Abstract: A portable device for monitoring the wear of a tire and the geometry of a wheel set of a vehicle has a probe for measuring a depth of each tread groove of a tire, a display, a symbolic representation of a set of wheels, and indicators. The device includes a control system for processing and calculating measurements, reference values and compared values relating to rate of wear and the condition of the geometric state of the tire. Resulting calculations and comparisons are displayed on the display and indicators are activated based on the calculations and comparisons made.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe for a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool has a stylus (14), which is biased into a rest position. The stylus has two independent supports, provided within a housing (10). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first support comprises a skirt (18) of a stylus holder (12), which is axially constrained on a surface (20) of the housing (10). The second support comprises a kinematic arrangement of cylinders (34) and balls (36), together with a planar spring (30), which together provide lateral constraint. The first support is biased by a much lighter force than the second support, so that its friction is very low. This reduces the lobing and hysteresis of the stylus movement, and thereby increases the accuracy of the probe.

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 touch trigger probe includes a hybrid integrated circuit (58). On this circuit are provided both kinematic support elements (28) for supporting a deflectable stylus (14) in a precise rest position, and sensing elements (40) for detecting contact between the stylus (14) and a workpiece. Embodiments are also disclosed in which the kinematic support elements are provided on a silicon chip, e.g. by micro-machining.

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: The invention relates to an analogue sensor for sensing deviation from a normal position in at least two directions. The sensor senses dimensions in at least one direction and for this purpose it has a ball (52) at the tip of a measuring stick (51), which is resiliently mounted in such a manner that it can move essentially about a center. It is the deviation of the tip from its normal position which is to be indicated. The stick has a sensor portion (8, 9; 54, 55; 71, 72) placed in a sensor unit, in such a manner that the sensor portion, upon external displacing force upon the measuring tip in any direction can be advanced from a normal position, essentially about a central point (CM; CM') and is returnable to the normal position by means of a force device (3; 21; 30; 53; 73; FIGS. 7A-7C, FIGS. 9A, 9B). The advancement from the normal position about the central point is indicated to provide a measure of the deviation.

Abstract: A touch probe comprises a stylus-supporting member kinematically supported with respect to a housing at six points of contact between the stylus-supporting member and the housing. At each of these points of contact a conducting surface on the stylus-supporting member abuts a conducting surface on the housing. Each of the contacts are included in an electrical circuit. The conducting material of each of the conducting surfaces comprises a material having a resistivity of less than 8 .mu..OMEGA.cm and a melting voltage of at least 0.7 volts. A material having these properties is less susceptible to physical degradation than prior art materials used in such a probe. In a preferred embodiment the conducting material of each of the conducting surfaces is made of pure tungsten.

Abstract: A stylus profilometer having a counterbalanced stylus with a motion transducer using a vane moving between parallel, spaced-apart, conductive plates which damp the motion of the vane by means of trapped air. The vane forms an electrode with the plates so that the combination is a pair of capacitors in a balanced bridge arrangement. Motion of the stylus causes an unbalance of the bridge indicative of the extent of stylus motion. A lever arm associated with the stylus has a tip influenced by a magnetic field which biases the stylus or controls force on a surface to be measured. The entire assembly has a very low moment of inertia to reduce the effects of vibration on the stylus and thereby increase resolution of the device and reduce damage to the substrate.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe for machine tools or coordinate measuring machines has three strain gauges SG1-3 which react to deflection of a stylus of the probe, causing a trigger signal to be generated in signal processing circuitry SP. To reduce power consumption, and thus to reduce thermal growth of the probe, the strain gauges are fed by constant current sources CS1-3. The sources CS1-3 are servo controlled from a reference resistance R.sub.ref and constant current source CS4, by an amplifier A4.

