Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratories has developed an advanced cartridge case measurement /eject system (CCMES) which automatically inspects and rejects cases at up to 1200 per minute. The system consists of a mechanical handler, measurement instruments, and a dedicated computer. System operation is monitored and controlled while the product is being measured. Five case dimensions are measured by an electro-optical system using diode arrays to measure a case image at unity magnification.By scan averaging, measurement standard deviations as small as 2.5 microns are obtained at a throughput of 1200 cases per minute.Measurements made with the system fall within the uncertainties of hand -gauged values for the same cases. Four zones on each case are examined for surface flaws, such as dents and scratches, by detecting light scattered from the surface.The system can detect these surface flaws at inspection rates of 1200 cases per minute.Using electro -optic methods, two additional measuring stations detect vent hole presence and gross size deviations to prevent mechanical jams. A third station employs an eddy current technique to detect splits and folds in critical regions of the cartridge.The overall system has passed quality assurance tests administered by the sponsor and will soon be installed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. AbstractBattelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratories has developed an advanced cartridge case measurement/eject system (CCMES) which automatically inspects and rejects cases at up to 1200 per minute. The system consists of a mechanical handler, measurement instruments, and a dedicated computer. System operation is monitored and controlled while the product is being measured. Five case dimensions are measured by an electro-optical system using diode arrays to measure a case image at unity magnification. By scan averaging, measurement standard deviations as small as 2.5 microns are obtained at a throughput of 1200 cases per minute. Measurements made with the system fall within the uncertainties of hand-gauged values for the same cases. Four zones on each case are examined for surface flaws, such as dents and scratches, by detecting light scattered from the surface. The system can detect these surface flaws at inspection rates of 1200 cases per minute. Using electro-optic methods, two additional measuring stations detect vent hole presence and gross size deviations to prevent mechanical jams. A third station employs an eddy current technique to detect splits and folds in critical regions of the cartridge. The overall system has passed quality assurance tests administered by the sponsor and will soon be installed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratories has developdd an advanced cartridge case measurement/eject system (CCKZS) which automatically inspects and rejects cases at up to 1200 per minute, The system consists of a mechanical handler, measurement instruments, and a dedicated coaputer. System operation is monitored and controlled while the product is besng measured. Five case dimensions are measured by an electro-optical system using diode arrays t;o measure a case inage at unity magnification. By scan averaging, measurement standard deviations as small as 2.5 microns are obtained at a throughput of 1200 cases per soinute. Reasurements made with the system fall within the uncertainties of hand-gauged values for the szme cases. Four zones on each case are examined for surface flaws, such as dents and scratches, by detecting light scattered from the surface. The system can detect Shese surface flaws at inspection rates of 1200 cases per minute. Using electro-optic methods, two additional measuring stations detect vent hole presence and gross size deviations to pfevent mechanical jams. A third station employs an eddy current technique to detect splits and folds in critical regions of the cartridge. The overall system has passed quallty assurance tests adniinistered by the sponsor and will soon be installed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. ... The system monitors for case dimensions, surface flarvs, vent hole presence, and for the presence of splits in selected regicns of the case. The system measures five dimensions with a stsndard deviation of 0.1. mil at the operating rate of 1200 cases per ninute. The dirMnSi0ti~ measured are head thickness, head diameter, extractor groove dia~efer, gas seal Xength and total length. ?our zones on each case are examined for surface flZds, such as dents and scratches, and cases with fine scratches or small dents can be detected and eliminated by the system. Any case lacking a vent hole will be rejected. Splits in the case head segion ard splits or folds in the case ~,outl.l region are detected by an eddy current transducer. In addition to ttlase four primary measurement functions, another Sta-Zion is providecl at the first interface wheel. This station will detect gross size deviafions and reject ouch cases to prevent mechanical jam.