U.S. patent application number 10/607470 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for measuring apparatus and method for correcting errors in a machine.
Invention is credited to Matsushita, Tetsuya, Nakagawa, Masao, Nashiki, Masayuki, Watanabe, Shigeharu.
Application Number | 20040083830 10/607470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 14108882 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040083830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nashiki, Masayuki ; et
al. |
May 6, 2004 |
Measuring apparatus and method for correcting errors in a
machine
Abstract
[Subject] To provide a measuring apparatus of positions and
postures of a machine for correcting positions and postures of an
end effecter by means of an actuator, and an error correcting
method for correcting errors thereof. [Means for Solution] At least
three universal joint fixing members 2 are attached onto a base 1
that comprises a measuring reference; steel balls 3 are fixed to
the respective universal joint fixing members 2 as universal
joints; a steel ball 5 is fixed to an universal joint fixing member
9 as an universal joint; an universal joint fixing member 4 is
attached to an object to be measured 7 that is supported by means
of another member; and a measuring device 6 is attached to between
the steel balls B3 (sic.) and the steel ball 5. By using such a
measuring apparatus, geometrical errors of a mechanism in a machine
are estimated and corrected based on measured values on positions
and postures of the end effecter.
Inventors: |
Nashiki, Masayuki;
(Komaki-shi, JP) ; Matsushita, Tetsuya;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; Watanabe, Shigeharu; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; Nakagawa, Masao; (Inuyama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURR & BROWN
PO BOX 7068
SYRACUSE
NY
13261-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
14108882 |
Appl. No.: |
10/607470 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10607470 |
Jun 25, 2003 |
|
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09524776 |
Mar 14, 2000 |
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6681495 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/865.9 ;
33/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25J 17/0266 20130101;
G01B 21/045 20130101; G05B 2219/39034 20130101; B25J 9/1692
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
073/865.9 ;
033/503 |
International
Class: |
G01B 005/004 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 1999 |
JP |
11-94387 |
Claims
1. A measuring apparatus comprising first universal joints, first
fixing members to which the first universal joints are attachable,
a base to which at least three of the first fixing members are
attached, a second universal joint, a second fixing member that is
attached to an object to be measured and to which the second
universal joint is attachable, and a measuring device that is
attached to between the at least three first universal joints that
are attached to the base by means of the first fixing members and
the second universal joint that is attached to the object to be
measured by means of the second fixing member, wherein a position
of the object to the measured with respect to the base is measured
by measuring distances between the at least three first universal
joints and the second universal joint.
2. A measuring apparatus comprising a first universal joint, a
first fixing member to which the first universal joint is
attachable, a table that is mounted on a base, to which the first
fixing member is attachable and that is arbitrarily positionable on
a plane, a driving device for driving the table for positioning, a
detecting device for detecting a position of the table, a second
universal joint, a second fixing member that is attached to an
object to be measured and to which the second universal joint is
attachable, and a measuring device that is attached to between the
first universal joint that is attached to the table by means of the
first fixing member and the second universal joint that is attached
to the object to be measured by means of the second fixing member,
wherein a position of the object to be measured with respect to the
base is measured by positioning the first universal joint at least
at three points by moving the table and measuring distances between
the first universal joint at the respective positions and the
second universal joint.
3. A measuring apparatus comprising first universal joints, first
fixing members to which the first universal joints are attachable,
a base to which at least three of the first fixing members are
attached, second universal joints, a second fixing member that is
attached to an object to be measured and to which at least three
second universal joints are attachable, and a measuring device that
is attached to between the at least three first universal joints
that are attached to the base by means of the first fixing members
and the at least three second universal joints that are attached to
the object to be measured by means of the second fixing member,
wherein a position and a posture of the object to be measured with
respect to the base is measured by respectively measuring distances
between the at least three first universal joints and the at least
three second universal joints.
4. A measuring apparatus comprising a first universal joint, a
first fixing member to which the first universal joint is
attachable, a table that is mounted on a base, to which the first
fixing member is attachable and that is arbitrarily positionable on
a plane, a driving device for driving the table for positioning, a
detecting device for detecting a position of the table, second
universal joints, a second fixing member that is attached to an
object to be measured and to which at least three second universal
joints are attachable, and a measuring device that is attached to
between the first universal joint that is attached to the table by
means of the first fixing member and the at least three second
universal joints that are attached to the object to be measured by
means of the second fixing member, wherein a position and a posture
of the object to be measured with respect to the base is measured
by positioning the first universal joint at least at three points
by moving the table and measuring distances between the first
universal joint at the respective positions and the at least second
universal joints.
5. A measuring apparatus comprising first universal joints, first
fixing members to which the first universal joints are attachable,
a base to which at least three of the first fixing members are
attached, a second universal joint, a second fixing member that is
attached to an object to be measured as to be capable of being
rotated and indexed and to which the second universal joint is
attachable in an eccentric manner with respect to a central axis of
rotation, and a measuring device that is attached to between the at
least three first universal joints that are attached to the base by
means of the first fixing members and the second universal joint
that is attached to the object to be measured by means of the
second fixing member, wherein a position and a posture of the
object to the measured with respect to the base is measured by
positioning the second universal joint at least at three points by
rotational movement of the second fixing member and by measuring
distances between the second universal joint and at least three
first universal joints.
6. A measuring apparatus comprising a first universal joint, a
first fixing member to which the first universal joint is
attachable, a table that is mounted on a base, to which the first
fixing member is attachable and that is arbitrarily positionable on
a plane, a driving device for driving the table for positioning, a
detecting device for detecting a position of the table, a second
universal joint, a second fixing member that is attached to an
object to be measured as to be capable of being rotated and indexed
and to which the second universal joint is attachable in an
eccentric manner with respect to a central axis of rotation, and a
measuring device that is attached to between the first universal
joint that is attached to the table by means of the first fixing
member and the second universal joint that is attached to the
object to be measured by means of the second fixing member, wherein
a position and a posture of the object to be measured with respect
to the base is measured by measuring a distance between the first
universal joint at respective positions at which they have been
positioned at least at three points by moving the table and the
second universal joint at respective positions at which the second
universal joint has been positioned at least at three points by
rotational movement of the second fixing member.
