Abstract: A sensor for detecting the location of a hole in a surface of a workpiece. The sensor comprises a sensing head having a probe adapted to engage the portion of the workpiece surface defining a hole. A housing supports the sensing head for lateral displacement in any direction from a longitudinal Z axis of the sensor in response to engagement of the hole-defining portion by the probe. A pair of displacement conversion members are supported in the housing for independent axial displacement along the Z axis corresponding in direction and magnitude to the lateral displacement of the sensing head along X and Y lateral axes, respectively. Sensing devices are disposed to respond to the axial displacement of each of the conversion members to generate a signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A probe is mounted on a machine head which has mobility and readouts in three linear coordinate directions. The probe carries a stylus with a tip which has mobility relative to the head in three nonlinear coordinate directions which are nonaligned with the axes of head movement. A mathematical model, produced by a calibration technique before measurements are taken, translates readouts of the stylus tip's position in the nonlinear coordinates into values which are aligned with the coordinate axis system of the machine head. The probe has three flex wire motion guiding devices connected together in series, and each of these devices has a second member movably supported on a first member by flexible wires arranged in two nonparallel sets of parallel wires. The second member is thus constrained to movement in a single arcuate path which lies transverse to the longitudinal axes of the wires in both sets.

Abstract: An edge sensor includes a housing having an outer grasping surface adapted to be grasped by a collet, the outer grasping surface having a plurality of different outer dimensions for engagement with different sized collets, respectively; a metal ball extending from the housing for contacting a workpiece; a plurality of light emitting diodes for indicating contact of the workpiece with the ball; a spring holding the ball to the housing in a centered manner; and electrical wires within the housing for enabling energizing of the light emitting diodes in response to contacting of the workpiece with the ball.

Abstract: A touch trigger probe for a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool has a stylus (14), which is biased into a rest position. The stylus has two independent supports, provided within a housing (10). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first support comprises a skirt (18) of a stylus holder (12), which is axially constrained on a surface (20) of the housing (10). The second support comprises a kinematic arrangement of cylinders (34) and balls (36), together with a planar spring (30), which together provide lateral constraint. The first support is biased by a much lighter force than the second support, so that its friction is very low. This reduces the lobing and hysteresis of the stylus movement, and thereby increases the accuracy of the probe.

Abstract: The device comprises a support structure movable along at least a first reference axis, a feeler member carried by the structure so as to be able to effect limited relative displacements along the axis relative to a predetermined rest position, and detector means for providing electrical signals indicative of the magnitude and direction of the movements of the feeler member relative to the structure. According to the invention, the feeler device comprises at least a first intermediate structure supported by the structure by first blades which can be bent in a plane parallel to the reference axis; the feeler member is also supported by this intermediate structure by second blades having bending characteristics substantially the same as those of the first blades in a plane parallel to the references axis. The feeler device may be made so as to be able to detect movements of the feeler member relative to the support structure along two or three independent axes as well.

Abstract: A probe head for a multiple-coordinate measuring machine defines the at-rest or zero position of a movable probe-pin holder part with respect to a relatively fixed housing part of the head, by employing a flexible coupling between a circular base of the probe-pin holder and a circular reference surface of the housing. The flexible coupling comprises a stacked plurality of interconnected flat disks or rings of spring material, one ring on top of the next, and their interconnections are at sector regions which are at progressively staggered, angularly offset locations, from one to the next pair of sector-connected adjacent surfaces in the stack. In the at rest condition, all rings of the coupling are axially compressed, with their flat surfaces in direct axial abutment with each other, as well as with the fixed part and the movable part of the probe head.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contact-type probe for obtaining positional information concerning a workpiece characteristic, simultaneously in more than one positional axis. The probe comprises a probe body for mounting in a machine tool and to which other components may be mounted, a double swivel joint mounted to the probe body and a probe shaft mounted to the swivel and carrying a workpiece contact on one end. In operation, the workpiece contact attached to the probe shaft is moved over the workpiece, and the contact engages a characteristic such as an aperture in the workpiece. The probe body remains in a defined position, while the probe shaft may swivel in two axes to engage the characteristic. The magnitude of displacement necessary for the probe shaft to engage the characteristic may be determined to provide positional information concerning the characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for inductive transfer of the scanning signal from a sensing head to a machine body. The apparatus includes cooperating inductive coupling elements between a receiving lug of the sensing head and the spindle of the machine. Cooperating coupling elements for inductive coupling are also provided between the spindle and the machine body. The coupling element of the receiving lug includes a coil with a ferromagnetic core. The spindle includes a second cooperating coil lying opposite to the receiving-lug coil which also includes a ferromagnetic core. The scanning signal is conducted from the detector to the coil in the receiving lug and is transferred inductively to the spindle. The scanning signal then passes over a transfer coil to a receiving coil. The transfer coil and receiving coil are configured such that the signal is transferred independently of rotation of the spindle relative to the machine body.

Abstract: A feeler pin having a contact element with a contact sensor, which is constructed as a laser feedback interferometer whose resonator quality is varied by changes in position of the contact element enabling measurement of radiation flux or the internal resistance of the laser. These measurements can then be related to a mechanical contact. The interferometer is preferably arranged inside the feeler pin which is constructed as a tube and the sapphire ball, conventional as contact element is used as a third cavity facet. Different variations are represented.

Abstract: A measuring probe includes a fixed housing (2) and a movable stylus carrier (10) which is urged by a spring (18) into a rest position in a support (14). The support comprises six seating elements confronting corresponding seating elements (12) on the stylus carrier. Strain gauges (20) are provided on the seating elements of the supports (14) to measure the strain produced in the supports (14) by the movable member resting on them. Each strain gauge produces a signal from which any variation in strain, and hence any displacement of the movable member relative to the fixed member due to a change in forces between the two, can be determined by a computer.

Abstract: A measurement probe for use on machine tools or coordinate measuring machines has a stylus (12) mounted in a probe body (10), for displacement in each of the axes x,y,z. On each axis, the relative motion is supported by a pair of cylindrical linear bearings, which are parallel to each other and spaced apart. The bearings comprise a shaft (30) and concentric sleeve (26), between which is located a cage (28) of ball bearings. The arrangement achieves good performance in a relatively small housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a probe head of the so-called measuring type with scales which supply signals proportional to the position of a probe pin in its deflected state. A probe-pin carrier is the movable part of the probe head, being mounted indirectly on at least three intermediate bodies which, in their turn, are guided linearly in a fixed or housing part of the probe head. As a result of the symmetrical arrangement of the linear guides and the identical mass of intermediate bodies, like inertial responses characterize probe deflection in all directions in space. The workpiece-contacting force is, therefore, independent of coordinate direction in a dynamic operation of the probe head, as in the course of a continuous scan of a workpiece profile.

Abstract: The sensor is of the type having a cylindrical body within which a measurement rod equipped with an outer measurement feeler bears a ferrite core which by its displacements influences the impedance of a system of coils to produce an electrical measurement signal. In the body, a fixed stop and an interposed movable stop make it possible to adjust the positioning of the measurement feeler in one or the other of two positions with respect to the electrical zero of the feeler and they have for this purpose interpenetration means with two stages spaced at an angle from each other and selected by manual push and rotation of the rod driving the movable stop in opposition to a spring and then release, in the manner of the so called "bayonet" connections.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling the operation of a workpiece inspection procedure using a battery operated probe to contact the workpiece and transmit information back to a controller in a machine tool system. In one embodiment, battery power is applied to the probe transmission circuitry in response to a flash of infrared radiation. In another embodiment, the probe is turned on by touching the probe against a reference surface. In both embodiments, a timer is provided to automatically disconnect the batteries after a predetermined time period. In such manner battery life is prolonged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three dimensional coordinate measuring machine which is used to measure a workpiece. The machine has a probe containing a piezoelectric crystal which is capable of detecting the shockwave generated when the probe stylus contacts the surface of the workpiece, in order to provide a trigger signal. In order to reduce the risk of the piezoelectric crystal not triggering satisfactorily upon receipt of this shockwave, the workpiece is vibrated so that immediately upon contact the vibrations travel up the probe stylus to trigger the piezoelectric crystal. The vibrations are introduced by a vibration transducer which is bolted to the bed of the coordinate measuring machine.

Abstract: A probe for use in co-ordinate measuring comprises three orthogonal spring parallelograms, each with a respective scale and read head, for measuring the location of a workpiece-contacting stylus. The probe also has a trigger sensor in the form of a piezoelectric crystal, which gives a trigger signal at the instant the stylus contacts the workpiece. This enables the scale readings to be taken at the instant of contact, in order to reduce dynamic errors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electromagnetic holding device which includes one or more permanent magnets and an electromagnet. The holding device releases and pulls in units which are held thereon. During an exchange operation, the field of the electromagnet is superposable on the field of the permanent magnet either in the same direction or in the opposing direction and thereby intensifies or neutralizes the holding force. In order to provide the smallest possible assembly volume and lowest weight with the highest possible holding force, the permanent magnet is disposed ahead of the electromagnet when viewed with respect to the exchange face. When the exchange part is pulled in, the field lines of the electromagnet run in a completely closed flux-conducting part which is not interrupted at any location by an air gap.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a probe head (PH) for use in coordinate measuring machines and having a stylus (10) supported for axial displacement (D1) and angular displacements (D2,D3). A transducer (T1) senses axial forces (F1) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus due to engagement therefore with a workpiece 12. A strain gauge system (16) provided on the stylus senses transverse forces (F2) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus. The forces (F1,F2) are used to determine the orientation of the surface (12A) of the workpiece and a control system is described which responds to those forces to maintain the stylus normal to said surfce (12A) during a scanning operation.

Abstract: A multiple-coordinate measurement sensor has an improved, high degree of precision of measurement, even at higher measurement speeds. Three multiple-axis guide systems (7,13,19; 8,14,20; 9,15,21) are arranged in parallel to each other. Length-measuring devices (6) and zero-point and contact-force generators (5) of each system are fastened to the reference base (1), and the devices (5,6) detect the positions of the guides (7,8,9) which are closest to the reference base (1).

Abstract: A hinge probe is described (see FIG. 1) in which a plurality of plates (4,10,45,46,47) are stacked in the direction of the probe axis (11). The plates are connected together in pairs by hinge means (12,50,52 and 53), various forms of which are described, which define pivot axes and which constrain each pair of plates for relative pivoting movement about a side edge of the pair. The pivot axes are arranged to be mutually orthogonal to enable tilting of a stylus (2), attached to one of the plates (4), in any direction by pivoting of one or more of the plates when a force is applied to the stylus. An axial rest position for each movable plate on an adjacent plate is defined in combination with the hinge by a further support (14,16) disposed between each pair of plates on the opposite side of the probe axis (11) to the respective pivot axis. A spring (17) urges the plates into their respective rest positions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a magazine for an apparatus such as a coordinate measuring apparatus. Measuring probes are held in their magazine locations by magnetic forces. Each magazine location is provided with one or more permanent magnets. The holding force of the permanent magnets is neutralized by an individual electromagnet on that magazine location which is involved in an exchange operation. In this way, the measuring probe being held can be easily removed. The magazine can also be for an apparatus such as a machine tool in which case work tools are held at the magazine locations.

Abstract: A work-contacting probe system is selectively operable as a single-stage or as a two-stage system. The system consists of a first central probe head of large diameter and of one or more small or auxiliary probe heads of dimensions which are reduced as compared with the first probe head. The small probe head can be selectively accommodated, in substitution of a rigid probe pin on the probe-chucking receptacle of the central probe head. Upon substitution of the auxiliary probe-head system for a rigid probe pin, associated electronic circuitry automatically responds to the fact of substitution, (1) by substantially increasing spring-preload force on the probe-chucking receptacle of the central probe head, thereby converting the central probe head for collision-detection service, while (2) connecting work-contacting signals from the auxiliary probe-head system for exclusive service of measurement functions.

Abstract: To overcome friction in the mount of the switching-type probe head, a probe (5/6) displaceably mounted therein is transiently excited in oscillation for a predetermined time after each contacting process. The same piezoelectric element (17) as that which produces the initial work-contact signal in the probe head can additionally be used to stimulate the oscillations.

Abstract: In a force controlling system, a movable member fixed to an elastic member applies a force in correspondence with a force information signal to an object. At this time, an additional force is applied via a driver to the movable member by the positive feedback of the displacement of the elastic member to the driver, so that the reactive force due to the displacement of the elastic member is contradicted by the additional force. As a result, the movable member applies only a force in correspondence to the force information signal to the object.

Abstract: A contact detecting system in a machine tool, used in combination with a switch-contained touch sensor seared in a spindle of the machine tool having a movable stylus for making an usually closed switch open by moving itself due to contact with an object such as a workpiece to be detected, which can obtain an output from a sensor unit when the stylus is brought into contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling the operation of a workpiece inspection procedure using a battery operated probe to contact the workpiece and transmit information back to a controller in a machine tool system. In one embodiment, battery power is applied to the probe transmission circuitry in response to a flash of infrared radiation. In another embodiment, the probe is turned on by touching the probe against a reference surface. In both embodiments, a timer is provided to automatically disconnect the batteries after a predetermined time period. In such manner battery life is prolonged.

Abstract: A three-dimensional displacement gauge comprising a housing, a probe rotatably and slidably mounted on the housing, the probe is slidable along a first direction and having a contact member attached at one end thereof, two emitting members mounted on the probe each for emitting a light beam, two-dimensional measuring member such as a position sensor fixed to the housing for detecting the light beams, a biasing spring for biasing the probe toward the contact member, and a limit switch attached to the housing for detecting whether or not the probe moves in the first direction. The two-dimensional measuring member detects the light beams struck thereon so as to measure a small displacement of the contact member of the probe either in the first direction or in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A piezo-controlled dynamic probe or feeler head for measuring installations and measuring machine, which is in an operative connection with a measurement evaluating or plotting unit and, selectively with a measuring machine control. The probe is constructed from two mutually independently operating measuring signal generating installations, which are equipped with mutually separate or independent circuits and which act in such a manner on the measuring evaluating or plotting unit and, selectively, on the measuring machine control, that upon the generation of a signal from the first measuring signal generating installation, stored data regarding the position of the probe can be recognized as being valid only at the presence of a confirmation or acknowledging signal from the second measuring signal generating installation.

Abstract: A programming device for providing a signal relating to movement of a movable device. An inner part is connected to the part of the device to be programmed. A casing, which is controlled by the programmer's hand, surrounds the inner part. Measuring systems, which measure relative movements between the casing and the inner part resulting from moving the casing are placed between the inner part and the casing. These measuring systems consist of a sliding carriage moving linearly on the inner part and a ball located between two pins which are connected to the casing. The pins are surrounded by springs which are fixed, on one hand, to the casing and, on the other hand, to arms of the carriage guide. Movements of the sliding carriage relative to the inner part are measured.

Abstract: A dynamic contact or feeler head for measuring machines and for the utilization thereof in processing machines for the solution of measurement tasks. The feeler head includes a centrally inserted feeler which is deflectable in at least two coordinate directions, which is constructed so as to be tiltable about a tilting axis which is always equally distant from the feeler and always located in the same plane, and with an electromechanical, inductive or optical signal transmission.

Abstract: A probe assembly for use at a test station for contacting a target on an electrical circuitry component. The probe assembly includes an elongate tubular housing with a base of insulative material rigidly supported in the housing adjacent one end thereof. An interior beam assembly connects a contact block to the base with this beam assembly including a relatively flexible cantilever beam. A relatively rigid second beam assembly extends from the contact block beyond the other end of the housing and holds a probe point for contacting the target. The probe assembly also includes an upper contact held by the housing and extending into the housing cavity toward the contact block, and a lower contact held by the housing and extending into the cavity toward the contact block. The spacing between the upper and lower contacts is greater than the height of the contact block and the surfaces of the contact block facing the contacts are conductive.

Abstract: Truncated pyramid mounting configurations and relationships are disclosed as inherently and reproducibly determining an accurate zero-position as between a probe head and a probe pin that is deflectably carried by the probe head. And the same principle of accurately determining zero position is also described in application to the automated releasable chucking of interchangeable probe pins and/or of an auxiliary probe head, as to the installed probe head of a coordinate-measuring machine.In one described case of truncated triangular pyramid mountings, the zero position is determined by concurrent engagement of six seating points which are distributed radially and axially with respect to the common central longitudinal axis of the involved geometric pyramids.The mounting configurations have high torsional rigidity and a relatively large region within which self-centering to the zero position is achieved.

Abstract: Integral sharp tips on thin film cantilevers are produced by forming a rectangular silicon post on a (100) silicon wafer. Etching the top of the post leaves sharp silicon tips at the corners of what remains of the silicon post. A silicon dioxide cantilever with an integral tip is thermally grown over the silicon wafer and the sharp silicon tips.

Abstract: A probe head for coordinate-measuring instruments has a torsionally rigid, play-free and friction-free probe-suspension system which defines a three-dimensional coordinate system, wherein a probe pin is deflectable in all three directions in space. In order to be able to use the probe pin completely independent of its orientation, a separate taring device provides taring adjustment for each of the three coordinate axes in space. The taring device automatically sets the zero position of the suspension system in any orientation of the probe head, and for any change in orientation. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous to develop each taring device from two springs which are preloaded to act in opposition upon an element which is gravitationally deflected upon any change in probe-head orientation; to reach the zero position detected by an indicator, i.e., to effect the taring adjustment, provision is made for adjustment of the preload force of at least one of these springs.

Abstract: A contact-sensing probe for measuring workpieces includes a body (16) for attachment to a machine and a workpiece contacting stylus (22) carried by a stylus holder (24) which is mounted within the body for movmeent relative thereto from a rest position to a displaced position when the stylus contacts the workpiece. Sensors are provided for sensing workpiece contact by the stylus. The sensors comprise a plurality of strain gauges (46) mounted on pillars (44) connecting two parts (36A,36B) of a support structure which supports the stylus holder on the body. The strain gauges are mounted with their principal axes lying at an angle to the axes of the pillars, and by optimizing the numbers, positions and dimensions of the pillars together with the angles of the strain gauges, high sensitivity can be achieved with minimum risk of false signals due to probe vibration, while at the same time minimizing the variation in pre-travel of the stylus.

Abstract: A work-contacting probe system is selectively operable as a single-stage or as a two-stage system. The system consists of a first central probe head of large diameter and of one or more small or auxiliary probe heads of dimensions which are reduced as compared with the first probe head. The small probe head can be selectively accommodated, in substitution of a rigid probe pin on the probe-chucking receptacle of the central probe head. Upon substitution of the auxiliary probe-head system for a rigid probe pin, associated electronic circuitry automatically responds to the fact of substitution, (1) by substantially increasing spring-preload force on the probe-chucking receptacle of the central probe head, thereby converting the central probe head for collision-detection service, while (2) connecting work-contacting signals from the auxiliary probe-head system for exclusive service of measurement functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface contour measuring tracer permitting a probe element to move in the directions of X-, Y- and Z-axes. A support structure includes a base supporting thereon an X-slider and a Y-slider which are movable in the directions of X- and Y-axes, respectively. A Z-slider is supported on the X-slider so to be movable in the direction of a Z-axis. Supported on the Z-slider is a probe element, the movements of which in the directions of X-, Y- and Z-axes are permitted by the movements of the X-, Y- and Z-sliders. The X- and Y-sliders are normally held at neutral positions by a wire spring extending in the direction of the Z-axis, and the Z-slider is permitted to move in the direction of the Z-axis against the action of a coil spring and normally held at a neutral position.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an articulating head having bearings of reproducible travel behavior, for precision angular displacment of a mounted probe-pin, about each of two orthogonal component axes of rotation. The precision of angular displacement relies upon high-resolution angle encoders for reading the instantaneous angle for each of these component axes of rotation and for reporting the same to the computer of a coordinate-measuring machine. Active position-control circuits use the angle encoders for controlling drive about the respective component axes of rotation, all in conjunction with a given program of measurements by the coordinate-measuring machine. A probe holder mounted to the articulating head can be oriented to any desired angular aspect with respect to the workpiece feature to be measured or scanned, and measurements can be made solely by controleld actuation via one or both drives on the respective axes of the articulating head, i.e.

Abstract: A probe head for a coordinate-measuring instrument has a torsionally rigid, play-free and friction-free probe-suspension system which defines a three-dimensional coordinate system wherein the work-contact pin of the probe is deflectable in all three directions in space. For each of the three coordinate directions, an incrementally operating displacement-measuring system is provided, and each such system is associated with a zero indicator for recognition of the zero position of the system. Upon initial contact of the probe with the object to be measured, a trigger pulse is produced via a sensor. A subsequent electronic system processes the different signals delivered by the probe head so that optional operation is available either as a switching probe head or as a measuring probe head.

