Coaxiality Measurement Using Optical Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D and circularity measuring apparatuses face difficulties in accurately measuring the coaxial relation between mechanical parts with complex configurations, particularly when parts have long cylindrical portions with small diameters, as they require longer measuring devices, which compromise rigidity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact method using a camera to capture image information of mechanical parts' shapes at both axial ends, calculate center coordinates, and compare axial line positions to determine coaxial relation, allowing for accurate measurement without a contact-type measuring device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a contact type measuring device with a longer arm is used to measure parts with long cylindrical portions and small diameters, then the measuring range is increased, but the rigidity of the measuring device is decreased, resulting in decreased measuring accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-type measuring device with an optical measuring system using a camera and image processing. Instead of physically contacting the workpiece with a long slender arm that compromises rigidity, the system uses light to capture images of the workpiece at multiple positions and calculates coaxiality through coordinate transformation and image data analysis, thereby achieving high measurement accuracy without the rigidity problems of long mechanical arms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of the workpiece features at multiple positions along the axial direction. By capturing images of the workpiece at different Z-positions and processing these optical copies through coordinate transformation, the system determines coaxiality without physical contact, avoiding the mechanical limitations of contact-based long-reach measurement devices
Data Source
AI summary
According to a measuring method, shapes of two mechanical parts of a measuring object are shot by a camera at their respective axial both ends so that image information of the shapes are obtained. Then a center coordinate of the detected shape is respectively calculated from the image information, and positions of the axial lines for the two mechanical parts are calculated from the calculated center coordinates, and finally the calculated position of the axial line is compared with the calculated position of the other axial line in a certain determination area, to determine the coaxial relation between the two mechanical parts.