Abstract: A device for checking countersink dimensions comprises a measuring head (2) associated with a spindle (3) of a multi-axis process machine (4), and a processing unit operatively associated with the spindle (3) to control spindle movements, the measuring head (2) comprising a contact element (5) that can be inserted into a countersink (101) and a comparator element (7) which, by coming into contact with the countersink and withdrawing, detects the stroke of the contact element (5) inside the countersink (101). A floating member (22) automatically corrects any alignment errors between the contact element (5) and the axis of the countersink (101).

Abstract: A probe system includes a probe head and a transceiver element. Due to contact of a stylus, a sensor signal is able to be generated by a sensor element. The probe head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless data transfer is able to be produced between them, so that readiness information is transmittable from the probe head to the transceiver element. The readiness information is transmittable by two bit strings including high bits and low bits, the bit strings being transmittable following defined time intervals, and the second bit string having fewer high bits than the first bit string.

Abstract: The transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool to/from an accessory mounted in the spindle of the machine tool. A first electrical link or interface provides electrical communication between the stationary part and the spindle, and a second electrical link or interface is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area. The second link is in the form of electrical contacts. An accessory shank for mounting to the spindle of the machine tool, and also to an accessory e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank.

Abstract: A gauge (1) for checking radial dimensions of a workpiece (60), e.g. the diameter of a crankpin orbitally rotating during grinding operations, includes a casing, a V-shaped reference device (4) and a rod that can move within the casing (2) with respect to the reference device, an end of the rod projecting from the casing and carrying a feeler (20) for touching the surface of the workpiece to be checked and transmitting the movements of the feeler to a transducer (22). A sealing system for preventing coolant, dust or other foreign matter from getting inside the casing includes a pneumatic conduit (6) for allowing compressed air to be blown from inside the casing to outside, and an internal seal that—in the non-operative condition—seals the opening through which the rod projects from the casing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the seal is fastened into a bushing guiding the rod and cooperates with a surface of the rod in order to get the tightness.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus includes: a moving member in contact with a detection object that moves following movement of the detection object; and a support member that rotatably supports the moving member; a detection unit that detects a positional change of the moving member, the moving member being acted on by a first force as a force to press the moving member against the detection object, a second force as a force to press the moving member substantially in a direction of a rotation shaft of the moving member, and a third force as a force to press the moving member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the rotation shaft of the moving member.

Abstract: A probe system includes a probe head and a transceiver element. The probe head has a feeler and a sensor element. Moreover, the probe head is able to be transferred from a passive state to an active state, a sensor signal being able to be generated by the sensor element in the active state. The probe head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless data transmission is possible between them in a manner that the sensor signal is convertible in the probe head into a switching signal which is transmittable from the probe head to the transceiver element. During the active state, a control command is able to be transmitted continuously in wireless fashion by the transceiver element, the active state of the probe head being able to be maintained by the continuously transmitted control command. Furthermore, the switching signal is able to be transmitted without collision with respect to the transmission of the control command.

Abstract: To provide a sensor having a long operational life. A sensor which senses contact with an object through tilting of a probe having a rod shape, the sensor including: a housing having a hollow columnar shape; the probe arranged to project from an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing, and capable of reciprocating and tilting with respect to the housing; connectors fixed to a part of the probe, which is located inside the housing; terminals fixed to positions inside the housing that come into contact with the connectors, and which conduct electricity through the contact with the connectors; a probe biasing unit configured to force the probe along a direction of the reciprocation so that the connectors come into contact with the terminals; and a releasing unit configured to release the contact between the connectors and the terminals brought upon by the probe biasing unit.

Abstract: A probe system includes a probe head and a transceiver element. Due to contact of a stylus, a sensor signal is able to be generated by a sensor element. The probe head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless data transfer is able to be produced between them, so that readiness information is transmittable from the probe head to the transceiver element. The readiness information is transmittable by two bit strings including high bits and low bits, the bit strings being transmittable following defined time intervals, and the second bit string having fewer high bits than the first bit string.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration tool (40) for a machine for milling an ophthalmic lens, comprising two lens holder shafts supported on a carriage, and means for moving said shafts. The calibration tool (40) includes a holder (68) mountable on the lens holder shafts, at least one piezoelectric element (92) attached to the holder (68), and at least one sensor member (72) supported on the holder (68) and comprising a sensing area (124) and at least one bearing surface (132, 134) for exerting pressure on the piezoelectric element (92) when the sensing area (124) contacts a surface of the milling machine (2) so that said element generates a contact detection signal. The invention is useful for calibrating milling machines.

