Hexagon Metrology Gmbh

Jonathan Dove

Jonathan J O'Hare

Jonathan J O'hare

Jens Hupkau

Bruce R Pease

Mark Thomsen

Stanley Spink

Randy A Poss

Joseph VanPelt

Jerry Tumbush

Sean Flynn

Randy Poss

A system for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpieces, each workpiece having a distinct workholding specification. The system includes a workholder configured to autonomously execute a plurality of workholding operations pursuant to parameters of a specified pre-defined workholding mode specified from a plurality of distinct, pre-defined workholding modes. Each pre-defined workholding mode specifies a plurality of holding parameters corresponding to the holding specification of a corresponding workpiece.

Parametric and modal work-holding apparatus

A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.

Modular workholding apparatus

Illustrative embodiments improve holding of a workpiece in an industrial process by placing the workpiece on or in a workpiece interface of a workholder and, prior to securing the workpiece on or in the workholder, vibrating the workpiece interface to settle the workpiece onto or into the workpiece interface. The act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from an act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface, and the vibration from the act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from vibration that may occur incidental to the act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of a workholder include a vibration actuator distinct from a workpiece interface actuator that opens and closes the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of workpiece interface include a set of one or more tapered guides to guide a workpiece onto the workpiece interface.

Automated work-holding for precise fastening of light parts during automated transfer

A system for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpieces includes a controller in control communication with the instruments of the system, and a ruleset corresponding to one or more such non-identical workpieces, the system reconfiguring the inspection instruments to customize part tending operations for each such non-identical workpiece. A method for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpiece includes providing a controller in control communication with the instruments of the system, and a ruleset corresponding to each such non-identical workpiece, the controller causing reconfiguration of the inspection instruments to customize part tending operations for each such non-identical workpiece.

Parametric and modal work-holding method for automated inspection

Various embodiments enable batch inspection of a plurality of workpieces by and inspection instrument such as a coordinate measuring machine. Some embodiments present user interfaces, including graphical user interfaces, to enable an operator to configure a batch inspection system and a batch inspection job, and to monitor and control execution of a batch inspection job.

Graphical user interface for scheduling and monitoring an automated inspection process for batch production

Embodiments provide measurement systems having a coordinate measuring machine, a workpiece storage apparatus, and a robot for delivering workpieces from the workpiece storage apparatus to the coordinate measuring machine, and methods for orienting and operating such systems. Illustrative embodiments employ a reference geometry tool on the robotic arm, and kinematic locators on the coordinate measuring machine and/or on the workpiece storage apparatus to define a coordinate system common to the coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece storage apparatus, and the robot.

Robotic alignment method for workpiece measuring systems

Automated inspection process for batch production

Coordinate measuring machines typically include a jogbox that allows an operator to control movements of a probe with a joystick and dedicated buttons. By facilitating advanced interaction between the jogbox and the dimensional metrology application, the jogbox may be used to control most or all of the functional aspects of the dimensional metrology application, including, in some instances, control of the coordinate measuring machine. The jogbox may include an adaptability of communications protocol such that it may interact with any one of a number of types or brands of coordinate measuring machines. A dynamic and flexible display and/or user input system may be employed to facilitate the use of a single jogbox with different systems. Further, the inherent flexibility of various jogbox embodiments disclosed herein may allow different categories of users to select and/or customize a jogbox interface.

Growing community of inventors

Woodstock, IL, United States of America

Jonathan Dove