USE OF A HOLDER FOR AN OBJECT UNDER EXAMINATION

Description

[0001] The invention is directed to the use of a device for holding and / or positioning a measurement object to be measured and / or examined on a measuring and / or examination device, in particular at a desired relative position relative to the measuring and / or examination device, preferably in the context of an examination or measurement by means of X-rays and / or computer tomography, and / or by means of optical measuring systems or contourographs or roughness measuring devices, the device used comprising at least one plate-shaped or block-shaped support unit for supporting the measurement object, consisting of a material with a specific density of 250 kg / m 3< or less, and at least one preferably rod-shaped contact element, against which the measurement object to be examined can be placed.

[0002] A generic device for holding and / or positioning a measurement object to be measured and / or examined is disclosed in the inventor's patent specification EP 2 511 667 B1, as well as in DE 20 2014 003 439 U1. Particularly in the latter case, screws are preferably used as support elements for fixing a measurement object to be measured and / or examined to a support unit. The fastening holes in the screws are introduced specifically for the sample, preferably by using screws with a shank tapered to a point at the front, which can cut their own thread.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 20 2013 002 540 U1 discloses a device for the precise positioning of biopsy needles in order to take tissue samples from specific areas of a patient's body during a biopsy. This device consists of several perforated plates arranged one behind the other at a distance so that their guide holes are aligned with one another. This device serves neither to hold nor to position an object to be measured and / or examined on a measuring and / or examination device and is therefore not generic. Furthermore, it does not contain any contact elements for a measurement object, but rather biopsy needles guided in several aligned guide holes of different perforated plates. These needles, however, do not rest against the patient but are inserted into them, and are not subject to any lateral holding forces.Furthermore, the individual perforated plates are comparatively thin and therefore not able to avoid a parallax error on their own, but they can only fulfil their guiding function together, because the individual guide holes in them must not be too narrow in order to enable the most friction-free movement of the biopsy needles.

[0004] A method for examining a measuring object by means of a positioning device is known from GB 1 032 929 A.

[0005] Furthermore, toys such as the "Skoolzy Montessori Sensory Peg Board 34 Piece Set", XP093061183, and the "Lacing Colors & Shapes Peg Board Set with Pattern Card", XP093061185, are known to be suitable as positioning devices.

[0006] However, when using the known holding devices, or when positioning samples in general, especially when automatically loading testing equipment, there is sometimes a need to be able to position samples in a predefined manner, and it would be advantageous to have a predefined positioning for samples, especially for samples from the same product range, iedifferent products from the same product line, to have a standardized, predefined positioning option under identical conditions in order to be able to compare, examine or measure samples, especially products from the same product line, under the same testing conditions. This ensures that repeated measurements on different products from the same product line are always positioned the same way and thus that approximately the same results and gray values ​​are displayed in the generated 2D images. This simplifies the evaluation - especially when using a computer - and makes it comparable. It would also be easier to document the positioning of examined samples in order to be able to position them the same way during repeated tests in order to obtain comparable test results. This allows process fluctuations to be identified immediately.

[0007] There are also rack-like structures, so-called carbon fiber towers, with multiple carbon fiber plates as tiers, in which samples can be positioned one above the other on the individual tiers using sample carriers. Similar to shelves, the tiers of the carbon fiber towers are rigidly defined; the tiers cannot be adjusted in number or height, and to position the test specimens, they must also be placed on sample carriers and then positioned and centered together with those on the tiers.

[0008] This results in the problem initiating the invention, namely to use a generic device in such a way that test pieces, parts, samples, workpieces or other measurement objects to be measured and / or examined, in particular identical, recurring test pieces, parts, samples, workpieces or other measurement objects, can be positioned in a predefined manner, i.e. can be positioned again and again in exactly the same place and / or with exactly the same orientation or position, so that they can be compared more easily with a previously scanned part or other reference object, in particular in the case of repeated examination in the scanned state, and reproducible results can be generated, wherein the device used according to the invention should allow adaptation to different test pieces, for example with regard to the vertical distances between them, in contrast to a shelf with fixed shelves.In particular, within the meaning of the invention, a patient is not understood as a measurement object to be positioned by the device to be created. Rather, it only refers to objects that can be placed, held, and supported on a generic support body made of a material with a specific density of 250 kg / m 3 or less, in particular of 120 kg / m 3 or less, preferably of 75 kg / m 3 or less, preferably of 52 kg / m 3 , in particular of 35 kg / m 3 or less, or even of 32 kg / m 3 or less, without deforming the support body.

[0009] This problem is solved by using a modular system in which the main component is a support unit for supporting the measurement object, for example in the form of a support block or in the form of a support plate made of a material with a lower density than the test object, in particular with a specific density of 250 kg / m 3 or less, 120 kg / m 3 or less, preferably 75 kg / m 3 or less, preferably 52 kg / m 3 , in particular 35 kg / m 3 or less, or even 32 kg / m 3 or less, wherein the support unit has a plurality of holes or depressions arranged in a one-dimensional grid, in particular in a two-dimensional grid, for inserting preferably rod-shaped contact elements. These preferably rod-shaped contact elements have defined insertion properties, so that in interaction with the insertion holes or depressions they can be inserted precisely, i.e.can be precisely positioned by coordinating the geometries and clear cross-sections of the pre-formed insertion holes or insertion recesses on the one hand and the geometries and cross-sections of a contact element or insertion shaft to be inserted therein on the other hand in such a way that a permanent clamping force is established between the two elements.

[0010] The modular system used according to the invention thus consists of at least one support unit for supporting the underside of a measurement object, of at least one preferably rod-shaped contact element for lateral support of the measurement object or the test piece, which can be inserted into a support unit at predetermined points, and if required, of at least one contact element with at least one recess, in which a contact rod or insertion shaft passes through at least one recess in at least one contact element and can be inserted into a support unit at predetermined points in order to be able to fix the contact element in question at one or more predefined positions of the support unit.

[0011] In the present invention, the support units used serve as sample carriers and shelves in one, and their vertical positions and spacing can be adjusted to the size of the test specimens. Depending on requirements, a different number of support units can be attached or stacked on top of each other.

[0012] According to the present invention, samples can be positioned easily and reproducibly, even centrally, and the same recurring samples, as well as samples to be examined again, can be examined in the same positioning in order to obtain approximately the same measuring conditions and thus comparable results and to carry out reproducible examinations, both on the same examination unit and on different examination units at different locations.

[0013] The invention thus allows for series monitoring in production, since different operators and different recurring series parts must be examined and / or measured at specified intervals.

[0014] It is important to be able to easily, quickly, and reliably position, clamp, and / or fixate a test object in a reproducible manner for repeat measurements, as well as for external measurements at other locations or on other test units or devices. Documenting the sample position for the test and reproducing the measurement can be easily performed.

[0015] Such repeatable, precise positioning of a measuring object also facilitates documentation during recurring examinations.

[0016] This allows comparable examinations or measurements to be carried out by different operators using the same and different urinary examination devices in order to produce comparable results and volume data sets.

[0017] The support unit can and should be positioned to suit the unit to be examined.

[0018] In general, the object to be measured or examined, or the test piece, in particular a flat sample, is placed directly on the support material or such a support unit, or at least applied thereto, until, due to the mutual contact between the measurement object and the support unit, it can at most be moved parallel to the relevant contact surface on the support unit. In order to provide a surface for supporting a measurement object that is as standardized as possible, its contact surface should be flat, apart from any openings in the form of holes, threads, or recesses for attaching the support unit to adapters and for inserting or screwing in support rods or insert shafts, which serve to position test pieces and support elements.Such contact rods or insertion shafts are precisely located by being inserted into the corresponding holes or recesses and can then no longer shift within the contact surface plane. This is because the geometries and clear cross-sections of the preformed insertion holes or recesses, on the one hand, and the geometries and cross-sections of a contact element or insertion shaft to be inserted into them, on the other, are coordinated in such a way that a permanent clamping force is established between the two elements. They then form unchanging reference points to which the measuring object can be moved parallel to the contact surface plane, thereby achieving precise positioning.By arranging several such holes or recesses in a grid, there are different options for positioning these contact rods or insert shafts, allowing an operator operating the respective measuring device to find an individually optimized positioning of the contact rods for each test object. Since such a support plate preferably has a low specific density, in particular a lower specific density than the test object itself, it is virtually transparent to X-rays or similar sources and thus hardly impairs the detection of the actual test object.

