This paper presents optimisation of a measuring probe path in inspecting the prismatic parts on a CMM. The optimisation model is based on: (i) the mathematical model that establishes an initial collision-free path presented by a set of points, and (ii) the solution of Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) obtained with Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO). In order to solve TSP, an ACO algorithm that aims to find the shortest path of ant colony movement (i.e. the optimised path) is applied. Then, the optimised path is compared with the measuring path obtained with online programming on CMM ZEISS UMM500 and with the measuring path obtained in the CMM inspection module of Pro/ENGINEER® software. The results of comparing the optimised path with the other two generated paths show that the optimised path is at least 20% shorter than the path obtained by on-line programming on CMM ZEISS UMM500, and at least 10% shorter than the path obtained by using the CMM module in Pro/ENGINEER®.

Technological assurance and improvement of the economic efficiency of production are the

first-priority issues for the modern manufacturing engineering area. It is possible to achieve

a higher value of economic efficiency in multiproduct manufacturing by multicriteria optimization.

A set of optimality criteria based on technological and economic indicators was

defined with the aim of selecting the optimal manufacturing process. Competitive variants

and a system of optimization were developed and investigated. A comparative analysis of

the optimality criteria and their influence on the choice of optimal machining processes was

carried out. It was determine