Abstract: A measuring and/or control system (1), to control for example a machine tool, comprises at least a first and a second unit, each comprising a casing with a front wall, electronic circuits and at least one socket. The system further comprises a bridge connector (11) having a first multipolar connector (11A) and a second multipolar connector (11B), each of which can be coupled to one of the sockets in order to electrically connect the first and the second unit. In each of the first unit and second unit, the socket is positioned on the respective front wall and comprises planar electrical contacts. The first and the second multipolar connectors of the bridge connector are directed in the same direction so as to face the front wall of the first unit and the second unit and each comprise retractable contacts. The bridge connector comprises fastening elements for fastening the bridge connector to the front wall of the first unit and of the second unit.

Abstract: Method for self-recognition, by a probe, of a communication protocol to be used to communicate with a base station (7), the probe (4) being configured to emulate a plurality of communication protocols featuring respective activation procedures. Each activation procedure allows the base station to activate the probe to perform a checking cycle. According to the method, in consequence of a command given by a user by means of hardware interfaces (5,15,16) of the probe, the probe is set in a search state (100-105) where all the activation procedures are attempted and it is identified which of the activation procedures is completed positively. Then, the probe is switched to an operative state (201-205) based on the communication protocol featuring the identified activation procedure. Preferably, the activation procedure is identified after a predetermined number (N) of positive conclusions have occurred.

Abstract: A method for measuring the axial runout of a plane surface (22) of a workpiece (2) with respect to an axis of rotation (6) by means of a linear image sensor (19), in which a first optical scanning of the non-rotating workpiece is performed by translating the sensor relative to the workpiece along a direction (Z) parallel to the axis of rotation to obtain a first light intensity trend (I1) of a pixel (23) as the relative position between the workpiece and the sensor varies, and a relative position (ZR) of plane surface is determined as a function of the first light intensity trend. A second optical scanning of the workpiece is performed in the relative position of the plane surface while the workpiece rotates with respect to the axis for obtaining a second light intensity trend (I2) of the pixel as the angular position (?) of the workpiece varies.

Abstract: A data processing and transmission system (1) for a numerical control unit (2) adapted to control a machine tool (3), comprises at least one input channel (4) adapted to a transit of operational signals from or to devices present in the machine tool, electronic circuits configured to process the operational signals to make available on an output interface (5) control signals for the numerical control unit, a multipolar cable (8) having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9), a master unit having the output interface, a main processor, a memory and at least one socket (7A) configured to be coupled to one of the multipolar connectors, one or more slave units (6), each provided with at least one external port (6A) defining the input channel, a memory, a secondary processor, and provided also with a first socket (6B) and a second socket (6C), configured to be coupled at least to a first or a second connector of the multipolar connectors in order to interconnect the slave unit at l

Abstract: A measuring and/or control system (1), to control for example a machine tool, comprises at least a first and a second unit, each comprising electronic circuits and at least one socket. The systems further includes a multipolar cable (8) containing a plurality of wires (8A) and having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9) adapted to be coupled to a socket of the first unit and second unit. At least one of the multipolar connectors of the multipolar cable is a fast wiring multipolar connector (12) provided with a first body (12A) and a second body (12B), adapted to be plugged into the first body. The first body comprises a support with two opposite faces, a first group of electrical contacts fixed to one of the faces of the support and adapted to be coupled to one of the sockets of the first or second unit, and a second group of electrical contacts fixed to the other face of the support.

Abstract: A system for checking the axial position of a bearing (30) inside an hole (31) of an E-block (29), preferably during the assembly of an HSA, comprises a reference system (3) that locates the E-block, a coupling element (17) that comes into contact with the bearing, a floating element (8) that, being connected to the coupling element, assumes the attitude of the bearing, two or more detection devices, for example optoelectronic, that cooperate with the floating element and detect at the same time, at checking areas are spaced apart from each other, quantities indicative of the position and, in case, of the attitude of the bearing with respect to the E-block, and a processing unit (50) for receiving and processing the detected quantities.

Abstract: Measuring assembly with a measuring apparatus and a recognition system, and recognition method to detect the correct positioning of a removable device such as a comparator to check the shape and/or dimensions of a mechanical part with respect to a stationary part that includes at least one mechanical reference for the removable device. The system comprises a field source disposed in the stationary part that generates a field and a matching element disposed on the removable device that is able to alter the propagation of this field if correctly positioned relative to the field source. A sensor fixed to the stationary part in an appropriate position detects or not the field and generates a resulting detection signal detection or non-detection signal. A processing unit receives the signal generated by the sensor and on the basis of this provides information about the correct or incorrect positioning of the removable device with respect to the stationary part.

