JP2012513597A - Apparatus and method for mounting components flat in a ring - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to a device 1 for flatly mounting a part 4 ′ in a ring 6, made from a ring support 3, 25 that can hold the ring 6 in a fixed manner and the material to be studied and / or analyzed. In order to make a hole in the bottom plate 4, a punch 11 that is fitted in an axially supported recess 15 and is movable along the stroke with respect to the recess 15, and flat in the ring 6. A counter punch 21 that meshes with the punch 11 so as to form a part 4 to be attached and can move along the stroke with respect to the support 3, and the punch, the part 4 and the counter punch 21 along the stroke. Guide assembly 17, 27, 37 for guiding, the stroke of the punch 11 and the stroke of the counter punch 21 are arranged such that the part 4 ′ is mounted flat in the ring 6. Characterized in that the possible stop at.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mounting a part flat in a ring. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of devices and methods for the production of analytical samples, in particular radioactive samples.

  In the field of analysis samples of radioactive substances, for example, transmission electron microscopes (TEM), safety is a major limitation from the viewpoint of radiation protection. Therefore, it is difficult today to produce such a sample, especially when the sample is highly radioactive. Samples of highly radioactive materials cannot be prepared manually because their radioactivity levels exceed safety standards. Also, for energy analysis, the activation energy of such highly radioactive materials will saturate the sensor used for analysis.

  A known solution for reducing the radiation dose of such samples and reducing the activation energy is to reduce the size of the sample.

  This problem is similar to magnetic materials that disturb (obstruct) the measuring device, which also requires a smaller sample size.

  In order to perform TEM analysis, the sample is typically manufactured using a plate about 100 μm thick and has the shape of a disk (disk) with a diameter of about 3 mm cut out using a punch. The sample is then electropolished on both sides. And two concave surfaces which have a hole substantially in the center are obtained.

  For the safety reasons mentioned above, a 3 mm diameter is too large for a sample of radioactive material.

  By applying the solution described above, this diameter is reduced to about 1 mm and the radiation is therefore divided by about 10 (to about 1/10).

  For operational reasons, these disks of about 1 mm diameter (hereinafter referred to as parts) are mounted flat (at the same height) in a ring with an outer diameter of about 3 mm and an inner diameter of about 1 mm.

  Mounting the part flat in the ring is usually done as follows.

  -Drill holes in the plate of material to be studied to obtain the part. This work is done at best in the glove box.

  -A human operator uses a pliers (or pliers) to move the part onto a ring made of non-radioactive, non-magnetic material.

  -Mount the parts to the same height in the ring, either vertically or by pressure applied using rollers.

  When a part is moved onto the ring, care must be taken regarding burrs of the part on the ring during its flat mounting.

  The results obtained using this method are not satisfactory. In fact, this method does not meet safety standards in radioactive environments, does not guarantee reproducible results, and induces mechanical stress on the material to be studied during flat mounting.

  One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for mounting components flat in a ring that allows to overcome (eliminate) the above disadvantages.

From this point of view, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for mounting parts flat (coplanar) in a ring characterized in that it includes:
-A ring support capable of keeping the ring stationary;
A punch, a material that is fitted (incorporated) into a recess for axial support of the punch, is movable along the stroke relative to the recess, and is to be studied or analyzed at the lower end of the punch A punch for making a hole in a plate made of
A counter punch, which is movable along the stroke with respect to the support, and a counter punch which meshes with the punch so as to form a part (part) to be mounted flat in the ring;
A guide assembly for guiding the punch, the part and the counter punch;
The stroke of the punch adapted and adapted to stop when the part is mounted flat in the ring and the stroke of the counter punch.

The present invention also provides a method for mounting a part flat in a ring characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
-Holding the ring by a ring support;
A punch that is fitted (incorporated) into a recess for axial support of the punch and is movable along the stroke relative to the recess, and is movable along the stroke relative to the support; Engaging the counter punch so as to form a part (part) to be mounted flat (at the same height) in the ring to pierce the plate at the lower end of the punch; ;
-Guiding the punch, the part and the counter punch along the stroke by means of a guide assembly;
Stopping the stroke of the punch and the counter punch when the part is mounted flat in the ring;

  The advantage of such an apparatus and such a method is that the production of radioactive samples can be performed in a safe environment, for example in a shielded chamber.

