Abstract: Aspects include metrology methods and systems for determining characteristics of conical shaft portions, such as angle of taper. In an example, a metrology system includes a fixture for supporting a workpiece. The fixture provides for translation in a longitudinal dimension, and rotation about an axis of symmetry. The system may include a sensor mounted for scanning lines including sections of the workpiece as well as control logic for coordinating translation of the workpiece to provide for an approximately constant ratio of longitudinal translation and lines scanned during scanning operations. The system may include image logic for assembling an image from image data generated during each scanning operation; edge detection logic for detecting at least one edge shape in each assembled image; and slope calculation logic for calculating a slope of each of the at least one detected edge shape.

Abstract: For preferably and accurately measuring characteristics of workpieces, such angle of taper of a conical cavity defined by a workpiece, examples may include a system having a stage movable in predictable and repeatable increments, and a compliancy fixture. The compliancy feature may include a sapphire to metal interface. Such examples may also include a mechanism, such as an elongate body or an arm, for alternately disposing each of a first object of a first size and a second object of a second size in the conical cavity. Examples may use spherical objects, or portions thereof. Systems further include at least one sensor for determining positions of the first and second objects in the conical cavity and logic for determining the characteristics, such the taper angle, based on the position of the first object and the second object in the conical cavity.