[0019] If the invention is used in the context of an examination or measurement using X-rays, the materials used for the components of the modular system used according to the invention, in particular for the support unit and / or for the contact rods, insert shafts and / or other contact elements, should have a smaller attenuation coefficient for the X-ray radiation generated by an X-ray source than the material of the workpiece to be examined itself. The X-ray attenuation coefficient of the material used for the components of the modular system used according to the invention should be at most half as large as the relevant attenuation coefficient of the material from which the workpiece to be examined is made, preferably at most one-fifth as large, particularly preferably only one-tenth as large.

[0020] Since in many cases the X-ray attenuation coefficient correlates with the specific density of a material, the invention aims to use materials with the lowest possible specific density for the modular system used in the invention. In this case, most test specimens will have a higher density than the modular components used in the invention, in particular the support unit and the contact elements. The latter will appear almost transparent on an X-ray image, and the test specimens will appear almost floating.

[0021] It has proven advantageous to provide at least one marking on at least one base side of the support plate to facilitate finding an optimal position for the measuring object. These markings are preferably neutral, i.e., independent of any product shape, and preferably in the form of simple geometric objects such as straight lines with a predetermined orientation, circles, squares, or triangles, etc. Of course, a line could also be provided with distance markings in the form of a length scale, or a circle with a graduation, etc.

[0022] The invention allows for a further development in which the marking comprises at least one or more concentric circles. Concentric circles allow for the central positioning of an object regardless of its size or dimensions.

[0023] If these circles are aligned with the center of the measuring area, e.g. the rotation axis of a computer tomograph, these circles indicate the reconstruction cylinder of the respective measuring device and allow a central positioning of a measuring object.

[0024] Furthermore, it is important to arrange the holes and markings in or on a support plate in such a way that they have a reference, in particular a centric reference, to a fixed point in the examination unit or in or on other objects, such as cross tables, guide carriages, reference points or centers of positioning devices, etc.

[0025] This makes it possible, in particular, to align the support plate such that the center of a circular marking thereon and / or the center of circularly arranged insertion holes is concentric with a measuring center of the measuring or examination unit or can be adjusted to this position.

[0026] With such alignment or adjustment to the measurement center of the examination device and / or to the axis of a manipulator in a CT, the circles arranged on a support plate mark the measurement field or a reconstruction cylinder of the measurement setup, and the test specimens can be easily centered or aligned centrally, saving time and effort. This can partially eliminate the need for expensive setup stations or setup tables for centering the specimens.

[0027] Even samples that need to be positioned centrally one above the other, especially for multiple measurements, can be easily centered this way. This is important when the test specimens rotate 360°, for example, during certain measurements, because all stacked samples should therefore be positioned centrally to this rotation axis.

[0028] It is within the scope of the invention for the marking to have at least one radial ray emanating from the center of the circle or of the concentric circles. Such a radial ray could, for example, mark the position of a corner of an object and thus serve to ensure repeatable, precise orientation of an object. Furthermore, such a ray could be provided with a length scale or with numbering of the various concentric circles.

[0029] The invention recommends that the marking comprise at least one straight line or at least a set of several parallel lines. Such lines can, for example, serve to define the edge of an object and thus determine its orientation in space.

[0030] The invention can be further developed such that the marking comprises two intersecting, straight lines or two sets of several parallel lines. This allows an edge of the measuring object to find a closely adjacent line for its parallel alignment, regardless of its exact position and size.

[0031] When the lines of different sets of lines intersect at right angles, a grid is created similar to the dividing lines between the squares of a chessboard. Such a marking allows two perpendicular edges of a rectangular object to be aligned with a line each, while simultaneously centering the object on the grid formed by the intersecting sets of lines.

[0032] One or more lines of the marking can be labeled with a name, such as a letter or number. This makes it particularly easy to count the lines or select a line from a set of lines to align the measuring object.

[0033] One or more lines or other markings can be provided with + / -X and + / -Y axes, as in coordinate technology.

[0034] Preferably, the insertion holes or insertion recesses are located at the intersections of two lines of different sets of markings. Then, the same distances between the lines of a set of lines can be used to create insertion holes or recesses at standardized positions. Furthermore, the individual insertion holes or recesses can then be more easily identified, especially by naming the countable names of the two sets of lines, for example, "A3" or "H7." In contrast to the well-known game of chess, it is not the individual squares that are named with letters or numbers, but rather the dividing lines between the squares, because this gives each intersection, and thus each insertion hole there, its own, unique designation.

[0035] The invention offers the possibility of arranging the insertion holes or recesses in a rectangular grid, a triangular or hexagonal grid, or a grid concentric with a center point. To clamp different measuring objects, different support plates can be provided, each with a different grid geometry, which can then be selected as needed. Furthermore, the front or top side, back side, and the back or bottom side can also be provided with grids of different geometries to allow for flexible use of each support plate.

[0036] It has proven advantageous for two or more insertion holes or insertion recesses to be connected by a linear marking, for example by one or more straight or circular lines.

[0037] Several marking lines can extend from at least one insertion hole or at least one insertion recess. Depending on the type of grid selected, two such marking lines may be aligned with each other, or they may not be aligned at the same insertion hole or insertion recess.

[0038] Several marking lines can intersect at a mortise hole or mortise recess, preferably at right angles.

[0039] According to the invention, it is further provided that at least one block- or plate-shaped support unit used has additional mounting elements in the form of mounting holes outside the grid for fastening or attaching a block- or plate-shaped support unit to / onto support rods or for fixing it to an adapter. This enables precise fixing of a support plate in a predetermined position, so that markings arranged on the support plate are not only predetermined relative to one another, but are also clearly located in space and thus, in particular, relative to the measuring device, so that the latter always finds measurement objects aligned to specific markings at the same measurement coordinates.

[0040] The invention is further characterized by an adapter for fixing at least one block- or plate-shaped support unit, which has a flat upper side which is inclined at an angle between 1° and 90° relative to the horizontal.

[0041] Such an adapter can have one or more elements for fastening support rods on or in its upper side, in particular such that the support rods attached thereto run perpendicular to the upper side of the adapter.

[0042] On the other hand, the longitudinal axes of the mounting holes in at least one block- or plate-shaped support unit can run perpendicular to the support surface of the support unit in question, or at an angle of inclination between 1° and 89°, preferably an angle of inclination between 2° and 30°, in particular an angle of inclination between 5° and 20°, which is oblique to the perpendicular to the support surface of the support unit.

[0043] The fact that the attachment holes extend completely through the support plate also makes it possible to move the support plate along the support rods passing through it, in particular to adjust the position of a support plate along the support rods. In order to find a standardized position, one or more support rods could also be provided with a scale running along their length. Through attachment holes also make it possible to arrange several support plates one above the other on the same support rods, to arrange them flexibly and thus to position several measuring objects one above the other at different heights and at adjustable distances. In this way, a measuring device could be moved by one level relative to the support plates after measuring an object in order to then measure the next object.

[0044] The mounting holes can penetrate the support plate vertically; however, the invention recommends that the mounting holes penetrate the support plate at an angle of inclination that is oblique to the perpendicular to the support plate, for example an angle of inclination between 1° and 85°, or between 1° and 60°, but also between 1° and 45°, preferably an angle of inclination between 2° and 30°, in particular an angle of inclination between 5° and 20°. If the support rods are aligned vertically, an angle of inclination of the mounting holes relative to the perpendicular to the plane of the support plate has the effect that the plane of an attached support plate does not run horizontally, but is inclined in a specific direction at precisely this angle of inclination.This, in turn, means that a measuring object resting on the support plate is subject to a downward force, which increases the greater the angle of inclination between the longitudinal axis of the mounting holes and the perpendicular to the plane of the support plate. If, for example, two support elements are positioned in mounting holes or recesses at approximately the same height along the inclined support plate, a measuring object placed above these two support elements is pressed against these two support elements by its downward force, thereby moving it into a precisely specified position and holding it there. This pressure can be reinforced by an additional support element to clamp a sample.

[0045] A further embodiment of the invention consists in mounting the support plates on an inclined adapter, which can have various shapes, such as rectangular, square, round, etc., instead of adjusting their inclination and position using support rods. Such an adapter can be made of the same or a similar material as the support units.

[0046] The adapter, with its predefined inclination, takes over the function of the support rods and mounting holes and adjusts the support plates to the desired inclination. The support plates can be mounted centrally on an adapter, e.g., by plugging, screwing, and / or gluing.

[0047] The adapter on which the support plate can be attached should have an oblique angle of inclination on its upper side, for example an angle of inclination between 1° and 85°, or between 1° and 60°, but also between 1° and 45°, preferably an angle of inclination between 2° and 30°, in particular an angle of inclination between 5° and 20°.

