Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) is disclosed. The CMM may include a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends and a measurement probe attached to the first end articulated arm. The arm may include a plurality of jointed arm segments. Each arm segment may include at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. The CMM may also include an electronic circuit that receives the position signals from the transducers and provides a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of the probe in a selected volume. At least one of the arm segments may be non-linear along its length.

Abstract: An embodiment may comprise a camera based target coordinate measuring system or apparatus for use in measuring the position of objects in manner that preserves a high level of accuracy. This high level of measurement accuracy is usually only associated with more expensive laser based devices. Many different arrangements are possible. Other embodiments may comprise related methods of using a camera based target coordinate measuring method for use in measuring the position of objects. Many variations on the methods are possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating a coordinate measurement machine is provided, which may be a laser-based coordinate measurement machine, laser tracker, or other coordinate measurement device. In one exemplary method, such compensation comprises self-compensation of payload parameters by means of embedded tracker targets. In another exemplary embodiment, such compensation comprises self-compensation of payload, azimuth-post, axis, or R0 parameters by means of embedded temperature sensors.

Abstract: The present system, method, article of manufacture, software, and apparatus is an “intelligent” probe system and components thereof and may openly encompass, in at least an embodiment, an embedded IC chip located in an interchangeable probe(s) which offers repeatable, fast, easy, and error free probe swapping on a CMM.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume comprises includes an a positionable articulated arm having a plurality of jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner mounted thereon. The laser may be a fiber coupled laser. Wireless data transfer and communication capability for the CMM is also possible.

Abstract: An embodiment may comprise a camera based target coordinate measuring system or apparatus for use in measuring the position of objects in manner that preserves a high level of accuracy. This high level of measurement accuracy is usually only associated with more expensive laser based devices. Many different arrangements are possible. Other embodiments may comprise related methods of using a camera based target coordinate measuring method for use in measuring the position of objects. Many variations on the methods are possible.