Abstract:
A video measurement system includes an imaging system, a reticle projector for projecting an image of a reticle through the imaging system onto the test object, and a camera for capturing images of the test object together with the reticle image projected onto the test object through the imaging system. A selective reflector reflects the reticle image into the camera from a position along the imaging system in advance of the test object. A mode selector is operable in a first mode for directing the reticle image to the test object and from the test object to the camera and is operable in a second mode for directing the reticle image to the selective reflector and from the selective reflector to the camera.
Abstract:
An optical inspection system for capturing images of backlit test objects at two or more aperture settings includes a telecentric imaging system having a first setting associated with a first size aperture stop and a second setting associated with a second larger size aperture stop. An illumination system includes a substage illuminator incorporating (a) a first set of one or more light sources surrounded by a first barrier that defines a first size aperture stop and (b) a second set of one or more light sources located beyond the first barrier and surrounded by a second barrier that defines a second larger size aperture stop. The respective first and second size aperture stops of the illumination system image to the respective first and second size aperture stops of the telecentric imaging system at the respective first and second settings.
Abstract:
An articulated sensor head includes three different sensor modules. A first of the sensor modules is carried on an extended shank that is mounted in a pivotable fashion from an articulating wrist. A housing carrying a second and a third of the sensor modules is releasably fastened to the extended shank. The second and third sensor modules are carried by the housing in a fixed angular orientation with respect to an orientation of the first sensor module.
Abstract:
A recess or pocket is formed in at least one leg of a moving bridge assembly of a coordinate measuring machine, and in a particular embodiment in a primary leg of a moving bridge assembly, to permit a quill to move farther in the X direction to an end of a planar base surface of the coordinate measuring machine adjacent the leg without interfering with the leg. The recess formed in the leg of the moving bridge assembly permits coordinate measurements of a part whose width covers the full area of the planar surface of the base, without necessarily adding significant cost or increasing the footprint of the measurement system.
Abstract:
A probe for an optical measurement system includes a probe body arranged to be adjustably mounted in a measuring machine for optically measuring a test object. A single mode fiber optically coupled within the probe body transmits a source beam having an instantaneous or sequentially established bandwidth spanning a range of wavelengths to the probe body and also transmits a measurement beam from the probe body toward a detector. An adjustable beam manipulator within the probe body spatially excludes portions of the reference beam over a progression of different size portions from being focused within the acceptance cone of the single mode fiber to more closely balance the intensities of the reflected object beam and the reflected reference beam within the measurement beam.
Abstract:
A probe deployment mechanism of a coordinate measuring machine provides for extending and retracting a probe. The probe is displaceable with respect to the actuator body connected to the measuring machine. A locator coupling secures the probe to the actuator body at the extended position for taking measurements. A drive coupled to the probe displaces the probe between the extended and retracted positions but at the extended position, the drive is releasable from the probe for kinetically isolating the locator coupling.
Abstract:
An adapter and method for through the lens (TTL) laser range sensor probes enables use of a TTL probe of a given exit pupil size to be used with a shared objective lens requiring a entrance pupil size, as entered from the laser range sensor, that is different from the TTL probe exit pupil size. Embodiments of the adapter include optics, such as a first lens and a resolving second lens that expand or contract the TTL laser radiation depending on whether the first lens is a diverging, a negative focal length lens, or a converging, positive focal length lens, and the second lens is converging or diverging, respectively, in a Galilean arrangement. Embodiments also provide a Keplerian arrangement, can function with non- collimated radiation, and can include mirrors to yield a more compact adapter. Additional embodiments include at least one adjustable lens element between the first and second lenses, the at least one adjustable lens element being connected to an actuator for movement along the optical path. The adapter can be arranged in a folded configuration in which mirrors are used to form a more compact adapter.
Abstract:
A probe for an optical measurement system includes a probe body arranged to be adjustably mounted in a measuring machine for optically measuring a test object. A polarizing fiber optically coupled within the probe body transmits a source beam having an instantaneous or sequentially established bandwidth spanning a range of wavelengths to the probe body and also transmits a measurement beam from the probe body toward a detector. An adjustable beam manipulator is provided for angularly redistributing the reference beam along the reference arm.
Abstract:
A touch probe for sensing the position of a surface, having a housing and a moving assembly supported within the housing and including a flexible reflective element, a spacer element, and a semitransparent element, wherein a reflective surface of the flexible reflective element and a surface of the semitransparent element opposing the reflective surface are separated by the spacer element, and a stylus connected to the flexible reflective element. The moving assembly and stylus are configured such that movement of the stylus responsive to a force on the stylus causes the flexible reflective element to flex and change distances between points on the reflective surface of the flexible reflective element and on the opposing surface of the semitransparent element. A coherent light source provides coherent light incident upon the semitransparent element and directed through the semitransparent element towards the reflective surface of the flexible reflective element, such that interference fringes are created dependent upon separation distances between the reflective surface of the reflective element and the opposing surface of the semitransparent element. A detector senses changes in the interference fringes patterns in response to flexing of the flexible element.
Abstract:
An interferometric measuring machine includes an exchangeable lens module system for an optical probe. The probe includes a lens body containing the optical apparatus of an interferometer and a lens module containing an objective lens along an object arm of the interferometer that can be exchanged with other lens modules for varying the measuring characteristics of the probe. The lens modules are adapted to accommodate objective lenses having different focal lengths while maintaining a desired optical path length of the object arm of the interferometer.