Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor element for a measuring machine, comprising a coupling element on the sensor element side for mechanically and optically connecting to a coupling element on the measuring machine side. An optical fiber is arranged in the coupling element on the sensor element side, wherein said optical fiber comprises an optical interface for connecting to an optical machine contact element of the measuring machine, wherein said optical interface is formed by an optical sensor contact element having a self-centering ferrule that encloses the end of the optical fiber. The ferrule is supported in the coupling element on the sensor element side in a floating manner.

Abstract: An inclinable measuring head for use in a coordinate measuring machine or in another measure system. The inclinable head has a support element and a probe holder rotatably linked to the support element by a spherical joint that is capable of being rotated about three independent axes. The measuring head further includes a position encoder providing relative orientation of the probe holder with respect to the support element, and an actuator arranged for orienting the probe holder relative to the support element.

Abstract: An inclinable measuring head for use in a coordinate measuring machine or in another measure system. The inclinable head has a support element and a probe holder rotatably linked to the support element by a spherical joint that is capable of being rotated about three independent axes. The measuring head further includes a position encoder providing relative orientation of the probe holder with respect to the support element, and an actuator arranged for orienting the probe holder relative to the support element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor element for a measuring machine, comprising a coupling element on the sensor element side for mechanically and optically connecting to a coupling element on the measuring machine side. An optical fiber is arranged in the coupling element on the sensor element side, wherein said optical fiber comprises an optical interface for connecting to an optical machine contact element of the measuring machine, wherein said optical interface is formed by an optical sensor contact element having a self-centering ferrule that encloses the end of the optical fiber. The ferrule is supported in the coupling element on the sensor element side in a floating manner.

Abstract: An articulated measuring head for orienting a probe relatively to a measuring apparatus, including Hirth couplings for providing a high-resolution indexing to two orthogonal rotors and an advanced guiding system to ensure a precise rotation control when the Hirth couplings are free and accurate indexing when they are clamped together. The articulated head of the invention has an embedded dynamic controller using high-precision encoders and crash detection by capacitive sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor element for a measuring machine, having a sensing component with a sensing element for optically measuring a surface; a sensing element receiving portion with a plate-shaped base; and a sensor housing with a sensing component receiving portion comprising at least one bearing which contacts the base, which has at least one defined bearing point, and via which the sensing component is connected in a movable manner relative to the sensing component receiving portion. The sensor housing has a coupling on a housing coupling side for connecting to the measuring machine and at least partly surrounds the sensing component at the base, and a force directed in the direction of the sensing element is applied to the base. The sensing component receiving portion lies in the sensor housing opposite the coupling side and has the at a least one bearing.

Abstract: Method for supporting an operator in measuring a part of an object, comprising the steps of equipping the operator with an electronic device and with a dimension measuring apparatus. The device comprises a see-though head mounted display, a camera, and a digital processor. An image of the object is captured with the camera so that the processor recognizes or identifies the part of the object in the image. The method further comprises the steps of obtaining a model of said part and displaying on the display an indication of the dimension that is intended to be measured. A value of the dimension measured by the dimension measuring apparatus is acquired in the processor that will process it according to the model.

Abstract: Method for supporting an operator in measuring a part of an object, comprising the steps of equipping the operator with an electronic device and with a dimension measuring apparatus. The device comprises a see-though head mounted display, a camera, and a digital processor. An image of the object is captured with the camera so that the processor recognizes or identifies the part of the object in the image. The method further comprises the steps of obtaining a model of said part and displaying on the display an indication of the dimension that is intended to be measured. A value of the dimension measured by the dimension measuring apparatus is acquired in the processor that will process it according to the model.

Abstract: An articulated measuring head for orienting a probe relatively to a measuring apparatus, including Hirth couplings for providing a high-resolution indexing to two orthogonal rotors and an advanced guiding system to ensure a precise rotation control when the Hirth couplings are free and accurate indexing when they are clamped together.

Abstract: Touch probe comprising a fixed member; a feeler held by one or several elastic elements in a resting position relative to said fixed member, said feeler being capable of moving from said resting position in response to a deflection force; a detection system comprising a light source driven by the displacements of the feeler relative to said fixed member; an optical image sensor receiving the light emitted by said light source; an optical mask interposed on the light path between said light source and said optical image sensor.