7. A method for correcting errors between command values and actual
positions and postures of a base and an end effecter that is
provided to be movable and positionable with respect to the base,
wherein the error correcting method includes the steps of
positioning the end effecter at a plurality of arbitrary positions
and postures, measuring a distance between a single point on the
end effecter and a single point on the base, estimating geometric
errors of an apparatus for controlling positions and postures of
the end effecter by means of an actuator such that differences
between values obtained by measuring the distance between the two
points from among the plurality of arbitrary positions and postures
and the command values become minimum, and correcting errors of the
positions and postures of the end effecter by setting these
geometric errors as correction values.
8. A method for correcting errors between command values and actual
positions and postures of a base and an end effecter that is
provided to be movable and positionable with respect to the base,
wherein the error correcting method includes the steps of
positioning the end effecter at a plurality of arbitrary positions
and postures, respectively measuring distances between a single
point on the end effecter and three points on the base, obtaining
positions of the end effecter among the plurality of arbitrary
positions based on the measured value, estimating geometric errors
of an apparatus for controlling positions and postures of the end
effecter by means of an actuator such that differences between
values obtained by measuring the distance between the two points
from among the plurality of arbitrary positions and postures and
the command values become minimum, and correcting errors of the
positions and postures of the end effecter by setting these
geometric errors as correction values.
9. A method for correcting errors between command values and actual
positions and postures of a base and an end effecter that is
provided to be movable and positionable with respect to the base,
wherein the error correcting method includes the steps of
positioning the end effecter at a plurality of arbitrary positions
and postures, respectively measuring distances between three points
on the end effecter and three points on the base, obtaining
positions of the end effecter among the plurality of arbitrary
positions based on the measured values, estimating geometric errors
of an apparatus for controlling positions and postures of the end
effecter by means of an actuator such that differences between
values obtained by measuring the distance between the two points
from among the plurality of arbitrary positions and postures and
the command values become minimum, and correcting errors of the
positions and postures of the end effecter by setting these
geometric errors as correction values.
Description
DERAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus with
which a position or a position and a posture of an object to be
measured can be measured, and a method for correcting errors in
position or position and posture of an end effecter of a machine
for controlling positions and postures of the end effecter by means
of an actuator.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] It is the case with machines such as machine tools or robots
for controlling positions and postures of a main shaft, a tool, a
hand or other members (hereinafter referred to in summary as "end
effecter") by means of an actuator that it is extremely difficult
to set geometrical errors of the its mechanism to zero or to
measure them, and errors were included in positions and postures of
the end effecter by the influence of these errors. For correcting
such errors in positions and postures of the end effecter in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 4-211806
(1992), an end effecter of a robot is positioned at a fixture
having a plurality of known reference points, a prevailing position
is detected by means of a position detector provided in the robot,
a geometrical error of the mechanism of the robot is estimated
based on a shift of the detected position from a preliminarily
measured reference point, and by correcting this error, an error in
position and posture of the end effecter is accordingly
corrected.
[0005] [Subject the Present Invention is to Solve]
[0006] However, in performing correction of errors in positions and
postures of the end effecter of the above robot, drawbacks were
presented in that the fixture needed to be manufactured at high
accuracy and in that high accuracy positioning of the end effecter
of the robot to the fixture was difficult. Further, there was no
compact measuring apparatus available for measuring positions and
postures of objects to be measured that are supported by another
member such as the end effecter.
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above
problems, and it is a first object thereof to provide a highly
accurate and compact measuring apparatus that is capable of
measuring positions and postures of an object to be measured that
is supported by another member.
[0008] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a
method for correcting errors in a machine capable of controlling
positions and postures of an end effecter by means of an actuator
wherein geometrical errors of a mechanism of the machine is
estimated and corrected based on a measured value obtained by a
measuring device that is capable of measuring distances between the
end effecter and a fixing portion of the machine and of measuring
positions or positions and postures of an end effecter for
correcting errors in positions and postures of the end
effecter.
[0009] [Means for Solving the Subjects]
[0010] For solving the above subjects, the invention according to
claim 1 comprises first universal joints, first fixing members to
which the first universal joints are attachable, a base to which at
least three of the first fixing members are attached, a second
universal joint, a second fixing member that is attached to an
object to be measured and to which the second universal joint is
attachable, and a measuring device that is attached to between the
at least three first universal joints that are attached to the base
by means of the first fixing members and the second universal joint
that is attached to the object to be measured by means of the
second fixing member, wherein a position of the object to the
measured with respect to the base is measured by measuring
distances between the at least three first universal joints and the
second universal joint.
[0011] The invention according to claim 2 comprises a first
universal joint, a first fixing member to which the first universal
joint is attachable, a table that is mounted on a base, to which
the first fixing member is attachable and that is arbitrarily
positionable on a plane, a driving device for driving the table for
positioning, a detecting device for detecting a position of the
table, a second universal joint, a second fixing member that is
attached to an object to be measured and to which the second
universal joint is attachable, and a measuring device that is
attached to between the first universal joint that is attached to
the table by means of the first fixing member and the second
universal joint that is attached to the object to be measured by
means of the second fixing member, wherein a position of the object
to be measured with respect to the base is measured by positioning
the first universal joint at least at three points by moving the
table and measuring distances between the first universal joint at
the respective positions and the second universal joint.
[0012] The invention according to claim 3 comprises first universal
joints, first fixing members to which the first universal joints
are attachable, a base to which at least three of the first fixing
members are attached, second universal joints, a second fixing
member that is attached to an object to be measured and to which at
least three second universal joints are attachable, and a measuring
device that is attached to between the at least three first
universal joints that are attached to the base by means of the
first fixing members and the at least three second universal joints
that are attached to the object to be measured by means of the
second fixing member, wherein a position and a posture of the
object to be measured with respect to the base is measured by
respectively measuring distances between the at least three first
universal joints and the at least three second universal
joints.
