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Title: A non-contacting vertical alignment system for mass properties measuring instruments

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10111092· OSTI ID:10111092

A non-contact system for alignment of objects on mass properties measuring instruments is described. Test parts can be aligned to within the capabilities of the user and the fixture to make the adjustments. The current implementation can align objects to less than .001 inches at two points with final requested adjustments of a few ten-thousands of an inch. The non-contact capability allows the alignment of objects which are too compliant or fragile for traditional contacting measurement methods. Also, this system allows the definition of a reference axis on objects which are not perfectly symmetric. The reference axis is defined at the top of the object by an appropriate marker and defined at the bottom by a best fit circle through the surface at a specified height. A general description of the hardware, procedures, and results are presented for the non-user. Appendices which contain a complete description of the software, usage, and mathematical implementation are provided for the reader who is interested in using or further developing the system.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
10111092
Report Number(s):
SAND-93-1425; ON: DE94004680; BR: GB0103012
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Nov 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English