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US 5,611,147 AGranted
Three dimensional coordinate measuring apparatus
AssigneeFaro Technologies, Inc.
InventorSimon Raab
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A novel, portable coordinate measuring machine comprises a multijointed (preferably six and/or seven joints) manually positionable measuring arm for accurately and easily measuring a volume, which in a preferred embodiment, comprises a sphere ranging from six to eight feet in diameter and a measuring accuracy of 2 Sigma +/-0.003 inch. In addition to the measuring arm, the present invention employs a controller (or serial box) which acts as the electronic interface between the arm and a host computer. Additionally, a number of end effector probes are provided that fulfill functions other than measurement only.
Claims88
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal, said housing including a set of preloaded duplex beatings, said preload being determined by a specific grinding of the inner and outer races such that upon loading during installation, a fixed amount of preload is applied to the assembly;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing, said transfer housing including a housing shoulder and a shaft shoulder for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume;
- a groove in both the transfer housing shoulder and the transfer shaft shoulder to allow 660.degree. rotation of each transfer housing and further including
- a shear shuttle for preventing mechanical overload due to mechanical stressing of said transfer housing.
3 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing, said transfer housing including a housing shoulder and a shaft shoulder for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a prove attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a signal coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume;
- a groove in both the transfer housing shoulder and the transfer shaft shoulder to allow 330.degree. rotation of each transfer housing and further including
- a shear shuttle for prevent mechanical overload due to mechanical stressing of said transfer housing.
3 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a punch probe having a recoil spring and a trigger assembly attached to said second end of said movable arm, said probe further having an arrangement whereby the probe is automatically identified by the CMM;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including first, second and third jointed arrangements wherein the first jointed arrangement has two degrees of freedom, the second jointed arrangement has two degrees of freedom and the third has two degrees of freedom, providing six degrees of freedom within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said send end of said movable arm;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including first, second and third jointed arrangements wherein the first jointed arrangement has two degrees of freedom, the second jointed arrangement has one degree of freedom and the third has three degrees of freedom, providing six degrees of freedom within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including first, second and third jointed arrangements wherein the first jointed arrangement has two degrees of freedom, the second jointed arrangement has two degrees of freedom and the third has three degrees of freedom, providing seven degrees of freedom within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm supported by a pair of counter positioned layered bearings, said arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
A three dimensional coordinate measuring system comprising:
- a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm possesses seven degrees of freedom and is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing a position transducer, said transducer producing a position signal;
- a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm;
- a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm;
- and
- an electronic circuit for receiving said position signals from said transducer and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position and orientation of said probe in a selected volume.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.