Abstract: A capacitive distance sensor for determining distances from an object, wherein the distance sensor has at least one sensor electrode and at least one compensation electrode. Deviations from an ideal parallel orientation of distance sensor and object and/or errors caused by capacitive edge effects can be compensated by means of the compensation electrode.

Abstract: Object analysis comprising measuring a frequency-dependent natural oscillation behavior of the object by dynamically-mechanically exciting the object in a defined frequency range (f) by means of generating a body oscillation by applying a test signal, and detecting a body oscillation generated in the object on account of the exciting.

Abstract: A machine state monitoring system for recurrently determining a change in static or dynamic properties of a geometry of a machine with positional encoders to derive a coordinate information of at least a first machine portion with respect to a second machine portion, which are movable with respect to one another. The monitoring system includes one calibration-monitoring-unit with an optical, at least two-dimensional measuring location sensing unit which is fixed to the first machine portion and configured to optically sense an at least two dimensional location information of an artifact which is provided at the second machine portion, and temporarily moved into a sensing range for determining the change in the static or dynamic properties of the geometry of the machine by a comparison of multiple of such sensings, the compensation parameters are then updated and is used to derive the coordinate information from the encoders.

Abstract: A system for providing state information for at least a part of a tool positioning machine embodied as manipulating machine or as coordinate measuring machine is provided. The system comprises the tool positioning machine defining a machine coordinate system and having a base and a machine structure. The structure comprises a tool head and structural components for linking the tool head to the base, at least one drive mechanism for providing movability of the machine structure relative to the base, a position determining system for deriving at least one coordinate of the machine structure in the machine coordinate system and a controlling unit adapted for controlling movement of the machine structure. The system comprises a calibration setup. A calibration component is mounted on the machine structure and defines a moveable reference point, another calibration component is arranged with defined spatial relation to the base and provides a nominal calibration position.

Abstract: A hexapod CMM or hexapod-like CMM has a base structure and a movable structure connected to each other by at least three telescopically extendable legs via spherical joints. Each of the telescopically extendable legs comprises a linear first member and a linear second member having countersliding surfaces and are designed in such a way that allows a relative, linear movement of the first linear member and the second linear member. Further each of the telescopically extendable legs has an air cushioning mechanism, which comprises at least one air supply system connected to at least one source of compressed air and having at least one air escape. The air escape is arranged in such a way that compressed air escaping the air escape flows into a gap between the countersliding surfaces of the at least two linear members of the leg cushioning the two linear members against each other.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) having a belt drive unit for an elongated axis element of the CMM, the belt drive unit comprising a belt, the ends of which are clamped on the elongated axis element, a pulley unit, comprising a drive pulley and two idler pulleys, wherein the belt entangles the drive pulley and the idle pulleys in an omega-shaped manner, and wherein the pulley unit is configured to cause a relative linear movement between the axis element and the pulley unit, wherein a damping layer is disposed adjacent to the belt.

Abstract: A method of compensating errors in a coordinate measuring machine adapted for determination of at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point on an object to be measured. The method comprises measuring a distance from the first reference element to the first structural component, wherein the measured distance indicates a displacement or a deformation of the first structural component, defining a dynamic model with a first set of state variables, the state variables being related to a set of physical properties of the reference module and representing an actual state of the reference module, deriving the actual state of the reference module by a calculation based on the dynamic model, and deducing compensation parameters based on the actual state.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a calibration method for a coordinate measuring machine. In some embodiments, the method may include emitting and directing the laser beam towards a first of the set of retro-reflectors, whereby a measuring path is defined by the orientation of the laser beam, moving the calibration laser head along the measuring path so that the laser beam is kept directed towards the first retro-reflector according to the measuring path and the reflected laser beam is continuously received at the calibration laser head, measuring the change in distance to the first retro-reflector at a plurality of measuring positions along the measuring path and gathering a machine position for each of the plurality of measuring positions, the machine position relating to a position of the tool carrier relative to the base.

Abstract: A Self-monitoring manufacturing system adapted to produce at least one object. The system includes at least a first processing facility adapted to perform a respective first processing step with the object, and a production control unit, wherein the production data comprises nominal pre-processing object data. A production monitoring unit for checking a pre-processing object state of the object is arranged, such unit being adapted to obtain actual property data of the object in-line of the production in-advance of applying the first processing step, to generate deviation data by comparing the actual property data with the production data for the first processing step, and to provide the deviation data for performing the first production step with the first processing facility in deviation-adjusted manner.

