Renishaw Plc

Tim Prestidge

Jonathan Paul Fuge

David Kenneth Thomas

John Charles Ould

David Collingwood

Graham Richard Ferguson

Timothy Donald Hayter

Clive Esmond Harwood Renton

Edward Stott

Stuart Kersten Campbell

John Anthony Styles

David R McMurtry

Peter Kenneth Hellier

Stephen E Lummes

Alexander Tennant Sutherland

Andrew J Harding

Jamie John Buckingham

Martin Woollett

Iain Ainsworth

David Roberts Mcmurtry

Jamie Buckingham

Stephen Edward Lummes

John Ould

Andrew James Harding

Martin Adrian Woollett

A method of building up a measurement data set for a surface of an object using an analog measurement probe mounted on a machine tool apparatus which obtains scanned measurement data of the surface over a plurality of offset traverses. Subsequent traverses are offset from previous traverses such that over a series of traverses the analog probe's surface detecting region progresses i) laterally across the object, and/or ii) away from or towards the object. The course of relative motion for at least one subsequent traverse is generated and/or updated based on data obtained during at least one previous traverse.

Method of analogue measurement scanning on a machine tool

A method for producing a measurement probeinspection path on a machine tool is disclosed which includes the step of running a program e.g. a modified CAM editor programwhich allows the selection of geometric features of a workpieceto be inspected. Once selected the program will generate a measurement probe path which is included in software for loading into the numeric controller (NC) of the machine tool. The software can have cutting commands together with inspection path instructions either readable by the NC or written as unreadable instructions for use with a p.c.connected to the NC controller and preferably operating at the same time as the NC.

Method for producing a measurement probe path on a numerically controlled machine tool

Measurement apparatus is described that comprises a measurement portion for acquiring object measurements and an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object measurements. A deactivation portion is provided for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement apparatus such that output of the measurement data is prevented. The deactivation portion, in use, reads apparatus usage information from an apparatus usage module and inhibits normal operation of the measurement apparatus if said apparatus usage information fails to meet one or more predetermined criteria. The apparatus usage module may be provided as an integral part of the measurement apparatus or as a separate activation button. The measurement apparatus may comprise a measurement probe such as a touch trigger measurement probe.

Deactivatable measurement apparatus

A measurement probe, such as a touch trigger measurement probe, is described that comprises a measurement portion for measuring an object and a data transfer portion for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to an associated unit. The measurement device also comprises an authentication module for verifying the authenticity of the associated unit. The authentication module may include a processor for running a one-way hash algorithm. Authenticity may be established using a challenge and response authentication process.

Measurement probe systems for co-ordinate positioning apparatus

A probe for measuring the dimensions of objects on a coordinate positioning machine such as a machine tool has a workpiece-contacting stylus. This is suspended via a sensor mechanism, including strain gauges which provide an output when the stylus contacts a workpiece. A processor processes the strain gauge outputs to produce a trigger signal. It does so in accordance with an algorithm or equation or look-up table which ensures equal sensitivity in all possible directions of approach to the workpiece in the three dimensions X, Y, Z.

Dimensional measurement probe

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

A workpiece inspection system is disclosed for determining measurements of a workpiece on a machine tool. The system utilizes a measurement device which outputs data relating to the workpiece (e.g. in place of a conventional cutter). The problem of obtaining real time data relating to the position of the machine tool is overcome by recording a machine tool position data set and a measurement device data set at selected instants which are defined by a synchronization signal. The data sets are combined later in the correct relative position because the synchronization signal was used. The synchronization signal can issue from the machine tool controller, an interface, measurement device or another part of the system.

Machine tool workpiece inspection system

A probe for measuring the dimensions of objects on a coordinate positioning machine such as a machine tool has a workpiece-contacting stylus. This is suspended via a sensor mechanism, including strain gaugeswhich provide an output when the stylus contacts a workpiece. A processorprocesses the strain gauge outputs to produce a trigger signal. It does so in accordance with an algorithm or equation or look-up table which ensures equal sensitivity in all possible directions of approach to the workpiece in the three dimensions X, Y, Z.

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.

A measurement probe, such as a touch trigger probe, is described that comprises a stylus module attachable to a base module. The stylus module comprising a housing and a stylus holder moveably attached to the housing. The base module comprises a measurement portion for generating measurement data indicative of movement of the stylus holder relative to the housing. The stylus module has an inbuilt failure mode and thereby a substantially predetermined operational lifetime. In one embodiment, the inbuilt failure mode is provided by integrating a battery into the stylus module. Providing a mechanical failure mode in which a component of the stylus module catastrophically fails after a certain amount of usage is also described.

Modular measurement probe

A measurement probe (), such as a touch trigger or analogue probe, is described that comprises a deflectable stylus portion () and a wireless communications unit () for transmitting stylus deflection data to a remote probe interface (). The wireless communications unit () is arranged to transmit digital data packets comprising stylus deflection data and a probe identity code. The wireless communications unit () allows said probe identity code to be set by a user. The measurement probe () may communicate with an associated probe interface () over a radio frequency (RF) spread spectrum link ().

Signal transmission apparatus for a measurement probe

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 workpiece surface 30 is digitized by scanning it with the stylus 8 of a scanning probe 5. Digitized coordinate data for many points P1-P6 on the workpiece surface are subjected to a filtering algorithm, in order to remove redundant data when the surface is relatively flat or planar. Top and bottom tolerance vectors TV0,BV0 are defined, starting from a first point P1 and lying at a given tolerance h above and below a second point P2. Next, a direct vector DV1 is defined between the point P1 and a third point P3. If the vector DV1 lies outside the tolerance band between the vectors TV0 and BV0, then point P2 is deemed to be required and is not filtered out. Otherwise, the data for point P2 is deemed to be redundant and is rejected. In this case, new tolerance vectors TV1 and BV1 are now defined, starting from point P1 and passing within a tolerance h above and below point P3. From the four vectors TV0,TV1,BV0,BV1, a pair of vectors TVn,BVn is selected for a further iteration of the process, based upon which of these vectors lies closest to the vector DV1.

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Bath, United Kingdom

Tim Prestidge