Portable coordinate measurement machine

• US 7,032,321 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2005
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Hasloecher, Kenneth J., Raab, Simon, Barber, Marc, Sajedi, Seyed Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Guadalupe, Yaritza
• Application Number:
  US11/028,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20050144799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 33503-504, 335/56, 335/59, 336/00, 336/08, 33/1.PT, 33/1.N
• US Class Current: 33/503
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 35/04 using a feeler or the like travelling along the outline of the pattern, model or drawing; Feelers, patterns, or models therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 17/025 mounted in series
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0016 using springs
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0091 Shock absorbers in general F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/0012 making use of synthetic construction materials, e.g. plastics, composites
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/023 Cartesian coordinate type
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/06 characterised by multi-articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1602 characterised by the control system, structure, architecture
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/005 coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/03 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/25 by projecting a pattern, e.g. one or more lines, moiré fringes on the object G01B11/255 takes precedence ; image analysis for depth or shape recovery G06T7/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/045 Correction of measurements G01B9/02055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/004 for measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/008 using coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/521 from laser ranging, e.g. using interferometry; from the projection of structured light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/01 Magnetic

Abstract

A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm is progressively tapered from the base to the probe and preferably the jointed arm segments include tapered and/or threaded ends.

Claims

1. A portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume, comprising:

a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of jointed arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal;

a measurement probe attached to a first end of said articulated arm;

at least one of said jointed arm segments including opposed threaded ends, one of said threaded ends being a female threaded end and the other of said threaded ends being a male threaded end and wherein said at least one jointed arm segment is threadably interconnected to adjoining arm segments; and

an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of the probe in a selected volume.

2. The CMM of claim 1 including:

a base attached to a second end of said articulated arm; and

said arm being progressively tapered from said base to said probe with said arm having the largest diameter at said base and the smallest diameter at said probe.

3. The CMM of claim 1 wherein:

said threaded ends are tapered.

4. The CMM of claim 1 wherein said at least one jointed arm segment comprises at least two jointed arm segments.

5. The CMM of claim 4 wherein said probe is threadably connected to one of said at least two jointed arm segments.

8. The CMM of claim 4 wherein said at least two jointed arm segments are adjacent to one another.

9. The CMM of claim 8 including a base threadably connected to one of said at least two jointed ann segments.

10. The CMM of claim 9 wherein said probe is threadably connected to the other of said at least two jointed arm segments.

6. A portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume, comprising:

a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of jointed arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal;

a measurement probe attached to a first end of said articulated arm;

at least one of said jointed arm segments including complimentary male and female tapered ends and wherein said at least one jointed arm segment is interconnected to adjoining arm segments using said tapered ends; and

an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of the probe in a selected volume.

7. The CMM of claim 6 wherein:

said tapered ends are fastened together using threadable fasteners.

11. The CMM of claim 6 wherein said at least one jointed arm segment comprises at least two jointed arm segments.

12. The CMM of claim 11 wherein said at least two jointed arm segments are adjacent to one another.

13. The CMM of claim 12 including a base threadably connected to one of said at least two jointed arm segments.

14. The CMM of claim 13 wherein said probe is threadably connected to the other of said at least two jointed arm segments.

15. The CMM of claim 11 wherein said probe is threadably connected to one of said at least two jointed arm segments.