Abstract: A system and method for measuring the physical characteristics of a component where the system includes an electromagnetic radiation source defining a source optical path, the electromagnetic radiation source being operable to cause electromagnetic radiation to propagate along the source optical path, a sensing device defining a sensor optical path, a system support structure, a base structure, an electromagnetic radiation source mounting structure and a sensing device mounting structure, a positioning device including a positioning device stage, wherein the positioning device stage is movably disposed and a retention mount disposed on the positioning device stage, the retention mount being disposed within the sensor optical path such that when a component is retained within the retention mount, the component blocks at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to generate a silhouette, wherein the sensing device generates data responsive to the silhouette.

Abstract: A method for implementing a component positioning device is provided and includes obtaining a component, a component measuring device and a component positioning device, the component including a component head and a component base, the component measuring device including a first arbor and a second arbor and the component positioning device including a first support device, a second support device and an adapter device, connecting the first support device and the adapter device to the component measuring device, wherein the first support device is associated with the first arbor and the adapter device is associated with the second arbor, associating the second support device with the adapter device, wherein the second support device is adjacent to and separated from the first support device by a component cavity and positioning the component within the component cavity.