Resistance spot welding includes a first process of performing energization by pressurizing two or more metal plates superposed by sandwiching a pair of electrode tips, and a second process of stopping energization in the first process and pressurizing two or more metal plates by a pair of electrode tips. The estimation method for the nugget diameter includes: a thickness estimation process of estimating the nugget thickness using the amount of expansion in the thickness direction of two or more metal plates in the first process and the electric resistance value between the pair of electrode tips in the first process; and a diameter estimation process of estimating the nugget diameter using the expansion amount and the electric resistance value when the nugget is estimated to have reached the interface between two adjacent metal plates using the respective thicknesses of the two or more metal plates and the estimated nugget thickness.

Among other things, one or more techniques or systems for evaluating a tiered semiconductor structure, such as a stacked CMOS structure, for misalignment are provided. In an embodiment, a connectivity test is performed on vias between a first layer and a second layer to determine a via diameter and a via offset that are used to evaluate misalignment. In an embodiment, a connectivity test for vias within a first layer is performed to determine an alignment rotation based upon which vias are connected through a conductive arc within a second layer or which vias are connected to a conductive pattern out of a set of conductive patterns. In this way, the via diameter, the via offset, or the alignment rotation are used to evaluate the tiered semiconductor structure, such as during a stacked CMOS process, for misalignment.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first plurality of circumference measurements, each of the first plurality of circumference measurements corresponding to a first circumference around a limb of a person at a respective one of a plurality of locations of the limb, each of the first plurality of circumference measurements being obtained from a respective one of a plurality of elastic measurement elements that is positioned at a respective one of the locations; determining, based upon the first plurality of circumference measurements, a first geometric profile along a length of the limb; and outputting data representing the first geometric profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first plurality of circumference measurements, each of the first plurality of circumference measurements corresponding to a first circumference around a limb of a person at a respective one of a plurality of locations of the limb, each of the first plurality of circumference measurements being obtained from a respective one of a plurality of elastic measurement elements that is positioned at a respective one of the locations; determining, based upon the first plurality of circumference measurements, a first geometric profile along a length of the limb; and outputting data representing the first geometric profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method for the hot measuring of a transverse size of a metal profile to obtain the measurement of a diameter and/or a mean thickness of said metal profile, providing power with a sinusoidal current having at least two frequencies, a transmission element having at least two sections distinct and spatially separated from each other and disposed along a nominal axis of feed of the metal profile, generating with said transmission element an electromagnetic field with a desired profile of the force lines, and detecting a signal relating to the variations of said electromagnetic field due to the passage of said metal profile through said sections of said transmission element by means of a reception element having one or more sections distinct and spatially separated from each other and disposed along said nominal axis in a position of said transmission element.

A device for the hot measuring, during rolling, of a transverse size of a metal profile (12) includes a transmission element with at least two sections distinct and spatially separated from each other and disposed along a nominal axis of feed of the metal profile, configured to generate an electromagnetic field with a desired profile of force lines, and a reception element disposed along the nominal axis in a position comprised in the overall longitudinal bulk of the transmission element and configured to detect a signal relating to the variations of the electromagnetic field due to the passage of the metal profile.

The disclosure relates to an outer dimension measurement apparatus for tubulars. The apparatus includes a first wheel and a second wheel, which may be applied to different sections of a tubular. The ratio between the outer dimensions of the different sections may be estimated based on the relationship between the rates of rotations of the first and second wheels when the tubular is rotated. The apparatus may include a tubular rotation sensor that, with either the first wheel or the second wheel, may be used to determine the outer dimension of the tubular at the point along the tubular's length when the respective wheel is applied. The methods include estimating a ratio between outer dimensions of sections of a tubular and estimating the outer dimension of the tubular at a specific point along its length using embodiments of the apparatus.

The disclosure relates to an outer dimension measurement apparatus for tubulars. The apparatus includes a first wheel and a second wheel, which may be applied to different sections of a tubular. The ratio between the outer dimensions of the different sections may be estimated based on the relationship between the rates of rotations of the first and second wheels when the tubular is rotated. The apparatus may include a tubular rotation sensor that, with either the first wheel or the second wheel, may be used to determine the outer dimension of the tubular at the point along the tubular's length when the respective wheel is applied. The methods include estimating a ratio between outer dimensions of sections of a tubular and estimating the outer dimension of the tubular at a specific point along its length using embodiments of the apparatus.

An assembly for automatically detecting contactlessly elongate objects (W). The assembly comprises an inductive measuring system (E) and a first optical measuring system (D) for the object (W) within a housing (2). The inductive measuring system (E) is an eddy current sensor for determining an electromagnetic characteristic of the object (W) and has half coils (E1a, E1b) which wind around the object (W) and forms an inductive cylindrical measurement volume (Ev). The half coils (E1a, E1b), together with a capacitor (E2), form a parallel oscillating circuit (E6), which is connected to an electronic evaluating circuit (E5). The first optical measuring system (D) determines the outside diameter (Wdo) of the object (W) and an optical disk-shaped measurement volume (DCPv) is formed between the two half coils (E1a, E1b). Optionally, the assembly, by a second optical measuring system (C), determines the color and the position by a third virtual measuring system (P).

An assembly for automatically detecting contactlessly elongate objects (W). The assembly comprises an inductive measuring system (E) and a first optical measuring system (D) for the object (W) within a housing (2). The inductive measuring system (E) is an eddy current sensor for determining an electromagnetic characteristic of the object (W) and has half coils (E1a, E1b) which wind around the object (W) and forms an inductive cylindrical measurement volume (Ev). The half coils (E1a, E1b), together with a capacitor (E2), form a parallel oscillating circuit (E6), which is connected to an electronic evaluating circuit (E5). The first optical measuring system (D) determines the outside diameter (Wdo) of the object (W) and an optical disk-shaped measurement volume (DCPv) is formed between the two half coils (E1a, E1b). Optionally, the assembly, by a second optical measuring system (C), determines the color and the position by a third virtual measuring system (P).