Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Coordinate movable probe or machine
Patent
1985-08-29
1986-12-30
Little, Willis
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Coordinate movable probe or machine
33 1M, 33505, G01B 728
Patent
active
046318348
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a coordinate measuring instrument, and more particularly to an automatic probe mounting-removing device wherein a signal producing probe is automatically mountable and removable.
BACKGROUND TECHNIQUES
There has heretofore been known a coordinate measuring instrument wherein a signal producing probe such as a touch signal probe to produce a signal directly or an approach signal probe to produce a predetermined approach signal indirectly is tridimensionally moved to measure a configuration of a work to be measured. In general, the coordinate measuring instrument of the type described is of such an arrangement that supports are provided on a bedplate in a manner to be movable in the longitudinal direction, i.e. a direction of Y-axis, a slider laterally racked across the top ends of these supports in a manner to be movable in the lateral direction, i.e. a direction of X-axis, and a Z spindle is provided in a manner to be movable in the vertical direction, i.e. a direction of Z-axis. Herein, a stacking construction is adopted that the supports are assembled onto the bedplate, the slider onto the supports and the Z spindle onto the slider, successively.
In consequence, unless rigid structures are successively adopted from the bedplate to the Z spindle, it is difficult to secure the accuracy. This causes such disadvantages in a so-called automatic coordinate measuring instrument, wherein the respective axes are of automatically driven type, that a driving source is raised to a high horsepower one due to a high weight load, a control system is made to be a high class one due to a high inertia, or feed at high speed becomes difficult to do. Furthermore, the general construction is large-sized, which leads to an economical disadvantage.
Furthermore, in the coordinate measuring instrument, replacement of the touch signal probes is performed mainly, the means for mounting and removing is screwing or the like, which is not automatic and requires labor hours. Further, such touch signal probes, which should be replaced one with another in accordance with the use applications, must be prepared each time, and an angle of a measuring element of the touch signal probe, which has been mounted, should be varied in accordance with the configuration of the work. In any case, the operation relating to the touch signal probe disadvantageously requires labor hours.
The present invention has as its object the provision of a coordinate measuring instrument capable of improving the operating efficiency in carrying out an operation of mounting or removing a touch signal probe, an operation of changing a direction of a measuring element and the like in the coordinate measuring instrument.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the above-described object, the present invention contemplates that: a table is made movable relative to a bedplate; a probe mounting-removing mechanism capable of automatically mounting or removing a signal producing probe is provided in a Z-axis structure so as to achieve the practical results of automating; a probe stocker is provided on said movable table; and a probe holder having a signal producing probe is rested on said probe stocker; whereby: a feed construction is made compact in size as the result of making movable sections to be compact in size; and a driving mechanism such as a table required for moving the work is utilized for mounting and removing the probe, to thereby dispense with a special machine, control circuit or the like for the feed in said probe mounting-removing mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the general arrangement of one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 to 5 are enlarged views showing the essential portions of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a Y-axis direction driving mechanism;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are an enlarged plan view and a partially sectional, enlarged front view showing an X-axis direction driving me
REFERENCES:
patent: 3164909 (1965-01-01), Rosenberg
patent: 3750295 (1973-08-01), Nordmann et al.
patent: 4442607 (1984-04-01), Sakata et al.
patent: 4489333 (1984-12-01), Anderka et al.
patent: 4507868 (1985-04-01), Tuss
patent: 4567659 (1986-02-01), Kitamura
Hayashi Koji
Ono Noritsugu
Yoshioka Susumu
Little Willis
Mitutuoyo Mfg. Co., Ltd.
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