Machine tool probe

• US 20090140873A1
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Collingwood, David, Fuge, Jonathan Paul, Salt, Geoffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/680
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/047 Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/58 Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/012 Contact-making feeler heads therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37193 Multicoordinate measuring system, machine, cmm

Abstract

A probe has internal circuitry capable of operating in a plurality of different modes, for example a variety of filter modes and turn off modes. A switch on the probe sends an input to a controller which is arranged to set the mode in response to operation of the switch. The switch may be a push button which is operated externally of the probe by means of an actuator in the form of a plunger. The probe has a workpiece-contacting stylus mounted on a seat from which it is deflectable. The stylus and the seat may comprise the switch. An indicator, e.g., an LED, indicates the mode in response to an output from the controller. The controller outputs a plurality of indications of different modes in a sequence and a mode is selected by operating the switch once the desired mode is indicated.

Claims

1. A measurement probe for position determining apparatus, the measurement probe having a surface sensor, internal circuitry capable of operating in a plurality of different modes, a switch, a controller connected to receive an input from the switch and arranged to set the mode in response to operation of the switch.

2. A measurement probe according to claim 1 wherein the measurement probe includes an indicator for indicating the mode in response to an output from the controller.

3. A measurement probe according to claim 1 wherein the controller is arranged to output a plurality of indications of different modes in a sequence.

4. A measurement probe according to claim 1 wherein the switch is mounted inside the probe and operated by an actuator accessible from outside the probe.

5. A measurement probe according to claim 1 wherein the switch comprises a push button switch.

6. A measurement probe according to claim 11 wherein the surface sensor comprises a workpiece contacting stylus.

7. A measurement probe according to claim 6 wherein the stylus is deflectable.

8. A measurement probe according to claim 7 wherein the switch comprises the stylus.

9. A measurement probe according to claim 8 in which the surface contacting stylus is mounted on a seat from which it is deflectable, wherein the stylus and the seat comprise said switch.

10. A measurement probe according to claim 8 wherein the controller receives an input from the switch when the stylus is deflected.

11. A measurement probe according to claim 2 wherein the indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

12. A measurement probe according to claim 2 wherein an indication of the current mode may be obtained by operating the switch for less than a certain time period.

13. A measurement probe according to claim 1 wherein if the switch is operated for greater than a certain time period, the controller enters a mode setting loop.

14. A measurement probe according to claim 1 wherein each mode may also includes a plurality of different sub-modes.

15. A measurement probe according claim 1 wherein the controller is activated by inserting a battery into the probe.

17. A measurement probe according to claim 15 wherein the surface contacting stylus is deflectable.

16. A measurement probe for position determining apparatus;

the measurement probe having a surface contacting stylus, internal circuitry capable of operating in a plurality of different modes, a switch, a controller connected to receive an input from the switch and arranged to set the mode in response to operation of the switch.

18. A measurement probe for position determining apparatus, the measurement probe having internal circuitry capable of operating in a plurality of different modes, a switch, a controller connected to receive an input from the switch and arranged to set the mode in response to operation of the switch.