초록 ▼

A method of making measurements on a machine having a movable probe for measuring a part in which a present location of the probe is maintained and a past location (e.g., a part measurement) of the probe is also maintained (stored) and advantageously displayed. The measuring apparatus includes two s

A method of making measurements on a machine having a movable probe for measuring a part in which a present location of the probe is maintained and a past location (e.g., a part measurement) of the probe is also maintained (stored) and advantageously displayed. The measuring apparatus includes two sets of storage members, with the present position information of the probe stored in one set. The present probe position information is transferred to the other storage members in response to a control signal. The control signal, such as an electrical signal indicating contact with an object, causes measurements to be transferred from the one set of storage members to the second set of storage members and, advantageously, the transfer of further information to the second storage members may be locked out of a predetermined time or until an event occurs (such as a resetting signal). The first set of storage members continue to maintain present position information on the probe which may be moving, while an output device (display, etc.) is coupled to the second set of storage members and is not affected by the change in the first set of storage members. The present invention has application of multi-dimension measuring (e.g., coordinate measuring machines) and single dimension measuring (e.g., height gages).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of measuring an object with a machine having a probe, said method comprising the steps of moving the probe and object relative to each other, said step of moving the probe and object relative to each other including the step of moving the probe and object into engagement and continuin

1. A method of measuring an object with a machine having a probe, said method comprising the steps of moving the probe and object relative to each other, said step of moving the probe and object relative to each other including the step of moving the probe and object into engagement and continuing the relative movement between the probe and object for at least a short time after their engagement, generating signals during all of the relative movement between the probe and object with each signal being indicative of an increment of relative movement between the probe and object, transmitting all of the signals generated during relative movement between the probe and object to a first data storage unit, storing in the first data storage unit data corresponding to each of the signals generated during relative movement between the probe and object, transmitting from the first data storage unit to a second data storage unit data indicative of the position of engagement of the probe and object, displaying the data indicative of the position of engagement of the probe and object, and maintaining the displayed data constant during the continued relative movement between the probe and object after their engagement so that the displayed data is indicative of the relative position of the probe and object at the time of engagement even though the relative movement between the probe and object continues for at least a short time after their engagement. 2. An apparatus for use in measuring an object, said apparatus comprising a probe (110), means (112) for providing relative movement between said probe (110) and object (200), signal generator means (112) for generating a series of signals during relative movement between said probe and object with each signal being indicative of a increment of relative movement between said probe and object, first data storage means (120) connected with said signal generator means for storing data corresponding to each of the signals generated during relative movement between said probe and object, second data storage means (130) for storing only data received from said first data storage means, means (122) for periodically transmitting from said first data storage means to said second data storage means data indicative of the amount of relative movement between said probe and the object during each period, means (122) for interrupting the periodic transmission of data from said first data storage means to said second data storage means and for effecting the transmittal of any data stored in said first data storage means to said second data storage means in response to engagement of said probe and object, and display means (140) for displaying data indicative of the relative position of said probe and object at the time of engagement. 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for providing relative movement between said probe and object is operable to continue the relative movement between said probe and object for at least a short time after engagement of said probe and object, said signal generator means being operable to generate signals during the continued relative movement between said probe and object, said first data storage means being operable to store data corresponding to the signals generated during the continued relative movement between said probe and object while the data displayed by said data display means remains constant.