Coordinate Measuring Apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a coordinate measuring machine with a ram and a probe head or a sensor or an articulating head/unit or with an articulating head/unit with a probe head or sensor positioned on the articulating head/unit
and/or with an interface
in which the probe head or the sensor or an adapter for the articulating head/unit and/or the interface is/are positioned at least partially in the ram.

Claims

1. Coordinate measuring machine with a ram and a probe head or a sensor or an articulating head/unit or with an articulating head/unit with a probe head or sensor positioned on the articulating head/unit and/or with an interface characterized in that the probe head or the sensor or an adapter for the articulating head/unit and/or the interface is/are positioned at least partially in the ram.

2. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface is at least partially positioned in the ram and that the probe head or the sensor or the adapter for the articulating head/unit is at least partially positioned in the interface.

3. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe head or the sensor or the adapter for the articulating head/unit and/or the interface are/is positioned fully in the ram.

4. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface is positioned detachable fixed in the ram and the probe head or sensor or the adapter for the articulating head/unit can be positioned exchangeably on or in the interface.

5. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe head or the sensor or the adapter for the articulating head/unit is positioned exchangeably at least partially in the ram.

6. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchangeable probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit is mounted reproducibly on the interface, or that the exchangeable probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit is positioned reproducibly on the ram.

7. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 6, characterized in that bearings are positioned on the probe head or sensor side or on the articulating head/unit side at the end of the interface or the ram for reproducible bearing.

8. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the bearings are positioned on the probe head side or sensor side or articulating head/unit side at the end of the interface or the ram and outside the interface or outside the ram or inside the interface or inside the ram.

9. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the bearings are designed as three-point bearings.

10. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a fastening device for the detachable fastening of the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit is positioned in the ram at the far end of the bearing of the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit.

11. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening device is designed as a hook.

12. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one sensor is provided for monitoring a closing state of the fastening device.

13. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that an emergency release for the interface or the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit is provided.

14. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a light barrier for detecting an end position of the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit is provided after changing the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit.

15. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one additional supply connection for the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit or the interface is positioned in the plane of the bearing.

16. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that an optical interface is positioned shifted from the plane of the three-point bearing in the axial direction of the ram in the direction of the fastening device.

17. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a switch to trigger the changing process is provided for a manual replacement of the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit.

18. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that on the ram or the interface or the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit at least one centering pin, preferably at least two centering pins is/are provided.

19. Coordinate measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that an optical status display is positioned on the interface or on the probe head or on the sensor or the articulating head/unit.

20. Coordinate measuring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a protective device is provided in and/or on the ram for the interface or the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit or that a protective device is provided in and/or on the interface for the probe head or the sensor or the articulating head/unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0118] Further features and advantages of the invention result from the associated drawings, in which various embodiments of a coordinate measuring machine according to the invention are shown only as examples, without restricting the invention to these exemplary embodiments. The drawings show:

[0119] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a coordinate measuring machine in a portal design;

[0120] FIG. 2 a partial longitudinal section of a ram with interface, probe head, and stylus holder;

[0121] FIG. 3 a perspective view of a sensor/probe head/articulating head/unit holder in a ram without ram housing;

[0122] FIG. 4 a partial view of FIG. 3 with hooks and centering pins;

[0123] FIG. 5 another partial view of FIG. 3;

[0124] FIG. 6 a longitudinal section of a three-point bearing;

[0125] FIG. 7 a top view of a three-point bearing;

[0126] FIG. 8 a top view of a counterpart to the three-point bearing of FIG. 7;

[0127] FIG. 9 a longitudinal section of devices with centering pins;

[0128] FIG. 10 a longitudinal section through a ram with interface and probe head and stylus holder;

[0129] FIG. 11 a longitudinal section of a modified embodiment of a ram with interface and probe head and stylus holder;

[0130] FIG. 12 a longitudinal section of a modified embodiment of a ram with probe head and stylus holder;

[0131] FIG. 13 a longitudinal section of a modified embodiment of a ram with articulating head/unit with probe head;

[0132] FIG. 14 a longitudinal section of a modified embodiment of a ram with articulating head/unit, probe head, and stylus holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0133] FIG. 1 shows a coordinate measuring machine 1 in portal design with a tool table 2 and a portal 3. The portal 3 has a traverse 4. A carriage 5 is positioned on the traverse 4, on which in turn a ram 6 is positioned. The portal 3 can be moved in the X direction, the carriage 5 in the Y direction, and the ram 6 in the Z direction. A probe head 7 holding a stylus 8 is positioned on the ram 6. A workpiece 9 is positioned on the measuring table 2 of the coordinate measuring machine.

[0134] One scale 10 is positioned on the measuring table 2, one scale 11 on the traverse 4, and one scale 12 on the ram 6. The position of the stylus 8 can be detected by means of corresponding distance measuring systems (not shown). The portal 3 has portal feet 13, 14, with which the portal 3 is movably positioned on the measuring table 2. The measured values are recorded and processed via a computer 15, which also contains a control unit.

