A CAD-ASSISTED IN-CYCLE GAGING SYSTEM FOR DIMENSIONAL INSPECTION AND ERROR COMPENSATION OF THE WORKPIECE DURING MACHINING IS DEVELOPED AROUND A MICROCOMPUTER, IBM PC/AT, AND A MACHINING CENTER. THIS SYSTEM EMPLOYS AUTOCAD AND SMARTCAM SOFTWARES AS THE CAD/CAM TOOL FOR ANY WORKPIECE OF INTEREST. THE MEASURING PATH CAN BE INITIALLY PLANNED AND VERIFIED BY A PROGRAM CALLED AUTOPROBE, WHICH IS DEVELOPED FROM AUTOCAD AND CONVERTED INTO DMIS FORM TO DRIVE THE IN-CYCLE GAGING SYSTEM OF THE MACHINING CENTER. SEVERAL METHODS ALSO ARE PROPOSED TO IMPROVE THE DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY OF THE WORKPIECE.