Image Measurement Apparatus Workpiece Search and Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-magnification cameras in image measurement apparatuses compromise usability by making it difficult to set measurement points accurately, as they cannot capture the entire workpiece in a single image, leading to inefficient workpiece searching and measurement processes.
Innovation Solution
An image measurement apparatus with a stage, imaging section, driving section, determination section, control section, image joining section, and display section that generates and displays a joined image of the whole workpiece by switching between different imaging field-of-views, allowing for improved usability and accuracy in setting measurement points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-magnification cameras are used to measure smaller workpieces or smaller measurement points, then measurement precision is improved, but the ability to capture the whole workpiece in a single image deteriorates, making it difficult to set measurement points accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is divided into two stages: a first stage operation that captures multiple images at different positions to locate the workpiece, and a second stage operation that captures images in directions along the workpiece extension. This segmentation allows the system to first find the workpiece using lower magnification and then measure it with higher magnification, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary workpiece searching and location before actual measurement. The control section first determines workpiece presence in multiple field-of-views, then uses this information to guide subsequent high-magnification imaging. This preliminary action enables accurate measurement point setting by ensuring the workpiece is properly located before detailed measurement begins.
2Measurement precision
If high-magnification cameras are used, then smaller measurement points can be measured, but the usability for setting measurement points deteriorates due to limited field-of-view
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different imaging modes and magnifications based on the measurement stage. The control section adaptively selects between wide-field imaging for workpiece searching and high-magnification imaging for detailed measurement, allowing the system to maintain both adaptability in workpiece searching and precision in measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the dimension of multi-stage processing to the imaging workflow. Instead of relying on a single imaging mode, it introduces a temporal and procedural dimension with sequential stage operations, allowing the system to achieve both broad adaptability in finding workpieces and precise measurement capability through coordinated use of multiple imaging approaches.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple images are captured to cover the whole workpiece, then complete workpiece imaging is achieved, but the complexity of image processing and joining increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination section provides feedback to the control section about workpiece presence and position in each captured image. This feedback mechanism guides the image joining process by indicating which images contain workpiece portions and their relative positions, simplifying the complexity of joining multiple images by providing structured information about their spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the imaging section, determination section, and image joining section. It manages the flow of images and control information, orchestrating the complex multi-stage imaging and joining process by centralizing control logic, thereby making the overall system more manageable despite the increased complexity of processing multiple images.
Data Source
AI summary
The image measurement apparatus searches for a workpiece by performing a first stage operation. The image measurement apparatus generates an image in each imaging field-of-view while moving the stage according to a predetermined sequence, and determines whether or not the workpiece is included in each image. When the workpiece is found, the image measurement apparatus switches from the first stage operation to a second stage operation. The image measurement apparatus generates an image in one or more imaging field-of-views located in a direction in which the workpiece extends, among a plurality of imaging field-of-views located around the imaging field-of-view on the stage, in which the image has been obtained. The image measurement apparatus joins a plurality of images generated in the second stage operation to generate a joined image including the whole workpiece, and displays the joined image.