Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the diameter of a measured object including a frame having a quick disconnect fitting that demountably couples to a sensor selected from a collection of different length sensors so that the measurement range for determining diameters is increased. Each different length sensor includes a sensor probe tip that is biased in an outward direction therefrom so that when a selected sensor is coupled to the quick disconnect fitting, the probe tip contacts the measured object. The sensor includes means to generate a signal indicative of its probe tip position, and a microprocessor is programmed to receive the generated signal and provide an output display that corresponds to the diameter of the measured object.

Abstract: The invention is a gauge and method for measuring any circular object, but is most useful as a precision thread gauge for objects having either external or internal threads. A fixed gauge roll is supported in a stationary position. A first and second gauge rolls are supported so that the first and second gauge rolls simultaneously move with respect to the fixed gauge roll. The fixed gauge roll, first and second gauge roll together form a triangle. The interior angles of the triangle remain unchanged for every position of the three gauge rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus and a relevant method for checking a crankpin (18) of a crankshaft (34) positioned on a numerical control grinding machine where it is worked includes a gauging head (39) with a Vee-shaped reference device (20) and a feeler (17), axially movable along a translation direction, that touches the crankpin surface, and an articulated support device (5,9,12) connected to the grinding-wheel slide (1), carrying the guaging head and allowing the reference device (20) to keep contact with the crankpin during its orbital motion around the main rotation axis (0) of the crankshaft. Rough values corresponding to a transducer (41) signals provided at predetermined angular positions of the crankshaft are stored and are processed also to compensate alterations caused both by contact between the sides of the Vee-shaped reference device and the surface of the crankpin to be checked, and by variations of the angular arrangement of the Vee-shaped reference device in the course of orbital rotations of the pin.

Abstract: An adapter for a precision inspection instrument used for measurement of rollers or rolls in the paper, steel, film industry, without contacting the rollers or rolls. The adapter employs a high pressure fluid, such as compressed air, which emerges through a plurality of nozzles to form an air cushion for supporting the adapter nears the roller. Additionally, the adapter can be provided with adjustable, specifically defined surfaces having nozzles for forming the air cushion on rollers of various dimensions.

Abstract: A template for measuring the edge width on a disk that is not covered by a coating layer on a top surface of the disk and a method for using such template are disclosed. The template is made of a substantially transparent sheet that has a contour substantially the same as the contour of the disk to be measured. A series of marks are provided on a top surface of the sheet along a peripheral edge of the sheet at numerous predetermined distances from the peripheral edge. The marks may be provided in scribed thin lines, or the marks may be provided in scribed thin lines that are color coded for easier identification purpose. The present invention novel template can be most suitably used on a silicon wafer of any size. However, it can also be used on a disk of any shape or contour to produce the same desirable result.

Abstract: A bore gage for comparing interior dimensions of a bore with a master. The bore gage includes a pivot mechanism containing centralizer contacts, and a pivotally mounted lever containing a sensitive contact, which, in conjunction with a reference contact, compares the interior surface dimension of a bore. Both the lever and the pivot mechanism containing the centralizer contacts are mounted in an exposed position on the bore gage head to allow easy cleaning, maintenance and repair thereof. The pivot mechanism includes a member that extends around the bore gage head. An associated adjustable stop limits movement of the centralizer contacts. The gage unit, an extension housing and the head may all be readily separated from one another for cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and a method for determining the diameter of an object and comprises a measuring apparatus having a frame adapted to receive an interchangeable sensor assemblies and a centering head adapted to engage then object being measured. The interchangeable sensor assemblies include a sensor probe that is biased in an outward direction therefrom so that its tip end contacts the measured object, and the probe includes means to generate a signal indicative of its tip end position. The frame portion of the measuring device also includes a microprocessor capable of receiving the sensor probe signals, and the microprocessor is programmed to provide an output display that corresponds to the diameter of the object.

Abstract: A tool and a method for indicating that a circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter has been formed in a pipe are disclosed. The tool has an arm pivotally mountable adjacent to the pipe for rotation about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the pipe's longitudinal axis. The pipe and the arm are relatively rotatable to one another about the longitudinal axis, the arm being biased toward the pipe. A feeler surface, engageable with the outer surface of the pipe within the groove, is mounted on the arm. The geometry of the arm and the position of the feeler surface is such that the arm moves to a predetermined angular position when the diameter of the groove reaches a desired value. The feeler surface is variably positionable along the arm to accommodate pipes or grooves of various diameters.

