Patent Publication Number: US-2017357238-A1

Title: Method and system for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computerized numerical control (CNC) machines and in particularly relates to method and device connected to CNC machines for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Manufacturing processes typically result in product variation. Product variation is the result of one or more of a number of factors including variations in material, variations in the environment, and worn equipment. When the product variation exceeds certain levels the product is defective, resulting in either scrap or the necessity to rework the product. This results in huge cost to the manufacturers. 
     Further, to comply with the requirements of modern high-precision machine tool, the accurate measurements become absolutely necessary. Accordingly, it becomes important to detect the possible defects at an appropriate time and take appropriate corrective measures. 
     Generally, the operator is responsible for the correct running of the machine. The operator would load/unload the parts and check manually with analog devices like airgauges, micro meters etc. Here, the main hurdle is of uneducated operators who do not have interest in running the machine. Also the operators are underpaid and hence there is lack of motivation to learn and do their job thoroughly. Also, the frequency of these mistakes is especially high during the night shift when the operators have the tendency to be lazy. For the quality check, there are inspectors who would check all the components 100% with the help of gauges right before the dispatch. They would act as a safety net and make sure defectives do not go to the end customer. The quality controlled is generally performed by humans and there exists a probability of rejection and re-work which result in ultimately loss to the company. 
     Thus, there exists a need to for automated systems which monitor parts/work pieces and products produced, measure the uniformity, and provide alerts when parts are out of tolerance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment, a method for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values in respect of a first work piece from a user and storing said one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances values in respect of the first work piece. The method further includes measuring one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of a second work piece; comparing the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values and assessing existence of a deviation/variation within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values measured in respect of the second work piece based on comparison. Thereafter, the method involves auto-correcting one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/Variation in the event of existence of a deviation/variation in within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on comparison, such that the corrected one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece is equivalent to stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances. 
     In an embodiment, an system connected to a CNC machine for ganging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece is provided. The system includes an input means for receiving one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values in respect of a first work piece from a user and a memory for storing said one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances values in respect of the first work piece. The system is further provided with a processor which in operational interconnection with one or more digital probes is configured for: measuring one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of a second work piece; comparing the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values; and assessing existence of a deviation/variation within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values measured in respect of the second work piece based on comparison. The system further includes a correction unit for auto-correcting one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/variation in the event of existence of a deviation/variation in within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on comparison, such that corrected one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece is equivalent to stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances. 
     An object of the present invention is to ensure that the human error involved while testing the products/tools/work pieces is eliminated. 
     An object of the present invention is to ensure that the CNC machines can be run by humans with minimal defects. 
     An object of the present invention is to ensure that the dependency on humans for testing is minimized. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide information of the defects to proper personnel on a timely basis and take appropriate corrective measures. 
     To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will he described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a flow chart for a method for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an system for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow chart for an exemplary implementation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  shows an exploded view of the gauging station along with the part numbers and quantity in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows the front view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows the right side view of the ganging station as shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention: 
         FIG. 7  shows the left side view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention: 
         FIG. 8  shows the backside view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  shows the isometric view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a typical hardware configuration of a computer system, which is representative of a hardware environment for practicing the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same, it will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional stub systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the it to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a method  100  for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece. The method  100  includes step  102  of receiving one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values in respect of a first work piece from a user using an input device and step  104  of storing said one or more desired standard geometric tolerances values in respect of the first work piece. The first piece is generally referred to as the Master Piece and the second piece used herein is generally referred to as the Production Piece. The method  100  further includes step  106  of measuring one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of a second work piece; step  108  of comparing the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values and step  110  of assessing existence of a deviation/variation within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values measured in respect of the second work piece based on comparison. Thereafter, the method  100  involves step  112  auto-correcting one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/variation in the event of existence of a deviation/variation in within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on comparison, such that the corrected one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece is equivalent to stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances. 
     In an embodiment, the method  100  further includes sending a signal to the user in the event of existence of deviation/variation beyond said predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values measured in respect of the second work piece. 
     In an embodiment, the more desired/standard geometric tolerance values are calculated by measuring and calculating a mean of geometric tolerance values associated with a plurality of similar first work pieces. 
     In an embodiment, the method  100  further includes calculating the correction value to be applied to one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/variation. 
     In an embodiment, the predetermined tolerance range of deviation/variation is pre-stored. In another embodiment, the method  100  further includes the predetermined tolerance range is configured to be modified by the user. 
     In an embodiment, the method  100  further includes the geometric tolerance values include values relating to one or more of outer diameter, inner diameter, height, size, cross-sectional area, thread pitch, of in respect of work piece. 
     In an embodiment, the method  100  further includes storing in memory and displaying on a display one or more of:
         e. the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the first second work piece;   f. results of comparison of the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values;   g. the correction value to be applied to one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/variation.   h. log details pertaining to the measurement and comparison.       

