CMM with object location logic

• US 10,571,237 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2019
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hexagon Metrology Incorporated (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: Hexagon Metrology Incorporated (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Cobb, Zachary, Kocic, Milan
• Primary Examiner(s): Guadalupe-McCall, Yaritza
• Application Number:
  US16/272,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20190186888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 33503
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/005 coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/047 Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/008 using coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37193 Multicoordinate measuring system, machine, cmm

Abstract

A method and apparatus for measuring an object using a coordinate measuring machine locates the object using logic associated with the coordinate measurement machine. In response to locating the object, a controller directs a measuring device of the coordinate measuring machine to measure the object.

Claims

1. A method of measuring an object using a coordinate measuring machine having a measuring device to measure the object, the method comprising:

displaying indicia that provide, to an operator, a visual cue as to the precise location on the coordinate measuring machine for positioning the object;

receiving the object on the coordinate measuring machine;

locating, with a camera, the object on the coordinate measuring machine;

determining, using the indicia and camera, whether the object is properly positioned on the coordinate measuring machine; and

directing the measuring device of the coordinate measuring machine to measure the object.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to directing the measuring device of the coordinate measuring machine to measure the object, re-orienting the object.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, prior to re-orienting the devices, providing visual feedback indicia instructing the operator to re-orient the object.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the feedback indicia comprises graphical indicia showing the operator how to re-orient the object.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the feedback indicia comprises textual indicia instructing the operator to re-orient the object.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying indicia comprises displaying indicia on an LED screen.

7. A method of measuring an object using a coordinate measuring machine having a measuring device to measure the object, the method comprising:

displaying indicia defining a prescribed region for location of the object on the coordinate measuring machine;

receiving the object within the prescribed region of the indicia;

after receiving the object the coordinate measuring machine,

locating the object using object location logic associated with the coordinate measurement machine; and

in response to locating the object, directing the measuring device of the coordinate measuring machine to measure the object.

8. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein receiving the object within the prescribed region of the indicia comprises receiving the object, and adjusting the position of the object to be within the indicia.

9. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein the object location logic comprises a locator camera, and locating the object using object location logic comprises using the locator camera.

10. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein the object location logic comprises a thermal sensor, and locating the object using object location logic comprises using the thermal sensor.

11. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein the object location logic comprises an acoustic sensor, and locating the object using object location logic comprises using the acoustic sensor.

12. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein directing a measuring device of the coordinate measuring machine to measure the object comprises automatically measuring the object.

13. The method of measuring an object of claim 12, wherein the coordinate measuring machine comprises a controller directing the measuring device of the coordinate measuring machine to measure the object.

14. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein the measuring device comprises a measuring camera and wherein the measuring camera is distinct from the object location logic.

15. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, wherein the object has a surface with an object shape, and the prescribed region of the temporary indicia has a target shape that corresponds to the object shape of the object'"'"'s surface, such that positioning the object within the prescribed region of the temporary indicia comprises positioning the object surface within the prescribed region of the temporary indicia.

16. The method of measuring an object of claim 7, further comprising to identifying the object prior to beginning measurement using the object location logic.

17. A coordinate measuring machine, comprising:

a measuring device for measuring an object;

means for displaying indicia, the indicia forming a prescribed region for positioning the object on the coordinate measuring machine; and

object location logic for locating the object; and

a controller for operating the measuring device to measure the object after the object is located by the object location logic.

18. The coordinate measuring machine of claim 17, wherein the object location logic comprises a camera.

19. The coordinate measuring machine of claim 17 wherein the measuring device comprises a measuring camera and wherein the measuring camera is distinct from the object location logic.