Abstract: A scanning probe for a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a machine tool, is described that includes a probe body connected to a stylus holder by a strain-sensing structure. The strain-sensing structure has an inner portion connected to an outer portion by a plurality of bendable members. A proximal end of each bendable member is attached to the inner portion and a distal end of each bendable member being attached to the outer portion. The inner and outer portions are centred on a central axis and the plurality of bendable members include at least one strain-sensing element. The proximal and distal ends of each bendable member are located at different angles about the central axis. Such an arrangement enables both scanning and touch trigger measurements to be acquired.

Abstract: A surface finish stylus is described that includes an elongate stylus shaft and a contact element protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The contact element is deformable and the stylus shaft includes a clamp for retaining the contact element, the contact element being deformed by the clamp. The contact element may comprise a metal, such as chromium steel or nitinol. The contact element includes one or more regions of weakness to cause a required deformation when retained by the clamp. The surface finish stylus may be used with a surface finish measurement probe or the like.

Abstract: A surface finish stylus and associated methods for a multi-directional scanning probe the stylus having an elongate stylus shaft having a longitudinal axis and one or more contact elements protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The one or more contact elements are configured to enable measurement of surface finish during motion of the stylus shaft relative to a surface along a measurement direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The multi-directional scanning probe may be carried by a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool.

Abstract: A surface finish stylus and associated methods for a multi-directional scanning probe the stylus having an elongate stylus shaft having a longitudinal axis and one or more contact elements protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The one or more contact elements are configured to enable measurement of surface finish during motion of the stylus shaft relative to a surface along a measurement direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The multi-directional scanning probe may be carried by a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool.

Abstract: A surface finish stylus is described that includes an elongate stylus shaft and a contact element protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The contact element is deformable and the stylus shaft includes a clamp for retaining the contact element, the contact element being deformed by the clamp. The contact element may comprise a metal, such as chromium steel or nitinol. The contact element includes one or more regions of weakness to cause a required deformation when retained by the clamp. The surface finish stylus may be used with a surface finish measurement probe or the like.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a toolsetting probe mounted on a bed or table, and a workpiece-sensing probe which can be mounted in a movable spindle. Both probes are calibrated by using them to make measurements against each other. The arbitrary length of the workpiece-sensing probe is used to calibrate the toolsetting probe, rather than using a pre-calibrated artefact of known length mounted in the spindle. A stylus disc of the toolsetting probe has a pre-calibrated size or dimension, and the workpiece-sensing probe is calibrated with respect to that. This obviates the need for skilful manual calibration procedures using pre-calibrated artefacts and manual measurement tools.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided with a toolsetting probe mounted on a bed or table, and a workpiece-sensing probe which can be mounted in a movable spindle. Both probes are calibrated by using them to make measurements against each other. The arbitrary length of the workpiece-sensing probe is used to calibrate the toolsetting probe, rather than using a pre-calibrated artefact of known length mounted in the spindle. A stylus disc of the toolsetting probe has a pre-calibrated size or dimension, and the workpiece-sensing probe is calibrated with respect to that. This obviates the need for skilful manual calibration procedures using pre-calibrated artefacts and manual measurement tools.

Abstract: A touch probe (10,50) is disclosed comprising a probe body (12,52) housing first locating elements (23,58), a stylus holder (16,54) having second locating elements (24,57) which co-operate with the first locating elements to locate the stylus holder within the probe body, and a bias (36,68,86) to urge the first and second locating elements into contact, wherein an element (35,50,76,90) is provided to damp motion between the probe body and the stylus holder. The element may slow a relative movement between the locating elements perhaps by resisting the urging of the bias or absorb energy produced by a relative movement between the probe body and stylus holder. The element may be slidably or rotatably mounted with respect to one of the probe head and stylus holder.