1463 results about "Coordinate-measuring machine" patented technology

Apparatus for a CMM Arm with Exoskeleton is provided comprising an Internal CMM Arm with a base end and a probe end, and an Exoskeleton driving the Internal CMM Arm through a plurality of transmission. One or more contact probes, optical probes and tools are mounted on the probe end. The CMM Arm with Exoskeleton is provided in manually operable and automated embodiments. The CMM Arm with Exoskeleton is operable for accurate measurement or for performing accurate operations. Methods are provided for operation of the CMM Arm with Exoskeleton.

A system and methods for transprojection of geometry data acquired by a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CMM acquires geometry data corresponding to 3D coordinate measurements collected by a measuring probe that are transformed into scaled 2D data that is transprojected upon various digital object image views captured by a camera. The transprojection process can utilize stored image and coordinate information or perform live transprojection viewing capabilities in both still image and video modes.

A novel adjustable hand grip device for use with a three dimensional coordinate measurement system provides an ergnomically formed pistol grip rotatably positioned on a manually manipulated multijointed measuring arm allowing a plurality of angular positions convenient to an operator. The adjustable hand grip includes a clamp for releasably securing the device n a preselected position. An embodiment of the present invention includes a ball and detent device for releasably positioning the hand grip in a plurality of preselected positions. In yet another embodiment the hand grip device includes a swivel joint allowing rotation of the pistol grip relative to the clamp.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. The probe end has a fastener and a first connector. A device is removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the accessory having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end.

A portable coordinate measuring machine (PCMM) can have one or more rotatable grip assemblies to provide a locations for an operator to grasp the PCMM. A rotatable grip assembly can include a rotatable sleeve, a grip portion disposed over the sleeve, and one or more retaining rings to prevent the rotatable grip from axially sliding along one or more members of an articulated arm PCMM. A PCMM can include two rotatable grips to allow an operator to grasp the PCMM with both hands for positioning and repositioning operations. One rotatable grip can be positioned on an arm member most distant the PCMM base, and another rotatable grip can be positioned on a housing at least partially encasing an articulating joint assembly coupled to the arm member most distant the PCMM base. Other numbers of and locations of rotatable grip assemblies can be used in PCMMs.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. A device configured to emit a coded structured light onto an object to determine the three dimensional coordinates of a point on the object.

A probe control interface is provided for a structured light non-contact coordinate measuring machine probe. Portions of a video control signal for controlling the grey level of selected rows of pixels of a spatial light modulator of the probe can be decoded into control signals for additional probe components or functions that have been added to increase the measuring capabilities or versatility of the non-contact probe. By providing the additional probe component control signals in this manner, a versatile structured light non-contact probe system can be made compatible with a standard probe head autojoint system (e.g. a Renishaw™ type system), thus allowing the probe to be automatically exchanged with other standard probes and allowing existing systems to use the non-contact probe more easily. Various aspects of the probe control interface allow for relatively simple, compact, lightweight and robust implementation.

A coordinate measuring machine includes: a probe for measuring an object; a movement mechanism for moving the probe; and a motion controller for controlling the movement mechanism. The motion controller includes: a current value detecting unit that detects a current value for moving the probe by the movement mechanism; and a load judging unit that judges a status of a load applied on the movement mechanism based on the current value detected by the current value detecting unit and a threshold that is set in accordance with a target speed for moving the probe by the movement mechanism. The target speed is in proportion to the threshold.

A sensor module for a probe head of a tactile coordinate measuring machine has a frame forming a stationary module base, thereby defining a first measurement plane. A moving part is connected to the frame via webs. Each web has a thick-material web portion arranged between two thin-material web portions, if seen in a cross section perpendicularly to the first measurement plane. The thick-material web portion has a material thickness greater than the corresponding material thickness of the thin-material web portions.

A method and system for testing a target object for compliance with existing geometric dimension and tolerance requirements includes: measuring a selected feature of the target and entering the existing geometric dimension and tolerance requirements into a user interface. Entering includes selecting an icon containing a graphic symbol representative of a geometric dimension and tolerance characteristic.

A portable coordinate measurement machine having three articulating arm transfer members can provide accurate measurements. The transfer members can be single tube assemblies. The transfer members can each be rotatably joined by relatively short articulating joint assemblies allowing relative rotation of adjacent transfer members about two degrees of freedom. Encoders can be used to measure the relative rotation about each of the degrees of freedom, and signals from the encoders can be digitized by processor boards positioned within the transfer members. Processor boards can be placed in tandem in the transfer members, and one or more of the processor boards can be mounted on a rotatable assembly. Slip rings can electrically couple all of the processor boards to allow for infinite rotatability of the articulating arm.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and an arm portion having an opposed first and second ends. The arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments that each includes at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. A noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is coupled to the first end, the device having an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and is configured to determine a distance to an object based at least in part on the speed of light in air. A processor is configured to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a point on the object in response to receiving the position signals and the distance to the object.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and a arm portion having an opposed first end and second end. The arm portion includes a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer. A probe member is disposed is coupled to the first end. A noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is coupled to the probe member, the device having an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and is configured to determine a distance to an object based at least in part on the propagation time of the emitted and reflected light beams.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. The probe end has a fastener and a first connector. A device is removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the accessory having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end.

A method for scanning a surface of a workpiece 1 at a constant scanning speed / va / using a scanning probe 2 mounted on a support 3 on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) 4. The CMM contains a first set of drive means (6, 7, 8) to move the support according to three linear axis (x,y,z), and the support 3 contains a second set of drive means (14, 17) for actuating the movement of the scanning probe 2 with two degrees of freedom relative to said support 3. The method involves control means 33 coupled to the sets of drive means (6, 14, 17), and memory means for storing theoretical profiles and coordinates of the surface to scan.

A method is provided for assembling a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component. The method includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The method also includes combining ultrasonic inspection (UT) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The inspection probe is installed on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures internal boundaries of the machine component with the UT capabilities.

A machine, such as a coordinate measuring machine, having a component or element movable with respect to a support structure along rails or guideways, wherein the rails have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from that of the support structure to which they are attached. Differential thermal expansion and contraction of the rails with respect to the support structure may be accommodated without binding or distortion of the rails by coupling each guideway to the support structure at two different points. Typically, the coupling at the first point is rigid and prevents any movement of the rail with respect to the support structure. The second coupling includes a flexible component that permits movement of the rail with respect to the support structure in a direction of movement of the element or component. This flexible component may be a leaf spring. In another embodiment, the first coupling may also be flexible. A method is also disclosed for accommodating differential thermal expansion and contraction of the rail with respect to the support structure by providing first and second couplings between the rail and support structure wherein at least the second coupling includes a flexible component that permits movement of the rail with respect to the support structure in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the machine element.

A method for providing feedback to the operator of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. The method includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, the deformation being an indication of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the arm, and providing feedback to the operator of the CMM in response to the sensed external forces.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) includes a manually positionable arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal, a measurement device attached to a first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. Implementing the portable AACMM includes identifying a source device from which data is received by determining a transmission path through which the data is transmitted, the source device removably attached to the first end of the AACMM, determining a data type of the data based upon identification of the source device, performing an action on the data responsive to the data type, and outputting results of performing the action to a destination device.

The invention relates to a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for determining a measuring position of a probe. The CMM comprises an articulated arm having first and second ends and at least one joint between the first and the second end, the first end forming a base being positionable on a supporting surface, the second end being movable relative to the first end and having attached the probe. Further exists at least one sensing unit for measurement of an actual relative setting of said at least one joint and at least one computing unit for calculating a measuring position of the probe relative to the base, as well as for referencing the measuring position in an external coordinate system by using a provided base-position in the external coordinate system.

A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) with multi-bus arm technology that includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion, a measurement device, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to receive a position signal from the arm portion and to provide data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. The AACMM further includes a probe end, an accessory device, an encoder data bus, and a first device data bus. The encoder data bus is coupled to the arm portion and the electronic circuit, and the encoder data bus is configured to send the position signal to the electronic circuit. The first device data bus is coupled to the accessory device and the electronic circuit. The first device data bus is configured to operate simultaneously with and independently of the encoder data bus for sending accessory device data from the accessory device to the electronic circuit.

A method for scanning a surface of a workpiece using a scanning probe 2 mounted on a support 3 on a coordinate measuring machine 4. The support contains drive means 5, 7 for actuating the movement of the scanning probe 2 relatively to the support 3. The method further involves detecting means 9 to measure a contact force F applied between the tip 10 of the probe and the surface 1, control means 13 coupled to the drive means, and memory means 14 for storing theoretical profiles 19 and coordinates 20 of the surface. This method is characterized by the fact that the control means 13 adjust the actuation of the drive means 5, 7 along a scanning path 18 in order to maintain the contact force 11 within the defined range of values 15 during the whole scanning operation along the scanning path 18.

A three-dimensional (3D) scanner having two cameras and a projector is detachably coupled to a device selected from the group consisting of: an articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, a camera assembly, a six degree-of-freedom (six-DOF) tracker target assembly, and a six-DOF light point target assembly.

A system and method for identifying defects in a workpiece are provided. The system includes a sensor for non-destructive testing. The system also includes a movable arm carrying the sensor and being pivotally attached to a base. The movable arm includes at least one pivotable joint between the base and the sensor, and is capable of being moved such that the sensor acquires data indicative of a workpiece as the sensor travels proximate to the workpiece. A data acquisition system is capable of communicating with the sensor to create an image of at least a portion of the workpiece based on the data acquired by the sensor.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for an adaptive machining and weld repair process useful for repairing airfoils, particularly damage to an airfoil leading edge and tip. The process first machines away damaged portions of an airfoil. Filler material is then added to the machined area through a process such as laser welding. At this point, the actual profile of the welded airfoil is measured using a Coordinate Measuring Machine. This data is then used to generate a “deformation” profile, an airfoil profile that approximates the ideal shape of the airfoil. The airfoil is then machined using the date of the deformation profile to produce that shape. The adaptive technology minimizes the amount of stock on material that needs to be removed by hand. The technique thereby significantly reduces costly manual processing.

A system and method for identifying defects in a workpiece are provided. The system includes a sensor for non-destructive testing. The system also includes a movable arm carrying the sensor and being pivotally attached to a base. The movable arm includes at least one pivotable joint between the base and the sensor, and is capable of being moved such that the sensor acquires data indicative of a workpiece as the sensor travels proximate to the workpiece. A data acquisition system is capable of communicating with the sensor to create an image of at least a portion of the workpiece based on the data acquired by the sensor.

A thermal deformation error compensation method for a coordinate measuring machine creates thermal deformation and geometric error data at different ambient temperatures including temperatures and machine kinematic parameters to obtain a thermal deformation and geometric error model, and inputs the model into central control unit of the coordinate measuring machine, and converts a 3D error compensation to obtain a thermal deformation and geometric error compensation model, and uses the thermal deformation and geometric error compensation model for performing compensations, so as to complete a thermal deformation and geometric error compensation of the coordinate measuring machine.