Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus for building objects by layerwise consolidation of material. The apparatus includes a build chamber containing a working area, a high energy beam for consolidating material deposited in the working area in layers and a flow device for generating a gas flow across at least a part of the working area from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. The gas inlet and gas outlet are arranged to be movable within the build chamber.

Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus in which selected areas of a powder bed are solidified in a layer-by-layer manner to form a workpiece, the powder bed fusion apparatus including a build chamber for maintaining an inert atmosphere or (partial) vacuum, a build sleeve located within the build chamber, a build platform for supporting the powder bed movable in the build sleeve, a powder applicator for forming powder layers of the powder bed and a radiation device for generating and steering a radiation beam across a surface of the powder bed to solidify areas of each layer, wherein the build sleeve is mounted in the build chamber to be tiltable to cause displacement of powder from the build sleeve through an opening in the build sleeve.

Abstract: Percutaneous access apparatus is described that comprises a percutaneous fluid access device having an extracorporeal portion, one or more ports accessible from the extracorporeal portion and a septum for sealing each port. A connector device comprising one or more hollow needles is attachable to the percutaneous fluid access device. The apparatus also includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the connector device to the extracorporeal portion and an actuation mechanism that, after the connector device has been attached to the extracorporeal portion, can be used to drive the one or more hollow needles through the septum to establish fluid communication between the one or more hollow needles and the one or more ports. The apparatus may be used for neurosurgery applications.

Abstract: Percutaneous access apparatus is described that includes a percutaneous fluid access device having an extracorporeal portion, one or more ports accessible from the extracorporeal portion and a septum for sealing each port. A connector device having one or more hollow needles is attachable to the percutaneous fluid access device. The apparatus also includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the connector device to the extracorporeal portion and an actuation mechanism that, after the connector device has been attached to the extracorporeal portion, can be used to drive the one or more hollow needles through the septum to establish fluid communication between the one or more hollow needles and the one or more ports. The apparatus may be used for neurosurgery applications.

Abstract: A non-Cartesian coordinate positioning machine is provided that comprises an extendable leg assembly for positioning a component such as a measurement probe within a working volume of the machine, and a constraint member associated with the extendable leg assembly for providing a predetermined part of the extendable leg assembly with substantially a same orientation relative to gravity for a same position of the component within the working volume. In a preferred embodiment, the orientation relative to gravity is maintained substantially constant, so that a plane defined by the predetermined part is substantially aligned with gravity, as the component is moved around the working volume.

Abstract: A method of building up a measurement data set for a surface of an object using an analog measurement probe mounted on a machine tool apparatus which obtains scanned measurement data of the surface over a plurality of offset traverses. Subsequent traverses are offset from previous traverses such that over a series of traverses the analog probe's surface detecting region progresses i) laterally across the object, and/or ii) away from or towards the object. The course of relative motion for at least one subsequent traverse is generated and/or updated based on data obtained during at least one previous traverse.

Abstract: An analog probe for a machine tool apparatus, including a probe body and a stylus member movably secured to the probe body in a suspended rest position via a suspension mechanism. A sensor is provided for measuring the extent of displacement of the stylus member relative to the probe body from a rest position. The analog probe further includes a first compliant sealing member extending between the probe body and stylus member such that the sensor is contained within a chamber sealed from external contaminants. The analog probe also has for a suppressor for suppressing movement of the stylus member away from its suspended rest position induced by changes in the chamber's internal pressure and/or changes in the analog probe's operating environment.

Abstract: A method is described for using coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a machine tool, to measure an object. The method includes the step of operating the coordinate positioning apparatus in a touch trigger mode to measure the position of one or more touch trigger measurement points on the surface of the object. The coordinate positioning apparatus is also operated in a scanning mode to measure the position of a plurality of scanned measurement points along a scan path on the surface of the object, the scanning mode measurements being acquired using a scanning probe having an object-contacting stylus. At least one correction (?i;V,R;?r) is then calculated that describes a difference between the touch trigger mode measurements and the scanning mode measurements. In this manner, touch trigger measurements are used to correct scanning measurements.

