Abstract: A storage apparatus for a measurement probe for use with a coordinate positioning machine. The storage apparatus including a storage unit having at least one receptacle for a measurement probe; and at least one temperature source for controlling the temperature of a measurement probe located in the at least one receptacle.

Abstract: A rotary gas bearing is described that comprises a first part rotatable relative to a second part. The first part comprises a support member and a first portion and a second portion attached to the support member. The first portion comprises a first bearing surface and the second portion comprising a second bearing surface. Both the first portion and the second portion are attached to the support member by screw thread connections. The second part may comprise complimentary bearing surfaces. Epoxy may be used to fix the first and/or second portions to the support member. A method of determining the bearing working gap by measuring gas flow through the bearing is also described.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus are described for recalibrating coordinate positioning apparatus after a disturbance, such as a stylus replacement. The coordinate positioning apparatus includes a platform, a measurement probe and a probe head for reorienting the measurement probe relative to the platform. A calibration data set is taken for the coordinate positioning apparatus that includes datum data for a plurality of orientations of the measurement probe. The datum data includes at least first datum data for a first nominal orientation of the measurement probe. After a disturbance to the coordinate positioning apparatus, the calibration data set is updated by acquiring one or more position measurements and calculating a first correction from the one or more position measurements.

Abstract: A laser system includes a housing and a laser. The laser can be positioned in the housing such that its laser beam is transmitted at an angle and its path forms a cone as the housing rotates. The laser device may also contain two or more lasers, the angle of each laser may be the same or different, and the angular position of each laser may be fixed or variable. The laser system may be stationary or mobile and used in a variety of methods to detect an object or topography and produce a three dimensional image. That information can be further used to provide maps, terrain data, volumetric measurements, landing guidance, obstacle avoidance warnings, mining profiles and other useful material.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder scale having a series of periodically spaced magnetic marks. A reference mark is applied to the scale using an applicator or template, which has a feature for locating the reference mark. The applicator or template has one or more magnetic marks corresponding to the periodic scale marks, whereby the applicator or template automatically assumes a defined phase relationship relative to the periodic scale marks when placed on the scale. The reference mark may be attached to the scale self-adhesively, or it may be formed by removal of material from the scale, guided by the applicator or template. The applicator may alternatively have a strong permanent magnet which applies further magnetization to a region of the scale.

Abstract: A measurement probe, such as a touch trigger measurement probe, is described that comprises a measurement portion for measuring an object and a data transfer portion for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to an associated unit. The measurement device also comprises an authentication module for verifying the authenticity of the associated unit. The authentication module may include a processor for running a one-way hash algorithm. Authenticity may be established using a challenge and response authentication process.

Abstract: A method of operating a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising an articulated head having at least one rotational axis. The method comprises, in any suitable order, loading at least one interchangeable task module onto the articulated head; and loading at least one interchangeable task module counterweight on the articulated head. The at least one interchangeable task module counterweight at least partially counterbalances the weight of the at least one task module on the articulated head about the at least one axis.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a storage apparatus for a measurement probe for use with a coordinate positioning machine. The storage apparatus has at least one receptacle for a measurement probe. At least one receptacle connector is provided for electrical connection with at least one probe connector on a measurement probe located in the receptacle. The one receptacle connector is configured such that it can be displaced so as to disconnect it from the probe connector of a measurement probe located in the receptacle.

Abstract: A rotation detection kit, comprising: a beam source; a receiver comprising at least one beam intensity sensor; a polarizer device for location in the path of a beam emitted from the beam source and received by the beam sensor; and a modulator. The modulator is configured to modulate at least one of i) the beam source and ii) a beam emitted by the beam source to create a discretely varying polarization orientation thereby defining first and at least second temporally spaced beam portions. The temporally spaced beam portions are incident on the polarizer device and the beam sensor and have substantially identical profiles and at least an initial common propagation axis toward the polarizer device.

Abstract: A metrology apparatus including a body and a first member rotatable relative to the body about a first axis of rotation, said first axis being defined by first bearing and a first motor for actuating rotation of the first member relative to the body about the first axis of rotation. A surface sensing device is attachable to the first member such that the surface sensing device can move with the first member, relative to the body. The first motor may include a first magnet and at least one metal coil spaced apart along the first axis and mounted such that the first magnet and the at least one metal coil are moveable relative to one another.

