Abstract: An interface circuit for processing signals from a touch trigger probe is adapted to prevent the generation of false trigger signals during an inspection cycle. The probe incorporates a plurality of strain gauges, the voltage across which rises above a predetermined threshold when a stylus supported by the probe contacts a surface. When the probe is moved away from the surface and the stylus loses contact, the outputs across the gauges drop below the trigger threshold. The interface prevents false triggers When, while the stylus is in contact with a surface, a machine vibration occurs which causes an oscillation in the voltage across the gauges; the voltage dropping below the threshold level (causing the interface to reset), and then immediately passing back up through the threshold, causing the interface to emit a trigger signal.

Abstract: The linear drive motor is based around a proportional solenoid L1, to which is connected a velocity transducer F1. The velocity output of the transducer F1 is compared to a reference voltage V1 by an error amplifier/driver A1, which in turn drives the solenoid L1. This gives velocity control to the linear motor, without the usual disadvantageous rotary to linear conversion mechanisms. The linear motor therefore has a higher bandwidth, and is free from mechanical vibrations and resonances, and from backlash.

Abstract: A displacement transducer has a movable slug which varies the mutual inductance of two coil sections. The coil sections are connected in a network which causes a variation of phase shift in a signal from an oscillator on movement of the slug. A phase detector detects this phase shift. The use of a variable phase design overcomes the need for high gain linear amplification and the problem of noise in conventional variable amplitude linear variable displacement transducers. The variable phase shift network obviates the need for balanced amplitude quadrature input signals of one known variable phase transducer, while giving a linear phase shift wihtout the need for a specially shaped slug as in another known variable phase transducer.