Smart Metrology Stand with Sensor Feedback for CMM Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) face accuracy issues due to environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and vibrations, which can cause movement and errors in measurements, and existing solutions lack robustness in detecting and compensating for these changes.
Innovation Solution
The development of intelligent stands equipped with sensors and onboard software that detect environmental changes and movement, providing alerts and feedback to ensure measurement accuracy, and optionally integrating with wireless sensors to monitor the environment and objects for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional stands are used to support portable CMMs, then the device portability and flexibility are improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to stand movement and environmental instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, position sensors) that continuously monitor stand stability and environmental conditions, providing real-time data to alert operators of conditions that may compromise measurement accuracy while maintaining portable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on purely mechanical stability with electronic sensing and computational methods, using sensors and software to detect and compensate for stand movement and environmental changes, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without sacrificing portability
2Device complexity
If portable CMMs are used without environmental monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to unmonitored environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The stand performs self-monitoring of its own stability and environmental conditions through integrated sensors, automatically detecting movement, vibration, and environmental changes without requiring external monitoring equipment, thereby maintaining reliability while adding minimal complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the stand structure itself, combining support functionality with environmental sensing, movement detection, and data collection capabilities, allowing a single device to perform both mechanical support and environmental monitoring roles
3Measurement precision
If sensors and monitoring systems are added to the stand, then measurement accuracy is improved through detection of environmental changes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring system into distinct functional modules (acceleration sensing, position sensing, environmental sensing, data processing), allowing each component to be optimized independently and facilitating modular integration that manages overall system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
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
Enhances measurement accuracy by detecting and alerting users to potential errors caused by environmental changes and movement, allowing for real-time adjustments and improved data reliability in industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
Temperature plays a major role in thermal expansion and contraction of materials that are used to assemble these portable measurement devices
Implementation Method 2
The stand also has the ability to detect if it has been moved or vibrated through the use of an accelerometer
Implementation Method 3
The stand has the ability to detect if it has been moved or vibrated through the use of an accelerometer or other position sensing device
Implementation Method 4
air temperature, pressure and humidity can impact measurements taken by a CMM
Data Source
AI summary
Various intelligent stands are disclosed that sense potential changes in their position and environment such that they can provide an alert and feedback to a user of the stand or software that is being used in conjunction with a portable Coordinate Measuring Machine (“CMM”) if movement or an environmental change has occurred that may impact the accuracy of a measurement made by a CMM that is being supported by the intelligent stand. In various embodiments, the smart stand also contains onboard software capable of collecting data from a CMM eliminating the need for a separate computer with associated measurement software. The smart stand also has the ability to work with a network of other wireless sensors that can be attached to the part of interest or objects in the environment to sense if the part has been bumped or the extended environment has changed.