[0048] If the support plates are mounted on such an adapter with an inclined top surface, the angle of inclination of the top surface is transferred to the support plates mounted on it. This angle of inclination results in a measurement object resting on the support plate being subject to a downward force that increases the greater the angle of inclination of the adapter. If, for example, two support elements are positioned in insertion holes or recesses at approximately the same height along the inclined support plate, the downward force of a measurement object placed above these two support elements will be pressed against these two support elements by its downward force, thereby moving it into a precisely specified position and holding it there. This pressure can be reinforced by an additional support element in order to clamp a sample.

[0049] These mounting holes can be used to secure or screw a support plate to an adapter. The adapter should also be aligned with the center of the measuring unit.

[0050] In the adapter variant, the mounting holes or fastening holes should be arranged so as to penetrate the support plate vertically, in particular in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the mounting holes run parallel to the longitudinal axes of the insertion holes.

[0051] On the other hand, they do not have to penetrate a support plate completely, but can also be incorporated into it from opposite surfaces, i.e. in such a way that their longitudinal axes run antiparallel to each other.

[0052] Using an adapter allows for larger and thicker support plates. Such an adapter can be mounted on a mounting plate, on or by means of a cross table, or in some other way in a measuring or examination unit.

[0053] The modular system used according to the invention consists of at least one support unit for supporting the underside of a measuring object, as well as plug-in shafts which can be inserted into a support unit at predetermined locations and support the test object.

[0054] Furthermore, contact elements with recesses can be provided. Insertion shafts extend through these recesses of the contact elements and can be inserted into a support unit at specified locations; the contact elements held by these can then support the test specimen.

[0055] For a support unit, as well as for the other kit elements, materials with a low density should be used, such as aluminum, carbon, balsa wood, foamed materials, especially Rohacell.

[0056] A foamed material, such as "Rohacell," has proven to be a suitable support unit. This allows such a support unit to be easily attached to a support body with upwardly extending spikes, allowing the spikes to penetrate the foamed material of the support unit at any desired location or at specially prepared locations.

[0057] However, the support units should always be positioned as consistently as possible to ensure reproducible measurements. One way to secure a support unit with high repeatability is to provide it with predefined, coded holes on its underside, facing away from the test object. These holes fit precisely onto appropriately arranged positioning rods or onto a coded base plate equipped with appropriate pins or mandrels.

[0058] When using such coded mounting holes and a cross table that can be adjusted in two directions perpendicular to each other, round or symmetrical, especially rotationally symmetrical, parts or measurement objects only need to be centered in one direction, since such parts can already be centered using the grid holes. This simplifies the centering of such parts or measurement objects.

[0059] If the plates with identical test pieces are stacked on top of each other, the first one with the positioned and aligned test piece can be transferred or reproduced onto the other plates, allowing all parts to be stacked exactly on top of each other in the same position. This enables multiple scans with a minimal reconstruction cylinder, saving time through fewer reconstruction images and / or allowing for better resolution.

[0060] In the case of holes or coded holes, it is advantageous for foamed materials such as Rohacell to provide them with a perforated plate, a smooth perforated plate or a film with the coded holes on their underside, which makes it easier to find the specified holes in the support unit.

[0061] The insertion holes and / or the mounting holes in the support plate can have a round or polygonal cross-section, for example a circular, square, hexagonal or octagonal cross-section. One aspect for selecting the appropriate cross-section for insertion holes is whether or not the contact element to be inserted into them should be able to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the insertion hole. If a repeatable, precise alignment of a contact element is desired, a polygonal cross-section would be preferable to a circular cross-section for a single insertion or mounting hole, so that relative rotation to a part to be connected is ruled out. If several insertion or mounting holes are used together to connect to / with another part, a repeatable, precise alignment is also guaranteed when using insertion or mounting holes with a round cross-section.

[0062] The invention can be further developed in that the contact elements or retaining rods that can be inserted into the insertion holes and / or the insertion holes in the support plate have a shaft with a constant cross-section that is complementary to an insertion hole and / or an insertion hole. In this case, on the one hand, maximum surface contact is possible between an insertion or insertion hole and a contact element or retaining rod received therein. On the other hand, a non-rotatable orientation can be achieved with a polygonal cross-section, whereby only a few discrete orientations are permitted for the contact element relative to the support plate or the support plate relative to the retaining rod.

[0063] One or more insertion holes and / or attachment holes in the support unit can each be provided with an internal thread and insertable contact elements or holding rods or mounting elements of an adapter can have a threaded shaft with a thread matching the internal thread of an insertion hole and / or attachment hole.

[0064] Alternatively, it is also possible for contact elements or holding rods that can be inserted into the insertion holes and / or the attachment holes in the support plate to have a shaft with a cross-section that differs from the respective insertion hole or attachment hole. This reduces the contact area between the hole in question and the shaft accommodated therein, whereby the friction between the shaft and the hole can be adjusted or specified. The friction should be adjusted in such a way that, on the one hand, the sliding friction is as low as possible so that insertion or insertion is relatively easy and without jamming; on the other hand, the static friction should be as high as possible so that the connection is as tight as possible when inserted or attached and nothing slips over time.A shaft is considered an elongated part of the element in question, preferably with a constant cross-section, as is particularly the case with a profile, a stem, or a pin. However, this does not dictate a specific cross-sectional shape; it therefore does not have to be circular, but could also be polygonal, for example.

[0065] The invention particularly recommends a design such that an insertion or insertion hole has a circular cross-section and the shaft of a contact element or holding rod that can be inserted into it has a polygonal cross-section, or vice versa. In the case of a circular hole for the shaft of an insertion element, its polygonal cross-section is surrounded by the circular cross-section of the hole on the outside, whereas the cross-section of a polygonal hole surrounds the circular cross-section of an inserted element on the outside. If the element with a polygonal cross-section is on the inside, its outwardly projecting edges rest against the hollow cylindrical surface of the hole; if, on the other hand, the element with a polygonal cross-section is on the outside, it rests against the cylindrical surface in the region of the centers of its sides. In both cases, pockets are formed between two contact areas where both surfaces are lifted away from each other and therefore friction is zero.

[0066] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that a contact element has a contact area and an insertion shaft projecting away from it. While the cross-section of the insertion shaft is determined exclusively by the dimensions of the insertion hole provided for its reception, the shape and in particular the cross-section of the contact area depends primarily on the properties of the measurement object to be fixed with it. The contact area can have a constant cross-section along its height, i.e. its distance from the insertion shaft, but this is not mandatory. The circumference of the contact area could, for example, also have a doubly convex shape, similar to a sphere or a torus.In addition, the basic shape of the contact area can be curved outwards, for example egg-shaped, elliptical or rotationally symmetrical, but a polygonal or prismatic cross-section is also conceivable; as is a combination of different cross-sections along the circumference.

[0067] Further advantages arise from the fact that the contact area is formed by the circumference of a disc-shaped area of ​​the contact element, or a disc-shaped area that is extended relative to the insertion shaft. The shape of the circumference of the disc-shaped contact area can be designed according to various requirements.

[0068] In particular, the insertion shaft can be arranged eccentrically to the contact area or to part or the entire circumference of the disc-shaped area. This is possible with a disc-shaped contact area with a rotationally symmetrical circumference in that the axes of rotation of the insertion shaft and the contact area are not coaxial with one another; with an oval, egg-shaped, or otherwise asymmetrical shape, a part of the circumference always runs eccentrically with the remaining part of the circumference, i.e., the centers of the radii of curvature of all areas do not coincide, but are eccentric in relation to one another, and thus cannot all be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the insertion shaft.

[0069] If an insertion shaft, contact rod or other contact element and / or a holding rod is made of a material whose specific density is 3 kg / dm 3 or less, for example 2.75 kg / dm 3 or less, preferably 2.5 kg / dm 3 or less, preferably 2.25 kg / dm 3 or less, in particular 2 kg / dm 3 or less, it is perceived as less disruptive in an X-ray image than a contact element or holding rod with a higher density. Furthermore, with precise knowledge of the position and orientation of a contact element or holding rod, i.e. in particular due to positionally standardized mounting or insertion holes, as well as knowledge of the shape and dimensions of the element in question, it is possible to identify these elements in an X-ray image or similar image and to mask them out or retouch them.These requirements can be met, for example, by aluminum, whose density is usually 2.7 kg / dm 3<, but also by carbon with a density of approximately 1.8 kg / dm 3<.

[0070] On the other hand, support plates or blocks, insert shafts, contact rods or other contact elements, but possibly also holding rods, can be made from a material with a lower density, for example with a specific density of 1.5 kg / dm 3< or less, preferably 1 kg / dm 3< or less, preferably 0.6 kg / dm 3< or less, in particular 0.4 kg / dm 3< or less, by using, for example, balsa wood, the density of which is usually in a range from 40 g / dm 3< to 340 g / dm 3<, or aluminum foam, the density of which is usually in a range from 140 g / dm 3< to 500 g / dm 3<. Also suitable are foamed plastics, in particular rigid foams, whose densities are usually even below 120 g / dm 3<, e.g. at about 6.5 to 50 g / dm 3< (polystyrene foam, EPS, XPS), at about 30 to 90 g / dm 3< (polyurethane foam), or at about 30 to 110 g / dm 3< (polymethacrylimide, Rohacell).

