Chucking device for interchangeable holding of probe pins in a coordinate-measuring instrument

摘要

The invention concerns a receiver (1) in the probe head of a multiple-coordinate measuring machine in which probe-pin combinations (21) can be replaceably chucked with high precision with respect to their position in space. The receiver contains an isostatic three-point support (14) against which the base (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) of the probe-pin combination is drawn by an electrically operated clamping device. The clamping device is coupled with the control computer of the measuring machine so that a probe change can be effected automatically. In a preferred embodiment, the clamping device consists of a permanent magnet (11) and of an electromagnet (10) by which the field of the permanent magnet (11) can be selectively counteracted or increased to achieve pick-up and release functions. In another embodiment, a motor-driven screw thread performs the pick-up and release functions, and assures that the picked-up probe will unambiguously be drawn into correct isostatic engagement with the three-point support.