A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology instrument 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 longer range communications modules, to change or establish settings and parameters or control the metrology device.

A method of finding a feature of an object using an analogue probe mounted on a machine tool. The method includes the analogue probe and/or object following a course of motion which causes the analogue probe's surface sensing region to traverse across the feature to be found a plurality of times whilst approaching the feature over successive traverses so as to ultimately arrive in a position sensing relationship with the feature so as to collect scanned measurement data about the feature along at least part of a traverse.

A method of finding a feature of an object using an analogue probe mounted on a machine tool. The method includes the analogue probe and/or object following a course of motion which causes the analogue probe's surface sensing region to traverse across the feature to be found a plurality of times whilst approaching the feature over successive traverses so as to ultimately arrive in a position sensing relationship with the feature so as to collect scanned measurement data about the feature along at least part of a traverse.

A probe head of a three-dimensional coordinate measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a measurer, a first and second diaphragm, a first oscillator, and a second oscillator. The measurer extends in a first direction. The first and second diaphragms are provided at two different positions on the measurer, at a first position and a second position, respectively, and support the measurer such that the measurer is capable of displacement in a first direction. The first oscillator causes the measurer to oscillate along the first direction. The second oscillator causes a predetermined portion of the measurer between the first and second diaphragms to oscillate along each of a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions.

An articulating probe for use with a coordinate measuring machine comprises an attachment portion, a measuring portion, and at least one articulating joint. The attachment portion can be configured for attachment to a coordinate measuring machine. The measuring portion can be configured to contact an object to be measured by the coordinate measuring machine. The at least one articulating joint can be configured to allow rotation between the attachment portion and the measuring portion. Further, the articulating joint can comprise an angular sensor configured to measure an angle of the joint.

An articulating probe for use with a coordinate measuring machine comprises an attachment portion, a measuring portion, and at least one articulating joint. The attachment portion can be configured for attachment to a coordinate measuring machine. The measuring portion can be configured to contact an object to be measured by the coordinate measuring machine. The at least one articulating joint can be configured to allow rotation between the attachment portion and the measuring portion. Further, the articulating joint can comprise an angular sensor configured to measure an angle of the joint.

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.

An inductive position detection configuration for stylus position measurement in a scanning probe comprises a stylus position detection portion arranged along a central axis in the probe. The stylus position detection portion includes a field generating coil configuration and top and bottom axial and rotary sensing coil configurations. The field generating coil configuration generates a changing magnetic flux, and coil signals indicate conductive disruptor element and/or stylus positions. A field generating coil coupling and crosstalk reducing configuration couples signal processing and control circuitry to the field generating coil configuration to provide a coil drive signal, and is configured to reduce crosstalk that would otherwise occur if the field generating coil configuration were directly connected to the signal processing and control circuitry without the field generating coil coupling and crosstalk reducing configuration.

An inductive position detection configuration for stylus position measurement in a scanning probe comprises a stylus position detection portion arranged along a central axis in the probe. The stylus position detection portion includes a field generating coil configuration and top and bottom axial and rotary sensing coil configurations. The field generating coil configuration generates a changing magnetic flux, and coil signals indicate conductive disruptor element and/or stylus positions. A field generating coil coupling and crosstalk reducing configuration couples signal processing and control circuitry to the field generating coil configuration to provide a coil drive signal, and is configured to reduce crosstalk that would otherwise occur if the field generating coil configuration were directly connected to the signal processing and control circuitry without the field generating coil coupling and crosstalk reducing configuration.