Abstract: A gauge (1) for checking radial dimensions of a workpiece (60), e.g. the diameter of a crankpin orbitally rotating during grinding operations, includes a casing, a V-shaped reference device (4) and a rod that can move within the casing (2) with respect to the reference device, an end of the rod projecting from the casing and carrying a feeler (20) for touching the surface of the workpiece to be checked and transmitting the movements of the feeler to a transducer (22). A sealing system for preventing coolant, dust or other foreign matter from getting inside the casing includes a pneumatic conduit (6) for allowing compressed air to be blown from inside the casing to outside, and an internal seal that—in the non-operative condition—seals the opening through which the rod projects from the casing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the seal is fastened into a bushing guiding the rod and cooperates with a surface of the rod in order to get the tightness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Measuring probe for a device for the measurement of the thickness of thin layers, with a housing (14) comprising at least one sensor element (17), which is accepted along a longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14) at least slightly movable to the housing (14) and with a contact spherical cap (21) assigned to the at least one sensor element (17) for setting the measuring probe (11) onto a surface of a measuring object, wereby in that the at least one sensor element (17) is accepted by a holding element (18)—along the longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14)—which is designed spring-loaded resiliently and which is fastened on the housing (14).

Abstract: A probe head includes a feeler, a sensor unit, a CPU, a transmitting stage and a producer of electrical energy for supplying energy to the sensor unit, to the CPU and to the transmitting stage. An electrical signal is triggerable by the sensor unit in response to a deflection of the feeler which is convertible in the transmitting stage into an electromagnetic signal. The producer of electrical energy includes a turbine having rotor disk rotatable about an axis. Magnets are mounted on the rotor disk of the turbine, which are arranged across from stationary electrically conductive windings at an axial distance. The probe head includes a voltage transformer, at the output of which an output voltage is producible, which is greater than the input voltage applied to the voltage transformer, the output voltage being used to supply energy to the transmitting stage.

Abstract: A probe system includes a probe head and a transceiver element. The probe head has a feeler and a sensor element. Moreover, the probe head is able to be transferred from a passive state to an active state, a sensor signal being able to be generated by the sensor element in the active state. The probe head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless data transmission is possible between them in a manner that the sensor signal is convertible in the probe head into a switching signal which is transmittable from the probe head to the transceiver element. During the active state, a control command is able to be transmitted continuously in wireless fashion by the transceiver element, the active state of the probe head being able to be maintained by the continuously transmitted control command. Furthermore, the switching signal is able to be transmitted without collision with respect to the transmission of the control command.

Abstract: A system for detecting the position and/or the dimensions of mechanical pieces (3) includes a checking probe (1) with detection devices (2) and a remote transmitter (4), a receiver (7) being remotely placed from the probe to wirelessly receive, from the remote transmitter, pulse signals (5) indicative of the state of the probe. The receiver includes automatic control circuits that detect the presence of noises (NS) on the basis of attributes, e.g. the distribution in amplitude, of the received signal and, consequently, dynamically vary the sensitivity of the receiver, e.g. by acting on the amplification of the received signal or on a threshold (VTH) with which the received signal is compared. The pulse signals can be of optical type and the automatic control of sensitivity can be active in the presence of noise signals emitted by lamps located in the environment.

Abstract: A method of measuring an object with a coordinate positioning apparatus, comprises the following steps: placing the object within the working volume of the coordinate positioning apparatus; measuring the object with a workpiece contacting probe to create measurement data of the object, the measurement data being collected at multiple probe forces; for at least one location on the surface of the object, determining a function or look up table relating the measurement error data to the probe force; for said at least one location on the surface of the object, using the function or look up table to determine the measurement data corresponding to zero probe force; and outputting the measurement data corresponding to zero probe force as the measurement of the object.

