# US 8,739,425 B2 · Encoder scale member and method for mounting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,425 B2 - Document ID: US8739425B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/145,143 - Filed: 2010-02-16 - Published: 2011-11-10 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-16 - Assignees: Renishaw PLC - Applicants: James Reynolds Henshaw - Inventors: James Reynolds Henshaw - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739425B2 ## CPC - G01B 21/04: by measuring coordinates of points - F16C 29/005: {Guide rails or tracks for a linear bearing, i.e. adapted for movement of a carriage or bearing body there along} - F16C 41/007: {Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles} - G01D 5/244: influencing characteristics of pulses or pulse trains; generating pulses or pulse trains - G01D 11/245: {Housings for sensors} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a mounting surface, a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface, a first member comprising a sensor for sensing scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide, and an encoder scale member comprising a first set of scale markings which are, in use, sensable by the sensor. At least part of the encoder scale member is retained between the mounting surface and the motion guide such that the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. The motion guide may be a guide rail or a bearing, for example. En encoder scale member for use with such a coordinate positioning apparatus is also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coordinate positioning apparatus comprising: a mounting surface; a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface; a first member comprising a sensor configured to sense scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide so as to be movable with respect to the motion guide while mounted; and an encoder scale member comprising a first set of scale markings that are, in use, sensable by the sensor, wherein at least part of the encoder scale member is retained between the mounting surface and the motion guide by being sandwiched therebetween, and the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoder scale member comprises at least one mounting feature that allows the encoder scale member to be attached to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting feature comprises at least one mounting hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting feature comprises at least one mounting slot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion guide comprises at least one mounting feature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the encoder scale member comprises at least one mounting feature, and wherein at least one attachment part is provided, the at least one attachment part being cooperable with the at least one mounting feature on the encoder scale member and with the at least one mounting feature on the motion guide to fix the encoder scale member and the motion guide to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoder scale member has first and second opposing faces, and wherein the first face is supported by the mounting surface and at least part of the second face contacts the motion guide. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first face is substantially parallel to the second face. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first set of scale markings are provided on at least the second face. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set of scale markings are arranged to form at least one scale track. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set of scale markings are magnetic scale markings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoder scale member is a linear encoder scale member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoder scale member has a radius of curvature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate positioning apparatus is a machine tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion guide comprises a guide rail. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first member comprises a guide carriage. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion guide comprises a bearing. ### Claim 18 An encoder scale member configured to be used with a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising a mounting surface, a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface, and a first member comprising a sensor configured to sense scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide so as to be moveable with respect to the motion guide while mounted, the encoder scale member comprising: a first set of scale markings that are, in use, sensable by the sensor; and at least one mounting feature that allows at least part of the encoder scale member to be fixed between the mounting surface and the motion guide by being sandwiched therebetween, and allows the encoder scale member to be supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An encoder scale member according to claim 18, wherein at least one attachment part is provided, the attachment part being cooperable with the at least one mounting feature to fix the at least part of the encoder scale member between an associated mounting surface and a motion guide. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) An encoder scale member according to claim 19, wherein the at least one mounting feature comprises at least one mounting hole configured to receive the at least one attachment part. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) An encoder scale member according to claim 19, wherein the at least one mounting feature comprises at least one mounting slot configured to fit around the at least one attachment part. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) An encoder scale member according to claim 18, wherein the encoder scale member has first and second opposing faces. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) An encoder scale member according to claim 22, wherein the first face is substantially parallel to the second face. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) An encoder scale member according to claim 22, wherein the first set of scale markings are provided on at least one of the first and second faces. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) An encoder scale member according to claim 18, wherein the first set of scale markings are arranged to form at least one scale track. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) An encoder scale member according to claim 18, wherein the first set of scale markings are magnetic scale markings. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) An encoder scale member according to claim 18, wherein the encoder scale member is a linear encoder scale member. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) An encoder scale member according to claim 18, wherein the encoder scale member has a radius of curvature. ### Claim 29 A method for mounting an encoder scale member to a coordinate positioning apparatus comprising a mounting surface, a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface, and a first member comprising a sensor configured to sense scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide so as to be movable with respect to the motion guide while mounted, the encoder scale member comprising a first set of scale markings that are, in use, sensable by the sensor, the method comprising the steps of: (i) taking the mounting surface, motion guide, and encoder scale member; and (ii) sandwiching at least part of the encoder scale member between the mounting surface and the motion guide to retain the encoder scale member therebetween such that the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the step of sandwiching further comprises the steps of: (i) positioning the encoder scale member on the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus such that the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings; and (ii) positioning the motion guide on the encoder scale member such that the at least part of the encoder scale member lies between the motion guide and the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A method according to claim 30, wherein the encoder scale member is a coiled encoder scale member, and wherein the step of positioning the encoder scale member comprises uncoiling the encoder scale member and laying it on the mounting surface. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the method comprises the additional step of fixing the motion guide and the encoder scale member to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) A method according to claim 32, wherein the mounting surface, motion guide, and encoder scale member each comprise mounting holes, and wherein the step of fixing the motion guide and the encoder scale member comprises bolting the motion guide and the encoder scale member to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, comprising the initial step of releasably fixing the motion guide to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) A method according to claim 34, wherein the step of sandwiching further comprises the steps of: (i) at least partially releasing the motion guide from the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus; and (ii) at least partially separating the motion guide from the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A method according to claim 35, further comprising the step of re-fixing the motion guide to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) A method according to claim 34, wherein the motion guide is releasably fixed to the mounting surface of the coordinate positioning apparatus with at least one attachment part. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) A method according to claim 37, wherein the encoder scale member comprises at least one mounting slot configured to fit around the at least one attachment part. ### Claim 39 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the motion guide comprises a guide rail. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A method according to claim 39, wherein the first member comprises a guide carriage. ### Claim 41 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the motion guide comprises a bearing. ### Claim 42 (depends on 29) A method according to claim 29, wherein the coordinate positioning apparatus is a machine tool. ### Claim 43 A coordinate positioning apparatus comprising: a mounting surface; a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface; a first member configured to support a sensor configured to sense scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide so as to be movable with respect to the motion guide while mounted; and an encoder scale member comprising scale markings, wherein at least part of the encoder scale member is retained between the mounting surface and the motion guide by being sandwiched therebetween, and wherein a substantial part of the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A coordinate positioning apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the coordinate positioning apparatus is a machine tool.