Mitutoyo Corporation

Casey Edward Emtman

Michael Nahum

Michael Edward Goldsworthy

William Randall Garrity

Joseph Daniel Tobiason

Kim W Atherton

Scott Allen Harsila

Yong Xie

Matthew Raymond Dockrey

Brynn Kristen Hickman MacCoy

Paul Gerard Gladnick

Robert Kamil Bryll

Benjamin K Jones

Andrew Patzwald

Yuhua Ding

Daniel John Kapner

Avron Zwilling

Michael Vilhauer

Darren Wayne Robinson

Mike Goldsworthy

Eric T Noble

Brynn Kristen Hickman Maccoy

A supplementary metrology position coordinates determination (SMPD) system is used with a robot. 'Robot accuracy' (e.g., for controlling and sensing an end tool position of an end tool that is mounted proximate to a distal end of its movable arm configuration) is based on robot position sensors included in the robot. The SMPD system includes an imaging configuration and an XY scale and an alignment sensor for sensing alignment/misalignment therebetween, and an image triggering portion and processing portion. One of the XY scale or imaging configuration is coupled to the movable arm configuration and the other is coupled to a stationary element (e.g., a frame above the robot). The imaging configuration acquires an image of the XY scale with known alignment/misalignment, which is utilized to determine metrology position coordinates that are indicative of the end tool position, with an accuracy level that is better than the robot accuracy.

Supplementary metrology position coordinates determination system including an alignment sensor for use with a robot

A metrology system includes an optical assembly portion; an adjustment mechanism configured to change a distance and an angular orientation between the optical assembly portion and a workpiece surface; and a processor configured to control the adjustment mechanism to move the optical assembly portion to position a workpiece surface within a focal Z autofocus range; capture an image stack of the workpiece surface wherein each image of the image stack corresponds to a different autofocus height; determine an autofocus height for at least three locations of the workpiece surface; control the adjustment mechanism based on the autofocus heights to rotate the optical assembly portion relative to the workpiece surface to nominally align the optical axis of the optical assembly portion with a surface normal of the workpiece surface and adjust a distance between the optical assembly portion and the workpiece surface; and execute a defined operation on the workpiece surface.

System and method utilizing multi-point autofocus to align an optical axis of an optical assembly portion to be normal to a workpiece surface

An end tool metrology position coordinates determination system is provided for use with a robot. A first accuracy level defined as a robot accuracy (e.g., for controlling and sensing an end tool position of an end tool that is mounted proximate to a distal end of a movable arm configuration of the robot) is based on using position sensors (e.g., encoders) included in the robot. The system includes the end tool, an imaging configuration, XY scale, image triggering portion and processing portion. One of the XY scale or imaging configuration is coupled to the end tool and the other is coupled to a stationary element (e.g., a frame located above the robot). The imaging configuration acquires an image of the XY scale, which is utilized to determine a relative position that is indicative of the end tool position, with an accuracy level that is better than the robot accuracy.

Robot system with end tool metrology position coordinates determination system

A method for providing an extended depth of field (EDOF) image includes: Periodically modulating an imaging system focus position at a high frequency; using an image exposure comprising discrete image exposure increments acquired at discrete focus positions during an image integration time comprising a plurality of modulation periods of the focus position; and using strobe operations having controlled timings configured to define a set of evenly spaced focus positions for the image exposure increments. The timings are configured so that adjacent focus positions in the set are acquired at times that are separated by at least one reversal of the direction of change of the focus position during its periodic modulation. This solves practical timing problems that may otherwise prevent obtaining closely spaced discrete image exposure increments during high frequency focus modulation. Deconvolution operations may be used to improve clarity in the resulting EDOF image.

Machine vision inspection system and method for obtaining an image with an extended depth of field

A light source array used in illumination portions for optical encoders comprising an illumination portion, a scale grating extending along a measuring direction and receiving light from the illumination portion, and a detector configuration. The light source array comprises individual sources arranged in a grid pattern and coinciding with two transverse sets of parallel grid pattern lines that have two different grid line pitches between their parallel lines. Different instances of the light source array may be mounted with different rotational orientations about an axis normal to the grid pattern, for use in different illumination portions adapted for use with respective scale gratings having different grating pitches along the measuring axis direction. By using the different respective rotational orientations, the individual sources are aligned along respective illumination source lines that are spaced apart by different respective illumination source line pitches along the measuring axis direction.

Light source array used in an illumination portion of an optical encoder

A remote display device for displaying real time measurement values is configured to operate as a device in a metrology personal area network ('MPAN') which also includes a dimensional metrology user interface device and one or more dimensional metrology measurement devices (e.g., calipers, etc.). In various implementations, the remote display device is configured to be operable in either a first mode (e.g., a slave mode) or a second mode (e.g., an independent mode). In a slave mode, the remote display device is responsive to control instructions that are received from the dimensional metrology user interface device to configure a display of real time measurement values from one or more of the measurement devices. In an independent mode, the remote display device is configurable to display real time measurement values from one or more of the measurement devices without receiving control instructions from the dimensional metrology user interface device.

Remote display device for use in a metrology personal area network

A compliant thumb wheel assembly coupled to a caliper jaw that moves along a caliper scale member along a measuring axis direction in a caliper comprises a thumb wheel, a compliant element, and a thumb wheel mounting portion rigidly coupled to the caliper jaw. The compliant element is configured to locate the thumb wheel in an operational arrangement for driving the caliper jaw while at the same time transmitting forces between the thumb wheel and the thumb wheel mounting portion by elastic deformation. When a force is applied to the thumb wheel along the measuring axis direction, the compliant element flexes such that the thumb wheel displaces along the measuring axis direction relative to the thumb wheel mounting portion and the caliper jaw, and generates a measuring force that depends on that relative displacement and which is applied to the caliper jaw along the measuring axis direction.

