An inductive position detector for stylus position measurement in a scanning probe comprises a coil board configuration located along a central axis in the probe. The coil board configuration includes a field generating coil configuration that surrounds a hole in the coil board configuration, a top axial sensing coil configuration and a bottom axial sensing coil configuration, and N top rotary sensing coils and N bottom rotary sensing coils. A stylus-coupled disruptor configuration includes a cylindrical disruptor element that is configured to move and fit within the hole of the coil board configuration, and moves along Z (axial) and X-Y (rotary) directions in a motion volume. The field generating coil configuration generates a changing magnetic flux (e.g., encompassing all or at least part of the cylindrical disruptor element), and coil signals indicate the cylindrical disruptor element and/or stylus positions.

An inductive position detector for stylus position measurement in a scanning probe comprises a coil board configuration located along a central axis in the probe. The coil board configuration includes a field generating coil configuration that surrounds a hole in the coil board configuration, a top axial sensing coil configuration and a bottom axial sensing coil configuration, and N top rotary sensing coils and N bottom rotary sensing coils. A stylus-coupled disruptor configuration includes a cylindrical disruptor element that is configured to move and fit within the hole of the coil board configuration, and moves along Z (axial) and X-Y (rotary) directions in a motion volume. The field generating coil configuration generates a changing magnetic flux (e.g., encompassing all or at least part of the cylindrical disruptor element), and coil signals indicate the cylindrical disruptor element and/or stylus positions.

A scanning probe for a coordinate measuring machine with inductive position sensor signal gain control is provided. The scanning probe includes a stylus position detection portion with field generating and sensing coils, and for which corresponding output signals are indicative of a position of the probe tip of the stylus. Signal processing and control circuitry is configured to implement different operating regions, such as a central high gain operating region which corresponds to a central probe tip position range, as well as other lower gain operating regions, and for which transition operations may be performed for adjusting the gain. In various implementations, transition operations for adjusting a gain may include operations such as: adjusting power to a field generating coil configuration; adjusting a gain of a front end amplifier; altering characteristics of sensing coils; adjusting an input range of an analog to digital converter, etc.

A scanning probe for a coordinate measuring machine with inductive position sensor signal gain control is provided. The scanning probe includes a stylus position detection portion with field generating and sensing coils, and for which corresponding output signals are indicative of a position of the probe tip of the stylus. Signal processing and control circuitry is configured to implement different operating regions, such as a central high gain operating region which corresponds to a central probe tip position range, as well as other lower gain operating regions, and for which transition operations may be performed for adjusting the gain. In various implementations, transition operations for adjusting a gain may include operations such as: adjusting power to a field generating coil configuration; adjusting a gain of a front end amplifier; altering characteristics of sensing coils; adjusting an input range of an analog to digital converter, etc.

A scanning probe for a coordinate measurement machine includes a stylus suspension module, a stylus position detection module, a disruptor configuration, and a signal processing and control circuitry module. The stylus position detection module includes a sensor configuration, which comprises various coils, and a shield configuration that is located around the sensor configuration and comprises electrically conductive material for shielding the sensor configuration. The stylus position detection module is mounted to the stylus suspension module utilizing a module mounting configuration, which enables the relative position of the sensor configuration to be adjusted for alignment during the assembly of the scanning probe.

A modular configuration for a scanning probe for a coordinate measuring machine include a stylus suspension module, a stylus position detection module, and a signal processing and control circuitry module. The stylus position detection module is configured to be assembled separately from the stylus suspension module before mounting to the stylus suspension module. The signal processing and control circuitry module is configured to be assembled separately from the stylus position detection module and the stylus suspension module before rigidly coupling to the stylus position detection module as part of assembling the scanning probe.

A touch probe for a coordinate measuring machine with a processor which is programmed to generate a trigger signal signalling a contact between a stylus of the probe and a workpiece, whenever one of a plurality displacement signals exceeds a corresponding threshold. In addition, or in alternative, a delayed trigger is generated based on a processing a plurality of samples of displacement signals that are stored in a buffer. The processor is programmed to minimize anisotropy of the probe response. Furthermore, the thresholds can be modified during operations based on commands received from the CMM controller.

A touch probe for a coordinate measuring machine with a processor which is programmed to generate a trigger signal signalling a contact between a stylus of the probe and a workpiece, whenever one of a plurality displacement signals exceeds a corresponding threshold. In addition, or in alternative, a delayed trigger is generated based on a processing a plurality of samples of displacement signals that are stored in a buffer. The processor is programmed to minimize anisotropy of the probe response. Furthermore, the thresholds can be modified during operations based on commands received from the CMM controller.

A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology device and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to establish to change or establish settings and parameters or to replace at least a portion of the operating system used to control the metrology device.

A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology device and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to establish to change or establish settings and parameters or to replace at least a portion of the operating system used to control the metrology device.