Abstract: Provided are a measuring section (210) including a vibrating contact-type probe having a measuring force detection circuit (219) which detects a measuring force acting to the contact portion (212); a moving unit (a three-dimensional drive mechanism (300), a vertical movement drive mechanism (220)) that moves the measuring section (210) relative to a workpiece surface (S); and a drive control unit (400) that controls the moving unit based on the magnitude of the measuring force output from the measuring force detection circuit (219).

Abstract: A probe head for a coordinate measuring machine has a stylus resiliently suspended in a housing. A sensor arrangement serves for detecting deflections of the stylus relative to the housing. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one Hall sensor having a magnet and a Hall element arranged in a vicinity to each other. When the stylus is deflected, the magnet is laterally passed by the Hall element in a direction defined from the North Pole to the South Pole of the magnet or vice versa. A Hall voltage of changing polarity can be tapped at the Hall element then. A preferably linear range around the polarity change is processed in order to determine the deflection of the stylus.

Abstract: A head for the linear dimension checking of mechanical pieces including a casing, an arm carrying a feeler for touching the mechanical piece to be checked, a fulcrum for enabling displacements of the arm with respect to the casing and a transducer for providing signals depending on the position of the arm with respect to the casing. Various components of the head can be adjusted and/or replaced from the exterior of the casing. The transducer is of the inductive, half-bridge type, with multiple windings. An integral element for the electric connection to a processing unit includes the windings of the transducer, a cable and a connector. A checking apparatus, including at least a gauging or measuring head, includes a stationary structure and at least a support structure for the head, coupled to the stationary structure in an adjustable and removable way.

Abstract: A touch sensor using a Hall IC is provided. To this end, in a cantilever mechanism 15 of a parallel link by two plate springs 16, a coupling member 18 on the fixed side is fixed to a supporting block 24 which penetrates through the center of a plate spring 16 on a lower side and uprightly provided on a pedestal 22. A movable portion 28 on the free end side is a lightweight coupling member 19 provided by bend-processing an aluminum thin plate, to which a rare-earth magnet 25 is adhered. An elastic part 20a of a Hall IC supporting member 20 is fixed to the coupling member 18 on the fixed side, and a rigid part 20b with a rib 17a is supported by an adjusting rod 36 to fine-adjust relative position of a Hall IC 26 provided on the free end with respect to the magnet 25.

Abstract: A probe for a coordinate measuring machine has a stationary first part and a second part which can move relative to said first part. The second part can be a feeler pin or a feeler pin extension of the probe. A damping member for damping vibrations of the moveable second part has a magnet arrangement for producing a magnetic field, and has a conductor element. The magnet arrangement is designed such that there is a change in direction of the magnetic field along a path of movement of the conductor element.

Abstract: A touch probe is provided, including a deflectable stylus with a rest position mechanism on which the stylus is arranged, and a housing in which the rest position mechanism is accommodated. The rest position mechanism includes a stylus holder with carrying elements and seating elements corresponding to the carrying elements that interact with the carrying elements to arrange the stylus holder in the touch probe. The carrying elements and seating elements form a sensing circuit which is closed when the carrying elements are in contact with the seating elements and which is open when one of the carrying elements is not in contact with a corresponding seating element. The carrying elements are provided with electrical contacting means that is formed independently of a clamping device.

Abstract: A sensing contact probe includes a beam support and a probe. The probe has a bent beam body that extends from the beam support to a probe tip face that has a position and faces in an angular direction. The bent beam body has first and second beam layers bonded together and have differing residual stresses that bend the beam body. A stress relief region is formed in the bent beam body. The stress relief region has an adjusted stress property that adjusts the bending to control the probe tip face position and angular direction.

Abstract: A touch probe with an arm (13) coupled to a movable arm-set (3) supported in a casing (1) includes an electric switch (31) with a housing (33) fixed to the casing and a mechanical transmission device (61) for mechanically transmitting displacements of the arm, and causing the disengagement of a conductive small ball (51) from two stationary conductive bars (44,45), thereby opening an electric detecting circuit. At the interior of the probe casing, a sealingly closed chamber houses the switch and is filled with inert gas, for example nitrogen, for protecting the electric contacts.