Abstract: A metrology apparatus including a body and a first member rotatable relative to the body about a first axis of rotation, said first axis being defined by first bearing and a first motor for actuating rotation of the first member relative to the body about the first axis of rotation. A surface sensing device is attachable to the first member such that the surface sensing device can move with the first member, relative to the body. The first motor may include a first magnet and at least one metal coil spaced apart along the first axis and mounted such that the first magnet and the at least one metal coil are moveable relative to one another.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus for building objects by layerwise consolidation of material. The apparatus includes a build chamber containing a working area, a plurality of high energy beams for consolidating material deposited in the working area in layers and an optical unit for controlling transmission of the high energy beams onto material in the working area. The optical unit includes a plurality of independently controllable optical elements each optical element for controlling transmission of at least one of the high energy beams onto the material in the working area, the optical unit movable in the build chamber.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus for building objects by layerwise consolidation of material. The apparatus includes a build chamber containing a working area, a high energy beam for consolidating material deposited in the working area in layers and a flow device for generating a gas flow across at least a part of the working area from a gas inlet to a gas outlet. The gas inlet and gas outlet are arranged to be movable within the build chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming an encoder scale for a measurement device is disclosed. The method comprises taking a laser and a substrate carrying an etch-resistant film. Parts of the etch-resistant film are removed by use of the laser, thereby forming a pattern on the substrate that defines an encoder scale, and the substrate is etched through the parts of the etch-resistant film that have been removed by the laser.

Abstract: Metrology apparatus is described that includes a first structure rotatably connected to a second structure by a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement includes at least a first friction bearing including parts in sliding contact during rotation of the first structure relative to the second structure. The apparatus includes at least one magnet that relieves the load on the first friction bearing. Multiple magnets, provided in an attracting or repelling arrangement, may be used. The metrology apparatus may include an articulating probe head for a coordinate positioning apparatus.

Abstract: A method of building up a measurement data set for a surface of an object using an analogue measurement probe mounted on a machine tool apparatus which obtains scanned measurement data of the surface over a plurality of offset traverses. Subsequent traverses are offset from previous traverses such that over a series of traverses the analogue probe's surface detecting region progresses i) laterally across the object, and/or ii) away from or towards the object. The course of relative motion for at least one subsequent traverse is generated and/or updated based on data obtained during at least one previous traverse.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an articulating probe head comprising the steps of measuring an artifact 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 artifact. Subsequent workpieces are measured with the articulating probe head unlocked and the corresponding correction applied. The true dimensions of the artifact 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: Percutaneous access apparatus is described that includes a percutaneous fluid access device having an extracorporeal portion, one or more ports accessible from the extracorporeal portion and a septum for sealing each port. A connector device having one or more hollow needles is attachable to the percutaneous fluid access device. The apparatus also includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the connector device to the extracorporeal portion and an actuation mechanism that, after the connector device has been attached to the extracorporeal portion, can be used to drive the one or more hollow needles through the septum to establish fluid communication between the one or more hollow needles and the one or more ports. The apparatus may be used for neurosurgery applications.

Abstract: Methods are described for calibrating a turning machine having a first rotatable portion or chuck for holding a workpiece. The first rotatable portion has a first feature associated therewith. The method comprises the steps of using a measurement probe to determine the position of the first feature, rotating the first rotatable portion through an angle, and using said measurement probe to determine the new position of the first feature. The extension of the technique to swivel head mill-turn machines is also described.

Abstract: A pivot joint has a first member having a ball located at one end, a fixed member having one or more bearing surface, which locates on the ball of the first member and a second member having one or more bearing surface located at one end which locates onto the ball of the first member. The first and second members are rotatable about the center of the ball. This type of pivot joint is suitable for use in a machine such as a Stewart platform.

Abstract: A coordinate positioning apparatus including: a coordinate positioning machine having a measuring probe for interacting with an artefact to obtain measurement data regarding the artefact. The measuring probe and artefact are moveable relative to each other in at least one machine degree of freedom. The apparatus further includes a hand-held device, moveable in free-space in a plurality of device degrees of freedom, for controlling movement of the measurement probe relative to the artefact. The hand-held device includes at least one motion sensor for sensing movement of the hand-held device in free-space. The apparatus is configured such that the relative movement of the measurement probe and artefact is controlled by said movement of the hand-held device in free-space.

Abstract: An analogue probe for a machine tool apparatus, including a probe body and a stylus member movably secured to the probe body in a suspended rest position via a suspension mechanism. A sensor is provided for measuring the extent of displacement of the stylus member relative to the probe body from a rest position. The analogue probe further includes a first compliant sealing member extending between the probe body and stylus member such that the sensor is contained within a chamber sealed from external contaminants. The analogue probe also has for a suppressor for suppressing movement of the stylus member away from its suspended rest position induced by changes in the chamber's internal pressure and/or changes in the analogue probe's operating environment.