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 objects, which limits efficiency, especially when inspecting multiple smaller parts.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multi-rotational fixtures that allow industrial radiography systems to simultaneously capture scans of multiple parts along multiple parallel axes of rotation, enabling simultaneous image capture of an array of objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional sequential scanning is used to inspect objects, then manufacturing precision and object stability are maintained, but productivity is reduced due to lower throughput

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidfixture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture is divided into multiple independent rotation stages, each capable of holding and rotating separate objects or object arrays. Each rotation stage operates independently but synchronizes with others to achieve simultaneous multi-axis rotation, enabling parallel inspection of multiple objects without compromising individual object stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple rotation stages are combined into a single integrated fixture system that shares common support structures and control mechanisms. The fixture merges multiple scanning capabilities into one unified device, allowing simultaneous rotation around multiple parallel axes while maintaining coordinated motion control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple objects are scanned sequentially, then device complexity is minimized with a single rotation stage, but loss of time increases due to lower throughput

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture enables continuous inspection by allowing multiple objects to be scanned simultaneously across multiple axes. While one object is being inspected on one axis, other objects are being inspected on parallel axes, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous productive operation throughout the inspection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically coordinates rotation speeds and positions across multiple independent rotation stages. The fixture can adjust rotation parameters in real-time to optimize inspection efficiency while maintaining precise positioning accuracy for each object, enabling flexible adaptation to different inspection requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4571299A1Multi-rotational fixtures for radiography systems and radiography systems including multi-rotational fixtures
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4571299A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571299A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571299A1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.