Method and apparatus for determining the dimensional accuracy of workpiece surfaces

A method and an apparatus for determining the dimensional accuracy of workpiece surfaces, for example, of essentially cylindrical workpiece surfaces, wherein a measuring sensor scans the workpiece surfaces in accordance with a predetermined relative movement pattern between sensor and workpiece. The sensor is a pneumatic measuring head, so that the measuring procedure can be incorporated in the production process. The pneumatic measuring head travels over the workpiece surface along a continuous path which covers the surface area of the workpiece. The pneumatic measuring head is maintained at a constant basic or measuring distance from the workpiece surface, so that the measuring range of the measuring head is not exceeded when the measuring head travels over the workpiece surface. The measuring head continuously produces measurement signals, so that the measure procedure can be directly integrated in the production sequence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a method for determining the dimensional 
accuracy of workpiece surfaces. The method includes placing a measuring 
device with a sensor in an operational position relative to the workpiece 
surface in which the sensor delivers measurement data to the measuring 
device while changing the angular position relative to the workpiece. 
The present invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the 
above-described method. The apparatus includes a holding device for the 
sensor and the workpiece in order to facilitate a relative sliding and 
rotating movement between the workpiece and the sensor along or about the 
axis of the workpiece surface. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Particularly in the manufacture of high precision, cylindrical workpiece 
surfaces which are usually produced by means of powerful and, thus, 
relatively expensive tools, the tools being used are required to have an 
extremely long service life. The desired long service life can only be 
achieved if the quality of processing is monitored to a sufficient extent. 
Therefore, it has been attempted in the past to integrate in a processing 
center measuring devices which scan the already processed workpiece 
surface point by point, so that the measurement signals can be used in the 
manufacture. For this purpose, a measuring unit which is independent 
because of an integrated voltage source is equipped with a chucking cone 
for the coupling to a holding means of the tool system. 
Compared to a quality control in which the processed workpiece must be 
transported to a separate measuring point either manually or by means of a 
manipulating device, for example, an industrial robot, the above-described 
method has the advantage that the positional accuracy of the processed 
workpiece surface in space can be monitored with relatively simple means 
and with high precision at the same time. It has been found particularly 
disadvantageous that the processed workpiece surface can only be measured 
point by point with the workpiece standing still because the scanners 
would be ground off too quickly when the workpiece rotates. In addition, 
particularly when a large number of chips are produced, the workpiece 
surface must be cleaned frequently prior to scanner contact. These and 
other measures have the consequence that the measuring procedure takes a 
long time and the workpiece cannot be measured between the measuring 
points. Therefore, the integration of the measuring procedure into the 
continuing manufacturing process was not possible in the past. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a 
method and an apparatus of the above-described type for determining the 
dimensional accuracy of a processed workpiece surface which is essentially 
rotationally symmetric, for example, does not deviate or deviates only 
slightly from an exactly cylindrical shape, by means of which it is 
possible to integrate without problems the measuring procedure in the 
processing process by measuring the workpiece surface which has just been 
finished without a prior intermediate step within the shortest time and 
with a high degree of reproducibility. 
In accordance with the present invention, the workpieces are scanned by 
means of at least one sensor in the form of a pneumatic measuring head 
which operates without contact, wherein the measuring head is moved 
steadily on a path which covers the surface area of the workpiece, and 
wherein the path of the measuring head is spaced from the workpiece 
surface by a predetermined, essentially constant distance which 
corresponds to the measuring distance. 
The apparatus according to the present invention for carrying out the 
method includes at least one pneumatic measuring head which provides 
measurement signals during the steady relative movement between the 
workpiece surface and sensor which movement covers the surface area of the 
workpiece. The apparatus further includes a guiding device for holding the 
measuring head as it travels along the measuring path at such a basic 
distance from the workpiece surface that the measuring range of the 
measuring head is not exceeded. An evaluating device assigns the 
continuously produced measurement signals to the respective measuring 
points. 
