Automatic Measuring Machine With Dry-Wet Density Weighing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an efficient method for automatically determining the density of solid-state test pieces, particularly those manufactured through additive manufacturing, which is crucial for assessing manufacturing quality without destructive methods.

Innovation Solution

An automatic measuring machine equipped with a dry weighing device and a wet weighing device, along with a feeding unit, test piece magazine, and vibration damping suspension, allows for fully automated determination of density by sequentially weighing test pieces using both devices and applying Archimedes' principle to calculate density values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual density determination methods are used, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but automation and efficiency are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of density determinationVSAvoidefficiency of density determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service through automated feeding, weighing, and calculation. The feeding unit automatically transports test pieces between magazine and measuring arrangement, the weighing devices automatically record masses, and the control unit automatically calculates density values without manual intervention, enabling both high automation and maintained productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced by an automated control system that coordinates the feeding unit, weighing devices, and calculation processes. The control unit electronically manages the entire measurement sequence, substituting manual mechanical handling with automated electronic control to achieve both automation and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If vibration isolation measures are implemented, then weighing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweighing measurement precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of vibration isolation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration isolation is segmented into two independent systems: a dry weighing device isolated from vibrations and a wet weighing device mounted on vibration damping suspension. This segmentation allows each weighing device to have appropriate isolation measures without requiring the entire system to be overly complex, maintaining precision while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If fully automated handling is implemented, then productivity increases, but measurement reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput of density determinationVSAvoidreliability of density determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates automated operations with measurement requirements. It manages the feeding sequence, triggers weighing operations at appropriate moments, and ensures proper timing between automated handling steps and measurement capture, maintaining reliability while enabling high productivity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables non-destructive, efficient, and rapid determination of test piece density with high repeatability and resolution, facilitating quick assessment of manufacturing quality by comparing density values to predetermined ranges.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration damping suspension which supports the wet weighing device and is designed to damp mechanical vibrations originating from the environment of the automatic measuring machine in order to reduce their influence on the weighing measurement values

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

weigh the solid-state test pieces using the dry weighing device and the wet weighing device in order to obtain respective weighing measurement values

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

determine a respective density value for each solid-state test piece on the basis of the respective weighing measurement values

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArchimedes' principle (buoyancy): Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS12399096B2Automatic measuring machine, manufacturing facility and method

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 DIMENSIONICS GMBH

AI summary

An automatic measuring machine for automated determination of a respective density of a plurality of solid-state test pieces that includes a measuring arrangement with a dry weighing device and a wet weighing device. The measuring machine further includes a test piece magazine for holding the plurality of solid-state test pieces, and a feeding unit for feeding the solid-state test pieces from the test piece magazine to the measuring arrangement. The automatic measuring machine sequentially feeds the solid-state test pieces to the measuring arrangement by means of the feeding unit, to weigh the solid-state test pieces using the dry weighing device and the wet weighing device in order to obtain respective weighing measurement values for each solid-state test piece, and to determine a respective density value for each solid-state test piece on the basis of the respective weighing measurement values.