Single Calibration Standard for Stylus and Optical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current calibration methods for stylus and optical measuring devices are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring multiple separate standards for comprehensive calibration, which is not justifiable for industrial applications, especially for 3D measuring devices that need frequent recalibration.

Innovation Solution

A single calibration standard with multiple independent calibration structures produced by additive manufacturing (3D printing) is applied to a carrier substrate, allowing holistic calibration of both contact and optical measuring devices, covering all metrological properties without the need for standard changes during the calibration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate calibration standards are used for comprehensive calibration, then all metrological properties can be calibrated, but calibration time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of calibrationVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate calibration standards into a single integrated calibration standard that contains multiple calibration structures with different topographies. Each calibration structure is designed to calibrate specific metrological properties (lateral axis, vertical axis, roughness, etc.), and all are merged into one standard that can be used for comprehensive calibration of both stylus and optical measuring instruments in a single operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration standard is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple calibration purposes simultaneously. It can calibrate both stylus measuring instruments and optical measuring instruments, and within each instrument type, it can calibrate various metrological properties including lateral axis, vertical axis, and surface roughness, eliminating the need for multiple specialized standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate calibration standards are used, then comprehensive calibration is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of calibrationVSAvoidnumber of calibration standards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate calibration standards into one integrated standard containing multiple calibration structures. This reduces the number of physical standards from several separate items to a single unified device, simplifying the calibration setup while maintaining comprehensive calibration capability across all metrological properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single calibration standard is designed with universal applicability to calibrate both stylus and optical measuring instruments, as well as multiple metrological properties. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized standards, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If frequent recalibration is performed, then measurement reliability is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidindustrial production efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By combining all necessary calibration functions into a single standard, the recalibration process can be completed much faster than using multiple separate standards. This enables frequent recalibration to maintain measurement reliability without significantly impacting industrial productivity, as the single-standard approach eliminates the need to sequentially swap between multiple standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal calibration standard allows all calibration operations to be performed in one step rather than requiring multiple sequential operations. This multi-functionality makes frequent recalibration practical for industrial applications where measurement reliability must be maintained without sacrificing production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach significantly reduces calibration time and effort by enabling a single standard to cover all necessary properties, making it suitable for regular industrial use, particularly for optical topography measuring devices.

Implementation Method 1

The calibration standard according to the invention is produced by means of an additive manufacturing process, namely by means of 3D printing

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentEP3642562B1Calibration standard and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3642562B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3642562B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3642562B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a calibration standard (1) for calibrating a stylus measuring instrument or an optical measuring instrument, comprising a carrier substrate (2) and a first calibration structure (3) applied to the carrier substrate (2), the first calibration structure (3) having a first topography (4), which is designed in such a way and is arranged on the carrier substrate (2) in such a way that the first topography enables a calibration of a first metrological property of the measuring instrument. The aim of the invention is to provide a calibration standard (1) and a method for producing a calibration standard (1) that enable a complete calibration of measuring instruments by means of a single calibration standard (1). This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that the calibration standard (1) also has at least one second calibration structure (3) applied to the carrier substrate (2), the second calibration structure (3) having a second topography (4), which is designed in such a way and is arranged on the carrier substrate (2) in such a way that the second topography enables a calibration of a second metrological property of the measuring instrument, the first topography (4) and the second topography (4) being different from each other.