CMM touch trigger probes testing using a reference axis

A new method of testing of touch trigger probes for coordinate measuring machines (CMM) has been proposed. The concept is based on measurements of the distance between reference and triggering points in various directions. The reference points are established by the rotation axis of a precise rotary table. The advantage of this method relies on easy realisation with application of a commercial device for roundness error measurement. The accuracy of the presented method is much higher in comparison with the existing procedures of CMM probes calibration. thematical principle of the method has been presented and used for evaluation of its uncertainty. The validity of the method was experimentally confirmed by means of one- and two-stage type probes.