Abstract: A method for compensating sliding temperature influences on workpieces during a dimensional measurement process. For this purpose, the workpiece temperature and the relative position of the workpiece in relation to the measuring apparatus are recorded at the start and at the end of the actual measurement. By use of the recorded values, the temperature of the workpiece can be calculated at each instant of the dimensional measurement and the relative position of the workpiece in relation to the measuring apparatus and therefore the corrected scanning point can thus be determined. Thus, in the dimensional measurement of workpieces, while taking into account the temperature influences, the temperature straight line in the time interval from the start of measurement to the end of measurement is divided by intermediate measurements into part intervals, within which interpolation can be carried out.

Abstract: A centering device for a mechanical tracer, with a flexural bar and at least two centering systems. Each centering system includes a pair of pistons which act on the flexural bar in opposite directions. A stop for one piston of each pair is provided, such that the piston bearing against the stop exerts, at least near the state of rest, twice as high a return force as the second piston of the pair. At least two centering systems are provided in order to impart different force/path characteristics to the tracer.

Abstract: The centering device for a mechanical probe comprising a driver and two restoring member acting thereon in opposite directions, wherein only one, possibly multipart, stop is provided for a first restoring member. In the position of rest, the first restoring member lies against the stop exerts, at least near the position of rest, a restoring force twice as great as that exerted by the second restoring member. Springs or fluid pistons are provided as restoring members. They can briefly exert a shaking force on the driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to the construction of specimens for coordinate measuring instruments. According to the invention, these consist of touchable reference elements, and rods, in particular of ball-rod structures, balls and rods being held in contact by spring forces, and the contact surfaces of the rods being adapted to the radius of the balls. This construction enables the specimens to be disassembled. It guarantees a high reproducibility of the dimension embodied by the center-to-center distance between the balls in conjunction with ease of disassembly of the complete specimen The advantages are that one-dimensional specimens of very great length can be formed by joining to one another rods and interposed balls, while in the case of two- and three-dimensional specimens the transport volume is substantially reduced. The calibration of the reference object is possible in a simple and accurate fashion via the separate one-dimensional calibration of the segments.

Abstract: A feeler pin having a contact element with a contact sensor, which is constructed as a laser feedback interferometer whose resonator quality is varied by changes in position of the contact element enabling measurement of radiation flux or the internal resistance of the laser. These measurements can then be related to a mechanical contact. The interferometer is preferably arranged inside the feeler pin which is constructed as a tube and the sapphire ball, conventional as contact element is used as a third cavity facet. Different variations are represented.