[0135] In principle, there is also the possibility that the portal 3 is fixed in its position and the tool table with the workpiece is moved relative to the portal.

[0136] In addition, it is also known to position a rotary table on the tool table 2, for example.

[0137] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the ram 6. An interface 42 and the probe head 7 are positioned in the ram 6. The probe head 7 is fixed in the ram 6 by means of a three-point bearing 17 by means of a hook 16 that can be swiveled in the Y direction and moved in the Z direction. A stylus holder 18 is positioned on the probe head 7 and carries the stylus 8 with a probing element 19. The stylus holder 18 is also detachably attached to the probe head 7 by means of a three-point bearing 20. The holding means for holding the stylus holder 18 are not shown in FIG. 2.

[0138] An interface 42 is provided only in schematic form in FIG. 2. The interface 42 has a holding device 46 for the hook 16. The three-point bearing 17 is also positioned on the interface 42.

[0139] The interface 42 is positioned inside the ram 6. The interface 42 is positioned on the ram 6 with screws 28. The interface 42 can be removed from the ram 6 by undoing the screws 28.

[0140] A protective device 49 is provided so that the probe head 7 is not damaged during exchange if it comes into contact with an inner wall of the interface 42. The protective device 49 is made of plastic, for example. The protective device 49 is areally formed (as a surface) in FIG. 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the protective device 49 is positioned as a segment on an inner surface 51 of the interface 42. The protective device 49 can also have a greater axial extension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the ram 6 than shown in FIG. 2. It can be designed in segments with at least one segment or continuously.

[0141] FIG. 3 shows a probe head holding device 21, which is positioned in the ram 8 (not shown in FIG. 3). The probe head holding device 21 has a clamping unit 22. The clamping unit 22 includes the hook 16 (shown in FIG. 2). A sensor 23 detects whether the probe head 7 is inserted into the probe head holding device 21. The sensor 23 can be designed as a light barrier. When the sensor 23 is triggered, the hook 16 is pushed up in the Z-axis direction by means of a compression spring 24 (shown in FIG. 2). The compression spring 24 ensures that no further external energy has to be supplied while the probe head 7 is being fixed in the ram 6 and that the probe head 7 remains fixed. To release the probe head 7, compressed air is introduced into the system so that the hook 16 is moved in the negative Z-direction in the direction of the three-point mount 17 and can then be swiveled into the dashed position in FIG. 2 so that the probe head 7 can be exchanged.

[0142] According to FIG. 3, further sensors 25 are provided for detecting a piston position.

[0143] In addition, a device 23 is provided that detects whether a probe head 7 or a sensor is inserted. The device 23 can be designed as a light barrier.

[0144] The probe head 7 has a light guide 47. This light guide 47 is formed as a light strip made of LEDs.

[0145] In addition, the probe head has 7 cover caps 50. A mechanical connecting element (for example a clamp or a screw connection) (not shown) is positioned under each of the cover caps 50. By undoing this mechanism, the entire probe head holding device 21 shown in FIG. 3 can be removed from the ram 6 with a probe head or a sensor or an adapter for an articulating head/unit. This is an emergency release if the hook 16 (not shown in FIG. 3) does not release the probe head 7 or the sensor or the adapter for the articulating head/unit due to a fault.

[0146] FIG. 4 shows the upper part of the probe head holding device 21. The hook 16 is shown in FIG. 4. In addition, centering pins 26, 27 are provided and a sensor 23 that detects whether a probe head 7 is inserted in the probe head holding device 21.

[0147] Furthermore, two compressed air connections 29, 30 are provided. The compressed air connection 30 is provided in order to enable the hook 16 to be released.

[0148] In addition, electrical connections 31 are provided for supplying power to sensors, forwarding data from the probe head, from the sensor or interface, etc.

[0149] FIG. 5 shows the lower part of the probe head holding device 21. The lower part has an air connection 32 for external sensors. In addition, an optical connection 33 is provided, as is an enabling switch 34. The probe head holding device 21 has a plane 35 with a three-point mount. The optical connector 33 is shifted in the Z-direction in the axial direction in the direction of the fastening device with the hook 16 with respect to the plane 35 with the three-point mount.

[0150] In FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the housing of the ram 6 is not shown. However, the housing 6 extends to the plane 35 of the three-point bearing.

[0151] The plane 35 with the three-point bearing is shown in FIG. 6 in detail. The three-point bearing consists of three balls or ball sections 36. In addition, the centering pins 26, 27 are present, which on the one hand pre-center the probe head 7 when it is inserted and on the other hand prevent incorrect, i.e. twisted, insertion of the probe head 7 if the centering pins 26, 27 are configured asymmetrically.

[0152] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the three-point bearing. The ram 6 with the three bearings 37 is shown in FIG. 7. The bearings 37 each have two cylinders 38. In addition, the hook 16 is provided.

