Abstract: An approach controller (234) of a coordinate measuring instrument enables a position control loop (RP) and drives an actuator (133) so that a force sensor (1) is brought to a close position under a position control. When recognizing that the force sensor (1) reaches the close position, a contact controller (235) controls a switch (227) to enable a force control loop (RF) and drives the actuator (133) to bring the force sensor (1) into contact with a workpiece under a force control.

Abstract: To provide a sensor having a long operational life. A sensor which senses contact with an object through tilting of a probe having a rod shape, the sensor including: a housing having a hollow columnar shape; the probe arranged to project from an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing, and capable of reciprocating and tilting with respect to the housing; connectors fixed to a part of the probe, which is located inside the housing; terminals fixed to positions inside the housing that come into contact with the connectors, and which conduct electricity through the contact with the connectors; a probe biasing unit configured to force the probe along a direction of the reciprocation so that the connectors come into contact with the terminals; and a releasing unit configured to release the contact between the connectors and the terminals brought upon by the probe biasing unit.

Abstract: The present system, method, article of manufacture, software, and apparatus is an “intelligent” probe system and components thereof and may openly encompass, in at least an embodiment, an embedded IC chip located in an interchangeable probe(s) which offers repeatable, fast, easy, and error free probe swapping on a CMM.

Abstract: A probe system includes a probe head and a transceiver element. Due to contact of a stylus, a sensor signal is able to be generated by a sensor element. The probe head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless data transfer is able to be produced between them, so that readiness information is transmittable from the probe head to the transceiver element. The readiness information is transmittable by two bit strings including high bits and low bits, the bit strings being transmittable following defined time intervals, and the second bit string having fewer high bits than the first bit string.

Abstract: A surface texture measuring instrument includes: a movement-estimating unit for estimating a movement condition of a drive mechanism based on a scanning vector command issued by a scanning vector commander to calculate an estimated operation state quantity; and a correction-calculating unit for correcting a detection value of a drive sensor in accordance with the estimated operation state quantity calculated by the movement-estimating unit. The movement-estimating unit includes: a nominal-model setting unit in which a nominal model representing signal transfer function of the scanning vector command from the issuance of the scanning vector command to a reflection on a movement position of the scanning probe is stored.

Abstract: The transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool to/from an accessory mounted in the spindle of the machine tool. A first electrical link or interface provides electrical communication between the stationary part and the spindle, and a second electrical link or interface is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area. The second link is in the form of electrical contacts. An accessory shank for mounting to the spindle of the machine tool, and also to an accessory e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank.

Abstract: A dimensional measurement probe (10) is mounted in a machine tool (48), which reorientates the probe about at least one axis A. Strain gauges (34) sense when a stylus (20) of the probe contacts a workpiece (50), to produce a trigger signal. False trigger signals may be produced when the probe is reorientated. To overcome this, the reorientation is detected by monitoring changes in the fluctuations of the strain gauge outputs, caused by vibrations of the stylus.

Abstract: A measurement probe, such as a touch trigger probe, is described that comprises a stylus module attachable to a base module. The stylus module comprising a housing and a stylus holder moveably attached to the housing. The base module comprises a measurement portion for generating measurement data indicative of movement of the stylus holder relative to the housing. The stylus module has an inbuilt failure mode and thereby a substantially predetermined operational lifetime. In one embodiment, the inbuilt failure mode is provided by integrating a battery into the stylus module. Providing a mechanical failure mode in which a component of the stylus module catastrophically fails after a certain amount of usage is also described.

Abstract: There are provided a shape measurement device capable of measuring shapes irrespective of an inclined direction of a side surface without using a complex device configuration, and a shape measurement device probe arranged in the shape measurement device. In the shape measurement device probe, a connecting mechanism for connecting an attachment member and a swinging member includes a supporting point member arranged on the swinging member and a mounting platform arranged on the attachment member, and connects the swinging member to the attachment member so as to be inclinable in any direction. The attachment member and the swinging member are configured such that a movable side member arranged on the swinging member and a fixed side member arranged on the attachment member generate magnetic attraction force in a non-contacting state with respect to each other, where the arm of the swinging member is biased so as to be directed in the vertical direction by the magnetic attraction force.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of determining drift for a surface measurement probe. The surface measurement probe has a housing, a surface contacting stylus, a vibration generator which causes vibration of the stylus, a sensing device for determining a parameter related to change in vibration of the stylus, and a comparator for determining the relationship of the parameter with a threshold. Readings of the parameter are taken when the stylus is not in contact with a surface and average over a time t, which is significantly larger than the transition time when touching a surface. The average of the readings of the parameter is compared to a reference parameter. The comparison is used to determine whether there has been significant drift of the parameters. Thus drift due to temperature change is corrected.

