Computer-aided inspection of form of a cutter with an indeterminate axis

Measurement of the dimensions of rotating cutters (or similar pails) sometimes does not give a true indication of their performance under actual use because such usage (e.g. machining) occurs with reference to an intangible datum, like a bore axis, which is difficult lo fix in space. It thus becomes necessary to check the cutter in such a way that the special conditions which exist during usage arc catered for. The spherical cutler used in the automotive industry to machine the Trans-axle Differential Case is a typical example of such a cutter. In this paper a method to check if the cutter form is acceptable or mil has been devised and validated by experiments.