Abstract: A radius of a rotating grindstone is specified by a new means with a simple structure out of contact with the rotating grindstone. In a grinding machine that numerically controls a feed shaft (x-axis) of a wheel spindle stock, a device comprises a non-contact detector to detect a rotating grindstone on the wheel spindle stock reaching two different fixed positions in a feed direction of the feed shaft, and an arithmetic means to compute a radius “r” of the rotating grindstone by data detected from the non-contact detector.

Abstract: A mobile machine for determining information at a forestry site. The mobile machine includes a gimbal base mounted on the mobile machine, a rotating laser beam range detector mounted on the gimbal base so that the rotating laser beam maintains a horizontal plane, a position determining system mounted on the mobile machine, and a slope determining system located on the mobile machine and electrically connected to a set of gimbals on the gimbal base, the gimbals being adapted to sense a slope of the mobile machine.

Abstract: A tool and a method for indicating that a circumferential groove of a desired outer diameter has been formed in a pipe are disclosed. The tool has an arm pivotally mountable adjacent to the pipe for rotation about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the pipe's longitudinal axis. The pipe and the arm are relatively rotatable to one another about the longitudinal axis, the arm being biased toward the pipe. A feeler surface, engageable with the outer surface of the pipe within the groove, is mounted on the arm. The geometry of the arm and the position of the feeler surface is such that the arm moves to a predetermined angular position when the diameter of the groove reaches a desired value. The feeler surface is variably positionable along the arm to accommodate pipes or grooves of various diameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins of a crankshaft in the course of the machining in a grinding machine includes a Vee-shaped reference device, a measuring device associated with the reference device and including a feeler axially movable along the bisecting line of the Vee-shaped reference device, and a support device with a first arm rotating with respect to a support arranged on the grinding-wheel slide and a second arm rotating with respect to the first and carrying the Vee-shaped reference device.

Abstract: A method for measuring the diameter and eccentricity of a crankpin of a crankshaft which is ground on a grinding machine. A reference plate is provided on a headstock, which is disposed on a table to support the crankshaft. A measurement apparatus having a probe is disposed on a wheel head. Through movements of the table and the wheel head, the probe is first brought into contact with a reference surface of the reference plate, and is then brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the crankpin at outermost and innermost points. The distances between the reference surface and the outermost and innermost points are measured, and the diameter and eccentricity of the crankpin are calculated on the basis of the measured distances and the position of the reference surface.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a bivalve shellfish opening knife, including: a handle portion; a blade portion, having front and rear edges, extending from one end of the handle portion; a rear blade edge guard hingedly attached to the blade portion near a proximal end thereof in proximity to a proximal end of the handle portion; and the rear blade edge guard having defined therein a channel sized to accommodate therein the rear edge of the blade portion when the rear blade edge guard is rotated against the blade portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring a part, and an apparatus for measuring which is a dimensional gage for measuring inside and outside surfaces of an object, that comprises (1) a gage base; (2) at least three removable spindles attached to the gage base; (3) a moveable roll assembly attached to the gage base further comprising at least one guide rod, at least one spindle guide block, at least one linear bearing, at last one spring, and at least one guide rail block; (4) a plurality of measuring means attached to each of said removable spindles and spaced equidistantly around a central axis with each of the measuring means being spaced equidistantly from the other measuring means around the central axis, and wherein at least one of the measuring means is removable attached to the moveable roll assembly; (5) a lever for adjusting the movable roll assembly to engage the measuring means removably attached to the moveable roll assembly with a test part; (6) a housing attached to the gage base;

Abstract: An electronic profile acquisition system for measuring variations in the diameter of a cylindrical body, such as a roll used in the production of metal and paper sheet products. The system comprises a container mounted on wheels, and to which at least two arm assemblies are pivotally mounted so that the container is beneath the arm assemblies. Each of the arm assemblies comprises arms to which probes are mounted. The container encloses a power supply and data acquisition means for receiving output signals from the probes and storing the output signals as data. Finally, the system includes a computer that is separate from and outside the container for processing the data stored by the data acquisition means and representing the data on a screen.