Abstract: A radio transmission system for a touch trigger probe for machine tools or coordinate measuring machines. In the transmitter shown in FIG. 1, a 1 kHz oscillator produces a signal which is phase modulated by an electronic switch and an inverter, when electrical contacts within the probe change state. This phase modulated signal is mixed in a mixer with an unmodulated 500 Hz reference signal, produced in a divider from the oscillator, so that there is a precise phase relationship between the two signals. The receiver shown in FIG. 2 has filters which separate out the 500 Hz reference signal and the phase modulated 1 kHz signal. A decoder phase demodulates the 1 kHz signal, using the 500 Hz signal as a reference in order to increase the reliability of the resulting signal.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe has electrical contacts. A comparator compares the resistance of the contacts with a threshold, in order to generate a repeatable trigger signal when the contacts open. To ensure that the trigger signal can be generated reliably even if the resistance of the contacts when closed should increase, the threshold set is variable. The threshold can, for example, be set by a sample and hold circuit which tracks the resistance of the contacts when closed.

Abstract: A protective device includes at least one pair of conducting wires stretched tightly along a machine component. The wires are guided in cutouts in the partitioning legs of a bellows which at least partially covers the machine component. The shape or a metallization of the legs causes an electric contact to be made between the wires of the pair when the bellows and partitioning legs are displaced by transverse forces acting thereupon. In this way, the emergency circuit of the measuring apparatus can be actuated.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe for a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool has a stylus (14), which is biased into a rest position. The stylus has two independent supports, provided within a housing (10). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first support comprises a skirt (18) of a stylus holder (12) , which axially constrained on a surface (20) of the housing (10). The second support comprises a kinematic arrangement of cylinders (34) and balls (36), together with a planar spring (30), which together provide lateral constraint. The first support is biased by a much lighter force than the second support, so that its friction is very low. This reduces the lobing and hysteresis of the stylus movement, and thereby increases the accuracy of the probe.

Abstract: A touch probe comprises an ultrasonic vibrating horn having a piezoelectric element which is sandwiched between electrodes and converts an RF electrical signal into ultrasonic vibration, and a feeler to be brought into contact with an object to be measured. The horn is ultrasonically vibrating in accordance with the ultrasonic vibration of said piezoelectric element. The probe further comprises a device for inputting an RF electrical signal between said electrodes so that the RF electrical signal substantially coincides with a mechanical natural frequency of said ultrasonic vibrating horn and a touch detecting device for monitoring a current between said electrodes to detect a touch between the object to be measured and said feeler in accordance with a change in current value produced at the moment said feeler touches the object to be measured.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe for machine tools or coordinate measuring machines has three strain gauges 10A-C, which respond to deflection of a stylus of the probe when it contacts a workpiece. The signals from the strain gauges are each rectified by precision rectifiers 18A-C, and then combined at a summing junction 20. A first comparator 28 compares the combined signal with a threshold voltage V.sub.ref1, to produce a sensitive trigger signal. A second comparator 30 compares the combined signal with a higher threshold voltage V.sub.ref2, which produces a confirmation signal. This confirms that the trigger signal is caused by a genuine workpiece contact, and not caused falsely by vibration or acceleration.

Abstract: A probe for position-determining apparatus and the like has a housing (10) and in the housing a sensing space (60) and an aperture (915) to the sensing space, a stylus (40) extending out of the sensing space through the aperture, a low-friction stylus support (50;17) around the aperture, a resilient element (20;120) for constraining the stylus on to the support and generally towards a neutral axis while permitting position-determining displacement on the support against the constraining element, which is outside the sensing space, while in the sensing space is a sensing arrangement (30, 42; 30, 42, 35, 37) separate from the constraining element to sense directly significant movement of the stylus from the neutral axis without contact with the stylus and to indicate such significant movement of the stylus as a position-determining displacement.

Abstract: A probe used for programming a robot arm in order to perform a cutting operation on a work-piece. During the programming operation, the probe is attached to the robot arm and moved around the profile of a test-piece. An electric lamp is provided for indicating contact between the probe and the test piece. Additional circuitry including an electric lamp is provided for indicating when the body of the probe and a pin (4) having an end tip (8) which actually forms the contracting portion of the probe are misaligned.