The present invention makes it possible to monitor the manufacturing 
process directly at the location and within a very short period. In 
particular, the invention makes it possible to measure the workpiece 
surface without an additional manipulating step, for example, a 
transporting step, a rechucking step or a cleaning step. That is because a 
pneumatic measuring head is used which measures without contact. Thus, it 
is easily possible to suppress various spurious signals. Since there is no 
contact between the pneumatic measuring head and the workpiece surface to 
be measured, when these workpiece surfaces to be measured are 
manufactured, for example, surface grooves produced during a rotary 
processing, the measuring head can be moved with relatively high speed and 
with any orientation of the measurement path without leading to 
significant falsification of the measurement signal. In this manner, it is 
possible to scan the workpiece surface, for example, a cylindrical or 
rotationally symmetric workpiece surface, by means of a continuous and 
steady movement along a meander-like or a helical line and, thus, with a 
very high speed. As a result, the manufacturing process must only be 
interrupted for a relatively short period of time for carrying out the 
measurement procedure. The method is equally suitable for measuring outer 
surfaces and inner surfaces. 
When the feeding speed and the angular speed of the pneumatic measuring 
head are suitably coordinated, the scanning on a helical measurement path 
can be carried out with the predetermined measuring accuracy, while 
minimizing the measuring time. The guiding device for the measuring head 
merely must ensure that the steadily traveled path of the measuring head 
follows the surface to be measured closely, so that the measurement range 
of the measuring head is not exceeded. The path on which the measuring 
head is moved must be predetermined accordingly, wherein the guiding 
device may be, for example, a gear unit or another suitable path control. 
The continuously produced measurement signals continuously provide 
information with respect to the actual deviations of the actual surface 
from the desired surface. Thus, it is possible, for example, when 
measuring a slightly conical workpiece surface, to move the measuring head 
on a cylindrical surface which includes or circumscribes this surface, as 
long as deviations from the mathematically exact cylindrical surface do 
not exceed the measuring range of the measuring head. 
Since the scanning is carried out without contact, it is also possible to 
scan surfaces of different orientation in space immediately successively, 
so that the measuring procedure is further accelerated. For example, after 
measuring an inner bore, it is possible to measure without interruption of 
the measuring procedure the planeness of the end face of this bore. 
The method according to the invention further makes it possible to arrange 
the measuring device at any location of a magazine and to move the 
measuring device qualitatively in the same manner as the tool which 
processes the workpiece surface. 
When it is ensured that the measuring device is positioned with a high 
accuracy on the processing machine, the method of the invention makes it 
not only possible to measure the workpiece surface itself with respect to 
the quality thereof, for example, roundness, peak-to-valley height, 
diameter accuracy etc., but the workpiece surface can also be monitored 
with respect to its positional accuracy relative to a reference point of 
the workpiece. The positional accuracy of the measuring device can be 
obtained, for example, by providing the measuring device with a coupling 
member which permits an exact positioning on the processing machine. In 
this case, the measuring device according to the present invention has an 
adapter for a holding means of a machine tool, so that the measuring 
device can be replaced and moved into position in the same manner as a 
tool. 
By varying the number of pneumatic measuring heads and/or the number of 
measuring nozzles, the value of the measurement signal can be further 
increased without slowing down the measuring procedure. For example, when 
two measuring nozzles are used, the comparisons of the measurement signals 
which are offset by 180.degree. make it easily possible to draw a 
conclusion with respect to the deviation of the workpiece surface from the 
reference axis. The method according to the present invention provides the 
additional advantage that it operates independently of the optical and 
electrical properties of the workpiece. Thus, the method and the measuring 
device can be used irrespective of the properties of the workpiece. 
To make the measuring method and the measuring device part of the 
processing procedure, the pneumatic measurement signal is transformed into 
a current signal and this signal is then further processed. In this 
manner, it is possible with simple means to store the measurement signals 
of previous measurements and to compare the actual measurement signals 
with the stored values. This further development of the invention has the 
particular advantage that it can be used effectively in the production 
because it makes it possible either to continuously correct the 
manufacturing process or to provide a reject signal when a limit signal 
value is exceeded. 
The transformation of the pneumatic measurement signal into a current 
signal additionally makes it possible to record the measurement result 
without slowing down the measuring procedure. 
The apparatus according to the present invention can be easily assembled. 
Only the guiding device requires a sufficiently high operating accuracy. 
If the measurement path is formed by a helical curve, the driving device 
for generating a feeding and rotating movement which already exists when 
processing cylindrical surfaces can advantageously be used as a 
synchronizing device. 