[0071] A plug-in shaft and / or support rod can be made of solid material, especially if it is made of a material with a very low density such as aluminum, plastic, in particular foamed materials such as Styrofoam, Styrodur or Rohacell, or balsa wood.

[0072] When using a geometry with high stability, a support element can also be made from a blank of paper or a woven fiber or carbon roving, especially if the objects to be measured are relatively light. A geometry with high stability would be, for example, a conical shape, which maintains its structural integrity through its connection to a rear, for example, cylindrical, insertion shaft.

[0073] Following a corresponding inventive concept, an insertable shaft, support rod, or holding rod can also be designed as a tube, for example, made of aluminum or a woven fiber or carbon roving. In this case, stability results primarily from the combination of a sufficiently rigid material with the high rigidity of a tubular structure.

[0074] If a support rod is tapered at its upper end, for example, conically or truncated, it makes it easier to attach one or more support plates. However, the actual shaft of the support rod should be as cylindrical or prismatic as possible, i.e., with a consistent cross-section, so that a support plate positioned there does not slip due to sufficient static friction.

[0075] On the other hand, a support rod can be provided with a thread at its lower end, preferably an external thread or an internal thread. Such a thread allows the support rod in question to be fixed to a complementary threaded element.

[0076] In the case of a solid support rod, a special design at its upper and / or lower end can be or become molded directly into the material of the support rod in question. However, to create a taper or a special, e.g., conical or spherical design of the free upper end, or to create a thread at the lower end of a tubular or otherwise hollow support rod, the invention recommends that an element provided with a taper or other design and / or with a thread be fixed to the upper and / or lower end of the support rod, for example, inserted, screwed, or glued into a recess in the support rod.

[0077] A preferred embodiment of the invention is further characterized in that several support rods are fixed or can be fixed, preferably screwed, inserted, or glued, to a common base plate or other common base element, in particular also to an adapter with an inclined upper side. A sufficiently rigid, preferably plate-shaped base element ensures permanent mutual alignment of several support rods, so that the support plates can always be attached smoothly.

[0078] Such a base plate can in turn be fixed or fixable to a mounting plate or to another connecting element of a measuring device.

[0079] It is also advantageous if the base plate is equipped with one or more magnets on its underside. This has the advantage that the base plate can be mounted on magnetic surfaces. The base plate can be placed on a mounting surface and moved along it to align, position, and / or center the parts or measurement objects to be examined, especially in conjunction with a cross table.

[0080] This base plate can be attached directly to the examination unit, preferably with one or more adapters, or positioned on its own with various aids.

[0081] The support rods should be attached to a base element or base plate in such a way that they are parallel to each other. This allows the support plates to be easily moved toward the support rods.

[0082] Furthermore, the invention recommends that the support rods are fixed to a base element or a base plate in such a way that their longitudinal direction is oriented vertically, so that upon vertical displacement of a support plate, its horizontal position does not change; when using an adapter with an inclined upper side, they can also be fixed in such a way that their longitudinal axes are perpendicular to the inclined upper side of the adapter in question.

[0083] A further preferred feature of the invention is that the retaining rods are attached to a base element or base plate in the same grid or at the same spacing as the mounting holes in a support plate. This ensures smooth mounting because each mounting hole in a support plate can then be aligned with a respective retaining rod.

[0084] According to the invention, several support plates can be placed one above the other on the same support rods at the same time, creating a support structure with multiple levels, with at least one measurement object being able to be placed on each level. If the individual support plates are each at predetermined heights, the measuring device can be programmed such that, after the measurement of a measurement object has been completed, it is moved by the height of a set level relative to the support structure used according to the invention, and the measurement can then be continued on the next measurement object. If a measuring device is equipped with such an automatic adjustment option, in particular with movable axes and / or with a lifting table, this makes it possible for it to operate fully automatically for several hours or even overnight with a support structure fully loaded with measurement objects.This may make it possible to save on staff for a night shift and increase the utilization of the very expensive system.

[0085] If identically gridded support plates with identical test pieces are stacked on top of each other, the settings on the first gridded support plate, in particular how it is equipped with holding rods, contact elements and with the positioned and aligned test piece(s), can be transferred or reproduced on the other identically gridded support plates and thus corresponding parts or test pieces can be stacked exactly on top of each other at corresponding horizontal positions.

[0086] Furthermore, it is possible for the support rods to be fixed to a base plate in a coded arrangement, in which the mounting holes are also provided in the preferably block- or plate-shaped support unit, such that mounting is only possible in a very specific relative orientation.

[0087] Further following this inventive idea, the invention provides that a preferably block- or plate-shaped support unit and / or a matching adapter is provided on a lower or rear side with a template, in particular made of a closed, i.e. non-foamed material, e.g. of a film, a plastic or a layer of balsa wood, which is preferably only interrupted at the attachment holes and therefore only allows the preferably block- or plate-shaped support unit to be attached to the holding rods provided for this purpose in exactly one predetermined position and orientation.

[0088] Finally, it is in accordance with the teaching of the invention to provide fixing elements, in particular ring-shaped fixing elements, on a holding rod for the purpose of supporting and / or fixing a support plate. These can be clamped to a holding rod directly beneath each support plate, for example by means of clamping screws. This can also be achieved by having a fixing element that is ring-shaped but has a continuous slot, wherein the width of the slot can be varied by at least one screw penetrating two opposing radial surfaces in the region of the slot. If the slot width is reduced in this way, the clear cross-section within the ring is also reduced, and the fixing element is clamped in the relevant position to the gripped holding rod.

[0089] Further features, details, advantages, and effects based on the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and from the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a support plate used in accordance with the invention in plan view; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a support plate used in accordance with the invention in one of the Fig. 1 corresponding view; Fig. 3. another embodiment of a device used according to the invention in a perspective view, partially assembled; Fig. 4 the device according to Fig. 3 in a fully assembled state, in a perspective side view; Fig. 5 a detail from Fig. 4in an enlarged view; Fig. 6 a further modified embodiment in a perspective view approximately perpendicular to the support plate used; Fig. 7 a further modified embodiment in a perspective view similar to the Fig. 3 and 6 ; and Fig. 8 various support elements and other aids for positioning a workpiece to be measured on a support plate.

[0090] The core of a device 1 used according to the invention is formed by a support unit 2, 2' in the form of a support block or a support plate, on which one or more measurement objects 3 to be measured and / or examined can be placed within the framework of a measuring and / or examination device, e.g. for carrying out an X-ray or a computer tomography examination.

[0091] The Figures 1 and 2The support blocks or support plates, ie support units 2, 2', shown as examples in the plan view of their upper side 4, 4', each have a constant thickness and preferably a rectangular circumference 5, 5'; however, other circumference shapes are also conceivable, such as a wedge-shaped shape with varying thickness, and / or a circular or elliptical or polygonal circumference. As the Figures 1 and 2As shown further, the end edges 6, 6' running perpendicular to the upper side 4, 4' can be rounded. The support units 2, 2' can have any desired peripheral shape and thickness. In this patent application, the term "support unit" is sometimes used instead of the term "support plate"; however, this is intended to be used representatively for both plate-shaped support elements and for differently designed support elements, for example in block or wedge form, etc. However, for space-saving fixation, for example by plugging or sliding onto support rods, adapter blocks, or the like, a plate shape is preferred, at least for reasons of the minimal space required in the vertical direction.

[0092] The support plate 2, 2' has in its flat upper side 4, 4' several insertion holes 7, 7', which preferably pass completely through the support plate 2, 2'.

[0093] It can also be seen that the arrangement of the insertion holes 7, 7' follows a regular pattern, so that the position of each insertion hole 7, 7' is precisely specified. The illustrated embodiments involve a two-dimensional grid, in particular a grid with columns and rows and a square basic cell 8', which is placed several times seamlessly next to one another and thus repeats several times in each column and row. At each corner 9' of each basic cell 8', there is an insertion hole 7'.

[0094] While this grid with a square basic cell 8' is reminiscent of the fields on the board of a chess game, a grid could also be developed from a three-dimensional basic cell, where one could imagine, for example, that the grid consists of Fig. 2In addition to the horizontal and vertical lines 10', 11', it is also crossed by lines running in a diagonal direction, which connect corners 9' lying in a diagonal row.

