Method and instrument for gauging a workpiece

A method of obtaining information about a workpiece comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a workpiece including a surface;
• b) providing an instrument station including:
• a rotational member including a rotational axis, a source including a substantially incompressible fluid, an instrument in fluid communication with the source and including a first end and a second end, a fluid servo control apparatus adapted to selectively adjust fluid flow, and a monitoring apparatus;
• c) attaching the instrument to the rotational member adjacent the first end of the instruments;
• d) providing the instrument with an amount of the substantially incompressible fluid from the source;
• e) dispersing the amount of substantially incompressible fluid in an outward direction from the instrument;
• f) orienting the second end of the instrument adjacent the surface such that the amount of substantially incompressible fluid dispersed from the instrument contacts the surface of the workpiece;
• and
• g) monitoring a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid with the monitoring apparatus to obtain information about the workpiece;
• further comprising the step of adjusting fluid flow with the fluid servo control apparatus.

An apparatus for obtaining information about a workpiece comprising:

• a) a source including a substantially incompressible fluid;
• b) an instrument in fluid communication with the source, the instrument including a fluid dispersing orifice for dispersing an amount of the substantially incompressible fluid, a body and an extension member adapted to be adjusted relative to the body, and wherein the orifice is adapted to be adjusted with the extension member;
• and
• c) a fluid monitoring apparatus associated with the instrument for monitoring a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid;
• wherein the instrument further includes a body and an extension member adapted to be adjusted relative to the body, and wherein the orifice is adapted to be adjusted with the extension member.

An instrument station for obtaining information about a workpiece comprising:

• a) a rotational member;
• b) a source including a substantially incompressible fluid;
• c) an instrument adapted to be attached to the rotational member for fluid communication with the source, the instrument including a fluid dispersing orifice adapted to be placed in selective fluid communication with the source, a body including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted for removable connection to the rotational member, and an extension member adapted to be adjusted relative to the body, wherein the orifice is adapted to be adjusted with the extension member;
• and
• d) a fluid monitoring apparatus associated with the instrument for monitoring a parameter of the substantially incompressible fluid.

A method of obtaining information about a workpiece comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a workpiece including a surface;
• b) providing an apparatus comprising:
• an instrument including a fluid dispersing orifice, a body and an extension member adapted to be adjusted relative to the body, wherein the orifice is adapted to be adjusted with the extension member, a source for providing a substantially incompressible fluid, and a fluid monitoring apparatus;
• c) supplying substantially incompressible fluid to the instrument such that the fluid is dispersed from the instrument and contacts the surface of the workpiece;
• and
• d) monitoring the fluid with the fluid monitoring apparatus.

A method of determining the center of a bore defined in a workpiece comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a workpiece including a surface defining a bore;
• b) providing an instrument station including:
• a rotational member, an instrument including a first end and a second end, and adapted for attachment adjacent said first end to the rotational member, a source for providing a fluid, and a fluid monitoring apparatus;
• c) providing the instrument with fluid from the source such that fluid is dispersed in an outward direction from the instrument;
• d) rotating the instrument;
• e) inserting the second end of the instrument at least partially into the bore at a predetermined position such that fluid dispersed from the instrument contacts the surface defining the bore;
• f) monitoring the fluid with the monitoring apparatus as the instrument rotates and disperses fluid;
• and
• g) determining the center position of the bore relative to the predetermined position based on the information obtained from the fluid monitoring apparatus.