Abstract: A position measuring device having a graduated scale carrier member which is secured to a holder is described. The graduated scale carrier member is secured to the bottom side of the holder, so as to float over a viscous liquid film. The holder, in turn, is elastically supported on a mount. The measuring graduation marking is scanned through the holder, which is preferably made of transparent glass.

Abstract: A probe tip locator for, and method of, use in determining a location of a probe tip relative to the probe tip locator comprising sets of discrete location markers in which numbers and positions of the location markers in each of the sets are employable uniquely to identify corresponding specific locations on the probe tip locator, the sets being distributed about the probe tip locator to avoid unbalanced partial encroachments into both sides of a scanpath of the probe tip by location markers in sets normally adjacent the scanpath thereby to prevent an erroneous determination of location caused by unbalanced partial encroachments of the location markers into both sides of the scanpath as the probe tip traverses the scanpath.

Abstract: A measuring system for determining the position of two machine components that are movable in relation to each other, having a measuring graduation extending in a measuring direction, a support body supporting the measuring graduation, a scanning device scanning the measuring graduation, a mounting base for fastening the scanning device on one of the components, and a securing device for fixing the mounting bas in place in a prescribed position with respect to the support body. The securing device includes a base body that is supported on at least two areas of the support body that are spaced apart from each other with respect to the measuring direction and a guide element. A guide track is provided in the support body, wherein the guide element interlockingly engages the guide element and in which the guide element can be clamped in place in that the guide element is displaced in relation to the base body by a connecting element.

Abstract: A position measuring device having a graduated scale carrier member which is secured to a holder is described. The graduated scale carrier member is secured to the bottom side of the holder, so as to float over a viscous liquid film. The holder, in turn, is elastically supported on a mount. The measuring graduation marking is scanned through the holder, which is preferably made of transparent glass.

Abstract: A position transducer in which a carriage 32 and slider 33 are coupled to each other by tension coil springs 41A and 41B each having an elasticity in a direction in which the carriage 32 and slider 33 are attracted towards each other, with the carriage 32 and slider 33 being butted to each other with a rolling bearing placed at one end of the carriage 33 in the moving direction and which has a ball 40 held by a plane bearing 37 and conical bearing 39.

Abstract: A unit type linear scale is provided, which has a frame body that houses a plate-shaped main scale and extends in a direction of length measurement. The frame body is fixed with screws at multiple positions to an object of measurement through screw holes formed at a plurality of positions along the direction of length measurement. A groove is formed in the frame and extended in the direction of length measurement, and one surface of the main scale is made to contact with the wall surface of one side of the groove. An elastic component is provided between, however excluding portions where the screw holes are provided, the wall surface of the groove on the other side of the groove along the direction of length measurement and the other surface of the main scale. Thereby, the scale is secured by the frame.

Abstract: A device for the attachment of a scale component of a length measuring system to a mounting surface of a first body, wherein a second body is arranged to be displaceable in relation to the first body in a measuring direction, wherein an adhesive layer is provided between the scale component and the mounting surface. The device includes at least one spacer that holds the scale component and supports the scale component at a distance from the mounting surface and is displaceably mounted on the mounting surface for alignment; and wherein the at least one spacer is actuated to remove the support and to make the holding force of the adhesive layer between the scale component and the mounting surface effective.

Abstract: A rolling guide apparatus comprises a first slide member and second slide member. The first slide member includes a pair of wing portions and a connecting portion connecting the wing portions. First raceway grooves are formed on the wing portions, individually. Second raceway grooves are formed on the second slide member. Rolling elements are held under a pre-load between the raceway grooves. A residual compression stress region is created on the surface region of the first slide member. A worked portion is formed on the connecting portion. The worked portion serves to adjust the pre-load on the rolling elements by regulating the residual compression stress region by working to deform the connecting portion.

Abstract: A position detector for sensing the position of a movable member which moves along an axis relative to a stationary member. A nonrepeating N bit chain code embodied in a scale on the movable member runs along the axis. A detector fixed to the stationary member is positioned to sense a portion of the chain code. The detector has K elements (K>>N) generating a plurality of signals. A controller determines the position of the movable member relative to the stationary member as a function of the signals.

