Drilled Hole Measuring Mandrel Calibration Without Cycle-Time Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring systems for drilled holes face challenges in maintaining high accuracy and achieving short machine cycle times due to measurement disruptions and errors, particularly during the calibration process.

Innovation Solution

A measuring method and system that allows for dynamic measurement and calibration without disruptions, where the reference device is moved out of the measuring mandrel's travel path during operation, enabling shorter mandrel configurations and faster cycle times by eliminating the need for the mandrel to dip through the reference element, and incorporating a movable reference device for calibration and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reference device is positioned in the travel path of the measuring mandrel for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but measurement disruptions and errors occur during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmachine cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference device is made movable between a neutral location (outside the travel path during measurement) and a calibrating location (coaxial with the measuring mandrel axis). This dynamic repositioning allows the system to switch between measurement mode and calibration mode without disruption, eliminating the contradiction between reliable calibration and productive measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The operational sequence is segmented into distinct measurement phases and calibration phases. During measurement, the reference device is positioned in a neutral location outside the travel path. Calibration is performed in separate intervals when the reference device is moved to the calibrating location. This temporal and spatial segmentation prevents measurement disruptions while maintaining calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the measuring mandrel is configured to dip through the reference element for calibration, then calibration is possible, but the mandrel length and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration capabilityVSAvoidmandrel configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the measuring mandrel through the reference device (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by moving the reference device to a neutral location during measurement operations. This inversion eliminates the need for the mandrel to be configured for dipping through reference elements, reducing mandrel complexity while maintaining calibration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the reference device remains in the travel path during operation, then calibration is accessible, but measurement errors and disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accessibilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reference device is dynamically repositioned between a neutral location (outside the travel path during measurement) and a calibrating location (accessible during calibration intervals). This dynamic positioning ensures that the reference device does not obstruct measurement operations while remaining accessible for periodic calibration, resolving the contradiction between ease of calibration and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If the measuring system uses a stationary reference device in the travel path, then the system structure is simple, but measurement disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidmachine cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference device is transformed from a stationary component to a movable one, capable of switching between a neutral location during measurement and a calibrating location during calibration. This dynamic capability adds minimal structural complexity while eliminating measurement disruptions and reducing machine cycle times, effectively resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12005544B2Measuring method and measuring system for measuring drilled holes, and precision machine tool with a measuring system

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 KADIA PRODN

AI summary

In the case of a method for measuring the geometry of a drilled hole in a workpiece, a measuring system is used which has a measuring unit with a measuring mandrel that can be moved bidirectionally along a travel path parallel to a measuring mandrel axis. The measuring mandrel is calibrated at least once with the use of a reference device by way of at least one reference element. During a measuring operation, the reference device is arranged in a neutral location outside the travel path of the measuring mandrel in such a way that the measuring mandrel can be introduced into the drilled hole without dipping through the reference element. To carry out a calibration operation, the reference device is moved out of the neutral location. The measuring mandrel is moved into a calibrating location, where a measurement for calibrating the measuring mandrel is carried out.