[0013] The invention according to claim 4 comprises a first
universal joint, a first fixing member to which the first universal
joint is attachable, a table that is mounted on a base, to which
the first fixing member is attachable and that is arbitrarily
positionable on a plane, a driving device for driving the table for
positioning, a detecting device for detecting a position of the
table, second universal joints, a second fixing member that is
attached to an object to be measured and to which at least three
second universal joints are attachable, and a measuring device that
is attached to between the first universal joint that is attached
to the table by means of the first fixing member and the at least
three second universal joints that are attached to the object to be
measured by means of the second fixing member, wherein a position
and a posture of the object to be measured with respect to the base
is measured by positioning the first universal joint at least at
three points by moving the table and measuring distances between
the first universal joint at the respective positions and the at
least second universal joints.
[0014] The invention according to claim 5 first universal joints,
first fixing members to which the first universal joints are
attachable, a base to which at least three of the first fixing
members are attached, a second universal joint, a second fixing
member that is attached to an object to be measured as to be
capable of being rotated and indexed and to which the second
universal joint is attachable in an eccentric manner with respect
to a central axis of rotation, and a measuring device that is
attached to between the at least three first universal joints that
are attached to the base by means of the first fixing members and
the second universal joint that is attached to the object to be
measured by means of the second fixing member, wherein a position
and a posture of the object to the measured with respect to the
base is measured by positioning the second universal joint at least
at three points by rotational movement of the second fixing member
and by measuring distances between the second universal joint and
at least three first universal joints.
[0015] The invention according to claim 6 comprises a first
universal joint, a first fixing member to which the first universal
joint is attachable, a table that is mounted on a base, to which
the first fixing member is attachable and that is arbitrarily
positionable on a plane, a driving device for driving the table for
positioning, a detecting device for detecting a position of the
table, a second universal joint, a second fixing member that is
attached to an object to be measured as to be capable of being
rotated and indexed and to which the second universal joint is
attachable in an eccentric manner with respect to a central axis of
rotation, and a measuring device that is attached to between the
first universal joint that is attached to the table by means of the
first fixing member and the second universal joint that is attached
to the object to be measured by means of the second fixing member,
wherein a position and a posture of the object to be measured with
respect to the base is measured by measuring a distance between the
first universal joint at respective positions at which they have
been positioned at least at three points by moving the table and
the second universal joint at respective positions at which the
second universal joint has been positioned at least at three points
by rotational movement of the second fixing member.
[0016] The invention according to claim 7 is related to a method
for correcting errors between command values and actual positions
and postures of a base and an end effecter that is provided to be
movable and positionable with respect to the base, wherein the
error correcting method includes the steps of positioning the end
effecter at a plurality of arbitrary positions and postures,
measuring a distance between a single point on the end effecter and
a single point on the base, estimating geometric errors of an
apparatus for controlling positions and postures of the end
effecter by means of an actuator such that differences between
values obtained by measuring the distance between the two points
from among the plurality of arbitrary positions and postures and
the command values become minimum, and correcting errors of the
positions and postures of the end effecter by setting these
geometric errors as correction values.
[0017] The invention according to claim 8 is related to a method
for correcting errors between command values and actual positions
and postures of a base and an end effecter that is provided to be
movable and positionable with respect to the base, wherein the
error correcting method includes the steps of positioning the end
effecter at a plurality of arbitrary positions and postures,
respectively measuring distances between a single point on the end
effecter and three points on the base, obtaining positions of the
end effecter among the plurality of arbitrary positions based on
the measured value, estimating geometric errors of an apparatus for
controlling positions and postures of the end effecter by means of
an actuator such that differences between values obtained by
measuring the distance between the two points from among the
plurality of arbitrary positions and postures and the command
values become minimum, and correcting errors of the positions and
postures of the end effecter by setting these geometric errors as
correction values.
[0018] The invention according to claim 9 is related to a method
for correcting errors between command values and actual positions
and postures of a base and an end effecter that is provided to be
movable and positionable with respect to the base, wherein the
error correcting method includes the steps of positioning the end
effecter at a plurality of arbitrary positions and postures,
respectively measuring distances between three points on the end
effecter and three points on the base, obtaining positions of the
end effecter among the plurality of arbitrary positions based on
the measured values, estimating geometric errors of an apparatus
for controlling positions and postures of the end effecter by means
of an actuator such that differences between values obtained by
measuring the distance between the two points from among the
plurality of arbitrary positions and postures and the command
values become minimum, and correcting errors of the positions and
postures of the end effecter by setting these geometric errors as
correction values.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] Forms of embodiment in which the present invention has been
materialized will now be explained based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is
a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring apparatus
showing a first embodiment and represents a measuring apparatus for
measuring a position of reference OH of an object to be measured 7
with respect to a measuring reference OB.
[0020] Three universal joint fixing members 2a, 2b, 2c are attached
onto a base 1 which comprises the measuring reference OB wherein
steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c are fixed to each of the universal joint
fixing members 2a, 2b, 2c. An universal joint fixing member 4 is
attached to the object to be measured 7 that is supported by a
member that is not shown in the drawings, and a steel ball 5 is
fixed to the universal joint fixing member 4. Measuring device 6 is
comprised of a measuring device such as a so-called double ball bar
which both ends are magnetically charged, which comprises members
for receiving any one of the steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c and the steel
ball 5, and is attached to between any one of the steel balls 3a,
3b, 3c and the steel ball 5 through magnetic force. The steel balls
3a, 3b, 3c and the steel ball 5 function as universal joints and
the measuring device 6 that is attached through magnetic force may
be inclined in any direction with a center being a central point of
the ball.
[0021] The measuring method according to the first embodiment will
now be explained. The three universal joint fixing members 2a, 2b,
2c and the steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c are attached onto the base 1 and
positions of central points of the steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c with
respect to the measuring reference OB are preliminarily made to be
known through measurements or the like. Further, the universal
joint fixing member 4 and the steel ball 5 are attached to the
object to be measured 7 and the position of the central point of
the steel ball 5 with respect to the reference OH of the object to
be measured 7 is preliminarily made to be known through measurement
or he like.