Abstract: In connection with a position measuring system for great measuring lengths, several partial scale elements preferably formed of glass are applied on a base body. The partial scale elements are welded together.

Abstract: A pair of jaw components 7a and 7b positioned on both sides of a casing 1 are attached to both the tips of a pair of parallel piston rods 6a and 6b which synchronously extend and contract in opposite directions by an action of an air pressure and the tips of a pair of guide rods 13a and 13b which synchronously extend and contract in opposite directions by a rack-and-pinion mechanism. By forming a magnetic scale 18 on a side face of one of the guide rods, 13b, the guide rod 13a is also used as a part of a dimension measuring mechanism. A sensor unit 20 for reading the magnetic scale 18 is attached to the casing 1.

Abstract: A tactile sensor device is disclosed that can be used for high resolution tactile sensing. The sensor may be used as a tactile shear sensor. It comprises a circuit substrate; an array of contact pads on the circuit substrate, and a set of nanowires attached to each of the contact pads. The contact pads may be isolated or formed from a matrix of interconnecting strips of material. Each set of nanowires comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of nanowires that are desirably vertically aligned and equal in length. When an object contacts at least one of the plurality of sets of nanowires, it causes at least one set of nanowires to bend and make contact along a portion of the length thereof with at least another set of nanowires. The position and movement activity of the object can be sensed by electrically interrogating pairs of contact pads to determine whether a connection has been made between them.

Abstract: A length measuring instrument having a scale which can be scanned by a scanner device is provided. The scale is rotatably supported in an end region about the measurement axis X by a pivot bearing. The scanner device is guided on the scale so that rotations of the scanner device are transmitted to the scale. A length measuring instrument of this can be used especially advantageously in telescoping arms of a hexapod machine.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device includes a frame; an elevator assembly mounted on the frame for motion along a z-axis; an inclined plane assembly attached to the elevator assembly; and a drive assembly mounted on the frame and configured to cause the elevator assembly to move along the z-axis, the drive assembly including a slide member and a bearing positioned in a first end portion of the slide member (which is formed in the shape of a wedge) to contact the inclined plane assembly. The drive assembly further includes a leadscrew for driving the slide member toward and away from the inclined plane assembly. The bearing is positioned in the first end portion of the slide member such that a portion of a circumference of the bearing protrudes from a surface of the first end portion of the slide member such that the bearing contacts the inclined plane assembly at a single point to cause the elevator assembly to move along a z-axis as the slide member is driven toward and away from the inclined plane assembly.

Abstract: A fishing rod and reel is provided with a line having conductive portions spaced at regular axial intervals. A conductive sensor is mounted to the rod along the line's path. A counter is connected to the conductive sensors to count the number of conductive portions that pass by the sensors and complete a circuit therewith. Based on the number of counts and the length of the interval between the conductive portions, the overall length of line that is unwound from the real, that is, passes by the sensors, is calculated and displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for determining the position for translating, rotating and complex motion generating shaft elements are provided. A layer may be deposited over an exterior surface of the shaft element containing a known surface geometry to provide for monitoring displacement using one or more proximity sensors. The proximity sensor detects any change in the distance between the sensor and the exterior surface geometry of the shaft element. The shaft element may alternatively be magnetized for use with magnetic sensors. The gap dimension is proportional to and/or indicative of the absolute position.

Abstract: A movable member is slidably mounted on a fixed member so as to be moved in a predetermined direction, and a linear sensor is attached to the fixed member, a slider is slidably mounted on the linear sensor so as to be moved in the predetermine direction. A fixed rack is attached to the fixed member, and a movable rack is slidably mounted on the fixed member and connected to the movable member so as to be moved in the predetermined direction. A first gear is pivotally mounted on the slider and engaged with the fixed rack and movable rack.

Abstract: A sensor structured as a two-part oscillator is employed in a device for measuring the position of a movable operating member of a machine, such as a plunger in a glassware forming machine. The plunger is attached on a piston rod of a piston/cylinder unit cooperating with the measuring device for the continuous measurement of the position of the plunger during its stroke. The first part of the sensor is a resonance circuitry formed of a coil and a capacitor. The capacitor has first and second capacitor elements stationary relative to one another and a third capacitor element movable with the piston rod relative to the first and second elements. The resonance circuitry is disposed in the cylinder of the unit such that the resonance frequency of the resonance circuitry is variable in proportion to the change of capacitance of the capacitor in response to the change of the position of the piston rod relative to the cylinder.

