The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a thread (1), comprising a holder for detachably holding a tube (2), wherein the thread (1) is formed at one end of the tube (2), a first optical measuring section (5) having an optical sensor (5a), wherein the optical measuring section (5) is attached to a manipulator (3) in order to move the measuring section (5) relative to the tube (2), and wherein the optical measuring section (5) is adjustably tiltable about a first adjusting axis (S1) relative to a thread axis (A) of the thread (1), wherein a second optical measuring section (5) having a second optical sensor (5a) is arranged at the manipulator (3), wherein the optical measuring sections (5) overall form a measuring channel (4) for simultaneous measurement of opposite sides of the thread (1).

The present disclosure relates to a method for the automatic determination of the geometrical dimensions of a tool having a machining region in worm thread form, in particular of a grinding worm, wherein in the method: a measurement element is directed to the tool for the detection of a distance, the tool is set into rotation with respect to the measurement element, and a conclusion is drawn on the geometry of the tool on the basis of distance values that were detected by the measurement element during the rotation of the tool.

Method and system for inspecting a manufactured part supported on an optically-transparent window of a rotary actuator at an inspection station are provided. The window rotatably supports the part in a generally vertical orientation at which a bottom end surface of the part has a position and orientation for optical inspection. An illuminator is configured to illuminate the bottom end surface of the part through the window with radiant energy to obtain reflected radiation signals which are reflected off the bottom end surface of the part. The reflected radiation signals travel through the window. A lens and detector assembly is configured to form a bottom image from the reflected radiation signals at a bottom imaging location below the window and is configured to detect the bottom image. The window is made of a material which is substantially transparent to the radiant energy and the reflected radiation signals.

Thread parameters for a threaded object are determined. Spatial reference systems (X, Y, Z) and (X, Y, Z) are respectively identified for a position sensor and the threaded object. A transformation matrix describing a quadratic form representing the threaded object in (X, Y, Z) may be determined to relate the reference systems. For example, a sensor trajectory on the threaded object may be determined, along with measurement points on the threaded object. The measurement points may be selected so the matrix, evaluated on these values, has maximum rank. Position data at measurement points in the second reference system may be transformed into the first reference system, yielding first results. After coating the threaded object, position data at the measurement points may be acquired again and transformed into the first reference system, yielding second results. Comparisons between the first and second results may provide thickness of the coating and quality verification.

A laser scanner determines the direction and distance of one or more targets by emitting two substantially parallel beams and receiving respective return beams. Components for handling the received beams are affixed to a monolithic block to ensure fixed relative placement. The direction of the target is determined using an optical encoder to reduce the timing window for interpolation to a fraction of the time it takes for the scanner to make a full revolution. A PLL trained by recent segment timing further improves accuracy and precision. A detection algorithm adapts detection thresholds for the different signatures of return signals depending on the distance to the target. Distance calculations are also adjusted for thermal expansion of the scanner components by including a temperature-variant thermometer output signal in the distance calculation algorithm.

A measuring probe for measuring a screw groove of a relatively movable ball screw includes a light source, an objective lens formed to correspond to the screw groove of the ball screw, arranged to be opposed to the screw groove of the ball screw in a non-contact manner, and configured to emit light from the light source to the screw groove of the ball screw, and a line sensor configured to detect an interference pattern generated by reflected light from the screw groove of the ball screw and reflected light on a surface of the objective lens. This enables high-accuracy measurement of a specified area of a shape of a side surface of a relatively movable work in a non-contact manner.

A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part. In an alternative embodiment the method and system for optically inspecting headed manufactured parts employ an inclined split track to cause the part to traverse an inspection station by gravity feed. The part is inspected for conformity to dimensional and visual standards and sorted under control of a processor based on images of the part obtained from occluded light and reflected light while the part is within the inspection station.

An arrangement (1) and a method for optical measurement of a thread, in particular for measurement of an internal thread (12) on a sleeve or on a sleeve end of a metal pipe (11), are disclosed. The arrangement (1) comprises at least one optical sensor (5), at least one further optical element that can be adjusted relative to the optical sensor (5) and that is arranged on an optical bench (3) at a determined distance from the sensor along an optical axis (7) and is designed for optically scanning the internal thread (12), as well as means for acquiring and/or storing and/or evaluating the measurement data recorded by the sensor.

An apparatus configured to measure at least one physical characteristic of a threaded surface (e.g., an internally threaded surface) of an object is provided. The apparatus uses optical triangulation to perform non-contact characterization of the threaded surface. The apparatus can be used to characterize various aspects of the threaded surface, including generating the measurements required to produce a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the threaded surface.

There is provided a profile measuring apparatus, including: an irradiation section configured to irradiate a measurement light to a measurement area of the object; an imaging section configured to obtain an image of the measurement area; a table configured to place the object thereon; a coordinate calculation section configured to calculate a position of the measurement area based on an image detected by a detection section; and a positioning mechanism configured to drive and control a relative position of the imaging section and the table. The positioning mechanism calculates a relative position of the imaging section to the table, based on an information with respect to an edge line direction of a convex portion or an extending direction of a concave portion in the measurement area of the object having a repetitive concave-convex shape, to move at least one of the table and the imaging section.