Abstract: A device measures cylindricity of a cylinder having an axial end, a circumference and an inside diameter. The device includes a track for placement at an axial end of the cylinder to be measured. The track extends around the circumference of the cylinder. A pair of trucks are mounded to the track for movement around the cylinder circumference. A sighting beam generator, in particular, a laser, is connected to each truck for aiming sighting beams axially along the inside diameter of the cylinder. A micrometer adjustment is connected between each laser and its truck for adjusting a radial position of each sighting beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.

Abstract: A spherical-article measuring apparatus has first and second support arms and a size detector. The first support arm has first and second ends. The first end can be brought in contact with a first curve section of a spherical article to be measured at one end of the diametrical line in the spherical article. The second end can be located spaced apart from and opposite to a second curve section of the spherical article at the other end of the diametrical line. The second support arm has a third end which can be brought in contact with a third curve section of the spherical article. The size detector can be brought in contact with the second curve section.

Abstract: A margin inspector for IC wafers includes an upper plate and a supporting portion. The upper plate, which is formed as a transparent plate, has a plurality of concentric circular segments thereon for establishing a set of reference lines to examine the periphery ring of the wafer located under the upper plate while in examining operation. The supporting portion connected with the upper plate is used to form a working space, between the supporting portion and the upper plate, for accommodating the wafer to be examined. By applying these inspecting lines, any deviation on the washout periphery ring of the wafer can be easily and correctly located by eyesight.

Abstract: A large diameter gauge consists of a series of measuring units. Each measuring unit comprises two positioning elements(11,12), a fastener(14) and a body(13). These series of measuring units are placed and fixed sequentially and head to end or end to head around the circumference of the cylinder or hole to be measured during measuring until the remained space is not large enough to be put into another one measuring unit. Measuring the distance between the first measuring unit and the last measuring unit, the diameter to be measured can be obtained through the geometric relations between the gauges and the cylinder or hole to be measured.

Abstract: The ball sizing device has an angularly disposed support which defines a square-shaped space for receiving a dimpled golf ball. The two lowermost walls defining the space receive the ball in point-to-point contact. Each of the two opposite walls has a gauge mounted thereon with a spring loaded pin for engaging the ball in point-to-point contact. Each gauge serves to measure a deviation of the diameter of a ball from a standard diameter. The readings from the gauges are processed in a central processing unit in order to obtain a statistical average of the diameter of the ball. A standardizing cylinder is separately mounted on the sizing device in order to calibrate the two gauges to a zero reading and to provide a standard diameter value to the central processing unit.

Abstract: An adjustable gage comprises a centerline hub and a swing gage. The hub includes a body with position jaws adjustably attached thereto, and a central post. The gage comprises a pair of parallel slide bars and front and rear blocks slidable along the slide bars. A movable, spring-biased probe is slidably connected to the front block via a rail and carriage bearing apparatus. The probe is operably connected to a probe-movement indicator. The rear block has a fixed probe. Both probes have end roller bearings. In use, the part to be measured is placed within the position jaws, previously adjusted to the approximate inner or outer diameter of the part. Then, the gage is placed over the post, with the roller bearings coming into contact with the part, and the gage is rotated. The probes track along the part, with any variances in part diameter showing up on the indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.

Abstract: A non-contact measuring device for determining the dimensions of a cylindrical object, such as a pipe. The device may use a programmable industrial robot with an arm terminating in a rotary joint, or wrist. A non-contact measurement assembly, which preferably includes a triangulation laser, mounted to the robot's wrist. The wrist includes a binary wrist encoder for providing the angular position of the wrist to an attached computer. Likewise, the laser provides a signal representative of the distance from the laser to the surface of the pipe to the computer. The robot positions the measurement assembly in a predetermined location within the pipe and rotates the measurement assembly. The computer correlates the measurements from the lasers with the angular position at which they were taken, and it analyzes this data to determine the dimensions of the pipe, including the true profile of the surface and cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for rapidly and precisely measuring an outer diameter of a pipe end portion of various sizes of pipes. This apparatus includes a main arm (1), a lower gauge head support arm (2), a bearing roller arm (3), an upper gauge head supporting arm (4), a presser roller arm (5), an position-fixing bracket (6), a gage head (14b) which is horizontally and vertically movable while being supported by the arm (2), and a gauge head (15b) which is also horizontally and vertically movable while being supported by the arm (4). In addition, A gauge heads (14a) and (15a) are provided, both of which are vertically movable. An object is measured in its outer diameter by the gauge heads while being rotatably held by rollers (10a, 10b, 11a and 11b) of the arm (3) and (5). Such a measurement can simultaneously be carried out at two longitudinal portions of the measured object.

Abstract: The present invention is a demonstration set for sizing rings to an individual and to provide a solution to rings which can pass the wearer's knuckle, but rotates easily when secured to the finger. The demonstration set includes a holding apparatus having at least two sets of gauges. Each gauge includes a plurality of rings in various and the rings increase in incremental sizes. An attaching device is secured to each ring of each set of gauges for enabling the ring to be removably and slideably secured to the holding device. A ring guard-type item is secured to each ring of at least one set of gauges.

Abstract: A pipe size measuring tool having a plurality of gauges, each gauge having an open mouth there on. The sizes of the open mouths in each gauge are different from each other. The gauges are mounted together with each gauge having a front end, a body portion and a rear end. The gauges are pivotally mounted together adjacent their rear ends so that they are moveable from a folded compact position to an open postion. The front ends are wider than the rear ends and the gauges are thin and light-weight. Openings are provided in the rear ends so that the gauges may be pivotally mounted together at the rear ends. The gauges are of different sizes with the larger open mouths located in the larger gauges.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus (1) is provided which has two arms (8) connected to a protection casing (6) through fulcrums (9). Associated with the arms (8), externally of the casing (6), are feeler pins (10) adapted to come into contact with the workpieces (3) and, internally of the casing (6), sensors (11) for measuring the oscillations of the arms (8). Also provided are driving members adapted to exert at least one contact force and one release force tending to rotate the arms (8) in opposite directions and comprising at least one magnet (13) adjacent to the arms (8), magnetic locators (14) integral with the arms (8) and having active faces (14a) turned towards the magnet (13), and drive elements (15) adapted to selectively vary the magnet (13) polarities turned towards the magnetic locators (14).

Abstract: The ball diameter automatic measurement device according to the present invention preferably comprises a displacement sensor, a dividing plate, a slider and a measurement controller. The displacement sensor measures the diameter of a ball positioned in a measurement position. The dividing plate holds a ball to be measured and reciprocates the same between a predetermined position and the measurement position. The slider rotates the ball in the predetermined position by a predetermined angle when the dividing plate is moved. The measurement controller stores and outputs measured values obtained by repeated measurement and measurement after the rotation of the predetermined angle. According to the device, it is possible to measure a ball diameter accurately without being influenced by body temperature, air temperature and individual workmanship when the diameter of a ball is measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a roll radius of a vehicle wheel for use in alignment and other diagnostic or maintenance operations. An optically scannable target is attached to a wheel of the vehicle. A first position measurement is made using a machine vision system, such as a three-dimensional aligner. The vehicle is rolled a short distance and a second position measurement is made. The linear and angular differences of the first and second position measurements are used to compute and store a roll radius value. Alignment values resulting from alignment of the motor vehicle are modified based on the roll radius value. A plane angle value may also be created and stored for use in adjusting the alignment values.

Abstract: Tires can be accurately and quickly measured by using a tire caliper that outputs data in digital form. A measuring instrument determines the diameter of automotive tires, preferably automotive race tires, and displays the circumference or the diameter at the users option, The tool of this invention has a digital display including a relatively elongate caliper body formed with a measuring part adapted to make measuring engagement with the tire to be measured. A member freely slidable in a longitudinal direction of the caliper body and formed with a measuring part disposed opposite to the measuring part of the caliper. In one preferred embodiment, the measuring instrument is marked with a transparent linear scale fixedly disposed on the caliper body with its axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the caliper body and a transparent index scale is mounted on the slider with its calibrated face disposed opposite to the calibrated face of the linear scale and slightly spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically measuring the diameter of a part. A part to be measured is rotated through a plurality of measurement positions by an angle of rotation. A measuring device measures the radial distance from a surface point at each position of the part to the center thereof for each angle of rotation. The distance is calculated between successive points on the surface as a function of the measured radial distance of successive points along the surface and the angle of rotation between the measured points. A plurality of the distances as taken through a complete rotation of the rotational device is summed together to provide a circumference measurement of the part. A diameter measurement of the part is achieved by dividing the circumference by &pgr;.