Abstract: A probe for use on a coordinate positioning machine has a stylus supporting assembly (15), which supports a stylus (14) for three dimensional movement relative to the probe housing (10). The stylus supporting assembly (15) comprises a first member (16) mounted on the housing (10) and having a first plane surface (18). A second member (20) has a second plane surface (22) which is retained against the first plane surface (18) by magnets (24). The second member (20) may move in all directions in the XY plane relative to the first member (16) on an air bearing (26), and rotation of the second member (20) relative to the first member (16) is prevented by a spring bellows (30). The stylus (14) is fixedly connected to a third member (42) having plane surfaces (52A,B), which are retained against corresponding surfaces (50A,B) provided on the second member (20) by magnets (56), and for movement relative to the second member (20) in the Z direction on air bearings (48).

Abstract: A touch probe comprises a stylus carrier which, in use, supports a workpiece-contacting stylus. The stylus carrier is urged into a kinematic rest position with respect to the housing of the probe by a spring which acts between a movable clamping shuttle and the stylus carrier. The clamping shuttle is movable within a bore and is engageable by an adjusting screw to adjust displacement of the clamping shuttle within the bore, and thus the degree of compression of the spring and the biasing force on the stylus carrier.

Abstract: A touch probe (10) has a housing (12) and stylus-supporting member (14) biased into a kinematic rest position relative to the housing (12) by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism includes a first helical spring (40) which acts between a movable shuttle (44) and an intermediate member (48). The shuttle (44) is movable within a bore (46) and the position of the shuttle within the bore may be adjusted by the action of an adjusting screw (74). A second helical spring (42) acts between intermediate member (48) and the supporting member (14). The first spring (40) has a low spring rate and is pre-loaded such that the second spring (42), which has a high spring rate, will deflect first upon movement of the shuttle (44) or supporting member (14). Once the pre-load of spring (40) has been overcome the two springs (40,42) co-operate to act as a single spring whose spring rate is the sum of the reciprocals of the spring rates of springs (40,42).

Abstract: A probe for inspecting contoured surfaces by transmitting and receiving eddy currents includes a shaft disposed in spatial relationship with the contoured surface and a pivotal probe manipulator rotatably mounted on the end of the shaft and having a critical dimension including the location of the pivot point and the width of the probe manipulator and spring means urging the probe manipulator against the contoured surface so that the probe travels along the surface and rotates substantially .+-.90 degrees relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A displacement-measuring apparatus including a cylindrical housing, a static-pressure bearing located within the housing, a probe shaft supported by the bearing so that the bearing is supported in non-contact fashion and is movable in the axial direction, and a stylus connected to the end of the probe shaft so as to apply pressure to an object. Part of the static-pressure bearing includes a hollow cylindrical bush and at least two restriction holes formed in the bush and equidistantly spaced along the circumference of the bush. These holes supply air into the gap between the probe shaft and the bush. The static-pressure bearing further includes a first set of grooves formed in the inner surface of the bush that extend along the axis of the bush so that each opposes at least one restriction hole, and a second set of grooves formed in the circumferential surface of the probe shaft that extend along the axis of the probe shaft.

Abstract: In a capacitive-type linear displacement measuring device, a pick-off body is resiliently biased into sliding contact with a scale. The pick-off body is supported by a flat spring and resiliently biased towards the scale by a leaf spring. The front surface of the scale slides in abutting contact with the front surface of the pick-off body. The flat spring restrains non-axial movement of the pick-off body but permits movement normal to the axial movement so that the pick-off body accurately tracks and remains in abutting contact with the scale as it slides in an axial direction. Changes in capacitance caused by axial displacement of the scale are accurately sensed and changes in capacitance caused by non-axial motion are avoided.

Abstract: The planarity of semiconductor device pins is measured simultaneously by multiple pneumatic comparator circuits by detecting pressure changes proportional to pin position.

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: The disclosure pertains to a probe head (PH) for use in coordinate measuring machines and having a stylus (10) supported for axial displacement (D1) and angular displacements (D2,D3). A transducer (T1) senses axial forces (F1) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus due to engagement thereof with a workpiece 12. A strain gauge system (16) provided on the stylus senses transverse forces (F2) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus. The forces (F1,F2) are used to determine the orientation of the surface (12A) of the workpiece and a control system is described which responds to those forces to maintain the stylus normal to said surface (12A) during a scanning operation.