Abstract: A rotation detection kit, comprising a source for generating at least a first polarized beam emitted along a propagation axis, a receiver comprising at least a first beam intensity sensor and an analyzer. The analyzer comprises a first polarizer device for location in the at least first polarized beam between the source and at least first beam intensity sensor. The first polarizer device is configured such that the receiver can measure rotation between the source and the analyzer about a first axis that is non-parallel to the propagation axis based on the at least first beam intensity sensor's output.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a measurement scale in a motorized scanning head using a reference artefact is described. The method comprises the step of rotating a surface sensing device, such as a scanning probe, mounted on the scanning head about at least one axis of the scanning head to move the surface sensing device into a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the reference artefact. A step is then performed of measuring, with the surface sensing device, at least one property of the reference artefact at each of the different angular orientations. An error map or function is then created for at least one measurement scale of the scanning head using the properties of the reference artefact measured and optionally known or calibrated properties of that reference artefact. The method may comprise use of co-ordinate positioning apparatus, such as a co-ordinate measuring machine, to move the scanning head. The reference artefact may comprise a single feature or an array of features.

Abstract: A method of operating coordinate positioning apparatus having a measurement probe includes taking a first part in a series of parts, at least a first reference geometrical property associated with one or more features of the first part being known and using the coordinate positioning apparatus to measure the one or more features of the first part and determining a first measured geometrical property corresponding to the first reference geometrical property. A first property correction value is then determined describing a difference between the first reference and the first measured geometrical properties. The coordinate positioning apparatus is then used to measure the one or more features of one or more further parts in the series of parts and, for each further part, a further measured geometrical property is determined corresponding to the first reference geometrical property. The first property correction value is then applied to each further measured geometrical property.

Abstract: An error correction method for coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The method comprises (i) taking a first data set comprising one or more first data values, each first data value describing a position on the surface of a first object, (ii) taking a second data set comprising one or more second data values, each second data value describing a position on the surface of the first object, and (iii) calculating an error map comprising one or more error values, each error value describing a positional difference between the surface as described by the first data set and the surface as described by the second data set. The surface normal of the first object is known at each position described by each first data value and step (iii) comprises calculating each error value by determining the positional difference substantially in the direction of the known surface normal.

Abstract: The coil assembly includes a substrate including a first coil set and a second coil set. The first coil set includes two or more coil elements that are configured to operate at a first radio frequency and the second coil set includes one or more coil elements that are configured to operate at a second radio frequency. The substrate is a flexible substrate and radio-frequency isolation means are provided for reducing coupling between at least some of the coil elements. In one embodiment, the first coil set includes a pair of first coil elements that share a common central conductor and a second coil set that includes a pair of second coil elements that also shares the common central conductor.

Abstract: A sample is illuminated by laser light and the resulting Raman spectrum is dispersed at a high spectral resolution along one or more rows or columns of detector elements of a CCD. The resulting charge is shifted in a direction Y? and binned in an output register of the CCD. The dispersed spectrum is moved along the rows or columns in a direction X?, synchronously with the shifting of charge in the output register. Thus, data from a given wavenumber in the spectrum continues to accumulate in the output register during the movement. This enables data from a wide spectrum to be collected at high resolution, without the need to subsequently stitch blocks of data together in a computer, even where the CCD is arranged such that row-by-row transfer of charge towards the output register is orthogonal to the direction of dispersion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a surface using a surface sensing device mounted on a scanning head on a member of a coordinate positioning apparatus. The coordinate positioning apparatus may be operated to produce relative movement between the scanning head and the surface profile and the scanning head includes a drive for producing rotational movement of the surface sensing probe about one or more axis. The coordinate positioning apparatus is driven to provide relative movement between the member and the surface profile in a circular path and the scanning head is driven to move the surface sensing device about said one or more axes, such that the surface sensing device maintains a nominally constant lead angle. The motion of the coordinate positioning apparatus and scanning head is synchronous.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a bearing surface for a gas or air bearing is described. The method comprises taking a bulk bearing portion having at least one bearing surface region and providing a coating on the bearing surface region to define at least one gas pocket. The at least one gas pocket has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the coating. In one example, laser ablation is used to remove part of the coating to form the gas pockets. The coating may be an anodised coating and the bulk bearing portion may be formed from aluminium. An air bearing component formed using the method is also described.

Abstract: A sample positioning stage for positioning a sample to be inspected relative to an optical inspection device. The stage includes a first generally planar body on which a sample to be inspected can be carried and a second body directly coupled to the first body via bearings extending between them which constrain movement of the first body relative to the second body to a first plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the first body. There is also provided a drive system being selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode.

Abstract: Methods are described for calibrating a turning machine having a first rotatable portion or chuck for holding a workpiece. The first rotatable portion has a first feature associated therewith. The method comprises the steps of using a measurement probe to determine the position of the first feature, rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle, and using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature. The extension of the technique to swivel head mill-turn machines is also described.