Abstract: Spherical workpiece contact elements on a gaging finger of a linear measurement interferometer are positioned and supported by the establishment of four points of contact therewith. The spherical contact elements are located in a V-shaped groove, which defines two of the contact points, and are accessible for replacement by removal of a cap which establishes a third contact point with each spherical contact element. The fourth point of contact defines the position along the length of the V-groove of the contact elements and thus defines the degree of protrusion of the contact elements beyond the periphery of the supporting portion of the gaging finger.

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 laser measuring system is associated with a two axis turning machine (10), having a tool turret (12), to permit the dimensions of a machined part to be ascertained without removal of the part or workpiece from the chuck (18) of the machine. A gage head (36), which includes a retroflector (40), is mounted upon the turret which is indexible to a measuring station in which part measurements may be taken. The turret is mounted upon an X-axis slide (32) movable perpendicular to the chuck axis which, in turn, is mounted upon a Z-axis slide (26) movable parallel to the chuck axis. An interferometer (48) if fixedly attached to the Z-axis slide so as to be in alignment with the retroflector when the retroflector is in the measuring station. A Laser beam source (52) and a beam receiver (54) are mounted on or adjacent the machine such that they are in proper alignment with the interferometer. A collar (20) on the chuck furnishes a reference surface which functions as a fixed gage calibration point.

Abstract: a precision measuring apparatus (0) defining a measuring interval sealed from environmental influences comprises a shielding housing (10) surrounding a measuring interval and defining within the housing wall a slit (10a) oriented along the measuring interval, a movable member (11) attachable to a measured object and movable along the measuring interval, a carrying member (1a) attached to the movable member (11) and extending through the slit (10a), fluid bearings (12b) interposed between the movable member and the shielding housing to form a bearing gap (12) therebetween and to movably support the movable member (11) on the shielding housing (10) substantially without friction, and sealing fluid (14c) positioned in the bearing gap (12) to seal the slit (10a). The apparatus further includes a fluid supply means (14) for supplying sealing fluid (14c) such as vacuum oil, to the bearing gap (12), and means (18) for evacuating the shielding housing (10).

Abstract: A coordinate locating device (8) includes an apparatus (10) having first, second, and third members (21,22,23) such that the first member (21) is movable on a base (14), the second member (22) is movable on the first member (21) and the third member (23) has a positionable element (30) and is movable on the second member (22). The device (8) also includes a laser transducer system (16) for establishing the locations of a starting point (52) and a first plane (54) through the starting point (52) which is associated with the first members (21), a second plane (58) having a second reference point (59) which is associated with the second member (22), and a third plane (62) having a third reference point (63) which is associated with the third member (23), and establishing the precise three dimensional location of the positionable element (30).