Fairbanks, Inc.

Mike Dunne

Harry J Keen

An apparatus for measuring the dimensions or volume of an object on a conveyor is disclosed. A light source on one side of the conveyor is focused onto a spinning scanning drum having a pattern of holes therethrough. The holes are arrayed in a spiral pattern. The rotating drum is positioned parallel to the dimension to be measured between the source of light and a light detector on the other side of the conveyor from the light source. The pattern of holes is arranged so that when the scanning drum rotates a scanning pattern is generated across the conveyor. The light detector on the other side of the conveyor generates an output signal each time a beam of light passes through the rotating scanning drum and across the conveyor. A controller receives the output signal and correlates the output signal with the scanning pattern using a look-up table. Using this information, the controller determines from the scanning pattern and the detected output signals, the dimension of the object. If more than one dimension is to be measured, a height measuring unit and a width measuring unit may be positioned around the conveyor. From the measured height, width and length, the controller determines the volume of the object. A method and apparatus are provided for determining the volume of boxes passing on the conveyor with are positioned at an angle relative to the conveyor.

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Peacham, VT, United States of America

Mike Dunne