Renishaw Plc

Graham Richard Ferguson

David Kenneth Thomas

Tim Prestidge

David Collingwood

Timothy Donald Hayter

Clive Esmond Harwood Renton

Edward Stott

William Ernest Lee

Julian Alexander Cluff

Harry Alan Leafe

Peter Kenneth Hellier

Benjamin Jason Merrifield

Stephen Lindsey Tocknell

Andrew Loach

A measurement apparatus for mounting within an enclosure of a machine is described. The apparatus includes a measurement device and a protection means for protecting the measurement device from contaminants present within the machine enclosure. The protection means is switchable between at least a first mode that protects the measurement device from contaminants and a second mode that provides less protection of the measurement device from contaminants than the first mode. A contaminant sensor is used for sensing contamination within the machine enclosure and thereby determining when the protection means can adopt the second mode. A corresponding method is also described.

Measurement apparatus and method

An optical tool measurement device for a machine tool is described. The device includes a light source for directing light towards a tool-sensing region and a sensor for detecting light from the tool-sensing region. A shutter assembly for selectively protecting the sensor from contamination is also provided. The shutter assembly is to provide a closed configuration in which the sensor is covered by the shutter assembly thereby preventing contamination of the sensor and an open configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a first aperture of the shutter assembly. Furthermore, the shutter assembly is configured to additionally provide a constricted configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a second aperture of the shutter assembly, the second aperture being smaller than the first aperture. In this manner, the device has enhanced resistance to contaminants, such as swarf and coolant, present in the machine tool environment.

Tool measurement device for a machine tool

A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Non-contact tool measurement apparatus

The invention relates to the transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine toolto/from an accessorymounted in the spindleof the machine tool. A first electrical link or interfaceprovides electrical communication between the stationary partand the spindle, and a second electrical link or interfaceis provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area. The second linkis in the form of electrical contacts. The invention extends to an accessory shankfor mounting to the spindleof the machine tool, and also to an accessorye.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank

Machine adaptation

The transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool to/from an accessory mounted in the spindle of the machine tool. A first electrical link or interface provides electrical communication between the stationary part and the spindle, and a second electrical link or interface is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area. The second link is in the form of electrical contacts. An accessory shank for mounting to the spindle of the machine tool, and also to an accessory e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank.

The invention relates to the transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine toolto/from an accessorymounted in the spindleof the machine tool. A first electrical link or interfaceprovides electrical communication between the stationary partand the spindleand a second electrical link or interfaceis provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting areaThe second linkis in the form of electrical contacts. The invention extends to an accessory shankfor mounting to the spindleof the machine tool, and also to an accessorye.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank

A displacement responsive device e.g. a measurement probe ( ) is disclosed. Displacement of a stylus ( ) causes resilient movement of a carriage ( ) supported by planar springs ( ) and ( ). This movement is detected by a capacitance sensor ( ), formed from two cylinders ( ) and ( ). The cylinders move in at least three degrees of freedom and changes in their capacitance during the said movement can be determined by a circuit (e.g. FIG. ). Movement in x, y and z directions can be sensed.

Capacitive displacement sensor

Vibrations of the stylus ( ) of a measuring probe ( ) mounted on a machine, and which are transmitted to the probe stylus via the machine quill and probe body, are reduced or eliminated by a vibration damping means positioned within a cavity of the stylus. FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment in which the vibration damping means is a unconstrained rubber cylinder ( ), in a hollow cartridge ( ) connected to the stylus at its tip. Alternatively a dynamic vibration absorber can be used.

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Rodborough, United Kingdom

Graham Richard Ferguson