Abstract: A measurement apparatus and corresponding method can be used to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. A tracker such as a laser tracker monitors a position of a probe end of a measurement arm of the apparatus. The position measured by the laser tracker can be used directly account for errors in the apparatus such as, for example, positioning errors of the measurement arm. The position monitoring of the tracking device eliminates complex apparatus calibrations and calculations used for previous devices.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus and corresponding method can be used to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. A tracker such as a laser tracker monitors a position of a probe end of a measurement arm of the apparatus. The position measured by the laser tracker can be used directly account for errors in the apparatus such as, for example, positioning errors of the measurement arm. The position monitoring of the tracking device eliminates complex apparatus calibrations and calculations used for previous devices.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus calibrated to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. The measurement apparatus includes a calibration that includes compensation factors for thermal expansion, shifting of measurement parts (arm, support tower, and related laser), and variances of these parts. The resulting measurements report an absolute diameter of a part to a higher degree of accuracy than previously possible. Also, the calculated compensation factor eliminate the need for an isolated, climate-controlled measurement room.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus calibrated to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. The measurement apparatus includes a calibration that includes compensation factors for thermal expansion, shifting of measurement parts (arm, support tower, and related laser), and variances of these parts. The resulting measurements report an absolute diameter of a part to a higher degree of accuracy than previously possible. Also, the calculated compensation factor eliminate the need for an isolated, climate-controlled measurement room.

Abstract: A computer method or corresponding system for optimally balancing a rotor assembly. The computer system defines a theoretical centerline based on a mathematical model of the rotor assembly. For each disc or component of the rotor assembly, the invention system calculates rotor blade or bolt and washer distribution, based on calculated centerline deviations and angular locations of the discs and effective weights of rotor blade or bolt-and-washer sets. The rotor blade or bolt-and-washer distribution provides locations for placement of the rotor blades or bolts-and-washers so as to offset the centerline deviations and thus correct imbalance of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus calibrated to measure an absolute diameter of a part in a shop floor environment. The measurement apparatus includes a calibration that includes compensation factors for thermal expansion, shifting of measurement parts (arm, support tower, and related laser), and variances of these parts. The resulting measurements report an absolute diameter of a part to a higher degree of accuracy than previously possible. Also, the calculated compensation factor eliminate the need for an isolated, climate-controlled measurement room.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing percutaneous access to the human sacral and lumbar vertebrae in alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner are disclosed. A number of related TASIF methods and surgical tool sets are provided by the present invention that are employed to form a percutaneous pathway from an anterior or posterior skin incision to a respective anterior or posterior target point of a sacral surface. The percutaneous pathway is generally axially aligned with an anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (PAIFL) extending from the respective anterior or posterior target point through at least one sacral vertebral body and one or more lumbar vertebral body in the cephalad direction and visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming one or more trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) axial bore through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, anterior or posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL or PAIFL) in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner and providing a therapy to the spine employing the axial bore. Anterior or posterior starting positions aligned with the AAIFL or PAIFL are accessed through respective anterior and posterior tracts. Curved or relatively straight anterior and curved posterior TASIF axial bores are formed from the anterior and posterior starting positions. The therapies performed through the TASIF axial bores include discoscopy, full and partial discectomy, vertebroplasty, balloon-assisted vertebroplasty, drug delivery, electrical stimulation and various forms of spinal disc cavity augmentation, spinal disc replacement, fusion of spinal motion segments and implantation of radioactive seeds.