Abstract: In a calibration method for a surface texture measuring instrument which measures a surface of a workpiece and includes an arm that is supported to be swingable around a base point thereof and is provided with a contact point at an end for scanning the workpiece surface, the calibration method includes a measurement step for measuring a calibration gauge of which cross section contains a part of a substantially perfect circle, an assignment step for assigning the detection results, which are obtained in the measurement step, in an evaluation formula based on a circle equation in which the center coordinates of the calibration gauge are (xc, zc) and the radius is “r”, and a calibration step for calibrating each parameter based on the evaluation formula obtained in the assignment step.

Abstract: A touch probe is provided with an arm coupled to a movable arm-set and supported in a casing. The touch probe includes an electric switch with a housing fixed to the casing, and a mechanical transmission device for mechanically transmitting displacements of the arm, and causing the disengagement of a conductive small ball from two stationary conductive bars, thereby opening an electric detecting circuit. An elongate mechanical body of the mechanical transmission device includes a spherical-shaped element that is transversally urged against a guide surface, having at least a binary surface, for guiding with accuracy and free of clearances the displacements of the elongate mechanical body. A bent flat spring contacts a plane portion of the spherical transmission element for achieving both transversal thrust against the guide surface and the antirotation of the elongate mechanical body.

Abstract: A probe head includes a housing and a probe element. The probe element has a longitudinal axis and stop faces and is able to shift from a rest position along the longitudinal axis into a stop position relative to the housing. The probe head further includes counter-support faces, which are arranged in a stationary manner relative to the housing. For limiting the path of the probe element, in a stop position, the stop faces of the probe element contact the counter-support faces at stop points. In the rest position, a geometric plane may be spanned orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the probe element. The stop points are arranged such that in the stop position, the longitudinal axis intersects the geometric plane at an oblique angle.

Abstract: Device with a removable probe head (15) for measuring a workpiece, whereby the device comprises a receiving section (17.1) for attaching the probe head (15). In the receiving section (17.1) sensors (17.2) in fixed, predefined positions are arranged. The removable probe head (15) comprises several counterpart elements, which interact with the sensors (17.2) if the probe head (15) is attached to the receiving section (17.1), whereby a coding of the removable probe head (15) can be set in advance, by adjusting the position of the counterpart elements.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an artefact using a non contact measurement mounted on a coordinate measuring apparatus. An artefact is measured first with a contact probe (28) and then with a non contact probe (32). An error map or function is generated (34) which corresponds to the difference between the measurements taken with the contact and non-contact probes. This error map or function may be used to calibrate the probe. Alternatively subsequent artefact may be measured with the non contact probe (36) and the error map or function used to correct the measurements (38).

Abstract: A surface profile measuring instrument for measuring a surface profile of a workpiece has: a probe having a stylus provided with a measuring portion for measuring a surface of a workpiece at a tip end thereof and a detector for outputting a detection signal which varies depending on a measurement condition between the surface of the workpiece and the measuring portion; a scanning mechanism for relatively moving the measuring portion along the surface of the workpiece; a memory (46) that stores a position information of the contact portion when the detection signal reaches a predetermined reference signal value; a vibration inclination angle calculator (51) that calculates a response variation factor (vibration inclination angle ?) that applies variation to the detection signal from the surface of the workpiece; and a profile processor (53) that corrects the position information to obtain an actual profile of the surface of the workpiece using the response variation factor.

Abstract: Re-orientation of a stylus (30) or measurement probe (12) can be accomplished by engaging a part of the stylus or probe with a fixed part (50) and moving the probe in a spherical path centred at the engagement. The engagement (50) is spaced from the stylus tip (34) and avoids bending of the stylus during re-orientation. The re-orientation can take place into a plurality of e.g. repeatable rest positions by virtue of a kinematic array (e.g. balls (122) and rollers (120) FIG. 2).