In accordance with a further development, the apparatus of the invention 
can be made part of a magazine, for example, in a tool revolver of a 
machine tool, so that the time required for evaluating the workpiece 
surface can be further reduced. When using the tool revolver, the 
measuring device must only be moved into the operating position. 
Subsequently, the pneumatic measuring head is moved along a predetermined 
measurement path, for example, in a meander-like or helical line, relative 
to the workpiece surface, while the measuring head continuously produces 
measurement signals. The evaluating device assigns the measurement values 
to the individual measurement positions, so that the measuring procedure 
is already concluded after the measurement head has been retracted. 
Advantageously, the return stroke of the measuring device is also used for 
making measurements, wherein preferably a predetermined relative rotation 
between measuring head and workpiece surface about 180.degree. is carried 
out. 
The method according to the present invention is not limited to a certain 
geometry of the workpiece surface. It is also possible to scan workpiece 
surfaces in which different surfaces are arranged next to each other, for 
example, cylindrical surfaces, conical surfaces or plane surfaces. In this 
case, it is merely necessary to control or program the guiding device in 
such a way that the measuring head is guided on a path which is determined 
by the desired values of the measuring curves and that the measuring head 
is spaced from the workpiece by the measuring distance. 
The method and the apparatus according to the present invention can be 
utilized to equal economic advantage for the measurement of external 
surfaces and internal surfaces. The relative rotating and advancing 
movements between the pneumatic measuring head and the workpiece surface 
can be produced in different ways. When the relative rotating movement 
between the pneumatic measuring head and the workpiece is obtained by only 
rotating the workpiece, the measuring device becomes even more technically 
simple because, in that case, the compressed line for the signals does not 
have to be conducted through an interface which is rotated. 
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are 
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part 
of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its 
operating advantages attained by its use, reference should be had to the 
drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and 
described preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In FIG. 1 of the drawing, reference numeral 2 denotes a workpiece in which 
two bores 4 and 6 having the coordinates X1, Y1 and X2, Y2 with 
predetermined quality are to be made. The quality criteria are, for 
example, for the bore diameter, the relative peak-to-valley height 
R.sub.t, the accuracy of the position of the axis on the inlet side 8 and 
on the outlet side 10 of the workpiece 2, the roundness of the bore, etc. 
A pneumatic measuring head 12 is used for monitoring the criteria of 
dimensional accuracy of the workpiece surfaces 4 and 6 quickly and with 
apparatus which is as simple and inexpensive as possible. The workpiece 
surfaces 4 and 6 are to be monitored either continuously or after the 
workpiece has been finished. The pneumatic measuring head 12 is supported 
by a cylindrical holder 14. The holder 14 is mounted on a connecting 
member 16 which can interact with a suitable cutting mechanism which is 
not illustrated in detail in FIG. 1. The cutting mechanism is arranged 
either at the machine tool or on a tool magazine. 
The pneumatic measuring head 12 has a measuring nozzle 20 on its radially 
outer measuring surface 18. As indicated by arrow A, the measuring nozzle 
20 is supplied with compressed air through a radial duct 22, a central 
axial duct 24 and a supply duct 26. The supply duct 26 includes a control 
valve 28 for supplying the preferably oil-free compressed air which is 
controlled to a pressure of p&lt;3 bar. A measuring pressure line 30 for 
conducting the measurement signals to a signal evaluation unit, not shown, 
branches from the axial duct 24 downstream of the control valve 28. 
The measuring apparatus constructed in this manner as a pneumatic gauge 
operates according to the principle of the nozzle reflecting plate system, 
wherein the reflecting plate is formed by the workpiece surface. This 
principle requires at least one measuring nozzle 20 whose air passage is 
throttled by the workpiece and a valve 28 with constant cross-section. A 
constant feed pressure is supplied to the valve 28. Depending on the ratio 
of surface areas between the measuring nozzle 20 and the control valve 28, 
a pressure builds up between the two reduced diameter portions which is a 
measure for the distance between the workpiece surface and the measuring 
nozzle. The measuring nozzle 20 extends through the measuring surface 18 
which is, for example, cylindrical or conical, and is placed relative to 
the workpiece surface 4 or 6 to be measured into a position in which a 
small measuring gap remains. For this purpose, when the pneumatic 
measuring head 12 is rotated, the pneumatic measuring head 12 is 
advantageously mounted on the holder 14 so as to be adjustable in radial 
direction, so that the measurement of internal workpiece surfaces with 
different diameters is possible. This adjustment possibility is indicated 
by double arrow E. 
