On line measuring of golf ball centers
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsJohn Rulevich, Ajay P. Vora
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for measuring spherical objects, such as golf ball cores, on line. The spherical objects are automatically moved through a measuring field and are positioned co-linear to an axis of a plane drawn by a high frequency scanning laser, wherein the center of each object intersects with the laser beam. The objects are constantly rotated as they translate through the measuring field such that a plurality of planes are scanned, and the resulting scans are sent offline to a controller for analysis. In another embodiment, the spherical objects are measured by having multiple CCD or PMT vision cameras take a number of object images that are therein sent offline to a controller for analysis.
Claims20
A method of measuring the size of a golf ball component comprising the steps of:
- positioning a laser generating apparatus comprising of an emitter and a receiver, to form a planar measuring field;
- moving the golf ball component through the measuring field, such that the measuring field intersects a center of the object;
- rotating the golf ball component in multiple directions as the component translates through the measuring field;
- scanning a plane of the golf ball component for measuring the size of the component;
- providing a Plurality of scans as the golf ball component moves through the measurement field, the golf ball component constantly providing a different plane for scanning due the 360° rotation through the field;
- and
- transferring the scans offline for analysis.
A method for monitoring a golf ball component comprising the steps of:
- moving the golf ball component into and through a measuring field defined by multiple vision cameras defining a first axis;
- positioning the axis of translation of the golf ball component perpendicular to the first axis;
- rotating the golf ball component as it translates through the measuring field;
- imaging a diameter of the golf ball component;
- and
- providing a Plurality of images as the golf ball component moves through the measuring field, the golf ball component constantly providing a different plane for imaging due to the 360° rotation through the field;
- and
- transferring the images offline for analysis.
An apparatus for monitoring a golf ball component, the apparatus comprising:
- an emitter and receiver for generating a laser beam and defining a measuring field;
- a fixture having a track for automatically translating the golf ball component through the measuring field;
- wherein the track comprises a pair of parallel rotating rails located within the measuring field, the rails having means for providing rotational movement to the component supported thereon;
- and
- wherein, the golf ball component is positioned co-linearly to an axis defined by a plane through the emitter and receiver, such that the center of the component intersects with the laser beam to produce a component diameter measurement for a multitude of component planes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.