Measuring device for mechanical workpieces

Claim 1

A dimension measuring device for measuring the dimensions of workpieces subsequently leaving the exit of a centerless grinding machine in order to control the machine, comprising: a frame; support means carried by the frame, the support means including supports fixed on the frame; collecting and guiding bars fixed on said supports adapted for receiving workpieces leaving a grinding machine and for directly guiding them in succession, in the order in which they have been machined, along the bars; and a measuring head fixed to said frame in a side position of said bars, the measuring head including: a casing; a shaft axially movable in said casing towards and away from the workpieces passing along the bars; a finger fixed at an end of said shaft, for contacting the workpieces to be measured; resilient means arranged in said casing and coupled to said shaft for thrusting said finger against the workpieces passing past the measuring head; an hydraulic damper for making said finger follow the profile of each workpiece passing past the measuring head, said hydraulic damper comprising a piston coupled to and coaxial with said shaft, a cylinder coupled to said casing, and a fluid contained in said cylinder for dampening the movement of the piston in the cylinder; and a position transducer including a first member fixed to said shaft, a support member fixed to said casing, a second member fixed to said support member, socket and cable means fixed to said support means and connected to said second member adapted to provide a dimension measurement signal depending on the shaft position; whereby all of the workpieces leaving the grinding machine are measured while passing in succession, guided by said bars past the measuring head.