Controlling motorised hexapod co-ordinate measuring equipment

摘要

A control method for a motorised co-ordinate measuring tool (1) with six or more free-moving arms (7-12) operates by dividing the trans-lateral and rotatory movements of the test head relative to the workpiece (4). These movements are governed by appropriate co-ordinates and control may correspond to the chosen co-ordinates given or to the calculated ideal co-ordinates. Positions and rotation axes may be fixed for the whole or any part of the measuring or learning process. The division of movement can be selected independent of the drive axis and may be programmed for automatic, semi-automatic or manual operation. The equipment is as simple to operate as conventional co-ordinate measuring tools.