초록 ▼

A system for rapidly measuring, during production, various properties of cylindrical products, such as aluminum cans, uses both optical and non-contact air gauge measurements. The system is configured with three dimensional control to receive cans for optical and air gauge analysis on a movable plat

A system for rapidly measuring, during production, various properties of cylindrical products, such as aluminum cans, uses both optical and non-contact air gauge measurements. The system is configured with three dimensional control to receive cans for optical and air gauge analysis on a movable platform having spaced apart receiving positions. A video camera inspects and identifies cans in one position, using X, Y and Z axis control. Wall thickness is measured using a reference mandrel and a movable air gauge having an end nozzle directed toward a linear reference surface on the mandrel. The air gauge uses hydrodynamic balance to maintain a specified gap relative to the opposing surface, with a high degree of accuracy. Before a measurement is taken, the air nozzle is traversed along the length of the mandrel, and its position sensed and converted to digital form, with the recorded points being entered into storage. A can inserted on the mandrel is drawn tightly against the mandrel by vacuum pressure, and the air nozzle is run along the length of the can, with readings being taken at high speed but relatively small increments. These readings are then stored and utilized, in relation to the prior reference readings, to provide accurate mapping of all thicknesses to less than 1 micron. When one scan is completed, the can is released, rotated and again drawn onto to the reference mandrel for another in a series of readings providing rapid mapping of the entire surface.

대표청구항 ▼

A mechanism for measuring the thickness of the wall of a thin walled cylindrical object at a plurality of points comprising: mandrel means registrable within the object, the mandrel including a curved reference surface on one side and a roller on the other, the reference surface including depression

A mechanism for measuring the thickness of the wall of a thin walled cylindrical object at a plurality of points comprising: mandrel means registrable within the object, the mandrel including a curved reference surface on one side and a roller on the other, the reference surface including depression thereon; means coupled to the mandrel means for providing reduced differential pressure at the concavities to draw a part of the wall of a cylindrical object registered thereon closely onto the reference surface; first roller means coupled to the mandrel means and disposed adjacent and within the wall of the cylindrical object opposite the reference surface when the object is on the mandrel; pivoted rotary indexer means disposed adjacent the mandrel means, the rotary indexer means including friction roller means rotatable through a given angle, and engaging the object wall against the first roller means when the indexer means is pivoted toward the mandrel means; means for pivoting the indexer means toward and away from the mandrel means; and non-contact means disposed adjacent the reference surface for scanning the wall of an object along the reference surface to measure the spacing of the outer surface thereof from the reference surface.