Abstract: A touch probe comprising a fixed member; a feeler held by one or several elastic elements in a resting position relative to said fixed member, said feeler being capable of moving from said resting position in response to a deflection force; a detection system comprising a light source driven by the displacements of the feeler relative to said fixed member; an optical image sensor receiving the light emitted by said light source; an optical mask interposed on the light path between said light source and said optical image sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor element for a measuring machine, having a sensing component with a sensing element for optically measuring a surface; a sensing element receiving portion with a plate-shaped base; and a sensor housing with a sensing component receiving portion comprising at least one bearing which contacts the base, which has at least one defined bearing point, and via which the sensing component is connected in a movable manner relative to the sensing component receiving portion. The sensor housing has a coupling on a housing coupling side for connecting to the measuring machine and at least partly surrounds the sensing component at the base, and a force directed in the direction of the sensing element is applied to the base. The sensing component receiving portion lies in the sensor housing opposite the coupling side and has the at a least one bearing.

Abstract: Coordinate positioning machine or coordinate measuring machine (CMM), with a microprocessor control unit arranged to drive individual axis driver and a proxy module allowing the connection of external devices on a TCP/IP interface. The external devices are used for User interaction, by means of an http server embedded in the microprocessor control unit, or for advanced tasks including tuning and calibration of the dynamic parameters.

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: Measuring system including a coordinate measuring machine having a processing unit and a moveable support, and one or more actuators for positioning said movable support relative to a reference surface, the moveable support having a support connector, a scanning probe, detachably connected with the moveable support, for measuring points lying on a scanning path on a surface of a workpiece positioned on the reference surface, a modular rotation fitting, comprising a first connector, arranged to interoperate with the support connector for connecting the modular rotation fitting to said moveable support, and a second connector, arranged to interoperate with the probe connector, for connecting the scanning probe to the modular rotation fitting, and an actuator, for rotating the second connector relative to said first connector, wherein the first and said second connector contain a plurality of signal connections for transmitting driving signals to the actuator of said modular rotation fitting.

Abstract: Coordinate positioning machine or coordinate measuring machine (CMM), with a microprocessor control unit arranged to drive individual axis driver and a proxy module allowing the connection of external devices on a TCP/IP interface. The external devices are used for User interaction, by means of an http server embedded in the microprocessor control unit, or for advanced tasks including tuning and calibration of the dynamic parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine, in particular for a coordinate measurement machine. The optical sensor comprises a sensor-side coupling part for mechanically and optically connecting to the measurement machine, and a sensor element. According to the invention, the sensor comprises a sensor protective coupling as collision protection, said protective coupling comprising a coupling part on the measurement machine side and a coupling part on the sensor element side, wherein a fiber optic cable is routed between the coupling parts of the sensor protective coupling and wherein a fiber optic cable protection element surrounds the fiber optic cable, wherein the ends of the fiber optic cable protection element are fastened to the associated coupling part of the sensor protective coupling.

Abstract: An analogue scanning probe with a connector detachably connectable to a movable support of a coordinate measuring system, the scanning probe including a touch at the tip of a stylus pivotally connected to the scanning probe according to a measure axis and a position encoder delivering a measure of the tilt angle of said touch about said measure axis, the scanning probe including one articulation comprised between said connector and said measure axis arranged to allow tilting of the scanning probe or of a part of the probe scanning probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor with collision protection for a measurement machine, in particular for a coordinate measurement machine. The optical sensor comprises a sensor-side coupling part for mechanically and optically connecting to the measurement machine, and a sensor element. According to the invention, the sensor comprises a sensor protective coupling as collision protection, said protective coupling comprising a coupling part on the measurement machine side and a coupling part on the sensor element side, wherein a fiber optic cable is routed between the coupling parts of the sensor protective coupling and wherein a fiber optic cable protection element surrounds the fiber optic cable, wherein the ends of the fiber optic cable protection element are fastened to the associated coupling part of the sensor protective coupling.

Abstract: Measuring system including a coordinate measuring machine having a processing unit and a moveable support, and one or more actuators for positioning said movable support relative to a reference surface, the moveable support having a support connector, a scanning probe, detachably connected with the moveable support, for measuring points lying on a scanning path on a surface of a workpiece positioned on the reference surface, a modular rotation fitting, comprising a first connector, arranged to interoperate with the support connector for connecting the modular rotation fitting to said moveable support, and a second connector, arranged to interoperate with the probe connector, for connecting the scanning probe to the modular rotation fitting, and an actuator, for rotating the second connector relative to said first connector, wherein the first and said second connector contain a plurality of signal connections for transmitting driving signals to the actuator of said modular rotation fitting.