COMPLETE AFTER PROVISIONAL LEFT ON 21/8/06
FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
PROVISIONAL / COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
"A UNIQUE METHOD FOR TESTING/CHECKING THE PRESENCE OF NODULAR CHROME."

2. APPLICANT
(a) NAME : GABRIEL INDIA LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company registered under the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956
(c) ADDRESS : 29th Milestone, Pune- Nashik Highway,
Village Kuruli, Tal: Khed,
PUNE - 410501, Maharashtra State, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

4 DESCRIPTION (Description starts from page 2)
5. CLAIMS: Given on separate sheet
6. DATE AND SIGNATURE: Given on separate sheet
7. ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION: Given on separate sheet
The following specification describes the nature of this invention:


2 1 AUG 2006

TECHNICAL FIELD:
The present invention relates to a process for measuring the extent and / detecting the presence of nodular chrome. More particularly, it relates to a method, which has been developed indigenously for measuring and detecting the presence of nodular chrome on hard chromium plated precision cylindrical rod.
PRIOR ART:
In the conventional system, the extent of nodular chrome in all hard chromium plated application is measured by visual method using a microscope with suitable magnification. The commonly used is Standard Microscope with 200x magnification) for better visualization. Sometimes, a CRT can also be connected to view the image on the screen. The present/extent of nodular chrome on the plated surface is judged by an expert observer.
Figure 1,2 & 3 are some examples of analysis by virtual method.
Figure 1 shows high nodular chrome content.
Figure 2 shows low nodular chrome content.
Figure 3 shows no nodular chrome content present.
DEFICIENCIES OF PRIOR ART:
1. The conventional method is highly time consuming.
2. To undertake the process, highly skilled and trained personnel are required for checking and judgement thereafter.
3. The conventional method is subjective in nature and therefore accurate results are not possible. The chance of nodular chrome remaining on the surface of chrome plated cylindrical parts is very high.
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4. This conventional method is very slow and therefore results cannot be achieved in time.
5. The said method cannot be integrated in manufacturing process and can be handled off-line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a systematic technique and method for evaluating the extent and presence of nodular chromes on hard chromium plated, precision finished cylindrical parts, which does not require skilled people and can be integrated into mass production as online system.
The present invention aims to simplify the detecting procedure without any interruptions and with no extra time.
The present invention is directed towards a technique which is fast, less time consuming, gives more accurate results, which does not require any trained personnel for testing the nodular chrome in case of hard chromium plated applications.
The object of the present invention is to provide a technique and methodology, which is instant and non-destructive for the measurement and analysis of nodular chrome.
The present invention facilitates a method, which replaces the visual method of testing /detecting the nodular chrome in all chromium plated applications.
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ADVANTAGES OF PRESENT INVENTION:
1. The present invention facilitates instant checking/testing and the results obtained have high level of accuracy.
2. The performance of present invention is unaffected by the person operating it and can perform to its optimum capacity even though skilled/trained personnel is not appointed for the said job.
3. The present invention is not subjective in nature and therefore accurate results are obtained. The chance of nodular chrome on the surface of chrome plated cylindrical parts is zero.
4. The said invention can be integrated into manufacturing for achieving defect free output.
5. The working of present invention is speedy and accurate.
6. This invention saves time during operation and therefore has high efficiency and results in high output.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION:
A unique method for testing/checking the presence of nodular chrome on hard chromium plated precision cylindrical rod using setup comprising of an image sensor (1) for converting the image into digital form, illumination flash (2) for illuminating the object, camera Processor (3) with electrical input/output interface control panel (4) for amplifying the signal, computer (5) for programming and displaying image, machine hardware/software (6) for processing the signal,
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fixture/holding (7) for cylindrical work piece to ensure proper positioning and stability.
The cylindrical work piece(8) is clamped in the fixture(7). Interface panel (4) gets clamp signal from the machine harware(6) and gives command to camera processor(3) to actuate camera(1) and flash(2). Actual picture is taken by camera(1) with light flash(2) and the image is transferred to processor(3). The processor(3) analyses the image and sends signal to the interface panel(4) as well as to the computer(5) to display the image, number of fringe counts on the monitor. The interface panel(4) amplifies the signal and informs the machine hardware(6) to react according to the result of image. The machine hardware(6) acts whether to clamp/declamp said fixture(7) according to the instruction received from the interface panel(4).
The measurement of nodular chrome presence is done with the processing of image captured by the camera(1). The captured image is seen as a cluster of fringes because of light reflection. As shown in figure 5 and 6 the count of fringes over a specified length is clear indicator of extent of presence of nodular chrome. High count of fringes means less nodular chrome, zero count means high presence of nodular chrome. The measurement is being converted into electrical output and is integrated for online measurement.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT INVENTION:
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or matter.
The present invention is illustrated in the figures 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 4 shows the actual operation and sequence of events.
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Figure 5 & 6 shows the count of fringes.
Figure 7 shows the construction of illumination flash and image sensor.
Construction:
The present invention comprises of a camera processor(3) with electrical input/output to capture the image. An image sensor (1) is having 5X- 15X magnification with dense array of neon bulbs(9) around it forming illumination flash(2) to provide monochromatic light, which converts the image into digital form, are used. An interface control panel(4) is used to control panel is used to control the working of the whole mechanism. A computer(5) is connected to the control panel for programming and displaying the image. A machine (6) combined with hardware and software is used is used where the actual process of testing is done. A fixture or suitable holding (7) for cylindrical work- piece to ensure proper positioning and stability. A clean work piece (8) is held in the right position.
Working:
1. The cylindrical work piece (8) is clamped in the fixture(7).
2. Interface panel (4) gets clamp signal from the machine harware (6) and gives command to camera processor(3) to actuate camera(1) and flash(2).
3. Actual picture is taken by camera(1) with light flash(2) and the image is transferred to processor(3).
4. Processor(3) analyses the image and sends signal to interface panel (4) as well as to the computer (5) to display the image, number of fringe counts on the monitor.
5. Interface panel (4) amplifies the signal and informs the machine hardware(6) to react according to the result of image.
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6. Machine electrical hardware(6) to act for clamp/declamp fixture(7) according to the instruction received from the interface panel.
The measurement of nodular chrome presence is done with the processing of image captured by the camera(1) based on the following principle.
For a typically plated cylindrical rod the captured image will be seen as a cluster of fringes because of light reflection. As shown in the figures 5 & 6 fringes clarity (dark & light respectively) will change directly with the proportion of the presence of nodular chrome on the surface of plated workpiece (8). The count of fringes over a specified length is clear indicator of extent of presence of nodular chrome. High count of fringes means less nodular chrome. Zero count normally means high presence of nodular chrome.This measurement can be converted into electrical output and can be integrated for on-line measurement.
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We Claim:
1. A unique method for testing/checking the presence of nodular chrome on hard chromium plated precision cylindrical rod using setup comprising of, an image sensor (1) for converting the image into digital form; illumination flash (2) for illuminating the object; camera Processor (3) with electrical input/output; interface control panel (4) for amplifying the signal; computer (5) for programming and displaying image; machine hardware/software (6) for processing the signal; fixture/ holding (7) for cylindrical work piece to ensure proper positioning and stability,
and method comprising of,
the cylindrical work piece(8) is clamped in the fixture(7); interface panel (4) gets clamp signal from the machine harware(6) and gives command to camera processor(3) to actuate camera(1) and flash(2); Actual picture is taken by said camera(1) with said light flash(2) and the image is transferred to said processor(3); the said processor(3) analyses the image and sends signal to the said interface panel(4) as well as to the computer(5) to display the image, number of fringe counts on the monitor; the said interface panel(4) amplifies the signal and informs the said machine hardware(6) to react according to the result of image; the said machine hardware(6) acts whether to clamp/declamp said fixture(7) according to the instruction received from the said interface panel(4);
the measurement of nodular chrome presence is done with the processing of image captured by the said camera(1); the captured image is seen as a cluster of fringes because of light reflection; as shown in figure 5 and 6 the count of fringes over a specified length is clear indicator of extent of presence of nodular chrome; high count of fringes means less nodular chrome, zero count means high presence of nodular chrome; the measurement is being converted into electrical output and is integrated for online measurement.
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2. A unique method for testing/checking the presence of nodular chrome on hard chromium plated precision cylindrical rod as claimed in claim 1 where image sensor (1) is having (5X-15X magnification), with dense array of neon bulbs(9) around it forming illumination flash (2) to provide monochromatic light, which converts the image into digital form, are used.
3. A unique method for testing/checking the presence of nodular chrome on hard chromium plated precision cylindrical rod as claimed in claim 1 and 2, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
specification and drawings.