Abstract: A pattern forming apparatus comprising a sample base for positioning a sample on the base and moving a drawing position of the sample, a position measuring unit for measuring a position of the sample base, a correcting unit for mutually independently correcting drawing positions at those respective areas into which a whole drawing section of the sample is divided, the drawing position being calculated by the position measuring unit at the respective area, and a drawing unit for drawing a pattern on the sample on the basis of the position of the sample base measured by the position measuring unit and drawing position of the respective area corrected by the correcting unit.

Abstract: A probe tip locator for use in determining the x-axis location and y-axis location of a probe tip of a microscope relative to the locator, the locator comprising a plurality of first reference lines parallel in a first direction, each of the first reference lines representing a predetermined x-axis location of the probe tip; a plurality of sets of parallel encoded bit fields, each one of the sets corresponding to one of the first reference lines; and a plurality of second reference lines parallel in a second direction, each one of the second reference lines intersecting at least one of the first reference lines at an acute angle, such that a scan of a portion of the locator is used to determine the x-axis location and y-axis location of the probe tip relative to the probe tip locator by movement of the probe tip relative to the probe tip locator.

Abstract: A device and a method for mechanically adjusting graduation-scale carrier members, which form a scale for a preferably incremental measuring system. The device and the method can be used both for angle measuring instruments as well as for length measuring instruments. A wedge-shaped form-locking between segments of the graduation-scale carrier members and fixing elements enables forces produced by setting screws orthogonally to the measuring direction and exerted on the fixing elements to be varied in their effective direction, so that they have a component that is parallel to the measuring direction and, thus, to the extension of the graduation-scale carrier member. As a result, the setting screws can be used to exert a compressive or tensile force on the graduation-scale carrier member to be used for the adjustment thereof. The gap width at the joint of two graduation-scale carrier members can be adjusted in the same way as is the graduation-scale carrier member.

Abstract: The present application discloses an apparatus and a method for synchronizing the activation of a light source with the position of a hand piece on a surface and for providing a substantially homogenous exposure of a surface to light irradiation. The apparatus includes a light source, a handpiece for delivering light pulses to the irradiated surface, and a beam delivery system for delivering light from the light source to the handpiece. The handpiece, which is moved along the surface by an operator, includes a sensor for sensing the distance traversed by the handpiece on the surface. The sensor sends signals to a signal processing unit which calculates the distance traversed by the handpiece on the surface and controls the activation of the light source either by automatically activating the light source or by providing the operator with a signal indicating that the light source should be pulsed.

Abstract: A linear encoder including a modular scale having at least one support and a plurality of graduation carriers mounted on the support and arranged one behind another in a longitudinal direction, with the support and the graduation carriers having substantially same coefficients of thermal expansion, and with the graduation carriers having knife-shaped butt junction surfaces, the linear encoder further having a measuring head for scanning the scale.

Abstract: A position sensor having a housing which defines a carriage guide, a carriage movably arranged in the guide, and a measurement probe arranged on the carriage for transmitting a measurement signal as a function of a position of the carriage. The measurement probe includes a measurement probe carrier separated from the carriage and the carriage guide and movably arranged in the housing. The measurement probe carrier is also connected to the carriage and the carriage guide so that a force can only be transmitted to the measurement probe carrier parallel to a movement direction.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a measuring device which is capable of improving anti-vibration property and anti-impact property. The measuring device comprises a case 1, a spindle 11 displaceably provided to the case 1, a sensor on stationary side attached to the case 1 through a base 33 and a sensor on movable side formed on a scale 35 attached to the spindle 11, and a relative displacement amount of the two sensors 32 and 34 opposing at a predetermined gap G therebetween. A gap enlargement limiting pin 41 is provided on the side of the spindle 11 to restrict a fluctuation of the gap G caused by vibration of the spindle 11 and the like within a predetermined allowance, and a gap reduction limiting film 42 is provided to the sensor on stationary side 32.

Abstract: The present invention provides a position detection apparatus capable of reducing the bending moment in the longitudinal direction of a recording medium and being fixed to a machine tool without deforming the main body or the recording medium, thus enabling to obtain a high detection accuracy. The position detection apparatus detects a relative movement position between the reference block 4 and the movable block which move relative to each other along straight line. A round bar-shaped recording medium 12 is provided inside a frame 11 of a main body 2. The frame 11 is fixed to the reference block 4 with a fixing member 55 having an abutment surface for the frame 11 which abutment surface has a curvature only in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a position detection apparatus capable of suppressing a crosstalk between a scale signal and an origin signal and detecting a position with a high accuracy. A recording medium 12 of a round bar shape has a magnetic signal alternately reversing the polarity at a predetermined recording wavelength .lambda..sub.1 and recorded as a scale signal in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium 12. This scale signal is recorded over the entire outer circumferential surface of the recording medium 12 and almost over the entire length of the recording medium 12. Moreover, the recording medium 12 has a one-wavelength origin signal of recording wavelength .lambda..sub.2 recorded at least at one position over the scale signal. The recording wavelength .lambda..sub.2 of this origin signal is longer than the recording wavelength .lambda..sub.1 of the scale signal. The origin signal is recorded at a part of the outer circumference.

Abstract: An electrical base 32 having a stationary detection element 31 is fixed to a body case 11 movably supporting a spindle 13, and a synthetic resin made scale holder 34 is provided to synchronize with the spindle 13 and move through a guide 33. In addition, a scale 36 having a movable detection element 35 is adherently fixed to the scale holder 34 at a plurality of points. More specifically, a projection 51 is fixed through an adhesive layer 52 to the back face of the scale 36, and held in a accommodating hole 46 formed in the scale holder 34, and then adhered through an adhesive layer 53 in the circumferential direction. As a result, the reduction in weight can be achieved and a disadvantage with the reduction in weight (which is that a gap between a stationary detection element and a movable detection element is changed) can be resolved.

Abstract: A power window apparatus is provided for detecting pinching in accordance with the opened/closed position of the window and a state of rotation of a motor, the apparatus having a position sensor which detects a safety-control suspension region of the window and which is an accurate sensor. A spiral guide groove is formed in the inner surface of a housing opposite to a rotational plate which is rotated by an output shaft of a motor which opens/closes a window. A follower which is guided by the spiral guide groove is able to move along a straight guide groove provided for the rotational plate in the radial direction. Terminals in the form of conductive films are provided for a printed circuit board accommodated in the housing. When the rotational plate has been rotated, the follower is guided by the spiral guide groove so as to be moved in the straight guide groove. Thus, a slide member provided for the follower is brought into contact with the terminals so that the terminals are conducted with each other.

Abstract: A length measurement system for measuring the relative position of two objects in a given measuring direction comprises a scale carrier which carries a measurement scale and which is fastened to a first of the two objects and a scanning head which scans the measurement scale at a scanning location and is fastened to the second of the two objects. The scale carrier is constructed so as to be stiff in the longitudinal direction but can deflect in a springing manner vertical to the measuring direction and is fastened by only one of its ends to the first object, while its other end projects freely. The scale carrier is positively guided in the region of the scanning head.

Abstract: An arrangement for accommodating a scale (2) of a length measuring device in a positive-locking engagement has a profile base (1) and lateral profile legs (4, 5) which are connected with the profile base so as to project away from it. A scale (2) is arranged between the profile legs (4; 5). The profile legs (4; 5) are made of elastic material and the profile base (1) is made of a longitudinally stable, bendable material. The profile legs (4; 5) can contain elastic sealing slats.

Abstract: An angular encoder including a flexible measurement tape having a graduation and secured to a sector of a convex or concave, as the case may be, circumferential surface of a support, a scanning head for scanning the graduation of the measurement tape and two tensioning or pressure devices provided at opposite ends of the measurement tape, dependent on whether the measurement tape abuts a convex or concave circumferential surface, respectively, which apply to the two ends of the measurement tape equal tensioning or pressure forces acting in opposite directions, respectively.