Abstract: Probes (18A,18B,18C) can be interchangably mounted in the spindle (12) of a machine tool. Each probe has an optical signal transmission system, in which an optical signal from a light emitting diode (26) is transmitted to a receiver module 28. Such an arrangement requires a battery in the probe. To conserve battery power, the probe is normally in a stand-by mode, but can be switched on by an optical signal transmitted from the module 28 to a receiving photodiode 32 on the probe. This switch-on signal is modulated at a different frequency for each probe. Each probe contains a filter for the signal received by the photodiode 32, responsive only to the frequency of modulation of its own switch-on signal. Probes which are not intended to be switched on therefore do not react to the switch-on signal of another probe, thus conserving battery power further.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe for a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool has a stylus (14), which is biased into a rest position. The stylus has two independent supports, provided within a housing (10). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first support comprises a skirt (18) of a stylus holder (12), which is axially constrained on a surface (20) of the housing (10). The second support comprises a kinematic arrangement of cylinders (34) and balls (36), together with a planar spring (30), which together provide lateral constraint. The first support is biased by a much lighter force than the second support, so that its friction is very low. This reduces the lobing and hysteresis of the stylus movement, and thereby increases the accuracy of the probe.

Abstract: A linear variable inductance transducer of the kind in which a spring-loaded plunger containing a magnetic core is axially movable in a stationary housing containing a coil assembly has the external surface of the plunger made of ceramic material, guided linearly solely by sliding in a ceramic bearing sleeve in the housing. The bearing sleeve may itself be flanged to form a bobbin for the coil assembly.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is proposed which offers significantly more measuring possibilities compared with conventional apparatus. In particular, in addition to measurements in the Z axis it allows measurements in the horizontal plane, the measurement of inclined prismatic bodies, the determination of angles of inclination and the definition of bores and cylinders through three or more points. The combined action of two measuring systems (MS1, MS2) allows the mass to be moved during measurement as well as the necessary contact pressure of the measuring probe (10) to be significantly reduced, thus rendering the measuring apparatus suitable for automatic measuring cycles. A carriage (6) is positioned so as to be movable advantageously by means of a magnet bearing on a column (3) advantageously made of ceramic material and the displacement measured by a measuring system (MS1). The displacement of the measuring probe (10) in relation to the carriage (6) is measured by at least a second measuring system (MS2).

Abstract: A probe head for a multiple-coordinate measuring machine defines the at-rest or zero position of a movable probe-pin holder part with respect to a relatively fixed housing part of the head, by employing a flexible coupling between a circular base of the probe-pin holder and a circular reference surface of the housing. The flexible coupling comprises a stacked plurality of interconnected flat disks or rings of spring material, one ring on top of the next, and their interconnections are at sector regions which are at progressively staggered, angularly offset locations, from one to the next pair of sector-connected adjacent surfaces in the stack. In the at rest condition, all rings of the coupling are axially compressed, with their flat surfaces in direct axial abutment with each other, as well as with the fixed part and the movable part of the probe head.

Abstract: A feeler pin having a contact element with a contact sensor, which is constructed as a laser feedback interferometer whose resonator quality is varied by changes in position of the contact element enabling measurement of radiation flux or the internal resistance of the laser. These measurements can then be related to a mechanical contact. The interferometer is preferably arranged inside the feeler pin which is constructed as a tube and the sapphire ball, conventional as contact element is used as a third cavity facet. Different variations are represented.

Abstract: A displacement following device comprises a slider (1) mounted on a slideway (2) for movement along a linear displacement path. A beam (4) mounted on the slider (1) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (5) at its midpoint. A pair of stops (6, 7) spaced apart along the displacement path are fixed to the slideway (2) on opposite sides of the beam (4) and project into the path of movement of the beam. A tension spring (8) has one end connected (at 10) to the slider (1) and its other end connected to a point (9) between the axis of rotation (5) and one end of the beam. The spring (8) biases the beam (4) about its axis of rotation (5) into engagement with the stops (6, 7) so as to bias the slider (1) relative to the slideway (2) into a datum position from which the slider is bidirectionally displaceable along the displacement path.

