Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (15) of a crankshaft in orbital motion about a geometrical axis in a numerical control machine tool includes a V-shaped reference device (10), a measuring device (6) and a support device (4) fixed to the tool holding slide (2) that movably supports the reference device and the measuring device. A control device (50) for controlling automatic displacements of the apparatus towards and away from a checking condition, includes a programmable electric motor (60) and a transmission mechanism (62). The programmable electric motor is programmed to define a start position in which the automatic displacement of the apparatus away from the checking condition can be stopped, for instance a rest position or an intermediate position between the rest position and the checking condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (15) of a crankshaft in orbital motion about a geometrical axis in a numerical control machine tool includes a V-shaped reference device (10), a measuring device (6) and a support device (4) fixed to the tool holding slide (2) that movably supports the reference device and the measuring device. A control device (50) for controlling automatic displacements of the apparatus towards and away from a checking condition, includes a programmable electric motor (60) and a transmission mechanism (62). The programmable electric motor is programmed to define a start position in which the automatic displacement of the apparatus away from the checking condition can be stopped, for instance a rest position or an intermediate position between the rest position and the checking condition.

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: 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: 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 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 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 detection device (23) with 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). Conditioning electronics (30) connected to the support frame include processing means for processing a force signal (M) provided by the detection device, comparing it with a threshold value (S) and generating a touch signal (T). The conditioning electronics include differential charge amplifiers (3) and a processing system (55) to dynamically vary the threshold value depending on the most recent values of the force signal detected.

Abstract: A method for checking the diameter of a cylindrical part, such as a crankpin of a crankshaft, in orbital motion in a numerical control grinding machine, by means of a checking apparatus with a Vee-shaped reference device for cooperating with the crankpin, a support device movably carrying the Vee-shaped reference device, and a measuring device movable with the Vee-shaped reference device. The Vee-shaped reference device is brought, from a rest position, into contact with the crankpin, and the contact, that defines a checking condition, is maintained by gravity during the orbital motion of the crankpin.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking thickness dimensions in a semiconductor wafer (1) during grinding operations includes an optical probe (3) which transmits infrared radiations on the surface (2) being machined of the wafer (1), and detects beams that are reflected by said surface, by an opposite surface (2?) of the wafer and/or by surfaces (2?, 2??) separating different layers in the wafer. The beam of emitted and reflected radiations travels along a path (4) with known and constant discontinuities, in part through the air (15) and in part through a cushion (30) of low flow liquid, which flows with substantially laminar flow. A support and positioning element (7) for the optical probe includes hydraulic ducts (22,25) that generate the liquid cushion. A method for checking the thickness dimensions includes the generation of the liquid cushion at the path along which the beam of emitted and reflected radiations travels.

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 detection device (23) with 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). Conditioning electronics (30) connected to the support frame include processing means for processing a force signal (M) provided by the detection device, comparing it with a threshold value (S) and generating a touch signal (T). The conditioning electronics include differential charge amplifiers (3) and a processing system (55) to dynamically vary the threshold value depending on the most recent values of the force signal detected.

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 fibreglass, between the piezoelectric transducer and the support frame.

Abstract: A method for checking the diameter of a cylindrical part, such as a crankpin of a crankshaft, in orbital motion in a numerical control grinding machine, by means of a checking apparatus with a Vee-shaped reference device for cooperating with the crankpin, a support device movably carrying the Vee-shaped reference device, and a measuring device movable with the Vee-shaped reference device. The Vee-shaped reference device is brought, from a rest position, into contact with the crankpin, and the contact, that defines a checking condition, is maintained by gravity during the orbital motion of the crankpin.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking thickness dimensions in a semiconductor wafer (1) during grinding operations includes an optical probe (3) which transmits infrared radiations on the surface (2) being machined of the wafer (1), and detects beams that are reflected by said surface, by an opposite surface (2?) of the wafer and/or by surfaces (2?, 2??) separating different layers in the wafer. The beam of emitted and reflected radiations travels along a path (4) with known and constant discontinuities, in part through the air (15) and in part through a cushion (30) of low flow liquid, which flows with substantially laminar flow. A support and positioning element (7) for the optical probe includes hydraulic ducts (22,25) that generate the liquid cushion. A method for checking the thickness dimensions includes the generation of the liquid cushion at the path along which the beam of emitted and reflected radiations travels.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins of a crankshaft in the course of the machining in a grinding machine includes a Vee-shaped reference device, a measuring device associated with the reference device and including a feeler axially movable along the bisecting line of the Vee-shaped reference device, and a support device with a first arm rotating with respect to a support arranged on the grinding-wheel slide and a second arm rotating with respect to the first and carrying the Vee-shaped reference device. A guiding mechanism includes a limiting device, with mutually abutting surfaces and coupled to the support device, that guides the displacement of the reference device along a trajectory substantially parallel to the profile of the grinding wheel, allows the engagement of the reference device on a crankpin to be checked while the latter is orbitally moving, and does not interfere with the displacements of the support device caused by the orbital motion of the crankpin in the checking condition.

Abstract: A gauge (1) for checking radial dimensions of a workpiece (60), e.g. the diameter of a crankpin orbitally rotating during grinding operations, includes a casing, a V-shaped reference device (4) and a rod that can move within the casing (2) with respect to the reference device, an end of the rod projecting from the casing and carrying a feeler (20) for touching the surface of the workpiece to be checked and transmitting the movements of the feeler to a transducer (22). A sealing system for preventing coolant, dust or other foreign matter from getting inside the casing includes a pneumatic conduit (6) for allowing compressed air to be blown from inside the casing to outside, and an internal seal that—in the non-operative condition—seals the opening through which the rod projects from the casing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the seal is fastened into a bushing guiding the rod and cooperates with a surface of the rod in order to get the tightness.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.