Abstract: The control of a coordinate measuring apparatus includes a device for correcting the pregiven desired path when the actual geometry of the workpiece 17 to be measured deviates from the desired geometry. This device is a two-stage controller which includes a first control stage 27 which operates in response to a control signal proportional to the deflection of the moveable probe pin 7 and controls out deviations in the direction of the normal vector Ni on the workpiece surface. The second control stage 28 becomes active only when the deflection Ai of the probe pin 7 or the force F acting on the workpiece reaches or exceeds a predetermined amount. The second control stage 28 then controls out deviations in the direction of the probe deflection Ai.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a probe head of the measuring type equipped with measuring force generators (15 to 17) for the generation of measuring forces of pregiven magnitude and direction. The probe head further includes a system for arresting or clamping the displaceable part 10 of the probe head in preselectable directions. The measuring force generators are arranged directly on the displaceable parts (4, 9, 10) of the guide units for the different deflection directions (x, y, z). The arresting or clamping system is implemented in the form of an electronic control circuit which applies a signal to the force generators (15 to 17) which is opposite to the deflection of the displaceable part 10. In addition, the probe head includes a system for damping the displaceable part. This damping system operates also on an electromagnetic basis with the aid of the measuring force generators configured as plunger coils.

Abstract: For rapid measurement of workpieces having elemental shapes of known geometry in any orientation in space, the elemental shapes are scanned on a coordinate measuring machine which is equipped with a measuring probe head having a permissible measurement range (MR). The computer of the measuring machine is programmed with basic data for establishing a predetermined path of probe-scanning contact with the workpiece, the predetermined path being so calculated (1) that the probe ball of the probe will remain in continuous contact with the workpiece surface, (2) that probe-head measurements always occur within the permissible measurement range (MR) of the probe head, and (3) that probe-ball displacements reflect probe-head measurements that are taken as measured corrections of the predetermined path.