Method of scanning

• US 20060037208A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: McMurtry, David Roberts
• Granted Patent: US 7,165,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/554
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/004 for measuring coordinates of points

Abstract

A method of scanning an object is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a scanning device having a probe and a sample holder whereby the sample holder is rotatable relative to the probe, providing a first feature for indicating the start and/or end of a scan, and recognising the first feature whereby when the first feature is recognised the scanning device is ready to start or end a scan. The scanning device may have a fixed stop which comprises the first feature alternatively, the first feature is provided on the scanning device or on the object. A second feature, located on the scanning device or object for example, may be provided wherein the first feature indicates the start of a scan and the second feature indicates the end of the scan. Also disclosed is an apparatus for scanning an object.

Claims

1. A method of scanning an object comprising the steps of:

providing a scanning device (21) having a probe (24) and a sample holder (29) whereby the sample holder is rotatable relative to the probe;

providing a first feature for indicating the start and/or end of a scan; and

recognising the first feature whereby when the first feature is recognised the scanning device (21) is ready to start or end the scan.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein, the scanning device (21) has a fixed stop which defines a known relationship between the probe (24) and the sample holder (26).

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein, the fixed stop comprises the first feature.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein, the fixed stop indicates the start of a scan.

5. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the first feature is provided on the scanning device (21).

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein, the scanning device further comprises a fixture (29) for at least partially housing an object.

7. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the first feature is provided on the object (27,30).

8. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the first feature indicates the start of a scan and on recognition of the first feature the scanning device (21) is ready to start a scan and the method further comprises the steps of:

providing a second feature for indicating the end of the scan; and

recognising the second feature whereby when the second feature is recognised the scanning device (21) is ready to end the scan.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein, the second feature is provided on the scanning device (21).

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein, the scanning device (21) further comprises a fixture (29) for at least partially housing an object.

11. A method according to claim 8 wherein, the second feature is provided on the object.

12. A method according to claim 8 wherein, the second feature comprises a datum stop.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein, a scan automatically starts or ends when the scanning device recognises the first feature.

14. A method according to any of claims 8 to 12 wherein, a scan automatically ends when the scanning device recognises the second feature.

15. An apparatus for scanning an object comprising:

a scanning device (21) having a probe (24) and a sample holder (26) whereby the sample holder is rotatable relative to the probe; and

a control device (10) for controlling relative motion between the probe and sample holder and for recognising a first feature whereby the control device starts and/or ends a scan on the basis of recognising the first feature.