Apparatus for performing non-destructive measurments in real time on fragile objects being continuously displaced

Measurement apparatus for performing non-destructive measurements on fragile objects of non-uniform size and shape that are generally in the form of bodies of revolution about at least one axis and that are moving continuously on a conveyor system of the type including object-receiving cells in which said objects are placed and driven one by one along a given directional plane, the measurement apparatus comprising:

• at least one support arm which is stationary and hinged at one end;
• a shoe secured to the other end of said arm and having a bottom surface in cylinder form, generator lines of which are perpendicular to a directional plane, said shoe extending on either side of said directional plane, whereby said shoe may be situated above a conveyor system that drives objects along said directional plane such that each of said objects lifts the shoe and rolls by relative rotary motion beneath and against said surface;
• and
• at least one sensor at said surface for enabling a non-destructive measurement to be performed of a parameter of each of said objects as it moves past beneath said shoe.