Patent ID: 6973734
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: B23Q,B25J,G01B

Abstract:
1. A method for providing feedback to the operator of a portable coordinate measurement machine (CMM) which measures the position of an object in a selected volume, the CMM including a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including a plurality of joints, a measurement probe attached to a first end of said articulated arm and an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from transducers in said arm and which provides a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of the probe in a selected volume, comprising: sensing deformation of a portion of said articulated arm when said arm is placed under a load, said deformation being an indication of the magnitude of the external force being applied to such arm; and providing feedback to the operator of the CMM in response to said sensed external force.