Optical Tool Calibration Using a Common Aperture Focus Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining systems with multiple optical tools face challenges in calibrating these tools precisely and efficiently, often requiring separate calibration devices for each tool, which is time-consuming and lacks a common reference for focus position alignment.
Innovation Solution
A calibration device with a housing, aperture, sensor arrangement, and light source arrangement that allows simultaneous calibration of multiple optical tools to a common focus position, using a sensor to detect light intensity and a light source to adjust focus positions, ensuring precise alignment and efficient calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate calibration devices are used for each optical tool, then each tool can be calibrated individually, but the calibration process becomes time-consuming and lacks a common reference for focus position alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple calibration functions into a single calibration device that can calibrate multiple optical tools simultaneously. The device includes a housing with an aperture, a sensor arrangement for detecting light, and a light source arrangement, creating a unified calibration system that eliminates the need for separate calibration devices for each optical tool while maintaining precise focus position alignment through a common reference point.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration device is designed as a universal system that can calibrate multiple different optical tools (such as laser tools and measurement tools) using the same apparatus. The device provides a common reference for focus position alignment through its aperture and sensor arrangement, making it applicable to various optical tools within the machining system rather than requiring tool-specific calibration devices.
2Productivity
If multiple optical tools are calibrated simultaneously using a common calibration device, then calibration efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a housing with an aperture serving as a common reference, a sensor arrangement for light detection, and a light source arrangement. This modular segmentation allows the device to handle multiple optical tools simultaneously while keeping each functional component relatively simple and manageable, thereby improving calibration efficiency without excessive complexity increase.
3Measurement precision
If a common reference point is established for all optical tools, then focus position alignment precision improves, but the requirement for precise manufacturing of the calibration device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration device uses its own light source arrangement to emit light through the aperture, which is then detected by the sensor arrangement. This self-service approach allows the device to create and measure its own reference, reducing dependence on externally manufactured precision elements. The aperture serves as a simple geometric reference that can be manufactured with standard precision, while the active optical components (light source and sensor) provide the necessary measurement capability.
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
Enables quick and accurate calibration of all optical tools in a machining system to a common focus position, improving alignment precision and reducing the need for separate calibration devices, thus enhancing the machining process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
sensor arrangement (52) for detecting light (38) incident through the aperture (14)
Implementation Method 2
light source arrangement (54) for emitting light (38) through the aperture (14)
Implementation Method 3
calibrate the optical tools to a common focus position (132)
Data Source
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AI summary
Considering an overview of all the figures, the invention relates to a device (10) for calibrating a plurality of optical tools of a machining apparatus to a common focal position. The device (10) has light sensors (60, 62) and light sources (56, 58) for detecting and for emitting light (38) through an aperture opening (14) of an aperture. The invention also relates to a machining system having such a device (10) and a plurality of optical tools. Finally, the invention relates to a method for calibrating light-emitting and light-detecting optical tools by means of such a device (10).