The measuring gap between the measuring nozzle 20 and the workpiece surface 
4, 6 determines the air flow through the measuring nozzle 20 and, thus, 
influences the measurement signal pressure P.sub.MS in the measuring 
pressure line 30. As a result, assuming that an axis 32 of the holder 14 
is placed in alignment with the desired axis 34 of the workpiece surface 
6, 4 to be measured, the dynamic pressure created between the measuring 
nozzle 20 and the valve 28 results in a measure for the diameter D of the 
bore 6, 4 and for the positional accuracy of the bore by previously 
calibrating the pneumatic measuring head, for example, with the use of 
ground or cut adjusting rings, absolute values of positional deviations 
can be assigned to the measurement signal pressures. 
The measurement of the workpiece surface 6, 4 is carried out as follows: 
Initially, the axis 32 of the pneumatic measuring mandrel is aligned with 
the axis 34 of the workpiece surface 6 to be measured. The extent by which 
the measuring nozzle projects from the measuring surface 18 is adjusted to 
the desired diameter D of the workpiece surface 6 in such a way that an 
optimum measuring gap is created. To be able to examine the dimensional 
accuracy of the workpiece surface 6 within the shortest time and still 
reproducibly with sufficient accuracy, the pneumatic measuring head 12 is 
moved with a predetermined angular speed .omega. relative to the workpiece 
2 while simultaneously carrying out a feeding movement with a speed V. As 
a result, the measuring nozzle 12 describes a movement along a helical 
line shown in dash-dot lines relative to the inner surface 6 of the 
workpiece 2, while measurement signals are continuously taken through the 
measuring pressure line 30. The measured signal pressure is supplied to a 
p/i-transducer 36 which carries out the transformation of the pressure 
signal into an electrical analog signal. This electrical signal is then 
transferred to a signal evaluating unit 38 which, for example, with the 
aid of an oscillograph or limit contacts, carries out a signal processing, 
such that the finishing process or working process of the subsequent 
workpiece is influenced. The signal evaluating unit can further record the 
electrical signals and can prepare measurement records at a later time. 
To adapt the measuring quality to the desired surface quality, the shape of 
the helical line can be varied by suitably adjusting the relative angular 
speed .omega. and the relative translatory speed V. Moreover, the 
measurement quality can be changed by varying the number of pneumatic 
measuring heads 12 and/or measuring nozzles 20. Finally, it is possible to 
repeat the measurement procedure during the return stroke of the pneumatic 
measuring head 12. In this connection, it is an advantage if, after 
reaching an end point 40 of the helical line, the measuring head 12 is 
further rotated by 180.degree. without a simultaneous translatory 
movement, and subsequently to carry out the measuring procedure with the 
preadjusted values .omega. and V in the opposite direction. 
It has been found that it is possible with an apparatus of the 
above-described type to reproducibly measure cylindrical workpiece 
surfaces with an accuracy of +/-2 .mu.m. This simultaneously means that 
positional deviations can also be qualitatively determined within this 
tolerance range. A particular advantage is the self-cleaning effect at the 
measuring point and the minor influence of external vibrations because of 
the contactless measurement. Accordingly, the measuring method according 
to the present invention is particularly suitable for use in relatively 
demanding manufacturing operations. 
Of course, for carrying out the measurement, it is not necessary that the 
pneumatic measuring head alone carries out the movements for obtaining the 
relative movement along a helical line between the workpiece surface and 
the pneumatic measuring head. FIG. 2 of the drawing shows an embodiment in 
which at least the rotating movement is carried out by the workpiece. In 
this embodiment, reference numeral 50 denotes a nozzle mandrel which is 
used for measuring an internal bore 54 of a workpiece 52. The nozzle 
mandrel 50 has two pneumatic measuring nozzles 56 and 58 which are 
supplied through two pneumatic lines 60a and 60b. As can be seen in FIG. 
2A, the lines 60a and 60b are formed by bores with a web 61 remaining 
between the bores. The feed pressure supplied to the pneumatic lines 60a 
and 60b is generated by means of a pressure regulator 62a and 62b, 
respectively. Control valves 64a and 64b, respectively, are arranged in 
lines 60a and 60b. The valves 64a and 64b may be formed, for example, as 
blocks with a passage and, thus, have a constant cross-sectional area of 
the passage. Such blocks with holes are used, for example, in the 
watch-making industry. 
Radial measuring pressure lines 66 and 67 branch from the lines 60a and 60b 
downstream of the valve 64a and 64b. The lines 66 and 67 each lead into an 
annular chamber 68a and 68b which are defined in a connecting member 70 
and between which is provided a web member 69 with an annular rope seal 
71. The pressure in the annular chambers 68a and 68b is conducted through 
signal pressure lines 72 and 73 to a signal evaluating unit 74. The 
operation of the signal evaluation unit 74 was described with respect to 
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Sealing members 66 seal the annular 
chambers 68a and 68b relative to the atmosphere. 
Contrary to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the nozzle mandrel 50 of the 
embodiment of FIG. 2 does not carry out a rotating movement. In this case, 
the relative rotating movement between workpiece 52 and measuring nozzles 
56, 58 is carried out by a drive for the workpiece 52 which is indicated 
by arrow .omega..sub.WS. The translatory relative movement V is produced 
either by a linear drive of the nozzle mandrel 50 and/or by a linear drive 
of the workpiece 52. 
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the measuring speed can be additionally 
increased because two measuring points 56 and 58 carry out measurements 
simultaneously and independently of each other. This embodiment is 
particularly suitable for measuring turned pieces which are measured when 
chucked into the turning lathes by means of a nozzle mandrel 50 which 
exclusively carries out a translatory movement along the axis of the 
turning lathe. For example, the nozzle mandrel 50 may be mounted on a tool 
revolver of a processing center, wherein the connecting member 70 remains 
connected with the signal evaluating unit 74 through the preferably 
flexible signal pressure lines 72 and 73. The measuring system is also 
supplied with compressed air through flexible air lines 78a and 78b. 
FIG. 3 of the drawing shows another embodiment of the measuring apparatus 
in which the relative movement between the measuring head and the 
workpiece is effected exclusively by moving the pneumatic measuring head. 
In this embodiment, a nozzle mandrel 80 is used which has only one 
pneumatic measuring nozzle 88 for measuring an internal bore 84 of a 
workpiece 82. Reference number 90 denotes an essentially axis-parallel, 
central pneumatic line. Reference numeral 92 denotes a tap line which 
branches from the central pneumatic line 90 for feeding air from a 
pressure regulator 96 into the central pneumatic line 90. A fixed value 
control valve 94 is arranged in the pneumatic line for throttling the 
measuring pressure in a range within which an approximately linear 
dependency exists between nozzle cross-section and measuring pressure. A 
measuring pressure line 98 leads into an annular chamber 102 in a 
connecting member 100. A signal pressure duct 104 leads radially further 
outwardly from the annular chamber 102 and is connected to a pressure 
hose, not illustrated, which conducts the measuring pressure P.sub.ms to a 
signal processing unit 106. The connecting member 100 is stationary with 
respect to rotation, but is moved translatory together with the nozzle 
mandrel 80. Sealing members 108 serve to seal the annular chamber 102 
relative to the atmosphere. 
A structure similar to the one described above is provided in the region of 
the air supply. A tap line 92 leads into an annular recess 97 in a tool 
holding means 110 which may be, for example, in the form of a steep-angle 
taper. A line portion 112 leads from the annular recess 97 radially toward 
the outside into another annular chamber 114 in the connecting member 100. 
The annular chamber 114 is also sealed relative to the atmosphere by means 
of sealing members 116. A supply duct 118 serves to supply air from the 
pressure regulator 96 into the measuring head. 
The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a particular feature in that the 
nozzle mandrel 80 is equipped on its side facing away from the measuring 
nozzle 88 with an adapter 119 for coupling to a workpiece chucking system 
or tool chucking system. While details of the cutting system are not shown 
in FIG. 3, it should be emphasized that an advantageous construction of 
the adapter 119 should facilitate an automatic exchange of the nozzle 
mandrel 80. For this purpose, a gripping groove 120 is provided at which 
the nozzle mandrel 80 can be grasped and transported by means of a 
suitable manipulating device toward a magazine and away from the magazine. 
