Surface-sensing device
First Claim
1. A surface sensing device for use on a head of a coordinate positioning machine, the device comprising:
- an elongated stylus;
first supporting means for supporting the stylus for movement with one linear degree of freedom along a linear axis parallel to the length of the stylus;
second supporting means for supporting the stylus for rotation about a first rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the length of the stylus;
third supporting means for supporting the stylus for rotation about a second rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotational axis; and
a motor for rotating the stylus about the first rotational axis in response to a control signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure pertains to a probe head (PH) for use in coordinate measuring machines and having a stylus (10) supported for axial displacement (D1) and angular displacements (D2,D3). A transducer (T1) senses axial forces (F1) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus due to engagement therefore with a workpiece 12. A strain gauge system (16) provided on the stylus senses transverse forces (F2) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus. The forces (F1,F2) are used to determine the orientation of the surface (12A) of the workpiece and a control system is described which responds to those forces to maintain the stylus normal to said surfce (12A) during a scanning operation.
196 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A surface sensing device for use on a head of a coordinate positioning machine, the device comprising:
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an elongated stylus; first supporting means for supporting the stylus for movement with one linear degree of freedom along a linear axis parallel to the length of the stylus; second supporting means for supporting the stylus for rotation about a first rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the length of the stylus; third supporting means for supporting the stylus for rotation about a second rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotational axis; and a motor for rotating the stylus about the first rotational axis in response to a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surface sensing device for use on a head of a coordinate positioning machine, the device comprising:
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an elongate stylus; supporting means for supporting the stylus for rotation about a first rotational axis extending substantially perpendicular to the length of the stylus; a motor for rotating the stylus about the first rotational axis; further supporting means for supporting the stylus for rotation about a second rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotational axis; a further motor for driving said stylus about said second rotational axis; and means for measuring deformation of the stylus in a direction transverse to its length. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a surface sensing device comprising an elongate stylus and a motor for rotating the stylus relative to a datum angle about a first axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a control signal for operating the motor, to rotate the stylus about the first axis of rotation, thereby to urge a free end of the stylus into contact with the surface; applying the control signal to the motor; measuring angular displacement of the stylus relative to the datum angle; measuring deformation of the stylus in a direction transverse to its length; and determining from the said measurements of angular displacement and deformation, the position of the surface relative to a datum. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification