SURFACE-SENSING DEVICE

摘要

The disclosure pertains to a probe head (PH) for use in coordinate measuring machines and having a stylus (10) supported for axial displacement (D1) and angular displacements (D2, D3). A transducer (T1) senses axial forces (F1) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus due to engagement thereof with a workpiece (12). A strain gauge system (16) provided on the stylus senses transverse forces (F2) on the sensing end (11) of the stylus. The forces (F1, F2) are used to determine the orientation of the surface (12A) of the workpiece and a control system is described which responds to those forces to maintain the stylus normal to said surface (12A) during a scanning operation.