Other optional and non-limiting features of the device according to the invention are:
The device further comprises a plate support capable of supporting the plate;
The ring support and the plate support comprise common elements;
The device further comprises a stop for limiting the range of travel (movement distance) of the punch and / or the counter punch;
The guide assembly is a series of holes formed in the ring support, the plate support and the recess and centered on the same axis in the axial direction;
The counter punch includes a centering finger axially aligning the center of the ring with the axis of the hole;
The optional non-limiting features of the method according to the invention are:
The method comprises the step of positioning the ring in a cavity for holding the ring provided in the recess;
The guide operation of the punch, the component and the counter punch is performed along a single axis when the guide assembly is a series formed in the ring support, the plate support and the recess. Done;
The method further comprises centering the ring held by a centering finger provided on the counter punch;
Other features, objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description, with reference to the drawings given without limitation by the embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the present invention at a position before drilling. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a drilling position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a horizontal mounting position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part mounted horizontally in a ring obtained by using the device according to the invention. It is an image which shows the crystal state of the sample manufactured using the apparatus by this invention. It is an image which shows the crystal state of the sample used in the prior art.

  With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an apparatus that can be implemented in accordance with the present invention is described below.

The device 1 for flatly mounting the part 4 'in the ring 6 according to the invention comprises:
-Ring supports 3, 25 that can hold the ring 6 stationary;
The punch 11 is fitted (arranged) in a recess (recess, recess) 15 for supporting the punch in the axial direction, and is movable along the stroke with respect to the recess 15. With a punch to make a hole in the plate (plate) 4 with
A counter punch that is movable along the stroke with respect to the counter punch 21 and the supports 3, 25 and engages with the punch so as to form a part 4 ′ mounted flat in the ring 6,
A guide assembly 17, 27, 37 for guiding the punch 11, the part 4 'and the counter punch 21 along their stroke;

  The stroke of the punch 11 and the stroke of the counter punch 21 are adapted to stop when the part 4 'is mounted flat in the ring 6, as will be explained later in the description.

  With respect to the punch 11 and the counter punch 21, in some cases, the stroke of the punch 11 and the stroke of the counter punch 21 can be on a substantial axis. This will be explained in more detail later in this description.

  The plate 4 is made of a material to be studied and / or analyzed and is made with a thickness suitable for the study and / or analysis. For example, the plate 4 has a thickness of about 100 μm.

  The part 4 ′ to be mounted flat is formed on the plate 4 by stamping. The size of the part 4 'is adapted for research and / or analysis. For example, the component 4 ′ is a disk (disk) having a diameter of about 1 mm.

  The ring 6 is manufactured using a plate made of a material suitable for the study and / or analysis of the part 4 '. For example, in the case of research and / or analysis of radioactive material by TEM, the plate 4 is made of non-radioactive and non-magnetic material and has a thickness of about 100 μm. The plate may be mechanically thinned in advance.

  The ring 6 can be formed by cutting a plate made from a suitable material using a punch. The ring 6 can be in various shapes provided by a punch. For example, the ring 6 may be annular with an outer diameter of about 3 mm.

  The ring 6 has an inner orifice (opening) 62 adapted (configured) to receive the part 4 'accurately. For example, if the component 4 'is a disk having a diameter of about 1 mm, the inner orifice has an annular shape having a diameter of about 1 mm (see FIG. 4).

  Manufacture of drilling punches (manufacturing by drilling punches) is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail.

  Since the drilling to form the part 4 ′ and the flat mounting in the ring 6 are performed during a single stroke of the punch 11 and the counter punch 21, the construction of the device 1 thus manufactured is Making it possible to produce samples in a shielded chamber.

  The device 1 makes it possible, for example in the case of the production of radioactive samples, to limit the transfer of radioactive material from one instrument to another that generally requires manipulation by the operator. In the same case, it is possible to comply with safety standards from the viewpoint of radiation protection.

  The ring supports 3, 25 ensure that the ring 6 is kept flat during the flat mounting of the part 4 '.

  The ring supports 3, 25 also have cavities (or cavities) for positioning the rings.

  The guide assemblies 17, 27, 37 make it possible to accurately center the part 4 ′ with respect to the ring 6 and to obtain an accurate flat mounting.

  The ring supports 3 and 25 and the guide assembly make it possible to obtain a sample without burrs.

  A support 3 for the plate 4 is also provided in the apparatus 1 for supporting the plate 4 made from the material to be studied and / or analyzed. The support 3 has a cutting edge that engages (fits tightly) with the punch 11 in order to cut the component 4 ′ in the plate 4 without generating burrs.

  Alternatively, the supports for the ring supports 3, 25 and the plate 4 can also include a common element 3. The common element 3 holds the ring 6 when disposed at the upper position of the ring 6 and supports the plate 4 when disposed at the lower position of the plate 4.

  Stops 18 and 18 'are also provided to delimit the stroke of the punch 11 and the stroke of the counter punch 21, respectively.

  The guide assemblies 17, 27, 37 may be a series (a set) of holes centered on the same axis AA in the axial direction. These holes 17, 27, 37 are realized through the ring supports 3, 25, the plate support 3 and the recess 15.

