CT Sample Changing Hardware for Modular Multi-Part Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray tomography equipment lacks flexibility and modularity, limiting its ability to scan larger parts with varied shapes and is underutilized during off-hours due to reduced staff availability, leading to idle resources.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray tomography sample changing hardware system with a sample manipulator, support bracket, and mounting arm that allows for vertical stacking and accurate retrieval of samples, accommodating a wide range of part geometries and enabling automated scanning during unattended hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current X-ray tomography equipment is designed for uniformly shaped small samples, then sample changing throughput is high, but flexibility and adaptability to various part geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sample stage is segmented into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can independently hold different samples. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high throughput by processing multiple samples simultaneously while adapting to various part geometries through the modular chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample stage is designed with universal mounting features including clamps, fixtures, and support structures that can accommodate uniformly shaped small samples as well as larger parts with wide variety of physical shapes. The mounting arm with adjustable positioning provides multi-functional capability to handle different sample types.
2Extent of automation
If X-ray tomography equipment is used during second and third shift hours with reduced staff availability, then automated operation is required, but sample changing capacity and flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple samples are pre-loaded into the first chamber, second chamber, and third chamber of the sample stage before automated operation begins. This preliminary action enables the automated system to continuously process samples without requiring staff intervention for sample changing, maintaining both automation extent and sample changing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample stage with multiple chambers is nested within the existing tomography equipment's sample manipulator receiver. This nesting approach allows the enhanced sample stage to integrate with the automated existing system, maintaining automation capability while increasing sample changing capacity through the multi-chamber design.
3Productivity
If X-ray tomography equipment is designed for physically small uniformly shaped geometry parts, then scanning efficiency is high, but ability to accommodate larger parts with wide variety of physical shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities with adjustable slots and mounting features that can be reconfigured for different sample sizes and geometries. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain scanning efficiency by optimizing positioning for each sample type while accommodating larger parts with wide variety of physical shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different chambers and mounting features are designed with local quality variations - some areas optimized for small uniformly shaped parts with precise positioning, while other areas accommodate larger parts with different geometries. This local specialization maintains scanning efficiency for each sample type while providing overall versatility.
4Quantity of substance
If sample stage has multiple chambers for vertical stacking, then sample capacity increases, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sample stage is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can be manufactured and assembled as separate modules. This segmentation increases sample capacity while managing device complexity through modular design, allowing each chamber to be optimized independently and assembled into the complete sample stage.
Data Source
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AI summary
An X-ray tomography sample changing hardware including a support bracket configured to attach to an X-ray tomography support; a mounting arm attached to the support bracket, the mounting arm having a beam, at least one slot formed in the beam, the at least one slot including a mouth configured to receive a sample stage; the sample stage including a body having an axis with an upper portion and a lower portion axially opposite the upper portion; the lower portion configured to mate with a receiver on a sample manipulator for an X-ray tomography machine; and multiple chambers formed in the body and aligned axially between the upper portion and the lower portion, each of the multiple chambers including a mounting feature configured to support a part within each of the multiple chambers.