Abstract: Disclosed are improved compositions, systems, methods and techniques for processing and preparing cement, cement constituents and concrete formulations involving natural pozzolans. In various embodiments, the water demand, compressive strength, set times and workability in concrete incorporating certain natural pozzolans can be improved by blending with calcium carbonate powders, while further improvements can be accomplished if the calcium carbonate is inter-ground with the natural pozzolan to a desired and/or minimum fineness. This addition of calcium carbonate, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, ground glass and various acids to a natural pozzolan can desirably reduce water requirements and improve the physical performance characteristics of the natural pozzolan and the overall characteristics of the concrete.

Abstract: A method of measuring an object using a surface sensing device mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The method has the steps of measuring a single surface point of a feature of the object with the surface sensing device, moving the surface sensing device along a path around the feature at a fast speed, thereby taking measurements along the path, including at the surface point, determining the difference between the measurements of the surface point and using the difference determined to apply a correction to the object or subsequent objects having the same feature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for analysis of a tool 50 e.g. used on a machine tool. A tool detector 5 includes a light emitter 12 and a light receiver 34. Tool 50 when progressed into a beam 20 of light emitted from the emitter 12 will cause a signal from the receiver to change. Circuitry 32 includes a digital signal processor which processes the signal from the receiver and produces an output only if the signal conforms to a predetermined condition. Preferably this predetermined condition could be e.g. a characteristic shape of the signal from the receiver, a change in a value derived from a succession of such signals or a change in the minimum or maximum values of a succession of signals from the receiver.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and user interface for tracking multiple exchange rates for transactions in a financial software application. Historical exchange rates are applied to transactions involving currency conversions, and accurate reports are generated by retrieving appropriate historical rates according to the dates of the transactions. Exchange rates are stored by associating them with individual transactions or with date ranges. Generated reports accurately reflect historical exchange rate information where applicable.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring displacement between two members. A scale is provided on one member and has an incremental pattern with at least one reference mark embedded in it. A read head is provided on the other member and comprises a periodic diffraction means for interacting with a light pattern modulated by the incremental pattern on the scale to produce interference fringes having movement relative to said readhead responsive to said displacement, first detecting means for detecting the movement of the interference fringes, imaging means for imaging the reference mark and second detecting means for detecting the image of the reference mark.

Abstract: A pivot joint has a first structure comprising a ball mounted in a receptacle, wherein the location of the ball is held with respect to the receptacle, and a second structure mounted on and movable with respect to the ball, wherein the second structure has at least one bearing surface which defines its position with respect to the ball. The ball may be held in location by contact with the receptacle at at least two positions. At least one of the positions of contact may be adjustable.

Abstract: Interferometry apparatus which comprises a measurement light beam (2a, 2b) and a reference light beam (2c, 2d) which interact with each other to cause a spatial fringe pattern (24). An optical device (12) is provided which interacts with the spatial fringe pattern (24), such that light is spatially separated into different directions (30, 32, 34, 36). The intensity modulation in two or more directions of the spatially separated light is phase shifted. The optical device may comprise, for example, a diffractive device, a refractive device or a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A machine having a pair of spaced structures, a plurality of ball and socket joints spaced apart on each structure, and six struts interconnecting the structures. Each strut engages with a respective ball and socket joint on each of the structures, and defines a variable distance between the centers of the ball and socket joints to which the strut is connected. At least one of the ball and socket joints to which the strut is connected has a plurality of the struts connected thereto, the ball and socket joint having a socket on each respective strut, co-operating with a sphere, the sockets having three engagement elements biased into engagement with the sphere.

Abstract: A measuring system for calibrating a machine in which a base (10) is attachable to a surface of the machine and a housing (20) is mountable on the base, wherein at least one surface of the base and at least one surface of the housing are each provided with a complementary part of a mounting device, such that when the two parts of the mounting device are connected together, the housing may be aligned in any of a plurality of predetermined directions. The base includes a lifting mechanism (64) which when lowered allows the complementary parts of the mounting device (93, 95) of the housing (20) and the base (10) to be in contact and when raised causes them to at least partly break contact with one another. The level of the base (10) may be adjusted using a system of members and tapered rollers.

Abstract: A method of measuring an object with a coordinate positioning apparatus, comprises the following steps: placing the object within the working volume of the coordinate positioning apparatus; measuring the object with a workpiece contacting probe to create measurement data of the object, the measurement data being collected at multiple probe forces; for at least one location on the surface of the object, determining a function or look up table relating the measurement error data to the probe force; for said at least one location on the surface of the object, using the function or look up table to determine the measurement data corresponding to zero probe force; and outputting the measurement data corresponding to zero probe force as the measurement of the object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scanner for the scanning of articles comprising a scanning apparatus (10) having a scanning device (18) and a rotatable sample mount (14,420) whereby, the scanning device and mount are relatively displaceable along the rotary axis (48) of the mount, a receptacle (40,140,240,400) mounted on the sample mount, the receptacle being capable of securely accommodating an article (30), and an actuator (146,246) for linearly displacing the receptacle whereby, actuation of the actuator displaces the receptacle and any article secured thereto, with respect to the sample mount. The article may be elongate and the displacement by the actuator is along an axis defined by the elongate axis of the elongate article. Also disclosed is a method of scanning.

