Dimension Measuring Apparatus Stage Control for Arbitrary Workpiece Posture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dimension measuring apparatuses require manual switching between high and low magnification, complicating the operating procedure and prolonging measurement time, especially when measuring workpieces in arbitrary postures and positions within a low-magnification field of view.
Innovation Solution
A dimension measuring apparatus that automatically transfers a workpiece from a low-magnification field of view into a high-magnification field of view using a movable stage, controlled by specifying the workpiece's position and posture from a low-magnification image, allowing for high-accuracy dimension measurement regardless of the workpiece's posture or position, with features like edge extraction and stage control to maintain the workpiece within the high-magnification field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-magnification photographing is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the field of view is narrowed making it difficult to place the workpiece within the photographed area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into two stages: first capturing a low-magnification image to locate the workpiece within the broader field of view, then capturing a high-magnification image to measure specific dimensions with precision. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both large field of view and high measurement accuracy without compromise.
2Ease of operation
If manual switching between high and low magnification is implemented, then workpiece positioning is possible, but the operating procedure becomes complicated and measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the low-magnification image as feedback to automatically calculate and execute the stage movement required to position the workpiece within the high-magnification field of view. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual intervention, simplifying the operating procedure while reducing measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation (manual stage adjustment and magnification switching) with an automated control system that calculates positions and controls the stage movement programmatically. This substitution eliminates the complexity of manual procedures and reduces measurement time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual workpiece positioning and magnification switching are required, then measurement flexibility is maintained, but the operating procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-positioning by automatically calculating the workpiece location from the low-magnification image and autonomously controlling the stage movement to bring the workpiece into the high-magnification field of view. This self-service capability maintains measurement flexibility while eliminating the need for complex manual operating procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A dimension measuring apparatus is configured by: a movable stage; a measurement setting data storing section that holds feature amount information and measured position information; a low-magnification imaging section that photographs a workpiece with a low magnification; a workpiece detecting section that specifies a position and a posture of the workpiece in the low-magnification image based on the feature amount information; a stage controlling section that controls the movable stage 12 based on the specified location and posture such that the position to be measured of the workpiece stays within the high-magnification field of view; a high-magnification imaging section that photographs with a high magnification the position to be measured; an edge extracting section that extracts an edge of the position to be measured from the high-magnification image; and a dimension value calculating section that obtains a dimension value of the position to be measured.