[0153] FIG. 8 shows the probe head 7, in which three half spheres 36 are positioned. When the probe head 7 is positioned on the ram 6, the half spheres 36 come into contact with the cylinders 38 at a total of six points. This achieves reproducible and high-precision bearings. The probe head 7 has a receptacle 39 for the hook 16.

[0154] FIG. 9 shows the lower part of the probe head holding device 21 with the centering pins 26, 27. The centering pins engage in receptacles 40, 41 of the probe head 7. The centering pins 26, 27 are different lengths. For this reason, the centering pin 27 can only be inserted into the receptacle 41. As a result, it is not possible to rotate the probe head 7 by 180°.

[0155] In FIGS. 1 through 9, the invention was shown with an interface 42 and a probe head 7 positioned in the ram 6. According to FIG. 10, the interface 42 is positioned detachably fixed in and on the ram. Screws 28 (not shown in FIG. 10), for example, can be provided for the detachable fixed connection. According to FIG. 10, the probe head 7 is positioned on the interface 42 so that it can be exchanged reproducibly. For this purpose, the interface 42 has a three-point bearing 43. The probe head 7 in turn has a three-point bearing 44 for the stylus holder 18, which holds the ram 8 and the probing element 19.

[0156] Instead of the probe head 7, a sensor (not shown) can also be provided. This can be, for example, an optical sensor, an optical probe head, or a roughness sensor or similar.

[0157] The level 35 of the three-point mount is positioned on the probe head-side end 45 of the ram 6 (FIG. 5).

[0158] FIG. 11 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10 in a modified embodiment. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0159] According to FIG. 11, the interface 42 is positioned in the ram 6. The probe head 7 and the stylus holder 18 are positioned outside of the ram 6.

[0160] FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment. According to FIG. 12, only one probe head 7 is provided, which is positioned in the ram 6.

[0161] The probe head 7 has a three-point bearing 44 for the stylus holder 18. The stylus 8 with the probing element 19 is positioned on the stylus holder 18. According to FIG. 12, no interface is provided.

[0162] FIG. 13 shows the ram 6 with the interface 42 positioned in the ram 6. An adapter 53 for a articulating head/unit 52 is positioned in the interface 42. Instead of the probe head 7, as shown in FIG. 2, the adapter 53 for the articulating head/unit 52 is positioned in the interface 42. A probe head 7 is provided on the articulating head/unit 52, on which a stylus 8 with a stylus ball 19 can be positioned so that it can be exchanged. The stylus 8 can be pivoted into the position shown in dashed lines.

[0163] The adapter 53 for the articulating head/unit 52 is positioned reproducibly in the interface 42 by means of the hook 16 and a three-point bearing 17. The protective device 49 protects the adapter 53 from damage when it is exchanged.

[0164] The interface 42 is positioned inside the ram 6. The interface 42 is positioned on the ram 6 with screws 28. The interface 42 can be removed from the ram 6 by undoing the screws 28.

[0165] FIG. 14 shows the ram 6 in which the interface 42 is positioned. The articulating head/unit 52 is positioned on the ram 6. The probe head 7 that holds the stylus holder 18 is in turn positioned on the articulating head/unit 52. The stylus 8 with the stylus ball 19 is positioned on the stylus holder 18. A three-point bearing 44 is provided between the interface 42, the articulating head/unit 52, the probe head 7, and the stylus holder 18 in each case.

[0166] The interface 42 is positioned on the ram 6 with screws 28 (not shown), as shown in FIG. 2. The interface 42 can be removed from the ram 6 by undoing the screws 28.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0167] 1 coordinate measuring machine [0168] 2 tool table [0169] 3 portal [0170] 4 traverse [0171] 5 carriage [0172] 6 ram [0173] 7 probe head [0174] 8 stylus [0175] 9 workpiece [0176] 10 scale [0177] 11 scale [0178] 12 scale [0179] 13 portal foot [0180] 14 portal foot [0181] 15 computer [0182] 16 hook [0183] 17 three-point bearing [0184] 18 stylus holder [0185] 19 probing element/stylus ball [0186] 20 three-point bearing [0187] 21 probe head holder [0188] 22 clamping unit [0189] 23 sensor [0190] 24 compression springs [0191] 25 sensors [0192] 26 centering pin [0193] 27 centering pin [0194] 28 screws [0195] 29 compressed air connection [0196] 30 compressed air connection [0197] 31 electrical connection [0198] 32 air connection for external sensors [0199] 33 optical connection [0200] 34 enabling switch [0201] 35 plane of the three-point mount [0202] 36 ball sections [0203] 37 bearing [0204] 38 cylinder [0205] 39 receptacle [0206] 40 centering pin receptacle [0207] 41 centering pin receptacle [0208] 42 interface [0209] 43 three-point bearing [0210] 44 three-point bearing [0211] 45 probe head-side end [0212] 46 holding device [0213] 47 light guide (LED) [0214] 49 safety device [0215] 50 cover caps [0216] 51 inner surface interface [0217] 52 articulating head/unit [0218] 53 articulating head/unit adapter