[0022] The measuring device 6 is first attached to between the
steel ball 3a and the steel ball 5 for measuring a distance between
central points of the steel ball 3a and the steel ball 5. Distances
between three points which positions are known and another point
are respectively measured, and in accordance with outlines of
three-point measurement for specifying positions of these points,
measurement is repeatedly performed for each of the other steel
balls 3b, 3c to measure a distance between central points of the
steel ball 3b and steel ball 5 as well as a distance between
central points of the steel ball 3c and steel ball 5. The position
of the reference OH of the object to be measured 7 with respect to
the measuring reference OB is obtained based on the measured
distances between the central points of steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c and
the steel ball 5, the positions of the central points of the steel
balls 3a, 3b, 3c with respect to the measuring reference OB, and
the position of the steel ball 5 with respect to the reference OH
of the object to be measured 7. It should be noted that for
improving the measuring accuracy, the above measurements may be
performed more than four times rather than three times as described
above to thereby obtain average values thereof.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring
device according to a second embodiment and represents a measuring
apparatus for measuring a position of reference OH of an object to
be measured 7 with respect to a measuring reference OB, wherein
identical numbers are applied to identical structures of which
explanations will be omitted.
[0024] In the second embodiment, a saddle 13 is mounted in a
sliding manner on base 1 comprising the measuring reference OB that
is moved in a direction of X-axis by means of a motor 11 and which
position is detected by a position detector 12. A table 8 is
further mounted on the saddle in a sliding manner that is moved in
a direction of Y-axis by means of a motor 14 and which position is
detected by a position detector 15. Universal joint fixing member 2
is attached to the table 8 and steel ball 3 is fixed at a tip end
thereof. Therefore, the steel ball 3 and the universal joint fixing
member 2 may be positioned at arbitrary positions in a XY plane by
movements of the saddle 13 through the motor 11 and movements of
the table 8 through the motor 14. Measuring device 6 is attached to
between the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5 that is attached to
the object to be measured 7 through universal joint fixing member 4
owing to magnetic force.
[0025] The measuring method according to the second embodiment will
now be explained. The universal joint fixing member 2 and the steel
ball 3 are attached onto the table 8, and the position of a central
point of the steel ball 3 with respect to measuring reference OB
when the table 8 is positioned at a specified position is
preliminarily made to be known through measurements and the
position detectors 12, 15. The universal joint fixing member 4 and
the steel ball 5 are attached to the object to the measured 7 and
the position of a central point of the steel ball 5 with respect to
the reference OH of the object to be measured 7 is preliminarily
made to be known through measurements or the like.
[0026] Then, the saddle 13 and the table 8 are moved through the
motor 11 and the motor 14 for positioning the steel ball 3 on the
table at an arbitrary position, and the position of the central
point of the steel ball 3 with respect to the measuring reference
OB is detected by means of the position detectors 12, 15.
Thereafter, the measuring device 6 is attached to between the steel
ball 3 and the steel ball 5 for measuring a distance between
central points of the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5. The steel
ball 3 is similarly moved for measuring positions of the steel ball
3 with respect to the measuring reference OB and distances between
central points of the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5 at three
arbitrary points. The position of the reference OH of the object to
be measured 7 with respect to the measuring reference OB is
obtained based on the respective distances between central points
of the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5 at positions of the three
measured points, the positions of the central point of the steel
ball 3 with respect to the measuring reference OB at positions of
the three points, and the known position of the central point of
the steel ball 5 with respect to the reference OH of the object to
be measured 7.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring
device according to a third embodiment and represents a measuring
apparatus for measuring a position of reference OH of an object to
be measured 7 with respect to a measuring reference OB, wherein
identical numbers are applied to identical structures of which
explanations will be omitted.
[0028] In the third embodiment, a universal joint fixing member 9
to which three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c are fixed is attached to the
object to be measured 7. The measuring method according to the
third embodiment will now be explained. At least three universal
joint fixing members 2a, 2b, 2c and steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c are
attached on to base 1 and positions of central points of the steel
balls 3a, 3b, 3c with respect to the measuring reference OB are
preliminarily made to be known through measurements or the like.
Further, the universal joint fixing member 9 to which the steel
balls 5a, 5b, 5c are fixed is attached to the object to be measured
7 and positions of central points of the steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c
with respect to the reference OH of the object to be measured 7 are
preliminarily made to be known through measurements or the
like.
[0029] Then, measuring device 6 is attached to between the steel
ball 5a and steel ball 3a for measuring a distance between central
points of the steel ball 5a and steel ball 3a. Such measurement is
repeatedly performed for each of the other steel balls 3b, 3c for
measuring the distance between central points of the steel ball 5a
and steel ball 3b and the central points of the steel ball 5a and
the steel ball 3c. The position of the central point of the steel
ball 5a with respect to the measuring reference OB is obtained
based on measured distances between the respective central points
of the steel ball 5a and the steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c and on the
positions of the central points of the steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c with
respect to the measuring reference OB. Similarly, the measuring
device 6 is attached to between the steel balls 5b, 5c for
respectively performing the above measurements in order to obtain
positions of the central points of the steel balls 5b, 5c with
respect to the measuring reference OB. The position and posture of
the reference OH of the object to be measured 7 can accordingly be
obtained based on the obtained positions of the central points of
the three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c and the known positions of the
central points of the steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c with respect to the
reference OH of the object to be measured 7.