     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an system  200  connected to a CNC machine for gauging and auto correcting geometric tolerances in respect of a work piece system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The system  200  includes a receiving means/unit  202  for receiving one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values in respect of a first work piece from a user and a memory  204  for storing said one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances values in respect of the first work piece. The system  200  is further provided with a processor  206  which in operational interconnection with one or more digital probes is configured for: measuring one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of a second work piece; comparing the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values; and assessing existence of a deviation/vacation within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values measured in respect of the second work piece based on comparison. The system  200  further includes a correction unit  208  that comprises one or more microprocessors and processing algorithms for auto-correcting one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/variation in the event of existence of a deviation/variation in within a predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on comparison, such that corrected one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece is equivalent to stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerances. 
     The system  200  further includes an output module  210  such as a display one or more of:
         e. the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the first second work piece;   f. results of comparison of the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values;   g. the correction value to be applied to one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation variation.   h. log details pertaining to the measurement and comparison.       

     The memory  204  is further to store the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the first second work piece, results of comparison of the measured one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece with the corresponding stored one or more desired/standard geometric tolerance values, the correction value to be applied to one or more geometric tolerance values in respect of the second work piece based on identified deviation/variation, log details pertaining to the measurement and comparison. The log details include date and time stamp on which the work piece was checked. 
     In an embodiment, the system  200  further includes one or more probes  212  including touch probes, digital probes including one or more of lasers. 
     In an embodiment, the system  200  further includes one or more sensors  214  including cameras, position sensors, pressure sensors, gauges etc. to sense placement of correct work piece. 
     In an embodiment, the system  200  further includes a power supply unit  216  for supplying power various components of the system  200 . 
     In an embodiment, the system  200  further includes a transmitter  218  for transmitting a signal to the user in the event of existence of deviation/variation beyond said predetermined tolerance range in said one or more geometric tolerance values measured in respect of the second work piece. The signal is generally sent in the form of an alert message/notification and is displayed on the display. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flow chart for an exemplary implementation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The process  300  begins at step  303  when the gauging station (referred to as SmartCorrect) is attached to the CNC machine and powered on. Thereafter, the gauging station automatically goes into the Learn Mode. Initially, the standard geometric tolerances values of the MASTER work piece (first work piece) are inputted in a special screen as indicated in step  304 . The Masterpiece is placed on the gauging station and a Master Key is pressed the gauging station measures the masterpiece and the sensors/probes co-relate the actual measurement to the values inputed in the screen as indicated in step  306 . This Masterpiece and the values of the geometric tolerances then become the perfect values against which the production pieces are compared as indicated in step  308 . The Operator runs machine and checks each job on Gauging Station and make correction where required on his own as indicated in step  310 . The Gauging Station LEARNS about process &amp; calculates the ‘Process Capability’ based on inspection of 200-500 jobs/work piece. Gauging Station sets control limits switches to ‘CORRECT’ mode as indicated in step  312 . Thereafter, the gauging station runs in ready mode as indicated in step  314 . The process continues and the new job/work piece is placed on the gauging station and the cycle start is pressed as indicated in block  316 . Once the job (production piece) is placed on the gauging station, the probes including digital and touch probes measure the dimensions, for instance, outer diameter (A), inner diameter (B), Height (C) relating to the job as indicated in step  318 . The measured readings are thereafter compared, at step  320 , by the microprocessor with the standard mean values set during the CORRECT mode. The deviations are identified and checked if they fall outside or within a predetermined acceptable range as fixed by the operator at step  322 . Generally, three zones have been exemplified in the present invention. The red zone indicates that the deviations are beyond the predetermined tolerance range, the yellow zone indicates the deviations are within the predetermined tolerance range and green zone indicates that there are no deviations. The system thereafter at checks the nature of zone at step  324 . If the deviations are found to be within the yellow zone. the SmartCorrect calculates the correction required and transmits to CNC controller at step  326  The correction. value goes to the Tool Screen and is applied on the Tool (T 1 , T 2 , . . . ) which needs the correction so that job size is maintained near Mean value as indicated in step  328 . Thereafter, at step  330  and  332 , the next part produced by the machine is also checked and if the readings of all three parameters A,B,C, are found to be without any deviation from the standard value (i.e. within Green zone)and no correction is made and process continues. The ‘INTELLIGENT’ algorithms in SmartCorrect ensure that correction in tool offsets in CNC is always made in timely &amp; precise manner so that almost ZERO parts fall in RED ZONE (Rejection). This ensures zero defect quality without intervention of operator &amp; inspector. The process thereafter finishes at step  334 . If at step  324 , the deviations are found to be in the Red zone, the process is stopped at step  336  and a signal is sent at step  338  to the supervisor to take appropriate corrective action. If at step  324 , the deviations are found to be in the Green zone, the process continues without correction and thereafter the next piece is produced and checked as indicated in step  340 . Thus, it may be noticed that the above system and process provides the following advantages: make 100% ok parts, provides real time records of all the parts produced, eliminate human error, eliminate dependency on humans for quality, ensures that the machines can be run by unskilled and uneducated people. 