Modular Micro Optics for CMM Probe Lifetime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) face high costs and limited lifetime due to frequent probe exchanges for different measuring requirements, with existing optical probes being costly and prone to damage, leading to high repair or replacement costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular optical probe assembly where a basic probe body is mounted to the CMM, with modularly attachable optical components at the other end to define the measuring light properties, allowing for easy adaptation to varying measuring conditions using a micro-optics interface and mechanical couplings for automated coupling and uncoupling of beam-defining optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the whole optical measuring probe is exchanged for different measuring requirements, then the measurement precision fits the specific measuring conditions, but the mechanical wear at the probe interface increases and the probe lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe is divided into two separable parts: a basic probe body that remains on the CMM and modular optical components that can be attached and detached. This segmentation allows the probe body to retain its position and avoid mechanical wear at the interface, while only the lighter optical components are exchanged, thus preserving probe lifetime while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The basic probe body is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple different optical components for various measuring requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single probe body to serve multiple purposes by simply changing the optical component, reducing the need for multiple complete probes and extending the effective lifetime of the probe body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple complete probes are provided for different measuring requirements, then the adaptability to various measuring conditions is ensured, but the total cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the probe into a shared basic body and interchangeable optical components, the system requires only one basic probe body instead of multiple complete probes. This reduces the total number of components needed and lowers the overall system cost while maintaining the ability to adapt to different measuring conditions through component exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal interface on the basic probe body allows it to work with multiple types of optical components, making a single probe body multi-functional. This eliminates the need to purchase and maintain multiple specialized probes, thereby reducing system cost while preserving adaptability to various measuring requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the whole probe is exchanged for different measuring requirements, then the correct probe configuration is available, but the time required for probe exchange and setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the probe allows only the optical component to be exchanged while the basic probe body remains in place. This reduces the exchange time compared to replacing the entire probe assembly, as the interface and positioning system are already established. The lighter optical component can be quickly attached and detached without moving the heavy probe body.
Solution Approach 2:
The basic probe body is pre-configured with the universal interface and positioning mechanisms, so when an optical component needs to be changed, the infrastructure is already prepared. This preliminary setup eliminates the need to re-establish the probe connection and positioning each time a component is changed, significantly reducing exchange time.
4Reliability
If initial damages to the probe occur, then the entire probe must be replaced or repaired, but the cost of repair or replacement is high
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the probe into a durable basic body and replaceable optical components means that if damage occurs, only the affected optical component needs to be replaced, not the entire probe. This significantly reduces repair costs since the expensive basic body with its precision interface remains intact and can continue to be used with different undamaged optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the damaged optical component to be discarded and replaced, while the basic probe body is recovered and retained for future use. This selective replacement strategy minimizes waste and reduces the frequency of replacing the expensive basic body, thereby lowering overall repair and replacement costs.
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
This approach reduces the need for frequent probe exchanges, lowers costs, and extends the lifetime of the system by enabling flexible and precise measurement adaptations with reduced mechanical stress on components, while minimizing repair and replacement costs.
Implementation Method 1
a light guiding element for transmitting measuring light supplied by the probe head from the coupling unit to a second end of the probe body
Implementation Method 2
a micro-optics interface is provided at the second end of the probe body, the interface comprises a light emitting element providing emission of the measuring light in defined direction relative to the second end and with basically an emitting divergence
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Probe body (61) of an optical probe assembly (60), the probe assembly (60) being designed for measuring a surface of an object while being carried by a probe head of a coordinate measuring machine, comprising a coupling unit at a first end of the probe body (61) designed for providing coupling of the probe body (61) to the probe head of a coordinate measuring machine and a light guiding element (62) for transmitting original source light supplied by the probe head from the coupling unit to a second end of the probe body (61). The probe body (61) comprises a micro-optics probe-interface (66) at the second end of the probe body (61), the probe-interface (66) comprising a source light emitting element (65) providing emission of the original source light in defined direction relative to the second end and with basically an emitting divergence defined by the light guiding element (62) or the source light emitting element (65) and a mechanical probe-coupling (67) designed for receiving a coupling counterpart being provided by a mechanical component-coupling of a beam-defining optical component (50,50') of the optical probe assembly (60). The undefined measuring light is providable by the probe body (61) with basically the emitting divergence in order to provide generation of a desired measuring light properties for measurement by coupling of the beam-defining optical component (50,50').