Hardness Tester Manual XY Stage Positioning Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual hardness testing with a manual XY stage is inefficient due to the difficulty in accurately computing and executing the necessary displacement for precise positioning of test positions on a sample, leading to increased time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A hardness tester that displays the required displacement of the XY stage in real time on a monitor, allowing for easier positioning of the sample, and includes notification features to alert the user when the test position is within a predetermined distance of the indenter's center, ensuring accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a manual XY stage is used for positioning the sample, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision and time efficiency deteriorate due to the difficulty in accurately computing and executing the necessary displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying the amount of offset between the test position and the center position of the indenter on a monitor. This feedback mechanism allows the user to see the current positioning status and make precise adjustments to the XY stage, thereby achieving accurate positioning even with a manual stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the user and the XY stage. It computes the required displacement based on the displayed offset information and guides the user's manual operation, bridging the gap between simple manual control and precise automated positioning.
2Device complexity
If a manual XY stage is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased time and effort required for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time display of offset information provides continuous feedback to the user, enabling quick and accurate positioning without the need for complex calculations or trial-and-error adjustments. This significantly reduces the time required for positioning and increases testing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically computing and displaying the required displacement information, allowing the user to perform positioning tasks efficiently without requiring extensive training or experience in manual stage operation.
3Extent of automation
If the user manually computes the displacement amount for XY stage positioning, then automation is reduced, but the loss of time and effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically computes the displacement amount and displays it on the monitor, providing real-time feedback that eliminates the need for manual computation. This maintains a balance between automation and user control, significantly reducing the time and effort required for positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hardness tester capable of facilitating positioning of a sample even when the hardness tester includes a manual XY stage. The hardness tester includes an XY stage 3 displacing a sample stage 2 in a horizontal direction; a CCD camera 12 capturing an image of a sample surface via a field lens 15; a monitor 8 displaying the image of the sample surface captured by the CCD camera 12; an operator specifying a test position at which an indentation is to be formed, the test position being specified on the image displayed on the display; and a CPU 6 calculating, in conjunction with displacement of the XY stage 3, an amount of offset in the XY direction between the test position and a center position of the indenter 141 when forming the indentation, then displaying the calculated amount of offset on the display.