Optical Coherence Tomography for Ceramic Shrinkage Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ceramic structures face challenges in size consistency due to varying shrinkage during fabrication, requiring time-consuming inspections and adjustments, which affect production efficiency and precision.
Innovation Solution
An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is used to measure ceramic molded bodies, calculating shrinkage parameters like green density through averaging and integrating measurement values, enabling precise cutting conditions for consistent final product sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inspection of intermediate molded body is performed to estimate shrinkage ratio, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical inspection method (physical measurement of intermediate molded body) with an optical measurement system. The optical system uses light to non-contactly measure the molded body dimensions, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical inspection process while maintaining measurement accuracy for shrinkage ratio estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs optical measurement of the molded body immediately after molding while the material is still in a measurable state. By capturing dimensional data at this preliminary stage, the system enables rapid shrinkage ratio calculation without waiting for subsequent processing steps, thereby reducing total inspection time.
2Manufacturing precision
If cutting amount is adjusted based on shrinkage ratio estimation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measurement system serves multiple functions: it measures the molded body dimensions, calculates the shrinkage ratio, and provides data for cutting amount determination. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate inspection and calculation systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where optical measurement data from the molded body is used to calculate shrinkage ratio, which then feeds into the cutting amount determination. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically adjusts cutting parameters based on actual measured dimensions, ensuring consistent final product size without requiring complex manual intervention.
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
Facilitates fast, non-invasive imaging and accurate prediction of ceramic shrinkage, enhancing production efficiency and reducing variations in final product dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coherence tomography instrument 12
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In an observation method, measurement values of an object of measurement at a plurality of different positions in a plane that intersects a depth direction are acquired from an optical coherence tomography instrument (S100). In the observation method, the measurement values at a same depth position at each of the plurality of positions are averaged (SI04). In the observation method, the average values at each of the depth positions are integrated in the depth direction (S105). In the observation method, a shrinkage parameter of the object of measurement is calculated on the basis of the integrated value (S106).