Abstract: An apparatus and a relevant method for checking a crankpin (18) of a crankshaft (34) positioned on a numerical control grinding machine where it is worked includes a gauging head (39) with a Vee-shaped reference device (20) and a feeler (17), axially movable along a translation direction, that touches the crankpin surface, and an articulated support device (5,9,12) connected to the grinding-wheel slide (1), carrying the guaging head and allowing the reference device (20) to keep contact with the crankpin during its orbital motion around the main rotation axis (0) of the crankshaft. Rough values corresponding to a transducer (41) signals provided at predetermined angular positions of the crankshaft are stored and are processed also to compensate alterations caused both by contact between the sides of the Vee-shaped reference device and the surface of the crankpin to be checked, and by variations of the angular arrangement of the Vee-shaped reference device in the course of orbital rotations of the pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking diameter and roundness of crankpins (42) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine, includes a Vee-shaped reference device (70), a gauging device with a movable feeler (67) associated with the Vee-shaped device (70) and a movable support (5, 40, 41, 60) device for the Vee-shaped reference device. The movable support device is coupled (5) to the grinding-wheel slide (1) and includes, in working condition, two parallelogram structures (40, 41) in series enabling substantially translation displacements of the Vee-shaped device (70).

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter and the roundness of pins, for example crankpins and main journals of a crankshaft rotating about its main axis of rotation (8), includes a measuring device, coupled to a Vee-shaped reference device (20) and including a feeler (17) axially movable along the bisecting line of the Vee, or a direction slightly sloping with respect to it, and a movable support device for the reference Vee. The support device includes a support element (5) and a coupling mechanism that carries the reference Vee (20). The coupling mechanism includes, for example, two support sections (e.g. parallelogram structures) in series and enables plain translation displacements of the reference Vee. While checking an orbitally rotating crankpin, the Vee-shaped device maintains proper contact with the surface of the pin by virtue of the force of gravity, and the angular arrangement of the direction along which the feeler (17) moves remains substantially unchanged.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking diameter and roundness of crankpins (42) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine, includes a Vee-shaped reference device (70), a gauging device with a movable feeler (67) associated with the Vee-shaped device (70) and a movable support (5, 40, 41, 60) device for the Vee-shaped reference device. The movable support device is coupled (5) to the grinding-wheel slide (1) and includes, in working condition, two parallelogram structures (40, 41) in series enabling substantially translation displacements of the Vee-shaped device (70).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for balancing an elongate structure (1) rotating about an axis, like a spindle (3) carrying two grinding wheels (5, 6), wherein two vibration-detecting sensors (7, 8) and associated balancing devices (9, 10) with movable masses (11-14) are arranged at two checking sections (S1, S2) spaced out along the axis of rotation. Processing and control means (20) control the balancing devices on the basis of one or more signals (VC; VC1, VC2) achieved as combination(s) of the vibrations, in module, detected by both the sensors.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for balancing an elongate structure (1) rotating about an axis, like a spindle (3) carrying two grinding wheels (5, 6), wherein two vibration-detecting sensors (7, 8) and associated balancing devices (9, 10) with/movable masses (11-14) are arranged at to checking sections (S1, S2) spaced out along the axis of rotation. Processing and control means (20) control the balancing devices on the basis of one or more signals (VC; VC1, VC2) achieved as combination(s) of the vibrations, in module, detected by both the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter and the roundness of pins, for example crankpins and main journals of a crankshaft rotating about its main axis of rotation (8), includes a measuring device, coupled to a Vee-shaped reference device (20) and including a feeler (17) axially movable along the bisecting line of the Vee, or a direction slightly sloping with respect to it, and a movable support device for the reference Vee. The support device includes a support element (5) and a coupling mechanism that carries the reference Vee (20). The coupling mechanism includes, for example, two support sections (e.g. parallelogram structures) in series and enables plain translation displacements of the reference Vee. While checking an orbitally rotating crankpin, the Vee-shaped device maintains proper contact with the surface of the pin by virtue of the force of gravity, and the angular arrangement of the direction along which the feeler (17) moves remains substantially unchanged.

