Grinding Apparatus Laser Positioning Automation

Solution Overview

Problem

The manual setting-up process for grinding apparatuses is labor-intensive and prone to operator errors, potentially damaging the equipment or grinding wheels.

Innovation Solution

A grinding apparatus equipped with a laser displacement gage and a control unit that calculates the position of the grinding wheel's lower surface relative to the chuck table, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the risk of mistakes during the setting-up process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a manual setting-up process is used with a reference piece, then the grinding apparatus can be set up, but the number of man-hours required increases and the risk of operator error increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting-up accuracyVSAvoidman-hours for setting-up

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical setting-up process with an automated optical measurement system. A laser displacement gage measures the position of the grinding wheel's lower surface automatically, eliminating the need for manual placement of reference pieces and reducing both time and human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the grinding apparatus to automatically determine its own home position through the laser displacement gage. The control unit processes the measured data and calculates the position of the grinding wheel's lower surface relative to the chuck table without requiring operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a manual setting-up process is used with a reference piece, then the grinding apparatus can be set up, but the possibility of damaging the equipment or grinding wheel due to operator mistake increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of setting-upVSAvoidrisk of equipment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical setting-up process with an automated optical measurement system. A laser displacement gage measures the position of the grinding wheel's lower surface automatically, eliminating the need for manual placement of reference pieces and reducing both time and human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser displacement gage acts as an intermediary between the operator and the grinding wheel positioning. It provides precise measurement data to the control unit, which then calculates the home position, serving as a mediator that eliminates direct manual contact and potential damage from operator mistakes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated laser measurement is used to determine grinding wheel position, then the number of man-hours is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting-up speedVSAvoidcomplexity of setting-up system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser displacement gage acts as an intermediary between the operator and the grinding wheel positioning. It provides precise measurement data to the control unit, which then calculates the home position, serving as a mediator that eliminates direct manual contact and potential damage from operator mistakes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it receives measurement data from the laser displacement gage, calculates the position of the grinding wheel's lower surface, determines the home position, and controls the moving mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The automated system significantly reduces the number of man-hours required for setting-up and minimizes the risk of equipment damage by accurately determining the grinding wheel's position without manual reference pieces.

Implementation Method 1

a detector having a light emitter and a light detector, wherein the light emitter includes a lens and a light-emitting element and the light emitter can apply a web-shaped laser beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the light detector including a light-detecting element for detecting a reflected laser beam reflected of the web-shaped laser beam from the at least one of the grinding stones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20230068840A1Grinding apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 DISCO CORP

AI summary

A grinding apparatus includes a chuck table, a grinding unit, a moving mechanism for moving the chuck table and the grinding unit relatively to each other in predetermined directions, a detector for emitting a web-shaped laser beam and detecting a reflected laser beam thereof, and a control unit. The control unit includes a storing section for storing a relative vertical position of a holding surface to a grinding wheel along the predetermined directions, a first distance calculating section for calculating a first distance in one of the predetermined directions from the detector to a lower surface of the at least one of grindstones, and a lower surface position calculating section for calculating the position of a lower surface of the at least one of grindstones to the holding surface on the basis of the relative vertical position stored in the storing section and the first distance calculated.