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: A method of measuring an artefact using a machine on which a measuring probe is mounted. The method has the following steps: determining the approximate position of one or more points on the surface of the artefact; using this approximate position to drive at least one of the probe and artefact to one or more desired relative positions of the probe and the surface and taking one or more surface measurements of said point on the surface of the artefact at said location, wherein there is no relative movement between the probe and the artefact whilst the one or more surface measurements are taken; and using data from the measurements to determine a position of the one or more points on the surface in which dynamic error is substantially reduced.

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: 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: A measurement system has a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head, which in turn is mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The surface sensing device is moved relative to a surface by driving at least one of the coordinate positioning apparatus and probe head in at least one axis to scan the surface. The surface sensing device measures its distance from the surface and the probe head is driven to rotate the surface sensing device about at least one axis in order to control the relative position of the surface sensing device from the surface to within a predetermined range in real time.