Quartz Crucible Inner Circumference Evaluation via Cristobalite Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating the state of cristobalite on the inner circumference of quartz crucibles are manual, time-consuming, and prone to variability, leading to incomplete and inaccurate assessments.
Innovation Solution
A method involving imaging, image processing, and arithmetic calculations to differentiate between cristobalite and glass based on outer ring shapes, using an apparatus with an imager and arithmetic unit to extract boundaries, perform calculations, and overlay determined regions for a comprehensive evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual sketching method is used to evaluate cristobalite, then evaluation can be performed with simple equipment, but evaluation time is long and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical sketching process with an automated optical imaging system. A camera captures images of the crucible inner circumference, and image processing software automatically identifies and measures cristobalite regions, eliminating the need for manual sketching and significantly improving evaluation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the crucible inner circumference instead of a physical sketch. This digital replica can be processed automatically by computers, allowing for rapid analysis without the time-consuming manual drawing process while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Device complexity
If manual sketching is performed, then equipment complexity is low, but measurement precision and objectivity are reduced due to worker variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human judgment with automated image processing algorithms. The system objectively identifies cristobalite regions based on image analysis, eliminating subjectivity and variability inherent in manual sketching, thereby improving measurement precision and consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides quantitative feedback through automated image processing, calculating precise measurements of cristobalite area ratios and distributions. This objective feedback mechanism eliminates the variability introduced by different workers' subjective assessments.
3Loss of time
If only partial sketching is performed due to time constraints, then evaluation time is reduced, but measurement completeness and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs excessive action by capturing images of the entire crucible inner circumference rather than only partial sections. The automated system processes the complete area rapidly, providing comprehensive evaluation that exceeds what would be possible with manual partial sketching within the same time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated imaging system enables continuous evaluation of the entire crucible surface without interruption. The camera and image processing workflow can continuously capture and analyze data across the full inner circumference, ensuring complete coverage and reliable results.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an evaluation method capable of easily evaluating the inner circumference of a quartz crucible in a short time. The method of evaluating an inner circumference of a quartz crucible includes: a first step of imaging the inner circumference of the quartz crucible, thereby obtaining an image of the inner circumference; a second step of performing image processing on the image to obtain an edge image in which boundaries between cristobalite and glass are defined; a third step of extracting closed regions; a fourth step of performing arithmetic calculations on coordinate information of the boundaries, thereby obtaining calculated values; a fifth step of determining whether the closed regions are the cristobalite or the glass based on the calculated values; and a sixth step of compositing images in which closed regions are determined to be the cristobalite are overlaid, thereby obtaining a full image.