Probe head with indexing mechanism

Details Probe head with indexing mechanism Probe head with indexing mechanism

1995-02-16

1997-05-20

Will, Thomas B.

Geometrical instruments

Gauge

Probe support

33556, 33503, 33 1D, 74826, G01B 5012, B23Q 1722

Patent

active

RE0355100

ABSTRACT:
A probe head (10) includes a support (12) by which the probe head is retained on the quill of a coordinate positioning machine, and a rotor (14) which is magnetically retained on the support (12). The rotor (14) is rotatable between a plurality of indexed angular positions provided by a ring or balls (26) and three adjacently positioned pairs of rollers (24). A drive dog shaft (20) is linearly movable to disengage the balls (26) from the rollers (24), and rotatable to rotate the rotor (14) to a new indexed position, whereupon the drive dog shaft (20) is retracted to re-engage a set of three balls (26) with the rollers (24). Exchange of a measuring probe (16) is performed by removing the entire rotor (14), and exchanging it for a further rotor carrying a different measuring probe. The engagement elements provided by rollers (24) and balls (26) thus serve the functions of (a) indexing and (b) repeatably [retaining] positioning a rotor (14) on the support (12). This reduces the number of kinematic locations required between the movable arm of the machine and the probe (16) during the course of normal operation of a probe head to which a number of probes (16) are releasably couplable.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3091133 (1963-05-01), Hoeger
patent: 4168576 (1979-09-01), McMurtry
patent: 4349906 (1982-09-01), Scifres et al.
patent: 4644825 (1987-02-01), Yamazaki
patent: 4888877 (1989-12-01), Enderle et al.
patent: 4938083 (1990-07-01), Gurny et al.
patent: 5028901 (1991-07-01), Enderle et al.
patent: 5041806 (1991-08-01), Enderle et al.
patent: 5228205 (1993-07-01), Bertz et al.
Carl Zeiss Produktinformation, "DSE 05 Dreh-Schwenk-Einrichtung".
Renishaw Product Brochure & Description; "PH9 Automated Inspection System for Measuring Machines" No Date.

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