[0030] A method that is different from the above-described method
will now be explained. FIG. 4 is a view supposing and representing
positional relationships between central points of six steel balls
3 that are attached to the base 1 and three steel balls 5 that are
attached to the object to be measured 7 to be a parallel mechanism
of six degrees of freedom. In FIG. 4, contrapositives B1, B2, B3,
B4, B5, B6 located at fixed articulation TB represent the central
points of the six steel balls 3 that are attached to the base 1,
and contrapositives P1, P2, P3 located at movable articulation TP
represent the central points of the three steel balls 5 that are
attached to the object to be measured 7, and articulations L1, L2,
L3, L4, L5, L6 represent distances between central points of the
steel balls 3 and the steel balls 5 that have been respectively
measured by means of measuring device 6. By performing progressive
conversion of mechanism of the parallel mechanism, the position and
inclination of the movable articulation TP can be obtained based on
the lengths of the articulations L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6. Therefore,
the position and posture of the object to be measured 7 may be
specified based on the positional relationships between the
reference OH of the object to be measured 7, universal joint fixing
member 9, and the three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c.
[0031] It should be noted that while the number of contrapositives
of the fixed articulation TB has been set to be six as to be B1 to
B6, it may also be three, and while the number of contrapositives
of the moveable articulation TP has been set to three as to be P1
to P3, it may also be six.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring
device for measuring a position of reference OH of object to be
measured 7 with respect to measuring reference OB and a posture of
the object to be measured 7 based on distances between central
points of six steel balls that are attached to a base and six steel
balls that are attached to the object to be measured. The
relationship between the central points of the six steel balls 3a,
3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f and the six steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f
being a parallel mechanism of six degrees of freedom, the position
and posture of the object to be measured 7 can be specified from
the positional relationship between the reference OH of the object
to be measured 7 and the six steel balls 5 by measuring distances
between central points of the respective steel balls by means of
measuring devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f and by performing
progressive conversion of mechanism of the parallel mechanism based
on the measured values.
[0033] In case the number of contrapositives is set to be three, a
bifurcated universal joint that comprises two articulations at one
side thereof is used. FIG. 6 is a bifurcated spherical universal
joint as one example of a bifurcated universal joint. Articulation
21 is attached to socket 22, articulation 26 is attached to
hemisphere 24 that is fitted between the socket 22 and lid 23, and
articulation 27 is attached to hemisphere 25. With this
arrangement, the hemisphere 24 and hemisphere 25 may mutually
perform rotational movements around axes as centers that are
vertical with respect to their respective planes and that extend
through central points of their respective circles, and may be
inclined to any direction within the socket 22. It should be noted
that the bifurcated universal joint is not limited to the
above-described spherical joint but may also be a combination of
rotational bearings.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring
device according to a fourth embodiment and represents a measuring
apparatus for measuring a position of reference OH of an object to
be measured 7 with respect to a measuring reference OB, wherein
identical numbers are applied to identical structures of which
explanations will be omitted. The fourth embodiment differs from
the second embodiment in that a universal joint fixing member 9 to
which three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c are fixed is attached to the
object to be measured 7. Universal joint fixing member 2 and steel
ball 3 are attached onto table 8 and a position of the steel ball 3
with respect to measuring reference OB when the table 8 is
positioned at a specified position is preliminarily made to be
known through measurement and by means of position detectors 12,
15. Further, the universal joint fixing member 9 to which the steel
balls 5a, 5b, 5c are fixed is attached to the object to be measured
7, and positions of central points of the steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c
with respect to the reference OH of the object to be measured 7 are
preliminarily made to be known through measurements or the
like.
[0035] Then, the steel ball 3 that is attached onto the table 8 is
moved by means of motor 11 and motor 14 similarly to the second
embodiment, and the position of the central point of the steel ball
5a with respect to the measuring reference OB is obtained by
measuring a position of a central point of the steel ball 3 with
respect to the measuring reference OB at arbitrary positions of
three points and distances between central points of the steel ball
3 and the steel ball 5a. Similarly, the measuring device 6 is
attached to between the steel balls 5b, 5c for respectively
performing the above measurements in order to obtain positions of
central points of the steel balls 5b, 5c with respect to the
measuring reference OB. The position and posture of the object to
be obtained 7 may accordingly be obtained based on the obtained
positions of the central points of the three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c
and the known positions of the three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c with
respect to the reference OH of the object to be measured 7.
[0036] The position and posture of the object to be measured 7 may
be specified by supposing relationships of positions of the central
point of the steel ball 3 that has been positioned at three points
by moving the table 8 and the three steel balls 5a, 5b, 5c that are
attached to the object to be measured 7 to be a parallel mechanism
of six degrees of freedom, and by performing progressive conversion
of mechanism of the parallel mechanism based on distances between
central point of the steel ball 3 at three points and the steel
balls 5a, 5b, 5c that have been measured by using the measuring
device 6.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring
device according to a fifth embodiment and represents a
measuring-apparatus for measuring a position of reference OH of an
object to be measured 7 with respect to a measuring reference OB,
wherein identical numbers are applied to identical structures of
which explanations will be omitted. While universal joint fixing
member 10 to which steel ball 5 is fixed is attached to the object
to be measured 7, the fifth embodiment differs from the third
embodiment in that the universal joint fixing member 10 or the
object to be measured 7 is provided with a rotating mechanism
capable of indexing angle and in that the universal joint fixing
member 10 rotates around a certain central axis of rotation and may
be positioned at an arbitrary angle. At least three universal joint
fixing members 2a, 2b, 2c and steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c are attached
onto base 1 and positions of central points of the steel balls 3a,
3b, 3c with respect to measuring reference OB are preliminarily
made to be known through measurements or the like. Further, the
universal joint fixing member 10 to which the steel ball 5 is fixed
is attached to the object to be measured 7, and a position of the
central point of the steel ball 5 with respect to the reference OH
of the object to be measured 7 is preliminarily made to be known by
means of measurement or the like. By preliminarily making a
relationship between the reference of the universal joint fixing
member 10 and the central axis of rotation to be known, the
position of the central point of the steel ball 5 may be known also
when performing positioning at an arbitrary angle. It should be
noted that the steel ball 5 is fixed to the universal joint fixing
member 10 in an eccentric manner with respect to the central axis
of rotation.
