Abstract: A measurement probe 1 for a machine tool has a housing 4/5 incorporating a window 6 which allows the optical transmission or receipt of signals from/to infrared transmitters 12 or receivers 13. To obviate the need to mount the transmitter and receiver components on an external surface of the housing, they are surface mounted to a circuit board 8?.

Abstract: A measurement probe, such as a touch trigger measurement probe, is described that comprises a measurement portion for measuring an object and a data transfer portion for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to an associated unit. The measurement device also comprises an authentication module for verifying the authenticity of the associated unit. The authentication module may include a processor for running a one-way hash algorithm. Authenticity may be established using a challenge and response authentication process.

Abstract: A measurement probe for a machine tool has a housing incorporating a window that allows the optical transmission or receipt of signals from/to infrared transmitters or receivers. To obviate the need to mount the transmitter and receiver components on an external surface of the housing, they are surface mounted to a circuit board.

Abstract: A measurement probe 1 for a machine tool has a housing 4/5 incorporating a window 6 which allows the optical transmission or receipt of signals from/to infrared transmitters 12 or receivers 13. To obviate the need to mount the transmitter and receiver components on an external surface of the housing, they are surface mounted to a circuit board 8′.

Abstract: A measurement probe 1 for a machine tool has a housing 4/5 incorporating a window 6 which allows the optical transmission or receipt of signals from/to infrared transmitters 12 or receivers 13. To obviate the need to mount the transmitter and receiver components on an external surface of the housing, they are surface mounted to a circuit board 8′.

Abstract: A measurement probe (1) for a machine tool has a housing (4/5) incorporating a window (6) which allows the optical transmission or receipt of signals from/to infrared transmitters (12) or receivers (13). To obviate the need to mount the transmitter and receiver components on an external surface of the housing, they are surface mounted to a circuit board (8′).

Abstract: Vibrations of the stylus (4) of a measuring probe (1) mounted on a machine, and which are transmitted to the probe stylus via the machine quill and probe body, are reduced or eliminated by a vibration damping means positioned within a cavity of the stylus. FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment in which the vibration damping means is a unconstrained rubber cylinder (16), in a hollow cartridge (12) connected to the stylus at its tip. Alternatively a dynamic vibration absorber can be used.

Abstract: A touch probe has a stylus holder 16 which is supported on a radially extending flange 14 in a kinematic seat comprising pairs of balls 20 supporting rollers 24. To avoid the use of glue to fix the balls in position, the balls are located and clamped in recesses 22 on flange 14. Clamping pressure is provided by a plug 30 which is forced towards the flange by rolling a lip 54 over the protruding end of the plug. Other alternative constructions for providing the clamping force are described. An electrical circuit through the balls for producing a trigger signal includes a flexible member 40 on which electrical conducting elements 44 are formed. The member is positioned on the flange to overlie the recesses so that it is deformed into the recesses when the clamping force is applied. By making use of the clamping force in this way good electrical connections between the balls and the conducting elements is ensured and the need to connect wires to the balls is avoided.

Abstract: A measuring probe has a stylus carrier supported on a fixed member in a rest position when no force acts on the stylus, the stylus carrier being deflected from its rest position to produce a signal when an external force is applied to the stylus. The support for the stylus carrier comprises two concentric rings of ball bearings of different pitch circle diameters and arranged that each ball on one of the members contacts two adjacent balls on the other member. An additional annular surface is provided on one of the members and is contacted by each of the balls on the other member. The arrangement provides that the force required to deflect the stylus is substantially equal in all directions of the force, and that the movable member is properly guided during its deflection to the point where a signal is produced.

