Non-Contact Tool Profiling by Peripheral Light-Beam Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact tool setting apparatuses for coordinate positioning systems are time-consuming and impractical for measuring the profile of tools, as they require repeated movement of the tool into and out of the light beam to acquire multiple measurement points.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a coordinate positioning system to move a light beam tangentially along the periphery of a tool, collecting beam intensity data to assess the tool's profile, allowing for quicker and more detailed profiling by tracing the light beam around the tool's periphery rather than moving the tool into and out of the beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the tool is moved into and out of the light beam multiple times to measure multiple points on the tool edge, then the tool profile can be measured, but the measurement process becomes very time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the tool into and out of the light beam repeatedly to measure multiple points, the invention inverts the approach by moving the light beam along the periphery of the tool. This single-pass peripheral scanning method captures the entire tool profile in one continuous motion, dramatically reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional linear measurement (moving tool in and out of beam) to two-dimensional peripheral scanning (moving light beam along tool periphery). This dimensional change enables comprehensive profile capture in a single pass, eliminating the need for repeated measurements.
2Productivity
If the light beam is moved along the periphery of the tool in a single pass, then the measurement time is reduced, but the complexity of positioning and controlling the light beam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light beam positioning system is integrated with the existing coordinate positioning apparatus, allowing the same positioning infrastructure to serve both traditional point measurement and the new peripheral scanning function. This multi-functionality approach avoids duplicating positioning systems and minimizes added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a controller as an intermediary that coordinates the light beam movement along the tool periphery. The controller processes the tool's geometric information and generates appropriate positioning commands, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling complex scanning trajectories.
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 the time and effort required for tool profiling, enabling quicker and easier measurement of tool dimensions and detecting deviations from nominal profiles, thus improving the efficiency of tool inspection and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter for emitting a light beam and a receiver for receiving the light beam, the receiver generating a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus are described for assessing the profile of a tool (50; 80; 170) using a non-contact tool setting apparatus (150) that comprises a transmitter (10) for emitting a light beam (12; 152) and a receiver (14) for receiving the light beam. The receiver (14) generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The non-contact tool setting apparatus (150) is mounted to a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a machine tool, that allows the tool (50; 80; 170) to be moved relative to the non-contact tool setting apparatus (150). The method comprises using the coordinate positioning apparatus to move the tool (50; 80; 170) relative to the non-contact tool setting apparatus (150) along a tool inspection path (56;88), the tool inspection path being selected so that the light beam is traced substantially along a periphery of the tool (50; 80; 170) to be inspected. Beam intensity data is collected describing the beam intensity signal that is generated by the receiver (14) as the tool inspection path (56;88) is traversed and analysis of the collected beam intensity data is used to assess the tool profile.