Preform test fixture and method of measuring a wall thickness

A preform test fixture system comprising:

• a structural base;
• a support arm coupled to the structural base;
• a measuring device having a probe tip and indicator means, the measuring device coupled to the base, the measuring device capable of measuring a wall thickness of a preform;
• and
• a plurality of removable bar members, each one of the bar members defining a bore of a unique diameter and capable of:
• receiving a preform, being removably fastened to the support arm, and translating relative to the probe tip to position a preform proximate the probe tip;
• such that a bar member may be selected to match a diameter of the preform to be measured so as to enable the system to be used for a wide range of preform diameters and;
• a pivot device for enabling the bar member to pivot relative to the support arm, thereby enabling rotating the preform relative to the probe tip to position the preform proximate the probe tip.

A preform test fixture system comprising:

• a structural base;
• a support arm coupled to the structural base;
• a measuring device having a probe tip and indicator means, the measuring device coupled to the base, the measuring device capable of measuring a wall thickness of a preform;
• and
• a plurality of removable bar members, each one of the bar members defining a bore of a unique diameter and capable of:
• receiving a preform, being removably fastened to the support arm, and translating relative to the probe tip to position a preform proximate the probe tip;
• such that a bar member may be selected to match a diameter of the preform to be measured so as to enable the system to be used for a wide range of preform diameters;
• wherein each one of the bar members comprises plural preform bores.

A preform test fixture system comprising:

• a structural base;
• a support arm coupled to the structural base;
• a measuring device having a probe tip and indicator means, the measuring device coupled to the base, the measuring device capable of measuring a wall thickness of a preform;
• and
• a plurality of removable bar members, each one of the bar members defining a bore of a unique diameter and capable of:
• receiving a preform, being removably fastened to the support arm, and translating relative to the probe tip to position a preform proximate the probe tip, such that a bar member may be selected to match a diameter of the preform to be measured so as to enable the system to be used for a wide range of preform diameters;
• and defining a pivot member capable of removably and pivotally coupling any one of the bar members to the support arm.

A preform test fixture system for measuring a wall thickness of a preform, comprising:

• a substantially horizontal structural base;
• a measuring device mount, slidably coupled to the base, and defining a bore therein;
• a measuring device having a probe tip and indicator means, the measuring device removably insertable into the bore of the measuring device mount and removably coupled thereto, the measuring device capable of measuring a wall thickness of the preform;
• a substantially vertical support arm having a longitudinal dovetail slot disposed therein, the support arm pivotally coupled to the base to enable the preform to be positioned proximate the probe tip;
• and
• a removable bar member having:
• a bore defined therein that is capable of receiving the preform;
• a longitudinal dovetail that is insertable into the dovetail slot of the support arm and capable of being removably fastened thereto to enable the bar member to translate relative to the probe tip to position a preform proximate the probe tip.

A preform test fixture system for positioning a preform, comprising:

• a substantially horizontal structural base;
• a measuring device mount, slidably coupled to the base, and defining a bore therein capable of receiving a measuring device having a probe tip;
• a substantially vertical support arm having a longitudinal dovetail slot disposed therein, the support arm pivotally coupled to the base to enable the preform to be positioned proximate the probe tip;
• a removable bar member having:
• a bore that is capable of receiving the preform;
• a longitudinal dovetail that is insertable into the dovetail slot of the support arm and capable of being removably fastened thereto to enable the bar member to translate relative to the probe tip to position a preform proximate the probe tip;
• a bore defined therein capable of receiving and holding the preform, such that a preform may be adjustably positioned proximate the probe tip.

A method of measuring a wall thickness of an exterior surface of a body or a tip of a preform, comprising the steps of:

• inserting the preform into a preform bore disposed in a member, the member being slidably coupled to support arm;
• slidably positioning the member on the support arm to position the preform proximate a measuring device probe tip;
• positioning a slidable measuring device mount base on a structural base, and adjusting the mount base to position the measuring device probe tip proximate the preform;
• pivoting the support arm on the structural base to position the preform relative the probe tip;
• removably fastening the bar member to the support arm to position the preform proximate the probe tip;
• and
• measuring a wall thickness of the preform and recording the wall thickness measurement.