The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 05, 1996
Glen M Castore, Roseville, MN (US);
Frederick A Treiber, St. Paul, MN (US);
Barry L Drake, Shoreview, MN (US);
M&M Precision Systems Corporation, West Carrollton, OH (US);
Abstract
A non-contact laser-based sensor guided by a precision mechanical system scans a thread form producing a set of digitized images of the thread form. The digitized images are analyzed to derive quantitative information about thread characteristics such as pitch, lead, root radius, flank angle, surface roughness, helix variation, and pitch diameter. Thread form data may be stored and later retrieved in order to provide traceability and verification of thread form measurements to a predetermined thread form specification. The apparatus and method of the invention can measure characteristics for shapes similar to threads, such as gears and dies used for cold forming processes. The thread measurement system can be mounted on thread making machines and used for on-line monitoring and control of the thread forming process.