Measuremental evaluation of dimensional tolerancing compliance of a cylindrical object

Abstract

Exemplary inventive practice provides for evaluation of a substantially cylindrical object in terms of its conformity to dimensional tolerance standards designated for that object, such as involving runout tolerancing or profile tolerancing. Distances to the curved axial-longitudinal surface of the object are measured by sensors (e.g., linear variable differential transformers) at various axial-rotational orientations of the object. A computer converts the sensory measurements (e.g., represented as voltage signals) to linear measurements (e.g., defined in inches or centimeters), compares the linear measurements to pertinent dimensional tolerance standards stored in memory, and renders a 'pass-or-fail' decision regarding acceptability of the object. Failure of the object is implied by nonconformity in any respect of its linear measurements to its dimensional tolerance standards.