Optical Waveguide Core Positioning for In-Clamp Precision Machining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for machining optical waveguides on numerically controlled machine tools suffer from inaccuracies due to deviations in the position of the core body within the shell body, caused by temperature and mechanical deformations during clamping, leading to less precise machining.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement system is integrated onto the machine tool to measure the position of the core body relative to the shell body by irradiating and detecting electromagnetic radiation from the optical waveguide's end faces, allowing precise determination of the core body's center point while it is clamped on the machine tool, thereby compensating for environmental and mechanical deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical waveguide is measured with an optical microscope before machining, then the position of the core body can be determined, but temperature and mechanical deformations during clamping cause deviations between measurement and machining positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the optical waveguide in its clamped state before machining, so that the measurement is performed under the same conditions as the subsequent machining operation. This eliminates deviations caused by temperature and mechanical deformations that occur between separate measurement and machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measurement function and machining function into a single integrated system. The measuring device is incorporated into the machine tool, allowing both measurement and machining to occur in the same coordinate system and under the same environmental conditions, thereby eliminating positioning errors between separate operations.
2Productivity
If the core body position is not precisely determined, then machining can proceed quickly, but the machining precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual positioning and mechanical alignment methods with an optical measurement system. The light source device and detection device automatically determine the core body position and provide data to the control device, which then controls the machining device with high precision, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment while maintaining 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
This method ensures precise machining by aligning tools accurately to the core body, reducing errors and maintaining high precision throughout the machining process, even under varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the first end face of the optical waveguide by means of the optical measuring system, which comprises irradiating the optical waveguide by means of the light source device, detecting a radiation emitted by the first end face due to the irradiating of the optical waveguide by means of the detection device
Data Source
AI summary
A method determines a position of a light wave guiding core body of an optical waveguide for machining on a numerically controlled machine tool. The waveguide includes the core body and a shell body enclosing it, both extending from a first end face to a second end face of the waveguide. The method includes providing an optical measurement system, including a light source device and a detection device, and measuring the first end face by the optical measurement system, including irradiating the waveguide by the light source, detecting radiation emitted by the first end face, and determining a position of a center point of the core body on the first end face based on the detected radiation. The optical measurement system is arranged on the machine tool. The measurement of the first end face is performed on the waveguide clamped on the machine table by the optical measurement system.