Renishaw Plc

Robert B Morrison

Peter Kenneth Hellier

A touch probe has a stylus holder,which is supported on a radially extending flange,in a kinematic seat comprising pairs of balls,supporting rollers,. To avoid the use of glue to fix the balls in position, the balls are located and clamped in recesses,on flange,. Clamping pressure is provided by a plug,which is forced towards the flange by rolling a lip,over the protruding end of the plug. Other alternative constructions for providing the clamping force are described. An electrical circuit through the balls for producing a trigger signal includes a flexible member,on which electrical conducting elements,are formed. The member is positioned on the flange to overlie the recesses so that it is deformed into the recesses when the clamping force is applied. By making use of the clamping force in this way good electrical connections between the balls and the conducting elements is ensured and the need to connect wires to the balls is avoided.

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Pliezhausen, Germany

Robert B Morrison