Coordinate measuring machine

Abstract

A coordinate measuring machine operable to employ pentapod kinematics to determine the absolute position at a measuring point tip by measuring about five axes. The machine comprises a first, bifurcated linkage, a second, trifurcated linkage, and a plurality of elongate struts. First and second ones of the plurality of struts share the first linkage, third, fourth and fifth ones of the plurality of struts share the second linkage, and the first and second linkages are coupled via a handle. The first and second struts are preferably rotatably engaged to the first linkage, and the third, fourth and fifth struts may be rotatably engaged to the second linkage. First through fifth nodes may be provided, each node being slidably engaged to a corresponding one of the first through fifth struts. The nodes may comprise means for measuring the displacement of the corresponding strut relative to the node.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.