Abstract:
In a co-ordinate measuring machine a guideway base is formed from tubular components (10-14) of a lightweight material. An electrically heated strip (16) is located centrally of the tubular elements and fans (18) are also provided within the base. The strip (16) and the fans (18) can maintain the temperature of the base structure at a constant level at or above the ambient temperature so that changes in the latter do not result in any thermal expansion of the material of the base structure.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a position indicator for obtaining position-representing signals containing information about the position of a sensor with which a surface of for instance pipes, drums and tanks can be scanned. The position indicator comprises an element movably connected with a base body of the position indicator, of which element, during operation, a part to which the sensor can be connected is located outside the base body of the position indicator. Detection means of the position indicator detect an angular displacement of the element relative to a first axis, extending at least not substantially in a longitudinal direction of this part of the element, and changes of distance between a point of this part of the element and a point of the base body to obtain the position-representing signals.
Abstract:
A process and device are disclosed for measuring multiple disk brake wear, in particular of shafts with planetary gears, by inserting a screw (16) containing a measurement device (13) into a predetermined bore (17) in the wheel hub. The measurement device has a spindle (14) which is concentrically guided within the setting screw and which is moved up to the multiple disk-supporting washer (10), after the brake is actuated and before the wheel hub is further rotated, and this distance is determined as a first measurement value. The brake is then loosened and the spindle (14) is moved until it comes once again to bear on the supporting washer (10), and this distance is determined as a second measurement value. The difference between the two measurement values gives the piston hub, i.e. the wear of the friction linings (8).
Abstract:
Apparatus for vehicle wheel alignment comprising a wheel engaging member and a bearing surface (100) rigidly mountable to the wheel engaging member. A lever (104) with a movable fulcrum (106) is mounted to the bearing surface for applying an appropriately directed force to the bearing surface to adjust the alignment of an engaged wheel. A bracing member (160) is provided extendable from the lever for attachment to an anchor surface. The bracing member provides a reaction force to ensure that the aligning force generated by the lever is directed toward the engaged wheel. Alternative embodiments of the invention can be used to adjust wheel alignment on straight axle and trailing arm axle vehicles.
Abstract:
A slide assembly (10) comprises an axially displaceable member (11) and guidance means for guiding displacement of the member. The guidance means comprises at least one set of air bearings (12), which co-operate with the peripheral surface of the member and are disposed to be symmetrical about a respective transverse plane of the member. The bearings (12) of the or each set are equidistantly spaced around the periphery of the member and are each held by a resilient mounting, such as a leaf spring (13). The forces exerted on the bearings by the leaf springs can be adjusted by adjusting screws (15). Any departures, caused by production tolerances, of the diameter of the member from a nominal value are compensated for by equal movement of the bearings of the or each set.
Abstract:
Apparatus for precisely measuring the location of points on working media, such as a PCB, includes: a base panel (18) having a surface area at least equal to that of the largest working medium (16) to be measured, a reference mark, and a grid of fiducial marks each located at precisely-known locations with respect to the reference mark; a coarse positioning device (Ccx, Ccy) movable over the base panel (18); a fine positioning device (Cfx, Cfy) carried by and movable over the coarse positioning device; and a holder (14) for holding a working medium (16) substantially in contact with the base panel (18). The apparatus further includes first measuring means for measuring the location of a preselected point on the coarse positioning device (Ccx, Ccy) with respect to a preselected fiducial mark of the base panel (18); and second measuring means carried by the fine positioning device (Cfx, Cfy) for measuring the location of a point to be measured on the working medium (16) with respect to the preselected point on the coarse positioning device (Ccx, Ccy).
Abstract:
An instrument for measuring dimensions of a can seam portion comprising a criterion measuring pin (9), a linear gauge (10) provided with a measuring spindle (12) which is so supported as to be movable along straight line (L) in the direction of approaching said criterion measuring pin (9) and in the direction of leaving said criterion measuring pin (9), a can cap supporting block (6), and a can body supporting block (7). The can cap supporting block (6) holds the can such that the direction of measuring can seaming thickness (T) may be identical with the above straight line (L) and the inner face of the can seam portion may contact said criterion measuring pin (9). The can body supporting block (7) holds the can such that the direction of measuring can seaming width (W) may be identical with the above straight line (L) and the lower face of the can seam portion may contact said criterion measuring pin (9).
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for checking the surface condition of rollers for bearings, in particular barrel rollers, in which the pieces are conveyed and lined up in a row towards a checking station. In order to ensure the correct positioning of each piece during the checking operations, a compression force is applied to a section of the row, and in particular a thrust and a resisting action are applied at the ends of the section, urging the pieces of the section against one another in the course of their translation along a feed direction. Checking operations, for example through eddy current rotating heads, are carried out on pieces of the section.
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 device takes a determined value.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a measurement touch probe for use on a coordinate measuring machine. The probe has a stylus supporting member (50), supported for movement relative to a housing (12) on three pairs of serially connected linear air bearings (LB1, LB2, LB3), each of which extend in mutually orthogonal directions. Air is serially supplied to each of the bearings; air is supplied from the housing directly to the bearing (LB1); a controlled venting of the air from bearing (LB1) supplies bearing (LB2); and a controlled venting of the air from bearing (LB2) supplies bearing (LB3). This obviates the need for pipe connections between relatively fixed and movable parts of a bearing which would otherwise restrict relative motion of the two parts. The construction of bearing (Figs. 3 and 4) comprises a cylindrical shaft (114) over which a cylindrical sleeve (116) is movable. Air is piped out of the centre of the shaft via an outlet port (160) and passes through collection chamber (162) into a plenum chamber (166) which is at supplied pressure. Restrictor outlets (176A-D and 178A-D) are supplied from the plenum chamber to provide the air cushion on which the sleeve (116) moves. Collection chamber (162) permits relative movement of the sleeve (116) and shaft (114) while ensuring that air passes from outlet (160) into plenum chamber (166).