An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (15) of a crankshaft in orbital motion about a geometrical axis in a numerical control machine tool includes a V-shaped reference device (10), a measuring device (6) and a support device (4) fixed to the tool holding slide (2) that movably supports the reference device and the measuring device. A control device (50) for controlling automatic displacements of the apparatus towards and away from a checking condition, includes a programmable electric motor (60) and a transmission mechanism (62). The programmable electric motor is programmed to define a start position in which the automatic displacement of the apparatus away from the checking condition can be stopped, for instance a rest position or an intermediate position between the rest position and the checking condition. The programmable electric motor is also programmed to define a displacement speed and a checking method includes steps for controlling the automatic displacements towards the checking condition.

A coupling portion has one end coupleable to a distal end of a measurement spindle. The measurement spindle is disposed on a gauge inspector and movable in a measurement axis direction. A cylindrical stem is insertable into a gauge holding member to hold the inserted stem. The stem slidably holds a spindle having a distal end on which a contact point of a gauge is disposed. A frame has a first end coupled to a second end of the coupling portion and has a second end to which the gauge holding member is mountable. The gauge holding member is held to the frame such that an axis of the stem runs along the measurement axis direction. As a result, inspection is performed easily and accurately in a reverse posture with a contact point facing upward when a gauge is inspected.

A coupling portion has one end coupleable to a distal end of a measurement spindle. The measurement spindle is disposed on a gauge inspector and movable in a measurement axis direction. A cylindrical stem is insertable into a gauge holding member to hold the inserted stem. The stem slidably holds a spindle having a distal end on which a contact point of a gauge is disposed. A frame has a first end coupled to a second end of the coupling portion and has a second end to which the gauge holding member is mountable. The gauge holding member is held to the frame such that an axis of the stem runs along the measurement axis direction. As a result, inspection is performed easily and accurately in a reverse posture with a contact point facing upward when a gauge is inspected.

There is provided a measuring device (dial gauge) capable of performing measurement with a desired measuring force regardless of the posture of the measuring device.

A dial gauge in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a measuring force adjustment unit provided to a body case and capable of moving and being positioned and fixed in a direction substantially parallel to a moving direction of a spindle.

A biasing means has one end directly or indirectly engaged with the spindle and the other end directly or indirectly engaged with the measuring force adjustment unit, and biases the spindle toward a tip end.

The measuring force adjustment unit includes an external thread portion and a connection supporting member having one end screwed with the external thread portion and the other end coupled to the biasing means. The connection supporting member is screw-fed by rotationally operating the external thread portion in such a manner that a position of the connection supporting member is changed and fixed.

There is provided a measuring device (dial gauge) capable of performing measurement with a desired measuring force regardless of the posture of the measuring device.

A dial gauge in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a measuring force adjustment unit provided to a body case and capable of moving and being positioned and fixed in a direction substantially parallel to a moving direction of a spindle.

A biasing means has one end directly or indirectly engaged with the spindle and the other end directly or indirectly engaged with the measuring force adjustment unit, and biases the spindle toward a tip end.

The measuring force adjustment unit includes an external thread portion and a connection supporting member having one end screwed with the external thread portion and the other end coupled to the biasing means. The connection supporting member is screw-fed by rotationally operating the external thread portion in such a manner that a position of the connection supporting member is changed and fixed.

A universal tram is provided for aligning machine tools. The universal tram includes a slide rail, featuring a rail along its length, to which a clamping coupler attaches. In turn, the clamping coupler attaches to the indicator holder. The indicator holder is configured to hold an indicator. The slide rail is configured for direct attachment to horizontal and vertical milling machines, for example. Optionally, the universal tram also includes a machine adapter and adapter plate. The machine adapter serves as a base block for positioning a measurement or tramming device on a machine tool to which the slide rail does not directly attach—a horizontal or vertical lathe, for example. The adapter plate allows for the height of the machine adapter to be adjusted by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the adapter plate. Further, a method of using the universal tram is also provided.

A tool for evaluating a thread depth includes a frame having an elongate portion extending in a first direction; a first contact member coupled to the frame and reciprocable in a second direction between a baseline height and a retracted height, the baseline height being greater than the retracted height. An output device provides an output in response to the height of the first contact member. A reference member is coupled to the frame at a first distance D1 from the first contact member as measured in the first direction; and a second contact member coupled to the frame is disposed at a second distance D2 from the first contact member as measured in the first direction, such that D1 is greater than D2.

A tool for evaluating a thread depth includes a frame having an elongate portion extending in a first direction; a first contact member coupled to the frame and reciprocable in a second direction between a baseline height and a retracted height, the baseline height being greater than the retracted height. An output device provides an output in response to the height of the first contact member. A reference member is coupled to the frame at a first distance D1 from the first contact member as measured in the first direction; and a second contact member coupled to the frame is disposed at a second distance D2 from the first contact member as measured in the first direction, such that D1 is greater than D2.

A right angle touch gauge of the present application includes a fixing block, a floating column, a spring, a measuring column, a measuring sleeve and the like. In use, round head of top end of the floating column is in contact with bottom surface of work piece. The floating column is compressed downward when it touches high surface of the bottom surface of the work piece, the measuring column is compressed to right by matching lower cone of the floating column and left cone of the measuring column, and it may be found whether height difference between high surface and low surface of the bottom surface of the work piece is qualified by observing whether end edge of the right cylinder of the measuring column is placed between steps of right end surface of the measuring sleeve.

A right angle touch gauge of the present application includes a fixing block, a floating column, a spring, a measuring column, a measuring sleeve and the like. In use, round head of top end of the floating column is in contact with bottom surface of work piece. The floating column is compressed downward when it touches high surface of the bottom surface of the work piece, the measuring column is compressed to right by matching lower cone of the floating column and left cone of the measuring column, and it may be found whether height difference between high surface and low surface of the bottom surface of the work piece is qualified by observing whether end edge of the right cylinder of the measuring column is placed between steps of right end surface of the measuring sleeve.