Patent US5526576A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5526576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coordinate measurement machine having a probe head and an electronic system for processing probe signals
Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
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Filing: 1994-09-12
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2014-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The electronic system (20) of the probe head of a coordinate measuring machine permits the digital setting of parameters which determine the nature and manner of signal processing, such as trigger levels, the characteristic of frequency filters, and time intervals between several coherent probe signal pulses. Different parameter combinations are stored together in data files which can be called up in accordance with the selected measurement task or in accordance with the probe configuration which has been installed in probe head.
Inventors
- 👤 Anton Fuchs
- 👤 Eugen Aubele
- 👤 Rudi Kern
- 👤 Rudolf Rogele
- 👤 Walter Puntigam
- 👤 Karl-Eugen Aubele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/04; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01B7/008; G01B7/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A coordinate-measurement machine having one or more probe heads (10) with associated replaceable probes (15, 61 to 64) and an electronic system (20) for processing probe signals (a, b, c, k) produced in the course of a work-probing procedure, wherein the electronic system (20) includes resettable means that permits parameters to be set to determine the manner and nature of signal processing, the parameters being set digitally, a plurality of data files for storage of a plurality of different sets of parameter values, and means for calling up a selected set of values of different parameters stored in a data file (*.ST3) to reset said resettable means in accordance with a selected measurement task.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A coordinate-measurement machine having one or more probe heads (10) with associated replaceable probes (15, 61 to 64) and an electronic system (20) for processing probe signals (a, b, c, k) produced in the course of a work-probing procedure, wherein the electronic system (20) includes resettable means that permits parameters to be set to determine the manner and nature of signal processing, the parameters being set digitally, a plurality of data files for storage of a plurality of different sets of parameter values, and means for calling up a selected set of values of different parameters stored in a data file (*.ST3) to reset said resettable means in accordance with a selected measurement task.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the data files (*.ST3) are associated with a plurality of selected probe pins (61 to 64), and the values of the parameters stored in the corresponding data file (*.ST3) can be set upon workpiece contact with the corresponding probe pin (61 to 64).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 2, in which an identification code (61) is associated with the replaceable probes to be introduced, and in which the selection of the corresponding parameter data file is effected under the control of the code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the data files (*.ST3) are associated with selected types of machine operation within the capability of the coordinate-measurement machine, and are activated upon a change in the type of machine operation, the values of the stored parameters being set for operation of the coordinate-measurement machine upon making such a change in machine operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the electronic system includes a digitally encoded analysis program for analysis of the course of a probe signal at different points in the probe-pin electronic system and for setting parameters in accordance with the analysis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the electronic system includes a digitally encoded module which sets different parameter combinations during a trial run in which a workpiece is contacted several times and which sets the parameters in accordance with the measurement results thereby obtained.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the machine includes a computer and in which the electronic system (20) is connected via a serial bus (CAN) to control means (21), the control means (21) being connected to the computer (22) of the coordinate-measurement machine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the electronic system contains a microprocessor having several analog inputs (A1 to A8) which are respectively connected with different points (A1 to A8) within the electronic system for probe-signal processing, and that the course in time of the probe signals occurring during a work-contacting procedure at the analog-input points (A1 to A8) are stored in a memory component (RAM 26) of the microprocessor (23).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 8, in which the electronic system (20) includes means for connecting the electronic system to a modem over which stored signal courses (A1 to A8) can be remotely transmitted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 8, including means for serial-bus (CAN) transmission of signal courses stored in the memory component (RAM 26) of the microprocessor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the values of the parameters set by the electronic system (20) are stored in a random-access memory (25).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the probe head supplies at least two different contact signals (a, b, c, k), and the electronic system concurrently processes each of the at least two signals (a, b, c) in parallel in separate signal branches (N1M1, N1M2, MESK).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the machine includes a computer (22), and in which the electronic system (20) is connected via a serial bus directly to the computer (22) of the coordinate-measurement machine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the data files (*.ST3) are associated with a plurality of selected probe configurations, and the values of the parameters stored in the corresponding data file (*.ST3) are set upon workpiece contact with the selected probe configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the data files (*.ST3) are associated with a plurality of selected different types of probe heads, and the values of the parameters stored in the corresponding data file (*.ST3) can be set upon workpiece-contact involvement of a selected probe head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the data files (*.ST3) are associated with different measurement tasks, and are activated upon a change in measurement task, the values of the stored parameters being set for operation of the coordinate-measuring machine upon making a change in measurement task.