Cutting Tool Setting Measurement for Precise Adjustable Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting tools often have suboptimal settings that lead to unwanted vibrations, affecting the quality of operations and reducing the tool's lifetime due to manual measurement inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using position sensors and processing circuitry to determine the setting of a cutting tool by obtaining and analyzing the geometrical shapes of the tool parts, including adjustable and non-adjustable components, to ensure precise alignment and reduce the risk of incorrect settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual measurements are used to set cutting tool settings, then the operator can adjust the tool settings, but the measurement accuracy is low leading to incorrect settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical measurement system using cameras and image processing. The system captures images of the cutting tool and uses computer vision algorithms to automatically determine geometric parameters, eliminating the need for manual measurements while significantly improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tool itself serves as the measurement object, with its geometric features directly captured by the imaging system. The tool's own structure provides the measurement references, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices or manual intervention.
2Productivity
If incorrect tool settings are used, then the operation can proceed, but the quality of the performed operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback by measuring the actual geometric parameters of the cutting tool and comparing them with the required settings. This feedback loop ensures that only correctly configured tools proceed to operation, preventing quality degradation while maintaining productivity through automated verification.
3Productivity
If incorrect tool settings are used, then the operation can proceed, but the lifetime of the cutting tool is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automated measurement and verification system provides continuous feedback on tool configuration accuracy, preventing incorrect settings that would lead to premature tool wear or failure. This ensures optimal tool performance and extends tool lifetime while maintaining operational continuity.
4Measurement precision
If automated position sensors are used to determine tool settings, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position sensing systems with a combination of standard imaging devices and software-based image processing. This substitution achieves high measurement precision using well-established, relatively simple camera technology combined with computational methods, avoiding the complexity of specialized mechanical sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (100,200,300) for determining a setting of a cutting tool (102,202,302). The cutting tool (102,202,302) comprises a first tool part (103,203,303) and a second tool part (104,204,304). The first tool part (103,203,303) is a non-adjustable tool part, and the second tool part (104,204,304) is radially and/or axially adjustable relative the first tool part (103,203,303). The system (100,200,300) comprises a processing circuit (109,209,309) configured to cause the system to obtain first position data comprising information regarding a first position (107,207,307) at the first tool part (103,203,303), and second position data comprising information regarding a second position (108,208,308) at the second tool part (104,204,304). The system (100,200,300) is further configured to determine a distance and a direction between the first position (107,207,307) and the second position (108,208,308). The system (100,200,300) is configured to determine a setting of the cutting tool (102,202,302) based at least on the determined distance and direction between the first position (107,207,307) and the second position (108,208,308). The invention also relates to a method (400) for determining a setting of a cutting tool (102,202,302).