Three-dimensional Internal Information Acquisition System Based on Consecutive Precision Machining and Cross-sectional Observation – Development of the System and Its Applications –

An automated system was developed to acquire three-dimensional information from metallurgical and biological specimens. The system is based on consecutive precision machining and crosssectional image recording. In the system, face milling by a single crystal diamond tool is used for high precision machining, and an optical microscope is used for cross-sectional image recording. The system enabled three-dimensional analyses of casting defects in a die casting alloy specimen, and three-dimensional microstructure observation of biological samples containing hard tissues. INTRODUCTION Recent advances in computer-aided engineering and diagnosis technologies need more accurate modeling techniques to acquire threedimensional shapes and internal structures of manufactures and specimen. [1] For years, we have developed three-dimensional internal structure microscopes (3D-ISM) to observe biological specimens. [2] [3] [4] [5] Those systems enabled us to obtain sub-micrometer volume data of specimens. But those systems cannot be applied to metallurgical samples because of their thin microtome, which chip during cutting. In this paper, we propose a new system for acquiring internal information of both metallurgical and biological specimens. Fixing Milling Observation Recording 3D Reconstruction Repetition FIGURE 1. Outline of the RMSS-003 RMSS-003[6] Figure 1 shows the outline of the system. Specimens are fixed on the system to following procedures. Precise milling and cross-sectional observations are repeated from top to bottom of the specimen. Cross-sectional information is recorded and three-dimensional information is reconstructed from that information. The system was named as RMSS-003 (Riken Micro-Slicer System 003). Figure 2 shows the overview of the system. The system consists of a high-precision milling machine (UVM-350(J):TOSHIBA MACHINE Co. Ltd.) and cross-sectional information recording devices. An optical microscope is used for crosssectional image recording in this paper. Figure 3 shows the structural chart of the system. The specimen is moved to observation position after cutting. After recording all of cross-sectional images, we reconstruct three-dimensional volume of specimen with software (V-Cat1:RIKEN). Reconstructed volume can be segmented by the software to several parts for further analyses. FIGURE 2. Overview of RMSS-003 Table Feed Cutting Tool Observation Position Microscope Objective Lens Spindle Jig Cutting Position Specimen Ring Light FIGURE 3. Structural chart of RMSS-003