Abstract: An interchangeable chromatic range sensor (CRS) probe for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CRS probe is capable of being automatically connected to a CMM under program control. In one embodiment, in order to make the CRS probe compatible with a standard CMM auto exchange joint, all CRS measurement light transmitting and receiving elements (e.g., the light source, wavelength detector, optical pen, etc.) are included in the CRS probe assembly. The CRS probe assembly also includes an auto exchange joint element that is attachable through a standard auto exchange joint connection to a CMM. In one embodiment, in order to provide the required signals through the limited number of connections of the standard CMM auto exchange joint (e.g., 13 pins), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) serializer may be utilized for providing additional control and data signals on two signal lines.

Abstract: Reflective assemblies are provided that may be attached to the end of a chromatic confocal point sensor optical pen. Each reflective assembly includes a reflective surface (e.g., a turning mirror) oriented for directing a measurement beam along a measurement axis at a selected angle relative to the central Z-axis of the optical pen. Reflective assemblies with different orientations for the measurement beams (e.g., 60 degrees, 120 degrees, etc.) allow for measurements of workpiece features that cannot be achieved with a measurement beam directed in a normal incident manner or at a standard 90 degree orientation. In one implementation, the reflective assemblies may be kinematically located and retained using magnetic coupling, and may be rotated and reseated in different rotational orientations about the central Z-axis of the optical pen. A set of such reflective assemblies greatly increases the measurement capability of a single optical pen, in an economical manner.

Abstract: An interchangeable chromatic range sensor (CRS) probe for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CRS probe is capable of being automatically connected to a CMM under program control. In one embodiment, in order to make the CRS probe compatible with a standard CMM auto exchange joint, all CRS measurement light transmitting and receiving elements (e.g., the light source, wavelength detector, optical pen, etc.) are included in the CRS probe assembly. The CRS probe assembly also includes an auto exchange joint element that is attachable through a standard auto exchange joint connection to a CMM. In one embodiment, in order to provide the required signals through the limited number of connections of the standard CMM auto exchange joint (e.g., 13 pins), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) serializer may be utilized for providing additional control and data signals on two signal lines.

Abstract: An optical pen for use in a chromatic range sensor (CRS) may be used in a probe system for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The optical pen includes a confocal optical path, an interchangeable optics element, an optical pen base member, and a repeatable fast exchange mount. The confocal optical path includes a confocal aperture and a chromatically dispersive optics portion. The interchangeable optics element includes the chromatically dispersive optics portion. The optical pen base member includes an external mounting surface for mounting to an external reference frame. The repeatable fast exchange mount includes a first mating half located on the base member and a second mating half located on the interchangeable optics element. The repeatable fast exchange mount is configured to allow the base member to receive and hold the interchangeable optics element in a fixed relationship relative to the base member and the external reference frame.

Abstract: An interchangeable chromatic range sensor (CRS) probe for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CRS probe is capable of being automatically connected to a CMM under program control. In one embodiment, in order to make the CRS probe compatible with a standard CMM auto exchange joint, all CRS measurement light transmitting and receiving elements (e.g., the light source, wavelength detector, optical pen, etc.) are included in the CRS probe assembly. The CRS probe assembly also includes an auto exchange joint element that is attachable through a standard auto exchange joint connection to a CMM. In one embodiment, in order to provide the required signals through the limited number of connections of the standard CMM auto exchange joint (e.g., 13 pins), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) serializer may be utilized for providing additional control and data signals on two signal lines.

Abstract: An interchangeable chromatic range sensor (CRS) probe for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CRS probe is capable of being automatically connected to a CMM under program control. In one embodiment, in order to make the CRS probe compatible with a standard CMM auto exchange joint, all CRS measurement light transmitting and receiving elements (e.g., the light source, wavelength detector, optical pen, etc.) are included in the CRS probe assembly. The CRS probe assembly also includes an auto exchange joint element that is attachable through a standard auto exchange joint connection to a CMM. In one embodiment, in order to provide the required signals through the limited number of connections of the standard CMM auto exchange joint (e.g., 13 pins), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) serializer may be utilized for providing additional control and data signals on two signal lines.

Abstract: An optical pen for use in a chromatic range sensor (CRS) may be used in a probe system for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The optical pen includes a confocal optical path, an interchangeable optics element, an optical pen base member, and a repeatable fast exchange mount. The confocal optical path includes a confocal aperture and a chromatically dispersive optics portion. The interchangeable optics element includes the chromatically dispersive optics portion. The optical pen base member includes an external mounting surface for mounting to an external reference frame. The repeatable fast exchange mount includes a first mating half located on the base member and a second mating half located on the interchangeable optics element. The repeatable fast exchange mount is configured to allow the base member to receive and hold the interchangeable optics element in a fixed relationship relative to the base member and the external reference frame.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing section contribution characteristic data to achieve accurate measurements by compensating for unwanted phosphor output variations that occur at specific sections of phosphor on a rotating high intensity phosphor point source element. Phosphor grain size, density, blend homogeneity, or illumination gap variations may cause the unwanted variations. Based on the section contribution characteristics, excitation energy compensation may provide a stable output illumination spectrum or computational compensation may correct measurements for effects arising from predictable output illumination spectrum variations. The section contribution characteristic data may comprise section wavelength intensity profile data and/or section efficiency data, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the sections may be on the order of the size of the phosphor grains and may be characterized and compensated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing section contribution characteristic data to achieve accurate measurements by compensating for unwanted phosphor output variations that occur at specific sections of phosphor on a rotating high intensity phosphor point source element. Phosphor grain size, density, blend homogeneity, or illumination gap variations may cause the unwanted variations. Based on the section contribution characteristics, excitation energy compensation may provide a stable output illumination spectrum or computational compensation may correct measurements for effects arising from predictable output illumination spectrum variations. The section contribution characteristic data may comprise section wavelength intensity profile data and/or section efficiency data, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the sections may be on the order of the size of the phosphor grains and may be characterized and compensated.

Abstract: A phosphor point source element comprises a substrate and light emitting phosphor particles arranged on the substrate to provide a circular operational track having a tightly packed particle arrangement adjacent to a flat operational surface of an operational track region. The operational track region is rotated while illuminated at a point to provide a high intensity point source. The tightly packed particle arrangement may be achieved by spinning the phosphor particles in a cavity to compress the phosphor on the substrate at the periphery of the cavity, or by other mechanical compression. The tightly packed phosphor arrangement may either be compressed against a forming element that bounds the cavity, or machined, to provide a flat operational surface. An adhesive binding agent that permeates the phosphor particles may be cured to fix the tightly packed arrangement. A window element may support and/or protect the operational surface, in some embodiments.

Abstract: A phosphor point source element comprises a disk substrate and light emitting phosphor particles arranged on the substrate to provide a circular operational track having a desirable tightly packed particle arrangement adjacent to a flat operational surface of an operational track region. The operational track region is rotated while illuminated to provide a high intensity point source of radiation. The tightly packed particle arrangement may be achieved by spinning the phosphor particles in a cavity between a fabrication plate and the substrate, to compress the phosphor against the fabrication plate at the periphery of the cavity, or by mechanically compressing the phosphor. An adhesive binding agent may permeate the phosphor particles and be cured to maintain the tightly packed arrangement. A window element may support and/or protect the operational surface, in some embodiments.

Abstract: A phosphor point source element comprises a substrate and light emitting phosphor particles arranged on the substrate to provide a circular operational track having a tightly packed particle arrangement adjacent to a flat operational surface of an operational track region. The operational track region is rotated while illuminated at a point to provide a high intensity point source. The tightly packed particle arrangement may be achieved by spinning the phosphor particles in a cavity to compress the phosphor on the substrate at the periphery of the cavity, or by other mechanical compression. The tightly packed phosphor arrangement may either be compressed against a forming element that bounds the cavity, or machined, to provide a flat operational surface. An adhesive binding agent that permeates the phosphor particles may be cured to fix the tightly packed arrangement. A window element may support and/or protect the operational surface, in some embodiments.