Coordinate measuring apparatus having a spatially adjustable probe pin
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A coordinate measuring apparatus for measuring a workpiece, the coordinate measuring apparatus comprising:
- a probe head unit including a probe head and a probe pin with a contact element for contacting the workpiece;
a structure for accommodating the workpiece;
an assembly moveable relative to said structure for adjusting the spatial orientation (θ
, φ
) of said probe pin;
said probe head unit further including a joint for permitting at least one of said probe head and said probe pin to pivot about at least one axis; and
, a releasable holding device for selectively arresting movement of said joint to hold said probe pin in fixed relationship to said assembly and for releasing said joint to permit said joint to move thereby allowing said probe pin to pivot relative to said assembly;
a device mounted on said coordinate measuring apparatus and defining a receptacle for receiving said contact element centered therein;
a control system for driving said assembly to adjust said spatial orientation (θ
, φ
) of said probe pin; and
, said control system being adapted to move said joint along spatial paths so as to maintain said contact element centered in said receptacle.
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Abstract
The invention is directed to a coordinate measuring apparatus wherein the drives (3, 5, 6) for the measuring sleds of the apparatus are controlled on circularly-shaped paths to machine-control adjust the spatial orientation of the probe pin 9. The probe pin is attached to a passive rotation-pivot joint and has a probe ball which is driven into one of several centering gaps of a body 10. In this way, a separate drive for the rotation-pivot joint 8 is not needed.
41 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A coordinate measuring apparatus for measuring a workpiece, the coordinate measuring apparatus comprising:
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a probe head unit including a probe head and a probe pin with a contact element for contacting the workpiece; a structure for accommodating the workpiece; an assembly moveable relative to said structure for adjusting the spatial orientation (θ
, φ
) of said probe pin;said probe head unit further including a joint for permitting at least one of said probe head and said probe pin to pivot about at least one axis; and
, a releasable holding device for selectively arresting movement of said joint to hold said probe pin in fixed relationship to said assembly and for releasing said joint to permit said joint to move thereby allowing said probe pin to pivot relative to said assembly;a device mounted on said coordinate measuring apparatus and defining a receptacle for receiving said contact element centered therein; a control system for driving said assembly to adjust said spatial orientation (θ
, φ
) of said probe pin; and
, said control system being adapted to move said joint along spatial paths so as to maintain said contact element centered in said receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A coordinate measuring apparatus for measuring a workpiece, the coordinate measuring apparatus comprising:
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a probe head unit including a probe head and a probe pin with a contact element for contacting the workpiece; a structure for accommodating the workpiece; an assembly moveable relative to said structure for adjusting the spatial orientation (θ
, φ
) of said probe pin;said probe head unit further including a pivot means for permitting at least one of said probe head and said probe pin to pivot about at least one axis; and
, a releasable holding device for selectively arresting movement of said pivot means to hold said probe pin in fixed relationship to said assembly and for releasing said pivot means to permit said pivot means to move thereby allowing said probe pin to pivot relative to said assembly;a device mounted on said coordinate measuring apparatus and defining a receptacle for receiving said contact element centered therein; a control system for driving said assembly to adjust said spatial orientation (θ
, φ
) of said probe pin; and
,said control system being adapted to move said axis along spatial circular paths referred to the position of said contact element as a center point.
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11. A method for aligning a probe pin in a coordinate measuring apparatus including a control system and a probe head unit including a probe head and a probe pin with a contact element for contacting a workpiece, the probe head unit further including a joint for permitting at least one of said probe head and said probe pin to pivot relative to said apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
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moving said probe pin so that said contact element thereof seats centered in a receptacle of a device mounted on said apparatus; utilizing said control system to drive said joint on a path in such a manner that said contact element remains centered in said device and to thereby produce a pivot movement of said probe pin to newly orientate said probe pin; and
,then moving said probe pin with said contact element out of said receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for aligning a probe pin in a coordinate measuring apparatus including a control system and a probe head unit including a probe head and a probe pin with a contact element for contacting a workpiece, the probe head unit further including pivot means for permitting at least one of said probe head and said probe pin to pivot relative to said apparatus about at least one axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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moving said probe pin so that said contact element thereof seats centered in a receptacle of a device mounted on said apparatus; utilizing said control system to drive said pivot means along a spatial circular path referred to the position of said centered contact element to thereby produce a pivot movement of said probe pin while said contact element maintains its position in said receptacle to newly orientate said probe pin; and
,then moving said probe pin with said contact element out of said receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification