Oberg Industries

Samuel A Rummel

Ronald Robert Fox

Robert J Gephardt

John F Powell, Ii

William Burdett

David B Williams

A method of inspecting an automotive wheel includes providing an inspection station having a light source for illuminating the wheel, and a camera having a zoom lens. The automotive wheel is positioned in the inspection station and the wheel is illuminated to generate a first image including the reference feature. After the first image information has been delivered to the processor, the model of the automotive wheel is determined on the basis of data stored in the processor and the parameters to be used during the inspection of the particular model are employed in the subsequent inspection. The processor determines the position of the reference feature and determines whether the automotive wheel is in the desired position. If not, the wheel is rotated to move the reference feature toward the desired position. The light source, camera and zoom lens are then moved to a second position closer to the reference feature and a zoomed second image of the automotive wheel is obtained with the image second information being compared in the processor with the desired reference position location. If the reference feature is not in the desired position, the processor initiates further rotation to move the reference feature to the desired position. The zoomed second image has a smaller field of view than the first image. Related apparatus is also disclosed.

Method for inspecting an automotive wheel and associated apparatus

Apparatus for manufacturing or processing articles includes smart microcontroller boards which cooperate with sensors and a communication system to monitor and control manufacturing processes. Microcontroller boards disposed within a container create a microprocessor module which is secured to the apparatus for controlling the same responsive to information provided to them. Sensors are provided for monitoring operation of the apparatus and providing such information to the microcontroller boards. The communication system provides for communication between the sensors and the microcontroller boards, among microcontroller boards and between the microcontroller boards and other portions of the apparatus which are to be subjected to responsive control. In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller boards are positioned within a container which is secured in a recess in the apparatus and has an overlying material covering the boards. A plurality of microcontroller modules may be employed in a system. Associated methods are disclosed.

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling processing of articles

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling processing of articles and associated method

Apparatus for progressively manufacturing fabricated or semi-fabricated articles, such as a rotor or stator assembly, includes a punch press and a progressive stamping die for creating the assemblies from sheet stock moving therebetween. A microcontroller board or network, including a plurality of microcontroller boards, is secured to the die for controlling operation of the apparatus responsive to information provided to them. Sensors are provided for monitoring operation of the apparatus and providing such information to the microcontroller boards. The communication system provides for communication between the sensors and the logic chips, among the logic chips and among the microcontroller boards and between the microcontroller boards and other portions of the apparatus which are to be subjected to responsive control. In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller boards are positioned within a container which is secured in a recess in the progressive die and has an overlying material, such as an epoxy, covering all of the logic chips such that efforts to remove the material will at least partially destroy the chips. The die and microcontroller boards may be secured to and removed from the press as a unit. An associated method is disclosed.

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling progressive punch press

An apparatus and method for manufacturing laminated parts from a plurality of laminas, in which the laminas for forming the laminated parts are blanked from strip stock material. The laminas and are then cut and stacked to form the laminated part. The apparatus includes a measuring device placed with the die element of the press, for accurately measuring the thickness of successive sections of the strip stock. A controller, such as a computer or a programmable logic controller, receives the thickness value of the strip stock sections from the measuring device. Means are also included which is activated by the controller to provide a compensation adjustment at selected locations upon the strip stock sections to counteract the measured thickness variations, and to control the stack height.

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Butler, PA, United States of America

Samuel A Rummel