Abstract: A touch probe includes a stylus module (54) and a sensing module (52) to which the stylus module is releasably securable by a magnetic coupling. The sensing module comprises a strain sensitive load cell on which the stylus module is supported, and which senses strain in the stylus on contact with a surface. The stylus module provides for overtravel of the probe; a stylus-supporting member being biased into a kinematic rest position with respect to the casing of the stylus module. The biasing force in the stylus module is chosen with regard to the length and configuration of stylus. This modular system enables automated stylus changing without the need to adjust the biasing force on the stylus-supporting member when different lengths of styli are employed.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe incorporates piezoelectric sensors 50, whose outputs are processed by an interface circuit. The interface circuit discriminates between signals generated from the piezoelectric sensors 50 as a result of machine vibration and those generated as a result of a genuine measurement event, by the use of a timing circuit 90. The timing circuit 90 compares the time intervals (t.sub.1 -t.sub.2);(t.sub.2 -t.sub.3) between attainment of first 1.sub.1 and second 1.sub.2, and second 1.sub.2 and third 1.sub.3 output signal levels from the sensor 50, and upon the basis of this comparison validates (or rejects) measurements made with the probe. Additionally, the interface determines whether measurements made with the probe are taken upon the basis of outputs generated by the sensors 50 due to a shock wave in the stylus 24 of the probe, or as a result of strain in the stylus 24; as an alternative, measurements may be made only on the basis of strain.

Abstract: A magazine has a plurality of storage ports 400 each of which retains a stylus module 314 for use in measuring workpiece dimensions on a coordinate measuring machine. Each storage port 400 is configured as a pair of jaws provided by docking inserts 414. A permanent magnet 418 is mounted on each docking insert 414. The lower casing of the stylus module 314 is urged against the inwardly facing edges 416 of the docking inserts 414 by the magnetic attraction force due the magnets 418. The stylus module 314 is engaged with a retaining module (on the quill of the machine) by moving the retaining module in a downward sense to engage the stylus module 314; further downward movement disengages the stylus module 314 from the storage port 400, thus enabling engagement of such a stylus module and removal of the module from the storage port in a single continuous movement.

Abstract: A touch probe for use on a coordinate positioning machine includes a stylus module and a sensing module securable to a movable arm of the positioning machine for releasably supporting the stylus module. The sensing module can include a sensor for detecting contact between the stylus and a surface and/or for detecting displacement of the stylus module relative to the movable arm. The stylus includes a support structure, releasably supported by the stylus module, and a stylus-supporting member for supporting the stylus, with the stylus-supporting member being biased into a rest position with respect to the support structure. The stylus-supporting member is displaceable from the rest position and relative to the support structure when a deflection force acts on the stylus, and returns to the rest position when the deflecting force is removed.

Abstract: A magazine has a plurality of storage ports 400 each of which retains a stylus module 314 for use in measuring workpiece dimensions on a coordinate measuring machine. Each storage port 400 is configured as a pair of jaws provided by docking inserts 414. A permanent magnet 418 is mounted on each docking insert 414. The lower casing of the stylus module 314 is urged against the inwardly facing edges 416 of the docking inserts 414 by the magnetic attraction force due the magnets 418. The stylus module 314 is engaged with a retaining module (on the quill of the machine) by moving the retaining module in a downward sense to engage the stylus module 314; further downward movement disengages the stylus module 314 from the storage port 400, thus enabling engagement of such a stylus module and removal of the module from the storage port in a single continuous movement.

Abstract: A touch probe for use on a coordinate positioning machine includes a stylus module and a sensing module securable to a movable arm of the positioning machine for releasably supporting the stylus module. The sensing module can include a sensor for detecting contact between the stylus and a surface and/or for detecting displacement of the stylus module relative to the movable arm. The stylus includes a support structure, releasably supported by the stylus module, and a stylus-supporting member for supporting the stylus, with the stylus-supporting member being biased into a rest position with respect to the support structure. The stylus-supporting member is displaceable from the rest position and relative to the support structure when a deflection force acts on the stylus, and returns to the rest position when the deflecting force is removed.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe incorporates piezoelectric sensors 50, whose outputs are processed by an interface circuit. The interface circuit discriminates between signals generated from the piezoelectric sensors 50 as a result of machine vibration and those generated as a result of a genuine measurement event, by the use of a timing circuit 90. The timing circuit 90 compares the time intervals (t1-t2);(t2-t3) between attainment of first 11 and second 12, and second 12 and third 13 output signal levels from the sensor 50, and upon the basis of this comparison validates (or rejects) measurements made with the probe. Additionally, the interface determines whether measurements made with the probe are taken upon the basis of outputs generated by the sensors 50 due to a shock wave in the stylus 24 of the probe, or as a result of strain in the stylus 24; as an alternative, measurements may be made only on the basis of strain.