Abstract: A measuring probe includes a fixed housing (2) and a movable stylus carrier (10) which is urged by a spring (18) into a rest position in a support (14). The support comprises six seating elements confronting corresponding seating elements (12) on the stylus carrier. Strain gauges (20) are provided on the seating elements of the supports (14) to measure the strain produced in the supports (14) by the movable member resting on them. Each strain gauge produces a signal from which any variation in strain, and hence any displacement of the movable member relative to the fixed member due to a change in forces between the two, can be determined by a computer.

Abstract: The sensor is of the type having a cylindrical body within which a measurement rod equipped with an outer measurement feeler bears a ferrite core which by its displacements influences the impedance of a system of coils to produce an electrical measurement signal. In the body, a fixed stop and an interposed movable stop make it possible to adjust the positioning of the measurement feeler in one or the other of two positions with respect to the electrical zero of the feeler and they have for this purpose interpenetration means with two stages spaced at an angle from each other and selected by manual push and rotation of the rod driving the movable stop in opposition to a spring and then release, in the manner of the so called "bayonet" connections.

Abstract: A probe device (10) for a machine tool includes a part sensing device (28) attached to the end of a piston rod (26), movable along a cylinder (12) mounted on the machine tool spindle head (14). The rod (26) is attached to a piston (42) that is air actuated to extend or retract the rod (26) to respectively move the sensing device (28) to a part measurement position outside the cylinder (12), or to a protected position within the cylinder. When the device (28) is in its measurement position the spindle had (14) is selectively moved to bring device (28) into contact with a machined part to determine the accuracy of machining.

Abstract: Probes (18A, 18B, 18C) can be interchangeably mounted in the spindle (12) of a machine tool. Each probe has an optical signal transmission system, in which an optical signal from a light emitting diode (24) is transmitted to a receiving photodiode (26). To prevent interference between the different probe signals, each probe modulates the emitted light at a different carrier frequency. The receiver (28) contains electronic bandpass filters to separate out the different carrier frequencies. The signal information is encoded onto the optical signal by phase modulation of the carrier frequency.

Abstract: A probe for use in co-ordinate measuring comprises three orthogonal spring parallelograms, each with a respective scale and read head, for measuring the location of a workpiece-contacting stylus. The probe also has a trigger sensor in the form of a piezoelectric crystal, which gives a trigger signal at the instant the stylus contacts the workpiece. This enables the scale readings to be taken at the instant of contact, in order to reduce dynamic errors.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a probe head (PH) for use in coordinate measuring machines and having a stylus (10) supported for axial displacement (D1) and angular displacements (D2,D3). A transducer (T1) senses axial forces (F1) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus due to engagement therefore with a workpiece 12. A strain gauge system (16) provided on the stylus senses transverse forces (F2) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus. The forces (F1,F2) are used to determine the orientation of the surface (12A) of the workpiece and a control system is described which responds to those forces to maintain the stylus normal to said surfce (12A) during a scanning operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the positional adjustment of cutting tools for use on machine tools has a first block having a gauging surface mounted thereon and translationally and swivelly movable on a perpendicular shaft. A second block is coupled to the first block in such a manner that the two blocks move together translationally with the first block being free to swivel relative to the second block. The second block carries indicating means for indicating the amount of translational movement of the two blocks.

Abstract: A hinge probe is described (see FIG. 1) in which a plurality of plates (4,10,45,46,47) are stacked in the direction of the probe axis (11). The plates are connected together in pairs by hinge means (12,50,52 and 53), various forms of which are described, which define pivot axes and which constrain each pair of plates for relative pivoting movement about a side edge of the pair. The pivot axes are arranged to be mutually orthogonal to enable tilting of a stylus (2), attached to one of the plates (4), in any direction by pivoting of one or more of the plates when a force is applied to the stylus. An axial rest position for each movable plate on an adjacent plate is defined in combination with the hinge by a further support (14,16) disposed between each pair of plates on the opposite side of the probe axis (11) to the respective pivot axis. A spring (17) urges the plates into their respective rest positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring ripple spring deflection to determine stator wedge tightness in an electric generator without removing the rotor includes a low profile carriage insertable in the gap between the rotor and stator. A probe is aligned longitudinally and laterally with holes in the stator wedges with the aid of a miniature television camera on the carriage and extended through an aligned hole to contact the ripple spring. The probe is connected through a cable to the core of a linear variable differential transformer mounted on the carriage which provides an accurate measurement of probe extension. The probe is extended and retracted by an arrangement of cables and springs providing a lost motion coupling which accommodates for seating of the probe against a ripple spring at less than full extension.