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Abstract
A unique method for testing/checking the presence of nodular chrome on hard chromium plated precision cylindrical rod using setup comprising of, an image sensor (1) for converting the image into digital form, illumination flash (2) for illuminating the object, camera Processor (3) with electrical input/output, interface control panel (4) for amplifying the signal, computer (5) for programming and displaying image, machine hardware/software (6) for processing the signal, fixture/ holding (7) for cylindrical work piece to ensure proper positioning and stability.
The method comprising of the cylindrical work piece(8) is clamped in the fixture(7). Interface panel (4) gets clamp signal from the machine harware(6) and gives command to camera processor(3) to actuate camera(1) and flash(2). Actual picture is taken by said camera(1) with said light flash(2) and the image is transferred to processor(3).The processor(3) analyses the image and sends signal to the interface panel(4) as well as to the computer(5) to display the image, number of fringe counts on the monitor. The interface panel(4) amplifies the signal and informs the machine hardware(6) to react according to the result of image. The machine hardware(6) acts whether to clamp/declamp fixture(7) according to the instruction received from the interface panel(4).
The measurement of nodular chrome presence is done with the processing of image captured by the camera(1). The captured image is seen as a cluster of fringes because of light reflection. The count of fringes over a specified length is clear indicator of extent of presence of nodular chrome. High count of fringes means less nodular chrome, zero count means high presence of nodular chrome. The measurement is being converted into electrical output and is integrated for online measurement.
21 AUG 2006