Dunn, Paul Edward

A method is described of using a directional scanning probe (40, 100,170) that comprises a stylus (12, 42, 68, 102) extending from a probe body (10, 44) and measuring transducers (42) for producing stylus deflection data (a,b,c,) describing the magnitude and direction of stylus deflection. The method comprises using a coordinate positioning apparatus (1) to move the directional scanning probe (40, 100,170) towards an object (6, 60, 71, 126) along an inspection path that is nominally normal to a surface of the object (6, 60, 71, 126), the motion along the inspection path causing the stylus (12, 42, 68, 102) to make contact with the surface of the object (6, 60, 71, 126) and thereafter deflect in a first stylus deflection direction (70, 80, 110) relative to the probe body (10, 44). Stylus deflection data (a,b,c) are collected at a plurality of different collection positions along the inspection path, the plurality of different collection positions having a known separation from each other. The collected stylus deflection data and the known separation of the collection positions are used to calculate a scaling factor for converting stylus deflection data describing a stylus deflection along the first stylus deflection direction (70, 80, 110) into a scaled stylus deflection value. A workpiece (126) may then be measured using the calculated scaling factor. A corresponding apparatus is also described.

A method and associated apparatus are described for assessing a rotatable cutting tool (50) having a plurality of cutting edges (58) that extend along its length (L) that is carried by a machine tool (4). The machine tool comprises a tool measurement device (2), such as a non-contact tool setting apparatus, for measuring the cutting tool (50). The method comprises using the tool measurement device (2) to measure a cutting edge profile (100,102; 120, 122; 300, 302) of each of the plurality of cutting edges (58). These cutting edge profiles (100,102; 120, 122; 300, 302) are together used to assess if any workpiece defects would be generated when machining a workpiece using the cutting tool (50). In particular, the method assesses if any cutting edge defects are present on more than one of the plurality of cutting edges (58) at a plurality of axial locations along the length of the cutting tool (50). In one embodiment, a composite tool profile (304) is used to assess if such defects are present. In this manner, it can be predicted if a cutting tool defect will result in a workpiece defect when that cutting tool is used.

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