Abstract: A surface foundation utilizing negative air pressure which may have a contiguous retention wall extending between an upper rim and a waist and a contiguous suction member extending between a pull ledge and the waist. The waist may further define a planer membrane joining the retention wall and the suction member. The retention wall may be configured to frictionally engage with an object placed internal to the retention wall and the suction member may be configured to have a pressurized engagement with any surface by use of an ambient atmospheric air pressure external to the suction member and a fractional atmospheric air pressure which is less than the ambient internal to the suction member. The pressurized retention of the surface suctioning receptacle permitting single handed manipulation of objects placed internal to the retention wall.

Abstract: The three dimensional probe device of the present invention is mountable on a working end of a fully automated and articulated robotic arm movable through at least five degrees of axial freedom in a global dimensional reference. The three dimensional probe device comprises a base, a carriage, a probe, a Z axis measuring apparatus and a tilt measuring apparatus. The probe tip contacts the work piece surface to be traced with deflections in the workpiece seam or path resulting in movement of the carriage and probe. The probe includes a plate and a ball which is pivotable in a ball socket portion of the carriage. Movement of the carriage in relation to the base provides measurement data for rotational change in the direction of the workpiece path or seam. Tilting of the probe provides measurement data for translational change in the direction of the workpiece path or seam.