Patents Assigned to Renishaw, PLC
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Publication number: 20110000076Abstract: This invention relates to an indexer for providing rotation of a part from a first index position to a second index position. The indexer comprises an indexer frame and a part for rotation. The indexer frame has at least one index feature, and the part has at least one index feature, wherein the at least one index feature on the indexer frame is co-operable with the at least one index feature on the part so as to provide two or more index positions of the part with respect to the indexer frame. In use the part locates with the indexer frame so as to form an axis about which the part is able to rotate relative to the indexer frame, the axis being kinematically located.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: Renishaw PLCInventors: David Roberts Mcmurtry, Mark Stephen James Forman
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Publication number: 20110004437Abstract: A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Peter Kenneth Hellier, Robert Charles D'Olier Umfreville
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Publication number: 20110002361Abstract: A transmission system for a measurement device on a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a station mounted on the measuring device and another station mounted on the coordinate positioning apparatus, wherein the station and the another station communicate with each other using a spread spectrum radio link, for example, frequency hopping. The station on the probe sends a regular signal and on receiving the signal the another station on the coordinate positioning apparatus synchronises its clock and sends an acknowledgement signal. Measurement data is either sent in the regular signal or in a measurement event driven signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Martin Woollett, John Styles, John Liptrot
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Patent number: 7861430Abstract: Apparatus for a co-ordinate positioning machine is described that comprises an articulating probe head for supporting a measurement probe. The articulating probe head comprises at least one electric motor. Heating means are provided for generating heat in the articulating probe head. The heating means may be the motors or discrete heating elements. Temperature sensing means, such as one or more temperature sensors, is also provided for determining the temperature at the articulating probe head. The apparatus allows the temperature of the articulating probe head to be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Kevyn Barry Jonas, Geoffrey McFarland, Nicholas John Weston, Colin Ray Bulled
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Publication number: 20100327014Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for selectively dispensing a fluid on to a substrate. The apparatus including a holder for holding a substrate, such as a non-planar substrate or circuit board. A fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid, such as an adhesive, and a positioning device for moving the fluid dispenser are also provided. The positioning device and fluid dispenser are arranged to allow fluid to be dispensed on to a substrate, held by the holder. The holder including a tilting mechanism that enables a substrate, held by the holder to be tilted about at least one axis. In use, a substrate may be tilted such that the region of the substrate onto which fluid is to be dispensed by the fluid dispenser is at least approximately horizontal thereby preventing unwanted fluid flow under gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Kevyn Barry Jonas, Geoffrey Mcfarland
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Publication number: 20100325863Abstract: A method for orienting a surface sensing device (SSD) uses an apparatus having a support attachable to a moveable arm of a machine, such as a coordinate measuring apparatus. The support includes a first member rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a SSD for sensing the surface of a workpiece; the SSD is releasably connectable to the first member for rotation therewith. The method includes the steps of disconnecting a SSD from a support, the SSD being connected to the support in a first orientation; rotating one of the SSD and the support relative to the other of the SSD and the support and reconnecting the SSD and the support into a second orientation. An apparatus for orienting a surface sensing device is further described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventor: David Sven Wallace
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Patent number: 7856731Abstract: A contact sensing probe having a stylus which is vibrated longitudinally by a piezoelectric transducer. Contact with a workpiece is detected from damping of the vibration. The stylus is mounted to a probe body via parallel diaphragm springs. These cooperate with a counter mass to form a mechanical low pass filter, which isolates the stylus vibrations from influences caused by the mounting or handling of the probe body.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Nicholas John Weston, Geoffrey McFarland
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Patent number: 7847955Abstract: A surface sensing device for use in position determining apparatus has an elongate stylus (74) with a tip (82) for scanning the surface of a workpiece to be measured. Lateral displacements of the stylus tip are detected by a light beam which passes along the stylus from a light source (66) to a retroreflector (78). This reflects the beam back via a beamsplitter (70) to a position sensitive detector (76). The stylus is mounted for longitudinal displacement on a carriage (72). The longitudinal displacement is measured by another light beam projected by the beamsplitter (70) onto a second position sensitive detector (84).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Geoffrey McFarland, Kevyn Barry Jonas
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Patent number: 7841097Abstract: Position measurement apparatus, such as hexapod co-ordinate measuring machine, is described that comprises a thrust frame and a metrology frame. The thrust frame comprises a load carrying base connected to a moveable platform by a plurality of powered extendable legs. The metrology frame comprising a metrology base attached to the load carrying base by a base attachment mechanism such as kinematic mounts. The base attachment mechanism is arranged to prevent any distortions of the load carrying base being transmitted to the metrology base.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Finlay Jonathan Evans, David Roberts McMurtry, Colin Ray Bulled
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Patent number: 7839296Abstract: A scale reading apparatus includes a readhead that is moveable relative to a scale. The readhead includes an incremental channel from which a series of reference mark pulses are produced as the readhead is moved relative to the scale. A reference mark channel is also provided that produce a reference mark gating pulse when the readhead passes a predetermined (absolute) position mark on the scale. An alignment detection unit monitors during use, phase alignment of the reference mark gating pulse and reference mark pulses. The alignment detection unit is arranged to monitor the phase of the leading and trailing edges of said reference mark gating pulse relative to the phase of the reference mark pulses. The apparatus may be used in position encoders and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventor: Colin Keith Howley
