On-Machine Blade Tip Measurement Using Reference Plane Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-machine measurement techniques for machining tools are inadequate for measuring the tip position of blades, especially when the tools are made of transparent materials, as laser-based methods may not detect the tip position effectively.
Innovation Solution
An on-machine measurement device and method that measures the height of a reference plane and a machined surface in a workpiece, using a probe to locate the tip position of the blade based on machining depth information, allowing for accurate positioning irrespective of the tool material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact-type tool length measurement device is used to measure the tip position of the blade, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the sharp-edged blade may be damaged by external force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laser beam as an intermediary non-contact measurement medium. The laser beam projects light onto the blade tip and detects the shadow or reflected light to determine tip position, eliminating direct physical contact between the measurement device and the fragile blade, thus preventing damage while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-type measurement system with an optical measurement system using laser beams. This substitution eliminates mechanical force application to the blade, allowing precise tip position measurement without the risk of damaging the sharp-edged blade through physical contact
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a laser beam is projected onto the blade to detect the tip position, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but the method fails when the machining tool is made of transparent material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct light transmission through transparent material to shadow detection on a screen. By projecting the laser beam and detecting the shadow cast by the blade tip on a screen, the system can measure tip position of transparent materials without relying on light interaction with the material itself, thus maintaining measurement precision across different material types
3Manufacturing precision
If the blade material is transparent (e.g., single-crystal diamond), then machining performance is improved, but laser-based measurement methods become ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a screen as an intermediary surface to detect the shadow of the blade tip. Instead of attempting to measure the transparent blade directly with laser light transmission, the system projects the laser beam and captures the shadow on a screen, making the transparent blade visible and measurable without compromising the blade's material properties or machining performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the shadow effect created by the laser beam, which appears as a dark region (color change from illuminated to shadowed area) on the screen. This shadow detection method makes transparent materials detectable by converting their physical presence into a visible optical contrast, enabling tip position measurement regardless of the blade's transparency
Data Source
AI summary
An on-machine measurement device that locates a tip position of a blade of a machining tool provided on a machining device includes: a measurement unit configured to measure, in a workpiece that has been machined by the machining tool, a height of a reference plane not machined by the machining tool and a height of a machined surface machined by the machining tool; and a locating unit configured to locate the tip position of the blade of the machining tool based on information on a machining depth specified at the time of machining of the workpiece, and the height of the reference plane and the height of the machined surface that are measured by the measurement unit.