The present invention is configured such that: when an operator moves a spindle and a table relative to each other using a jog-feed means and when a measurement probe comes into contact with a workpiece fixed on the table, the coordinates of each feed axis are stored; the type of measurement performed by the operator is identified on the basis of the information concerning the feed axis used for moving said measurement probe, the moving direction of the feed axis, the number of times the measurement probe has come into contact with the workpiece, and the number of the jog-feed operation being currently performed by the operator; and the workpiece is measured on the basis of the stored coordinates of the respective feed axes.

A numerical controller for correcting a deviation amount corresponding to a difference between a theoretical value and a measured value of a workpiece includes a machining unit for storing a machining path of the workpiece and an effective offset number during machining of the machining path in association with each other, a measurement unit for storing a deviation amount applied to the workpiece and a measurement point at which the deviation amount is detected in association with each other, and a correction unit for reflecting the deviation amount to the offset number corresponding to the machining path around the measurement point.

A set of respective self-configuring probe interface circuit boards (SC-MPIC's) are disclosed for use with a measurement system comprising host electronics and respective interchangeable measurement probes. Member SC-MPICs each comprises: a local circuit (LS) for probe identification, signal processing and inter-board signal control; and higher-direction and lower-direction connectors pointing toward and away from the measurement probe, respectively. Member SC-MPICs establish a processing hierarchy by generating lower board present signals on their higher-direction connector, higher board present signals on their lower-direction connector, and determining whether they are the highest and/or lowest SC-MPIC based on receiving those signals from adjacent SC-MPICs. They can independently perform probe identification matching operations using probe identification data from compatible and incompatible probes, and the highest SC-MPIC does this first. Member SC-MPICs advantageously pass through or isolate signals from other members in the set depending on the hierarchy, various received signals, and internal processing.

A method of scanning an object using an analogue probe mounted on a machine tool, so as to collect scanned measurement data along a nominal measurement line on the surface of the object, the analogue probe having a preferred measurement range. The method includes controlling the analogue probe and/or object to perform a scanning operation in accordance with a course of relative motion, the course of relative motion being configured such that, based on assumed properties of the surface of the object, the analogue probe will be caused to obtain data within its preferred measuring range, as well as cause the analogue probe to go outside its preferred measuring range, along the nominal measurement line on the surface of the object.

A method for evaluating a three-dimensional (3D) object produced by a three-dimensional (3D) object printer includes generating with a scanner a first data file of the 3D object produced by the three-dimensional object printer. The first data file includes data corresponding to an interior surface and an exterior surface of the 3D object. The method further includes comparing the first data file with a second data file. The second data file is used to operate the three-dimensional object printer to produce the 3D object. The method further includes identifying differences between the first data file and the second data file and identifying a process to rectify a defect on the 3D object based on the identified differences to enable evaluation of the production of the 3D object by the three-dimensional object printer.

A servomotor control device includes: a servomotor; a driven body that is driven by way of the servomotor; a connection mechanism that connects the servomotor and the driven body to transmit power of the servomotor to the driven body; and a motor control unit that controls the servomotor, in which the motor control unit includes: a force acquisition section that acquires a drive force acting on the driven body at a connection part between the connection mechanism and the driven body; and a rigidity estimation section that estimates a magnitude of rigidity of the connection mechanism, based on position information of the servomotor and a drive force acquired by the force acquisition section when causing the servomotor to rotate in a state mechanically fixing the driven body.

A method of scanning an object using an analog probe mounted on a machine tool, so as to collect scanned measurement data along a nominal measurement line on the surface of the object, the analog probe having a preferred measurement range. The method includes controlling the analog probe and/or object to perform a scanning operation in accordance with a course of relative motion, the course of relative motion being configured such that, based on assumed properties of the surface of the object, the analog probe will be caused to obtain data within its preferred measuring range, as well as cause the analog probe to go outside its preferred measuring range, along the nominal measurement line on the surface of the object.

There is provided a method for controlling a shape measuring apparatus which continues to perform nominal scanning measurement to a workpiece having a slightly large deviation from a design data. A scanning path to move a stylus tip is calculated based on design data of a workpiece. The stylus tip is moved along the scanning path. It is monitored whether a distance between the scanning path and an actual workpiece is excessive. When the distance between the scanning path and the actual workpiece is excessive, a trajectory difference error is generated. When the trajectory difference error is generated, geometric correction is performed to the design data so that the design data approaches to the actual workpiece. Scanning measurement is performed based on the design data after the geometric correction.

A system includes a robot, a measuring device, and a processor. The robot is configured to dispense, based on at least one process parameter, a liquid adhesive bead onto a substrate. The measuring device is configured to measure at least one characteristic of the bead shape. The processor is configured to determine, based on a reference bead shape and at least one reference process parameter, response surface profile of the liquid adhesive. The processor is configured to compare the measured bead shape to a reference bead shape and, responsive to determining the measured bead shape is different than the reference bead shape, determine, based on the response surface profile, at least one updated process parameter. The updated process parameter is configured to cause the robot to dispense a second bead having the reference bead shape.

In a numerical controller for controlling acceleration and deceleration on the basis of a stopping distance, a stopping distance calculation module calculates an acceleration for stopping a drive axis with a probe on the basis of a distance that the drive axis with the probe moves from a current velocity to a stopped state when stopping at a maximum acceleration at which a machine tool does not receive shock, and on the basis of a stopping distance at which the probe is not be damaged. An acceleration and deceleration control module calculates a velocity of the drive axis for each of interpolation periods on the basis of the acceleration calculated by the stopping distance calculation module. An interpolating module outputs data that controls the drive axis, on the basis of the interpolation data and the velocity of the drive axis calculated by the acceleration and deceleration control module.