Abstract: A contact sensor for very precise calipering of workpieces. The sensor has a force generating mechanism with two oppositely acting elastic members (64, 66) connected to one part (34) of the suspension device of a feeler (42) and deformable in the direction of movement of the feeler. An assembly carried by another part (36) of the suspension device includes an abutment (82), two mobile elements (72, 74) acting reciprocally on the two elastic members, and a spring (78) permanently biasing the mobile elements against the abutment from opposite directions. When the feeler is in a rest position, the two elastic members are pre-stressed by the mobile elements so that both elastic members remain under tension as long as movement of the feeler is confined to a calipering zone.

Abstract: A multiple axis displacement sensor is provided for sensing displacement of two relatively movable parts in a plurality of degrees of freedom. There are a plurality of displacement sensing units, each unit including at least two magnetic poles mounted on one of the parts, and at least two Hall Effect devices mounted on the other of the parts, and disposed relative to the poles so that relative displacement of parts in at least one degree of freedom causes at least one of the poles to move toward a respective said Hall Effect device and at least one other of the poles to move away from another respective Hall Effect device. The outputs of the Hall Effect device are differentially combined to produce a signal linearly representative of displacement of the poles relative to the Hall Effect devices.

Abstract: In a position detector for detecting the position of an object to be detected by making a detecting needle contact with the object to be detected and for transmitting a detecting signal by radio wave, the detecting needle itself functions as a transmission antenna for transmitting the detecting signal to a receiving side apparatus located at a predetermined position. The specification of this application discloses, in addition to the above arrangement, the construction of a detecting head having both external and internal contacts, the fact for modulating the detecting signal by a double scale signal and then transmitting the same and the construction of auxiliary springs used to improve the accuracy with which the detecting needle is returned to its static position. The position detector of this invention is particularly suitable for detecting the position of a work set on a machining tool.

Abstract: The feeler comprises a stationary support (1) and a movable support (4) provided with a tip (5), which are pressed against each other by a spring (21). The immobilizing of the movable support with respect to the stationary support is obtained by a system of connections with zero degree of freedom formed of four spherical positioning pieces (7 to 10) applied, by six contact points, to six inclined resting surfaces (15 to 20) with flat contact surface, two first pairs (15-16, 17-18) of which are convergent and arranged respectively under two first opposing positioning pieces (7, 8) and the last two of which (19, 20) are parallel and each arranged under one of the two other opposing positioning pieces (9-10). An electrical circuit is provided to detect any interruption of contact between at least one positioning piece and one resting piece signifying an encounter of the tip (5) with the object.

Abstract: A measuring and sensing head (6, 30, 50) is moved under computer control in engagement with right and left flanks of gears. These may be internal or external gears. The head is moved in a tangential direction with respect to the base circle of the gear and, in accordance with the invention, additionally in a radial direction with respect to the axis (3) of the gear (2), in such a manner that, when setting right and left flanks, respectively, of a gear tooth, the paths of the measuring and sensing head form straight lines which intersect at intersection points (43, 53) outside of the base circle (32, 52) of the gear. The movement of the sensing head is controlled by a computer (C) in accordance with an involute mathematical function following the involute curve of gear teeth. Other curves, similar to an involute curve, may be controlled by the computer.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin support assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: Electrical-lead connections between stationary and movable parts of a probe head are rendered virtually insensitive to stress by wrapped development of the lead connections along the length of a spring connection between the stationary and movable parts.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin suppor assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin support assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: A device for supporting a stylus in a touch sensor comprises a casing, a stylus having its one end part protruding out of the casing for detecting an object, and a spring for pressing an inner base part of the stylus housed concentrically in the casing outwards from behind wherein a ball is provided at each of three abaxial positions on one of the mutually opposite faces of the stylus inner base part and an end part of the casing while an engaged part with which the ball is allowed to come into contact is configured at each of three corresponding positions on the other of said opposite faces, the three engaged parts are configured respectively into different shapes so the stylus can be kept steady in the casing.

Abstract: The invention enables two-way communication to be established between a measuring probe on a machine spindle and the machine using only two wires between the probe and the machine. Communication from the probe to the machine is achieved by causing current changes in an electrical circuit within the probe (due to the probe circuit changing state when a workpiece is detected) to be sensed by a current sensing circuit on the machine to produce an output in the machine circuit indicative of workpiece detection. Communication from the machine to the probe is achieved by varying the voltage supplied to the probe circuit under the control of the machine controller, the change in voltage being sensed by components of the probe circuit to initiate different functions of the probe circuit e.g. re-setting the probe or changing the gain of a component.