Coordinate measuring machine operating handle and coordinate measuring system

Abstract

The application provides a three-coordinate measuring machine operating handle and a three-coordinate measuring system, and belongs to the field of coordinate measurement. The three-coordinate measuring machine operating handle comprises a handle shell, a touch screen, a joystick, mechanical buttons, a controller module and a communication interface. The mechanical buttons comprise a screen unlocking button for unlocking the touch screen and a motor enabling button for controlling the start and stop of the machine motor. The controller module is used for receiving operation instructions and communicating with the three-coordinate measuring machine host through the communication interface. The touch screen is used for displaying device state information and providing a touch operation interface, and the joystick is used for controlling the movement of the motion axis of the three-coordinate measuring machine. The application adopts the design of combining the touch screen with the joystick, cancels the redundant mechanical buttons, retains only the core enabling buttons, integrates complex operation functions in the touch screen, does not need to frequently switch to the computer end, is more convenient to operate, has high adaptation rate and efficiency, and is convenient for popularization and application in the field of coordinate measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of coordinate measurement, specifically relating to a coordinate measuring machine operating handle and a coordinate measuring system. Background Technology

[0002] The current three-coordinate measuring machine (CMM) operating handle has a relatively simple structure and function design, relying primarily on an operating joystick and a basic LCD display. This results in problems such as cumbersome operation, limited information display, and insufficient adaptability: 1) Limited operation functions, with complex operations dependent on a computer: Existing operating handles are only equipped with an operating joystick and a few mechanical buttons, enabling only basic XYZ axis movement control. Complex measurement functions (such as creating point, line, and surface elements, and switching probe angles) require computer software, necessitating frequent switching between the computer and the machine tool, leading to low efficiency. 2) Limited information display and inability to synchronize in real time: Existing LCD displays can only provide basic XYZ axis grating position information and cannot display crucial information such as equipment operating status, measurement progress, and fault prompts. Operators must frequently return to the computer to view detailed information, unable to obtain complete data in real time from the operating handle, easily leading to operational errors.

[0003] The main reasons for the above problems are: 1) Failure to balance ease of operation and complete functionality; the existing operating handle is designed only as a "machine tool movement control tool," with the core objective of manual movement of the XYZ axes. Therefore, it is only equipped with a joystick and basic mechanical buttons, and cannot realize "measurement function operation" or "synchronous information display." It should be considered that coordinate measuring machine measurement is a continuous process of "software setting - machine operation - result confirmation," and the handle should have a human-machine interaction function; 2) Limited hardware configuration, unable to support rich functions and information display; the existing operating handle is not equipped with a touch screen component, and the size and display resolution of the small LCD screen used are limited, which cannot carry a large amount of complex information such as equipment status and task flow; at the same time, the lack of touch function makes it impossible to realize convenient interaction such as page switching, information retrieval, and function operation, resulting in severe limitations on information display and operation functions, and failing to meet the needs of operators to view information in real time and operate quickly. 3) Incomplete interaction logic design, not adapted to the diversity of measurement scenarios; the interaction logic of the existing operating handle only revolves around "joystick movement" and "button triggering," and does not combine the complex scenarios of coordinate measuring machine measurement to design diversified interaction methods. Different measurement tasks have different requirements for operation methods and parameter settings, as well as the need for expansion of functional interfaces. Existing handles have fixed functions and poor flexibility, and cannot adapt to diverse scenarios such as precision measurement and complex element measurement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a coordinate measuring machine operating handle and a coordinate measuring system that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] Design Principle: This technical solution addresses the problems of cumbersome operation, limited information display, and single function of existing three-axis control handles. It adopts a core design of "touch screen + joystick" to eliminate more than ten mechanical buttons on the existing handle, retaining only two necessary mechanical buttons: "screen unlock" and "motor enable". All other functions are implemented through the touch screen, which simplifies operation, synchronizes information, and integrates functions, solving the pain point of frequent switching between the computer and the machine.

[0006] A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) operating handle includes a handle housing and a touch screen, a joystick, mechanical buttons, a controller module, and a communication interface integrated on the handle housing. The mechanical buttons include a screen unlock button for unlocking the touch screen and a motor enable button for controlling the start and stop of the machine's motors. The controller module is electrically connected to the touch screen, joystick, mechanical buttons, and communication interface, and is used to receive operating commands and communicate with the CMM host through the communication interface. The touch screen is used to display equipment status information and provide a touch operation interface, and the joystick is used to control the movement of the CMM's motion axes.

[0007] Furthermore, the handle housing is also equipped with a speed control knob and an emergency stop button; the speed control knob is used to set the maximum operating speed of the motion axis; the emergency stop button is used to control the coordinate measuring machine to stop suddenly in an emergency.

[0008] Furthermore, the touchscreen supports multi-page swiping switching, including a device status page, a measurement operation page, a probe angle switching page, and a point running-in settings page; corresponding to the multi-pages on the touchscreen, the controller module includes a device status monitoring unit, a measurement operation unit, a probe angle switching unit, and a point running-in settings unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the equipment status page displays the XYZ axis grating position, probe working status, motor running status, and fault prompts of the coordinate measuring machine in real time based on the detection and processing information of the equipment status monitoring unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the measurement operation page integrates measurement element creation and point confirmation functions; the measurement operation page is based on the measurement operation unit to display the number of points to be collected for the current measurement task, and completes the collection of a single point and real-time update of the remaining number of points after receiving the touch confirmation command.

[0011] Furthermore, the point-to-point running-in settings page inputs the coordinate parameters and running-in speed of the running-in points based on the point-to-point running-in settings unit, and controls the coordinate measuring machine to automatically execute the point-to-point running-in operation.

[0012] Furthermore, the controller module also includes a motor control unit and an unlocking unit; the motor control unit responds to the trigger signal of the motor enable button to start or stop all motors of the coordinate measuring machine; the unlocking unit responds to the trigger signal of the screen unlock button to unlock the touch screen.

[0013] Furthermore, the touchscreen also displays an axis motion control page, and the corresponding controller module also includes an axis motion control unit. The axis motion control page sets absolute or relative coordinates based on the axis motion control unit to control the movement of each motion axis, or switches to manual feed movement of each motion axis by controlling it with a joystick.

[0014] This application also provides a coordinate measuring system, which includes a coordinate measuring machine host and the aforementioned coordinate measuring machine operating handle; the coordinate measuring machine operating handle is connected to the coordinate measuring machine host through a communication interface, and is used to send motion control commands and measurement function commands to the coordinate measuring machine host, and receive equipment operation data fed back by the coordinate measuring machine host.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0016] 1. It adopts a design that combines a touch screen and a joystick, eliminating redundant mechanical buttons and retaining only the core enable button. Complex operation functions are integrated into the touch screen, eliminating the need to frequently switch to the computer and making operation more convenient.

[0017] 2. It can intuitively display the device status and measurement parameters, reducing operation steps; the combination of joystick and touch operation allows for precise control of device movement, eliminating the need to repeatedly switch operating scenarios and improving the smoothness of human-computer interaction.

[0018] 3. Effectively simplifies the operation process, reduces the switching between the computer and the machine, lowers the error rate, and balances ease of operation with measurement accuracy, adapts to various measurement scenarios, and improves overall work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the operating handle of the coordinate measuring machine of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the controller module and the touchscreen; Figure 3 For the device status page of the touchscreen; Figure 4 This is the measurement operation page for the touchscreen; Figure 5 This is the touchscreen's measuring angle switching page; Figure 6 The touchscreen calibration setup page; Figure 7This is the axis motion control page for the touchscreen. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] A coordinate measuring machine operating handle, see Figures 1-7 The coordinate measuring machine (CMM) operating handle includes a handle housing and a touchscreen 1, a joystick 3, mechanical buttons, a controller module, and a communication interface integrated into the handle housing. All components are integrated into the handle housing, resulting in a compact layout that facilitates handheld operation and is suitable for the on-site operation scenarios of the CMM.

[0022] The mechanical buttons include a screen unlock button 4 for unlocking the touch screen 1 and a motor enable button 2 for controlling the start and stop of the machine tool motor; the controller module is electrically connected to the touch screen 1, the joystick 3, the mechanical buttons and the communication interface respectively, and is used to receive operation commands and communicate with the coordinate measuring machine host through the communication interface; the touch screen 1 is used to display equipment status information and provide a touch operation interface, and the joystick 3 is used to control the movement of the coordinate measuring machine's motion axis.

[0023] The handle housing is also equipped with a speed adjustment knob 5 and an emergency stop button 6; the speed adjustment knob 5 is used to set the maximum running speed of the motion axis; the emergency stop button 6 is used to control the emergency stop of the coordinate measuring machine in an emergency.

[0024] Functional descriptions of each core component.

[0025] 1) Touchscreen 1: As the core operation and display carrier, it adopts a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, supports multi-page switching, integrates all complex operation functions and information display functions, and is responsive and easy to operate.

[0026] Specifically, the touch screen 1 supports multi-page swiping switching, including a device status page, a measurement operation page, a probe angle switching page, and a point running-in settings page; corresponding to the multi-page of the touch screen 1, the controller module includes a device status monitoring unit, a measurement operation unit, a probe angle switching unit, and a point running-in settings unit.

