Abstract: A measurement probe for use in coordinate measuring machines, which measurement probe includes a base (1) connected with a coordinate measuring machine, a measurement tip (4) and a ball (5) arranged at the first end of the measurement tip (4). The measurement tip (4) is supported at its other end with the aid of at least three rigid supports (2) supported by the base (1), whereby the supports (2) are connected with the measurement tip by way of spherical connections and where the supports (2) can be displaced along their longitudinal directions relative to the base (1).

Abstract: A probe, connectable to a machine tool, having an electric generator (16), supplying an electric or electronic circuit (22) with electric power, and a driving element (28), capable of relative rotation with respect to the stator of the electric generator. The rotation axis of the driving element is preferably a symmetry axis of the probe itself. The driving element is not connected to any external energy source, and can be set in rotation simply by activating the rotary axis of the machine tool. Advantageously, the driving element of the present invention is not directly connected with any mobile element of the machine tool, but is either rotatably mounted on the probe itself, or fixed on the reference table of the machine tool. Importantly, the inventive probe requires no additional connections to the machine tool on which it is mounted, besides the connection to the rotary spindle, which can be realized with a conventional tool-holder with a standardised tapered shank.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine to determine the coordinates of a number of points on the surface of a measured object, includes a support beam, supporting a measuring head over the surface of a support table that supports the test object. The measuring machine is constructed from separately manufactured units, which include at least a support beam, a measurement trolley and a measurement head. The support beam supports the measurement trolley, which is displaceable along the support beam. The measurement trolley in turn supports the measurement head. The beam, head and trolley are individually calibrated, and the trolley includes both mechanical and electrical attachment points for the head and the beam, where the mechanical attachment points are designed such that no geometric deformation can take place when these units are joined together such that the units, which have been individually manufactured, can be simply joined to the coordinate measuring machine.

Abstract: An articulating joint for a coordinate measurement machine can include an improved optical encoder. The optical encoder can have an encoder hub and a read head that are rotatable with respect to each other based on movement of the articulating joint about an axis of rotation of the joint. The encoder hub has a read surface. The read surface can be an outer surface of a generally cylindrical segment. The read head can be positioned such that a read direction defined by the read surface is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the articulating joint.

Abstract: A co-ordinate measuring machine to determine the co-ordinates of a number of points on the surface of a measurement object, including a support beam (4) that supports a measurement head over the surface of a support table (1) that supports the measurement object, the co-ordinates of which are to be measured. The support beam (4) is supported above the support table (1) by two legs (7, 8) that are not only possible to displace together along the support table (1) in order to displace the support beam (4) and the measurement head forwards and backwards in a direction relative to the support table (1), but also it is possible to displace the legs (7, 8) relative to each other in different directions along the support table (1) in order to raise and lower the support beam (4) and the measurement head relative to the support table.

Abstract: A modular calibration method for a CMM, comprising preliminary calibration steps of several components prior to its mounting. The preliminary calibration steps yield specific mapping information for each calibrated component, which are then stored into map files generated and associated to the calibrated components. A final alignment takes place after once the CMM is mounted, which processes mapping information gathered during the preliminary calibration steps.

Abstract: A measuring method and system involving a measuring coordinate probe, which can be moved precisely, by appropriate actuators, with respect to a positioning platform (60) on which the probe is mounted; and whose position relative capable to said positioning platform (60) can be measured, by suitable encoders (780). The invention can be carried out with probes, actuators and encoders of different nature. The actuators (730) preferably allow the motion of the probe according to two or more independent degrees of freedom, so that the probe itself can be moved in a plane, or in a three-dimensional region of space, and its orientation can be chosen, within some suitable limits. The method and system of the invention provide very exact local measurement, even if the platform (60) does not deliver the very best precision.

Abstract: A measurement probe for use in coordinate measuring machines, which probe comprises a base (1) connected to a coordinate measuring machine, a measurement tip (4) and a ball (5) arranged at the first end of the measurement tip (4). The measurement tip (4) is supported at its second end with the aid of at least three rigid supports (2) supported by the base (1), whereby the supports (2) are connected to the measurement tip by means of spherical connections and where the supports (2) can be displaced along their longitudinal directions relative to the base (1). The supports (2) are arranged such that they pass through the base (1), and can be displaced along their longitudinal directions by protruding to a greater or lesser degree on the side of the base (1) that is opposite relative to the measurement tip holder (3).

Abstract: A method for the signal processing of capacitive measurement scales intended for the measurement of lengths or angles, consisting of two parts moveable relative to each other provided with electrodes that together form condensers, whose magnitudes are variable and depend on the relative position as specified by a sinusoidal relationship between the two parts. The first part has n electrodes evenly distributed over one measurement period and the second part has one electrode per measurement period. The electrodes in the first part are fed with n alternating voltages whereby the time displacements of the alternating voltages relative to each other are t 0 n , where t0 is the length of the period of the alternating voltage. The electrode of the second mobile part captures a signal composed of one or several of the alternating voltages and the amplitude composition of the signal depends on the relative position between the two parts.

Abstract: A measurement probe for use in coordinate measuring machines, which measurement probe includes a base (1) connected with a coordinate measuring machine, a measurement tip (4) and a ball (5) arranged at the first end of the measurement tip (4). The measurement tip (4) is supported at its other end with the aid of at least three rigid supports (2) supported by the base (1), whereby the supports (2) are connected with the measurement tip by way of spherical connections and where the supports (2) can be displaced along their longitudinal directions relative to the base (1).

