Magnetic ink for marking defective parts or assemblies during manufacturing
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting a defective component in a laminated device which is a final or intermediate product of a continuous manufacturing process which employs an assembly line,the method comprising:
- a) identifying a defect in said defective component during said continuous manufacturing process, by means of a scanning device placed at one of a plurality of inspection points within the assembly line, wherein each said inspection point comprises such a scanning device in communication with means for applying magnetic ink;
b) marking the defective component with said magnetic ink during said continuous manufacturing process;
c) detecting the magnetic ink in said final or intermediate product containing the defective component; and
d) isolating the final or intermediate product in which said magnetic ink is detected, said product containing the defective component,wherein said magnetic ink is substantially concealed in said final or intermediate product,and wherein said defect is in a layer of said laminated device which is substantially concealed in said final or intermediate product, due to lamination of components.
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Abstract
Magnetic ink is used to mark defective parts or assemblies during manufacturing, thereby allowing the defective parts or assemblies to be detected in products following manufacturing, even if they are concealed or hidden in the final product. An example of such a defect-containing product is a laminated microfluidic device which contains a defective capillary.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a defective component in a laminated device which is a final or intermediate product of a continuous manufacturing process which employs an assembly line,
the method comprising: -
a) identifying a defect in said defective component during said continuous manufacturing process, by means of a scanning device placed at one of a plurality of inspection points within the assembly line, wherein each said inspection point comprises such a scanning device in communication with means for applying magnetic ink; b) marking the defective component with said magnetic ink during said continuous manufacturing process; c) detecting the magnetic ink in said final or intermediate product containing the defective component; and d) isolating the final or intermediate product in which said magnetic ink is detected, said product containing the defective component, wherein said magnetic ink is substantially concealed in said final or intermediate product, and wherein said defect is in a layer of said laminated device which is substantially concealed in said final or intermediate product, due to lamination of components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification