Abstract: According to exemplary inventive practice, a frame has a geometric vertical axial plane and supports a receptacle, four thumbscrews, and four dial indicators. Each thumbscrew has a dial indicator associated therewith and can be turned to move along its geometric axis, perpendicular to the vertical axial plane. The thumbscrews are paired, with respective axes aligned, on opposite sides of the vertical axial plane. The frame is placed upon a base, the body is secured to the frame using the receptacle to grip a portion of the body, and the dial indicators are calibrated for matching thumbscrew displacement measurements in each opposite thumbscrew pair. The thumbscrews are moved into contact with the base and are adjusted to align the body with the base, as indicated by matching dial indicator readings in each opposite thumbscrew pair. The aligned body is affixed to the base, and the frame (with accompanying components) is removed.

Abstract: According to exemplary inventive practice, a cylindrical object is secured by a rotatable mechanism. Via a motor controller and corresponding motor actuators, a computer exercises motional control as follows: (i) rotation of the rotatable mechanism, and hence of the cylindrical object, about the cylindrical axis; (ii) linear movement of a positionally adjustable LVDT along the cylindrical axis; and, (iii) linear movement of the positionally adjustable LVDT perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The computer varies the rotational position of the cylindrical axis, varies the Cartesian planar/spatial position of the positionally adjustable LVDT, and receives measurements taken by the positionally adjustable LVDT under these varying conditions. Based on the measuremental input, the computer evaluates the surface profile of the cylindrical object.