Efficient empirical determination of maximum permissible error in coordinate metrology

Abstract Maximum permissible errors (MPEs) are an important measurement system specification and form the basis of periodic verification a system’s performance. However, there is no standard methodology for determining MPEs, so when they not provided, or suitable procedure performed, it unclear how to generate appropriate value with which verify system. Whilst simple approach might be take many measurements calibrated artefact then use maximum observed error as MPE, this method requires large number repeat high confidence in calculated MPE. Here, we present statistical MPE determination, capable providing MPEs minimum data collection. The presented 1000 synthetic experiments shown determine overestimated within 10% analytically true 99.2% experiments, while underestimating respect 0.8% (overestimating value, on average, by 1.24%). applied real test case (probing commercial fringe projection system), where efficiently determined 0.3% using arbitrarily chosen measurements.