Horizontal-Arm Coordinate Measuring Machine

• US 20100218393A1
• Filed: 04/06/2006
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hexagon Metrology S.p.A. (Hexagon AB)
• Original Assignee: Hexagon Metrology S.p.A. (Hexagon AB)
• Inventors: Garau, Enrico
• Granted Patent: US 8,042,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/503
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/008 using coordinate measuring machines

Abstract

A coordinate measuring machine (1) comprising a base (2) provided with guides (3) parallel to a first axis X, a first mobile carriage (4) on the guides (3) along the axis X and provided with an upright (17), a second carriage (6) carried by the upright (17) and mobile along a second vertical axis Z, and a horizontal arm (7) carried by the second carriage (6) and axially mobile along a third horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the axis X; the first carriage (4) comprises a base (16) provided with a first portion (19, 20) coupled to the guides (3) and a second portion (18) rigidly connected to the upright (17), releasable connection means (27) for reciprocally connecting the first portion (19, 20) and the second portion (18) of the base (16), and articulated connection means (28) between the first portion (19, 20) and the second portion (18) of the base to allow the upright (17) to be tipped when the releasable connection means (27) are released.

Claims

1. A coordinate measuring machine comprising a base provided with first guiding means along a first horizontal axis, a first carriage mobile on the base along said first axis and comprising an upright provided with second guiding means extending towards a second vertical axis, a second carriage carried by the upright and slidable along said second axis, and a horizontal arm carried by the second carriage extending along a third horizontal axis orthogonal to said first axis and mobile along said third axis, wherein the first carriage comprises a base provided with at least one first portion coupled to said first guiding means and at least one second portion rigidly connected to said upright, a releasable connector for reciprocally connecting said first portion and said second portion of said base, and second articulated connection means between said first portion and said second portion of said base for allowing said upright to be tipped with respect to said first portion when said releasable connection connector is released.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said articulated connection means comprises a hinge connection defining an axis of rotation of said second portion with respect to said first portion.

3. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said first guiding means comprises a pair of side guides carried by said base and parallel to said first axis, and wherein said second portion of said base is defined by a central portion of said base rigidly connected to said upright, and wherein said at least first portion of said base is defined by a pair of side shoulders coupled to respective guides.

4. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said releasable connector comprises a plurality of first screws which connect each of said shoulders to opposite sides of said central portion.

5. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said hinged connection comprises a pair of reciprocally coaxial screws which connect each of said shoulders to opposite sides of said central portion.

6. A machine according to claim 2, wherein in that said base comprises ball circulation runners coupled to said guides.

7. A machine according to claim 1, comprising a fastener that secures said upright onto said base in a tipped position of said upright.

8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein said fastener comprises a bracket fixable to an upper end of said upright and an upper surface of said base.

9. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said first carriage, said second carriage and said arm are actuated by respective electric motors, the electric motor operating said first carriage being carried by one of said side shoulders.

10. A machine according to claim 9, comprising an articulated chain for protecting electrical power and control wirings of said electric motors having one end fastened to the base and one end fastened to said shoulder.

11. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said base has a flat treadable top wall and wherein said side guides are fastened underneath said top wall of said base.