Carl-zeiss-stiftung

Walter Werner

Klaus Herzog

Franz Szenger

The invention contemplates a so-called switching probe head in which the movable element of the probe has a tensed at-rest position on support structure which determines its zero position and from which it is displaced upon work contact. To increase the accuracy by which the zero position of the probe element (2, 4) is reproduced, the probe element is suspended, without friction, from a housing part (1) of the probe head, via at least three filaments (5a, b, c), wires or flexible strips. For torsionally rigid centering of the probe element, friction-free wire or strip arrangements are also usable; and torsional-rigid alternatives include use of a bellows (3) or of balls having rolling contact with opposing walls of centering grooves.

Work-contact probe head for coordinate-measuring instruments

The invention contemplates an improved work-contacting probe for use in a measuring machine wherein the relationship between contacted locations on a workpiece are reduced to coordinate digital data. The various described probe embodiments feature means whereby positional errors due to probe flexure upon work contact are substantially reduced, as compared to pre-existing structures.

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Konigsbronn, Germany

Walter Werner