The holding means 110 may be, for example, a fitted recess in a driven 
shaft of a star revolver in a processing center, so that the measuring 
procedure is carried out by placing the measuring head in position 
immediately after the bore 84 is finished by a step-wise movement of the 
revolver and the measuring procedure can be finished within the shortest 
period of time. The revolver carrier is moved translatory which is 
indicated by arrow V.sub.MV, while the drive shaft and, thus, the holding 
means 110 is driven with the angular speed .omega..sub.MV. 
FIG. 4 of the drawing shows the measuring principle of the invention in a 
top view of a chucking device 130 for a workpiece 132 in the form of a 
connecting rod. Two bores 134 and 136 are to be made in the connecting rod 
132 in a predetermined positional relationship relative to each other and 
relative to a reference surface 138. The above-described measuring device 
is particularly suitable for determining the dimensional accuracy of the 
bores 134 and 136. This is because, after the bores have been finished, 
for example, by means of a precision drilling tool or a reamer, a table 
supporting the chucking device 130 can remain in the work position. The 
processing tool is replaced for the measuring procedure by a pneumatic 
measuring head 142 which is coupled through an adapter to a tool carrier. 
As a result, the axis 144 necessarily coincides with the desired axis of 
the bore 134. By removing the pneumatic measuring head 142 in a direction 
extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 4, while 
simultaneously carrying out a rotating movement with the angular speed 
.omega., it is not only possible to evaluate the quality of the bore 134, 
i.e., the roundness and diameter accuracy, but positional accuracy of the 
bore sensor can also be tested. For measuring the other bore 136, the 
pneumatic measuring head 142 is moved out of the bore 134. Subsequently, 
the table 140 carries out a preferably program-controlled movement in the 
direction of coordinates X and Y, so that the center 146 of the other bore 
136 is closed. The measurement is now repeated for the bore 136 by means 
of an appropriately smaller pneumatic measuring head. 
The method according to the present invention can also be used for 
measuring bores with a single measuring stroke wherein the diameter 
quality of bores vary over the length of the bores. This type of 
application shall now be explained with the aid of FIG. 5. 
A bore 150 has three bore portions 150.sub.1, 150.sub.2 and 150.sub.3. The 
bore portions may have different nominal diameters or they may merely have 
different tolerances. A desired signal 152 which is illustrated at the top 
of FIG. 5 with solid lines is assigned to the bore 150. The value of the 
desired signal 152 jumps at the transition points between the bore 
portions. A dash-dot line illustrates the relative movement curve between 
a measuring nozzle of the pneumatic measuring head and the and the inner 
surface of the bore 150. In the bore portion 150.sub.1, the relative 
angular speed is .omega..sub.1 and the relative translatory speed is 
V.sub.1. In the second and third bore portions, different relative speeds 
and feed values may be provided, wherein these parameters are 
advantageously selected such that the feeding speed becomes slower with 
increasing requirements with respect to the quality of the bore portion. 
The measurement signal obtained during the travel through the bore portions 
over distance s is shown in a dash-dot line. Since a certain correlation 
exists between the angular speed .omega..sub.1 and the translatory speed 
V.sub.1 in the bore portion 150.sub.1, the measurement signal i/p is 
simultaneously recorded in dependence on the relative rotation angle 
.phi.. In the signal processing unit which preferably includes a computer, 
it is possible to conclude from the pattern of the measurement signal 
whether the signal deviation from the desired signal 152 are due to a 
positional deviation of the bore axis from the desired value or only 
because the bore is not circular. Thus, it is possible to prepare a record 
as shown in FIG. 6 for any radial portion of the bore. Specifically, FIG. 
6 shows in an enlarged and distorted manner the inner surface 154 of the 
bore. The two dotted concentric circles 156, 158 represent tolerance limit 
curves which the signal processing unit determines itself from the data 
which was previously fed in. Accordingly, it is possible automatically to 
eliminate a workpiece when the signal processing unit generates an 
appropriate signal when the actual curve 154 intersects the tolerance 
curve 156 or 158. 
The signal processing unit can be advantageously incorporated into the 
manufacturing process, so that from the deviations of the actual curves 
are placed adjusting signals on the machine tool for carrying out a 
correcting function. 