Abstract: An apparatus and a relevant method for checking a crankpin (18) of a crankshaft (34) positioned on a numerical control grinding machine where it is worked includes a gauging head (39) with a Vee-shaped reference device (20) and a feeler (17), axially movable along a translation direction, that touches the crankpin surface, and an articulated support device (5,9,12) connected to the grinding-wheel slide (1), carrying the guaging head and allowing the reference device (20) to keep contact with the crankpin during its orbital motion around the main rotation axis (0) of the crankshaft. Rough values corresponding to a transducer (41) signals provided at predetermined angular positions of the crankshaft are stored and are processed also to compensate alterations caused both by contact between the sides of the Vee-shaped reference device and the surface of the crankpin to be checked, and by variations of the angular arrangement of the Vee-shaped reference device in the course of orbital rotations of the pin.

Abstract: A head for the linear dimension checking of mechanical pieces, including a casing that defines a longitudinal geometric axis, an arm—set movable with respect to the casing, a feeler coupled to the movable arm—set for touching the piece to be checked, a biased device arranged between the casing and the movable arm—set for urging the movable arm—set into contact with the casing, a detecting device coupled to the casing, including a movable element and a transmission device between the movable arm—set and the movable element of the detecting device. In order to reduce the frictions and improve the repeatability of the head, the transmission device includes a wire substantially rigid in a longitudinal direction but flexible in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The wire has a first end coupled to the movable arm—set and a second end for cooperating with the movable element of the detecting device.

Abstract: Head for checking linear dimensions of parts in machine tools or measuring machines, with a casing, a movable arm-set including an arm carrying a feeler for contacting the part to be checked, a biasing device arranged between the casing and the movable arm-set, a detecting device for providing a signal depending on the position of the movable arm-set, and two constraining systems—between the casing and the movable arm-set—both totally with force closure under the action of the biasing device, that eliminate, in a univocal way, the six degrees of freedom of the movable arm-set, one of the two constraining systems featuring a structure with rotational symmetry.

Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus for the dimension and/or shape checking of pieces, more specifically pieces with complex tridimensional shape, as the supports for magnetic read/write heads (33, 47, 63) for hard disk storage units, comprises a base (1) with two guide elements (7, 9) to which there is coupled a slide (11), movable in a longitudinal direction along the guide elements (7, 9), and a system (31) for locking and referring the piece (33, 47, 63) to be checked. The slide (11) supports a rotary table (13), to which there is fixed a support (15) for an optoelectronic measuring system. Rotational displacements of the rotary table (13) about an axis parallel to the guide elements (7, 9) make the optoelectronic measuring system oscillate substantially in a plane perpendicular to said axis for optimizing the reciprocal arrangement between the components (75, 77) of the optoelectronic measuring system and the piece (33, 47, 63) in the course of the checking.

Abstract: A method and an associated apparatus for the dimension checking of the timing system of an internal combustion engine, in particular for checking the clearance existing between the cams of the camshaft and the relevant valves in the cylinder head, by dimensional measurements of the cylinder head and the camshaft separately, and processing, in a storing, processing and display unit, the dimensional measurements for evaluating how the camshaft actually positions itself with respect to the cylinder head on which it is mounted, in the course of the normal running of the engine.

Abstract: A camshaft checking apparatus, in particular for checking the parameters of the profiles of cams, comprising a support structure and a motor means for positioning and axially rotating the shaft, linear transducers for determining radial dimensions of cams in the course of the rotation, a measuring head for cooperating with a reference portion of the camshaft and locating an angular shaft reference position, a rotary transducer for defining said angular position and angular measuring positions, and a control unit for receiving and processing signals arriving from the linear transducers, measuring head and the rotary transducer.

Abstract: A probe comprises a support casing, a movable arm-set with an arm carrying a feeler and a detection device providing a signal further to contact occurring between the feeler and the workpiece. In order to enable the feeler to perform translation displacements along a longitudinal geometrical axis and rotations about transversal axes, the matching between the support casing and the arm-set is obtained by means of a cone-shaped surface, a spherical surface and a spring urging these surfaces into contact. An annular reference surface of the movable arm-set enters into contact with an annular plane surface of the support casing when a first eccentricity value of the feeler, with respect to the longitudinal geometrical axis, is reached, and when a second eccentricity value is reached the signal of the detection takes a determined value.

Abstract: A method for checking dimensions of parts foresees the use of a gauging head (2) with at least a movable feeler (14) that contacts the surface (6) of the part (4) to be checked and a transducer (20) that provides a signal responsive to the position of the feeler (14). The checking, that is performed dynamically in correspondence with one or more checking locations, involves mutual movements between the head (2) and the part (4) and a sliding between the movable feeler (14) and the surface (6).In order to eliminate malfunctions introduced by frictional forces arising during the sliding, the method includes performing two scanning motions in correspondence with each checking location, according to two opposite directions, detecting values of the signal of the transducer (20) for each scanning motion, and averaging the detected values to obtain a value representative of the dimension to be checked, or of its deviation from a nominal value.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a frame (1) and two slides (3, 7, 42; 4, 8, 42'), parallel and arranged side by side, each of which operated by a relevant motor (36, 36'). Coupled to each slide are a linear transducer (72; 72'), that detects the slide position, and a measuring head (15; 16) with a movable arm (18; 19) having a feeler (20; 21) adapted to contact the part (17). For making an apparatus featuring high accuracy and repeatability, but limited overall dimensions, and being adapted for checkings during machining, each slide comprises a linear guide rod (3; 4), movable with respect to the frame (1); a first support structure (7; 8) secured to the rod (3; 4) and arranged at a side of it for supporting the measuring head (15; 16); and a second support structure (42; 42') secured to the rod (3; 4).

Abstract: An apparatus for checking diametral dimensions comprises a resilient protection element, with a substantially tubular shape, for protecting an internal arm-set by preventing any foreign matter, like chips, from entering inside. In order to obtain a protection element that occupies little space and is particularly resistant to wear, blows, chemical etching etc., the element, substantially cylindrical, is made of a lamina of metal--preferably steel for springs, or nickel, or chromium--, or other materials with similar characteristics. Two feelers are placed at diametrically opposite points of the cylindrical element and as a consequence of the lamina flexions move in a diametral direction. The displacement of the feelers is transmitted to a position transducer. The invention mainly applies to plug gauges used in transfer lines for checking small diameter holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking linear dimensions of mechanical parts comprises a bed, a longitudinal slide and two transverse slides arranged on the longitudinal slide and carrying relevant sensing elements adapted to touch the part to be checked. In order to obtain flexibility and quickness of operation, first and second reference rests for relevant parts are positioned on the bed and the transverse slides carry sensing elements having an arrangement substantially symmetrical with respect to a transverse symmetry plane. The apparatus is particularly suitable for checking parts after a first and, respectively, a second machining operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the roundness of parts comprises a basement supporting a motorized spindle for rotating the part to be checked about a horizontal axis, a stanchion fixed to the basement, a control lever and a support element rotatably coupled to the stanchion for rotation about relevant horizontal axes, measuring device coupled to the lever and the support element, and processing device. The measuring device comprises a member vertically suspended to the lever and rotatably coupled to the support element, a Vee device fixed to the member and adapted to be arranged upon the part and two measuring heads with movable feelers adapted to contact diametrically opposed points of the part. The processing device is connected to the measuring heads for providing measurements of the out-of-roundness and of the diameter of the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dimensions, in particular diameters and axial dimensions of parts with rotational symmetry, comprises a support, a system of slides movable with respect to the support, motors for displacing the slides, transducers adapted to provide signals indicative of the positions of the slides and measuring means carried by the system of slides. In order to perform, accurately and quickly, measurements on different types of parts, the system of slides comprises a longitudinal slide and two slides movable simultaneously and symmetrically along the same transversal directions. The measuring means comprise two measuring heads each of which is fixed to a relevant transversal slide and adapted to measure both in longitudinal and transversal directions. The measurements of the parts are obtained by combining the signals of the transducers and those provided by the measuring heads.