Overhead scanning profiler
First Claim
1. A scanning profiler, comprising:
- an overhead scanning assembly including a linearly scanned distance measurement stylus to measure a surface profile of a sample;
a positioning assembly to position the overhead scanning assembly in three orthogonal directions relative to the sample; and
a base supporting the positioning assembly and the overhead scanning assembly, wherein the base supports the positioning assembly on opposite sides of the sample and the sample is fixed relative to the base.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for surface profile measurements of large samples. The sample is held by a stationary chuck, while a four-axis (X, Y, Z and theta axis) positioning assembly manipulates and positions an overhead scan assembly and measurement stylus to perform the profilometry. To observe the sample surface in the vicinity of the measurement stylus, an illumination and imaging capability is also provided. Backlash and error are reduced in the Z axis assembly through use of cams and cam followers, and in the scan assembly through use of multiple tensioned wires, with low-friction sliding elements. The apparatus reduces vibration and supports heavy (up to 400 kg) samples while allowing accurate profile measurements.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A scanning profiler, comprising:
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an overhead scanning assembly including a linearly scanned distance measurement stylus to measure a surface profile of a sample; a positioning assembly to position the overhead scanning assembly in three orthogonal directions relative to the sample; and a base supporting the positioning assembly and the overhead scanning assembly, wherein the base supports the positioning assembly on opposite sides of the sample and the sample is fixed relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An overhead scanning assembly supported by a base assembly comprising:
a distance measurement stylus to measure a surface profile of a sample, the stylus positioned in an orthogonal X, Y and Z position relative to the sample fixed to the base. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An overhead scanning assembly supported by a base assembly comprising:
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a motor; two wires; two tensioning hubs attached to the wires, the tensioning hubs driven by the motor and having means for tensioning the wires; two front pulleys, rotatably engaging the wires; a single slide; and a wire-driven slider follower fixably attached to the wires and slidably contacting the single slide. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A vertical drive of an overhead scanning assembly comprising:
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a slider connected to a distance measurement stylus to provide sliding linear motion of the stylus in the vertical direction relative to the overhead scanning assembly; a cam attached to the overhead scanning assembly; a cam follower, connected to the slider and the measurement stylus, which rotates and rides on the cam; a motor; and a worm driven by the motor and driving the cam to move the slider and the stylus in the vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A linear scan assembly comprising:
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at least one reference surface on a single slide; a sliding follower with a center plane of symmetry and slidably engaging the reference surface of the single slide; at least one wire fixably and symmetrically attached to the sliding follower about the center plane; a drive motor; at least one tensioning pulley driven by the drive motor, the tensioning pulley having means for tension attachment of the wire; and at least one front pulley, rotatably engaging the wire, and wherein the symmetric attachment of the wire to the sliding follower reduces or eliminates torque or tilt of the sliding follower.
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34. A linear scan assembly comprising:
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three reference surfaces on a single slide; a sliding follower with a center plane of symmetry and slidably engaging the reference surfaces of the single slide; two wires fixably and symmetrically attached to the sliding follower about the center plane; a drive motor; two tensioning pulleys driven by the drive motor, the tensioning pulleys having means for tension attachment of the wires; and two front pulleys, rotatably engaging the wires.
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35. A method for scanning a sample comprising:
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providing an overhead scanning assembly with a linearly scanned distance measurement stylus to measure a surface profile of the sample; providing a positioning assembly to position the overhead scanning assembly in three orthogonal directions relative to the sample; providing a base supporting the positioning assembly and the overhead scanning assembly, the base supporting the positioning assembly on opposite sides of the sample; mounting the sample on the base; and scanning the sample with the stylus, wherein the sample and base are stationary. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification