Abstract: A method of calibrating a contact probe having a deflectable stylus and configured to provide at least one signal which is indicative of the extent of deflection of the stylus, the contact probe being mounted on a coordinate positioning machine which facilitates reorientation of the contact probe about at least one axis. The method includes: taking measurement data obtained with the contact probe positioned at a plurality of different orientations about the at least one axis; and determining from the measurement data at least one gain variation model which models any apparent variation in the gain of the at least one probe signal dependent on the orientation of the contact probe about the at least one axis.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a contact probe having a deflectable stylus and configured to provide at least one signal which is indicative of the extent of deflection of the stylus, the contact probe being mounted on a coordinate positioning machine which facilitates reorientation of the contact probe about at least one axis. The method includes: taking measurement data obtained with the contact probe positioned at a plurality of different orientations about the at least one axis; and determining from the measurement data at least one gain variation model which models any apparent variation in the gain of the at least one probe signal dependent on the orientation of the contact probe about the at least one axis.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a measurement scale in a motorized scanning head using a reference artefact is described. The method comprises the step of rotating a surface sensing device, such as a scanning probe, mounted on the scanning head about at least one axis of the scanning head to move the surface sensing device into a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the reference artefact. A step is then performed of measuring, with the surface sensing device, at least one property of the reference artefact at each of the different angular orientations. An error map or function is then created for at least one measurement scale of the scanning head using the properties of the reference artefact measured and optionally known or calibrated properties of that reference artefact. The method may comprise use of co-ordinate positioning apparatus, such as a co-ordinate measuring machine, to move the scanning head. The reference artefact may comprise a single feature or an array of features.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a measurement scale in a motorised scanning head using a reference artefact is described. The method comprises the step of rotating a surface sensing device, such as a scanning probe, mounted on the scanning head about at least one axis of the scanning head to move the surface sensing device into a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the reference artefact. A step is then performed of measuring, with the surface sensing device, at least one property of the reference artefact at each of the different angular orientations. An error map or function is then created for at least one measurement scale of the scanning head using the properties of the reference artefact measured and optionally known or calibrated properties of that reference artefact. The method may comprise use of co-ordinate positioning apparatus, such as a co-ordinate measuring machine, to move the scanning head. The reference artefact may comprise a single feature or an array of features.