Abstract: A measuring method and system involving a measuring coordinate probe, which can be moved precisely, by appropriate actuators, with respect to a positioning platform (60) on which the probe is mounted; and whose position relative capable to said positioning platform (60) can be measured, by suitable encoders (780). The invention can be carried out with probes, actuators and encoders of different nature. The actuators (730) preferably allow the motion of the probe according to two or more independent degrees of freedom, so that the probe itself can be moved in a plane, or in a three-dimensional region of space, and its orientation can be chosen, within some suitable limits.

Abstract: A method for scanning a surface of a workpiece 1 at a constant scanning speed /va/ using a scanning probe 2 mounted on a support 3 on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) 4. The CMM contains a first set of drive means (6, 7, 8) to move the support according to three linear axis (x,y,z), and the support 3 contains a second set of drive means (14, 17) for actuating the movement of the scanning probe 2 with two degrees of freedom relative to said support 3. The method involves control means 33 coupled to the sets of drive means (6, 14, 17), and memory means for storing theoretical profiles and coordinates of the surface to scan.

Abstract: An adjustment arrangement for a measuring head, in particular an adjustment arrangement in order to simplify the calibration of a measurement probe (3) supported by a measuring head in a coordinate measuring machine, where the adjustment arrangement includes an element for the determination of the measured position of the probe ball (7), and where an element is arranged to turn or displace, or both, the probe ball in order to determine a newly measured position of the probe ball, whereby the offset of the probe ball (7) can be determined.

Abstract: A method for scanning a surface of a workpiece using a scanning probe 2 mounted on a support 3 on a coordinate measuring machine 4. The support contains drive means 5, 7 for actuating the movement of the scanning probe 2 relatively to the support 3. The method further involves detecting means 9 to measure a contact force F applied between the tip 10 of the probe and the surface 1, control means 13 coupled to the drive means, and memory means 14 for storing theoretical profiles 19 and coordinates 20 of the surface. This method is characterized by the fact that the control means 13 adjust the actuation of the drive means 5, 7 along a scanning path 18 in order to maintain the contact force 11 within the defined range of values 15 during the whole scanning operation along the scanning path 18.

Abstract: The positioning and measuring system includes a coordinate positioning machine comprising a movable spindle (60) movable relative to a reference surface 30, a rotor (100) rotatably connected with the movable spindle, an actuator (500) for driving the rotor (100) in rotation around a rotation axis (65), and a coordinate probe (150, 190) detachably connectable to the rotor (100) for measuring coordinate of points (350) of a workpiece (200, 201, 250) along a path resulting from the composition of a translation movement of the spindle (60) and a rotation of the rotor (100). The points (350) are offset (r) with respect to the rotation axis (65) of the rotor (100).

Abstract: Tool rack for tools of a coordinate measuring machine, wherein the guiding and retaining surfaces of the tool rack are arranged on two planes offset vertically so as to cause the tool to tilt when it is unhooked. The inventive arrangement allows the mechanical efforts during uncoupling to be reduced appreciably. This reduction is due to the tool tilting and to the residual magnetic force being divided between three retaining point, with a positive effect on the coupling precision and on the tool positioning in the tool rack.

Abstract: A co-ordinate measuring machine to determine the co ordinates of a number of points on the surface of a measurement object, including a support beam (4) that supports a measurement head over the surface of a support table (1) that supports the measurement object, the co ordinates of which are to be measured. The support beam (4) is supported above the support table (1) by two legs (7, 8) that are not only possible to displace together along the support table (1) in order to displace the support beam (4) and the measurement head forwards and backwards in a direction relative to the support table (1), but also it is possible to displace the legs (7, 8) relative to each other in different directions along the support table (1) in order to raise and lower the support beam (4) and the measurement head relative to the support table.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine to determine the coordinates of a number of points on the surface of a measured object, includes a support beam, supporting a measuring head over the surface of a support table that supports the test object. The measuring machine is constructed from separately manufactured units, which include at least a support beam, a measurement trolley and a measurement head. The support beam supports the measurement trolley, which is displaceable along the support beam. The measurement trolley in turn supports the measurement head. The beam, head and trolley are individually calibrated, and the trolley includes both mechanical and electrical attachment points for the head and the beam, where the mechanical attachment points are designed such that no geometric deformation can take place when these units are joined together such that the units, which have been individually manufactured, can be simply joined to the coordinate measuring machine.

Abstract: A single-scale, single-drive coordinate measuring machine that compensates for hysteresis error caused by friction at the non-driven end of the bridge. The coordinate measuring machine is calibrated to estimate hysteresis effects at one or more distances from the scale. Measurements of workpieces are adjusted based on the calibration data and the distances of the carriage from the scale at the point of the measurements. The scale and the drive system may be positioned on opposite guideways.

Abstract: A single-scale, single-drive coordinate measuring machine that compensates for hysteresis error caused by friction at the non-driven end of the bridge. The coordinate measuring machine is calibrated to estimate hysteresis effects at one or more distances from the scale. Measurements of workpieces are adjusted based on the calibration data and the distances of the carriage from the scale at the point of the measurements. The scale and the drive system may be positioned on opposite guideways.