Abstract: A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.

Abstract: A probe for position determining apparatus has a probe body (18) and a workpiece-contacting stylus (14). A strain sensitive structure connects the probe body and the stylus, and includes bendable members (32). The bendable members have an asymmetric cross-section, e.g. “T” shaped. A strain gauge (33) is mounted to the stem of the “T” to detect the bending caused when the stylus contacts a workpiece. This enables the strain sensitive structure to be both robust and sensitive to the bending.

Abstract: Contact sensing probe apparatus includes a workpiece contacting stylus, a transducer mechanically coupled to the stylus and an oscillator for supplying an alternating current to the transducer to induce vibration of the stylus. A contact sensor is also provided for monitoring the phase difference between the voltage supplied to the transducer and the current flow to the transducer. The oscillator is arranged to supply the transducer with an alternating current of a first frequency during contact sensing. This first frequency is selected to induce mechanical resonance but to be away from the maximum of the mechanical resonance peak. The probe may be used with co-ordinate positioning machines, such as portable articulated measuring arms, co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM) and the like.

Abstract: A probe for gauging machines with articulated arms comprises a fixed gauging stylus (31), supporting, at its end, a gauging ball, characterized in that it also comprises a handle body (33) which can be manually operated by an operator to push the gauging ball against a surface to be gauged (13), and in that the handle body (33) is equipped with sensors sensitive to the force acting between the gauging ball and the surface to be gauged and in that the signal supplied by the sensors controls measurement acquisition.

Abstract: A method of measuring an artifact 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 artifact; using this approximate position to drive at least one of the probe and artifact 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 artifact at said location, wherein there is no relative movement between the probe and the artifact 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 contact sensing probe having a stylus which is vibrated longitudinally by a piezoelectric transducer. Contact with a workpiece is detected from damping of the vibration. The stylus is mounted to a probe body via parallel diaphragm springs. These cooperate with a counter mass to form a mechanical low pass filter, which isolates the stylus vibrations from influences caused by the mounting or handling of the probe body.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement probe that is less likely to break, that is of long lifespan, and that is of low cost, capable of measuring the shape and the like of a measuring object such as an aspheric lens with higher precision is realized. A magnetic force for preventing rotation and axial displacement of a small slidably moving shaft part is generated by constructing a magnetic circuit by a magnet attached to a small air bearing part, a yoke, and a magnetic pin attached to the small slidably moving shaft part. The three-dimensional measurement probe is able to perform measurement from below and from the side since the magnetic force is non-contacting.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the dimensions of objects on a coordinate positioning machine such as a machine tool has a workpiece-contacting stylus 20. This is suspended via a sensor mechanism 30, including strain gauges 34 which provide an output when the stylus contacts a workpiece. A processor 16 processes the strain gauge outputs to produce a trigger signal. It does so in accordance with an algorithm or equation or look-up table which ensures equal sensitivity in all possible directions of approach to the workpiece in the three dimensions X, Y, Z.

Abstract: A probe for gauging machines with articulated arms comprises a fixed gauging stylus (31), supporting, at its end, a gauging ball, characterised in that it also comprises a handle body (33) which can be manually operated by an operator to push the gauging ball against a surface to be gauged (13), and in that the handle body (33) is equipped with sensors sensitive to the force acting between the gauging ball and the surface to be gauged and in that the signal supplied by the sensors controls measurement acquisition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Measuring probe for a device for the measurement of the thickness of thin layers, with a housing (14) comprising at least one sensor element (17), which is accepted along a longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14) at least slightly movable to the housing (14) and with a contact spherical cap (21) assigned to the at least one sensor element (17) for setting the measuring probe (11) onto a surface of a measuring object, wereby in that the at least one sensor element (17) is accepted by a holding element (18)—along the longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14)—which is designed spring-loaded resiliently and which is fastened on the housing (14).

Abstract: A probe head includes a feeler, a sensor unit, a CPU, a transmitting stage and a producer of electrical energy for supplying energy to the sensor unit, to the CPU and to the transmitting stage. An electrical signal is triggerable by the sensor unit in response to a deflection of the feeler which is convertible in the transmitting stage into an electromagnetic signal. The producer of electrical energy includes a turbine having rotor disk rotatable about an axis. Magnets are mounted on the rotor disk of the turbine, which are arranged across from stationary electrically conductive windings at an axial distance. The probe head includes a voltage transformer, at the output of which an output voltage is producible, which is greater than the input voltage applied to the voltage transformer, the output voltage being used to supply energy to the transmitting stage.

