Method and means for controlling a coordinate-measuring instrument

摘要

In the automated performance of multiple measurements on each of a succession of workpieces, the invention contemplates establishing a plurality of safety-reference positions (S1 to S7) along the programmed displacement path intended for the probe head (10) and its work-contacting probe pin. Any one of a variety of error signals developed in the course of conducting the measurement program on a given workpiece is operative to temporarily stop further conduct of the program and to instigate a repeated attempt to successfully traverse the part of the program in which the error signal occurred. The repeated attempt involves retracting displacement of the probe head back to the most-recently traversed safety-reference position, and if the repeated attempt produces the same error signal the probe head is returned to the most-recently traversed safety-reference position and is then caused to by-pass the error-signal part of the program by displacement to a succeeding safety-reference position, for completion of the remaining fraction of the measurement program on the given workpiece.