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 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 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 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 back-lit vision machine apparatus is described that includes an imaging sensor for imaging an object. A radiation source for generating radiation having a first property and a radiation converter for converting radiation having the first property into radiation having a second property are also provided. The radiation source is arranged to project radiation having the first property onto the radiation converter thereby producing radiation having the second property, while the radiation converter is arranged to illuminate an object to be imaged by the imaging sensor with radiation having the second property. An object to be imaged is locatable between the radiation converter and the imaging sensor and such an object is thus back-lit by radiation having the second property produced by the radiation converter. The radiation source is arranged to project radiation having the first property onto the object to be imaged and onto the radiation converter.

Abstract: A back-lit vision machine apparatus is described that includes an imaging sensor for imaging an object. A radiation source for generating radiation having a first property and a radiation converter for converting radiation having the first property into radiation having a second property are also provided. The radiation source is arranged to project radiation having the first property onto the radiation converter thereby producing radiation having the second property, whilst the radiation converter is arranged to illuminate an object to be imaged by the imaging sensor with radiation having the second property. An object to be imaged is locatable between the radiation converter and the imaging sensor and such an object is thus back-lit by radiation having the second property produced by the radiation converter. The radiation source is arranged to project radiation having the first property onto the object to be imaged and onto the radiation converter.