Abstract: A fractal-based or "patchwork" method for analyzing topographic data simulates covering the surface of a specimen surface with triangular patches in order to determine the relative surface area which is a function of patch size or scale of observation or interaction. The specimen surface has X and Y horizontal axes and a vertical Z axis. Height data is obtained for each point of a grid network of points on the surface, the points being arranged in parallel rows and the rows being spaced. The specimen surface is defined with triangles having a surface area equal to a preselected patch area value. The total area of the planar triangles is calculated to obtain a total measured area of value. The area of the specimen surface in the X-Y plane that is defined by the triangles is calculated to obtain a total measured area value. The total measured area value is divided by the total projected area value to obtain a relative area value.

Abstract: A unit for measuring shape defects of a part includes an installation plane (1), a presentation unit (2) receiving part to be measured, a measuring machine (10) mobile along three axes (X,Y,Z) and equipped with a sensor (17), and a computer (20). The sensor continuously follows the shape of the part, the variations recorded by the sensor determining a fourth axis (W). Shape deviations are displayed based upon the instantaneous acquisition of the four measuring displacements.

Abstract: A mechanism for scanning the contour of a tri-dimensional body including control circuitry for processing and storing the pattern data obtained. The contour pattern is measured by using contour follower members that radially slide between the two arms of a scan rotor assembly that is driven by a reference step motor. Coaxially aligned phase disks are rotably and slidably mounted over outer slots on the outer periphery of the arms and a linkage mechanism is pivotally mounted on one end to a predetermined point in the phase disk and the other end to the contour follower member. The phase disks are slowed down by frictional force applied to the phase disks and this slowing down force is overcome by the contour follower once it comes in contact with the reference body. The phase angle difference between the phase disks and the referenced step motor rotation is measured, processed and stored for subsequent pattern matching with the use of a microprocessor.

Abstract: A method for gaging the geometry of selected sections of threaded fasteners comprises providing a gage for measuring a plurality of cross-sectional dimensions of the selected sections, positioning a fastener with the selected sections in surface-to-surface contact with the gage, recording information corresponding to the dimensions of the selected sections as measured by the gage to form recorded data, and ascertaining information representative of the geometry of the selected section from the recorded data.

Abstract: A method for gaging the geometry of bodies includes providing a gage for measuring a plurality of cross-sectional dimensions of a body and positioning a body in surface-to-surface contact with the gage. The method proceeds by recording information corresponding to the dimensions as measured by the gage, to form recorded data, the ascertaining information related to the geometry of the body from this recorded data. Apparatus is also provided for carrying out this method.

Abstract: An object is positioned in fixed relation to a measuring axis without regard to centering the object on the axis and at least one series of data samples correlated to the distance between the measuring axis and a series of points located at angularly spaced intervals on at least one surface feature of the object are generated and stored. To determine the center of a first surface feature, the corresponding series of samples is analyzed to identify samples therein corresponding to points lying on a maximum inscribed circle whose center corresponds to that of the surface feature. To measure a second surface feature of an object with reference to the center of a first surface feature thereof, a first signal and a second signal correlated to the distance between the measuring axis and points on the first surface feature and second surface feature, respectively are generated.

Abstract: A method of inspecting V-shaped grooves carried out in the following steps. Coordinates of points more than 20 per groove on a substrate formed with V-shaped grooves are measured with a stylus moving in directions perpendicular to longitudinal directions of the grooves. Measured data within distances at least 10 .mu.m from edges and groove bottoms of the grooves are removed from all data to find effective measuring segments. Shapes formed by straight lines are then calculated on the basis of the remaining data on effective measuring segments having a length of more than 40 .mu.m. A method of working V-shaped grooves is effected in the following steps. A circle having a diameter substantially equal to that of fibers to be supported in the groove is so drawn that the circle is inscribed in an interior of a V-shaped groove calculated by the above method.

Abstract: The blade root grooves in a turbine disc are gauged for accuracy by a body resembling the blade root which includes electronic distance gauges in its surfaces. The body is introduced into a reference groove with two surfaces in contact with the groove surfaces and the distance between the other surfaces of the body and the corresponding surfaces of the reference groove displayed. The display is adjusted so that all the distances displayed are equal. The body may then be introduced into a disc groove during production and will indicate whether the disc groove being machined corresponds to the reference groove.

Abstract: An improved inspection method determines how closely the cross sectional configuration of an airfoil corresponds to a reference cross sectional configuration. When an airfoil is to be inspected, the airfoil is measured and the mean camber line is determined. The mean camber lines of the reference and measured airfoils are shifted relative to each other through a plurality of relationships. A best fit relationship is determined in which the measured and reference airfoils overlie each other to a maximum extent possible. The best fit relationship can be determined by comparing points on the major side surfaces of the measured and reference airfoils. Alternatively, the best fit relationship can be determined by comparing points on the mean camber lines of the measured and reference airfoils.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the top and the bottom surface of a metallic workpiece, such as a steel slab. The apparatus is positioned proximate to the workpiece and includes a rail beam which may be translated across the width of the workpiece. A first arm is pivotally coupled to a first end of the rail beam and a second arm is pivotally coupled to a second end of the rail beam. The two arms are pivotally interconnected at top ends thereof by a tie rod, thereby forming three sides of a parallelogram. Deflection of the first arm during translation of the rail beam across causes a similar deflection of the second arm. The deflection of the second arm may be recorded, thereby recreating the surface profile of the workpiece.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin suppor assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin support assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the automatic gauging of engineering components. The apparatus includes a clamp for holding a component to be gauged, probes for scanning a surface of the component, drives to provide relative motion between the component and the probes in three mutually perpendicular axes, measuring transducers associated with the drives and the probes to generate signals to measure the degree of movement between the component and the probes, computer memory for storing data relating to a reference profile having dimensions which it is desired to achieve, computer apparatus for comparing signals generated by the measuring transducers with the corresponding signals in the memory, computer apparatus for calculating any error between the stored data and signals generated by the measuring transducers to stack the component to maximize desired coincidence between the dimensions of the reference profile and the actual component.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin support assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: A contour and outline transducer gage assembly for selectively making outline (gap) and contour checks of parts positioned proximate thereto is provided with a slidably movable carrier arm within the gage housing in selective spring biased operative engagement with a linear potentiometer fixedly provided within the gage housing. Selective movement of the carrier arm in relation to the linear potentiometer causes a gaging electrical signal to be generated for read-out on associated data collector means. A movable cover plate is provided externally of the gage housing in fixed actuating engagement with the movable carrier arm. An adjustable contour check pin support assembly is provided on the movable cover plate so as to provide selective horizontal, vertical and angularity adjustment of a part-engaging contour check pin mounted on the contour check pin support assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arbitrary-direction tracer control unit which permits arbitrary setting of the tracer feed direction, and is intended to allow ease in changing the tracer feed direction even during tracing.A memory (M) has stored therein data indicating the tracer feed direction, that is, the angle between the tracer feed axis and the X-axis. A correction angle setting device (COM) sets a correction angle with respect to the tracer feed axis. An adder (ADD) adds together the angle stored in the memory (M) and the correction angle set on the correction angle setting device (COM), and provides the added output to a tracing operation device (PRO). The tracing operation device (PRO) operates, on the basis of the results of addition by the adder (ADD) and a displacement signal from a tracer head (TH), a velocity in each axis direction at which a model and the tracer head (TH) are moved relative to each other in a direction corresponding to the results of addition by the adder (ADD).

Abstract: A system for determining the precision of a numerically controlled machine ool involves setting the machine tool control to define a circular path. A circular standard is then aligned with the machine tool to sense the desired circular path. A continuous or pointwise sensing, as a function of whether a path-controlled or a point-by-point-controlled machine is being measured, of the aligned standard is performed. A faulty machine tool does not accurately cover the defined circular path. Variations from the desired circle can be plotted and used for evaluation.