Abstract: A method of error compensation for measurements taken using a co-ordinate positioning apparatus comprising an articulating probe head having a surface detecting device. The surface detecting device is rotated about at least one axis of the articulating probe head during measurement. The method comprises the steps of: determining the stiffness of the whole or part of the apparatus; determining one or more factors which relate to the load applied by the articulating probe head at any particular instant, and determining the measurement error at the surface sensing device caused by the load.

Abstract: Re-orientation of a stylus 30 or measurement probe 12 can be accomplished by engaging a part of the stylus or probe with a fixed part 50 and moving the probe in a spherical path centred at the engagement. The engagement 50 is spaced from the stylus tip 34 and avoids bending of the stylus during re-orientation. The re-orientation can take place into a plurality of e.g. repeatable rest positions by virtue of a kinematic array (e.g. balls 122 and rollers 120 FIG. 2).

Abstract: A method of calibrating an articulating probe head comprising the steps of measuring an artefact of known dimensions with the workpiece sensing probe mounted on the articulating probe head, in which the articulating probe head is unlocked. An error functional map is generated corresponding to the difference between the measured and known dimensions of the artefact. Subsequent workpieces are measured with the articulating probe head unlocked and the corresponding correction applied. The true dimensions of the artefact may be determined by measuring it with a probe mounted on an articulating probe head in which the axes of the articulating probe head are locked. A mechanical lock is provided to lock the axes of the articulating probe head.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring deviation of a trajectory from a straight line in the movement of a first body with respect to a second body comprising a transmitter unit mounted on one of the bodies and an optic unit mounted on the other of the bodies. The transmitter unit directs at least one light beam towards the optic unit such that two or more light beams are received within it. One of the units is provided with two or more detectors to detect the light beams transmitted to or reflected from the optic unit. The position of the light beams on the detectors is used to calculate the deviation of a trajectory from a straight line of one of the bodies with respect to the other in at least one degree of freedom. This enables measurement of straightness, pitch, roll, yaw and squareness errors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of moving an articulating mechanism (22,410) for a measuring device, comprising the steps of: releasing two bodies (14,16, 410a,410b) which form the articulating mechanism allowing relative movement thereof; moving one of the bodies with respect to the other until a desired position is reached; and re-constraining the two bodies so they are relatively fixed, perhaps as part of a locking process, characterised in that relative movement prior to re-constraining at the desired position occurs under particular conditions. The particular conditions including moving from the same direction; and stopping, slowing down or maintaining the condition at a position adjacent to the desired position. Also disclosed is a method of positioning an articulating mechanism (22,410) for a measuring device which is controlled by a potentiometer and a controller (11) for a measuring device.

Abstract: A touch probe (10,50) is disclosed comprising a probe body (12,52) housing first locating elements (23,58), a stylus holder (16,54) having second locating elements (24,57) which co-operate with the first locating elements to locate the stylus holder within the probe body, and a bias (36,68,86) to urge the first and second locating elements into contact, wherein an element (35,50,76,90) is provided to damp motion between the probe body and the stylus holder. The element may slow a relative movement between the locating elements perhaps by resisting the urging of the bias or absorb energy produced by a relative movement between the probe body and stylus holder. The element may be slidably or rotatably mounted with respect to one of the probe head and stylus holder.

Abstract: A device is disclosed having a base, and a re-orientatable sample holder adapted on at least first and second sides to be repeatably (perhaps kinematically) mounted to the base wherein the relationship between the at least two surfaces when mounted on the base is known whereby when a sample is mounted to the holder, the relationship between the different orientations of the sample when different surfaces of the holder are received on the base is known. The relationship between the at least two surfaces may be established by reference features on the sample holder which provide positional information about the holder when received on a base. The reference features may be provided by a reference block, spheres or rods associated with the holder. Also disclosed is a device for and methods of operating on, for example scanning or machining, a sample in at least two stages using a base and re-orientatable sample holder according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of scanning an object is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a scanning device having a probe and a sample holder whereby the sample holder is rotatable relative to the probe, providing a first feature for indicating the start and/or end of a scan, and recognising the first feature whereby when the first feature is recognised the scanning device is ready to start or end a scan. The scanning device may have a fixed stop which comprises the first feature alternatively, the first feature is provided on the scanning device or on the object. A second feature, located on the scanning device or object for example, may be provided wherein the first feature indicates the start of a scan and the second feature indicates the end of the scan. Also disclosed is an apparatus for scanning an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for analysis of a tool (50) e.g. used on a machine tool. A tool detector (5) includes a light emitter (12) and a light receiver (34). Tool (50) when progressed into a beam (20) of light emitted from the emitter (12) will cause a signal from the receiver to change. Circuitry (32) includes a digital signal processor which processes the signal from the receiver and produces an output only if the signal conforms to a predetermined condition. Preferably this predetermined condition could be e.g. a characteristic shape of the signal from the receiver, a change in a value derived from a succession of such signals or a change in the minimum or maximum values of a succession of signals from the receiver.