SURFACE SENSING DEVICE

• US 20100325863A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Wallace, David Sven
• Granted Patent: US 8,468,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/047 Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/012 Contact-making feeler heads therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49773 by radioactive tracing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

A method for orienting a surface sensing device (SSD) uses an apparatus having a support attachable to a moveable arm of a machine, such as a coordinate measuring apparatus. The support includes a first member rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a SSD for sensing the surface of a workpiece; the SSD is releasably connectable to the first member for rotation therewith. The method includes the steps of disconnecting a SSD from a support, the SSD being connected to the support in a first orientation; rotating one of the SSD and the support relative to the other of the SSD and the support and reconnecting the SSD and the support into a second orientation. An apparatus for orienting a surface sensing device is further described.

Claims

1. A method for orienting a surface sensing device using apparatus comprising a support attachable to a moveable arm of a machine, the support comprising a first member rotatable about a first axis of rotation, a surface sensing device for sensing the surface of a workpiece, the surface sensing device being releasably connectable, directly or indirectly, to the first member for rotation therewith, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps:

disconnecting the surface sensing device from the support, said surface sensing device being connected to the support in a first orientation;

rotating one of the surface sensing device and the support relative to the other of the surface sensing device and the support; and

reconnecting the surface sensing device and the support into a second orientation.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of holding the surface sensing device in a holder.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the moveable arm of the machine moves the surface sensing device into the holder.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein rotation of the first member of the support about the first axis of rotation is actuated by a first motor.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein rotation of one of the surface sensing device and the support relative to the other of the surface sensing device and the support is about the first axis and is effected by the first motor.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein rotation of one of the surface sensing device and the support relative to the other of the surface sensing device and the support is effected by a rotator on the holder.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of reconnecting the support and the surface sensing device comprises moving the moveable arm of the machine such that the support is brought into connection with the surface sensing device.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of measuring the surface of a workpiece.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein measuring the surface of a workpiece comprises scanning the surface of the workpiece.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein surface sensing device is a surface finish probe.

11. A method according to claim 1 using apparatus comprising a support attachable to a moveable arm of a machine, the support comprising a first member rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a second member rotatable about a second axis of rotation, wherein the second member is attached to the first member, and wherein the second axis of rotation is transverse to the first axis of rotation, and a surface sensing device for sensing the surface of a workpiece, the surface sensing device being releasably connectable, directly or indirectly, to the first member for rotation therewith.

12. An apparatus for orienting a surface sensing device comprising:

a support attachable to a moveable arm of a machine;

the support comprising a first member rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a second member rotatable about a second axis of rotation, wherein the second member is attached to the first member, and wherein the second axis of rotation is transverse to the first axis of rotation; and

a surface sensing device for sensing the surface of a workpiece, the surface sensing device being releasably connectable, directly or indirectly, to the first member for rotation therewith;

characterised in that the surface sensing device is releasably connectable to the first member in at least two relative rotational orientations.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the surface sensing device is disconnectable from a first rotational orientation relative to the support and reconnectable in a second rotational orientation relative to the support.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein electrical contacts, for relaying electrical signals from the surface sensing device to the support in the at least two rotational orientations of the surface sensing device with respect to the support, are provided on both the surface sensing device and the support.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the electrical contacts comprise concentric rings of electrical contact material on at least one of the surface sensing device and the support.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the electrical contacts comprise pins of electrical contact material on the other of the surface sensing device and the support.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the electrical contacts comprise a gold plated substrate.

18. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein rotation of the first member of the support about the first axis of rotation is actuated by a first motor.

19. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a holder for holding the surface sensing device.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said holder holds the surface sensing device when it is disconnected from the support.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the holder comprises holding means which assist in disconnecting the surface sensing device from the support.

22. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the surface sensing device is releasably attached to the support by attachment means comprising at least one magnet on one of the support and the surface sensing device and at least one magnetic material on the other of the support and the surface sensing device.

23. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the surface sensing device has a substantially longitudinal axis and senses a surface in a direction transverse to or offset from said substantially longitudinal axis.

24. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the surface-sensing device comprises a probe body, a stylus, and a stylus tip.

25. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the surface-sensing device comprises a surface finish probe.