Abstract: A probe 8 comprises a housing 10 and a member 20 movable with respect to the housing onto which a stylus 12 may be mounted such that movement of the stylus results in movement of the member and a primary transducer 50, 52 for measuring movement of the member relative to the housing. The member may be located in a precisely defined rest position 22, 24 with respect to the housing, putting the probe in a mechanical datum position. For a combined transducer probe, this enables the primary transducer 52, 54 to be locked while enabling use of a secondary transducer 70. The primary transducer outputs can be datumed while in this mechanical datum position. Drive 40, 50, 60 or bias 26 means in one axis secure the member in its rest position in all axes.

Abstract: A scanning probe (1, 10) according to the present invention includes a measurement stylus (stylus) (6) movably supported via elastic members (5D, 5E, 5F) on a probe body (4), fine feeders (3, 7) for moving the probe body (4) and the measurement stylus (6) against a workpiece within a fine range, a contacting force detector (5G) for detecting a contacting force between the measurement stylus (6) and a surface of the workpiece, and a contacting force adjuster (8) for adjusting the contacting force by removing the inertial force acting to the measurement stylus (6) because of acceleration from the contacting force. Because of this feature, a measuring force can be adjusted by providing feedback controls to the fine feeders (3, 7), so that the tracking capability is ensured to provide a high response rate and high precision in measurement.

Abstract: A method for measuring the thickness of a tube wall comprising mounting a cut tube onto a rod is disclosed. At least two contact tips are moved into contact with the tube. The tips are imaged with an optical system when the tips are in contact with the cut tube. The optical image is converted into a measurement.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes a probe at one end thereof. The probe also includes improved switches and a measurement indicator light.

Abstract: In a method for the wireless transmission of a control command from a transmitting element to a measuring probe using electromagnetic signals, the control command includes at least one bit sequence which is made up of high bits and at least one low bit. The high bits are produced by the enveloping curve of a plurality of electromagnetic signals which recur with a carrier frequency. Within one bit sequence, at least one low bit is transmitted at least once between two high bits.

Abstract: A touch-trigger probe is described having a workpiece-contact sensor (15) in the form of a kinematic seating (10) and workpiece contacting stylus (12). A processor ?P in the form of a reprogammable PIC microcontroller is used to monitor the signal from the sensor (15). When the signal is above a threshold for a continual period of time (CT) then the processor issues a trigger signal. The monitoring of the time period (Ct) may be delayed. This delay (Ci) allows triggering initiated by the shock wave produced initially when workpiece contact occurs.

Abstract: Touch-triggered probe comprising a fixed part, designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a mobile contact feeler that can be oriented on two independent axes along a multiplicity of spatial directions. The two axes of the probe comprise each an actuator for unlocking and adjusting the axes. The operation force is reduced as compared with the high effective indexing force by a demultiplying mechanism having an increasing transmission ratio, for making easier the operation in unlocked position. The indication elements can easily be read whatever the feeler's orientation.

Abstract: A method and a system is for evaluating the transmitted signals of a probe system, which has a probe element that is deflectable out of a rest position and which generates transmitted signals, which include a switch-on signal during a deflection of the probe element out of its rest position and which, together with interference signals, are transmitted to a receiving unit, in which the received signals made up of the transmitted signals and the interference signals, are compared to a reference signal. In this context, the reference signal is formed by interlinking information signals generated from the received signals, and the interference signals, and/or the received signals are differentiated by time, prior to the comparison with the reference signal.

Abstract: Touch-triggered probe comprising a fixed part, designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a mobile contact feeler that can be oriented on two independent axes along a multiplicity of spatial directions. The two axes of the probe comprise each an actuator for unlocking and adjusting the axes. The operation force is reduced as compared with the high effective indexing force by a demultiplying mechanism.

Abstract: A stylus structure (40) integrally incorporating a stylus (2), a vibrator (4), a detector (6), a first secondary magnetic circuit (12) and a second primary magnetic circuit (21), and a stylus support (30) integrally incorporating a first primary magnetic circuit (11) and a second secondary magnetic circuit (22) are mutually fittable, thereby achieving signal transmission by the respective magnetic circuits using no electrical contact.

