Method and Device for Guiding a Machine Part Along a Defined Motion Path Over a Workpiece Surface

A method for guiding a machine part (12) along a defined movement path (28) over a workpiece surface (23), the machine part (12) being held along the movement path at a defined distance (50) from the workpiece surface (23), comprising the steps of:

• providing a distance sensor (14) that runs ahead of the machine part (12) along the movement path (28) with a defined lead (18),
• determining a plurality of distance values (S(m)) between the distance sensor (14) and the workpiece surface (23) along the movement path (28),
• determining a plurality of control values (ΔTS(i)) for adjusting the defined distance (50) as a function of the first distance values (S(m)), and
• moving the machine part (12) along the movement path (28) and repeatedly adjusting the defined distance (50) by means of the control values (ΔTS(i)),
• characterized in that
• the distance values (S(m)) are determined at a plurality of measurement positions (m) that are distributed along the movement path (28) with a first grid spacing (46), and
• the control values (ΔTS(i)) are assigned to a plurality of actuating positions (i) that are distributed along the movement path (28) with a second grid spacing (44),
• wherein the first and the second grid spacings (46, 44) are different.