Measurement tool identification system including joint parts and an interface circuit

Abstract

A tool joint part has a PIC incorporated therein for storing data which can be used to identify the tool to which the joint part is interconnected. PICs are incorporated into tool conditioning circuits. An intermediate circuit operates to match the identity stored digitally in a first PIC with the identity stored digitally in another PIC and thereby connect the tool to the appropriate tool conditioning circuit.

1 . A measurement tool joint part having a portion of a releasable kinematic mounting and a portion of an electrical connection each portion being co-operable with a complimentary portion on a co-ordinate positioning machine, the joint part being characterized in that it includes an electrical connection including a digital identification and a predefined resistance which, when connected to the co-ordinate positioning machine and interrogated thereby, indicates that the joint part contains a digital identification.