Abstract: A scale or scanning unit of a measuring instrument for measuring the relative motion of two objects movable toward one another is secured to the one object and cooperates with a scanning unit or a scale to detect the relative location of the object. According to the invention, the scale or the scanning unit has means for at least one interlocking connection with the object, which is embodied along the longitudinal extent of the scale or the scanning unit.

Abstract: For directed mounting of a measurement strip in a length measuring system in which two bodies are arranged so as to be displaceable relative to one another, lateral mounting elements are fastened along the length of the measurement strip at a machine part against which the measurement strip is mounted before the measurement strip is fastened to this body.

Abstract: A self-calibrating position transducer system and method uses the position transducer itself as a position reference during calibration, thus eliminating using an external reference during calibration. The transducer signals are sampled at a plurality of evenly-spaced positions within each sampled scale wavelength, using the transducer itself as a position reference. The calibration values for the DC signal offsets, the amplitudes and non-orthogonality of the fundamental signals, the amplitudes of the signal harmonic components and position offsets are then determined using Fourier analysis techniques. The transducer signals are corrected using the determined calibration values, which are in turn used to revise the stored calibration values in anticipation of the next calibration operation. The self-calibrating position transducer uses the stored calibration values to enhance its accuracy.

Abstract: An absolute position-measuring device has several graduation tracks with different graduation periods. Because of the low-pass filter behavior of the scanning elements, scanning signals with a high frequency are effected in the phase. A correction device is provided to compensate this frequency-dependent phase shift (.phi.). As a function of the instantaneous frequency (f) of the scanning signal, the phase of the latter is corrected by a correction value (.phi.) stored in the correction device.

Abstract: A position measuring system that includes a scale graduation and a scanning element, wherein the scanning element moves relative to the scale graduation along a measurement direction so as to generate position-dependent, intensity-modulated output signals. The scanning element includes a dynamic characteristic, which has saturation areas adjoining both sides of an at least partially approximately linear operating area, in which no significantly changed output signal results any more, even when the input signal changes. The scanning gap (d) between the scale graduation and the scanning element is selected in such a way that as the scanning element moves over its entire measurement range a modulation between maximum input signals, which are located in the saturation areas of the dynamic characteristic, takes place.

Abstract: In an arrangement for fastening a length measurement device at a guide rail for a guide slide which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and has a measurement rod and a measuring head which is movable relative to the latter, wherein the measuring head is detachably connected with the guide slide, the measurement rod is coupled directly, or indirectly in a positive engagement via a measurement rod carrier body connected with it, directly to the guide rail (1)so as to be detachable. The measurement rod or the measurement rod carrier body can be inserted by its longitudinal edges into corresponding recesses arranged at the guide rail.

Abstract: A dial gauge with a simplified structure and reductions in number of parts and production costs. In the dial gauge having a case 10 which is composed of a case body 11, a front case member 21 provided on the front of the case body 11, and a rear case member 31 provided on the rear of the case body 11, the case body 11 and the front case member 21 are combinedly formed by using plastic materials. The rear case member 31 includes a rear cover and a reinforcing plate covering the rear of the case body 11.

Abstract: A method and device for positioning non-linear machine parts using a timing element, particularly for machine parts that are in non-linear motion. The invention has a pair of sensors spaced apart for reading bar code marks on the timing unit when the timing unit is disposed on a circular or spherically-shaped carrier surface. Where long surfaces are involved, the ends of the timing unit or clock ruler are butt-jointed together and include a gap having a width deviating from the window openings of the bar code. Thus, the second sensor, which is connected to a second comparator, contains a test circuit for the code signals that are received. When the code signals do not correspond to the width of the bar code pitch, they are passed over to a second counter, and the first counter is disconnected from the line.

Abstract: An arrangement as well as a method for the automatic correction of error-containing scanning signals, which contain defined deviations from the ideal signal shape, of incremental position measuring devices is disclosed, wherein an ideal signal shape is presupposed by a downstream arranged evaluation unit. In this case the scanning signals are supplied to a processor unit, and correcting values are determined by means of a correction algorithm which are converted in turn into appropriate control signals. The analog scanning signals as well as the control signals are supplied to a correction unit, which contains several adjustment possibilities for correcting the error-containing scanning signals by the control signals acting on them. The processor unit as well as the correction unit are arranged in such a way that scanning signals, which have already passed through the correction unit, are present at the input side of the processor unit.

