U.S. patent application number 10/465121 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for portable gage calibration system and method.
Invention is credited to Freeman, Philip L., Green, Craig B..
Application Number | 20040260498 10/465121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33511576 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040260498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green, Craig B. ; et
al. |
December 23, 2004 |
PORTABLE GAGE CALIBRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A system and method for improving gage calibration in a
manufacturing environment. The system includes a gage calibration
apparatus that provides remote gage calibration. The apparatus
includes a gage measuring apparatus, a processor, a user interface,
a scanner, and a printer. The gage measuring apparatus receives a
gage and generates measurement information of the received gage.
The processor is electrically coupled to the gage measuring
apparatus and includes a communication component for communicating
with a remotely located metrology system, and a component for
determining calibration status of the gage based on the generated
measurement information and predefined gage calibration
information. The user interface presents the determined calibration
status. The scanner scans a tag previously affixed to the gage for
information pertaining to the gage and sends the gage information
to the processor. The printer prints a label based on the
determined calibration status and the communication component.
Inventors: |
Green, Craig B.; (Maryland
Heights, MO) ; Freeman, Philip L.; (Maryland Heights,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLACK LOWE & GRAHAM, PLLC
701 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 4800
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Family ID: |
33511576 |
Appl. No.: |
10/465121 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01B 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/104 |
International
Class: |
G06F 019/00 |
Claims
1. A calibration apparatus for providing remote calibration, the
apparatus comprising: a measuring apparatus adapted to receive at
least one of a gage or tool and generate measurement information
about the received gage or tool; a processor operatively coupled to
the measuring apparatus, the processor including: a communication
component adapted to communicate with a remotely located metrology
system; and a status component adapted to determine a calibration
status of the gage or tool based on at least one of the generated
measurement information and predefined calibration information; and
a user interface operatively coupled to the processor and adapted
to present the determined calibration status, wherein the
communication component sends the determined calibration status to
the remotely located metrology system.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication component
communicates wirelessly with the remotely located metrology system
over a data network.
3-31. (Canceled)
32. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the remotely located
metrology system is distributed over the data network.
33. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a scanner
electrically coupled to the processor for scanning a tag previously
affixed to the gage or tool for information pertaining to the
associated gage or tool and sending the scanned information to the
processor.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor identifies
predefined calibration information based on the scanned
information.
35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processor transmits the
scanned information to the metrology system via the communication
component and the metrology system identifies predefined
calibration information based on the scanned information and
transmits the identified predefined calibration information to the
processor.
36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a
display device.
37. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer
electrically coupled to the processor, wherein the processor
includes a component for instructing the printer to print a label
for the gage or tool based on the determined calibration
status.
38. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mobile cart for
supporting the calibration apparatus, the processor, and the user
interface.
39. A calibration apparatus for providing remote gage calibration,
the apparatus comprising: a measuring apparatus for receiving at
least one of a gage or tool and generating measurement information
of the received gage or tool; a processor operatively coupled to
the measuring apparatus, the processor including: a communication
component for communicating with a remotely located metrology
system; and a status component for determining calibration status
of the gage or tool based on at least one of the generated
measurement information and predefined calibration information; a
user interface operatively coupled to the processor for presenting
the determined calibration status; a scanner operatively coupled to
the processor for scanning a tag previously affixed to the gage or
tool for information pertaining to the gage or tool and sending the
information to the processor; and a printer operatively coupled to
the processor, wherein the processor includes a print component for
instructing the printer to print a label based on the determined
calibration status and the communication component sends the
determined calibration status to the remotely located metrology
system.
40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communication component
communicates wirelessly with the remotely located metrology system
over a data network.
41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the processor identifies
predefined calibration information based on the scanned
information.
42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the processor transmits the
scanned information to the metrology system via the communication
component and the metrology system identifies predefined
calibration information based on the scanned information and
transmits the identified predefined gage calibration information to
the processor.
43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the user interface includes
a display device.
44. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a mobile cart for
supporting the calibration apparatus, the processor, the user
interface, the scanner, and the printer.
45. A method for performing gage calibration, the method
comprising: generating measurement information of at least one of a
gage or tool; determining calibration status of the gage or tool
based on at least one of the generated measurement information and
predefined calibration information; presenting the determined
calibration status; and sending the determined calibration status
to a remotely located metrology system.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein sending includes wirelessly
sending the determined calibration status to the remotely located
metrology system.
47. The method of claim 45, further comprising scanning a tag
previously affixed to the gage or tool for information pertaining
to the gage or tool.
48. The method of claim 47, further comprising identifying
predefined calibration information based on the scanned
information.
49. The method of claim 48, further comprising transmitting the
scanned information to the metrology system, wherein identifying
occurs at the remotely located metrology system based on the
scanned information.
50. The method of claim 45, further comprising printing a label
based on the determined calibration status.
51. A method for performing calibration by a portable system, the
method comprising: scanning a tag previously affixed to at least
one of a gage or tool for information pertaining to the gage or
tool; identifying predefined gage calibration information based on
the scanned information; generating measurement information of the
gage or tool; determining calibration status of the gage or tool
based on at least one of the generated measurement information and
the predefined calibration information; presenting the determined
calibration status; sending the determined calibration status to a
remotely located metrology system; printing a label based on the
determined calibration status; and supporting the system on a
mobile cart.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein sending includes wirelessly
sending the determined calibration status to the remotely located
metrology system.
53. The method of claim 52, further comprising transmitting the
scanned information to the metrology system, wherein identifying
occurs at the remotely located metrology system based on the
scanned information.
54. A system for performing calibration comprising: a metrology
system; and a calibration apparatus coupled the metrology system
over a data network, the calibration apparatus comprising: a
measuring apparatus for receiving at least one of a gage or tool
and generating measurement information of the received gage or
tool; a processor electrically coupled to the measuring apparatus,
the processor including: a communication component for
communicating with the remotely located metrology system; and a
status component for determining calibration status of the gage or
tool based on at least one of the generated measurement information
and predefined calibration information; a user interface
electrically coupled to the processor for presenting the determined
calibration status; a scanner electrically coupled to the processor
for scanning a tag previously affixed to the gage or tool for
information pertaining to the gage or tool; and a printer
electrically coupled to the processor, wherein the processor
includes a print component for instructing the printer to print a
label for the gage or tool based on the determined calibration
status and the communication component sends the determined
calibration status to the remotely located metrology system.
55. The system of claim 54, wherein the communication component
communicates wirelessly with the metrology system.
56. The system of claim 54, wherein the processor identifies
predefined calibration information based on the scanned
information.
57. The system of claim 54, wherein the processor transmits the
scanned information to the metrology system via the communication
component and the metrology system identifies predefined
calibration information based on the scanned information and
transmits the identified predefined calibration information to the
processor.
58. The system of claim 54, wherein the user interface includes a
display device.
59. The system of claim 54, further comprising a mobile cart for
supporting the calibration apparatus.
60. The system of claim 54, wherein the remotely located metrology
system includes a database for storing calibration status
information and predefined calibration information.
61. The system of claim 60, wherein the remotely located metrology
system includes a notice component for automatically generating a
calibration notice for a gage or tool based on stored calibration
status information and predefined calibration requirements and
sending a generated calibration notice to one of the calibration
apparatus or a previously assigned assignee.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to gage calibration and,
more specifically, to improved gage calibration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In many large scale manufacturing environments there may
exist thousands of measurement & test equipment items
(MT&E) in active service, including thousands of gages. All
gages used in production must be periodically calibrated to verify
they are maintained within tolerance to ensure the quality of the
products they are used to produce. Typically, gage calibration or
certification occurs at a central metrology lab. When gages are due
for calibration, mechanics must submit gages to a nearby tool crib.
Metrology picks up gages from each tool crib periodically for
transport to their lab. Typically, the lab will stockpile gages
until an adequate number of units are in inventory to be
cost-effectively calibrated. After calibration, the gages are
transported by metrology back to the tool cribs. This process
includes excessive cycle time and labor time, and excess inventory
is required to support loss of gage use.
[0003] Therefore, there exists an unmet need to develop a
shop-floor gage calibration or certification system for quickly and
easily re-certifying gages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a system and method for improving
gage calibration in a manufacturing environment. The system
includes a gage calibration apparatus that provides remote gage
calibration. The apparatus includes a gage measuring apparatus, a
processor, a user interface, a scanner, and a printer. The gage
measuring apparatus receives a gage and generates measurement
information of the received gage. The processor is electrically
coupled to the gage measuring apparatus and includes a
communication component for communicating with a remotely located
metrology system, and a component for determining calibration
status of the gage by comparing generated measurement information
to predefined gage calibration information. The user interface
presents the determined calibration status. The scanner scans a tag
previously affixed to the gage for information pertaining to the
gage and sends the gage information to the processor. The printer
prints a label based on the determined calibration status and the
communication component
[0005] In one aspect of the invention, the communication component
communicates wirelessly with the metrology system over a data
network.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention, the processor transmits
the scanned information to the metrology system via the
communication component and the metrology system identifies
predefined gage calibration information based on the scanned
information and transmits the identified predefined gage
calibration information to the processor.