Abstract: To overcome friction in the mount of the switching-type probe head, a probe (5/6) displaceably mounted therein is transiently excited in oscillation for a predetermined time after each contacting process. The same piezoelectric element (17) as that which produces the initial work-contact signal in the probe head can additionally be used to stimulate the oscillations.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for measuring the deformations of a sample, with the deformations resulting more particularly from the relaxation of the stresses to which the samples were subjected prior to the measurement, and with the sample having an axis corresponding to a main deformation direction. The device comprises at least five displacement sensors each having a measurement direction, with the measurement directions being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sample.

Abstract: In a force controlling system, a movable member fixed to an elastic member applies a force in correspondence with a force information signal to an object. At this time, an additional force is applied via a driver to the movable member by the positive feedback of the displacement of the elastic member to the driver, so that the reactive force due to the displacement of the elastic member is contradicted by the additional force. As a result, the movable member applies only a force in correspondence to the force information signal to the object.

Abstract: Gauge for checking linear dimensions of mechanical pieces comprising a support, two arms movable with respect to the support, two feelers respectively fixed to the arms for contacting the piece to be checked and a position transducer having two mutually movable elements respectively fixed to the movable arms. At least one of the two elements of the transducer is fixed to the relevant movable arm by screw, nut-screw coupling and between the screw and the nut-screw there is arranged a thread insert, having at least one polygonal coil, which permits adjustment of the mutual position of the elements of the transducer, while assuring a stable adjustment.

Abstract: A scanner head for a tooth-flank scanning device for testing and measuring of gears and similar parts, in particular of gearlike tools having abrasive tooth flanks, is adapted to be introduced into a tooth space of the respective gear or similar part and which can be guided along one of the tooth flanks bordering the tooth space. The scanning piece or insert is formed by the convex surface of a spherical segment, the radius of which is substantially greater than the radius of a ball introducible into the tooth space.

Abstract: A three-dimensional displacement gauge comprising a housing, a probe rotatably and slidably mounted on the housing, the probe is slidable along a first direction and having a contact member attached at one end thereof, two emitting members mounted on the probe each for emitting a light beam, two-dimensional measuring member such as a position sensor fixed to the housing for detecting the light beams, a biasing spring for biasing the probe toward the contact member, and a limit switch attached to the housing for detecting whether or not the probe moves in the first direction. The two-dimensional measuring member detects the light beams struck thereon so as to measure a small displacement of the contact member of the probe either in the first direction or in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A piezo-controlled dynamic probe or feeler head for measuring installations and measuring machine, which is in an operative connection with a measurement evaluating or plotting unit and, selectively with a measuring machine control. The probe is constructed from two mutually independently operating measuring signal generating installations, which are equipped with mutually separate or independent circuits and which act in such a manner on the measuring evaluating or plotting unit and, selectively, on the measuring machine control, that upon the generation of a signal from the first measuring signal generating installation, stored data regarding the position of the probe can be recognized as being valid only at the presence of a confirmation or acknowledging signal from the second measuring signal generating installation.

Abstract: A programming device for providing a signal relating to movement of a movable device. An inner part is connected to the part of the device to be programmed. A casing, which is controlled by the programmer's hand, surrounds the inner part. Measuring systems, which measure relative movements between the casing and the inner part resulting from moving the casing are placed between the inner part and the casing. These measuring systems consist of a sliding carriage moving linearly on the inner part and a ball located between two pins which are connected to the casing. The pins are surrounded by springs which are fixed, on one hand, to the casing and, on the other hand, to arms of the carriage guide. Movements of the sliding carriage relative to the inner part are measured.