Abstract: A touch panel system having enhanced touch detection which distinguishes between deliberate actuations of the touch system and accidental and other false actuations. The system has a display surface surrounded by a multiplicity of light emitting elements and light receiving elements that define a grid of intersecting light paths. The display surface is scanned by sequentially enabling selected pairs of the light emitting and light receiving elements. False actuation rejection involves the use of one or more of three techniques: ignoring touches which fail to block a minimum number of contiguous beams in both axes, ignoring touches which block in excess of a specified maximum number of contiguous beams in either axis, and ignoring touches which are of a duration of less than a minimum specified time. The minimum and maximum size constraints on the size of the object touching the screen, and the minimum contact time are programmable.

Abstract: A fixture comprising a number of rearrangeable elements; a hand operated by a robot and designed to position the aforementioned rearrangeable elements on a reference table; and a number of part supporting and clamping means. The aforementioned rearrangeable elements comprise a tubular casing sliding on an air-cushioned pad; and a rod designed to slide axially inside the aforementioned tubular casing and on to the top portion of which are secured the aforementioned supporting and positioning means. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The shoe has a flat surface which can slide with reduced friction on a guide surface, means for introduction and distribution of compressed air to generate a supporting air cushion between the said surfaces, and a plurality of permanent magnets generating a force of attraction between the shoe and the guide surface in such a way as to cause the shoe itself to stop immediately when the supply of compressed air is interrupted.

Abstract: The machine substantially comprises a support element of tubular form within the interior of which a column is axially movable in a first direction, a first carriage movable in a second direction orthogonal to the first and to which the said support element is pivoted to allow rotation about an axis parallel to the second direction, and an arm one end of which is fixed to the column and the axis of which is disposed in a third direction, orthogonal to the other two; the machine further includes a second carriage movable on the arm in the third direction, which is provided with attachment means for a bar to which is fixed a feeler device.

Abstract: A touch panel assembly includes a filter plate having a recessed outer surface, first and second "L"-shaped supports each including a plurality of light-emitting or detecting elements along edges thereof with the "L"-shaped supports positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the filter plate and about the recessed outer surface whereby light from a lamp passes through the recessed outer surface to a detector element. A display is positioned in alignment with the recessed outer surface. The assembly is compact and facilitates the sealing of the display and electronics within a housing. The "L"-shaped supports for the light sources and detectors facilitate the assembly and servicing of the light elements in the assembly.

Abstract: An error compensated, coordinate measuring machine includes a ram, a supporting structure for the ram and a base on which an object or part to be inspected is secured. The ram is mounted to the structure and movable with respect thereto. An object sensing probe is mounted to the ram. The probe is responsive to contact with the part or object being tested. Sensors are mounted to the ram and the base. The sensor on the ram detects the angular deviation of the ram from a reference plane, and the sensor on the base detects the angular deviation of the base from the same reference plane. A calculator unit determines the difference between the angular deviations of the ram and the base from the reference plane. The machine further includes transducers which measure the position of the ram with respect to the supporting structure, and the position of the supporting structure with respect to the base. The transducers provide ram positional data.

Abstract: A device for controlling the rectilinear translation of a movable member, comprises a screw engaged by a nut having cooperatingly shaped thread surfaces the dimensions of which are such that there is a radial clearance between the screw and the nut and an axial clearance between adjacent helical flanks of the screw and the nut. The nut is provided with radial passages communicating with the chambers defining the radial clearances, which can be put into communication with a source of compressed gas enabling the formation of an air cushion or air bearing between the two relatively movable members thereby reducing the turning moment necessary for effecting rectilinear movement of the movable member.

Abstract: Circuits for generating sequences of pseudo random binary digits wherein the circuit can be easily programmed to change the sequence. The sequences are obtained by modulo-2 addition of digits retrieved from storage in Random Access Memories (RAMs). Two or more Read counters identify separate addresses in the RAMs from which the digits are retrieved. A Write counter points into an address in all of the RAMs where each current sequence bit is stored as it is formed at the output of an Exclusive-Or gate which performs the modulo-2 addition. Each of the Read counters lags the Write counter by a different and programmable amount and these lags determine which sequence is generated.