[0095] While in the grid described above with a triangular basic cell, this basic cell triangle is right-angled and isosceles, it is also possible to develop a grid from a triangular, equilateral basic cell, which is repeatedly placed next to each other, similar to the game board of the so-called Halma game.

[0096] Six such basic cell triangles share a common corner. If these six equilateral basic cell triangles, which converge at a common corner, are combined to form a hexagon, the shared corner disappears, resulting in a basic cell hexagon, which can be lined up and joined seamlessly to form the familiar hexagonal honeycomb pattern.

[0097] Another grid is based on concentric circles 12', which are Fig. 2 are marked and cluster around a common center 13'.

[0098] It is advantageous if this common center 13', which does not always have to be provided with a bore, as well as the insertion holes 7 and markings 12 in the support unit 2, are arranged in such a coordinated manner that they have a reference, in particular a centric reference, to a fixed point in the examination unit or in or to other objects, such as in a cross table, to a reference point or center point of a positioning device, etc.

[0099] If these are aligned, for example, to the center point or an axis of the manipulator in a CT, the applied circles 12 mark the measurement field or a reconstruction cylinder, and the test specimens can be positioned centrally or centrically, thus eliminating the need for subsequent corrections. This may eliminate the need for expensive setup stations or setup tables for centering the specimens.

[0100] Such a set of circular lines 12', which facilitates or is helpful in positioning round parts, could be supplemented by a set of rays radiating in a star shape from this very center 13' to form a two-dimensional grid with intersection points between the different sets of lines, each of which marks the location of an insertion hole 7'.

[0101] In the arrangement according to Fig. 2 However, the set of circular lines 12' is instead combined with a grid of horizontal and vertical lines 10', 11'.

[0102] How to Fig. 2 As can be seen further, individual lines 10', 11' of a line set can be marked, for example, by different symbols. Fig. 2The horizontal lines 10' are numbered with consecutive numbers, and the vertical lines 11' with letters arranged alphabetically. Therefore, each intersection point of this grid, and thus also the insertion hole 7' located there, can be assigned a unique combination of a number and a letter as coordinates. For example, the insertion hole 7' in the center 13' has the coordinates G7 or 7G. When using different symbols such as letters and numbers, their order can be chosen arbitrarily. A wide variety of markings can be used: However, care should be taken to avoid confusion as much as possible.

[0103] The grid-like insertion holes 7, 7' are primarily used for inserting insertion shafts 19 of support rods or elements 14, against which the measurement object(s) 3 to be examined can be leaned, as well as for fixing and / or holding support elements 14, which can be used to align one or more measurement objects 3 placed on the support plate 2, 2'. These support elements 14, as well as the aforementioned insertion shafts 19, are described in more detail below.

[0104] In Fig. 1 It can further be seen that a support plate 2, 2' can have, in addition to the grid-shaped insertion holes 7, 7', so-called insertion holes 15, which serve to attach the respective support plate 2, 2' onto one of several, preferably approximately vertically projecting holding rods 16.

[0105] For this purpose, the cross sections or diameters of the attachment holes 15 can be adapted to the cross section or diameter of a holding rod 16, while the cross sections or diameters of the insertion holes 7, 7' are adapted to the cross section or diameter of an insertion shaft 19.

[0106] It is particularly advantageous if the diameters of the insertion holes 7, 7' are always slightly smaller than the diameter of the insertion shafts 19, 19' to be accommodated therein. This achieves a constant clamping effect, a frictional force between the two elements 7, 7'; 19, 19'.

[0107] This clamping effect ensures a play-free contact between the respective support element 2, 2' and the insertion shafts 19, 19', which is not only very important for a precise examination of the measuring objects 3, but is actually a prerequisite.

[0108] If this clamping effect or frictional force is insufficient, the insertion holes can also be designed as screw threads, into which screws can be screwed instead of inserting insert shafts. This technique not only allows the contact elements 14, 14' to be fixed to the support units 2, 2', but also allows the latter to be connected to the retaining rods 16.

[0109] An advantage of smaller insertion holes 7, 7', 29 is that the resulting frictional connection can be used for holding.

[0110] Preferably, however, there are further differences between the insertion holes 7, 7' and the attachment holes 15: The attachment holes 15 completely penetrate the support plate 2, 2', whereas this is not necessary for the insertion holes 7, 7'; rather, the latter can also be designed as blind holes.

[0111] It should be particularly emphasized, however, that the insertion holes 7, 7' should perpendicularly penetrate the flat upper surface 4, 4' of the respective support plate 2, 2', whereas this is not necessary for the attachment holes 15. Moreover, the attachment holes 15 should, in fact, enclose an intermediate angle other than zero with the perpendicular to the flat upper surface 4, 4' of the respective support plate 2, 2', for example, an intermediate angle of 1° to 85°, or of 1° to 45°, or of 2° to 30°, or of 5° to 20°, or of 10° to 15°. This intermediate angle should be the same size and in the same direction for all attachment holes 15 on each support plate, so that the longitudinal axes of all attachment holes 15 are parallel to one another.Although the mounting holes 15 of a support plate 2, 2' can also have other intermediate angles, these should then be matched to the orientation and / or position of the holding rods 16.

[0112] Another way to position the support plates at the angles mentioned above, which are not in the Fig. 1shown, comprises at least one adapter, the upper side of which is inclined at the above-mentioned angle to the horizontal. Such adapters can have different shapes. Square, rectangular or cylindrical adapters, which can be fastened by their underside in a variety of ways, have proven particularly suitable. On their upper side, these have mounting devices matched to the support plates 2 in order to then mount these on the respective adapter. With this form of fastening of the support plates 2 on such adapters with inclined upper sides, it is advantageous if the longitudinal axes of the fastening holes there run perpendicular to the upper side of the respective adapter.

[0113] Another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawing, allows for a flexible, adjustable angle of inclination of the support plate 2. For this purpose, the mounting holes 15 can be designed as elongated holes and / or slots. It is recommended to match the width of the elongated holes and / or slots, as well as their relative positions, to the respective diameters and relative positions of the support rods 16 on the base plate.

[0114] The use of slots also allows the support plate to be inserted, as the support rods must always be inserted into the mounting holes and elongated holes.

[0115] It is advantageous to always dimension the mounting holes 15, elongated holes and slots to be slightly smaller in width than the diameter of a holding rod 16. This achieves a constant clamping effect or frictional force between the two elements, which, depending on the weight of the measuring object 3 to be examined, can be sufficient to support it.

[0116] This clamping effect between the holding rods 16 and the respective mounting holes 15 also ensures a play-free contact, which is very important and practically a prerequisite for the examination of the samples or measuring objects 3.

[0117] If this clamping effect or frictional force is not sufficient to maintain the position of a support plate, it can be supported and held by attaching the fixing elements 26 mentioned above.

[0118] Accordingly, on the one hand, the longitudinal axes of all insertion holes 7, 7' of a support plate 2, 2' should be parallel to each other, and the longitudinal axes of all insertion holes 15 should also be parallel to each other; however, this does not apply to a pair of insertion and insertion holes 7, 7', 15 - these do not have to be parallel to each other, although this is also possible.

[0119] The purpose and a further aspect of a non-zero intermediate angle between the longitudinal axis of a mounting hole 15 with respect to the perpendicular to the flat upper side 4, 4' of a support plate 2, 2' is that the examination of a measuring object 3 is thereby carried out under a corresponding inclination, which, due to the components and the geometry of the measuring object 3 to be examined, can represent an advantageous orientation and have a positive effect on the results.

[0120] The purpose of the non-zero intermediate angle of the longitudinal axis of a mounting hole 15 with respect to the perpendicular to the flat upper side 4, 4' of a support plate 2, 2' is that after mounting on the preferably vertically projecting support rods 16, an inclined orientation of the respective support plate 2, 2' results, as can be seen in Fig. 4 can be seen. As a result, the measuring objects 3 placed on such an inclined support plate 2, 2' experience a slope force which presses them against contact elements 14 inserted into the insertion holes 7, 7' of the respective support plate 2, 2', thus automatically adjusting them.

[0121] In the Figures 1 and 2Both the insertion holes 7, 7' and the mounting holes 15 each have a circular cross-section. In particular, the circular cross-section of the mounting hole 15, through which the longitudinal axis of a mounting hole 15 passes perpendicularly, can be adapted to the likewise circular cross-section of a support rod 16.

[0122] It is advantageous to always dimension the mounting holes 15, elongated holes and slots somewhat smaller in terms of their respective width than the diameter of a holding rod 16. This achieves a constant clamping effect, ie a frictional force between the two elements, which, depending on the weight of a measuring object 3 to be examined, can be sufficient to support it.

[0123] This clamping effect can also ensure a play-free contact, which is very important for the examination of the samples and is usually a prerequisite.

[0124] However, if this clamping effect or frictional force is not sufficient to maintain the position of the support plates 2, 2', it can be increased by attaching the fixing elements 26 already mentioned.

[0125] Depending on the desired frictional force between these elements 15, 16, the diameter of such a mounting hole 15 can also be selected smaller than the outer diameter of a support rod 16, particularly if the respective support plate 2, 2' is made of an at least slightly elastic material, so that the respective mounting hole 15 can expand slightly when mounted on a support rod 16. The resulting elastic restoring force results in a contact pressure between the mounting hole 15 and the support rod 16, which increases the frictional force.

[0126] The same can also apply to the insertion holes 7, 7'.

[0127] A similar effect occurs when the mounting holes 15 are offset to one side of the support plate 2, 2'. The asymmetrical weight distribution of the support plate 2, 2' relative to the connecting line of these mounting holes 15 results in a tilting moment, which tends to move the support plate 2, 2' from its original horizontal position or from its position inclined by the intermediate angle of the mounting holes 15 relative to the perpendicular to the top side 4, 4' of the support plate 2, 2' to a steeper position. Such a tilting moment results in a clamping effect in the area between the mounting holes 15 and the retaining rods 16, which further increases the frictional force there.

[0128] This frictional force should be sufficient to hold the support plate 2, 2' together with the measuring object 3, 3' to be examined fixed thereon to the holding rods 16.

[0129] Conversely, for insertion and mounting holes 7, 7', 15, the cross-section can also be provided not as circular, but, for example, as polygonal. This allows the contact area with the insertable element to be reduced if pockets or spatially limited gaps are formed along the circumference between an insertable element with a circular cross-section and an insertion and mounting hole 7, 7', 15 with a different, for example, polygonal, cross-section.

[0130] Finally, there is also the possibility that the insertion or insertion holes 7, 7', 15 have a circular cross-section, but the respective element to be inserted, i.e., a contact element 14 or a support rod 16, has a non-circular, particularly polygonal, cross-section. This also creates pockets or spatially limited gaps, so that friction can be reduced without creating play that could impair positioning accuracy.

[0131] In Fig. 3Two exemplary contact elements 14 are shown. These are divided into several sections. The central component is a disc-shaped section 17, which in the example shown has a circular base and a constant thickness. Such a contact element is preferably made of a material with a low specific density so that it does not protrude in an obstructive manner, for example, during an X-ray measurement. The preferred densities for this purpose have already been described; contact elements can be made of, for example, Rohacell, aluminum, plastic, as well as foamed materials, Styrofoam, Styrodur, etc., or balsa wood.

[0132] Eccentrically to the center of its circular circumference 18, the disc-shaped section 17 has a shaft 19 projecting perpendicular to the disc plane, which protrudes beyond the disc-shaped section 17 on one or both base sides 20. In the illustrated embodiment, this shaft 19 protrudes on both sides 20; however, the shaft section projecting below is in Fig. 3 not visible because it is inserted into a recess 7 of the support plate 2. The shaft section 19 projecting above can be used as a small handle to position or rotate the contact element 14.

[0133] In Fig. 3It can be seen that after the support plate 2 has been placed on at least two support rods 16, a measuring object 3 can be placed on the then slightly inclined support plate 2. Using, for example, circular marking lines 12' or other markings, it can be achieved that the measuring object 3 is located as precisely as possible on the center 13' of the support plate 2, which in turn can or should be aligned with the measuring center of the measuring and examination unit.

[0134] If this has not already been done previously, two contact elements 14 can now be fixed to suitable insertion holes 7, 7' so that the measuring object 3 cannot slip off the inclined support plate 2.

[0135] Due to their eccentricity, it is then possible to rotate the contact elements 14 in their insertion holes 7, 7' such that they just come into contact with the measuring object 3 without displacing it from its desired, for example, central position; by rotating such eccentric contact elements 14, it is also possible to center a measuring object 3 on the support unit 2.

[0136] In Fig. 3It can also be seen how the holding rods 16 are themselves fixed. For this purpose, they are provided at their lower ends with a fixing device, preferably with a thread, in particular an external thread. In the case of a solid holding rod 16 made of, for example, aluminum, this external thread can be cut directly into the rod. If the holding rod 16 in question is tubular, for example made of a carbon fiber fabric, the thread can be incorporated into a solid part 21 that can be connected to the holding rod 16. This solid part 21 can either be inserted into the tubular holding rod 16 and fixed therein, for example by adhesive, or it can itself have a blind hole on the top, so that the holding rod 16 can be inserted therein like a sleeve and then fixed, for example by means of adhesive.

[0137] The actual fixation is provided by a base plate 22, which is preferably made of metal, aluminum, plastic, carbon, or a similarly dimensionally stable material. This base plate 22 has insertion openings 23 at several locations, which are preferably provided with an internal thread, so that a support rod 16 can be screwed into them with its thread on the underside.

[0138] Another way to mount a support rod 16 on the base plate 22 is to insert screws through holes in the underside of the base plate and then screw these into the threaded undersides of the support rods 16 and tighten them.

[0139] It is important to ensure that the distance between two insertion openings 23 corresponds to the distance between two plug-in openings 15 of a support plate 2, 2', so that the distance between the holding rods 16 corresponds exactly to the distance between the plug-in openings 15 and a support plate 2, 2' can be plugged onto several holding rods 16 at the same time without any problems.

[0140] As in. Fig. 3 As can be further seen, the base plate 22 can be arranged on a cross table 24, or connected or integrated with a cross table 24, so that its horizontal position can be adjusted in one or preferably two directions.

[0141] In this case, the position of the insertion holes 15 on a support plate 2 and the position of the holding rods 16 on a base plate and / or opposite a cross table should be predetermined in such a way, and circular markings, for example the circular lines 12, as well as insertion holes 7 possibly arranged on such a circular line 12 should be arranged around a reference or center point in such a way that this reference or center point can be set to the measuring center point of the measuring or examination unit.

[0142] It is advantageous to provide the base plate 22 with magnets on its underside. This has the advantage that the base plate 22 can be designed as the upper carriage of a cross table, as disclosed in the inventor's patent EP 3257621, or integrated therewith. However, it also enables mounting on / to magnetic surfaces, or placement and displacement, in order to align, position, and / or center the measurement object(s) 3 to be examined for the examination.

[0143] With coded holes and the use of the cross table, round or symmetrical parts only need to be centered in one direction, as these parts can already be centered using the grid holes. This simplifies centering.

[0144] In the case of holes or coded holes, with foamed materials, especially foamed blocks or sheets such as Rohacell, it is possible to mount them with a perforated plate, smooth perforated plate or a film with the coded holes on the underside, which makes it easier to find the predetermined holes in the support unit.

[0145] The cross table 24, in turn, can be fixed to a mounting plate 25 or to another adapter of a measuring device not shown in the drawing.

[0146] The Figures 4 and 5 The arrangement reproduced differs from the arrangement according to Fig. 3 especially because here three holding rods 16 are fixed to the base plate 22, namely at three insertion openings 23, which are located at the corners of a triangle and therefore not in a common alignment.

[0147] Even when using only two support rods 16, several support plates 2, 2' can be placed one above the other and arranged

[0148] A plurality of support plates 2, 2' are then placed one above the other on these at least two to three support rods 16, in such a way that their base planes are inclined relative to the horizontal. As already explained above, this inclination is a result of the angle of inclination of the longitudinal axes of the mounting holes 15 in the support plates 2, 2', which do not penetrate the upper side 4, 4' of the respective support plate 2, 2' exactly perpendicularly.

[0149] When using only two holding rods 16, a tilting effect occurs with inclined support plates 2, 2', ie a tilting moment which results in an increased clamping effect in the area between the mounting holes 15 and the holding rods 16, whereby the frictional force there is considerably increased.

[0150] It can also be seen that the individual support plates 2, 2' are fixed at certain heights along the support rods 16.

[0151] On the one hand, the inherent frictional force of a mounting hole 15 in a support plate 2, 2' that is too narrow, ie designed in the manner of a press fit, could serve for this purpose, so that the support plates 2, 2' can be fixed in a frictionally engaged manner at any height.

[0152] On the other hand, it is also possible to achieve this by means of annular fixing elements 26, each of which comprises a holding rod 16 directly beneath a support plate 2, 2' and is fixed thereto, for example by means of clamping screws (not shown).

[0153] For this purpose, a clamping screw can either be screwed radially into an annular fixing element 26 until its free end is pressed radially against the encompassed holding rod 16, or an annular fixing element 26 is provided with a continuous, gap-shaped slot transverse to its base plane, and by means of a clamping screw which passes through one of the two ring ends and can be screwed into the other ring end, the two ring ends are pulled together, whereby the clear cross-section within the annular fixing element 26 is reduced and this is clamped to the holding rod 16 at the relevant height.

[0154] If support plates 2 with the same arrangement of the mounting holes are used and the support plates 2 with the same test pieces are stacked vertically on top of each other, the first gridded support plate 2, which is equipped with holding rods 16, contact elements 14 and with the positioned and aligned test piece(s), can be transferred or reproduced onto the other support plates 2 with the same grid and can thus stack corresponding parts or test pieces exactly on top of each other at the same horizontal position.

[0155] How Fig. 4 shows, each support plate 2, 2' can support at least one measuring object 3, so that an arrangement with several levels is obtained, wherein at least one measuring object 3 with the same or different geometry can be placed on each level.

[0156] When using a measuring device whose mounting plate 25 or other adapter or holder can be moved in a defined vertical direction, for example by means of a servo or stepper motor, the entire arrangement can then be moved in the vertical direction after completion of a measurement until the next measurement object 3 is located at a predetermined position and can be measured.

[0157] In the upper area of Fig. 4 It can also be seen that with an arrangement used according to the invention, not only flat measurement objects 3 can be fixed, but also elongated measurement objects 3', which must be held in an approximately vertical orientation. For this purpose, other adapters and / or positioning aids and / or contact elements 27 can also be attached to the support rods 16, which can also have a plate shape, but can preferably be smaller than the other support plates 2, 2'.

[0158] Furthermore, it is possible to provide support plates 2, 2' for this purpose, which have a through-hole of appropriate size for inserting an upright measuring object 3' through. Such a measuring object 3' can then either be leaned against the inner edge of such a through-hole, or it can be additionally fixed with special support elements.

[0159] For this purpose, for example, elongated or extended contact elements 14' are suitable, one of which is Fig. 4can be seen on the second lowest support plate 2, 2'. Such an elongated contact element 14' can have two or more insertion holes 29, 29', which are coordinated with the insertion holes 7, 7' of the support unit 2, 2' with regard to their relative arrangement, so that such a contact element 14' can be fixed to the respective support unit 2, 2' by means of two insertion shafts 19, 19' extending through aligned insertion holes 7, 7', and could, for example, be used for additional fixation of a measuring object 3' in a through-hole.

[0160] Finally, in Fig. 6 another embodiment of a device 1" used according to the invention can be seen. The support plate 2" there is similar to the support plate 2' from Fig. 2However, not all of the insertion or attachment holes 7", 15" are located solely in the top side 4" of the support plate 2". Rather, some attachment holes 15" are also located in an end face 28, and their longitudinal axes are relatively slightly inclined relative to the plate base plane or the plate top side 4", i.e., in particular, by an angle of less than 90°. As a result, the top side 4" of such a support plate 2" attached to vertically aligned support rods 16" is relatively steeply inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0161] In order to reliably stabilize such a steep inclination within the relatively narrow plate end face 28, it is additionally provided to provide, instead of a few thick support rods 16, several thin, in particular mandrel-like support rods 16", which can be fixed in a base plate 22", for example cast in, glued in or screwed in.

[0162] While in the preceding embodiments, the mounting holes 15 preferably have a larger diameter than the insertion holes 7, 7', this may be different in the following embodiment. Here, the diameter of a mounting hole 15" may also correspond to the diameter of an insertion hole 7" of the respective support plate 2" or may even be smaller than the latter.

[0163] The holding and positioning device 1 (3)< according to Fig. 7 differs from that in Fig. 6 The device 1" shown is distinguished primarily by the fact that a support block 2 (3)< is used instead of a support plate 2". As can be seen, such a support block 2 (3)< can have very different geometries, e.g., a more cube- or cuboid-shaped geometry, or even a desk-shaped geometry, where the top is not parallel to the bottom, etc.

[0164] In the present example, the retaining pins 16 (3)< also have a somewhat mandrel-like geometry, similar to the retaining pins 16" from Fig. 6 . As there, in this embodiment too the mounting holes do not have to be continuous, but end bluntly within the respective support block 2 (3)< .

[0165] Such a support block 2 (3)< can also be used as an adapter block for holding other support plates 2, for example by fixing, in particular inserting, holding rods 16 thereto.

[0166] Such support blocks 2 (3)< or adapter blocks are preferably flat on their underside 26, ie planar, and can be mounted on holding devices or base plates. Fig. 7Such a support block 2 (3)< or adapter block is plugged or mounted onto a coded mandrel plate. This mandrel plate is preferably in turn fixed to a mounting plate of a cross table. However, support or adapter blocks 2 (3)< used according to the invention can also be positioned or fixed in a measuring or examination device in other ways.

[0167] The upper side of such a support or adapter block 2 (3) should have predetermined properties, such as an inclination between 0° and 90°, and should also be provided with mounting holes 15 for support rods 16 and / or with markings, as previously described for support plates 2. The support plates 2 can be mounted on adapter blocks 2 (3) with different inclinations.

[0168] This design allows the use of larger and thicker and therefore more load-bearing support plates 2.

[0169] In conjunction with a load-bearing support or adapter block 2 (3)<, larger and / or higher test specimens can also be positioned and held or supported, for example, by means of contact or holding rods 16.

[0170] In a further, not shown embodiment of the invention, the support plates 2 can be adjusted to their desired inclination and position by using a support or adapter block 2 (3) with an inclined top surface. Such a support or adapter block 2 (3) can have different base areas, such as rectangular, square, round, etc., and such adapter blocks 2 (3) are preferably also made of a low-density material, like the support units 2 themselves.

[0171] Such an adapter block 2 (3)< can, due to the predetermined inclination of its upper side, also assume the task of inclining the support units 2, which is otherwise achieved by the interaction of the support rods 16 with inclined mounting holes 15. One or more support plates 2 can be mounted centrally on an adapter block 2 (3)<, for example, by plugging, screwing, and / or gluing.

[0172] For fastening the support plates 2 to an adapter block 2 (3), the support plates 2 can have corresponding holes that are matched to the adapter block(s) 2 (3).

[0173] Suitable materials for an adapter block 2 (3)< are aluminum, carbon, wood, balsa wood, Rohacell, and especially foamed materials.

[0174] Such adapter blocks 2 (3)< can be mounted on a mounting plate 25 and / or by means of a cross table 24 as well as in another way in a measuring and / or examination unit. Fig. 7 It is also easy to see how diverse the system elements 14, 14', 14", 14 (3)< can be designed.

[0175] In Fig. 7 At the top right, another application for contact elements 14, 14' is shown for fixing or clamping one or more measuring objects 3 (3)< to be examined. A contact element 14 is shown with a round shape and an off-center insertion hole 29, i.e., with a recess 29 arranged eccentrically to the center of the cylindrical peripheral surface.

[0176] By rotating the disc-shaped contact element 14 around a shaft body 19 inserted into the insertion hole 29, the distance to the measuring object 3 (3)< can be changed, and in this way, measuring objects 3, 3', 3", 3 (3)< with different dimensions can be fixed or clamped.

[0177] Although the contact elements 14, 14', 14", 14 (3)< all have a comparable basic structure, each with a disc-shaped section 17, 17", 17 (3)< , the respective circumference 18 can have completely different geometries: While the rotationally symmetrical contact element 14 has a cylindrical outer surface, i.e. a circular circumference 18, the circumference 18 of the elongated contact elements 14", 14 (3)< has a polygonal contour similar to a prism.

[0178] Furthermore, the contact elements 14, 14', 14", 14 (3)< can also differ in the number of their shafts 19: While the rotationally symmetrical contact element 14 has only one shaft 19 and one insertion hole 29, the elongated contact elements 14", 14 (3)< each have several shafts 19 and / or insertion holes 29", 29 (3)<, which should or must be matched to the insertion holes 7, 7' of the support unit 2, 2' with regard to their diameters and hole spacings for their fixing function.

[0179] It is advantageous if the diameter of the insertion holes 29, 29', 29", 29 (3)< is always slightly smaller than the diameter of the respective insertion shaft 19. This creates a constant clamping effect, ie a frictional force between both elements.

[0180] This clamping effect ensures a play-free contact between the support elements 2, 2' and the plug-in shafts 19, 19', which is very important, indeed a prerequisite, for a precise examination of the measuring objects 3, 3', 3", 3 (3)<.

[0181] If this clamping effect or frictional force is insufficient, the insertion holes 7, 7', 29 can also be designed as screw threads, into which screws or other bodies with an external thread can be screwed instead of the insertion shafts 19. The contact elements 14 can also be attached using this technique.