Abstract: A probe head includes a stationary component and pressure-sensitive sensors, the sensors being stationary relative to the fixed component, and a deflectable probe element. The probe element has a longitudinal axis, a first contact point and a second contact point. Because of contact of the probe element, pressure forces are able to be introduced into the sensors via the first contact point. In response to a further deflection of the probe element, the latter is able to be transferred to a stop position, in which the second contact point of the probe element touches the stationary component in a supporting manner. The probe element is arranged such that the pressure forces that are able to be introduced into the sensors in the stop position are limited, a first distance between the first contact point and the longitudinal axis being shorter than a second distance between the second contact point and the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A probe for position determining apparatus has a probe body (18) and a workpiece-contacting stylus (14). A strain sensitive structure connects the probe body and the stylus, and includes bendable members (32). The bendable members have an asymmetric cross-section, e.g. “T” shaped. A strain gauge (33) is mounted to the stem of the “T” to detect the bending caused when the stylus contacts a workpiece. This enables the strain sensitive structure to be both robust and sensitive to the bending.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is a force sensor for a probe based instrument. The force sensor can comprise a detection surface and a flexible mechanical structure disposed a first distance above the detection surface so as to form a gap between the flexible mechanical structure and the detection surface wherein the flexible mechanical structure is configured to deflect upon exposure to an external force, thereby changing the first distance over a selected portion of the gap, the change in distance at the selected portion orienting a probe tip of the force sensor for multi-directional measurement.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement probe that is less likely to break, that is of long lifespan, and that is of low cost, capable of measuring the shape and the like of a measuring object such as an aspheric lens with higher precision is realized. A magnetic force for preventing rotation and axial displacement of a small slidably moving shaft part is generated by constructing a magnetic circuit by a magnet attached to a small air bearing part, a yoke, and a magnetic pin attached to the small slidably moving shaft part. The three-dimensional measurement probe is able to perform measurement from below and from the side since the magnetic force is non-contacting.

Abstract: In a device and a method for coordinate measurement, a probe head generates a switching signal in response to contact with a workpiece. The device includes position-measuring units for each coordinate axis to be measured, with the aid of which the relative position of the probe head is measurable; and a processing unit, which operates in a discrete-time manner in time intervals of a controller clock signal. For coordinate measurement, position-measuring values are measured in time intervals of a probing clock signal, which is generated by a probing clock generator and has a higher frequency than a controller clock signal of a processing unit. The position-measuring values are stored in a position-data memory. A time span between a pulse of the controller clock signal and the occurrence of the switching signal at the switching probe head is measured in a time-measuring unit.

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: Transmission of power and/or signal across a machine tool spindle shank is disclosed. Contacts (340) on the shank are connectable to tracks (24/22) on the spindle (210). A circuit (e.g. FIG. 15) is used to determine the orientation of the contacts relative to the tracks when the shank is inserted in an unknown orientation into the spindle.

Abstract: Provided are a measuring section (210) including a vibrating contact-type probe having a measuring force detection circuit (219) which detects a measuring force acting to the contact portion (212); a moving unit (a three-dimensional drive mechanism (300), a vertical movement drive mechanism (220)) that moves the measuring section (210) relative to a workpiece surface (S); and a drive control unit (400) that controls the moving unit based on the magnitude of the measuring force output from the measuring force detection circuit (219).

Abstract: A coordinate measuring device having a probe for contacting the object (15) to be measured. The probe comprises a sensing member (18) for contacting the object (15), a support unit (13), a supporting element (25) connecting said sensing member (18) to said support unit (13), a detection member (22), detection means (23) for detecting the position of said detection member (22). Said detection member (22) is carried by a connection element (26) and said connection element (26) is attached to said sensing member (18). The detection member may be shaped as pyramid having three reflective surfaces. The position of the detection member can be determined by using three fibers for illuminating the surfaces and three detector screens for capturing the reflected light.

Abstract: A gauging head includes a substantially closed casing, a movable arm with a first portion, partly located inside the casing and associated with a position transducer, and a second portion, outside the casing, carrying a feeler for contacting a piece to be checked, and a zero-setting mechanism for adapting the head to check pieces with different nominal dimensions. The zero-setting mechanism, located outside the casing, includes a quick locking/unlocking device between the first and second portions of the arm and a movable mechanical reference coupled with the first portion of the arm and including a reference surface cooperating with a corresponding reference surface for holding the first portion of the arm in a preset position with respect to the casing.