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  shows an exploded view of the gauging station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The gauging station  400  as indicated in  FIG. 4A  includes  2  base plates ( 1 ,  2 ) that act as a holding base structure for the ganging station  400 . The gauging station further includes two Linear Motion (LM) Blocks ( 3 ) containing small recirculating bearing balls which move linearly along rails and recirculate within the linear motion block and connect with the two Linear Motion (LM) Guideways ( 4 ). The gauging station  400  further includes a slide ( 5 ) and probe mounting brackets ( 7 ,  10 ) for mounting the probes. The gauging station  400  primarily includes two outer diameter (O.D) measuring probes ( 8 ), three height and parallelism measuring probes ( 11 ). The gauging station  400  is farther provided with a probe height adjustment bracket ( 9 ) for varying/adjusting the height of the probes. A job resting adapter ( 12 ) is provided for placing/holding the job. The gauging station  400  further includes two bore measuring elements ( 13 ) and an element mounting bracket ( 14 ). The work piece to be tested is placed on the job resting adapter and the various dimensions are measured with the help of various probes including outer diameter measuring probes, height and parallelism measuring probes. The details of the part numbers along with then quantity are indicated in the  FIG. 4B . The ganging station  400  is generally placed on an electrical and pneumatic panel as can be seen in the following figures. 
       FIG. 5  shows the front view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  shows the right side view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows the left side view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  shows the back side view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  shows the isometric view of the gauging station as shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a typical hardware configuration of a computer system, which is representative of a hardware environment for practicing the present invention, is illustrated. The computer system  1000  can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  1000  to perform any one or more of the methods disclosed. The computer system  1000  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. 
     In a networked deployment, the computer system  1000  may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system  1000  can also be implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single computer system  1000  is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions. 
     The computer system  1000  may include a processor  1002  e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor  1002  may be a component in a variety of systems. For example, the processor may be part of a standard personal computer or a workstation. The processor  1002  may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits. analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analysing and processing data. The processor  1002  may implement a software program, such as code generated manually (i.e., programmed). 
     The computer system  1000  may include a memory  1004 , such as a memory  1004  that can communicate via a bus  1008 . The memory  1004  may be a main memory, a static memory, or a dynamic memory. The memory  1004  may include, but is not limited to computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. In one example, the memory  1004  includes a cache or random access memory for the processor  1002 . In alternative examples, the memory  1004  is separate from the processor  1002 . such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory  1004  may be an external storage device or database for storing data. Examples include a hard drive, compact disc (“CD”), digital video disc (“DVD”), memory card, memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus (“USB”) memory device, or any other device operative to store data. The memory  1004  is operable to store instructions executable by the processor  1002 . The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor  1002  executing the instructions stored in the memory  1004 . The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and the like. 
     As shown, the computer system  1000  may or may not further include a display unit  1010 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determined information. The display  1010  may act as an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor  1002 , or specifically as an interface with the software stored in the memory  1004  or in the drive unit  1016 . 
     Additionally, the computer system  1000  may include an input device  1012  configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components of system  1000 . The input device  1012  may be a number pad, a keyboard, or a cursor control device, such as a mouse or a joystick, touch screen display, remote control or any other device operative to interact with the computer system  1000 . 
     The computer system  1000  may also include a disk or optical drive unit  1016 . The disk drive unit  616  may include a computer-readable medium  1022  in which one or more sets of instructions  1024 , e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions  1024  may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions  1024  may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory  1004  or within the processor  1002  during execution by the computer system  1000 . The memory  1004  and the processor  1002  also may include computer-readable media as discussed above. 
     The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions  1024  or receives and executes instructions  1024  responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network  1026  can communicate: voice, video, audio, images or any other data over the network  1026 . Further, the instructions  1024  may be transmitted or received over the network  1026  via a communication port or interface  1020  or using a bus  1008 . The communication port or interface  1020  may be a part of the processor  1002  or may be a separate component. The communication port  1020  may be created in software or may be a physical connection in hardware. The communication port  1020  may be configured to connect with a network  1026 , external media, the display  1010 , or any other components in system  1000  or combinations thereof. The connection with the network  1026  may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be established wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other components of the system  1000  may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly. The network  1026  may alternatively be directly connected to the bus  1008 . 
     The network  1026  may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network  1026  may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols. 
     In an alternative example, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement various parts of the system  1000 . 
     Applications that may include the systems can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more examples described may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     The system described may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in a non-limited example, implementations can include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed to implement various parts of the system. 
     The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) may be used. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed are considered equivalents thereof. 
     The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.