Abstract: An optical pulse signal from a machine tool measuring probe is received by a photodiode (28). To reduce interference from xenon strobe beacons, fluorescent lights etc., the pulse signal is processed by an AGC amplifier (30) with low frequency signal cancellation, and the pulses are then detected by a threshold detector (32). The threshold of this detector (32) is variable by a circuit (50), in accordance with the overall amplitude of the signal pulses, in order to provide the best rejection of interference pulses.

Abstract: A unit damper apparatus 18 is used as a damper apparatus 18 which absorbs an impact and a vibration conveyed from a contact 14 to a seesaw member 12, and a structure of this unit damper apparatus 18 is the structure which absorbs circular movement of the seesaw member 12 or performs the circular movement in accordance with that of the seesaw member 12, where a damper effect does not fluctuate according to an angle of inclination of the seesaw member 12.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a measuring apparatus which can surely prevent the collision of a moving member.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic measuring device includes a housing having an exterior surface configured and arranged to be removably secured within a support member. An electrically conductive probe is coupled to the housing and is movable between a position in contact with a workpiece and a position out of contact with the workpiece. A circuit electrically couples an indicator and a power source to the probe such that when the probe is out of contact with the workpiece, the circuit is open and no power is supplied from the power source to the indicator and such that when the probe contacts the workpiece, the circuit closes to supply power from the power source to the indicator to send a signal to the operator of the measuring device that the probe is in contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A touch-trigger probe is described having a workpiece-contact sensor (15) in the form of a kinematic seating (10) and workpiece contacting stylus (12). A processor &mgr;P in the form of a reprogammable PIC microcontroller is used to monitor the signal from the sensor (15). When the signal is above a threshold for a continual period of time (CT) then the processor issues a trigger signal. The monitoring of the time period (Ct) may be delayed. This delay (Ci) allows triggering initiated by the shock wave produced initially when workpiece contact occurs.

Abstract: Trigger probe, constructed on the principle of the Boys connection, serving to detect the contact between the probe's stylus and a piece to be measured, comprising an electric circuit with at least one switch, whose contact elements are positioned by means of several connecting elements of the circuit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a touch probing device for inspecting an object which includes a fixed part, movable part coupled to and movable with respect to the fixed part for measuring the motion between the fixed and the movable parts, and a contact means coupled to the movable part for contacting a surface of the object. The contact means is preferably coupled to the movable part via a shock absorber. Alternatively, or in addition weight compensating means are provided for compensating the weight of the movable part. The weight compensating means preferably uses a magnetic field for compensating the weight of the movable part.

Abstract: A measurement probe (10) is disclosed having strain sensing elements (36) mounted on spokes (38) of a strain sensing member (34). The member (34) is disposed in parallel and spaced from a diaphragm (42). Inner portions of the member and diaphragm are connected to a stylus holder (26) and outer portions of the member and diaphragm are connected to probe body (32). The probe can be used to produce a signal when contact force on the stylus (12) is within an adjustable upper and lower limit, and is thereby suited to use with a manually manipulatable coordinate measuring device.

Abstract: A touch sensor 10 having a stylus 12 with a tip 12A making contact with a test piece W has an operational control structure including an oscillator 3 which oscillates the stylus 12 in the axial direction; a detecting circuit 4 which detects changes of oscillation of the stylus 12; an adjustor unit 5 which removes noise added to an output signal from the detecting circuit 4; a fine motion mechanism controller 6 which controls the operation of a fine motion mechanism 21 in such a manner that the change of the quantity of state of the detection signal is maintained constant; and a PZT driver 7 which operates the fine motion mechanism 21. The measuring force during surface configuration measurement can be adjusted by adjusting an alternating signal to be applied to the touch sensor or by reducing the noise added to the detection signal without making modifications to a shape or structure of the touch sensor.

Abstract: A reseat system of a touch signal probe includes a fixed component, a movable component, a pair of hard balls provided on the fixed component, a cylindrical body provided on the movable component for abutting the hard balls, and a piezoelectric element for relatively sliding the hard balls and the cylindrical body. Since an outer circumference of the cylindrical body has conic shape, both a contact point on the cylindrical body and a contact point on a hard ball change position thereof during relative slide movement.