  In this case, the punch 11 and the counter punch 21 are configured to be able to pass through these holes having a minimum gap in order to give an easy slip without moving.

  Optionally, the counter punch 21 includes a centering finger 211 for axially centering the ring 6 on the hole axis AA. The finger 211 may be at the end of the chamfered counter punch 21, for example.

  An advantage associated with the use of centering fingers 211 is that it allows easy centering of the ring 6. In fact, due to the dimensions of the ring 6, it is not easy to position the ring 6 so that its axis of rotation or symmetry is perfectly aligned with the hole axis AA (aligned).

  The punch 11 and the counter punch 21 are displaced through an automatic or manual operation through a gear mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder or a crankshaft. These displacements occur inside the supports 3, 25, the plate support 3 and the recess 15.

The method for manufacturing the ring 6 with the horizontal mounting part 4 'comprises the following steps:
Holding the ring 6 via the supports 3, 25 of the ring 6;
Meshing the punch 11 and the counter punch 21 to pierce the plate 4 at the end of the punch 11 to form a part 4 ′ to be mounted flat in the ring 6 (see FIG. 2);
The guide assembly 17, 27, 37 guides the punch 11, part 4 and counter punch along the stroke of the punch 11, part 4 and counter punch 21;
-Stopping the stroke of the punch 11 and the counter punch 21 when the part 4 'is mounted flat in the ring 6 (see Fig. 3).

Optionally, the method comprises one or several of the following steps:
Positioning the ring 6 in a cavity (or cavity) 251 for holding the ring 6 provided in the recess 15;
The center of the ring 6 provided on the counter punch 21 and held by the centering fingers 211 is aligned. When the guides 17, 27, 37 are a series of holes formed in the ring support 3, 25, the plate support 3 and the recess 15, the guide of the punch 11, the component 4 ′ and the counter punch 21 is It is executed along one single axis AA.

  Stopping the stroke of the punch 11 (during the flat mounting of the part 4 ′ in the ring 6) and stopping the stroke of the counter punch 21 (during engagement with the punch 11 and / or of the part 4 ′ in the ring 6) The flat mounting) is performed by a stop 18 '. The mechanical retention of the part 4 'in the ring 6 is also improved, allowing easier operation without the possibility of the part 4' coming off.

  FIG. 5a shows the crystalline state of the part 4 'mounted flat in the ring 6 near the area called the flat mounting area 8 (visible in FIG. 4). The flat attachment area 8 is the area near the ring / part contact. This image was taken from above the sample after the hole was formed by electrochemistry at a location near the flat mounting region 8 and 0.15 mm therefrom. This image was taken by TEM.

  FIG. 5b shows the crystalline state of the sample used in the prior art as described in the preamble of this application.

  By comparing the two figures, the device 1 and the method performed by the device 1 induce only a transition density equivalent to that obtained with a 3 mm sample used in the prior art in a sample manufactured at 1 mm. It is easy to understand.

Claims (10)

A device for mounting parts flat in a ring,
A ring support that can hold the ring fixed;
A plate made of the material to be studied and / or analyzed is fitted into a recess for axial support in order to make a hole at the lower end and is movable along the stroke relative to the recess Punch and
A counter punch that meshes with a punch to form a part that is mounted flat in the ring and is movable along a stroke relative to the support;
A guide assembly for guiding the punch, the component, and the counter punch along the stroke, and
The apparatus, wherein the punch stroke and the counter punch stroke are configured to stop when the part is mounted flat in the ring.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plate support capable of supporting the plate.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ring support and the plate support include common elements.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stopper that defines a range of the punch stroke and / or the counter punch stroke.   The said guide assembly is a series of holes formed in the said ring support body, the said board | substrate support body, and the said hollow, and centering on the same axis | shaft in the axial direction. A device according to claim 1.   6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the counter punch includes a centering finger for centering the ring on the axis of the hole in the axial direction. A method of mounting parts flat in a ring,
Holding the ring by a ring support;
A hole is made in the plate at the lower end of the punch so as to form a part that is mounted flat on the ring, so that it can be moved along the stroke with respect to a recess for supporting the punch in the axial direction. Meshing the fitted punch with a counter punch movable along the stroke with respect to the support;
Guiding the punch, the component, and the counter punch along the stroke of the punch, the component, and the counter punch by a guide assembly;
Stopping the stroke of the punch and the stroke of the counter punch when the part is mounted flat on the ring.   8. A method according to claim 7, comprising the step of positioning the ring in a cavity for holding the ring provided in the recess.   Guide of the punch, the component and the counter punch is performed along a single axis when the guide assembly is a series of holes formed in the ring support, the plate support and the recess. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein:   9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, comprising the step of centering the ring held by a centering finger provided on the counter punch.

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