[0038] First, the universal joint fixing member 10 is positioned at
an arbitrary angle, distances between central points of the steel
ball 5 and the three steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c are measured by means
of measuring device 6, and a position of the central point of the
steel ball 5 with respect to the measuring reference OB is
obtained. Then, the universal joint fixing member 10 is positioned
at an arbitrary angle that is different from the above one for
performing similar measurements, and a position of the central
point of the steel ball 5 with respect to the measuring reference
OB is repeatedly obtained. The position and posture of the object
to be obtained 7 can be obtained from the position of the central
point of the steel ball 5 at positions of three angles and the
known position of the central point of the steel ball 5 with
respect to the reference OH of the object to be measured 7.
[0039] The position and posture of the object to be measured 7 may
be specified by supposing relationships of positions of the central
points of the at least three steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c that are
attached onto the base 1 and the steel ball 5 that is attached to
the object to be measured 7 and that has been positioned at three
angles to be a parallel mechanism of six degrees of freedom, and by
performing progressive conversion of mechanism of the parallel
mechanism based on distances between central points of the steel
balls 3a, 3b, 3c and the steel ball 5 at three points that have
been measured by using the measuring device 6.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a diagonal view showing one example of a measuring
device according to a sixth embodiment and represents a measuring
apparatus for measuring a position of reference OH of an object to
be measured 7 with respect to a measuring reference OB, wherein
identical numbers are applied to identical structures of which
explanations will be omitted. While universal joint fixing member
10 to which steel ball 5 is fixed is attached to the object to be
measured 7, the sixth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment
in that the universal joint fixing member 10 or the object to be
measured 7 is provided with a rotating mechanism capable of
indexing angle and in that the universal joint fixing member 10
rotates around a certain central axis of rotation and may be
positioned at an arbitrary angle. Universal joint fixing member 2
and steel ball 3 are attached onto table 8 and a position of a
central point of the steel ball 3 with respect to measuring
reference OB when the table 8 has been positioned at a specified
position is preliminarily made to be known through measurement and
by means of position detectors 12, 15. Further, the universal joint
fixing member 10 to which the steel ball 5 is fixed is attached to
the object to be measured 7, and a position of the central point of
the steel ball 5 with respect to the reference OH of the object to
be measured 7 is preliminarily made to be known by means of
measurement or the like. By preliminarily making a relationship
between the reference of the universal joint fixing member 10 and
the central axis of rotation to be known, the position of the
central point of the steel ball 5 may be known also when performing
positioning at an arbitrary angle. It should be noted that the
steel ball 5 is fixed to the universal joint fixing member 10 in an
eccentric manner with respect to the central axis of rotation.
[0041] First, the universal joint fixing member 10 is positioned at
an arbitrary angle, and the steel ball 3 is moved by means of motor
11 and motor 14 similarly to the fourth embodiment for measuring
the position of the central point of the steel ball 3 with respect
to the measuring reference OB at three arbitrary points and a
distance between central points of the steel ball 3 and the steel
ball 5 in order to obtain a position of the central point of the
steel ball 5 with respect to the measuring reference OB. Then, the
universal joint fixing member 10 is positioned at an arbitrary
angle that is different from the above one for performing similar
measurements and a position of the central point of the steel ball
5 with respect to the measuring reference OB is repeatedly
obtained. The position and posture of the reference OH of the
object to be obtained 7 can be obtained from the position of the
central point of the steel ball 5 at positions of three angles and
the known position of the central point of the steel ball 5 with
respect to the reference OH of the object to be measured 7.
[0042] The position and posture of the object to be measured 7 may
be specified by supposing relationships of positions of the central
point of the steel ball 3 that has been positioned at three points
by moving the table 8 and the steel ball 5 that is attached to the
object to be measured 7 and that has been positioned at three
angles to be a parallel mechanism of six degrees of freedom, and by
performing progressive conversion of mechanism of the parallel
mechanism based on distances between central points of the steel
ball 3 at three points and the steel ball 5 at three points that
have been measured by using the measuring device 6.
[0043] With respect to the first to sixth embodiments, the
universal joint fixing member 2 and the base 1 or the table 8 may
be uniformly formed, the steel ball 3 may be directly attached to
the base 1 or the table 8, and the universal joint fixing member 2
may be uniformly formed with the steel ball 3.
[0044] Further, the universal joint fixing member 4 or the
universal joint fixing member 9 or the universal joint fixing
member 10 may be uniformly formed with the steel ball 5. Moreover,
the steel ball 3 and/or the steel ball 5 may be preliminarily fixed
to either or both ends of the measuring device 6 wherein in this
case, the universal joint fixing member 2 and/or the universal
joint fixing member 4 or the universal joint fixing member 9 or the
universal joint fixing member 10 is provided with a steel ball
attaching portion that is magnetically charged. Still further, the
universal joint fixing member may be one that may be inclined in
any direction and is not limited to a combination of a steel ball
and a magnetically charged receiving portion but may also be a
joint in which a plurality of spherical joints or rotational joints
are combined. Further, while the measuring device 6 is defined to
be a double ball bar, the present invention is not limited to this
but it may also be a measuring device having a wide measuring range
by providing a linear encoder or the like. In case of a measuring
device that is employed in an arrangement in which at least three
steel balls 3a, 3b, 3c are attached onto base 1, a plurality of
measuring devices may be employed as illustrated in FIG. 5 for
simultaneously measuring distances between central points of a
plurality of steel balls.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a diagonal view of a steward platform type
parallel mechanism machine tool with a space of six degrees of
freedom as one example of a machine for controlling positions and
postures of an end effecter by means of an actuator that is related
to the method for correcting errors according to the inventions of
claims 7 to 9. An end effecter 32 having a tool-attaching portion
is attached to a ball screw 34 by means of universal joint 33, and
the ball screw 34 is attached to a frame 37 by means of universal
joint 35. A nut of the ball screw 34 may be rotated by means of a
servomotor 36 that is attached to the universal joint 35 and by
changing the length of the ball screw 34 between the universal
joint 33 and the universal joint 35, the position and posture of
the end effecter 32 is controlled. A tool is attached to the end
effecter 32 and processing is performed by placing an object to be
processed onto table 31. Since the table 31 and the frame 37 are
fixed, they may be regarded as to be uniform.
