Patent ID: 8550444

Claim:
A system for centering and aligning manufactured parts of various sizes at an optical measurement station having a measurement axis, the system comprising: apparatus having a central axis substantially parallel to the measurement axis and including a plurality of members having open and closed positions, the members having holding faces which are substantially equidistant from the central axis during movement between the open and closed positions, at least one of the members applying a force on an exterior side surface of a part disposed between the holding faces during movement between the positions to reposition the part at the station wherein the repositioned part is centered and aligned with respect to the measurement axis at the station, the holding faces releasably holding the repositioned part in a holding position between the open and closed positions at the station; and a movable stage subsystem coupled to the apparatus for translating the apparatus relative to the repositioned part along the central axis in the open position of the members to allow the exterior side surface of the repositioned part to be measured.