Abstract
A computational technique for the minimum zone method, which is used to determine a reference plane from the measured surface data on a precision table or machine bed to verify surface flatness, is introduced. This technique, called the "'Z'approaching method" in this paper, is an analytical method without any assumptions and is simple compared to other techniques. This method can also be applied to the determination of a reference line for straightness measurement of a carriage guide. This method is compared with the graphical solution for the straightness measurement of a straight edge.