Abstract: A touch probe is provided, including a deflectable stylus with a rest position mechanism on which the stylus is arranged, and a housing in which the rest position mechanism is accommodated. The rest position mechanism comprises a stylus holder with carrying elements and seating elements corresponding to the carrying elements that interact with the carrying elements to arrange the stylus holder in the touch probe. The carrying elements and seating elements form a sensing circuit which is closed when the carrying elements are in contact with the seating elements and which is open when one of the carrying elements is not in contact with a corresponding seating element. The rest position mechanism includes a spring element, which urges the stylus holder against the seating elements to position the stylus holder. Setting means, which allow setting of the pressing force of the spring element, are provided in the stylus holder.

Abstract: A touch sensor using a Hall IC is provided. To this end, in a cantilever mechanism 15 of a parallel link by two plate springs 16, a coupling member 18 on the fixed side is fixed to a supporting block 24 which penetrates through the center of a plate spring 16 on a lower side and uprightly provided on a pedestal 22. A movable portion 28 on the free end side is a lightweight coupling member 19 provided by bend-processing an aluminum thin plate, to which a rare-earth magnet 25 is adhered. An elastic part 20a of a Hall IC supporting member 20 is fixed to the coupling member 18 on the fixed side, and a rigid part 20b with a rib 17a is supported by an adjusting rod 36 to fine-adjust relative position of a Hall IC 26 provided on the free end with respect to the magnet 25.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement for an articulatable support includes bearing assemblies. In one embodiment, the assemblies have a ball and aperture having sliding contact at discrete areas during relative rotation. In another embodiment, the sliding contact may be formed at a ball and a plastics (e.g. P.T.F.E. support). Resilient displacement of the bearing contact along a rotational axis is provided by planar spring supports and a rigid support is provided by supports.

Abstract: A probe for a coordinate measuring machine has a stationary first part and a second part which can move relative to said first part. The second part can be a feeler pin or a feeler pin extension of the probe. A damping member for damping vibrations of the moveable second part has a magnet arrangement for producing a magnetic field, and has a conductor element. The magnet arrangement is designed such that there is a change in direction of the magnetic field along a path of movement of the conductor element.

Abstract: A touch probe is provided, including a deflectable stylus with a rest position mechanism on which the stylus is arranged, and a housing in which the rest position mechanism is accommodated. The rest position mechanism includes a stylus holder with carrying elements and seating elements corresponding to the carrying elements that interact with the carrying elements to arrange the stylus holder in the touch probe. The carrying elements and seating elements form a sensing circuit which is closed when the carrying elements are in contact with the seating elements and which is open when one of the carrying elements is not in contact with a corresponding seating element. The carrying elements are provided with electrical contacting means that is formed independently of a clamping device.

Abstract: A sensing contact probe includes a beam support and a probe. The probe has a bent beam body that extends from the beam support to a probe tip face that has a position and faces in an angular direction. The bent beam body has first and second beam layers bonded together and have differing residual stresses that bend the beam body. A stress relief region is formed in the bent beam body. The stress relief region has an adjusted stress property that adjusts the bending to control the probe tip face position and angular direction.

Abstract: A touch probe with an arm (13) coupled to a movable arm-set (3) supported in a casing (1) includes an electric switch (31) with a housing (33) fixed to the casing and a mechanical transmission device (61) for mechanically transmitting displacements of the arm, and causing the disengagement of a conductive small ball (51) from two stationary conductive bars (44,45), thereby opening an electric detecting circuit. At the interior of the probe casing, a sealingly closed chamber houses the switch and is filled with inert gas, for example nitrogen, for protecting the electric contacts.

Abstract: A touch probe is provided with an arm coupled to a movable arm-set and supported in a casing. The touch probe includes an electric switch with a housing fixed to the casing, and a mechanical transmission device for mechanically transmitting displacements of the arm, and causing the disengagement of a conductive small ball from two stationary conductive bars, thereby opening an electric detecting circuit. An elongate mechanical body of the mechanical transmission device includes a spherical-shaped element that is transversally urged against a guide surface, having at least a binary surface, for guiding with accuracy and free of clearances the displacements of the elongate mechanical body. A bent flat spring contacts a plane portion of the spherical transmission element for achieving both transversal thrust against the guide surface and the antirotation of the elongate mechanical body.

Abstract: A probe head includes a housing and a probe element. The probe element has a longitudinal axis and stop faces and is able to shift from a rest position along the longitudinal axis into a stop position relative to the housing. The probe head further includes counter-support faces, which are arranged in a stationary manner relative to the housing. For limiting the path of the probe element, in a stop position, the stop faces of the probe element contact the counter-support faces at stop points. In the rest position, a geometric plane may be spanned orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the probe element. The stop points are arranged such that in the stop position, the longitudinal axis intersects the geometric plane at an oblique angle.

