Automated Optical Assembly Testing With Robotic Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual testing of complex optical assemblies, such as those used in quantum information processing systems, is cumbersome, unreliable, and difficult to reproduce, failing to provide the necessary precision and repeatability for ensuring design and operational tolerances.
Innovation Solution
An automated system with a motorized arm and optical tool changer that positions measurement instruments along optical beam paths to perform specified tests, allowing for precise and repeatable characterization of optical assemblies, including optical beam power, transverse profile, positioning, wave properties, and polarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing methods are used to measure optical beam properties, then flexibility in selecting different measurement instruments is maintained, but the testing process becomes cumbersome, unreliable, and difficult to reproduce
Solution Approach 1:
The automated testing system performs measurements autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the selection, positioning, and operation of measurement instruments, eliminating the need for operators to manually insert instruments and record data, thereby improving reliability while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated robotic arm system that can precisely position measurement instruments. The robotic arm substitutes human hands and operations, enabling consistent, repeatable positioning and measurement actions that improve reliability while simplifying the operational process
2Measurement precision
If multiple different measurement instruments are used to test various optical beam properties, then comprehensive characterization is achieved, but the testing process becomes time-consuming and difficult to reproduce
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs measurements continuously without interruption. The robotic arm moves instruments between measurement positions seamlessly, and multiple instruments can operate in sequence or parallel, eliminating the time losses associated with manual setup and transitions while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures measurement instruments and positions them in advance using the robotic arm. Measurement parameters and instrument settings are prepared beforehand, allowing the actual measurements to proceed quickly and efficiently without time-consuming manual adjustments, thus reducing testing time while preserving precision
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive testing is performed on complex optical assemblies with multiple beam paths, then design and operational tolerances can be verified, but the testing complexity and difficulty of reproduction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm and measurement system are designed as universal, multi-functional platforms that can handle various types of optical measurements across multiple beam paths. The same system performs diverse measurement tasks through automated instrument selection and positioning, reducing the complexity of managing multiple specialized testing systems while achieving comprehensive precision verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms that compare measurement results against design tolerances. The robotic arm and measurement instruments work in a closed-loop system where results are automatically analyzed and used to guide subsequent measurements or adjustments, simplifying the management of complex testing by providing automated decision-making and reducing manual intervention complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes various aspects of different for automated testing of optical assemblies. A system is described that includes an arm (e.g., a motorized arm) configured to be positioned over an optical assembly having a base plate with multiple optical elements that form one or more optical beam paths. The system also includes at least one optical tool that is configured to be removably attached to the arm and has a measurement instrument to perform a specified test on at least one of the optical beam paths. The arm is configured to adjust its position over the optical assembly to move the optical tool to the correct place to perform the specified test. The system may also include an optical tool changer configured to hold the optical tool in a tool holder when not attached to the arm and to hold additional optical tools in respective tool holders.