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A coordinate-measurement machine according to claim 1, in which the machine includes a computer and in which the electronic system (20) is connected via a serial interface to control means (21), the control means (21) being connected to the computer (22) of the coordinate-measurement machine.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for coordinate-measurement on workpieces using a probe head (i) adapted for interchangeable use of a selected one of a plurality of associated replaceable probes (61 to 64) and (ii) having an electronic system (20) for processing signals (a, b, c, k) produced upon probe contact with a workpiece, (iii) wherein the electronic system permits the resetting of at least two different parameters which determine the nature and manner of signal processing, and further wherein for specific measurement tasks and for each selectable probe, particularly suitable sets of parameter values are determined and the thus-determined sets of parameter values are stored in different data files; the corresponding data files are called up upon a change in measurement task, and the applicable stored set of parameter values is loaded into the electronic system to reset parameter values therein; and signal-processing then proceeds for the changed measurement task using the newly loaded set of parameter values.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for coordinate-measurement on workpieces using a probe head (i) adapted for interchangeable use of a selected one of a plurality of associated replaceable probes (61 to 64) and (ii) having an electronic system (20) for processing signals (a, b, c, k) produced upon probe contact with a workpiece, (iii) wherein the electronic system permits the resetting of at least two different parameters which determine the nature and manner of signal processing, and further wherein for specific measurement tasks and for each selectable probe, particularly suitable sets of parameter values are determined and the thus-determined sets of parameter values are stored in different data files; the corresponding data files are called up upon a change in measurement task, and the applicable stored set of parameter values is loaded into the electronic system to reset parameter values therein; and signal-processing then proceeds for the changed measurement task using the newly loaded set of parameter values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 18, in which different measurement tasks are selected in accordance with at least one of the following criteria: the speed of measurement, the relative accuracy of measurement to be obtained, and the type or material of the object to be measured.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A method according to claim 18, in which at least two of the following parameters can be set: the sensitivity of an amplifier (37) for the probe signal; the characteristics of a frequency filter (31, 41) for the probe signal; the threshold level of a trigger circuit (35, 38, 45, 48) for the probe signals; the permissible duration (F1, F2, F3) of the probe signal; the permissible timing of several interrelated probe-signal pulses (51 to 54); the selection as to which of several probe signals (51 to 54) is to be further processed (mode of operation).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 20, in which the frequency filter is a band-pass filter in the form of a switched-capacitance filter having a microprocessor connection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 20, in which the frequency filter is a high-pass filter in the form of a switched-capacitance filter having a microprocessor connection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 18, in which the loading of sets of parameter values and the setting of said values in the electronic system takes place automatically in accordance with a program-controlled analysis of the probe signal obtained in the course of a workpiece-contacting procedure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 18 in which, for the selection of optimal parameters, several contacting procedures with different parameters are performed in a test run.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 18, in which the loading and setting of sets of parameter values in the electronic system takes place automatically, pursuant to and controlled by a change of probe head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 18, in which, for the selection of optimal parameters, several contacting procedures with different combinations of parameters are performed in a test run.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 18, in which the loading and setting of sets of parameter values in the electronic system takes place automatically, pursuant to and controlled by a change of probe pin.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 18, in which the loading and setting of sets of parameter values in the electronic system takes place automatically, pursuant to and controlled by a change of probe combination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
117 words
A coordinate-measuring machine, comprising: a computer; probe means including means for producing a probe signal in the course of a work-probing procedure; signal-processing electronics for processing said probe signal, said electronics being connected to said signal-producing means and comprising means for setting at least two different parameters determining the manner and nature of processing said signal; setting means for digitally setting said parameters to predetermined values; one or more data files stored in said computer, each data file containing a set of values for said at least two different parameters; and means for calling up from said computer a selected one of said data files and forwarding the set of values contained therein to said setting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
117 words
A coordinate-measuring machine, comprising: a computer; probe means including means for producing a probe signal in the course of a work-probing procedure; signal-processing electronics for processing said probe signal, said electronics being connected to said signal-producing means and comprising means for setting at least two different parameters determining the manner and nature of processing said signal; setting means for digitally setting said parameters to predetermined values; one or more data files stored in said computer, each data file containing a set of values for said at least two different parameters; and means for calling up from said computer a selected one of said data files and forwarding the set of values contained therein to said setting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