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Publication number: 20100292956Abstract: A probe for measuring the dimensions of objects on a coordinate positioning machine such as a machine tool has a workpiece-contacting stylus. This is suspended via a sensor mechanism, including strain gauges which provide an output when the stylus contacts a workpiece. A processor processes the strain gauge outputs to produce a trigger signal. It does so in accordance with an algorithm or equation or look-up table which ensures equal sensitivity in all possible directions of approach to the workpiece in the three dimensions X, Y, Z.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Tim Prestidge, Jonathan Paul Fuge
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Patent number: 7821420Abstract: A transmission system for a measurement device on a coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a station (18) mounted on the measuring device (10) and a station (20) mounted on the coordinate positioning apparatus (22), wherein the stations communicate with each other using a spread spectrum radio link, for example frequency hopping. The station on the probe sends a regular signal and on receiving the signal the station on the coordinate positioning apparatus synchronises its clock and sends an acknowledgement signal. Measurement data is either sent in the regular signal or in a measurement event driven signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Martin Woollett, John Styles, John Liptrot
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Publication number: 20100265973Abstract: A tunable narrow linewidth laser is provided, wherein an adjustable etalon structure is employed to simultaneously tune the wavelength of the laser transmission and the length of the laser cavity. The etalon structure is an effective, relatively thick shear plate comprised of transparent matched wedge-shaped substrates and a pair of parallel, partially transmissive mirrors with a space therebetween. Rotation of the etalon structure relative to the laser input changes the angle of incidence to the first substrate and the etalon angle, thereby changing the wavelength of the laser light and also changing the length of the external laser cavity. Thus, reliable frequency tuning is achieved, without mode hopping.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Nigel Copner, Nayla El Dah Dah
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Patent number: 7810248Abstract: A coordinate positioning apparatus has a base a structure and six struts joining the base and the structure. A working volume is defined by the base, structure and six struts. A support member extends from the supported structure. At least one access region is provided into the working volume, the access area being formed between two adjacent struts, the area of the access region being greater than the area between another set of adjacent struts. Access to the working volume is thereby improved.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventor: David Roberts McMurtry
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Patent number: 7812736Abstract: A probe has internal circuitry capable of operating in a plurality of different modes, for example a variety of filter modes and turn off modes. A switch on the probe sends an input to a controller which is arranged to set the mode in response to operation of the switch. The switch may be a push button which is operated externally of the probe by means of an actuator in the form of a plunger. The probe has a workpiece-contacting stylus mounted on a seat from which it is deflectable. The stylus and the seat may comprise the switch. An indicator, e.g., an LED, indicates the mode in response to an output from the controller. The controller outputs a plurality of indications of different modes in a sequence and a mode is selected by operating the switch once the desired mode is indicated.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: David Collingwood, Jonathan Paul Fuge, Geoffrey Salt
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Patent number: 7809523Abstract: 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. A desired measurement profile on the surface which the surface sensing device will track and the desired motion of the orientation of the surface sensing device as the surface' sensing device follows the measurement profile are defined. This data is used to derive the required path of the relative motion between the member of the coordinate positioning apparatus and the surface, such that the surface sensing device prescribes a trajectory along the measurement profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Stephan Paul Hunter, Geoffrey McFarland, Kevyn Barry Jonas, Khaled Mamour
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Publication number: 20100245816Abstract: Near-field Raman imaging is performed by holding a dielectric microsphere (e.g. of polystyrene) on or just above the surface of a sample in a Raman microscope. An illuminating laser beam is focused by the microsphere so as to produce a near-field interaction with the sample. Raman scattered light at shifted wavelengths is collected and analysed. The microsphere may be mounted on a cantilever of an atomic force microscope or other scanning probe microscope, which provides feedback to hold it in position relative to the sample surface. Alternatively, the microsphere may be held on the sample surface by an optical tweezer effect of the illuminating laser beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Zexiang Shen, Johnson Kasim, Yumeng You, Ting Yu
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Publication number: 20100238977Abstract: A wireless device is described that comprises a spread spectrum radio-frequency (RF) communications portion, such as a Bluetooth module, and an ancillary RF receiver portion. The spread spectrum RF communications portion is activated on receipt of a characteristic RF signal by the ancillary RF receiver portion. The ancillary RF receiver portion may consume substantially less power than the spread spectrum RF communications portion thereby allowing a low power standby mode to be implemented. The wireless device may be a measurement probe, such as a temperature probe, for use with machine tools and the like. An interface for transmitting the characteristic RF signal is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Colin Ray Bulled, Serge Cresson
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Publication number: 20100223778Abstract: A metrological scale for scale reading apparatus is described, along with a method of manufacture of said metro-logical scale. The scale comprises a fibre reinforced substrate, such as a carbon fibre composite, and a layer of material, such as a plated or stuck on layer of metal, into or onto which scale markings are made. The method of manufacture of said metrological scale comprises the steps of: making a scale body comprising a layer of material, and a fibre reinforced composite substrate, wherein the qualities of the substrate are tailored to achieve the required coefficient of thermal expansion; and, making graduations in or on the layer of material of the scale body to form a scale.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: Renishaw PlcInventors: Alexander David Scott Ellin, James Reynolds Henshaw
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Patent number: 7792654Abstract: A probe for measuring the dimensions of objects on a coordinate positioning machine such as a machine tool has a workpiece-contacting stylus 20. This is suspended via a sensor mechanism 30, including strain gauges 34 which provide an output when the stylus contacts a workpiece. A processor 16 processes the strain gauge outputs to produce a trigger signal. It does so in accordance with an algorithm or equation or look-up table which ensures equal sensitivity in all possible directions of approach to the workpiece in the three dimensions X, Y, Z.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Tim Prestidge, Jonathan Paul Fuge
