Co-Ordinate Measuring Machine

• US 20080120860A1
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hexagon Technology Center GmbH (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Pettersson, Bo
• Granted Patent: US 7,513,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/503
• 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

Abstract

A co-ordinate measuring machine to determine the co ordinates of a number of points on the surface of a measurement object, including a support beam (4) that supports a measurement head over the surface of a support table (1) that supports the measurement object, the co ordinates of which are to be measured. The support beam (4) is supported above the support table (1) by two legs (7, 8) that are not only possible to displace together along the support table (1) in order to displace the support beam (4) and the measurement head forwards and backwards in a direction relative to the support table (1), but also it is possible to displace the legs (7, 8) relative to each other in different directions along the support table (1) in order to raise and lower the support beam (4) and the measurement head relative to the support table.

Claims

1. A co-ordinate measuring machine to determine the co-ordinates of a number of points on the surface of a measurement object, comprising a support beam (4) that supports a measurement head over the surface of a support table (1) that supports the measurement object the co-ordinates of which are to be measured, characterised in that the support beam (4) is supported above the support table (1) by means of two legs (7, 8;

13, 14) that are not only possible to displace together along the support table (1) in order to displace the support beam (4) and the measurement head forwards and backwards in a direction relative to the support table (1), but also it is possible to displace the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) relative to each other in different directions along the support table (1) in order to raise and lower the support beam (4) and the measurement head relative to the support table.

2. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterised in that it is a portal measuring machine and in that it comprises one pair of support legs that it is possible to displace not only along the support table but also relative to each other.

3. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise at least partially common driving means for the displacement of the legs along the support table (1).

4. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the driving means (11, 12) comprise a linear motor with one magnet that is common to both legs.

5. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the driving means (11, 12) comprise a toothed rail and toothed wheel system, with one toothed rail that is common for both legs.

6. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate driving means (11, 12) for displacement of the legs along the support table.

7. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate position sensors and in that the support table comprises a measurement scale that is common to both legs.

8. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the support beam (4) supports a vertical shaft (6) that is arranged such that it cannot be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the support beam (4).

9. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the vertical shaft (6) is arranged such that it can rotate around its own axis.

10. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 8, characterised in that a measurement probe is arranged at the end of the vertical shaft (6).

11. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise at least partially common driving means for the displacement of the legs along the support table (1).

12. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate driving means (11, 12) for displacement of the legs along the support table.

13. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate position sensors and in that the support table comprises a measurement scale that is common to both legs.

14. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate position sensors and in that the support table comprises a measurement scale that is common to both legs.

15. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate position sensors and in that the support table comprises a measurement scale that is common to both legs.

16. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 5, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate position sensors and in that the support table comprises a measurement scale that is common to both legs.

17. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the legs (7, 8;

13, 14) comprise separate position sensors and in that the support table comprises a measurement scale that is common to both legs.

18. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the support beam (4) supports a vertical shaft (6) that is arranged such that it cannot be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the support beam (4).

19. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the support beam (4) supports a vertical shaft (6) that is arranged such that it cannot be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the support beam (4).

20. The co-ordinate measuring machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the support beam (4) supports a vertical shaft (6) that is arranged such that it cannot be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the support beam (4).