141 words
A coordinate-measuring machine, comprising: a computer; probe means with means for mounting exchangeable probe pins of differing type, and means for producing a probe signal when one of said probe pins touches a workpiece; signal-processing means for processing said probe signal, said signal-processing means being connected to said signal-producing means and comprising means for setting at least two different parameters determining the manner and nature of processing said probe signal according to the type of probe pin mounted to said probe means; setting means for digitally setting said parameters to predetermined values; one or more data files stored in said computer, each data file containing a set of values for said at least two different parameters; and means for calling up a selected one of said data files and for forwarding the set of values contained therein to said setting means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
141 words
A coordinate-measuring machine, comprising: a computer; probe means with means for mounting exchangeable probe pins of differing type, and means for producing a probe signal when one of said probe pins touches a workpiece; signal-processing means for processing said probe signal, said signal-processing means being connected to said signal-producing means and comprising means for setting at least two different parameters determining the manner and nature of processing said probe signal according to the type of probe pin mounted to said probe means; setting means for digitally setting said parameters to predetermined values; one or more data files stored in said computer, each data file containing a set of values for said at least two different parameters; and means for calling up a selected one of said data files and for forwarding the set of values contained therein to said setting means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for coordinate-measurement on workpieces using a probe head adapted for interchangeable use of a selected one of a plurality of associated replaceable probes and being connected to an electronic signal-processing system for processing signals produced upon probe contact with a workpiece, wherein the electronic system permits the setting of at least two different parameters, said method comprising the steps of: creating at least two different data files, each data file containing a set of at least two different parameter values which determine the nature and manner of processing said signals; storing said data files; calling up a selected one of said data files, and loading the set of parameter values contained therein into said electronic system, thereby resetting said different parameters to the parameter values contained in the selected data file; and using the newly loaded set of parameter values in the processing of one or more signals produced upon probe contact with the workpiece.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for coordinate-measurement on workpieces using a probe head adapted for interchangeable use of a selected one of a plurality of associated replaceable probes and being connected to an electronic signal-processing system for processing signals produced upon probe contact with a workpiece, wherein the electronic system permits the setting of at least two different parameters, said method comprising the steps of: creating at least two different data files, each data file containing a set of at least two different parameter values which determine the nature and manner of processing said signals; storing said data files; calling up a selected one of said data files, and loading the set of parameter values contained therein into said electronic system, thereby resetting said different parameters to the parameter values contained in the selected data file; and using the newly loaded set of parameter values in the processing of one or more signals produced upon probe contact with the workpiece.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for coordinate-measurement on workpieces using a probe head adapted for interchangeable use of a selected one of a plurality of associated replaceable probes and being connected to an electronic signal-processing system for processing signals produced upon probe contact with a workpiece, wherein the electronic system permits the resetting of at least two different parameters, said method comprising the steps of: creating at least two different data files, each data file containing a set of at least two different parameter values which determine the nature and manner of processing said signals according to a selected one of several different measurement tasks; storing said data files; selecting one of the different measurement tasks; calling up the selected one of said data files and loading the set of parameter values contained therein into said electronic system, thereby resetting said different parameters to the parameter values contained in said selected data file; and processing said signals during performance of the selected measurement task using the newly loaded set of parameter values.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for coordinate-measurement on workpieces using a probe head adapted for interchangeable use of a selected one of a plurality of associated replaceable probes and being connected to an electronic signal-processing system for processing signals produced upon probe contact with a workpiece, wherein the electronic system permits the resetting of at least two different parameters, said method comprising the steps of: creating at least two different data files, each data file containing a set of at least two different parameter values which determine the nature and manner of processing said signals according to a selected one of several different measurement tasks; storing said data files; selecting one of the different measurement tasks; calling up the selected one of said data files and loading the set of parameter values contained therein into said electronic system, thereby resetting said different parameters to the parameter values contained in said selected data file; and processing said signals during performance of the selected measurement task using the newly loaded set of parameter values.
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