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.

A method is described for determining a relative position of an axis of rotation of a rotary table of a coordinate measuring machine. The rotary table has or forms a reference element that is arranged eccentrically in relation to the axis of rotation. The method includes a measuring step including performing a rotary movement of the rotary table, and producing measuring points that encode a position of the reference element by a sensor of the coordinate measuring machine during the rotary movement. The method includes a determining step including determining the relative position of the axis of rotation of the rotary table based on the measuring points.

A method is described for determining a relative position of an axis of rotation of a rotary table of a coordinate measuring machine. The rotary table has or forms a reference element that is arranged eccentrically in relation to the axis of rotation. The method includes a measuring step including performing a rotary movement of the rotary table, and producing measuring points that encode a position of the reference element by a sensor of the coordinate measuring machine during the rotary movement. The method includes a determining step including determining the relative position of the axis of rotation of the rotary table based on the measuring points.

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 retrieve data stored on a circuit associated with an object to be inspected and use the data to perform an inspection on the object using the metrology device.

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 retrieve data stored on a circuit associated with an object to be inspected and use the data to perform an inspection on the object using the metrology device.

A system for assembling a fixture to hold a workpiece for measurement by a CMM includes a plurality of fixture components. The fixture components are used to assemble the fixture. The system also includes a fixture plate having a plurality of fixture component securing portions that are configured to couple with the fixture components to define the fixture. The fixture is configured to couple with the workpiece to hold the workpiece in a predefined orientation. A fixture identifier is configured to identify the fixture components, and a securing portion identifier is configured to identify the securing portions that couple with the fixture components. A visual emphasizing unit is configured to visually emphasize one or more of the fixture components and/or one or more of the securing portions to provide an indication of a fixture component that is to be coupled with a corresponding securing portion

A system for assembling a fixture to hold a workpiece for measurement by a CMM includes a plurality of fixture components. The fixture components are used to assemble the fixture. The system also includes a fixture plate having a plurality of fixture component securing portions that are configured to couple with the fixture components to define the fixture. The fixture is configured to couple with the workpiece to hold the workpiece in a predefined orientation. A fixture identifier is configured to identify the fixture components, and a securing portion identifier is configured to identify the securing portions that couple with the fixture components. A visual emphasizing unit is configured to visually emphasize one or more of the fixture components and/or one or more of the securing portions to provide an indication of a fixture component that is to be coupled with a corresponding securing portion

A coordinate measurement machine (CMM) includes a manually-positionable articulated arm. The articulated arm includes arm segments and rotary joints. At least one of the rotary joints includes a bearing assembly that comprises first and second bearings, a shaft that engages an inner race of the first bearing and an inner race of the second bearing, a housing that engages an outer race of the first bearing and an outer race of the second bearing, and a transducer configured to output an angle signal corresponding to an angle of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The shaft and the housing may be fabricated from materials having coefficients of thermal expansion selected to minimize change in moment rigidity and/or radial rigidity of the bearing assembly as the ambient temperature changes from the lower limit to the upper limit of the CMM operating ambient temperature range.

A coordinate measurement machine (CMM) includes a manually-positionable articulated arm. The articulated arm includes arm segments and rotary joints. At least one of the rotary joints includes a bearing assembly that comprises first and second bearings, a shaft that engages an inner race of the first bearing and an inner race of the second bearing, a housing that engages an outer race of the first bearing and an outer race of the second bearing, and a transducer configured to output an angle signal corresponding to an angle of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The shaft and the housing may be fabricated from materials having coefficients of thermal expansion selected to minimize change in moment rigidity and/or radial rigidity of the bearing assembly as the ambient temperature changes from the lower limit to the upper limit of the CMM operating ambient temperature range.