Deactivatable measurement apparatus

A method of operating a dimensional measurement apparatus with a machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, the measurement apparatus comprising a measurement probe having a measurement portion for acquiring object position measurements, the method comprising the steps of:

• (i) using the measurement probe of the measurement apparatus to acquire object position measurements, the measurement probe including a deflectable stylus;
• and
• (ii) outputting measurement data from the measurement apparatus that is related to the position measurements acquired in step (i), including outputting the measurement data to a machine controller of the machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine;
• and
• (iii) using the measurement data in combination with machine position data to measure a dimension of an object,
• wherein the method comprises performing the step of reading apparatus usage information and only performing step (ii) if said apparatus usage information meets one or more predetermined criteria.

A measurement device comprising:

• a measurement portion having a deflectable stylus for acquiring object measurements;
• an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object measurements to a machine controller of the machine tool or co-ordinate measuring machine, the machine controller using the measurement data in combination with machine position information to measure a dimension of an object;
• and
• a device disabler for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement device such that output of the measurement data is prevented;
• wherein the device disabler inhibits operation of the measurement device after an occurrence of a predetermined event and only permits continued operation of the measurement device, including continued operation of a previously used measurement portion, on receipt of an appropriate reactivation instruction.