Abstract: The positioning and measuring system includes a coordinate positioning machine comprising a movable spindle (60) movable relative to a reference surface 30, a rotor (100) rotatably connected with the movable spindle, an actuator (500) for driving the rotor (100) in rotation around a rotation axis (65), and a coordinate probe (150, 190) detachably connectable to the rotor (100) for measuring coordinate of points (350) of a workpiece (200, 201, 250) along a path resulting from the composition of a translation movement of the spindle (60) and a rotation of the rotor (100). The points (350) are offset (r) with respect to the rotation axis (65) of the rotor (100).

Abstract: Orientable probe (10) comprising a probe feeler (6) capable of being oriented along a plurality of indexed directions around a rotation center (O), thanks to two mobile elements (4, 5) that can turn: the first around a first axis (B) and relatively to a fixed support (3); the second around a second axis (A) and relatively to the first mobile element. The feeler (6) is fixed in a shifted position relatively to the rotation center (O).

Abstract: Tool rack for tools of a coordinate measuring machine, wherein the guiding and retaining surfaces of the tool rack are arranged on two planes offset vertically so as to cause the tool to tilt when it is unhooked. The inventive arrangement allows the mechanical efforts during uncoupling to be reduced appreciably. This reduction is due to the tool tilting and to the residual magnetic force being divided between three retaining point, with a positive effect on the coupling precision and on the tool positioning in the tool rack.

Abstract: Touch probe for a machine for measuring coordinates, including a contact feeler (12), relatively mobile relatively to a fixed organ (1) and held in a defined and repeatable resting position by a spring (21). The probe comprises an electric circuit to detect the displacements of the feeler (12). The resting position is defined by six contact points distributed around the axis of the feeler to obtain a uniform sensitivity to lateral forces.

Abstract: Touch probe including a fixed part (250), designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a contact feeler (30) that is mobile and orientable on two independent axes (211, 212) along a multiplicity of directions indexed in space. An actuator (300) comprising antifriction rollers and a ball bearing allows the rotation axes (211) to be unlocked and any orientation to be selected with minimized friction. In locked position, the actuator (300) withdraws under the action of return springs (336) so as not to influence the indexing accuracy.

Abstract: Tool-switching device for a machine for measuring coordinates wherein the tool is fastened on the tool-carrier and held by the action of elements exerting an axial force. The locking force is taken over symmetrically by the elements of a Boys connection, which increases the repeatability of the connection; in one embodiment, two pins or spheres are driven by a sliding bushing provided with two “V”-shaped slits or with two lateral gorges. In the subsequent embodiments, the pins are replaced by spheres, by levers or by a stirrup.

Abstract: Motorized indexed measuring head for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates. Includes a double-action actuator to pass from a locked state, wherein any rotation of the probe feeler is prohibited, to an unlocked state, wherein the feeler can be oriented along two axes by two servomotors. The locking and unlocking mechanism is independent from the gravitational force and can operate whatever the orientation of the measuring head.

Abstract: Motorized indexed measuring head for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates. The orientable axes are actuated by motors rigidly supported on bearings or ball bearings. The rotation is transmitted to the re-orientable elements by transmission elements having sufficient play so that the indexing accuracy is not impaired.

Abstract: Motorized indexed measuring head for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates. Comprises one, two or more re-orientable elements to orient a probe feeler according to a plurality of indexed orientations. The orientable elements are guided in their rotation and sliding movements by undercut bushings and undercut shafts. The arrangement of the undercuts allows an accurate guiding in the rotation movement without impairing the indexing accuracy.

Abstract: Motorized indexed measuring head for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates. Comprises one, two or more re-orientable elements to orient a probe feeler according to a plurality of indexed orientations. The orientable elements are guided in their rotation and sliding movements by undercut bushings and undercut shafts. The arrangement of the undercuts allows an accurate guiding in the rotation movement without impairing the indexing accuracy.

Abstract: Motorized indexed measuring head for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates. Includes a double-action actuator to pass from a locked state, wherein any rotation of the probe feeler is prohibited, to an unlocked state, wherein the feeler can be oriented along two axes by two servomotors. The locking and unlocking mechanism is independent from the gravitational force and can operate whatever the orientation of the measuring head.

Abstract: Motorized indexed measuring head for a machine for measuring three-dimensional coordinates. The orientable axes are actuated by motors rigidly supported on bearings or ball bearings. The rotation is transmitted to the re-orientable elements by transmission elements having sufficient play so that the indexing accuracy is not impaired.

Abstract: Reference gauge for calibrating measuring machines whose reference dimension can be measured both on its inner size and by its outer size, thus making it possible to keep the reference dimension less than 15 millimeters, even for calibrating measuring machines equipped with probe tips having a diameter greater than that dimension. The calibration method with the aid of such a reference gauge comprises in certain cases the measuring of the calibrated distance between two outer surfaces of a protruding volume.

Abstract: Touch-triggered probe comprising a fixed part, designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a mobile contact feeler that can be oriented on two independent axes along a multiplicity of spatial directions.

Abstract: Orientable probe (10) comprising a probe feeler (6) capable of being oriented along a plurality of indexed directions around a rotation center (O), thanks to two mobile elements (4, 5) that can turn: the first around a first axis (B) and relatively to a fixed support (3); the second around a second axis (A) and relatively to the first mobile element. The feeler (6) is fixed in a shifted position relatively to the rotation center (O).

Abstract: Touch probe including a fixed part (250), designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a contact feeler (30) that is mobile and orientable on two independent axes (211, 212) along a multiplicity of directions indexed in space. An actuator (300) comprising antifriction rollers and a ball bearing allows the rotation axes (211) to be unlocked and any orientation to be selected with minimized friction. In locked position, the actuator (300) withdraws under the action of return springs (336) so as not to influence the indexing accuracy.

Abstract: Touch probe for a machine for measuring coordinates, including a contact feeler (12), relatively mobile relatively to a fixed organ (1) and held in a defined and repeatable resting position by a spring (21). The probe comprises an electric circuit to detect the displacements of the feeler (12). The resting position is defined by six contact points distributed around the axis of the feeler to obtain a uniform sensitivity to lateral forces.

Abstract: Method enabling a command to switch the measure mode to be entered in a single vertical axis dimension-measuring column. The mode witch command is entered by pressing the probe tip against the piece to be measured during a time interval greater than a predetermined value. The measuring and displaying system then engages in a search mode of the turn-back point of said piece to be measured. Application: measurement of inner or outer diameters by means of a single-axis measuring column. The method allows the hole's minimal and maximal points to be determined with a minimum of handling operations.

Abstract: Tool-switching device for a machine for measuring coordinates wherein the tool is fastened on the tool-carrier and held by the action of elements exerting an axial force. The locking force is taken over symmetrically by the elements of a Boys connection, which increases the repeatability of the connection; in one embodiment, two pins or spheres are driven by a sliding bushing provided with two “V”-shaped slits or with two lateral gorges. In the subsequent embodiments, the pins are replaced by spheres, by levers or by a stirrup.

Abstract: Touch-triggered probe comprising a fixed part, designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a mobile contact feeler that can be oriented on two independent axes along a multiplicity of spatial directions. The two axes of the probe comprise each an actuator for unlocking and adjusting the axes. The operation force is reduced as compared with the high effective indexing force by a demultiplying mechanism having an increasing transmission ratio, for making easier the operation in unlocked position. The indication elements can easily be read whatever the feeler's orientation.