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.

A tap phase detection method includes: acquiring a relation between a rotation angle and an existence of a screw thread by measuring a position of the screw thread of a tap with a sensor from a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the tap while rotating the tap; and detecting a phase of the tap based on the acquired relation between the rotation angle and the existence of the screw thread.

The present invention relates to an inspection device and particularly to a device using an array of light sources and photo-detection devices to evaluate threaded workpieces for conformance to spatial form criteria. The invention provides for improved identification of flaws in threaded components to identify the conformance of parts.

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.

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.

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 system for inspecting a component includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. The detector images a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component. The component is rotated through a predetermined angle about its axis.

An apparatus for measuring a thread includes a holder for detachably holding a tube having a thread formed at an end of the tube. A first optical measuring section having an optical sensor is attached to a manipulator in order to move the measuring section relative to the tube. The optical measuring section is adjustably tiltable about a first adjusting axis relative to a thread axis of the thread. A second optical measuring section having a second optical sensor is arranged at the manipulator, wherein the optical measuring sections collectively form a measuring channel to provide simultaneous measurement of opposite sides of the thread of the tube.

In a device for optically measuring the external-thread profile of a pipe, comprising a support for the pipe to be measured and an optical measuring unit including at least one measuring device comprising a light source and a camera arranged in the optical path of the light source for recording a silhouette image of the external-thread profile, wherein the optical measuring unit is, in particular rigidly, mounted on a carrier element pivotally held about three spatial axes, the optical measuring unit comprises at least two measuring devices whose optical paths cross each other.

A thread shape measuring apparatus includes: a first illuminating unit that has an optical axis orthogonal to a cross section including a thread axis, and illuminates the thread portion; a second illuminating unit that has an optical axis that forms an angle θ larger than a lead angle γ of the thread portion with respect to the direction orthogonal to the cross section and illuminates the thread portion; an image-capturing unit that has a visual axis parallel to the optical axis of the first illuminating unit, includes a telecentric lens, has a focusing position matching the cross section, and detects, out of the light emitted from the first illuminating unit or the second illuminating unit, light that has not been blocked by the thread portion to capture an image of the detected light; and an operation unit that calculates a shape of the thread portion based on the captured image.