Abstract: A stylus is supported by an upper coupling member which is supported by a lower coupling member which is supported by a probe which is movably supported by a rail of a coordinate positioning machine. The coupling members are held together by a permanent magnet, and their relative positioning is established by first and second sets of positioning elements provided on the first and second coupling members respectively. The sets of positioning elements are mutually engagable in a plurality of angular orientations about the axis of the coupling to provide a plurality of angularly indexed positions at which the lower coupling member has stable and repeatable positions relative to the upper coupling member. The coupling is carried to the indexing dock where a carrier engages the lower coupling member, and the lower coupling member is released from the upper coupling member by energizing an electromagnet which repels the coupling members apart.

Abstract: A probe is mounted on a machine head which has mobility and readouts in three linear coordinate directions. The probe carries a stylus with a tip which has mobility relative to the head in three nonlinear coordinate directions which are nonaligned with the axes of head movement. A mathematical model, produced by a calibration technique before measurements are taken, translates readouts of the stylus tip's position in the nonlinear coordinates into values which are aligned with the coordinate axis system of the machine head. The probe has three flex wire motion guiding devices connected together in series, and each of these devices has a second member movably supported on a first member by flexible wires arranged in two nonparallel sets of parallel wires. The second member is thus constrained to movement in a single arcuate path which lies transverse to the longitudinal axes of the wires in both sets.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine obtains accurate readings by analyzing the mechanical vibrations which occur between a contact point where a probe contacts a workpiece and a readout point where a position-sensing device produces signals indicative of the relative positioning between the probe and the workpiece. The position-sensing device produces an oscillating signal due to the mechanical vibrations. A set of sequential readings is taken of this oscillating signal, and an average of these sequential readings is calculated to produce a final output signal which substantially represents an equilibrium position of the vibrations. The routine for producing the final output signal is triggered in response to the deceleration which occurs when the probe contacts the workpiece.

Abstract: A probe is mounted on a machine head which has mobility and readouts in three linear coordinate directions. The probe carries a stylus with a tip which has mobility relative to the head in three nonlinear coordinate directions which are nonaligned with the axes of head movement. A mathematical model, produced by a calibration technique before measurements are taken, translates readouts of the stylus tip's position in the nonlinear coordinates into values which are aligned with the coordinate axis system of the machine head. The probe has three flex wire motion guiding devices connected together in series, and each of these devices has a second member movably supported on a first member by flexible wires arranged in two nonparallel sets of parallel wires. The second member is thus constrained to movement in a single arcuate path which lies transverse to the longitudinal axes of the wires in both sets.