Abstract: In a length measurement device for measuring the relative position of two objects in which a scale is connected with one object via retaining elements and the ruling of the scale is sensed by a sensing unit formed of a measurement head and a measurement carriage, wherein the sensing unit is coupled to the other object via a coupling point by drivers which are constructed as a deflectable, elastic coupling device. The coupling device is fastened to the measurement carriage at two connection locations, wherein the coupling point is arranged between these connection locations for coupling the sensing unit to the other object.

Abstract: An electronic linear tape measure using a low power induced current position transducer. The tape measure includes an enclosure case with a lateral slot through which the tape blade can be pulled. The tape blade is wound inside the enclosure case on a tape reel which is mounted on an axis support that has a spring loaded rewind mechanism. Also included are a tape lock, a keypad for various functions, and a conventional LCD display for displaying measured lengths. The signal processing and display electronics of the electronic tape measure are connected to the active portion of the transducer. The display provides an indication of the relative position between the elements of the transducer that coincides with the length of tape that has been pulled from the enclosure case.

Abstract: A position detection device that comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, an alternating current (AC) bridge comprised of four variable capacitors, and a detection circuit. The first and second substrates have a flat first electrode surface and a flat second electrode surface, respectively. The second substrate is mounted opposite the first substrate with the first electrode surface opposite the second electrode surface and separated from the second electrode surface by a minute gap. The second substrate and the first substrate are movable relative to one another in the plane of the electrode surfaces. Each of the variable capacitors is composed of a first capacitor electrode located on the first electrode surface and a second capacitor electrode located opposite the first capacitor electrode on the second electrode surface.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus having a scale with resilient engaging portions that attach to a lower surface of the scale and engage insertion holes in a track rail into which fastening members are inserted for fixing the track rail to a bed. Also, a track rail unit that includes the position detection apparatus, and a guide unit that includes the track rail unit.

Abstract: A length measuring device and method for mounting the same is provided. A tube-shaped housing, which is sealed by mounting blocks attached at each end is fastened on an object by the mounting blocks. The mounting blocks have inserting elements with protrusions which interlockingly engage cutouts formed in the housing and, in this way, fix the housing in place in the measuring direction (X) with respect to the mounting blocks (5). The mounting blocks fasten the housing on an object in such a way that the housing undergoes the same thermal expansion and shrinkage as the object to which it is mounted.

Abstract: An encoder for determining a position of an object and including a measuring standard, a standard carrier, and a scanner displaceable relative to the measuring standard for scanning the measuring standard, with the limit positions switches being formed as magnetic stripes secured in the end positions of the at least one of measuring standard and the standard carrier, and with the scanner including a Hall element for scanning the magnetic stripes.

Abstract: A scale, which is provided for use with a displacement sensor, has a high degree of freedom and is capable of being manufactured at a low cost. The scale includes a graduation section and a base board which is formed separately from the graduation section and which is bonded to the graduation section. By bonding a graduation section to a separate base board, a single graduation section can be used for scales of varying lengths. Sufficient rigidity is provided by bonding a separate base board to the graduation section.

Abstract: A linear encoder for measuring a relative position of two objects displaceable relative to each other, including a scale for being secured on one of the objects and formed of a graduation carrying measuring standard and a measuring standard support, and a device for scanning the scale and securable on another of the objects, with the measuring standard support having two regions, which are spaced from each other in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the measuring standard for supporting the measuring standard, one of supporting regions forming a stationary support area and another of the supporting regions forms an elastic support area, and with the stationary and elastic support areas being formed as substantially continuous or interrupted linear support areas extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the measuring standard.

Abstract: A digital measuring device is provided for electronically determining measured distances, such as the dimensions of people or objects, as an integral part of a comprehensive system for manipulating and/or recording the measurement data. The digital measuring system of the present invention includes a digital tape measure for transforming measured distances into electrical signals or representations, and a control and display means for manipulating and recording the data received from the digital tape measure into a useful format. The digital tape measure includes a measuring tape with regularly-spaced markers and an electronic sensing means for detecting the passage of the markers. The control and display means can be incorporated into the digital tape measure itself, or alternatively it can be a separate unit.