CT Workpiece Carrier Density Pattern Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial manufacturing, especially when examining a multiplicity of different products quickly and accurately under time pressure, existing methods for identifying and processing workpieces using computed tomography (CT) scanners face challenges in reducing image acquisition time, ensuring accurate and error-free results, and efficiently assigning examination data to the correct workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A method where a workpiece carrier is provided with a pattern of separated regions of varying densities that contrast with their environment, allowing for quick identification and decoding of an identification code within CT recordings, eliminating the need for separate sensors and enabling fast, error-free processing of CT images by orienting and decoding the density pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workpieces are transported on a carrier into the examination space of industrial CT scanners using pallet systems or pallet stacks, then changeover times are reduced and different workpieces can be examined in quick succession, but it becomes difficult to ensure accurate identification and correct assignment of examination results to individual workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier body automatically identifies itself and provides orientation information through its own density pattern visible in the CT recording. The evaluation device extracts the identification code and orientation data directly from the carrier's embedded pattern without requiring external sensors or separate identification systems, enabling self-identification and self-orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
A density pattern embedded in the carrier body serves as an intermediary that carries both identification information (through its pattern structure) and orientation information (through the spatial arrangement of high-density regions). This intermediary element enables the CT scanner to automatically identify and orient the carrier without requiring additional sensors or complex external systems.
2Ease of operation
If separate sensors are used for capturing carriers or codes, then identification can be performed, but the device complexity increases and the volume of the CT scanner that must be taken into consideration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function and orientation function are merged into a single density pattern embedded in the carrier body. This single pattern serves dual purposes: providing unique identification through its structure and providing orientation information through the spatial arrangement of high-density regions, eliminating the need for separate sensors or multiple identification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification and orientation information is extracted directly from the CT recording of the carrier body itself, rather than requiring separate sensors or external systems. The evaluation device processes the density pattern visible in the CT image to obtain both identification and orientation data, simplifying the overall system.
3Productivity
If a multiplicity of different workpieces must be examined quickly, then productivity increases, but the risk of errors in assignment and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The density pattern in the carrier body provides immediate feedback about the carrier's identity and orientation directly in the CT recording. The evaluation device uses this feedback to automatically verify correct identification and orientation before processing the workpiece examination results, preventing assignment errors even when examining multiple workpieces in rapid succession.
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 approach significantly reduces the time required for image evaluation, ensures accurate assignment and processing of workpieces, and enhances the robustness of the examination process by allowing for quick identification and decoding of the coded character, even with rough orientation, thereby facilitating efficient examination and measurement of workpieces without errors.
Implementation Method 1
a workpiece carrier (1) is provided with at least one pattern by way of which, using a multiplicity of separated regions (4a, 4b, 4c) having densities that contrast with their environment, a character of an identification code is coded
Implementation Method 2
The workpiece and the carrier are together recorded by way of computed tomography
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece having an identification code is arranged on a workpiece carrier having coded therein, by a pattern made from a plurality of mutually separate regions of different density, at least one character of the identification code. The workpiece and carrier are scanned together by computed tomography, the regions or part of the regions and the densities thereof in the computed tomography scan are ascertained, the scan is oriented in response to at least the location of a straight line through two of these regions, the character that is coded by way of the density pattern of the plurality of regions is determined in the scan, and the oriented scan is processed in response to the coded character.