Ball tip–stylus tilt correction for a stylus profilometer

Ball tip and stylus tilt are two error sources found in coordinate measurement machines (CMMs). The magnitude of these errors is dependent on the ball tip radius and the degree of misalignment between the stylus motion axis and lateral referencing plane determined by the x and y axes of the CMM used. It is shown that these two errors are actually coupled and that their correction can be accomplished in one process. The overall benefit and versatility of this correction routine on a more general basis are given.