Coordinate measuring instrument with feeler element and optic sensor for measuring the position of the feeler
First Claim
1. A method for measuring the structure of an object by means of a flexible feeler means that is operatively connected to a coordinate measuring instrument, wherein the feeler means is brought into contact with the object and the position of the feeler means is then determined, the feeler means comprising a mechanically flexible and deflectable feeler extension, wherein said feeler extension is deflectable due to its inherent flexibility, the position of the feeler extension, or of a target extending from the feeler extension and operatively connected to the feeler extension is directly determined with an optical sensor, and wherein certain coordinates of the feeler extension or of the target are linked with those of the coordinate measuring instrument for measuring the structure of the object, using the optical sensor.2.Method according to claim 1, wherein the feeler extension or the target is moved towards the object from its side facing towards the sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for measuring structures of an object using a feeler element associated with a coordinate measuring instrument and extending from an elastic bendable feeler extension is disclosed, and wherein the feeler element is brought into contact with an object having structures to be measured and the position of the feeler is then determined by comparing the position of the feeler as determined by the coordinate measuring instrument with the position determined by the optical sensor.
50 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for measuring the structure of an object by means of a flexible feeler means that is operatively connected to a coordinate measuring instrument, wherein the feeler means is brought into contact with the object and the position of the feeler means is then determined, the feeler means comprising a mechanically flexible and deflectable feeler extension, wherein said feeler extension is deflectable due to its inherent flexibility, the position of the feeler extension, or of a target extending from the feeler extension and operatively connected to the feeler extension is directly determined with an optical sensor, and wherein certain coordinates of the feeler extension or of the target are linked with those of the coordinate measuring instrument for measuring the structure of the object, using the optical sensor.
2.Method according to claim 1, wherein the feeler extension or the target is moved towards the object from its side facing towards the sensor.
- 4. Method according to claim 4, wherein the deflection of the feeler extension is measured by displacement of its image or of an image of a target on a sensor field.
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13. A coordinate measuring machine for measuring the structure of an object, the machine comprising a support table arranged on the X-Y axes of the measuring machine for supporting the object, a holding device adjustable in the X-Y-Z axes of the measuring machine, feeler means including a mechanically flexible and deflectable feeler extension, wherein said feeler extension is deflectable due to its inherent flexibility, said feeler extension having a contact tip at its end and being operatively connected to said holding device, an optical sensor for determining the location of said contact tip or a target directly associated with said contact tip, and a measurement computer for calculating the structure of the object based on the position of the contact tip or the target.
- 14. Coordinate measuring instrument according to claim 14 wherein the contact tip (14) or the target (46, 48, 50) is designed as a reflector.
Specification