Coordinate Measuring Device Parameter Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinate measuring machines face challenges in determining and adapting operating parameters accurately across different configurations, especially when components are added, removed, or changed during measurement operations, leading to complexities in calculating valid maximum speeds, accelerations, and other operating parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method and controller that define operating parameters and regulations for each component, allowing for a logical sequence to determine the correct parameter set by assigning values and rules based on the component's presence, ensuring reliable and unambiguous determination of operating parameters, even when configurations change.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If operating parameters are determined for each component individually, then the determination becomes more accurate and reliable, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination of operating parametersVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the determination of operating parameters by assigning specific parameter values and regulations to individual components. Each component (measuring head, rotary table, counter holder, etc.) has its own associated operating parameters stored in the control device. This segmentation allows accurate determination while managing complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device stores operating parameters and regulations for all possible components in advance. When components are added, removed, or changed during measurement operations, the control device can immediately retrieve the appropriate parameters without complex real-time calculations, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the control system adapts to configuration changes by recalculating operating parameters, then the measurement operation remains accurate, but the time required to determine parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate measurementVSAvoidparameter determination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All operating parameters and regulations are pre-stored in the control device for various components. When configuration changes occur, the control device simply retrieves the appropriate pre-stored parameters rather than recalculating them, maintaining measurement precision while minimizing parameter determination time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device maintains copies of operating parameters for different component configurations. When a component is added, removed, or changed, the control device switches to the corresponding pre-stored parameter set, enabling rapid adaptation without time-consuming recalculation while preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple regulations are applied to determine operating parameters, then the safety and accuracy of measurement operations improve, but the complexity of parameter calculation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement operation safetyVSAvoidparameter calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple regulations are segmented and assigned to specific components individually. Each component has its own associated regulations stored in the control device (e.g., maximum speeds, accelerations, probing forces). This segmentation allows comprehensive safety coverage while simplifying the calculation process by organizing regulations in a structured, component-specific manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device merges multiple component-specific regulations into a unified operating parameter determination process. When determining parameters, the control device automatically combines the regulations of all present components to establish the final safe operating limits, ensuring comprehensive safety without requiring complex manual calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2115538B1Control of an operation of a coordinate measuring device
Publication Date: 2011.03.02 CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIKE GMBH
  • EP2115538B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2115538B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2115538B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling an operation of a coordinate measuring device (11), wherein at least one operational parameter, for example the maximum speed, maximum acceleration, limitation zone of a displacement area or limiting value for signal recognition, is determined, said parameter being available during operation. One value of the operational parameter and/or instruction and/or information for determining the operational parameter is allocated to a plurality of components (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19) of the coordinate measuring device (11). A sequence for determining the operational parameter is provided for the majority of the components (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19). The method for determining the operational parameter in the predetermined sequence for each component (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19) is the following; it starts with the component (11) that is first in the sequence: i) if the value of the operational parameter is allocated to the component (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19), said value is adopted as a value of the operational parameter that is available for the operation, ii) if no value of the operational parameter is allocated to the components (11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19), one available value of the operational parameter that was available until then still remains available, iii) if another component (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19) is provided in the sequence, the method is carried out with said component.