Reference Surface Carrier for Workpiece Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring complex tools in material-removing machines is challenging due to their intricate geometries, which makes it difficult to find suitable surfaces for measurement, resulting in occupied areas that could be used for machining being unavailable for reference surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reference surface carrier that can be non-rotatably attached to a workpiece or holder using a clamping device, with multiple reference surfaces oriented parallel or orthogonal to machine axes, allowing for measurement before and during machining, and maintaining relative position for precise data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference surfaces are formed directly on the tools to be machined, then measurement is enabled, but areas on the tool occupied by reference surfaces are no longer available for surfaces that are effective for machining
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into two independent parts: the workpiece (tool to be machined) and the reference surface carrier. The reference surfaces are formed on a separate carrier that can be attached to the workpiece holder, allowing measurement functions to be separated from the actual workpiece geometry. This resolves the contradiction by enabling measurement without occupying machining areas on the tool itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A reference surface carrier acts as an intermediary between the measurement system and the workpiece. This carrier with pre-formed reference surfaces can be non-rotatably attached to the workpiece holder, serving as a mediator that provides measurement surfaces without requiring any modification to the workpiece itself. The intermediary carrier resolves the conflict between measurement needs and machining area availability.
2Reliability
If reference surfaces are provided on the tools specifically for measuring, then measurement can be performed, but areas on the tool occupied by reference surfaces are no longer available for surfaces that are effective for machining
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the measurement function into a separate reference surface carrier, the invention ensures that measurement reliability is maintained through dedicated reference surfaces while machining productivity is preserved by keeping the workpiece surface entirely available for effective machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference surfaces are prepared in advance on the reference surface carrier before attachment to the workpiece holder. This preliminary preparation of measurement surfaces ensures measurement reliability without requiring any time during the actual machining process, thus maintaining high machining productivity.
3Measurement precision
If the reference surface carrier is attached to the workpiece holder, then measurement before and during machining is enabled, but the attachment method must ensure non-rotatable positioning for accurate measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The reference surface carrier serves as an intermediary that incorporates the clamping device directly into its structure. This mediator approach allows the attachment function to be integrated into the measurement component itself, providing non-rotatable positioning without requiring separate complex attachment mechanisms, thus achieving position accuracy with moderate device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The reference surface carrier (10) has a device for attaching the reference surface carrier at a work piece (20) or a work piece receiver. A reference surface (12) is formed at the reference surface carrier in a torque proof manner. The device is a tensioning or clamping device (14) for attaching the reference surface carrier. An independent claim is included for a method for measuring or machining a work piece with a reference surface carrier.