[0046] Geometrical errors (error parameters) with respect to set
values exist in such a machine such as positional errors of a
central point of rotation of the universal joint 33 with respect to
a reference point of the end effecter 32, positional errors of a
central point of rotation of the universal joint 35, or errors in
lengths of the ball screw 34 between the universal joint 33 and the
universal joint 35, and errors are contained in the positions and
postures of the end effecter 32 with respect to commands. The
inventions of claims 7 to 9 are for providing methods for
correcting errors in positions and postures of the end effecter
33(sic.) by estimating and correcting these error parameters.
[0047] FIG. 11 is a diagonal view of one example of an apparatus
that is employed in the seventh embodiment and represents a
measuring device for measuring a distance between a central point
of steel ball 3 that is provided at the table 31 and a central
point of a steel ball 5 provided at the end effecter 32, wherein
identical numbers are applied to identical structures of which
explanations will be omitted.
[0048] Universal joint fixing member 41 is attached onto the table
31 that comprises a measuring reference OB and the steel ball 3 is
attached to the universal joint fixing member 41. Universal joint
fixing member 4 is attached to the end effecter 32 that is
supported by means of a member that is not shown in the drawing,
and steel ball 5 is fixed to the universal joint fixing member 4.
Measuring device 6, which both ends are magnetically charged, is
attached to between the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5 through
magnetic force.
[0049] The steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5 function as universal
joints and the measuring device 6 that has been attached through
magnetic force may be inclined in any direction with a central
point of the ball being a center.
[0050] The measuring method according to the seventh embodiment
will now be explained based on FIG. 12. The universal joint fixing
member 41 and the steel ball 3 are attached onto table 31 and a
position of a central point of the steel ball 3 with respect to
measuring reference OB is preliminarily made to be known through
measurement or the like. Further, the universal joint fixing member
4 and the steel ball 5 are attached to the end effecter 32 and a
position of a central point of the steel ball 5 with respect to
reference OH of the end effecter 32 is preliminarily made to be
known through measurement or the like.
[0051] In Step S1, the measuring device 6 is attached to between
the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5 for measuring a distance
between central points of the steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5.
The above measurements are repeated for a plurality of times by
changing positions and postures of the end effecter 32 for
measuring a plurality of distances between central points of the
steel ball 3 and the steel ball 5.
[0052] In Step S2, error parameters are estimated based on the
plurality of measured distances between central points of the steel
ball 3 and the steel ball 5. An example thereof will be explained
hereinafter. An equation representing the fact that positions and
postures of the end effecter 32 change by changing error parameters
is given as Equation 1.
X=h(E) [Equation 1]
[0053] wherein
[0054] E: n (positive number)-number of error parameters
[0055] X: position and posture of end effecter 32
[0056] As explained above, since the positional relationship
between the reference of the end effecter 32 and the central point
of the steel ball 5 on the measuring device that is attached to the
end effecter 32 is known, the position of the central point of the
steel ball 5 can be obtained from the position and posture of the
end effecter 32 by Equation 2.
Y=h'(E) [Equation 2]
[0057] wherein
[0058] Y: position of central point of the steel ball 5 at the
measuring device that is attached to the end effecter 32
[0059] Equation 3 will be satisfied in case the measured value for
the distance between the central points of the steel ball 3 that
comprises the measuring reference and the central point of the
steel ball 5 that is attached to the end effecter 32 is identical
to the calculated value.
f(E)=mk2-(Yk-0)2=0 [Equation 3]
[0060] wherein
[0061] mk: k (positive number)-th measured value (distance between
central points of steel ball 3 and steel ball 5)
[0062] Yk: command position of the central point of steel ball 5 at
k (positive number)-th measuring time
[0063] 0: position of measuring reference (position of central
point of steel ball 3)
[0064] Actually, Equation 3 will not become zero through influences
of error parameters.
[0065] Therefore, the error parameters are obtained through
numerical calculation such that F of Equation 4 becomes minimum for
all of the measured values. The numerical calculation may, for
instance, be the Newton-Raphson Method. 1 F ( E ) = j - 1 k { m j 2
- ( Y j - O ) 2 } 2 [ Equation 4 ]
[0066] The error parameters in the above-described steward platform
type parallel mechanism machine tool are considered to be a
position including an error of the central point of rotation of the
universal joint 33 with respect to the reference point of the end
effecter 32, a position including an error of the central point of
rotation of the universal joint 35 with respect to the reference
point of the machine, and a length of the ball screw 34 between the
universal joint 33 and the universal joint 35, wherein a group of
the ball screw 34, universal joint 33 and the universal joint 35
may be given by Equation 5.
Li=.vertline.Bi-Mx(Pi).vertline. [Equation 5]
[0067] wherein
[0068] i: 1 to 6
[0069] Pi: position including an error of the central point of
rotation of the universal joint 33 with respect to the reference
point of the end effecter 32
[0070] X: position and posture of the end effecter 32
[0071] M: operator that is to be moved to position and posture X
specifying a certain point
[0072] Bi: a position including an error of the central point of
rotation of each universal joint 35 with respect to the reference
point of the machine
[0073] Li: a length including errors of the ball screw 34 between
the universal joint 33 and the universal joint 35
[0074] It should be noted that due to the fact that Equation 5 will
be a non-linear simultaneous equation, it is solved through
numerical calculation such as the Newton-Raphson Method for
obtaining the position and posture X of the end effecter 32 for
some values of error parameters. This calculation corresponds to
Equation 1, and the position of the central point of the steel ball
5 that corresponds to Equation 2 may be obtained by setting Pi of
Equation 5 to be a position of the central point of rotation of
each universal joint 33 with respect to the central point of steel
ball P5 (sic.) owing to the fact that the positional relationship
between the reference point of the end effecter 32 and the central
point of the steel ball 5 on the measuring device that is attached
to the end effecter 32 is known. By performing measurements by
arbitrarily varying positions and postures of the end effecter 32
and performing numerical calculation of Equation 4 using the
obtained measured values, the above-described error parameters may
be obtained.
