System and method for measuring flake thickness

Details System and method for measuring flake thickness System and method for measuring flake thickness

2005-09-29

2009-10-13

Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2841)

Geometrical instruments

Distance measuring

Opposed contacts

C033S501020

Reexamination Certificate

active

07600328

ABSTRACT:
An automated system for accurately measuring the thickness of a sample quantity of small items such as oat flakes. The system picks individual oat flakes from a hopper using a vacuum and passes them between two precision rollers. One roller is fixed and has vacuum ports to pick up the flake from the hopper. The second roller is floating. As the flake passes between the rollers, the flake is flattened and the second roller is deflected by an amount equal to the thickness of the flake. A vision system comprising a video camera, a light source and a computer measures the deflection of the floating roller. The vision system obtains an image of the curvature of the floating roller at the point opposite the pinch point of the two rollers. Data from the measurement may be recorded on the computer and processed as desired.

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