Coordinate measurement machine
First Claim
1. A coordinate measurement machine comprising:
- a first transfer member;
a second transfer member;
a probe;
a first joint assembly rotatably coupling the first transfer member to the probe and defining at least one axis of rotation, the first joint assembly comprising an encoder for the at least one axis of rotation, the encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of the first joint assembly about the axis of rotation;
a second joint assembly rotatably coupling the first transfer member to the second transfer member and defining at least one axis of rotation, the second joint assembly comprising an encoder for the at least one axis of rotation, the encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of the second joint assembly about the axis of rotation;
a first board assembly positioned in the first transfer member, wherein at least a first portion of the first board assembly is rotatable relative to the first transfer member and a second portion that is rotationally fixed relative to the first transfer member;
a first processor board mounted on the rotatable portion of the first board assembly, the first processor board adapted to receive the signal generated by the encoder of the first joint assembly or the encoder of the second joint assembly and to process said signal; and
a second processor board mounted on the rotationally fixed portion of the first board assembly.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable coordinate measurement machine having three articulating arm transfer members can provide accurate measurements. The transfer members can be single tube assemblies. The transfer members can each be rotatably joined by relatively short articulating joint assemblies allowing relative rotation of adjacent transfer members about two degrees of freedom. Encoders can be used to measure the relative rotation about each of the degrees of freedom, and signals from the encoders can be digitized by processor boards positioned within the transfer members. Processor boards can be placed in tandem in the transfer members, and one or more of the processor boards can be mounted on a rotatable assembly. Slip rings can electrically couple all of the processor boards to allow for infinite rotatability of the articulating arm.
173 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A coordinate measurement machine comprising:
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a first transfer member; a second transfer member; a probe; a first joint assembly rotatably coupling the first transfer member to the probe and defining at least one axis of rotation, the first joint assembly comprising an encoder for the at least one axis of rotation, the encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of the first joint assembly about the axis of rotation; a second joint assembly rotatably coupling the first transfer member to the second transfer member and defining at least one axis of rotation, the second joint assembly comprising an encoder for the at least one axis of rotation, the encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of the second joint assembly about the axis of rotation; a first board assembly positioned in the first transfer member, wherein at least a first portion of the first board assembly is rotatable relative to the first transfer member and a second portion that is rotationally fixed relative to the first transfer member; a first processor board mounted on the rotatable portion of the first board assembly, the first processor board adapted to receive the signal generated by the encoder of the first joint assembly or the encoder of the second joint assembly and to process said signal; and a second processor board mounted on the rotationally fixed portion of the first board assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A transfer member for a coordinate measurement machine comprising:
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a generally tubular member; and a board assembly mounted within the tubular member, the board assembly comprising; a first board support adapted to receive a printed circuit board; a second board support adapted to receive a printed circuit board and rotatably coupled to the first board support; and a slip ring electrically coupling the first board support to the second board support. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A coordinate measurement machine comprising:
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a probe; a first transfer member; a first joint assembly rotatably coupling the probe to the first transfer member, the first joint assembly comprising at least one encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to a degree of rotation of the first joint assembly; a second transfer member; a second joint assembly rotatably coupling the first transfer member to the second transfer member, the second joint assembly comprising at least one encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to a degree of rotation of the second joint assembly; a third transfer member; a third joint assembly rotatably coupling the second transfer member to the third transfer member, the second joint assembly comprising at least one encoder configured to generate a signal corresponding to a degree of rotation of the third joint assembly; a base coupled to the third transfer member; a first processor board assembly positioned within the first transfer member, the first processor board assembly comprising a first processor board operatively coupled to the encoder of the first joint assembly and a second processor board operatively coupled to the encoder of the second joint assembly; and a second processor board assembly positioned within the second transfer member, the second processor board assembly comprising a third processor board operatively coupled to the encoder of the third joint assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification