Hexagon Metrology Gmbh

Dimensional Photonics International, Inc.

Waters Technologies Corporation

Dimensional Photonics, Inc.

Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation

Singh, Gurpreet

Schneider, Jürgen

Gurpreet Singh

John Langlais

Jie Zheng

Robert F Dillon

Timothy I Fillion

Neil H K Judell

Nathan E Wallace

Milan Kocic

Joseph G Spanedda

Yi Qian

Paul Racine

Neil Judell

Colin Fredette

Neal Pugh

Zachary Cobb

Jürgen Schneider

Michael Mariani

Yunqing Zhu

D Scott Ackerson

Dan Sullivan

Jessica Zheng

Yuqing Zhu

Described is a rotary coupling that includes a pair of coupling bodies having parallel (preferably coincident) rotation axes, two cylindrical elements and a preload mechanism. A gap is provided between surfaces on the first and second coupling bodies. The first cylindrical element is disposed on the first coupling body and has a first cylinder axis, and the second cylindrical element is disposed on the second coupling body adjacent to the first cylindrical element and has a second cylinder axis that is perpendicular to the first cylinder axis. The preload mechanism imparts a force to each of the first and second coupling bodies and thereby preloads the first and second cylindrical elements against each other at a point of contact. One example of the preload mechanism includes a pair of magnets disposed opposite each other across the gap and another example of the preload mechanism includes an air bearing.

Rotary coupling with magnetic preload

A coordinate measuring machine revises its original measurement trajectory, prior to completing its measurement of a work piece, upon detecting misalignment between its original measurement trajectory and the orientation of the work piece.

Dynamically adapting operation of a coordinate measuring machine

A coordinate measuring machine system has a base configured to support a workpiece, a movable portion configured to move relative to the base, and a control system configured to control movement of the base and/or the movable portion. The system also has a set of probes that each are configured to be removably couplable with the movable measurement portion. Each probe is configured to be removably couplable with the movable measurement portion, and has a shaft with a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end has a region for coupling with the movable measurement portion, while the distal end has a region configured to interact with the workpiece. Each of the probes also has visual identifying indicia on the shaft. The visual identifying indicia are encoded to identify at least one characteristic of the probe. Specifically, the indicia are encoded as Base 3 or Base 4 indicia.

Coordinate measuring machine probe identification apparatus and method

Various embodiments improve the performance and reliability of coordinate measuring machines by verifying that coordinate measuring machine is configured to use the appropriate probe or stylus for measuring an object. In some embodiments, confirmation that the appropriate probe or stylus is mounted is built into an automated part of the CMM's measurement process, thereby assuring that a confirmation step is performed and that the outcome is correct.

CMM apparatus for identifying and confirming the stylus

A probe head of a coordinate measuring machine ('CMM') includes a sensor to detect impact of the probe head with a foreign object. The probe head is movably coupled to the CMM such that the sensor detects motion of the probe head relative to a portion of the CMM resulting from an impact event. Some embodiments cause the CMM to take action in response to detecting an impact. Probe clips allow adjustment of the position of a CMM probe relative to the portion of the CMM from which the probe is suspended. This allows the position and orientation of the CMM probe to be adapted to a variety of applications.

Optical probe with crash protection and probe clips

A probe clip allows easy and accurate placement of a probe clip onto a coordinate measuring machine ('CMM'). Moreover various probe clips are configured to movably and adjustably secure an optical probe to the CMM. To that end, the probe clip may have a probe seat, for holding the probe, movably coupled to a clamp segment by an adjustable joint. The clamp segment movably couples the probe seat to a probe platform on the CMM.

Probe clips for a coordinate measuring machine

A coordinate measuring machine has a base for supporting an object, a movable assembly having a probe for measuring the object, and a rail movably guiding the movable assembly along its length. The rail includes carbon fiber and has a rail CTE. The coordinate measuring machine also has an air bearing member circumscribing the rail and fixedly coupled with the movable assembly. The air bearing member has a member CTE, which is about equal to the rail engineered CTE.

Coordinate measuring machine with carbon fiber air bearings

An apparatus for calibrating an x-ray computed tomography device has a plurality of objects formed from a material that is visible to x-rays. The plurality of objects are configured to receive x-rays without changing shape, and have substantially the same shape. The objects each have an object attenuation value to x-rays and a center point such that they are symmetrically shaped relative to their respective center points. The apparatus also has a base at least in part fixedly supporting the plurality of objects so that each of the plurality of objects contacts at least one of the other objects. Like other physical objects, such as the objects, the base has a base attenuation value to x-rays, and that value is greater than the base attenuation value. The center points of the plurality of objects together form a three-dimensional volume.

Three-dimensional x-ray CT calibration and verification apparatus and method

A coordinate measuring machine has a measuring member for measuring a workpiece, a counterweight to control movement of the measuring member, and a pulley and cable system coupling the measuring member with the counterweight. The coordinate measuring machine also has a guide track, where the counterweight is movably secured to the guide track. The guide track substantially limits counterweight movement, relative to the measuring member, to one dimension.

Coordinate measuring machine with constrained counterweight

Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.

Apparatus and method for high-speed phase shifting for interferometric measurement systems

A coordinate measuring machine has 1) an anchor beam with a top end and a bottom end, 2) at least one support beam having a top end and a bottom end, and 3) a cross-beam supported on the top ends of both the anchor beam and the at least one support beam. In addition, the coordinate measuring machine also has 4) a base supporting the bottom ends of the anchor beam and the at least one support beam. At least one of the at least one support beams has a first spring and a second spring. In preferred embodiments, the first spring is adapted to allow movement and is spaced from the second spring in a direction that is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cross-beam.

Coordinate measuring machine with support beam having springs

Described are an imaging device and method for determining three-dimensional position information of a surface of an object. The device includes a pair of optical fibers, a phase shifter, a detector array and a processor. The phase shifter is coupled to one of the optical fibers and is used to change a phase of optical radiation emitted from the optical fiber relative to a phase of optical radiation emitted from the other optical fiber. The detector array receives optical radiation scattered by the surface of the object. The processor communicates with the detector array and the phase shifter. Signals generated by the detector array are received by the processor and three-dimensional position information for the surface is calculated in response to the received optical radiation scattered by the surface of the object and the change in the relative phase of optical radiation emitted by the optical fibers.

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Providence, RI, United States of America

Gurpreet Singh