Active thermal management for coordinate measuring machines

A computer-implemented method for measuring coordinates using a coordinate measuring machine,

• the method comprising
• subsequently approaching a plurality of measurement points on an object with a probe head of the coordinate measuring machine by moving one or more frame elements of a structure of the coordinate measuring device;
• determining coordinates of the measurement points;
• measuring, using one or more temperature sensors, temperatures at the one or more frame elements;
• generating temperature data based on the measured temperatures and providing the temperature data to a control unit;
• and
• controlling, by the control unit and based on the temperature data, a plurality of heating elements and one or more fans to guide heated air through an air-guiding tunnel enclosed by a cover of the coordinate measuring machine, at least one heating element being at least partly provided inside the cover,
• wherein the heating elements and the fans are controlled in such a way that the temperature of the one or more frame elements remains constant at least while the probe head approaches the plurality of measurement points.

A coordinate measuring machine for determining at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point on an object, the coordinate measuring machine comprising a structure comprising a base and a plurality of frame elements, wherein a probe head is attached to one of the frame elements and movable relative to the base, and a temperature control system configured to control a temperature of a plurality of frame elements of the structure and comprising:

• a control unit;
• one or more temperature sensors;
• and
• one or more heating elements,
• wherein
• the temperature sensors are configured to generate temperature values and to transmit the temperature values to the control unit;
• and
• the control unit is configured:
• to receive the temperature values and to determine, based on the temperature values and on one or more ambient temperatures of a surrounding of the coordinate measuring machine, a demand for heating the plurality of frame elements so that a temperature of the plurality of frame elements reaches a pre-defined temperature that exceeds the ambient temperature;
• and
• to control the heating elements, based on the received temperature values and on the determined demand, in such a way that the temperature of the plurality of frame elements meets the pre-defined temperature.