Coordinate measuring apparatus

A coordinate measuring apparatus having a component unit for measuring a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of drives for moving said component unit to scan the workpiece;
• a control computer for sequentially generating pregiven sets of desired drive values (Li, Fdes) in accordance with which said drives are correspondingly adjusted at a fixed clock frequency;
• scanning devices for detecting several measured sets of values (XT, YT, ZT, Xm, Ym, Zm, Fix, Fiy, Fiz) at said fixed clock frequency during a measuring sequence;
• said control computer having an operating system without real-time performance wherein said desired drive values are computed;
• a subassembly operating to execute at least one of the following functions:
• (a) several sets of said desired drive values are stored in advance in response to a command of said control computer and to which said drives are to be moved in the next clock pulses;
• and, automatically outputting said sets of desired drive values to said plurality of drives at said fixed clock frequency;
• and,
• (b) storing said measurement values (XT, YT, ZT, Xm, Ym, Zm, Fix, Fiy, Fiz) and transmitting said measurement values (XT, YT, ZT, Xm, Ym, Zm, Fix, Fiy, Fiz) to said control computer in response to a command therefrom.