Deactivatable measurement apparatus
First Claim
1. Dimensional measurement apparatus for use with a machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, comprising:
- a measurement probe comprising a measurement portion having a deflectable stylus for acquiring object position measurements;
an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object position measurements to a machine controller of the machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, the machine controller using the measurement data in combination with machine position information to measure a dimension of an object; and
a deactivation portion for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement apparatus such that output of the measurement data to the machine controller is prevented;
wherein the deactivation portion, in use, reads apparatus usage information from an apparatus usage module and inhibits normal operation of the dimensional measurement apparatus if said apparatus usage information fails to meet one or more predetermined criteria, the apparatus usage information providing a measure of the amount of dimensional measurement apparatus usage.
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Abstract
Measurement apparatus is described that comprises a measurement portion for acquiring object measurements and an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object measurements. A deactivation portion is provided for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement apparatus such that output of the measurement data is prevented. The deactivation portion, in use, reads apparatus usage information from an apparatus usage module and inhibits normal operation of the measurement apparatus if said apparatus usage information fails to meet one or more predetermined criteria. The apparatus usage module may be provided as an integral part of the measurement apparatus or as a separate activation button. The measurement apparatus may comprise a measurement probe such as a touch trigger measurement probe.
25 Citations
17 Claims
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1. Dimensional measurement apparatus for use with a machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, comprising:
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a measurement probe comprising a measurement portion having a deflectable stylus for acquiring object position measurements; an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object position measurements to a machine controller of the machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, the machine controller using the measurement data in combination with machine position information to measure a dimension of an object; and a deactivation portion for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement apparatus such that output of the measurement data to the machine controller is prevented; wherein the deactivation portion, in use, reads apparatus usage information from an apparatus usage module and inhibits normal operation of the dimensional measurement apparatus if said apparatus usage information fails to meet one or more predetermined criteria, the apparatus usage information providing a measure of the amount of dimensional measurement apparatus usage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a dimensional measurement apparatus with a machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, the measurement apparatus comprising a measurement probe having a measurement portion for acquiring object position measurements, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) using the measurement probe of the measurement apparatus to acquire object position measurements, the measurement probe including a deflectable stylus; and (ii) outputting measurement data from the measurement apparatus that is related to the position measurements acquired in step (i), including outputting the measurement data to a machine controller of the machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine; and (iii) the machine controller using the measurement data in combination with machine position data to measure a dimension of an object, wherein the method comprises performing the step of reading apparatus usage information and only performing step (ii) if said apparatus usage information meets one or more predetermined criteria.
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16. A measurement device for use with a machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine comprising:
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a measurement portion having a deflectable stylus for acquiring object measurements; an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object measurements to a machine controller of the machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, the machine controller using the measurement data in combination with machine position information to measure a dimension of an object; and a device disabler for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement device such that output of the measurement data is prevented; wherein the device disabler inhibits operation of the measurement device after an occurrence of a predetermined event and only permits continued operation of the measurement device, including continued operation of a previously used measurement portion, on receipt of an appropriate reactivation instruction. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification