Angular Component Alignment for High-Speed Optical Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current component handling and inspection systems face challenges in precise alignment and high-throughput optical inspection of components due to position tolerances and limited depth of field, leading to incorrect detection of defects and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A component handling device with a single turning device that rotates in a plane, allowing components to be aligned at an angle relative to the turning plane for optical inspection without interfering contours, enabling simultaneous inspection of multiple lateral surfaces and reducing the need for additional alignment devices, and incorporating multiple imaging devices and illumination sources for efficient data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If components are aligned parallel to the turning plane for inspection, then the inspection setup is simplified, but all lateral surfaces cannot be inspected simultaneously requiring re-alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The component is rotated and aligned at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the turning plane instead of parallel to it. This angular orientation allows all four lateral surfaces to be visible and inspectable simultaneously during the component's rotation on the single turning device, eliminating the need for re-alignment and enabling continuous high-speed inspection.
2Reliability
If multiple turning devices are used to inspect all lateral surfaces, then complete inspection is achieved, but system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single turning device is designed to perform the function of multiple turning devices by rotating a component aligned at an angle to the turning plane. This angular alignment ensures that all lateral surfaces pass through the inspection zone during one complete rotation, allowing one device to accomplish what would traditionally require multiple devices, thereby reducing system complexity and space requirements.
3Productivity
If components are aligned perpendicular to the turning plane, then two lateral surfaces can be inspected, but the other two surfaces require additional turning operations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of aligning the component perpendicular to the turning plane (which only exposes two lateral surfaces), the component is aligned at an intermediate angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the turning plane. This angular orientation ensures that all four lateral surfaces are exposed to the inspection zone during rotation, achieving complete inspection in a single continuous operation without requiring additional turning steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves accessibility and maintenance of the system, increases throughput by allowing all lateral surfaces of components to be inspected without re-alignment, and reduces cycle time through efficient use of imaging and illumination devices, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pick-up tool arranged on a turning device for holding a component on a top surface of the component
Data Source
AI summary
A device for handling components that is designed and equipped to handle components with multiple lateral surfaces and/or edges of the lateral surfaces. The device has at least one receiving tool, which is arranged on a turning device, for a respective component of the components, where the receiving tool is designed and equipped to receive the respective component on one of the component cover surfaces. The turning device is designed and equipped to rotate the receiving tool on a turning plane about a turning axis, and in the process optionally convey a component located on the receiving tool from a receiving position to one or more orientation positions, optionally one or more inspecting positions, a setting-down position, and optionally an ejecting position. The device also has a holding and supplying device, which faces the receiving position, for a component supply, and a discharge device.