Semiautomated method for swaged coupling process verification

摘要

A semiautomated method and system (30) for swaged coupling process verification are provided. The system nondestructively measures swage groove depth (A) of a swaged coupling (10) for a tube (20). The tube has an inner surface with a first inside diameter at a first distance from a swaged end (22) of the tube and a second inside diameter at a second distance from the swaged end of the tube that is less than the first distance. The swage groove depth is the difference between the first inside diameter and the second inside diameter. The system includes a probe case (38) and a probe (40) that extends from the probe case. The probe has a probe tip (92) that is arranged to contact the inner surface of the tube and deflect in response to changes in the inner diameter of the tube. A transducer (42) generates a signal that is indicative of the inner diameter of the tube in response to deflection of the probe tip. The signal has a first magnitude when the probe tip is at the first distance. A centering device (34) that has first and second ends is slidably received about the probe. The probe is fully inserted into the tube. The first and second ends of the centering device abut the probe case and the tube, respectively, and the probe tip contacts the inner surface of the tube at the first distance. A processor (36) that is coupled to receive the signal indicative of the inner diameter of the tube is provided. The first magnitude is recorded, and the probe tip is withdrawn from the first distance until the probe tip is within the swage groove at the second distance. The signal has a second magnitude when the probe tip is within the swage groove at the second distance and the second magnitude is recorded. The processor determines the swage groove depth from a difference between the first and second magnitudes of the signal.