(19)

(11)

EP 1 044 351 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/42 (21) Application number: 99946305.2 (22) Date of filing: 09.09.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01B 11/06, G01N 21/84 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9903/009 (87) International publication number: WO 0016/036 (23.03.2000 Gazette 2000/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 11.09.1998 GB 9819732 (71) Applicant: Renishaw plc Wotton-Under-EdgeGloucestershire GL12 8JR (GB)	(72) Inventors: PITT, Gillies David Lydney,Gloucestershire GL15 6UU (GB) MÜNZ, Wolf-Dieter Sheffield S7 1SL (GB) (74) Representative: Jackson, John Timothy et al Renishaw plcPatent DepartmentNew Mills Wotton-under-EdgeGloucestershire GL12 8JR Wotton-under-EdgeGloucestershire GL12 8JR (GB)