Tool identification

• US 7,096,077 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Original Assignee: Renishaw PLC
• Inventors: Price, Richard John, Attwood, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rao, Sheela S.
• Application Number:
  US10/481,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20040185706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 700/66, 439/488, 483/8
• US Class Current: 700/66
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/15546 Devices for recognizing tools in a storage device, e.g. coding devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/047 Accessories, e.g. for positioning, for tool-setting, for measuring probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/60 Unique sensor identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/128 the workpiece itself serves as a record carrier, e.g. by its form, by marks or codes on it
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4147 characterised by using a programmable interface controller [PIC]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34291 Programmable interface, pic, plc
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37193 Multicoordinate measuring system, machine, cmm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49302 Part, workpiece, code, tool identification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/132 Responsive to tool identifying information

Abstract

A tool joint part has a PIC incorporated therein for storing data which can be used to identify the tool to which the joint part is interconnected. PICs are incorporated into tool conditioning circuits. An intermediate circuit operates to match the identity stored digitally in a first PIC with the identity stored digitally in another PIC and thereby connect the tool to the appropriate tool conditioning circuit.

Claims

1. A measurement tool identification system comprising:

a co-ordinate positioning machine including a intermediate circuit, a measurement tool holding head, the head including a first joint part having a first releasable mounting and a first electrical connection in electrical communication with the intermediate circuit, and at least one interface circuit in electrical communication with the intermediate circuit, for conditioning the outputs of a tool, the at least one interface circuit having an interface circuit identification device;

a second joint part including a second releasable mounting and a second electrical connection, each being complementary with the mounting and connection of the first joint part, the second joint part including a measurement tool identification device,

the tool and circuit identification devices each comprising a digital data store and wherein the intermediate circuit interrogates the digital data stores of the tool and interface circuit identification devices in order to identify the tool and interface circuits and electrically connects the appropriate interface circuit to the second joint part following the identification.

2. The measurement tool identification system of claim 1, comprising the data storage device being non-volatile memory.

3. The measurement tool identification system of claim 2, comprising the digital data stores each including a programmable device and electrical communication between the intermediate circuit and the second joint part comprises only two conductive paths.

4. The measurement tool identification system of claim 2, comprising the measurement tool identification device being located within the second joint part.

5. The measurement tool identification system of claim 1, comprising the digital data stores each including a programmable device and electrical communication between the intermediate circuit and the second joint part comprises only two conductive paths.

6. The measurement tool identification system of claim 5, comprising the two conductive paths providing a path for measurement tool power as well as data for tool identification.

7. The measurement tool identification system of claim 5, comprising the measurement tool identification device being located within the second joint part.

8. The measurement tool identification system of claim 1, comprising the measurement tool identification device being located within the second joint part.

9. The measurement tool identification system of claim 8, comprising the second joint part including a connector for interconnecting the second joint part to a measurement tool.

10. The measurement tool identification system of claim 9, comprising the complementary releasable mountings of the first and second joint parts forming a kinematic mounting.

11. The measurement tool identification system of claim 10, comprising the intermediate circuit being operable to electrically connect the tool and another interface circuit if no identification data is obtained during interrogation.

12. The measurement tool identification system of claim 10, comprising the intermediate circuit being operable to electrically connect the tool and another interface circuit if the resistance across the second electrical connection varies from a predefined value used to denote digital identification.

13. A measurement tool including a joint part comprising a portion of a releasable kinematic mounting and a portion of an electrical connection, each portion being co-operable with a complementary portion on a co-ordinate positioning machine, the tool further including a first digital data store for holding a digital tool identification code,

in combination with an interface circuit for the tool which comprises a second digital data store for holding a digital interface circuit identification code,

whereby when the tool is connected to the co-ordinate positioning machine and interrogated thereby, the tool digital identification code identifies the tool and indicates that the tool is to be electrically connected to said interface circuit having said digital interface circuit identification code.

14. The measurement tool of claim 13, wherein the tool has a predefined resistance that, when connected to the coordinate positioning machine and interrogated thereby, indicates that the tool contains said digital tool identification code.