The invention relates to a metrology device for determining the quality of a hygroscopic material. The metrology device includes a frame, a support element, two tips that can move in translation with respect to the frame, means for measuring a penetration effort of each tip as a function of a force applied to each tip, means for measuring an electrical resistivity between the ends of the two tips, which means are able to measure an electrical resistivity of the hygroscopic material when the two tips are inserted into the hygroscopic material, and means for measuring a penetration effort of the support element as a function of a force applied to the support element in order to achieve a predetermined fixing position. The support element is adapted to penetrate into the hygroscopic material so as to fix the frame to the hygroscopic material.

The invention relates to a metrology device for determining the quality of a hygroscopic material. The metrology device includes a frame, a support element, two tips that can move in translation with respect to the frame, means for measuring a penetration effort of each tip as a function of a force applied to each tip, means for measuring an electrical resistivity between the ends of the two tips, which means are able to measure an electrical resistivity of the hygroscopic material when the two tips are inserted into the hygroscopic material, and means for measuring a penetration effort of the support element as a function of a force applied to the support element in order to achieve a predetermined fixing position. The support element is adapted to penetrate into the hygroscopic material so as to fix the frame to the hygroscopic material.

An agricultural implement includes an electrically conducive ground engagement tool with an opening and a sensor having a first and second conductor. An insulative material extends around a periphery of the opening to a contact area, and a conductive material fills the opening and extends to the contact area to electrically couple the conductive material to the ground engagement tool. The first conductor electrically couples to the conductive material, and the second conductor electrically couples to the ground engagement tool. A controller may receive a signal from the sensor indicative of an electrical resistance between the first and second conductors, determine the ground engagement tool has worn past a threshold amount in response to receiving the sensor signal indicative of the electrical resistance being above a threshold value, and output an output signal in response to determining the ground engagement tool has worn past the threshold amount.

An apparatus for testing a razor blade comprises a base, a material support table, a material sample, a transport carriage, a blade retention assembly, and a razor blade. The material support table is supported by the base. The transport carriage is movably coupled with the base and is movable with respect to the material support table between a start position and an end position. The blade retention assembly is movably coupled with the transport carriage and is movable with respect to the material support table between a blade-engaged position and a blade disengaged position. The blade retention assembly is movable together with the transport carriage between the start position and the end position. The blade is releasably attached to the blade retention assembly. The razor blade contacts the material sample when the blade retention assembly is in the blade-engaged position. Methods are also provided.

An apparatus for testing a razor blade comprises a base, a material support table, a material sample, a transport carriage, a blade retention assembly, and a razor blade. The material support table is supported by the base. The transport carriage is movably coupled with the base and is movable with respect to the material support table between a start position and an end position. The blade retention assembly is movably coupled with the transport carriage and is movable with respect to the material support table between a blade-engaged position and a blade disengaged position. The blade retention assembly is movable together with the transport carriage between the start position and the end position. The blade is releasably attached to the blade retention assembly. The razor blade contacts the material sample when the blade retention assembly is in the blade-engaged position. Methods are also provided.

This invention relates to a method for determining a wear state of a chisel, a chisel holder, and/or a chisel holder replacement system equipped with a chisel and chisel holder. For this method to give the user qualitative and quantitative information about the wear, according to one embodiment of this invention, a position of at least one point of the chisel and/or the chisel holder is determined by a contactless measurement method and a corresponding measurement result is compared in a switching unit to a reference value stored in a memory device.

This invention relates to a method for determining a wear state of a chisel, a chisel holder, and/or a chisel holder replacement system equipped with a chisel and chisel holder. For this method to give the user qualitative and quantitative information about the wear, according to one embodiment of this invention, a position of at least one point of the chisel and/or the chisel holder is determined by a contactless measurement method and a corresponding measurement result is compared in a switching unit to a reference value stored in a memory device.

A wear amount measuring device includes: a light emitting unit configured to emit light on an object to be measured having a wear surface; an imaging unit configured to obtain an image of the object; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a wear amount by specifying a wear surface of the object from the obtained image. A positional relationship between the light emitting unit, the imaging unit, and the object is set such that, when a dummy object to be measured having a wear surface is arranged in place of the object, the light emitting unit and the imaging unit have a specular reflection relationship relative to the wear surface of the dummy object. The calculation unit calculates the wear amount by specifying the wear surface based on a difference in brightness of the image.

An industrial machine including an actuator, a gear reducer, a cutter drum, a cutter bit, a sensor, and a controller. The gear reducer is configured to receive a first rotational energy from the actuator and output a second rotational energy. The cutter drum is supported by a chassis. The cutter drum is driven by the second rotational energy. The cutter bit is coupled to the cutter drum. The sensor is configured to sense a characteristic of the industrial machine. The controller, having a processor and memory, is configured to receive the characteristic of the industrial machine, determine a cutting efficiency based on the characteristic of the industrial machine, and output the cutting efficiency.

An industrial machine including an actuator, a gear reducer, a cutter drum, a cutter bit, a sensor, and a controller. The gear reducer is configured to receive a first rotational energy from the actuator and output a second rotational energy. The cutter drum is supported by a chassis. The cutter drum is driven by the second rotational energy. The cutter bit is coupled to the cutter drum. The sensor is configured to sense a characteristic of the industrial machine. The controller, having a processor and memory, is configured to receive the characteristic of the industrial machine, determine a cutting efficiency based on the characteristic of the industrial machine, and output the cutting efficiency.