Abstract: Method for providing avoiding of excitations of oscillations of a measuring machine and/or for reducing or damping such oscillations by actively controlling a driving unit of the measuring machine or actively controlling an actuation of an additionally attached actuator. The method using information about an actual state of the measuring device, the actual state is derived based on a dynamic model and/or by use of a suitable sensor unit. A state controller, an actuator or a frequency-filtering element are used for counteracting or preventing oscillations.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention may relate to an optical surveying device having a base for setting up the surveying device and a targeting unit, which is rotatable in relation to the base about two axes, and which defines a target axis or targeting a target object to be surveyed. In some embodiments, the targeting unit has a first beam path for emitting optical radiation in the direction of the target object to be surveyed and a second beam path for receiving a component of the optical radiation, which is reflected from the target object, by way of an optoelectronic receiving element. In some embodiments, at least one of the beam paths, has an optical element, which is implemented having an optically transparent, deformable volume body, and which has at least one interface toward a medium having an optical index of refraction deviating from the volume body.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) having a belt drive unit for an elongated axis element of the CMM, the belt drive unit comprising a belt, the ends of which are clamped on the elongated axis element, a pulley unit, comprising a drive pulley and two idler pulleys, wherein the belt entangles the drive pulley and the idle pulleys in an omega-shaped manner, and wherein the pulley unit is configured to cause a relative linear movement between the axis element and the pulley unit, wherein a damping layer is disposed adjacent to the belt.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for compensating a force at a probe element of a probing unit. The probing unit being attached to and moved along a defined moving path with a number of moving points by a coordinate measuring machine for approaching a measuring point at an object. The probing unit comprises an actuator which is arranged and designed in such manner that a force is applicable to the probe element with respect to at least one actuating direction in variable and defined manner, the force depending on an applied actuating signal. Movement information about an expected movement of the probing unit is received, the movement information provides information about an expected displacement behaviour of the probe element relative to the probing unit due to induced forces emerging by moving the probing unit.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a calibration method for a coordinate measuring machine. In some embodiments, the method may include emitting and directing the laser beam towards a first of the set of retro-reflectors, whereby a measuring path is defined by the orientation of the laser beam, moving the calibration laser head along the measuring path so that the laser beam is kept directed towards the first retro-reflector according to the measuring path and the reflected laser beam is continuously received at the calibration laser head, measuring the change in distance to the first retro-reflector at a plurality of measuring positions along the measuring path and gathering a machine position for each of the plurality of measuring positions, the machine position relating to a position of the tool carrier relative to the base.

Abstract: An optical instrument for measuring has an a stabilization component for stably connecting an optical assembly and holder to at least one stabilization element that can be compressed in the gap. The stabilization element has, in an unmounted state, a thickness which is greater than the width of the gap, and the optical assembly, the holder and the stabilization component are configured and cooperate such that the stabilization element, which is positioned between optical assembly and holder, in a roughly positioned state, is compressed, by way of inserting the optical assembly into the holder, into the gap and is plastically deformed in the gap such that elastic forces act radially with respect to the optical axis between assembly and holder and the assembly and the holder are disposed in the radial direction in a stabilized state with respect to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for compensating a force at a probe element of a probing unit. The probing unit being attached to and moved along a defined moving path with a number of moving points by a coordinate measuring machine for approaching a measuring point at an object. The probing unit comprises an actuator which is arranged and designed in such manner that a force is applicable to the probe element with respect to at least one actuating direction in variable and defined manner, the force depending on an applied actuating signal. Movement information about an expected movement of the probing unit is received, the movement information provides information about an expected displacement behaviour of the probe element relative to the probing unit due to induced forces emerging by moving the probing unit.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention may relate to an optical surveying device having a base for setting up the surveying device and a targeting unit, which is rotatable in relation to the base about two axes, and which defines a target axis or targeting a target object to be surveyed. In some embodiments, the targeting unit has a first beam path for emitting optical radiation in the direction of the target object to be surveyed and a second beam path for receiving a component of the optical radiation, which is reflected from the target object, by way of an optoelectronic receiving element. In some embodiments, at least one of the beam paths, has an optical element, which is implemented having an optically transparent, deformable volume body, and which has at least one interface toward a medium having an optical index of refraction deviating from the volume body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezo drive, in particular for use in geodesic devices, having at least one piezoelectric motor element that includes an advancing component, a running surface component, and a receptacle for the running surface component, wherein said receptacle is to be connected to a component to be driven, wherein the piezoelectric motor element has a window of operation of the motor as a frequency range of the movement of the advancing component. The running surface component and the receptacle are sized and connected to one another such that the natural resonances of the running surface component lie outside the window of operation of the motor.

Abstract: An optical instrument for measuring has an a stabilization component for stably connecting an optical assembly and holder to at least one stabilization element that can be compressed in the gap. The stabilization element has, in an unmounted state, a thickness which is greater than the width of the gap, and the optical assembly, the holder and the stabilization component are configured and cooperate such that the stabilization element, which is positioned between optical assembly and holder, in a roughly positioned state, is compressed, by way of inserting the optical assembly into the holder, into the gap and is plastically deformed in the gap such that elastic forces act radially with respect to the optical axis between assembly and holder and the assembly and the holder are disposed in the radial direction in a stabilized state with respect to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezo drive, in particular for use in geodesic devices, having at least one piezoelectric motor element that includes an advancing component, a running surface component, and a receptacle for the running surface component, wherein said receptacle is to be connected to a component to be driven, wherein the piezoelectric motor element has a window of operation of the motor as a frequency range of the movement of the advancing component. The running surface component and the receptacle are sized and connected to one another such that the natural resonances of the running surface component lie outside the window of operation of the motor.