[0007] In still another aspect of the invention, a mobile cart
supports the gage measuring apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
following drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system formed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable calibration unit
formed in accordance with the present invention and used in the
system shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of an example portable calibration
unit; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example process performed by
the systems shown in FIGS. 1-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is a portable calibration system and
method that reduces gage or tool (e.g. torque wrench, wire
crimpers, etc.) calibration cycle time and labor time, reduces gage
inventory, and reduces gage loss. Many specific details of certain
embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following
description and in FIGS. 1-4 to provide a thorough understanding of
such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand
that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that
the present invention may be practiced without several of the
details described in the following description.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, an example calibration system 20
includes one or more portable calibration units 24, a metrology
system 25 having a metrology database 26, and a property database
28. The portable calibration units 24 are suitably coupled to the
metrology system 25 over a network 30, such as without limitation,
a public or private data network, i.e., intranet. The portable
calibration units 24 can be located at or moved to machine shop
floors or factory line floors close to where gages are being used
in a production process. The portable calibration units 24
calibrate gages based on data from the metrology database 26. The
property database 28 is used to track the specific gage and
assignee. In one embodiment, the metrology database 26 includes
predefined tolerance limits for each type of gage, a record of who
and when calibration has been performed on each gage, when
calibration is next required (frequency) and calibration results
(e.g. measurements). The property database 28 includes information
on the gage, such as purchase date, property tracking number,
assignee (i.e., who the gage is checked out to).
[0015] It will be appreciated that by storing calibration history
information at a central or single database, inspection audits are
easier to pass.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates components of one of the portable
calibration units 24. An example portable calibration unit 24 may
include a processor 40 that is electrically coupled with a wired or
wireless connection to a display 42 (the combination with the
processor being a personal computer (PC)), an equipment measuring
device 44, a scanner 46, a printer 48, and a communication
component 50. The processor 40 communicates through the network 30
via the communication component 50. The communication component 50
communicates over a wired or wireless connection to the network
30.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the components of the portable
calibration unit 24 may be disposed on a mobile cart 60. The
communication component 50 may communicate wirelessly with a
similar wireless communication device (not shown) that is in direct
communication with the network 30 and the other components that are
connected to the network 30. In this embodiment, the mobile cart 60
can be moved anywhere in a factory or manufacturing facility as
long as it can be linked for use with the network 30 or directly
with one or both of the databases 26 and 28.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 100 performed by the
system 20 shown in FIG. 1. First, at a block 104, an operator
responsible for performing calibration on a gage receives a notice
requiring them to calibrate a specific gage. The calibration notice
may come in various formats depending upon the communication
structure within a company, such as electronic mail or paper
notices from a metrology unit. The calibration notice may be
automatically generated by a computer-based metrology unit based on
calibration history information and a calibration schedule
particular to the associated gage. After the operator receives a
calibration notice, at a block 106, the operator brings the gage to
a portable calibration unit 24 or the portable calibration unit 24
is brought to the gage.
[0019] With continued reference to FIG. 4, at block 108, the gage
is identified by the portable calibration unit 24. Identification
of the gage can be performed in a number of ways. For example, a
gage may include a bar code that is scanned by a bar code scanner
(scanner 46) or a radio frequency identification tag that is read
by a reader (scanner 46) or an identification number may be
manually entered into the system 20. Also, the employee/operator
performing the calibration is identified by scanning an
identification badge having a barcode or RFID tag, or manually
entering employee/operator information. The gage information and
employee/operator information are sent to the processor 40. Next,
at block 112, the processor 40 requests the properties of the gage
from the metrology database 26 via the communication component 50
over the network 30 using the identification information determined
at block 108. After the processor 40 receives the gage property
information or gage predefined limits, the processor 40 presents
calibration process instructions on the display 42 included within
the gage property information at block 114. It will be appreciated
that calibration process instructions can also be aurally presented
to the operator via speakers (not shown) that are coupled to the
processor 40. The calibration process instructions instruct the
operator in performance of the gage calibration. The presented
calibration process instructions depend upon the gage measurements
required in order to effectively perform calibration of the gage.
It will be appreciated that alternative measurement techniques,
such as mechanical or acoustical, could be used.
[0020] At block 116, the operator presents the gage to the
equipment measuring device 44 according to the calibration process
instructions presented on the display 42. At block 118, the
equipment measuring device 44 measures (e.g. optically) features or
dimensions of the gage and sends those measurements to the
processor 40. Next, at block 120, the processor 40 compares the
measured values to the retrieved gage properties or predefined
limits. If, at a decision block 122, it is determined that the
measure features or dimensions are within tolerance limits of the
gage properties, then, at a block 124, the processor 40 records
calibration results in the metrology database 26. At block 126, the
processor 40 notifies the operator that the gage has successfully
passed recertification. At block 128, a new certification label is
printed on the printer 48 and attached by the operator to the
recalibrated gage.
[0021] If, however, at the decision block 122 the measured features
or dimensions do not fall within the tolerance limits, then, at
block 130, the processor 40 instructs the operator via the device
42 to submit the gage for analysis and repair at the proper
facility. In either case (measured dimensions are within or out of
tolerance limits), the measurement results may be stored in the
metrology database 26 for historical record, auditing, or to
perform statistical process control evaluations. The results stored
could be in the form of "in tolerance"/"out of tolerance"
(good/bad) or the actual measured values. Also, recorded
information includes date/time of calibration and the operator name
or employee number who performed the calibration.
[0022] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the
disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention
should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that
follow.
* * * * *