Measuring Device Dual-Queue Edge Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices face challenges in accurately measuring the dimensions of thin-edged parts, such as pressed metal sheets, due to the small dimensions of the edges, which can lead to errors in probe contact and measurement, and inefficient calculation of measurement paths, resulting in slower production processes.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device and method that utilize two queues of measurement positions, one for surface touch measurements and another for edge measurements, allowing for asynchronous execution and more accurate edge measurement determination based on surface touch data, with the option to reduce the number of surface touch measurements for increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple surface touch measurements are performed to determine edge position, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing a limited number of surface touch measurements (typically 3-5) rather than exhaustive measurements. This partial sampling provides sufficient accuracy for edge position determination while significantly reducing measurement time. The system calculates edge position using the collected surface touch points, achieving acceptable precision without requiring complete surface scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary surface touch measurements to establish the part's position and orientation before attempting edge measurements. By first determining the part's location through surface touches, the system can then more efficiently target edge regions, reducing the total number of measurements needed and improving overall measurement speed while maintaining accuracy.
2Reliability
If the probe contacts the part away from the edge region for surface touch measurements, then measurement reliability is improved, but the complexity of calculating the measurement path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into distinct phases: surface touch measurements performed away from edge regions to ensure reliable contact, followed by edge region measurements. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently - surface touches provide stable reference points while edge measurements capture the critical dimensional information, reducing the complexity of path calculation by handling different measurement types separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surface touch measurement points as intermediary references to determine the part's position and orientation. These surface touch points act as mediators that simplify the calculation of edge positions, as the edge location can be derived from the geometric relationship between the known surface touch points and the measured edge coordinates, reducing overall path calculation complexity.
3Productivity
If the number of measurement points is reduced to increase production efficiency, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by strategically selecting a limited number of critical measurement points rather than comprehensive sampling. By focusing measurements on the most informative locations (surface touches away from edges and key edge regions), the system achieves sufficient precision with fewer measurements, thereby improving productivity while maintaining acceptable measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of measurement by using adaptive probing - adjusting the number, position, and type of measurements based on the detected part features and measurement objectives. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to use fewer measurements when possible while maintaining precision, and to increase measurement density only when necessary, optimizing the balance between productivity and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device and related methods include, in at least one aspect, a method for controlling a measuring device: including processing data providing information on a shape of the part to determine a set of suitable surface touch positions, the set of suitable surface touch positions being used to generate a first queue; instructing the measuring device to move at least one of one or more probes to each position listed in the first queue, and to take a surface touch measurement at each position; calculating a set of suitable edge touch positions based on the surface touch measurements, the set of suitable edge touch positions being used to generate a second queue of measurements; and instructing the measuring device to move the at least one of the one or more probes to each position listed in the second queue, and to take an edge measurement at each position.