Interactive Software Tools for Processing QIF-formatted Part Models to Generate Realistic and Accurate Measurement Plans and Programs in Standard Digital Languages

The QIF standard shows the promise of offering an environment where best-in-class metrology applications can be linked to yield solutions that are automated, optimized, adaptive, and traceable, maintaining the agility required to ensure U. S. global competitiveness. While the QIF standard has reached a substantial level of comprehensiveness and maturity, the embodiment of the standard in actual, commercial-grade software applications remains in its beginning stage because many developers of metrology applications software are waiting to see whether the QIF standard is sufficiently mature to warrant adoption. We propose a project to demonstrate QIF maturity and to facilitate future development of commercial applications of QIF by means of a three-faceted program: (1) Development and commercialization of a QIFbased software application that will enable the automated generation of optimized CMM inspection plans and programs. (2) Development and dissemination to the user and developer communities of free, open source tools for QIF instance file generation and maintenance. (3) Production of a report of recommendation of extension of the QIF Rules schema in future editions.