Ihas been a number of years since I have dealt with a CMM. When I last did though, if it was an automated system, I would run a ball-bar test 3 to 5 times to determine volumetric accuracy and repeatability. If the results were too varied I would go to a sample of 10 and note any and all variables present and examine for any trends.
If it was a manual system, then a 3 axis linear test covering the measurement range at 1 inch graduations 3 to 5 times was usually sufficient.
I always did this to satisfy my own sense of confidence in the calibration regardless of the documented results I was given.
This has always given me the data I needed to satisfy my functional and system requirements at the time. Would that hold up today? I dunno, but it worked well.
Im curious to read any more posts on this.
Oh yeah, my tests always took less than two hours for the most part, so it wasnt a resource drain at all.
[This message has been edited by Steven Truchon (edited 05 April 2001).]