Patent ID: 6604295
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: B82Y,G01B,G01Q

Abstract:
A microscopic geometry measuring device, comprising:a stylus to be in contact with a workpiece; a sensor for detecting a quantitative change in state when the stylus is in contact with the surface of the workpiece; a drive mechanism comprising a fine feed mechanism and a coarse feed mechanism for relatively moving the stylus and the workpiece in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece; a displacement sensor for detecting a relative movement of the stylus and the workpiece surface by the drive mechanism; and a measuring force control circuit for adjusting a measuring force applied to the stylus, the drive mechanism fine feed mechanism having a fixed portion and a movable driving portion displacing relative to the fixed portion for minutely displacing the stylus and/or the workpiece; and the drive mechanism coarse feed mechanism having a movable portion attached to the fixed portion of the fine feed mechanism for relatively displacing the stylus and the workpiece, the fine feed mechanism having a movable balancing portion structured approximately identical with the movable driving portion of the fine feed mechanism to be moved in a direction opposite to a movement direction of the movable driving portion, and the movement direction of the fine feed mechanism and the coarse feed mechanism is along an axial direction of the stylus, wherein the measuring force control circuit actuates the fine feed mechanism and the coarse feed mechanism based on an output signal from the quantity of state sensor to adjust the measuring force applied to the stylus, and wherein the reaction force caused by movement of the fine feed mechanism on the coarse feed mechanism is minimized.