US 4,543,726 AGranted

Apparatus for ascertaining the positions of openings in bulky workpieces

OwnerGerhard Lauer, Alfred Morawietz +1inventors

InventorsGerhard Lauer, Alfred Morawietz, Jurgen Wild

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Abstract

An apparatus for ascertaining the extent of deviation of the actual position of a hole in a bulky workpiece from the desired position has a mandrel which is reciprocable to move its conical tip into and from the opening. The tip is followed by a main portion which fits snugly into the opening. If the hole is out of position, the mandrel is shifted laterally during penetration of its tip into the hole as a result of sliding movement of the external surface of the tip relative to the surface surrounding the hole. The extent of lateral movement of the mandrel in several direction is monitored by discrete gauges which transmit signals denoting the extent of deviation of actual position of the hole from the desired position in the respective directions. A third gauge can monitor the extent of axial movement of the mandrel into the hole before a collar behind the main portion strikes against the workpiece; such gauge can indicate whether or not the hole is in proper position as considered in the axial direction of the mandrel.

Claims23

Dependent claims

Apparatus for ascertaining the extent of deviation between the desired position and the actual position of an opening having a predetermined size and being provided in a workpiece, especially of a round hole in a bulky workpiece consisting of sheet metal or the like, comprising a mandrel having a main portion arranged to fit snugly into the opening and a front portion which is receivable in the opening with at least some clearance and merges into said main portion to move the mandrel laterally when it strikes the surface surrounding the opening prior to entry of the main portion;

means for supporting said mandrel in a starting position wherein said main portion is in at least substantial register with an opening which is held in the desired position, said mandrel being movable axially with reference to said supporting means to thereby introduce said portions thereof into or to withdraw such portions from the opening and said mandrel being further movable in said supporting means laterally away from said starting position in response to establishment of contact between said front portion and the surface surrounding an opening whose actual position deviates from the desired position while said front portion continues to penetrate into such opening, said supporting means including means for confining said mandrel to lateral movements without changes in orientation of the axis of the mandrel;
and means for monitoring the extent of movement of the mandrel from said starting position, including a plurality of gauges each arranged to monitor the extent of lateral movement of said mandrel in one of several different directions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.