Abstract: The device comprises a series of tool carriers each of which is provided with a tool, a connector tang and aseries of three abutments disposed substantially around the axis of the tool and in a plane orthogonal to the axis itself, a rack provided with a plurality of seats each of which is able to support a tool carrier, a support unit fixed to the head of the machine is provided with a series of frontal surfaces operable to constitute bearings for the said abutments; this unit is provided with connector means operable to grip the connector tang of one of the tools, and displacement means operable to support the connector means and to displace it with respect to the support unit in the direction of the axis of the tool from a first position in which the abutments of the said series of abutments are at a predetermined distance from the frontal surface of the first defined series, to a second position in which the abutments themselves are in contact with the frontal surfaces, the displacement from the first to t

Abstract: An error compensated, coordinate measuring machine includes a ram, a supporting structure for the ram and a base on which an object or part to be inspected is secured. The ram is mounted to the structure and movable with respect thereto. An object sensing probe is mounted to the ram. The probe is responsive to contact with the part or object being tested. Sensors are mounted to the ram and the base. The sensor on the ram detects the angular deviation of the ram from a reference plane, and the sensor on the base detects the angular deviation of the base from the same reference plane. A calculator unit determines the difference between the angular deviations of the ram and the base from the reference plane. The machine further includes transducers which measure the position of the ram with respect to the supporting structure, and the position of the supporting structure with respect to the base. The transducers provide ram positional data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer controlled robotic arm unit having a fixed body and a carriage which is linearly movable to the fixed body along a first horizontal orthogonal cartesian axis. An elongated column is vertically movably mounted to the carriage along a second vertical cartesian axis while an elongated arm is carried at the upper end of the column. This arm includes a work performing member at one end and is linearly movable along a third and substantially horizontal orthogonal cartesian axis which is perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A dimensional measurement system comprises a plurality of operating arms simultaneously controlled and monitored by a computer system wherein each of the arms includes a support structure for a measurement end and includes orthoganally displaceable members enabling three dimensions of orthoganal movement of the measurement end. The displaceable members preferably comprise a first carriage slidably engaged with a support beam, a sliding beam slidably secured to the first carriage, a second carriage secured to the sliding beam, and a second sliding beam slidably secured to the second carriage, wherein the support for the measurement end is on the end of the second sliding beam. The beams preferably include racks engaged by motor driven gears to provide controlled displacement of the displaceable members. The computer system preferably simultaneously controls movement of the arms as well as delivery of workpieces to the arms.

Abstract: A bidimensional tracer for machine tools or measuring machines is described. Said tracer comprises a body for the connection to the machine, an end arranged to come into contact with a surface, and two detector elements apt to emit signals of detection of the movements of the said end, along two orthogonal directions, produced by the contact with the said surface.The main characteristic of the tracer is that said detector elements simultaneously detect the said movements along the said two directions, the said two detector elements comprising each a portion stationary relative to the said connection body and a portion movable as a function of the movements of the said end.

Abstract: A revolving fixture intended to support tools or instruments is described. Said fixture comprises first elements for the connection to a carrying structure, and second elements adapted to lock the said tool or instrument and rotatable relative to the said first elements about a main axis.The main feature of this fixture is to comprise means apt to adjust, in a relatively precise, responsive and stable manner, the position of the said tool or instrument with respect to the said axis, so as to position the tip of the said tool or instrument in such a manner as to make it substantially coincide with a point of the said main axis and thus minimize the deviations of the tip of the tool or instrument from the said main axis during the rotation of the said second elements relative to the said first elements.

Abstract: A connection unit for mounting a tool with precision and accuracy on a machine, particularly a measuring machine, but which at the same time does not provide a rigid connection between the tool and the machine so that if the tool undergoes accidental collision, it does not suffer damage, is described. The main feature of this connection unit is to comprise first and second members which can be fixed respectively to the machine and the tool, said first and second members being connected together by mutual positioning means, under the action of constraint means which allow a limited relative movement between said first and second members as a result of a displacement force exceeding a predetermined value and acting along directions and senses of movement allowed by said mutual positioning means.

Abstract: A tracer unit for use with measuring machines is described.The main feature of this tracer unit is to comprise a plurality of tracer tools, each of which is provided with a rod arranged to come into contact with a surface to be scanned, a movable body connected to said rod, a fixed body, first means which supply a first signal either when said movable body leaves the position of equilibrium relative to said fixed body or when said movable body passes through a determined position relative to said fixed body, and second means arranged to indicate from which of the various tracer tools said first signal is originated.

Abstract: A position transducer for machine tools and measuring machines, arranged to measure relative displacements of a first part of the machine with respect to a second part of the machine, is described. The main feature of this position transducer is to operate by means of the optical coupling of at least two photoelectric readers fixed on the first part and at least two optical photoengraved rules rigidly connected to the second part. Selector means are provided to present in output the signals from one of the photoelectric readers.

Abstract: An omnidirectional electronic probe indicating the fall out of balance position, and particularly suitable to be used in measuring machines, is described. This probe comprises a rod arranged to come into contact with a surface to be inspected, a movable body connected to the rod, and a fixed support body for the movable body; the fixed and movable bodies comprise electric contact elements which provide in combination a switch. The main feature of this probe is that the stable balance position of the movable body with respect to the fixed body is a statically determined balance position and the switch is closed exclusively for the unique stable balance position. Another feature of the probe is to be provided with miniaturized electronic circuits which prevent the transmission of erroneous signals to the machine during the phases of opening and closure of the switch.