Abstract: A gage and gripper assembly for directly measuring characteristics of a workpiece. The assembly is adapted to be attached to a transfer mechanism, such as a robot arm, and includes a head having a gripper and a gage. The gripper is adapted to lift and hold the workpiece using jaws or other mechanisms, and the gage is adapted to directly measure characteristics of the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the gripper.

Abstract: A gage assembly for measuring a generally cylindrical workpiece. The gage assembly includes a support member and a gage block subassembly located opposite of the support member. The subassembly includes a moveable contact located in spaced relation from the support member so as to define a gaging space therebetween. A measuring device is coupled to the contact and a part handling member, coupled to an actuator, moves the workpiece from a first side of the gaging space to a position where the workpiece is in the gaging space and subsequently to a position where the workpiece is on an opposing side of the gaging space, passing the workpiece between said support member and said gage block subassembly. In its method of operation, the workpiece is dynamically gaged by the gage assembly.

Abstract: An automatic gage head positioning system especially adapted for CNC grinding of reciprocating engine crankshaft journals. The system incorporates an actuated four-bar linkage mechanism for accurately controlling the path of a gage device between disengaged and gaging positions. A lost motion rotational coupling is provided to enable the gage to follow the position of the crankshaft journal during machining. A counterspring assembly positioned in the gage system base partially opposes gravity to provide precise control of the actuation force between the gage and the workpiece journal.

Abstract: A measuring device of the caliper type especially adapted to making inside diameter measurements. The caliper features the ability to change its set position and provide accurate measurements over an adjustable measurement range. The caliper is of compact configuration and is preferably formed from a single block of metallic material including machined features to provide a number of cooperating elements which are elastically coupled to one another. These features allow the separation distance between the probe tips to be adjusted without changing the output of the measuring device.

Abstract: A universal input circuit which responds to a wider range of input voltages by eliminating the problem of heat dissipation in the input section of the circuit. The universal input circuit includes an input section and an output section connected by an opto-isolator for electrically isolating the input section from the output section. The input section of the universal input circuit is configured to turn on in response to an in-range DC input voltage activating the opto-isolator to produce a signal which drives the output section of the universal input circuit. A retriggerable, monostable, multivibrator is included in the output section of the universal input circuit which supplies an output in response to an in-range AC input voltage.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated, self-calibrating, contact-type gaging system and method for calibrating the same. The system is configured to run in a calibration mode and a measurement mode. During the calibration mode, a unique temperature profile is generated for each particular system. The temperature offset includes offset values calculated to compensate for gaging system hardware errors as well as other measurement error caused by temperature variations encountered during gaging applications. In the measurement mode, part size measurements are adjusted by the offsets contained in the temperature profile generated for the gaging system.

Abstract: A gage for a thrufeed centerless grinder for post process gaging of a work piece in which the gage is mounted for movement so as to track along a moving work piece as it is moved along a path of travel from the grinder. The gage is movable in two directions mutually orthogonal to the path of travel of the work piece as it exits the grinder so as to track along the cross-section of the moving work piece enabling the gage to measure the work piece diameter. Movement of the gage is provided for by rotation about two axes wherein the gage motion is an arcuate direction having substantial vector components in the mutual orthogonal directions to the work piece path of travel.

Abstract: An in-process gage is disclosed utilizing a four bar linkage system having a floating bar in the form of a bellcrank with an active feeler connected to the bellcrank and engageable with the workpiece surface. A fixed feeler is attached directly to the gage body. Movement of the active feeler to stay in contact with the workpiece surface as it is machined results in motion of the bellcrank relative to the gage body. This motion is transferred to an electronic position sensing transducer producing an electrical signal representing the workpiece size used to control the machining process. The four bar linkage system provides for precise rotation of the active feeler with virtually zero backlash enabling a gage to be constructed that is relatively thin to fit into narrow working envelopes.

Abstract: A temperature insensitive gauge is disclosed. The temperature insensitive gauge includes a frame having a first and second caliper assembly movably mounted on the frame. The first and second caliper assemblies engage a workpiece. A mechanism for measuring the relative movement between the caliper assemblies is associated with the assemblies. The measuring mechanism provides measurement information on the size of the workpiece. A compensating mechanism is associated with the caliper assemblies for reducing thermally induced dimensional changes in the gauge.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a machine tool such as a grinder wherein engagement of the machine tool with a workpiece is controlled in real time by a workpiece measurement signal from a gage likewise engaged with the workpiece. The measurement gage is periodically brought into measuring engagement with a gage master having a predetermined master dimension relative to the desired machined size of the workpiece. The resulting gage master measurement signal is compared with a reference, and a compensation signal is generated and stored as a function of the magnitude and polarity of any departure from the gage master measurement signal from the gage master reference signal. Thereafter, during the machining mode of operation, motion of the machine tool is controlled as a combined function of the workpiece measurement signal and the compensation signal generated and stored during the calibration mode of operation.