Abstract: A data processing and transmission system (1) for a numerical control unit (2) adapted to control a machine tool (3), comprises at least one input channel (4) adapted to a transit of operational signals from or to devices present in the machine tool, electronic circuits configured to process the operational signals to make available on an output interface (5) control signals for the numerical control unit, a multipolar cable (8) having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9), a master unit having the output interface, a main processor, a memory and at least one socket (7A) configured to be coupled to one of the multipolar connectors, one or more slave units (6), each provided with at least one external port (6A) defining the input channel, a memory, a secondary processor, and provided also with a first socket (6B) and a second socket (6C), configured to be coupled at least to a first or a second connector of the multipolar connectors in order to interconnect the slave unit at l

Abstract: A checking system (4) for checking dimensional and/or geometric features of a workpiece (W) comprises a support and locating element (30), a feeler (50) for touching the workpiece, an arm (42) supporting the feeler and movable with respect to the support and locating element, and a transducer device (14) to detect the position of a checking surface (41) of the arm with respect to the support and locating element and generate signals indicative of the features to be checked. At least one of the support and locating element and the arm is made of a material having density not higher than 1.6 g/cm3 and tensile strength not lower than 1.3 GPa. A procedure for manufacturing such checking system comprises the steps of obtaining a plurality of flat elements from a sheet of material having the aforementioned characteristics, and connecting the flat elements to obtain box-like structures that define at least one of the support and locating element and the arm.

Abstract: A method for optically checking by interferometry the thickness of an object (2) being machined comprises a phase of direct checking wherein the spectrum of the result of interference between primary reflected radiations (R1) generated by reflection of incident radiations (I) on an external surface (16) and secondary reflected radiations (R2) generated by reflection on an internal surface of discontinuity (17) of the object is analyzed, and a preliminary phase wherein information relative to the variation of a virtual thickness (D) delimited and defined by a reference surface (18) and the external surface of the object, indicative of thickness variations of the object being machined. In the preliminary phase, the processing is based on the analysis of the spectrum of the result of interference between primary reflected radiations and reference reflected radiations (Rref) generated by the reflection of the incident radiations on the reference surface, that defines the length of a reference optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (15) of a crankshaft during the working on a grinding machine comprises a V-shaped reference device (10), a measuring device (6), and a support device (4) with a first coupling element (9) rotating with respect to a support element (5) connected to the grinding wheel slide (2), and a second coupling element (12) rotating with respect to the first one and carrying the V-shaped reference device. Guiding means with a constraining linkage (20) connected to the support device, guide the engagement of the reference device with a crankpin, during the orbital motion of the latter, binding a part of the movement along a trajectory substantially parallel to the profile of the grinding wheel (1), while not interfering with the movements of the support device in the checking condition. A control device to bring the apparatus to the checking condition comprises a thrust element (40) that cooperates with the support device.

Abstract: A probe (100) comprises a frame (2), a movable armset (3) and a processing circuit (30; 30?) for processing signals. The processing circuit is able to individually detect the state of contacts (13) defined by the cooperation between mechanical elements of the armset and mechanical elements of the frame, that is the closing or opening of the contacts, and provide a signal indicative of a rest position of the probe when it detects no more than one open contact. A method for processing signals uses said circuit in order to provide a signal indicative of a rest position of the probe. The circuit and the method for processing signals are advantageously implemented for processing the output signals of a touch probe adapted to check dimensions or position of a workpiece in coordinate measuring machines and machine tools.

Abstract: A device (1) for measuring a valve seat formed in a piece has an elongate shape and defines a longitudinal axis (A), and includes: a slide (9), slidingly coupled to a guide (11) for translating in a scanning direction (B) inclined to the longitudinal axis; a sensor (10), mounted on the slide for measuring a parameter relating to a profile of the seat; a processing unit connected to the sensor; a rotary actuator (13) defining a longitudinal rotation axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device; and a transmission assembly interposed between the rotary actuator and the slide for transforming a rotary motion about a longitudinal rotation axis in a reciprocating linear motion of the slide along the scanning direction.

