Method and apparatus for sensing distortion
AssigneeSurface Technology Holdings, Ltd.
InventorPaul Prevey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work holder capable of measuring the amount of distortion occurring in a part as the part is machined, processed, treated, or otherwise operated upon and methods of using the same for quality control and process monitoring purposes. Indirect measurement of the distortion occurring in the part eliminates the need to individual strain gauge each part
Claims31
A work holder for securing a part during a machining, treatment or other processing operation comprising:
- securing means for rigidly securing a part during processing;
- a rigid, elastically deformable and recoverable material member fixedly attached to said securing means;
- a linkage for mechanically coupling the part being processed and the rigid, elastically deformable and recoverable material member;
- means for measuring strain developed in or the deflection of said rigid, elastically deformable and recoverable material member;
- and
- means for capturing and recording the output of said strain or deflection sensing means.
A work holder for securing a part during a machining, treatment, or other processing operation comprising:
- at least one securing means for rigidly securing a part during processing, said securing means being connected to a base, said base being integrally formed with a support member for supporting said base on a conventional tool holder;
- a rigid, elastically deformable and recoverable material member having first and second ends, said second end being proximally fixed to said base of said securing means, and said first end distally suspended away from said base of said securing means;
- a linkage for mechanically attaching said rigid, elastically deformable and recoverable material member to the part being processed whereby said linkage facilitates the communication of distortions from the part to said material member and promotes the distortion of said material member in concert with the part;
- at least one means for measuring the strain developed in or deflection of said material member;
- and
- means for capturing and recording the output of said strain or deflection measuring means.
A work holder for securing a part during a machining, treatment or other processing operation comprising:
- securing means for rigidly securing a part during processing;
- means for measuring the deflection of the part being treated;
- means for positioning said deflection measuring means relative to the part being treated;
- and
- means for capturing and recording the output of said deflection measuring means.
A work holder for securing a part during a machining, treatment, or other processing operation comprising:
- at least one securing means for rigidly securing a part during processing, said securing means being connected to a base for supporting said base on a conventional tool holder;
- at least one means for measuring the deflection of said part;
- at least one means for positioning the deflection measuring means relative to the part being treated;
- and
- means for capturing and recording the output of said deflection measuring means.
A method for evaluating the efficacy of a treatment operation based upon the distortion developed in a part comprising the steps of:
- clamping the part to be treated in the work holder;
- performing a treatment operation while collecting a distortion signature for the part being operated on;
- comparing the collected signature to a known, verified signature of the same operation on the same type of part and assessing if any deviations between the two signatures exist and, if so, whether those deviations are substantial enough to warrant discarding the treated part.
A method for assessing the operation of equipment during a treatment process based on the distortion developed in a part comprising the steps of:
- clamping the part to be treated in the work holder;
- monitoring the distortion of the part while the part is treated;
- comparing, in real time, the distortion signature of the part to a known and verified signature for a similar operation;
- stopping the treatment should substantial deviations exist between the collected and known distortion signatures;
- evaluating and adjusting the operational parameters based on the deviation from the known distortion signature;
- and
- reprocessing the part.
A method of monitoring and controlling a treatment operation based on the distortion developed in a part comprising the steps of:
- clamping the part to be treated in the work holder;
- performing a treatment step while monitoring the distortion of the part in real time;
- comparing the distortion signature for the completed step with known, verified signatures for the same step;
- adjusting control parameters based on deviations from the known, verified signatures;
- repeating the step to obtain an acceptable distortion signature;
- repeating the process for the next step in the sequence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.