[0182] An advantage of smaller insertion holes 7, 7', 29 is that the resulting frictional engagement can be used for holding.

[0183] As for the support elements 2, a material with low density has also proven suitable for the contact elements 14, e.g. aluminum, carbon, wood, balsa wood, Rohacell and / or foamed materials.

[0184] The use of Rohcell for a contact element 14 promotes or strengthens its holding force due to the mutual frictional effect or the increased frictional resistance of Rohacell on each other.

[0185] In Fig. 8 In addition to the already known system elements 14, 14', 14", 14 (3)<, further versions are shown: In the upper left area of ​​the Fig. 8 several circular disc-shaped sections 17 for contact elements, each with an eccentrically arranged recess 29 for inserting a shaft body 19 through, as shown in Fig. 8 shown on the far right. The two circular disk-shaped sections 17 shown differ in their thickness.

[0186] Furthermore, Fig. 8two likewise circular disk-shaped sections 17 (4)< with also different thicknesses can be seen, whereby the recesses 29 (4)< there are, however, arranged concentrically, the two base sides of the circular disk-shaped sections 17 (4)<, however, also penetrate perpendicularly.

[0187] In the further illustrated contact element 14 (4)<, the recess 29 (4)< does not run perpendicular to the base plane of the same, but parallel to it, so that the handle and insertion shaft 19 does not run coaxially to the circumference 18 (4)<, but radially to the axis of symmetry of the circumference 18 (4)<.

[0188] In Fig. 8 At the top left, a disc-shaped section 17 (5)< with a triangular base and a correspondingly prismatic shape can be seen, preferably also with one or more recesses 29 (5)< for inserting a handle and insert shaft 19 through each.

[0189] Furthermore, some preferably elongated disc-shaped elements 17', 17" each with two recesses 29', 29" for inserting a handle and insert shaft 19 through are visible.

[0190] You can also see in Fig. 8 several elongated contact elements 14 (6)< or disc-shaped elements 17 (3)< , 17 (6)< , 17 (7)< each with three recesses 29 (3)< , 29 (6)< , 29 (7)< arranged preferably in a row for inserting a handle and insert shaft 19 through, wherein the base area can be trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped, oblique-angled or even arrow-shaped.

[0191] The disc-shaped element 27 even has four recesses 29 (8)< for inserting a handle and insert shaft 19,

[0192] As in Fig. 8As shown on the far right, the shaft elements, in particular contact rods 19, can have different diameters and lengths; they can be provided at one or both ends with a conically tapered, possibly rounded tip 30.

[0193] As with the support rods 16, a low-density material, particularly aluminum, carbon, wood, or balsa wood, has proven suitable for the insert shafts or support rods 19. When using Rohacell and / or foamed materials, care must be taken to ensure that their structural stability and strength meet the respective requirements.

[0194] The shaft elements 19 should or must be matched in diameter to the support unit 2, 2' used.

[0195] There are also shaft elements 19' with a prismatic shape with a polygonal, e.g., rectangular or square, cross-section. In these shaft elements 19', a point 30' can optionally be formed by two converging sides, while the other two sides run parallel to each other, so that such a point 30' resembles a roof ridge rather than an actual point. However, it is also conceivable to have all four sides converge towards each other, resulting in an actual point, comparable to the pointed keystone of an obelisk. List of reference symbols 1 device 26 Fixing element 2 Support unit, support plate trestle 27 adapter 3 Measurement object 28 front side 4 Top 29 recess, insertion hole 5 Scope 30 Great 6 front edge 7 Insert hole 8 Basic cell 9 Corner 10 line 11 line 12 Circle line 13 center 14 Investment element 15 Hole for holding rods 16 Retaining rod, retaining pin 17 disc-shaped section 18 Scope 19 Contact rod, shaft body, insert shaft 20 Home page 21 solid part 22 Base plate 23 Insertion opening of the base plate 24 Cross table 25 Mounting plate, bracket

Claims

1. Method for examination or measurement of a measurement object (3) using a holding and / or positioning device (1) for reproducible positioning of a measurement object and / or of an object (3) to be examined at a measuring device at a measuring and / or examination device in a desired relative position with respect to the measuring and / or examination device, characterized in that the holding and / or positioning device (1) comprises: a) at least one plate-shaped or block-shaped support unit (2) for supporting the measurement object (3), consisting of a material having a specific density of 250 kg / m3 or less, and b) at least one preferably bar-shaped abutment element (14,19), at which the measurement object (3) can be abutted, wherein the support unit (2) comprises, on at least one planar surface, a plurality of insertion holes (7) or recesses preformed by the manufacturer, which are arranged in a grid, particularly in a two-dimensional grid, and have finite clear cross-sections, for the insertion of at least one preferably bar-shaped abutment element (14,19) or of an insertion shaft (19) which extends through a recess of an abutment element (14), wherein the geometries and cross-sections of the preformed insertion holes (7) or insertion recesses and of an abutment element (14,19) or insertion shaft (19) for insertion therein complement each other in such a way that a clamping force results between the two elements, wherein the support unit (2) comprises additional plug-in holes (15) outside the grid for mounting on / at supporting rods (16), which extend through the support unit (2) entirely and which serve for fastening or mounting of the plate- or block-shaped support unit (2) on / at the supporting rods (16) or for fixing them at an adapter.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the preferably block- or plate-shaped support unit (2) comprises at least one marking on at least one basic side for facilitating the location of an optimal position for the measurement object (3).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said marking comprises at least one circle (12) or several circles (12) which are arranged concentrically to each other, and, where necessary, one radial ray extending from the center (13) of the circle (12) or of the concentrically arranged circles (12), preferably whereby one ore more insertion holes is / are arranged on a circular marking (12).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one marking (12) and / or insertion holes arranged on a circular marking (12) is (are) positioned in such a way, that the center of the circle (12) is positioned at the measuring center of the measurement and examination unit or can be adjusted to this position.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion holes (7) or the plug-in holes are arranged in an orthogonal grid, or in a triangular grid or in a hexagonal grid, or in a grid which is concentrical to a center point (13).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two or more insertion holes (7) or plug-in holes are connected together by a linear marking, for example by one or more straight or circular line(s) (10;11), preferably wherein several marking lines (10;11) are provided, which extend parallel to each other and / or intersect each other, preferably at right angles.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an adapter for fixation of at least one block- or plate-shaped support unit (2), which a) has a flat top surface, which is inclined at an angle between 1° and 90° with respect to the horizontal plane, and / or b) comprises one or more elements for fastening of supporting rods (16) on or at its top surface, especially in such a way that the attached supporting rods (16) are perpendicular to the top surface of the adapter.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in holes (15) are dimensioned in such a way that a permanent clamping effect or a friction force exists between a supporting rod (16) and a plug-in hole (15) penetrated by it.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug-in holes (15) extend perpendicularly to the supporting surface of the respective support unit (2), or are inclined at an inclination angle between 1° and 89° with respect to a line perpendicular to the support surface of the support unit (2), preferably having an inclination angle between 2° and 30°, especially an inclination angle between 5° and 20°.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insertion or plug-in hole (7,15) has a polygonal cross-section and the shaft (19) of an abutment element (14) or a supporting rod (16) insertable therein has a circular cross-section or vice-versa.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an abutment element (14) comprises an abutment area and at least one recess (29) for insertion or plugging through of a handle element or of an insertion shaft (19).

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insertion shaft or an abutment rod or an abutment element (14) or a supporting rod (16) a) consists of a material having specific density of 1,5 kg / m3 or less, for example 1 kg / m3 or less, preferably 0,6 kg / m3 or less, especially 0,4 kg / m3 or less, and / or b) consists of balsa wood or of plastic, for example of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, or of a rigid foam like polystyrene foam, especially of EPS or XPS, or of polyurethane foam or polymethacrylimide foam, or of aluminum or aluminum foam.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insertion shaft (19) or an abutment element (14) or a supporting rod (16) is produced as a solid or as a tube.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that a supporting rod (16) a) tapers at its upper end, for example in the form of a conical tapering or a truncated-cone tapering, and / or b) comprises a thread at its lower end, preferably in the form of an external thread or an internal thread.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several supporting rods (16) are fixed to a common base plate (22) or to a common adapter, preferably a) wherein they are screwed, inserted, glued or molded therein, and / or b) wherein they are parallel to each other, and / or c) wherein they are fixed in the same grid and / or in the same distance, in which the plug-in holes (15) are provided in the at least one block- or plate-shaped support unit (2), and / or d) wherein they are fixed in a coded arrangement, in which the plug-in holes (15) are also arranged in the block- or plate-shaped support unit (2), so that a slipping-on is only possible at a particular relative orientation.