[0075] By performing correction of these error parameters in Step
S3, errors in position and posture of the end effecter 32 may be
corrected. It should be noted that only correction of errors in
position may be performed in case the machine that is subjected to
error correction does not control postures.
[0076] It will now be explained for the correction method according
to the eighth embodiment with reference to FIG. 13 wherein
correction of errors in position and posture of the end effecter 32
is performed by measuring the position of the end effecter 32 by
means of the measuring device as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 and by
estimating and correcting error parameters.
[0077] In Steps S11, S12, positions and postures of the end
effecter 32 with respect to measuring reference OB is repeatedly
measured for a plurality of times by changing the positions of the
end effecter 32 in the above-described manner.
[0078] In Step S13, error parameters are estimated from the
plurality of measured positions of the end effecter 32. An example
thereof will now be explained.
[0079] Equation 6 is satisfied in case the measured values for the
positions of the end effecter 32 and the calculated value of the
end effecter 32 according to Equation 1 are identical.
g(E)=Tk-Xk=0 [Equation 6]
[0080] wherein
[0081] Tk: k (positive value)-th measured value of position of the
end effecter 32
[0082] Xk: command position (positional information) of the end
effecter 32 at the time of k (positive value)-th measurement
[0083] Actually, Equation 6 will not become zero through influences
of error parameters, and thus, the error parameters E are obtained
through numerical calculation such that G of Equation 7 becomes
minimum for all of the measured values. 2 G ( E ) = j - 1 k { T j -
X j } 2 [ Equation 7 ]
[0084] In Step S14, errors in position and posture of the end
effecter 32 can be corrected by correcting these error parameters.
It should be noted that only correction of errors in position may
be performed in case the machine that is subjected to error
correction does not control postures.
[0085] It will now be explained for the correction method according
to the ninth embodiment with reference to FIG. 14 wherein
correction of errors in position and posture of the end effecter 32
is performed by measuring the position of the end effecter 32 by
means of the measuring device as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 7 and by
estimating and correcting error parameters.
[0086] In Steps S21, S22, positions and postures of the end
effecter 32 with respect to measuring reference OB is repeatedly
measured for a plurality of times by changing the positions of the
end effecter 32 in the above-described manner.
[0087] In Step S23, simultaneous equations are solved for a number
that is required for the number of error parameters E that are
unknown numbers by using Equation 1 from the plurality of measured
positions and postures of the end effecter 32 for estimating error
parameters.
[0088] In this case, solutions X need to be provided for a required
number of equations. That is, by performing measurement of
positions and postures of the end effecter 32 for a required number
of times, calculation is performed based on these measured values.
While the above-described parallel mechanism machine tool utilizes
Equation 5, it is solved through numerical calculation since it
will be a non-linear simultaneous equation.
[0089] By correcting these error parameters in Step S24, errors in
positions and postures of the end effecter 32 may be corrected.
[0090] While a steward platform type parallel mechanism machine
tool with a space of six degrees of freedom as shown in FIG. 10 is
used in the above explanations of the measuring method, the machine
of the present invention is not limited to this and may also be a
robot, industrial machine, measuring machine, or a construction
machine. The degree of freedom may be less than 6. Further, the
parallel mechanism is not limited to one of steward platform type
by may be of bent type or of slide type. It may also be a serial
mechanism.
[0091] [Effects of the Invention]
[0092] As explained so far, according to any one of the first or
second inventions, a position of a central point of rotation of an
universal joint that is attached to an object to be measured is
calculated through three-point measurement from central points of
rotation of at least three universal joints that are attached to a
base that serves as a measuring reference for specifying the
position of the object to be measured. With this arrangement,
positions of objects to be measured that are provided to be movable
can be measured at high accuracy.
[0093] According to any one of the third to sixth inventions,
positions of central points of rotation of at least three universal
joints that are attached to an object to be measured are calculated
through three-point measurement from central points of rotation of
at least three universal joints that are attached to a base that
serves as a measuring reference for specifying the position of the
object to be measured.
[0094] According to any one of the seventh to ninth inventions,
errors in positions and postures of an end effecter can be
corrected by estimating geometrical errors with respect to set
values for a mechanism of a machine wherein positions and postures
of the end effecter are controlled by means of an actuator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0095] FIG. 1 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a first embodiment.
[0096] FIG. 2 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a second embodiment.
[0097] FIG. 3 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a third embodiment.
[0098] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a parallel mechanism.
[0099] FIG. 5 is a diagonal view showing another embodiment of the
measuring device according to the third embodiment.
[0100] FIG. 6 is a view showing one example of a bifurcated
universal joint.
[0101] FIG. 7 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a fourth embodiment.
[0102] FIG. 8 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a fifth embodiment.
[0103] FIG. 9 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a sixth embodiment.
[0104] FIG. 10 is a view showing a parallel mechanism machine tool
as one example of a machine that is subjected to error correction
according to the inventions of claims 7 to 9.
[0105] FIG. 11 is a diagonal view showing one embodiment of a
measuring device according to a seventh embodiment.
[0106] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing one example for a method of
correcting errors according to the seventh embodiment.
[0107] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing one example for a method of
correcting errors according to an eighth embodiment.
[0108] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing one example for a method of
correcting errors according to a ninth embodiment.
[0109] [Explanation of the Reference Numerals]
[0110] 1 . . . base, 2a, 2b, 2c . . . universal joint fixing
members, 3a, 3b, 3c . . . steel balls, 4 . . . universal joint
fixing member, 5a, 5b, 5c . . . steel balls, 6 . . . measuring
device, 7 . . . object to be measured, 8 . . . table, 9 . . .
universal joint fixing member, 10 . . . universal joint fixing
member, 31 . . . table, 32 . . . end effecter, 33 . . . universal
joint, 34 . . . ball screw, 35 . . . universal joint, 36 . . .
servomotor, 37 . . . frame, 41 . . . universal joint fixing
member
* * * * *