Abstract: A measurement system is described having parts that are not joined directly to the machine being measured, so that a change in the geometry of the machine cannot result in a shifting of the measurement systems relative to one another. The shifting of the measurement systems with respect to one another can also be compensated for by determining the change in the geometry of the machine and of the measurement systems, and compensating the measured value errors in accordance with a mathematical model for the change in geometry.

Abstract: A device for the attachment of a scale component of a length measuring system to a mounting surface of a first body, wherein a second body is arranged to be displaceable in relation to the first body in a measuring direction, wherein an adhesive layer is provided between the scale component and the mounting surface. The device includes at least one spacer that holds the scale component and supports the scale component at a distance from the mounting surface and is displaceably mounted on the mounting surface for alignment; and wherein the at least one spacer is actuated to remove the support and to make the holding force of the adhesive layer between the scale component and the mounting surface effective.

Abstract: A length or angle measuring apparatus which measures the relative position of two objects comprises a scale attached to a first object to be measured and a scanning unit which has at least one scanning element connected to the second object to be measured, wherein the second object and the scanning unit have different thermal expansion coefficients. The graduation of the scale is scanning by a scanning element of the scanning unit at a scanning point. Fastening means are provided which fasten the scanning unit to the second object to be measured, such that the scanning point of the scanning element of the scanning unit has no zero point displacement with temperature changes.

Abstract: A measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects is provided with a scale which defines reference marks absolutely allocated to a graduation. The graduation and the reference marks are scanned in a scanning unit by associated scanning fields of a scanning plate. For the clear and unambiguous scanning of the reference marks, and for the optimal scanning of the graduation, (1) the optical path length of the light rays between the graduation and the associated scanning fields and (2) the optical path length of the light rays between the reference marks and the associated scanning fields are provided with a phase difference. In this way, the optical path length for multiple scanning paths can be individually optimized.

Abstract: An encapsulated measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects (such as the slide piece and bed of a processing machine) includes a housing which is connected with a first one of the two objects. This housing serves to mount a measuring scale which is scanned by a scanning unit connected to a second one of the two objects. In order to compensate for thermally induced length changes of the first object, the housing serves simultaneously as an expansion element for the scale and as an encapsulating element for the scale and the scanning unit. The housing is fastened at a first fastening point with the first object and at a second, spaced fastening point to the scale. The scale is arranged to be slightly shiftable with respect to the housing in the measuring direction by means of a suitable adhesive.

Abstract: In an encapsulated length measuring system for measuring the relative position of two objects, a housing is provided which surrounds a measuring scale. The scale is mounted to the housing in such a manner that upon thermal length changes the scale is movable in the measuring direction substantially independently of the housing. The housing is mounted by means of a first fastening element at about its mid-point along the longitudinal measuring direction directly to the object to be measured. Both ends of the housing are mounted by means of further fastening elements to the object to be measured, in each case by means of a length compensating element which accommodates longitudinal translation in the measuring direction between the ends of the housing and the object to be measured.

Abstract: A length measuring system for measuring or adjusting the relative position of two objects includes a housing for a scale. This housing is fastened to a mounting surface of one object by means of at least one clamping shoe which engages a groove in a side surface of the housing. The inside surface of the groove adjacent to the mounting surface encloses with the mounting surface an angle .alpha. measured in a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise extent of the housing. The clamping shoe abuts by means of appropriately situated projections the mounting surface, the side surface of the housing, and the inside surface of the groove. Thus, the mounting shoe applies a rotational torque to the housing. This torque is about an axis of rotation running the longitudinal extent of the housing. In this way, a whole surface engagement of the support surface of the housing against the mounting surface is provided, despite the fact that the clamping shoes are positioned on only one side of the housing.

Abstract: A length or angle measuring device is provided with an error correction system in which the scanning unit, or the division plane of the scanning element of the scanning unit, is rotatable through an angle .phi. with respect to the division plane of the measuring scale in accordance with the desired error course. Preferably, the tilt axis of the scanning unit is maintained at a parallel spacing a from the division plane of the scale, perpendicular to the measuring direction X and parallel to the scale.

Abstract: A measuring system is described which includes a scale which defines both a measuring graduation and an array of reference marks positioned at predetermined positions with respect to the measuring graduation. The measuring system also includes a scanning unit which generates reference signals in response to detection of the reference mark. In the disclosed system a track is provided on the measuring scale which records selection indicators electrically. These selection indicators are scanned via an element of the scanning unit in order to allow selected ones of the reference marks to go into operation. Preferably, the scanning unit includes a record head for magnetically recording the selection indicators on the track, an erase head for magnetically erasing the selection indicators on the track, and a read head for magnetically detecting the selection indicators.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for an incremental measuring apparatus of the type which includes a graduation and a plurality of reference marks on a scale, in which selection elements are provided to allow individual ones of the reference marks to be selected to go into operation during the measuring process. The selection element is mounted within a housing which includes at least one clamping element which operates to clamp the housing in position in a guide groove extending along the measuring scale. The combination of the housing and the clamping element operates to clamp the selection element securely in place in alignment with the selected reference mark.