It is apparent that the meaningfulness of the measurement can be improved 
either by providing several pneumatic measuring heads and/or several 
measuring nozzles which travel over the workpiece surface to be measured 
either simultaneously or sequentially. The measuring device itself is more 
complex as a result, however, the work required for programming the signal 
evaluating unit is reduced simultaneously. 
The method according to the present invention has been described above with 
the aid of an embodiment in which the path on which the measuring head is 
moved is formed by a helical line. FIGS. 7 to 9 of the drawing show other 
measuring paths which also make possible the incorporation of the 
measuring procedure into the production sequence. 
As illustrated in FIG. 7, a conical workpiece surface is measured by the 
measuring head which successively travels axially offset circular paths I, 
II, III and IV and is moved between the circular paths along axial 
connecting paths 202 without changing the measuring distance A.sub.M. 
The distance A.sub.M and, thus, the surface on which the path of movement 
of the measuring head is located, is determined in relation to the surface 
to be measured in such a way that changes of the distance between 
workpiece surface and measuring head or measuring nozzle which occur 
during the travel of the measuring head do not exceed the measuring range 
of the measuring head. 
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, an end face 206 is measured following 
the measurement of a cylindrical inner surface 204. For this purpose, the 
measuring sensor or measuring head is moved outwardly on a spiral path 208 
after leaving the bore 210. Also in this case, a guiding device, not 
illustrated in detail, ensures that the distance between the workpiece 
surface and the measuring head is maintained at a predetermined, constant 
basic distance. The measuring head is to be positioned so as to extend 
perpendicularly to the surface to be measured. However, it is also 
conceivable to operate with two measuring nozzles or measuring heads which 
extend at an angle relative to each other and are closed alternatingly. 
The embodiment according to FIG. 9 shows the use of the method of the 
invention for measuring cylindrical outer surfaces. The measuring path 
surface 214 which surrounds the outer surface 212 and in which the 
measuring head is steadily moved is shown in dash-dot lines. It is assumed 
that the workpiece surface 212 has two portions 212.sub.1 and 212.sub.2 of 
different surface qualities which are to be measured successively. 
As the development of the surface shows in which the path traveled by the 
measuring head is located, the measuring head travels meander-like over 
the workpiece surface in order to obtain a measuring line which is as long 
as possible. The circle segment path portions 216 and 218 are connected 
through axial connecting path portions 220. In order to take the surface 
quality into account, the length of the path is greater in the portion 
212.sub.1 than in the portion 212.sub.2. 
The measuring path in the portion 212.sub.1 continues without interruption 
in the measuring path in the portion 212.sub.2 in which the length of the 
path is smaller per unit of surface area. 
In addition to the embodiments discussed above and illustrated in the 
drawing, the measuring head can measure any surface which is symmetrical 
with respect to rotation. In this case, the measuring head has to be 
controlled in the same manner as the tool had been controlled previously. 
Of course, the above-described method can also be used for evaluating the 
dimensional accuracy of any outer surface of a workpiece. It must be 
ensured that the guiding device for the measuring head maintains a 
predetermined basic distance between the workpiece surface and the 
measuring nozzle. 
It has even been found that the method according to the invention is also 
suitable for measuring essentially cylindrical workpiece surfaces which, 
seen in the radial section, slightly deviate from the circular shape 
which, for example, is the case in the crosshead bore of a piston of an 
internal combustion engine. Also, the dimensional accuracy of workpiece 
surfaces can be evaluated which in accordance with a predetermined 
mathematical relationship deviate from a theoretical or from a 
mathematically exact cylindrical shape. 
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for 
determining the accuracy of the position and/or the shape of workpiece 
surfaces, for example, essentially cylindrical workpiece surfaces, wherein 
a measuring sensor senses the workpiece surface in accordance with a 
predetermined relative movement pattern between sensor and workpiece. For 
a simple incorporation of the measuring method step into the production 
process, the sensor is a pneumatic measuring head which travels along the 
workpiece surface guided on a continuous path which covers the surface 
area of the workpiece, wherein the measuring head maintains a constant 
basic or measuring distance from the workpiece surface, so that the 
measuring range of the measuring head is not exceeded as the measuring 
head travels over the workpiece surface. The measuring sensor continuously 
produces measuring signals, so that the direct integration of the 
measuring procedure into the production sequence is possible. 
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described 
in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it 
will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without 
departing from such principles.