Hexagon Metrology Gmbh

Wireless Ev Charge, LLC

Jonathan J O'Hare

Jonathan Dove

Stephen Darrouzet

Jesse Michael Schneider

Joseph VanPelt

Zhanyu Ge

Illustrative embodiments improve holding of a workpiece in an industrial process by placing the workpiece on or in a workpiece interface of a workholder and, prior to securing the workpiece on or in the workholder, vibrating the workpiece interface to settle the workpiece onto or into the workpiece interface. The act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from an act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface, and the vibration from the act of vibrating the workpiece interface is separate and distinct from vibration that may occur incidental to the act of securing the workpiece to the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of a workholder include a vibration actuator distinct from a workpiece interface actuator that opens and closes the workpiece interface. Some embodiments of workpiece interface include a set of one or more tapered guides to guide a workpiece onto the workpiece interface.

Automated work-holding for precise fastening of light parts during automated transfer

A system for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpieces includes a controller in control communication with the instruments of the system, and a ruleset corresponding to one or more such non-identical workpieces, the system reconfiguring the inspection instruments to customize part tending operations for each such non-identical workpiece. A method for inspecting each workpiece of a plurality of non-identical workpiece includes providing a controller in control communication with the instruments of the system, and a ruleset corresponding to each such non-identical workpiece, the controller causing reconfiguration of the inspection instruments to customize part tending operations for each such non-identical workpiece.

Parametric and modal work-holding method for automated inspection

Various embodiments enable batch inspection of a plurality of workpieces by and inspection instrument such as a coordinate measuring machine. Some embodiments present user interfaces, including graphical user interfaces, to enable an operator to configure a batch inspection system and a batch inspection job, and to monitor and control execution of a batch inspection job.

Graphical user interface for scheduling and monitoring an automated inspection process for batch production

Embodiments provide measurement systems having a coordinate measuring machine, a workpiece storage apparatus, and a robot for delivering workpieces from the workpiece storage apparatus to the coordinate measuring machine, and methods for orienting and operating such systems. Illustrative embodiments employ a reference geometry tool on the robotic arm, and kinematic locators on the coordinate measuring machine and/or on the workpiece storage apparatus to define a coordinate system common to the coordinate measuring machine, the workpiece storage apparatus, and the robot.

Robotic alignment method for workpiece measuring systems

A workholding apparatus for components having complex geometries or surfaces, which components are difficult constrain for the purpose of inspection, addresses the problem of adequately constraining such components in a convenient and cost-effective manner so that they do not move during inspection, while also making all or most critical features accessible to the inspection instruments being used. A method teaches how to eliminate setup changes between different components through the use of inexpensive modular attachments. These attachments are in the form of a single piece thermoplastic part which is affixed to each component having also reference features that can be interlocked into a common base fixture for more efficient inspection operations.

Modular workholding apparatus

Automated inspection process for batch production

A method of making a gauge for verifying or calibrating an x-ray computed tomography device positions a first plurality of objects on a first substrate, and a second plurality of objects on a second substrate. The method also certifies the positions of both the first plurality of objects on the first substrate, and the second plurality of objects on the second substrate. After certifying both the first and second plurality of objects, the method couples the first substrate with the second substrate.

X-ray computed tomography gauge

A method of calibrating an x-ray computed tomography machine provides an x-ray computed tomography machine having calibration settings, and uses the x-ray computed tomography machine to produce a gauge reconstruction. The gauge has a first base supporting two or more objects, and a second base supporting two or more objects. The first base and the second base form a perpendicular configuration, and each of the plurality of objects is secured on at least one of the first base and the second base. Each of the objects has a center, and the distance between the centers of each object is known. The method then measures the distance between at least two objects to produce measured center distance values, compares the measured center distance values against the known center distance values, and uses the comparison to determine if there is a distance error in the gauge reconstruction.

Three-dimensional computed tomography gauge

A method of measuring an object having associated geometric data and material data receives the geometric data and material data relating to the object, and controls an x-ray device to scan the object. The x-ray device operates in accordance with a plurality of operating parameters. The method then varies at least one of the operating parameters during the scan as a function of one or both the geometric data and the material data.

Parametric control of object scanning

An apparatus and method of measuring an object (having at least two edges) projects a plurality of x-ray images of the object. At least two of the plurality of x-ray images are projected from different directions relative to the object. The apparatus and method also locate the at least two edges in the x-ray images, and ray trace a plurality of lines. Each ray traced line is tangent to at least one point on at least one of the located edges. Next, the apparatus and method reconstruct at least a partial wireframe model of the object from the tangent points of the ray traced lines. The wireframe model includes the at least two edges. Finally, the apparatus and method measure between the at least two edges of the at least partial wireframe model.

System and method for measuring an object using X-ray projections

Provided are a method and apparatus and method for the alignment, verification and optimization of wireless charging systems manufactured for use and used with electric vehicles. With some minimal modifications the same apparatus may be used to align a charging coil mounted on a vehicle with a charging coil, mounted on or in an electric vehicle charging bay or parking space, or to verify and optimize manufactured wireless vehicle charging system elements before they are installed.

Alignment, verification, and optimization of high power wireless charging systems

Coordinate measurement data such as point cloud data associated with coordinate measurement machine data is reduced in a strategic and systematic manner by segmenting and/or reducing data based on nominal geometric information contained in an electronic file such as a CAD model or a coordinate measurement machine inspection plan. For example, in one embodiment, a software application is used to identify geometric features and tolerances within a CAD model of an object, and to segment coordinate measurement data of a physical object based on the identified geometric features and tolerances from the CAD model. The various segments of coordinate measurement data may be assigned different data requirements, and the data may be reduced in different manners on a feature-by-feature basis.

Coordinate measuring system data reduction

An imaging method positions a heterogeneous object within a fixture having a chamber. The fixture also has a valve for receiving a gas and normally sealing the chamber. Thus, the object is within the chamber. Next the method positions the fixture within an active region of a CT machine, fluidly connects a gas line to the valve, and injects an inert gas into the chamber through the gas line and the valve. The inert gas may include one or more of the xenon, argon, and krypton. The method then increases the pressure within the sealed chamber to increase the density of the gas within the chamber, and directs x-ray energy toward the active region of the CT machine to produce a plurality of two-dimensional images of the object and the pressurized gas. Finally, the method generates a three-dimensional representation of the object from the plurality of images.

Apparatus and method of imaging a heterogeneous object

An apparatus for calibrating an x-ray computed tomography device has a plurality of objects formed from a material that is visible to x-rays, and a base at least in part fixedly supporting the plurality of objects so that each of the plurality of objects contacts at least one of the other objects. Each one of the plurality of objects: 1) is configured to receive x-rays without changing shape, 2) has substantially the same shape and size as the other objects, 3) has an attenuation value to x-rays ('object attenuation value'), and 4) is symmetrically shaped relative to its center point. Like the objects, the base also has an attenuation value to x-rays (the 'base attenuation value'). The object attenuation value is greater than the base attenuation. Each of the plurality of objects is kinematically locked in place on the base.

Growing community of inventors

Warwick, RI, United States of America

Jonathan J O'Hare