From Vol. 284, we will introduce technical know-how and typical solutions that are specifically applicable to realizing automation and labor savings. The first topic refers to "Positioning" techniques.

General description

-One of the positioning techniques consists of magnifying the workpiece under a microscope for positioning and aligning the reference lines on the workpiece with the reference lines in an optical instrument (microscope in this case) (cursor lines in the eyepiece of the microscope). This is typically applicable to positioning of a magnetic sensor gap. In this method, the state of positioning becomes hard to see when the cursor lines in the microscope and the reference lines on the workpiece are aligned with each other. However, improvement in the design of cursor lines makes the state of positioning easier to identify even at higher magnifications.

Explanation

-When the cursor lines in the microscope ([Figure1]) and the reference lines on the workpieces to be set in position are aligned with each other, the reference lines on the workpiece become covered with the cursor lines and thus become invisible, resulting in becomes hard to see the state of positioning ([Figure2]).

-Then, typically, at a position with a small clearance left between the cursor lines in the microscope and the reference lines on the workpiece which are kept parallel to each other, the positioning is checked for proper state ([Figure3]).

-In practice, however, this method makes it more difficult to identify the state of positioning in case where precise angular adjustment is needed (e.g., positioning of magnetic sensor) ([Figure4]).

-As a solution to the case shown in [Figure4], improvement in design of cursor lines is recommended ([Figure5]).

-The design of cursor lines shown in [Figure51 features ease of identification of both linear and angular positioning thus it helps reduce the burden on the eyes in manual positioning under a high-power microscope or through a screen display.

Precautions

-In the positioning based on the cursor lines, alignment between the cursor lines and the X- and Y-axes in the drive mechanism is critical, and setting of the origin of scale using gages and other tasks also become necessary. In order to minimize possible differences among individual operators in these tasks, standardization of the tasks is essential.