Apparatus and method for gauging a workpiece

A gauging apparatus for dimensional measurement of a rotating workpiece to be used in conjunction with a grinding machine before, during, and after machining of the workpiece, comprising:

• a sensor head having,
• a sensor head housing,
• a sensor disposed at least partially within the sensor head housing and configured to determine the proximity of a surface of the workpiece, and
• a sensor head arm, connected to the sensor head, for moving the sensor head in radial and tangential directions relative to the workpiece;
• a longitudinal axis detector to generate signals indicative of the magnitude of movements in the longitudinal axial direction of the workpiece;
• and
• a computer in electrical communication with the sensor, sensor head arm, and the longitudinal axis detector for generating control signals and receiving input signals, wherein, based on the control signals and the input signals, the computer determines the relative position of the sensor head to the workpiece, the proximity of the sensor to the workpiece, and a dimension of the workpiece.

A gauging apparatus for dimensional measurement of a rotating workpiece to be used in conjunction with a grinding machine before, during, and after machining of the workpiece, comprising:

• a sensor head having,
• a sensor head housing configured with a positive pressure chamber connected to an aperture,
• a light sensor disposed at least partially within the interior cavity and including,
• a light source for producing a light which passes through the aperture to contact a surface of the workpiece, and
• a detector for sensing a portion of the reflected light passing through the aperture from the workpiece, wherein the detector generates a signal indicative of the proximity of the workpiece;
• a sensor head arm, connected to the sensor head, for moving the sensor head in radial and tangential directions relative to the workpiece;
• a longitudinal axis detector capable of generating signals indicative of the magnitude of movements in the longitudinal axial direction of the workpiece;
• and
• a computer in electrical communication with the sensor, sensor head arm, and the longitudinal axis detector for generating control signals and receiving input signals, wherein, based on the control signals and the input signals, the computer determines the relative position of the sensor head to the workpiece, the proximity of the sensor to the workpiece, and a dimension of the workpiece, and wherein the computer relays signals to the sensor head arm for directing movement of the sensor head arm to coordinates established by the computer.

A method for determining the dimensions of a workpiece before, during, and after the machining of the workpiece to produce a desired workpiece dimension, comprising the steps of:

• positioning the workpiece in a grinding machine;
• rotating the workpiece in the grinding machine along the longitudinal axis of the workpiece;
• directing light from a single light source to the surface of the workpiece at a plurality of locations having substantially the same longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis of the workpiece;
• measuring the intensity and position of the reflected light from the surface of the workpiece at the plurality of locations;
• determining the proximity of the workpiece from the light source at the different locations based on the intensity and position of the reflected light;
• computing the zenith of the workpiece based on the proximity of the workpiece from the light source at the different locations;
• and
• computing the diameter of the workpiece at a specific location along the longitudinal axis based on the proximity of the workpiece from the light source at the different locations.