Measuring (gauging) station (point) set up inside a production line

摘要

The invention relates to a measuring station set up within a production line, which by virtue of its programmability automatically measures the workpieces which are being machined (shaped by cutting) in the production line. It is to be possible in this case to preserve a measurement accuracy of at least 10<-4>, or, better still, of 10<-5>, for which reason it is generally necessary for the measuring space to be air conditioned. In order to be able to avoid measuring in an air conditioned environment and yet to preserve the high measurement accuracy, it is proposed according to the invention to carry out the manipulation cycle during measurement with the aid of a commercially available industrial robot and to undertake the actual measurement itself by means of gauges adapted to the workpiece. The gauges are designed for a limited measurement range and operate with the required measurement accuracy. Each gauge can be mounted in a quickly exchangeable fashion on the external end of the working arm of the industrial robot. In order not to impair the measurement accuracy of the gauges by temperature fluctuations in the environment, after being used the gauges are immediately deposited again in an air conditioned cabinet whose flaps or doors can be operated automatically in a manner integrated in the control of the industrial robot. During the short measuring time, the accuracy of a gauge is not impaired by temperature disturbances. As a result, the investment cost of such a measuring station can be very substantially reduced.