Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine is used to extract data points from an airfoil surface. The machine is controlled to move a probe to desired points by a generic program applicable to any airfoil and a nominal data file specific to the type of airfoil being measured containing coordinates of desired data points, surface normal vectors and optional machine control instructions arranged in the order of usage. The program reads the data file and predicts the location of corresponding data points on the surface from the file data and deviation information available from already-sampled data points on the blade. An analysis program accepts the data points, mathematically reconstructs portions of the airfoil and measures dimensions from those portions. The dimensions are compared to tolerances read from another file specific to the airfoil type.