. 
   What is needed, therefore, is a system and method of generating measuring programs for measuring workpieces intelligently. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A system for measuring workpieces is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The system typically includes a procedure code generating module, a program compilation module and a program execution module. The programming code generating module is configured for recording measuring procedures generated by that an image measuring machine measures a workpiece, for generating corresponding procedure codes according to the measuring procedures, and for storing the procedure codes in a program file. The program compilation module is configured for storing the program file in a text file, converting the text file into procedure commands, and storing the procedure commands in a measuring program command package. The program execution module is configured for measuring a same type of workpieces by executing the procedure commands of the measuring program command package. 
   A method for measuring workpieces is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: measuring a workpiece; recording the measuring procedures of the workpiece; generating procedure codes according to the measuring procedures; storing the procedure codes in a program file; generating a measuring program by compiling the procedure codes and saving corresponding procedure commands of the compiled program file in a measuring program command package; and measuring a same type of workpieces by executing the procedure commands of the measuring program command package. 
   Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system for measuring workpieces, in accordance with one preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of software function modules of the computer of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a preferred method for measuring workpieces in accordance with one preferred embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is one step of  FIG. 3  in detail, namely generating procedure codes; and 
       FIG. 5  is one step of  FIG. 3  in detail, namely editing commands. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system for measuring workpieces (hereinafter, “the system”), in accordance with one preferred embodiment. The hardware configuration of the system typically includes a computer  1 , an image measuring machine  2 , and at least one workpiece  3 . The computer  1  may include a measuring software  10  that is configured for measuring the length and shape of the workpiece  3 . The computer  1  is connected with the image measuring machine  2 , and may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook, or any other suitable type of computing device. 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of software function modules of the computer  1 . The computer  1  mainly includes a storing module  100 , a procedure code generating module  102 , a program compilation module  104 , a program executing module  106 , and a determining module  108 . 
   The storing module  100  is configured for storing command parameters and files generated while generating a measuring program. The procedure code generating module  102  is configured for recording measuring procedures. The measuring procedures are generated when the image measuring machine  2  completes a full measuring cycle on the workpiece  3  by utilizing the measuring software  10 . 
   The procedure code generating module  102  is further configured for generating corresponding procedure codes according to the measuring procedures. The storing module  100  stores the procedure codes in a program file. The measuring procedures includes a position of the image measuring machine  2 , a type of a light source, a luminous flux of the light source, a running speed of the image measuring machine  2 , and other related operational information. The related operational information mainly includes a find edge tool, a focus tool, measuring elements, constructive elements, and coordinates. 
   The program compilation module  104  is configured for compiling the procedure codes, and for generating a measuring program according to the procedure codes. That is, the storing module  100  stores the program file in a text file, the program compilation module  104  reads all the procedures of the text file, converts the text file into corresponding procedure commands, and the storing module  100  stores the procedure commands in a measuring program command package. The text file is a transitional file with correct syntax readable by the program compilation module  104 . The procedure commands include measuring commands, find edge tool commands, conditional statement commands, loop statement commands, light commands, statement assigning command, and command fulfillment. 
   The program executing module  106  is configured for executing all the procedure commands in the measuring program command package, triggering an event, and transmitting the procedure commands to the measuring software  10  for measuring a same type of workpiece. The event is configured for controlling the running state of the measuring software  10  and the image measuring machine  2 . 
   The determining module  108  is configured for determining whether the command parameters are accurate, and determining whether the procedure code generating module  102  finishes recording the procedure codes. The determining module  108  is further configured for determining whether procedures of the text file complies syntax, and determining whether the program compilation module  104  reads all the procedures of the text file. 
     FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a preferred method for measuring workpieces. In step S 100 , the image measuring machine  2  is operated to complete the full measuring cycle on the workpiece  3  by utilizing the measuring software  10 . 
   In step S 200 , the procedure code generating module  102  records the measuring procedures generated during the full measuring cycle, generates the procedure codes, and stores the procedure codes in the program file. The measuring procedures includes the position of the image measuring machine  2 , the type of the light source, the luminous flux of the light, running speeds of the measuring software  10 , the image measuring machine  2 , and other related operational information. The related operational information mainly includes a find edge tool, a focus tool, measuring elements, constructive elements, and coordinates. 
   In step S 300 , the program compilation module  104  complies procedure codes, and generates the measuring program according to the procedure codes. That is, the storing module  100  stores the program file in the text file, the program compilation module  104  converts the text file into corresponding procedure commands, and the storing module  100  stores the procedure commands in the measuring program command package. The text file is the transitional file with correct syntax readable by the program compilation module  104 . 
   In step S 400 , the program executing module  106  executes all the procedure commands in the measuring program command package, triggers events, and transmits the procedure commands to the measuring software  10  for measuring the same type of workpiece. The event is configured for controlling the running state of the measuring software  10  and the image measuring machine  2 . 
     FIG. 4  is a flowchart of step S 200  of  FIG. 3  in detail, namely generating procedure codes. In step S 201 , the programming code generating module  102  first records the related measuring procedures that is generated during the manual operation and then obtains command parameters. The command parameters include parameters of positions of the image measuring machine  2 , the type of the light source, the illumination of the light, running speed, and related operational information. 
   In step S 202 , the determining module  108  determines whether the command parameters are accurate. In step S 203 , if the command parameters are accurate, the procedure code generating module  102  generates corresponding procedure codes according to the command parameters and saves the procedure codes in the program file; if the command parameters are inaccurate, the process returns to the step S 201 . 
   In step S 204 , the determining module  108  determines whether the procedure code generating module  102  has finished recording the procedure codes. In step S 205 , the storing module  100  stores the program file if the procedure code generating module  102  has finished recording the procedure codes. The process returns to the step S 201  if the procedure code generating module  102  has not finished recording the procedure codes. 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart of step S 300  of  FIG. 3  in detail, namely editing commands. In step S 301 , the program file in  FIG. 4  is opened. In step S 302 , the storing module  100  stores the program file as character strings in the text file. 
   In step S 303 , the program compilation module  104  reads one procedure of the text file. In step S 304 , the determining module  108  determines whether the procedure of the text file complies syntax. 
   In step S 305 , the program compilation module  104  converts the text file into procedure commands if the procedure complies syntax. In step S 306 , the storing module  100  stores the procedure commands in the measuring program command package. 
   In step S 307 , the determining module  108  determines whether the program compilation module  104  has finished reading all the procedures of the text file. If the program compilation module  104  finishes reading all the procedures in the text file, the process ends. If the program compilation module  104  has not finished reading all the procedures of the text file, the process returns to the step S 303 . 
   In step S 308 , the program compilation module  104  reminds a user the procedure has error, and the user modifies the error if the procedure of the text file does not complies syntax (shown in step S 304 ). In step S 309 , the storing module  100  stores the modified procedure, and the process returns to the step S 309 . 
   It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6