Temperature-compensated, self-calibrating, contact-type gaging system and method for calibrating the same

A self-calibrating, temperature-compensating gaging system for accurately measuring a part size, the system comprising:

• at least one gage finger configured to engage the part;
• a linear variable differential transformer transducer operably connected to said at least one gage finger for reading a position of said gage finger and producing an LVDT signal indicative of the part size based on said gage finger position;
• sensor means for measuring temperature of said gage finger and producing a temperature signal indicative of gage finger temperature;
• calibration means for receiving said LVDT signal and said temperature signal and for creating a temperature profile unique to said gaging system while said gaging system is in a calibration mode, wherein said gaging system is zeroed on a pad of known size and subjected to a range of temperatures and said calibration means stores size offsets obtained from said LVDT signal at temperatures within said temperature range thus creating said temperature profile;
• correction means for receiving said LVDT signal and said temperature signal and correcting said LVDT signal by reading a size offset corresponding to said temperature signal from said temperature profile and adjusting said LVDT signal by said size offset, while said gaging system is in a measurement mode.