SBIR/STTR Research Award
Diamond Indenter Finishing Machine
Award amount
$49,932Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IAward year
1997Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Commerce
- Branch
- Not reported
- Recipient company
- Dia-Tool Corporation
- Proposal award date
- Not reported
- Contract end date
- Not reported
- UEI
- Not reported
- Solicitation number
- Not reported
- Topic code
- Not reported
Research abstract
Dia-Tool proposes herein a new manufacturing machine that will combine the processing steps of shaping the indenter and the measurement of the resulting cone into a single automated Diamond Indenter Finishing Machine. The images of the edges of the indenter cone are digitized through an imaging array and directly stored in computer memory. The indenter cone images are then transformed by image analysis software into a vector representing the features of the image. That vector is supplied to a neural network to determine deviation from specification. The neural network output provides parameters for feedback to the grinding and polishing processes. The indenter will be measured in situ at the end of each grinding or polishing step and accepted, rejected or returned to the grinding/polishing station for more finishing based on the analysis of the image.
Technology keywords
Not reported