[0027] The equipment status page displays the real-time operating status of the coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Based on the detection and processing information from the equipment status monitoring unit, it displays the XYZ axis grating position, probe working status, motor operating status, and fault prompts in real time, allowing you to monitor the equipment status without switching to a computer. Specific operation: Press and hold the screen unlock button for two seconds to unlock the touchscreen; the machine information page will be accessed by default. This page displays the XYZ axis grating position, probe working status, motor operating status, and fault prompts in real time. Touching the screen allows you to view detailed parameters. If a fault occurs, the screen will highlight the fault type. You can monitor the equipment's operating status in real time without switching to a computer.

[0028] The measurement operation page integrates measurement element creation and point confirmation functions. Based on the measurement operation unit, it displays the number of points required for the current measurement task and, upon receiving a touch confirmation command, completes the acquisition of individual points and updates the remaining number of points in real time. Specifically, this page integrates the measurement element creation function, allowing users to directly create measurement elements such as points, lines, and surfaces on the touchscreen. It simultaneously displays the number of points required for the current measurement task. After the operator completes the point acquisition by moving the probe using joystick 3, they can directly click to confirm on this page without returning to the computer. Specific operation: Click the label on the right side of the touchscreen to enter the [Measurement] page, click the drop-down box to select the element type to be created (such as point, line, circle, etc.), and click the "Manual Point Acquisition" touch button. The screen simultaneously displays the number of points required for the current measurement task (for example, a point element requires 1 manual point, and a line element requires 2 manual points). Move the probe to the measurement point using the joystick. After the probe is triggered, click the "Process Confirmation" button on the screen to complete the acquisition of a single point. The screen updates the remaining number of points in real time. Click the "Delete Point" button to delete the currently manually acquired point. After all points are acquired, click the "End" button to save the data. Simultaneously, the PC measurement software will also display information about the created elements and manual points.

[0029] The probe angle switching page features probe angle options and an angle activation button. The probe angle switching unit receives touch commands and controls the probe to switch to the target angle. Specifically, this page has a touch button for probe angle switching; clicking the corresponding angle option completes the probe angle switch. The operation is convenient and does not require computer software. Specific operation: Click the label on the right side of the touchscreen to enter the "Probe Movement" page, click the drop-down box to select the switchable probe angle. After selecting the target angle, click the "Angle Activation" button. The system receives the command and controls the probe to complete the angle switch. After successful switching, the current probe angle is displayed in the upper left corner of the screen.

[0030] The Point-to-Point Run-in Settings page allows users to input the coordinate parameters and speed of the run-in points using the Point-to-Point Run-in Settings unit, and controls the coordinate measuring machine to automatically perform the point-to-point run-in operation. This page provides simple machine point-to-point run-in settings, allowing users to set basic parameters such as run-in points and speeds on the touchscreen. After startup, the machine automatically completes the point-to-point run-in operation, simplifying the initial debugging process. Specific operation: Click the label on the right side of the touchscreen to enter the [Run-in Operation] page. Enter the XYZ coordinates of the run-in points in the table, and click "Run-in Operation" after confirming that everything is correct. The machine will automatically begin the run-in operation according to the set points and speed. Click "Stop Operation" to end the run-in operation.

[0031] The controller module also includes a motor control unit and an unlocking unit; the motor control unit responds to the trigger signal of the motor enable button 2 to start or stop all motors of the coordinate measuring machine; the unlocking unit responds to the trigger signal of the screen unlock button 4 to unlock the touch screen.

[0032] The touchscreen also displays an axis motion control page. The corresponding controller module includes axis motion control units. The axis motion control page uses the axis motion control units to set absolute or relative coordinates to control the movement of each motion axis, or switches to manual jog feed movement of each motion axis controlled by the joystick. Specific operation: After unlocking the touchscreen, press the motor enable button, and control the machine's XYZ axis jog manual feed movement using the joystick on the handle. The speed adjustment knob is used to set the maximum operating speed, and the amplitude of pushing the joystick adjusts the movement speed, precisely controlling the probe positioning. Each XYZ axis can be unlocked or locked via the touchscreen, making the corresponding axis movable or immovable. Pressing the motor enable button starts or stops all motors simultaneously. In an emergency, pressing the emergency stop button will stop the machine, ensuring operational safety. Clicking the label on the right side of the touchscreen enters the [Axis Motion] page, where you can set the movement of each axis via the touchscreen using absolute / relative coordinates, or switch to joystick jog movement. 2) Joystick 3: It retains the existing core functions and is used to control the manual feed movement of the XYZ axes of the three coordinate measuring machine, so as to achieve precise positioning of the probe and ensure the stability and accuracy of the measurement operation.

[0033] 3) Mechanical buttons (only 2): Screen unlock button 4 is used to unlock the touch screen operation to prevent accidental touch; motor enable button 2 is used to start / stop the machine motor to ensure operational safety. Both are designed to prevent accidental touch and have higher priority than touch screen operation.

[0034] 4) Controller module: Enables communication and linkage between touch screen 1, joystick 2, mechanical buttons and coordinate measuring machine, receives operation commands and provides feedback on equipment status, and ensures that all components work together.

[0035] The operation of the aforementioned core components has been optimized compared to traditional handles, specifically in the following ways: ① Machine control: After unlocking the touchscreen and pressing the motor enable button, select the XYZ axes to unlock, and then control the movement of each motion axis of the equipment via the joystick. ② Measurement operation: Control the probe movement via the joystick, create measurement elements and view the number of points to be marked on the touchscreen measurement operation page, and confirm the marking by touch after completion, without needing to switch to the computer. ③ Auxiliary operation: When it is necessary to switch the probe angle, slide to the probe angle switching page for touch operation; when it is necessary to perform point running-in, set the parameters on the corresponding page and start, making the operation process smooth and efficient.

[0036] A coordinate measuring system includes a coordinate measuring machine host and a coordinate measuring machine operating handle. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle is connected to the coordinate measuring machine host via a communication interface and is used to send motion control commands and measurement function commands to the coordinate measuring machine host, and to receive equipment operation data fed back by the coordinate measuring machine host.

[0037] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coordinate measuring machine operating handle, characterized in that: The coordinate measuring machine operating handle includes a handle housing and a touch screen (1), a joystick (3), mechanical buttons, a controller module and a communication interface integrated on the handle housing; The mechanical buttons include a screen unlock button (4) for unlocking the touch screen (1) and a motor enable button (2) for controlling the start and stop of the machine tool motor. The controller module is electrically connected to the touch screen (1), joystick (3), mechanical button and communication interface respectively, and is used to receive operation instructions and communicate with the main unit of the coordinate measuring machine through the communication interface. The touch screen (1) is used to display device status information and provide a touch operation interface, and the joystick (3) is used to control the movement of the coordinate measuring machine's motion axes.

2. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle housing is also equipped with a speed adjustment knob (5) and an emergency stop button (6); the speed adjustment knob (5) is used to set the maximum running speed of the motion axis; the emergency stop button (6) is used to control the coordinate measuring machine to stop in an emergency.

3. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch screen is a 7-inch high-definition touch screen; the touch screen (1) supports multi-page sliding switching, and the multi-page includes the equipment status page, measurement operation page, measuring seat angle switching page and point running-in setting page; corresponding to the multi-page of the touch screen (1), the controller module includes the equipment status monitoring unit, measurement operation unit, measuring seat angle switching unit and point running-in setting unit.

4. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The equipment status page displays the XYZ axis grating position, probe working status, motor running status, and fault prompts of the coordinate measuring machine in real time based on the detection and processing information of the equipment status monitoring unit.

5. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The measurement operation page integrates measurement element creation and point confirmation functions; based on the measurement operation unit, the measurement operation page displays the number of points to be collected for the current measurement task, and completes the collection of a single point and real-time updates of the remaining number of points after receiving a touch confirmation command.

6. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The probe angle switching page has probe angle options and an angle activation button. Based on the probe angle switching unit receiving touch commands, it controls the probe to switch to the target angle.

7. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The point-to-point running-in settings page inputs the coordinate parameters and running-in speed of the running-in points based on the point-to-point running-in settings unit, and controls the coordinate measuring machine to automatically perform the point-to-point running-in operation.

8. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller module also includes a motor control unit and an unlocking unit; the motor control unit responds to the trigger signal of the motor enable button (2) to start or stop all motors of the coordinate measuring machine; the unlocking unit responds to the trigger signal of the screen unlock button (4) to unlock the touch screen.

9. The coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touchscreen also displays an axis motion control page. The corresponding controller module also includes an axis motion control unit. The axis motion control page sets absolute or relative coordinates based on the axis motion control unit to control the movement of each motion axis, or switches to manual feed movement of each motion axis by controlling it with a joystick.

10. A coordinate measuring system, characterized in that: The coordinate measuring system includes a coordinate measuring machine main unit and a coordinate measuring machine operating handle according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The operating handle of the coordinate measuring machine is connected to the main unit of the coordinate measuring machine via a communication interface. It is used to send motion control commands and measurement function commands to the main unit of the coordinate measuring machine, and to receive equipment operation data fed back by the main unit of the coordinate measuring machine.

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