Measuring apparatus for checking the dimensions of cylindrical workpieces

A measuring apparatus for checking dimensions of a cylindrical workpiece defining a longitudinal axis and having centric and eccentric sections such as a crankshaft or a camshaft, the measuring apparatus comprising:

• a workpiece holder for holding and rotating the workpiece thereby causing each of said eccentric sections to execute an eccentric movement;
• first measuring devices for measuring the centric sections of said workpiece;
• second measuring devices for measuring the eccentric sections of said workpiece;
• each of said second measuring devices including a set of measuring sensors for measuring a corresponding one of said eccentric sections and for emitting signals indicative of the measurements;
• a plurality of drive means for driving corresponding ones of said second measuring devices perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis;
• and,
• control means adapted to control each one of said second measuring devices on a desired path in correspondence to the eccentricity of the particular eccentric section to be measured when said workpiece is rotated thereby permitting the set of sensors of said one measuring device to measure the eccentric section or to control each one of said second measuring devices to track the eccentric movement of a corresponding one of said eccentric sections in correspondence to said signals when said workpiece is rotated.