Compliant thumb wheel assembly coupled to a caliper jaw

An illumination portion for an optical encoder is disclosed. The optical encoder comprises the illumination portion, a scale grating extending along a measuring axis direction and arranged to receive light from the illumination portion, and a detector configuration arranged to receive light from the scale grating. The illumination portion comprises an addressable light source array. The addressable light source array comprises individual sources arranged along the measuring axis direction. The addressable light source array is configured to provide at least a first addressable set and a second addressable set of the individual sources.

Illumination portion for an optical encoder

A method for validating a workpiece measurement in a hand-held spatial dimension measurement metrology tool comprises vibrating a portion of the metrology hand tool using the vibration excitation element; sensing a vibration signature using the vibration sensor configuration; identifying a valid contact state between the metrology hand tool and the workpiece based on a vibration signature criterion; identifying a valid seating state based on a measurement stability criterion applied to a set of dimensional measurements of the metrology hand tool; and indicating that a dimensional measurement is valid for a dimensional measurement that is obtained when the valid contact state and the valid seating state occur simultaneously.

Method for validating a workpiece measurement in a dimensional metrology hand tool

A compliant wheel assembly is provided for moving a caliper jaw relative to a caliper spar. The wheel assembly includes a rotary bearing member, a rotary actuation member and a compliant coupling element. The rotary bearing member is coupled to the caliper jaw and may engage the caliper spar. The rotary actuation member is actuated by a user to apply a measuring force. The compliant coupling element is configured to compliantly couple the rotary actuation member to the rotary bearing member. Using the compliant wheel assembly, a user is able to apply a more consistent amount of measurement force than could typically be achieved with a conventional rigid thumb wheel in caliper. In one implementation, a displacement indicator may also be provided that is responsive to the rotational displacement between the rotary bearing and actuation members for indicating an amount of measurement force that is being applied.

Wheel assembly for moving caliper jaw with repeatable force

A flexible mount is provided for coupling a force actuator to a caliper jaw. The flexible mount includes a first mounting portion for being coupled to the caliper jaw, a second mounting portion for being coupled to the force actuator, and a flexible element (e.g., a parallel flexure) coupled between the first and second mounting portions. When a force is applied to the force actuator (e.g., by a user pushing on a thumbwheel) along the measuring axis direction, the flexible element flexes to generate a measuring force that is applied to the caliper jaw. The use of the flexible mount results in more control and a better feel for a user when attempting to exert control to provide a desired amount of force during a measuring process. The flexible mount may also utilize a fastening configuration that is compatible with existing mounting features on existing caliper jaws.

Flexible mount for coupling force actuator to caliper jaw

A force indicator arrangement provides tactile or auditory feedback regarding a measuring force applied through a force actuator to a caliper jaw. The force indicator arrangement, coupled between the force actuator and the caliper jaw, includes an incremented member, an engaging member and a compliant element. The incremented member includes increment marker(s), and the engaging member is arranged to engage the increment marker(s) to produce tactile and/or auditory feedback (e.g., clicks) to indicate an amount of measuring force that is being applied arising from deformation of the compliant element. Different increment marker configurations may be provided to indicate different levels of measuring force. A set of interchangeable force indicator arrangements with different force sensitivities may be provided for use in different applications. A retrofitable force indicator arrangement may also utilize a fastening configuration that is compatible with existing mounting features on existing caliper jaws.

Caliper force indicator with tactile or auditory feedback

An electronic caliper generates power for measurement operations. The caliper comprises a scale member, a slider, a signal processing portion configured to measure a displacement between the scale member and slider, a power generating arrangement attached to the slider comprising a gear assembly configured to rotate in response to a force provided through a power generating handle to the gear assembly by a user moving the power generating handle relative to the gear assembly, and a power generator coupled to the gear assembly and configured to rotate in response to force provided by the rotating gear assembly and provide power to the signal processing portion. The power generating arrangement generates power as the user moves the power generating handle, and the power generating arrangement contributes a motion resistance force component of at most 20N as the user moves the power generating handle with a maximum manual acceleration.

Electronic caliper configured to generate power for measurement operations

An electronic caliper generates power for measurement operations. The caliper comprises a scale member, a slider, a signal processing portion configured to measure a displacement between the scale member and slider, a power generating arrangement attached to the slider comprising a gear assembly configured to rotate in response to a force provided through the scale member to the gear assembly by a user opening or closing the caliper, and a power generator coupled to the gear assembly and configured to rotate in response to force provided by the rotating gear assembly and provide power to the signal processing portion. The power generating arrangement generates power as the user opens or closes the caliper and is configured such that it contributes a motion resistance force component of at most 20N during the user opening or closing the caliper using a maximum manual acceleration and/or speed.

An electrically powered caliper is provided which includes a scale member, a slider, a displacement sensor, a force sensing arrangement and a signal processing portion. The signal processing portion is configured to receive a force signal and indicate a respective force corresponding to the respective position of the slider. Force data is acquired comprising a plurality of respective forces corresponding to respective positions of the slider. The signal processing portion defines an acceptable measurement force range defined by at least a minimum force threshold that is determined such that it exceeds a compensation force corresponding to at least one force component included in the force signal that is independent of user variations of the measurement force. It may analyze acquired force data to identify pre-contact data, and set the minimum force threshold for a current measurement procedure based on that pre-contact data.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Casey Edward Emtman