Abstract: A measuring apparatus and method for determining dimensional characteristics of a measurement object use a sensor head in order to register desired measurement points on the measurement object. The sensor head comprises a polychromatic light source for generating light having various wavelengths of light, a spectrometer, and an optical system having at least one lens element. The optical system produces a first defined range of color dependent foci and a second defined range of color dependent foci in front of the at least one lens element. The spectrometer generates a first spectral information when the measurement object is in the first defined range, and it generates a second spectral information when the measurement object is in the second defined range. An evaluation unit exploits the first spectral range in a coarse measurement mode, and it exploits the second spectral range in a fine measurement mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating at least one virtual image of a measurement object, in which a virtual position and/or a virtual orientation of the measurement object is determined and a virtual position and/or virtual orientation of at least one imaging or image recording device of a coordinate measuring machine is determined. The virtual image is generated on the basis of geometric data of the measurement object and on the basis of optical properties of the measurement object and the virtual image is additionally generated on the basis of imaging parameters of the imaging or image recording device.

Abstract: A pipetting device having a modular pipetting unit including a pipetting tip for pipetting of fluid samples and a pump conduit for transferring a negative or positive pressure to the pipetting tip is disclosed. The pipetting tip and a portion of the pump conduit adjoining the pipetting tip mutually define a fluid sample conduit for receiving the fluid samples. The modular pipetting unit is detachably attached to an automated positioning device for positioning the modular pipetting unit. A system and method for pipetting of fluid samples using such a pipetting device are also disclosed wherein pipetting of the fluid samples is performed in such a manner that each pipetted fluid sample volume is smaller than a volume of the fluid sample conduit.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a spatial position of a first part relative to a second part has at least one magnet disposed on the first part. The magnet generates a magnetic field that extends to the second part. The sensor assembly further has a pair of magnetic field sensors arranged at a spatial distance from each other on the second part. The magnet is positioned in an interval defined by the spatial distance between the magnetic field sensors. The magnetic field sensors each produce an output signal depending on the magnetic field. The output signals of the two magnetic field sensors are combined to form a common sensor signal related to the spatial position of the first part relative to the second part. The output signals of the two magnetic field sensors essentially represent a direction of the magnetic field at the location of the respective magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for measuring a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera for capturing an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, and comprises a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. A clearance is provided in the objective between the first and second lens-element groups. The coordinate measuring machine furthermore has a white light sensor and a partly reflective coupling element that is selectively moveable into the clearance for coupling the white light sensor into the objective.

Abstract: A coupled state versus a decoupled state of a part relative to a machine, in particular of a coordinate measuring device or a machine tool, is determined. The part to be coupled can be moved toward a contact region of the machine in an axial direction in order to establish the coupled state, and can be moved away from the contact region in the axial direction in order to establish the decoupled state. A magnetoresistive sensor is used to generate a sensor signal that depends on an axial position of the part and a further sensor signal that depends on a rotational position of the part relative to the machine. The sensor signals are evaluated and the result is used to determine whether the part is coupled to the contact region of the machine and/or whether the part is decoupled from the contact region.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.

Abstract: An illumination module for a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a workpiece by means of an optical sensor, wherein the illumination module comprises a main body having a sensor side and a workpiece side, wherein the sensor side has a first interface device at least for the sensor-side coupling of the illumination module in a defined position, and wherein the illumination module comprises at least one illumination arrangement for illuminating the workpiece. Furthermore, the main body has the form of a ring having a free central region and an edge region, wherein the at least one illumination arrangement and the first interface device are arranged in the edge region.

Abstract: A method reduces errors in a turning device during a determination of coordinates of a work piece or during machining of the work piece. The turning device allows a rotational movement of the work piece about a rotation axis of the turning device. The method includes measuring errors in the turning device on account of deviations between actual positions and actual orientations of the rotation axis, on the one hand, and corresponding ideal positions and ideal orientations of the rotation axis, on the other hand, in a range of rotation angles. Expected error values of the turning device are determined from error measurements and are used to correct the turning device.

Abstract: A pipetting device having a modular pipetting unit including a pipetting tip for pipetting of fluid samples and a pump conduit for transferring a negative or positive pressure to the pipetting tip is disclosed. The pipetting tip and a portion of the pump conduit adjoining the pipetting tip mutually define a fluid sample conduit for receiving the fluid samples. The modular pipetting unit is detachably attached to an automated positioning device for positioning the modular pipetting unit. A system and method for pipetting of fluid samples using such a pipetting device are also disclosed wherein pipetting of the fluid samples is performed in such a manner that each pipetted fluid sample volume is smaller than a volume of the fluid sample conduit.

Abstract: An illumination module for a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a workpiece by means of an optical sensor, wherein the illumination module comprises a main body having a sensor side and a workpiece side, wherein the illumination module comprises on the main body at least one illumination arrangement for illuminating the workpiece, and wherein the at least one illumination arrangement has an emission characteristic with a specific emission angle and a light intensity profile within the emission angle, wherein the light intensity profile of the at least one illumination arrangement within the emission angle is asymmetrical. The present invention furthermore relates to a coordinate measuring machine comprising such an illumination module.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera designed to capture an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, and comprises a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. Furthermore, the apparatus has a reflection element and a calibration arrangement. The reflection element can selectively be introduced into a beam path running from the measurement object through the objective to the camera. The calibration arrangement is coupled into the beam path to the camera by means of the reflection element.

Abstract: A pipetting device having a modular pipetting unit including a pipetting tip for pipetting of fluid samples and a pump conduit for transferring a negative or positive pressure to the pipetting tip is disclosed. The pipetting tip and a portion of the pump conduit adjoining the pipetting tip mutually define a fluid sample conduit for receiving the fluid samples. The modular pipetting unit is detachably attached to an automated positioning device for positioning the modular pipetting unit. A system and method for pipetting of fluid samples using such a pipetting device are also disclosed wherein pipetting of the fluid samples is performed in such a manner that each pipetted fluid sample volume is smaller than a volume of the fluid sample conduit.

Abstract: A plug-type element for making contact with a printed circuit board comprises an insulating body. At least one electrical contact which has at least two spring elements is arranged in the insulating body, wherein each spring element has at least one printed circuit board contact (121, 122). In particular, the plug-type element can be a plug-type connector, a relay socket or a safety plug.

Abstract: A method for coupling a first system component and a second system component of a coordinate measuring device for determining by means of at least one sensor the three-dimensional coordinates of an object to be measured. An interface arrangement is provided between the first system component and the second system component. The interface arrangement comprises an electrical interface, formed from at least two electrical transmission paths, for transmitting a first electrical voltage between the first system component and the second system component, and at least one optical interface formed from light waveguides. The at least one sensor is supplied with the first electrical voltage via the two electrical transmission paths of the electrical interface. An analog measurement signal from the sensor is converted into a digital measurement signal. The digital measurement signal is transmitted by means of the light waveguides of the optical interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically inspecting an object, comprising an object carrier for carrying the object, a pattern generating unit for illuminating the object with a measurement pattern, an image capture unit for capturing a number of images of the object, imaging optics for influencing a light beam path between the object and the image capture unit, and a data processing unit for determining at least one property of the object on the basis of the captured images. The apparatus can be set to at least a first operating distance and a second operating distance, and furthermore has a diffusing unit, which can be changed between an active state, in which the diffusing unit influences the light beam path in front of the pattern generating unit and an inactive state, in which the diffusing unit does not influence the light beam path in front of the pattern generating unit.

Abstract: A reference measurement object having known properties is used for the purpose of calibrating a coordinate measuring machine. A plurality of reference measured values are picked up on the reference measurement object. Calibration data are determined using the reference measured values and using the known properties of the reference measurement object. The calibration data comprises a first number of polynomial coefficients that are selected to correct nonlinear measuring errors using at least one polynomial transformation. The first number of polynomial coefficients is reduced in an iterative method to a lesser second number, with a plurality of pairs of polynomial coefficients being formed and with a polynomial coefficient of a pair being eliminated in each case when a statistical dependence between the polynomial coefficients of the pair is greater than a defined threshold value.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement is calibrated for determining rotational positions of a rotary device that has a first part and a second part which can be rotated relative to the first part about a rotational axis. Rotational positions of the first part relative to the second part and/or rotational positions of the second part relative to the first part are detected using a plurality of sensors distributed about the rotational axis. A respective measurement signal corresponding to each detected rotational position is generated such that redundant information on the rotational positions of the first part and the second part relative to each other is provided. The redundant information on the rotational position(s) are analyzed such that effects of a translational movement of the first and the second part relative to each other are corrected, the translational movement running transverse to the extension of the rotational axis.

Abstract: A sample preparation dosing unit for liquid dosing is provided comprising an inlet port and an outlet port fluidically coupling the sample preparation dosing unit to a supply and target, respectively; a pump, fluidically arranged between the inlet port and the outlet port; an outlet flow restrictor with an outlet flow resistance, fluidically arranged between a pump outlet and outlet port; and a control arrangement with a branch, a control valve, and a control flow restrictor with a control flow resistance. The branch divides the flow at the pump outlet into an outlet flow through the outlet flow restrictor and into a control flow through the control flow restrictor. The control flow downstream of the control flow restrictor is fed, depending on the state of the control valve, either into the outlet port thereby merging with the outlet flow downstream of the outlet flow restrictor, or into a bypass conduit.