Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring surface properties of a workpiece in an extremely precise manner by means of a co-ordinate measuring device (10), independently from the material properties of the workpiece. A molded probe element is used which can be displaced along coordinate axes (X, Y, Z), and an optical sensor detects the movement of the probe element on the surface of the workpiece. The optical sensor is an optoelectronic distance sensor, and the molded probe element is displaceably arranged in relation to the distance sensor in such a way that the distance sensor optionally directly measures the surface, or the position of the molded probe element.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to measure the surface properties of a workpiece in an extremely precise manner by means of a co-ordinate measuring device (10), independently from the material properties of said workpiece. To this end, the inventive method involves a moulded probe element (30) which can be displaced along co-ordinate axes (X, Y, Z), and an optical sensor (32) detecting the movement of said probe element on the surface of the workpiece. The optical sensor (32) is an optoelectronic distance sensor, and the moulded probe element (30) is displaceably arranged in relation to the distance sensor in such a way that said distance sensor optionally directly measures the surface, or the position of the moulded probe element.