Patent GB-538278-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to gauging or testing the form or shape of manufacturedarticles
IPC: B07C5/10
Filed: 1940-01-20
Abstract: 538,278. Photo-electric gauging apparatus. BRITISH TIMKEN, Ltd., and TREEN, R. Jan. 20, 1940, No. 1244. [Class 40 (iii)] The form or shape of an article such as a roller is tested by locating the article in a support and causing the surface of the article to contact with members controlling reflectors so that when the shape is correct light beams projected through narrow apertures on the reflectors are directed thereby through narrow apertures on lightsensitive cells which then indicate that the shape is correct, or automatically control a sorting device. In the apparatus shown, the work piece, a small cone 9, Figs. 1 and 2, is held by spring clips 12 on a work-holder 4 against knife edges 8 on a member 6 adjustably clamped to the work-holder 4. This work-holder is mounted on a workplatform 1 which is guided at the sides by balls 2 against spaced bars 3, 3 and is reciprocated by a cam 13 cooperating with a spring-cushioned plunger 14. The cain determines three positions of the platform. In the intermediate position, a cone 9 is inserted by any suitable feed device. Then the platform is moved to the right against a set of gauging pins 17, 18, 19 which control photo-electric devices. After this the platform is moved to the extreme left position, where the cone 9 is ejected to a runway 49 by a spring- cushioned plunger 54 operated by a fixed wedge 55. Finally, the platform is returned to the intermediate position to receive a fresh cone. Photo-electric gauging device. This device comprises the three gauging-pins 17, 18, 19; one pin 17 is fixed; and the other pins 18, 19 are spring plungers bearing against levers 27 pivoted at 28 and in their turn bearing against eccentric lugs 30 fast with spring-biased spindles 24 carrying reflectors 22, 22a. Each mirror receives light through a slit from a lamp 34, 34a, and when in correct position reflects the light through a slit to a photo-electric cell 35, 35a. One cell when lighted operates a relay to switch on the circuit of the next cell. If the second cell is also lighted it then also operates a relay which switches on the circuit of a solenoid 43 controlling a slide 45. When the solenoid is not switched on, the slide 45 presents a rejection chute 51 below a hopper 48 at the end of the runway 49; but when the solenoid is energized the slide 45 presents an acceptance chute 50 below the hopper 48. The apparatus is initially. set by reference to a standard cone. This cone is inserted in the holder 4, and the platform I moved to the right until stopped by the fixed gauging-pin 17. The slits of the photo-electric cells 35, 35a are then adjusted to illuminate the cells. The slit for the cell 35 corresponding to the outer gauging-pin 18 is narrow to give a narrow tolerance. The slit for the other cell 35a is wider and is adjusted to allow slightly barrel shaped cones to be passed as correct. In a modification, Fig. 6 (not shown), there are gauging plungers at right angles to each other and in another modification, Fig. 7 (not shown), the article is rotated while held against the plungers. Specification 455,606, [Group VIII], is referred to.