Abstract: Device with a removable probe head (15) for measuring a workpiece, whereby the device comprises a receiving section (17.1) for attaching the probe head (15). In the receiving section (17.1) sensors (17.2) in fixed, predefined positions are arranged. The removable probe head (15) comprises several counterpart elements, which interact with the sensors (17.2) if the probe head (15) is attached to the receiving section (17.1), whereby a coding of the removable probe head (15) can be set in advance, by adjusting the position of the counterpart elements.

Abstract: A measuring probe includes a suspension module 112 in which a stylus holder 140 is suspended from a housing on a pair of diaphragms 142,144. At least one of the diaphragms is formed with spiral cut-outs whereby the stylus, which is connected at the center of the diaphragms, is able to move transversely of the axis of the housing as the stylus holder pivots when transverse forces are applied to the stylus tip. A transducer module 110 is releasably supported on the suspension module by a kinematic mounting 116,118 and is retained in position by magnets 120. The transducer module contains optical transducers 200,210,220 for measuring the deflection of the stylus.

Abstract: A surface profile measuring instrument for measuring a surface profile of a workpiece has: a probe having a stylus provided with a measuring portion for measuring a surface of a workpiece at a tip end thereof and a detector for outputting a detection signal which varies depending on a measurement condition between the surface of the workpiece and the measuring portion; a scanning mechanism for relatively moving the measuring portion along the surface of the workpiece; a memory (46) that stores a position information of the contact portion when the detection signal reaches a predetermined reference signal value; a vibration inclination angle calculator (51) that calculates a response variation factor (vibration inclination angle ?) that applies variation to the detection signal from the surface of the workpiece; and a profile processor (53) that corrects the position information to obtain an actual profile of the surface of the workpiece using the response variation factor.

Abstract: Re-orientation of a stylus (30) or measurement probe (12) can be accomplished by engaging a part of the stylus or probe with a fixed part (50) and moving the probe in a spherical path centred at the engagement. The engagement (50) is spaced from the stylus tip (34) and avoids bending of the stylus during re-orientation. The re-orientation can take place into a plurality of e.g. repeatable rest positions by virtue of a kinematic array (e.g. balls (122) and rollers (120) FIG. 2).

Abstract: A head for the linear dimension checking of mechanical pieces including a casing, an arm carrying a feeler for touching the mechanical piece to be checked, a fulcrum for enabling displacements of the arm with respect to the casing and a transducer for providing signals depending on the position of the arm with respect to the casing. Various components of the head can be adjusted and/or replaced from the exterior of the casing. The transducer is of the inductive, half-bridge type, with multiple windings. An integral element for the electric connection to a processing unit includes the windings of the transducer, a cable and a connector. A checking apparatus, including at least a gauging or measuring head, includes a stationary structure and at least a support structure for the head, coupled to the stationary structure in an adjustable and removable way.

Abstract: A scanning probe (1, 10) according to the present invention includes a measurement stylus (stylus) (6) movably supported via elastic members (5D, 5E, 5F) on a probe body (4), fine feeders (3, 7) for moving the probe body (4) and the measurement stylus (6) against a workpiece within a fine range, a contacting force detector (5G) for detecting a contacting force between the measurement stylus (6) and a surface of the workpiece, and a contacting force adjuster (8) for adjusting the contacting force by removing the inertial force acting to the measurement stylus (6) because of acceleration from the contacting force. Because of this feature, a measuring force can be adjusted by providing feedback controls to the fine feeders (3, 7), so that the tracking capability is ensured to provide a high response rate and high precision in measurement.

Abstract: A measuring probe for obtaining positional information on a measuring target face has: a movable member having a contact portion which is formed in its top and comes into contact with the measuring target face and a reflecting plane formed on its base end for reflecting a measuring light beam; a magnetic substance mounted on the movable member; a fixed member disposed in a fixed state; a bearing provided on the fixed member for supporting the movable member movably in axis line direction; and a magnetic force generating portion provided on the fixed member for generating force acting upon the magnetic substance to move the movable member in the axis line direction. The movable member is formed from a nonmagnetic material, and the bearing and the fixed member are formed from a magnetic material.

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: In a method for the wireless transmission of a control command from a transmitting element to a measuring probe using electromagnetic signals, the control command includes at least one bit sequence which is made up of high bits and at least one low bit. The high bits are produced by the enveloping curve of a plurality of electromagnetic signals which recur with a carrier frequency. Within one bit sequence, at least one low bit is transmitted at least once between two high bits.

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.