A system for autonomously measuring workpieces, the system comprising one or more mobile robots, configured to move autonomously in a production environment with a plurality of production facilities that produce a plurality of different workpieces, each of the mobile robots comprising a spatial localization system for deriving a location of the mobile robot in the production environment, an autonomous navigation and propulsion unit configured for providing mobility of the mobile robot in the production environment, a wireless communication interface providing a data link to at least one other mobile robot and/or to computation and storage system, wherein a first mobile robot comprises a sensor setup comprising one or more sensors and is configured to use one or more of the sensors for identifying a workpiece to be measured and for determining an at least rough position of the workpiece that allows collecting or measuring the workpiece.

A method of determining a form measurement for a curved feature of an artefact. The method includes a positioning apparatus relatively moving the artefact and a measurement device relative along a curved path in a first direction, to obtain a first set of data points along the surface of the curved feature, and the positioning apparatus relatively moving the artefact and the measurement device other along a curved path in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to obtain a second set of data points along the surface of the curved feature. The method further includes using the first and second sets of data points to determine a form measurement for the artefact.

A method for automatically notifying an intended person of a service interval of a test and measurement device by using the test and measurement device is described, wherein service data is received by the test and measurement device. The service data is processed internally. A time for maintenance is calculated automatically based on the service data retrieved. Further, a test and measurement device is described.

A calibrated three-dimensional optical measuring apparatus for the three-dimensional measurement of geometric parameters of a rope has a frame defining and arranged around a rope receiving cavity. A plurality of image acquisition devices is configured to acquire a plurality of digital images of at least one region of an outer surface of the rope. The image acquisition devices are fixed to the frame and arranged around the rope when the calibrated three-dimensional optical measuring apparatus receives the rope in the rope receiving cavity. An attachment device is configured to constrain the calibrated three-dimensional optical measuring apparatus to the rope in a relatively translatable manner with respect to the rope. An electronic digital image processing device is configured to process a multiplicity of digital images and obtain a three-dimensional photogrammetric reconstruction of points of the digital images of the rope acquired by the image acquisition devices.

A coordinate positioning arm includes: a base end and a head end; a drive frame for moving the head end relative to the base end; and a metrology frame for measuring a position and orientation of the head end relative to the base end. The drive frame includes a plurality of drive axes arranged in series between the base end and the head end. The metrology frame includes a plurality of metrology axes arranged in series between the base end and the head end. The metrology frame is adapted and arranged to be substantially separate and/or independent from the drive frame, for example by supporting the metrology frame substantially only at the base end and head end and by providing the metrology frame with sufficient degrees of freedom (via the metrology axes) to avoid creating an additional constraint between the metrology frame and the drive frame.

A coordinate positioning arm includes: a base end and a head end; a drive frame for moving the head end relative to the base end; and a metrology frame for measuring a position and orientation of the head end relative to the base end. The drive frame includes a plurality of drive axes arranged in series between the base end and the head end. The metrology frame includes a plurality of metrology axes arranged in series between the base end and the head end. The metrology frame is adapted and arranged to be substantially separate and/or independent from the drive frame, for example by supporting the metrology frame substantially only at the base end and head end and by providing the metrology frame with sufficient degrees of freedom (via the metrology axes) to avoid creating an additional constraint between the metrology frame and the drive frame.

Three-dimensional test objects provide for assessment of a 3D scanner over a range of scales, frequencies, and/or depths. The test objects may include a substrate having a substantially planar top surface and a plurality of surface features. In some examples, the surface features include a plurality of wedges projecting above the plane of the top surface and extending radially outward from an origin to form a three dimensional star pattern. The shape of the surface features may be periodic or non-periodic. In other examples, the depth of the surface features is decoupled from their lateral frequency.

There are included a probe that can be arranged in an imaging field of view, a horizontal drive section for causing the probe to contact a side surface of a workpiece on a stage, a display section for displaying a model image, a contact position designation section for receiving designation of contact target position information in the model image, a characteristic amount information setting section for setting characteristic amount information, a measurement setting information storage section for storing a plurality of pieces of contact target position information and the characteristic amount information, and a measurement control section for identifying a position and an attitude of the workpiece from a workpiece image by using the characteristic amount information, for identifying a plurality of contact target positions on the side surface of the workpiece where the probe should contact, based on the identified position and the identified attitude of the workpiece.

A computer-assisted method for determining dimensional properties of a measurement object using a coordinate measuring machine. An image representation of the measurement object is shown to a user and the user selects a first geometric element of the measurement object, resulting in the display of eligible test features for the selected first geometric element. The eligible test features are automatically determined from a plurality of typical test features stored in a database, by the selected first geometric element being assigned to one of a plurality of predefined measurement elements stored in the database. A defined measurement sequence is generated in a computer-assisted manner based on the test feature selected by the user. Individual measured values are recorded on the first geometric element using the defined measurement sequence. A numerical value based on the individual measured values is determined, which represents a dimensional property of the first geometric element corresponding to the selected test feature.

A system and method of maintaining a tool position and orientation for a computer-assisted device include a control unit and an articulated structure coupled to the control unit and including a plurality of joints. The articulated structure is configured to support an instrument. The control unit is configured to determine an error that is introduced to a position of the instrument, an orientation of the instrument, or both the position of the instrument and the orientation of the instrument by movement of a first joint of the plurality of joints; and drive at least a second joint of the plurality of joints to reduce the error.