A measuring probe for a coordinate measuring machine is provided. The measuring probe includes a stylus position detection portion with a sensing coil configuration, signal processing and control circuitry and a temperature dependent compensation portion. The temperature dependent compensation portion includes a temperature dependent component that is coupled to at least part of the sensing coil configuration such that a change in a characteristic of the temperature dependent component due to an increase in temperature of the temperature dependent component causes a ratio of a first current to a second current to increase in the sensing coil configuration, wherein the first and second currents are in at least one first sensing coil and at least one second sensing coil, respectively, of the sensing coil configuration. Such implementations are configured to increase accuracy of the processed signals by at least partially compensating for certain affects that occur due to temperature changes.

A measuring system (15) includes a measuring arm receiving unit (18) mounted on the housing (49) or on an axial pin (30) connected to the housing (49) for conjoint rotation so as to be rotatable or pivotable about the axis of rotation (D). A measuring arm (16) can be arranged on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). A motor unit (24) generates a motor torque about the axis of rotation (D) on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). The measuring arm unit (18) is mounted by a ball bearing guide unit (39) to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) in the peripheral direction and displaceably along the axis of rotation (D) in the axial direction A. An axial position of the measuring arm unit (18) in the axial direction is defined with the aid of a magnetic axial bearing device (46) and is maintained during operation.

A measuring system (15) includes a measuring arm receiving unit (18) mounted on the housing (49) or on an axial pin (30) connected to the housing (49) for conjoint rotation so as to be rotatable or pivotable about the axis of rotation (D). A measuring arm (16) can be arranged on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). A motor unit (24) generates a motor torque about the axis of rotation (D) on the measuring arm receiving unit (18). The measuring arm unit (18) is mounted by a ball bearing guide unit (39) to be rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) in the peripheral direction and displaceably along the axis of rotation (D) in the axial direction A. An axial position of the measuring arm unit (18) in the axial direction is defined with the aid of a magnetic axial bearing device (46) and is maintained during operation.

A measuring probe for a coordinate measuring machine is provided. The measuring probe includes a stylus position detection portion with a sensing coil configuration, signal processing and control circuitry and a temperature dependent compensation portion. The temperature dependent compensation portion includes a temperature dependent component that is coupled to at least part of the sensing coil configuration such that a change in a characteristic of the temperature dependent component due to an increase in temperature of the temperature dependent component causes a ratio of a first current to a second current to increase in the sensing coil configuration, wherein the first and second currents are in at least one first sensing coil and at least one second sensing coil, respectively, of the sensing coil configuration. Such implementations are configured to increase accuracy of the processed signals by at least partially compensating for certain affects that occur due to temperature changes.

A measuring probe for a coordinate measuring machine is provided. The measuring probe includes a stylus position detection portion with a sensing coil configuration, signal processing and control circuitry and a temperature dependent compensation portion. The temperature dependent compensation portion includes a temperature dependent component that is coupled to at least part of the sensing coil configuration such that a change in a characteristic of the temperature dependent component due to an increase in temperature of the temperature dependent component causes a ratio of a first current to a second current to increase in the sensing coil configuration, wherein the first and second currents are in at least one first sensing coil and at least one second sensing coil, respectively, of the sensing coil configuration. Such implementations are configured to increase accuracy of the processed signals by at least partially compensating for certain affects that occur due to temperature changes.

A first contact target position, a second contact target position, and a characteristic pattern for specifying a position and a posture of the workpiece are set in association with each other. First and second contact target positions for measurement are specified from a workpiece image newly generated during the execution of measurement such that a driving section is controlled to bring the touch probe into contact with the side surface of the workpiece with the specified first contact target position for measurement as a reference, and the driving section is controlled to bring the touch probe into contact with the upper surface of the workpiece with the specified second contact target position for measurement as a reference. Three-dimensional coordinates of a contact point are measured based on a contact signal output when the touch probe comes into contact with the workpiece.

A first contact target position, a second contact target position, and a characteristic pattern for specifying a position and a posture of the workpiece are set in association with each other. First and second contact target positions for measurement are specified from a workpiece image newly generated during the execution of measurement such that a driving section is controlled to bring the touch probe into contact with the side surface of the workpiece with the specified first contact target position for measurement as a reference, and the driving section is controlled to bring the touch probe into contact with the upper surface of the workpiece with the specified second contact target position for measurement as a reference. Three-dimensional coordinates of a contact point are measured based on a contact signal output when the touch probe comes into contact with the workpiece.

A scanning probe for a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a machine tool, is described that includes a probe body connected to a stylus holder by a strain-sensing structure. The strain-sensing structure has an inner portion connected to an outer portion by a plurality of bendable members. A proximal end of each bendable member is attached to the inner portion and a distal end of each bendable member being attached to the outer portion. The inner and outer portions are centred on a central axis and the plurality of bendable members include at least one strain-sensing element. The proximal and distal ends of each bendable member are located at different angles about the central axis. Such an arrangement enables both scanning and touch trigger measurements to be acquired.

A scanning probe for a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a machine tool, is described that includes a probe body connected to a stylus holder by a strain-sensing structure. The strain-sensing structure has an inner portion connected to an outer portion by a plurality of bendable members. A proximal end of each bendable member is attached to the inner portion and a distal end of each bendable member being attached to the outer portion. The inner and outer portions are centred on a central axis and the plurality of bendable members include at least one strain-sensing element. The proximal and distal ends of each bendable member are located at different angles about the central axis. Such an arrangement enables both scanning and touch trigger measurements to be acquired.

A sensor comprising a whisker shaft and a follicle is provided. The shaft has a root end and a tip end and the shaft tapers from the root end to the tip end so that the root end is wider and the tip end is narrower. The root end is pivotably mounted in the follicle.