Abstract: A non-contact laser-based sensor guided by a precision mechanical system scans a thread form producing a set of digitized images of the thread form. The digitized images are analyzed to derive quantitative information about thread characteristics such as pitch, lead, root radius, flank angle, surface roughness, helix variation, and pitch diameter. Thread form data may be stored and later retrieved in order to provide traceability and verification of thread form measurements to a predetermined thread form specification. The apparatus and method of the invention can measure characteristics for shapes similar to threads, such as gears and dies used for cold forming processes. The thread measurement system can be mounted on thread making machines and used for on-line monitoring and control of the thread forming process.

Abstract: A non-contact laser-based sensor guided by a precision mechanical system scans a thread form producing a set of digitized images of the thread form. The digitized images are analyzed to derive quantitative information about thread characteristics such as pitch, lead, root radius, flank angle, surface roughness, helix variation, and pitch diameter. Thread form data may be stored and later retrieved in order to provide traceability and verification of thread form measurements to a predetermined thread form specification. The apparatus and method of the invention can measure characteristics for shapes similar to threads, such as gears and dies used for cold forming processes. The thread measurement system can be mounted on thread making machines and used for on-line monitoring and control of the thread forming process.

Abstract: Optical architectures are presented for performing fully parallel, carry-free computation with a trinary, modified signed-digit number representation to allow addition, subtraction and multiplication. Two different optical schemes involving position and polarization encoding enable the fabrication of modular trinary logic systems that accommodate trinary numbers of different magnitudes. The optical systems made up of redundant three-dimensional modules provide a designer with latitude to simultaneously carry out addition, subtraction or multiplication optically and with reduced complexity.

Abstract: Optical architectures are presented for performing fully parallel, carry-free computation with a trinary, modified signal-digit number representation to allow addition, subtraction and multiplication. Two different optical schemes involving position and polarization encoding enable the fabrication of modular trinary logic systems that accommodate trinary numbers of different magnitudes. The optical systems made up of redundant three-dimensional modules provide a designer with latitude to simultaneously carry out addition, subtraction or multiplication optically and with reduced complexity.