Patent ID: 6050127
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of characterizing the impact response of a disc, comprising steps of:(a) placing the disc on a material support;(b) providing a vacuum to an open-ended test ball support to impart a suction pressure to the open end of the ball support;(c) placing a test ball abuttingly adjacent the ball support open end, whereby the suction pressure to the open end of the ball support;(d) positioning the ball support and cooperatively positioning the material support so that the test ball is positioned no more than 10 millimeters above a desired target location on the disc;(e) venting positive pressure to the ball support to negate the suction pressure, causing the test ball to fall onto the disc to effect a detent thereon; and(f) evaluating the microscopic depth of the detent through use of a high power microscope to characterize the impact response of the disc.