Abstract: A modular system (1) for checking a valve seat and its associated valve guide in cylinder heads of internal combustion engines comprises a guide and support assembly (10), movable in three directions, which carries one or more electronic gauges (11) and a precentering pin (14) to guide the insertion of the gauge in the valve seat and its associated valve guide, and a tilting table (3) for loading and locating a cylinder head (4). Thanks to the particular structure of a support mechanism (12) connected to the guide and support assembly, the gauge is able to self-position on the valve seat to be checked and to disengage in a checking condition from the guide and support assembly at least in one of the three directions. The tilting table can be adjusted depending on the dimensions and layout of the cylinder head to be checked and includes a swing system (6) to set the tilt of the table as a function of the inclination of the valve seat and its associated valve guide to be checked.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking dimensions and/or shape includes one or more feelers (7,8;9;67,68), three for preference, adapted to touch the surface of a mechanical part (2;61) to be checked, a transducer and/or display device (33;78) with a movable part (34;77), and a mechanical transmission assembly (20) to transmit to the movable part of the transducer and/or display device the displacements of the feeler/s. The mechanical transmission assembly includes a shaft (22) defining an axis (A) and a guiding element (30) adapted to house a guide portion (25) of the shaft. The shaft includes a resiliently deformable portion (26), that is preferably a reduced diameter portion having axial symmetry, in an intermediate position between the guide portion and an abutment portion (27).

Abstract: In a machine tool (1) comprising a rotating spindle (2) and a vision system (7) for acquiring images of a tool (3) mounted on the spindle, for each value (VC) of an interval (ICN) of preselected rotational speed values centered on a nominal rotational speed value (VN) of the spindle, an image acquisition period (TA) is determined, that is a multiple of the rotational period (TR) of the spindle calculated for that preselected speed value and compatible with the vision system, and, while the spindle is rotating at the nominal rotational speed, a representative couple of tool images that are temporally spaced apart from one another of the image acquisition period is obtained, in order to obtain an estimated speed value (VS), associated to the nominal speed value, by selecting that preselected speed value to which the representative couple of images that are the most similar to each other on the basis of a similarity rule corresponds.

Abstract: A system for checking the axial position of a bearing (30) inside an hole (31) of an E-block (29), preferably during the assembly of an HSA, comprises a reference system (3) that locates the E-block, a coupling element (17) that comes into contact with the bearing, a floating element (8) that, being connected to the coupling element, assumes the attitude of the bearing, two or more detection devices, for example optoelectronic, that cooperate with the floating element and detect at the same time, at checking areas are spaced apart from each other, quantities indicative of the position and, in case, of the attitude of the bearing with respect to the E-block, and a processing unit (50) for receiving and processing the detected quantities.

Abstract: A touch probe (1;1?;1?;1??) for applications in machine tools or measuring machines includes a support frame (2) with a protective casing (3), and a movable armset (5) with a feeler (11) to touch a part to be checked (13). The probe includes a laminar piezoelectric transducer (25) made of polymeric material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, which is connected to the support frame and fixed at a bearing and locating area (7) on which the movable armset rests in a position defined by an isostatic rest system (17). A thermal insulation system is placed between the protective casing and the piezoelectric transducer and preferably includes at least one element (28) made of thermal insulating material, such as fiberglass, between the piezoelectric transducer and the support frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (15) of a crankshaft during the working on a grinding machine comprises a V-shaped reference device (10), a measuring device (6), and a support device (4) with a first coupling element (9) rotating with respect to a support element (5) connected to the grinding wheel slide (2), and a second coupling element (12) rotating with respect to the first one and carrying the V-shaped reference device. Guiding means with a constraining linkage (20) connected to the support device, guide the engagement of the reference device with a crankpin, during the orbital motion of the latter, to the profile of the grinding wheel (1), while not interfering with the movements of the support device in the checking condition. A control device to bring the apparatus to the checking condition comprises a thrust element (40) that cooperates with the support device.

Abstract: A probe (100) comprises a frame (2), a movable armset (3) and a processing circuit (30; 30?) for processing signals. The processing circuit is able to individually detect the state of contacts (13) defined by the cooperation between mechanical elements of the armset and mechanical elements of the frame, that is the closing or opening of the contacts, and provide a signal indicative of a rest position of the probe when it detects no more than one open contact. A method for processing signals uses said circuit in order to provide a signal indicative of a rest position of the probe. The circuit and the method for processing signals are advantageously implemented for processing the output signals of a touch probe adapted to check dimensions or position of a workpiece in coordinate measuring machines and machine tools.