Multi-Rotational Fixture Assembly for Parallel Radiography Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial radiography systems have lower throughput due to the need for sequential scanning of parts, which limits efficiency, especially when inspecting smaller parts or multiple parts simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multi-rotational fixtures that allow industrial radiography systems to capture scans of multiple parts simultaneously along multiple parallel axes of rotation, enhancing throughput and stability during inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential scanning of parts is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into multiple independent rotation stages (first rotation stage, second rotation stage, third rotation stage) that can rotate simultaneously. Each stage holds and rotates a separate part, enabling parallel inspection of multiple parts without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple rotation stages are combined into a single integrated fixture assembly that shares common support structures (follower assemblies, bearing assemblies) and control systems. This merging approach enables simultaneous multi-part inspection while avoiding the need for separate independent scanning systems.
2Productivity
If multiple parts are scanned simultaneously, then productivity increases, but measurement precision may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Each part is positioned on its own dedicated rotation stage with individual follower assemblies and bearing assemblies. This segmentation ensures that rotation of one part does not mechanically interfere with another, maintaining precise rotational control and scan accuracy for each part independently.
Solution Approach 2:
All rotation stages are designed with identical bearing assemblies and follower assemblies, creating equivalent mechanical conditions for each part. This equipotential design ensures that each part experiences the same level of rotational stability and precision, maintaining measurement accuracy across all simultaneous inspections.
3Loss of time
If sequential scanning is used, then device complexity is lower, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rotation stages operate simultaneously and continuously, allowing the inspection process to proceed without interruption. While one part is being scanned, other parts are also being inspected on parallel stages, eliminating idle time and maximizing the continuous utilization of the scanning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from sequential one-dimensional inspection to simultaneous multi-dimensional inspection by adding rotational stages along parallel axes. This dimensional expansion allows multiple parts to be inspected at different angular positions simultaneously, dramatically reducing total inspection time.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed example multi-rotational fixtures for radiography systems include: a plurality of fixture assemblies, each of the fixture assemblies configured to hold a plurality of objects for inspection in a radiography system; a driving rotation stage; one or more driven rotation stages coupled to the driving rotation stage, such that rotation of the driving rotation stage causes the driven rotation stages to rotate simultaneously, wherein the driving rotation stage and the one or more driven rotation stages supports and simultaneously rotates a corresponding one of the fixture assemblies; and a plurality of follower assemblies configured to support the plurality of fixture assemblies on an opposite end of the fixture assemblies from the driving rotation stage and the driven rotation stages.