Profile Measuring Machine Autonomous Scanning Path Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional profile measuring machines require multiple probing measurements and probe exchanges, increasing measurement time, and autonomous scanning measurements are slow due to the need for constant push control, limiting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A profile measuring machine with a scanning probe and drive mechanism that performs autonomous scanning measurements on unknown-profile portions and calculates a movement path using measurement results and design data of known-profile portions, allowing for nominal-value scanning measurements on the entire workpiece without probe exchange, reducing measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous scanning measurement is performed on the entire workpiece to maintain measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece profile is divided into known-profile portions and unknown-profile portions. The measurement strategy segments the measurement process: autonomous scanning is performed only on unknown-profile portions to determine the movement path, while nominal-value scanning is performed on known-profile portions using pre-calculated paths. This segmentation eliminates the need to perform slow autonomous scanning on the entire workpiece, significantly reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement path is calculated in advance based on measurement results from autonomous scanning of unknown-profile portions and design data of known-profile portions. This preliminary calculation of the movement path allows the nominal-value scanning to proceed at higher speed without requiring real-time autonomous scanning, thus reducing overall measurement time while preserving measurement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If uniaxial probe is used for probing measurement on unknown-profile portions, then measurement flexibility is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase due to probe exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning probe is designed to perform multiple functions: it can conduct autonomous scanning measurement on unknown-profile portions and also perform nominal-value scanning measurement on known-profile portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for probe exchange between uniaxial probe and scanning probe, reducing device complexity and operational time while maintaining measurement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process merges autonomous scanning measurement and nominal-value scanning measurement into a single operational sequence using the same scanning probe. The measurement path calculator integrates both autonomous scanning results and design data to generate a unified movement path, combining what were previously separate measurement phases into one cohesive process without requiring probe changes.
3Measurement precision
If measurement speed is reduced to maintain constant push amount during autonomous scanning, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process segments different portions of the workpiece: unknown-profile portions are measured using autonomous scanning at lower speed to ensure accuracy, while known-profile portions are measured using nominal-value scanning at higher speed. This segmentation allows the system to optimize speed for each section based on its characteristics, maintaining overall productivity while ensuring precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement path is calculated in advance based on autonomous scanning results and design data, allowing the nominal-value scanning to proceed at optimized higher speeds. This preliminary path calculation eliminates the need to reduce speed during the entire measurement process, as the path is pre-determined to accommodate both accuracy requirements and speed optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A profile measuring machine is for measuring a profile of a workpiece having a plurality of known-profile portions and a plurality of unknown-profile portions, the known-profile portions being cyclically arranged via the respective unknown-profile portions. The profile measuring machine includes: a scanning probe having a contact piece capable of being in contact with the workpiece; a drive mechanism for moving the scanning probe; an autonomous scanning measurement unit for controlling the drive mechanism to perform the autonomous scanning measurement; a measurement-path calculator for calculating a movement path of the scanning probe; and a nominal-value scanning measurement unit for controlling the drive mechanism to move the scanning probe along the movement path to perform a nominal-value scanning measurement. The measurement-path calculator calculates the movement path for the workpiece based on measurement results of the unknown-profile portions measured by the autonomous scanning measurement unit and design data of the known-profile portions.