Development of an Optical Scattering Measurement Device

Sammanfattning

This master’s thesis presents the development of an Optical Scattering Measurement Device (OSMD), conducted in collaboration with AFRY. The purpose of the project is to continue and build upon a previous thesis from 2024 by improving the mechanical design, functionality, and reliability of a prototype aimed at measuring the bidirectional scattering distribution function of material samples. The project focuses on the mechanical engineering aspects of the system, with contributions from optical and software engineering to ensure full system integration. The work follows the product development process described by Ulrich and Eppinger, encompassing stages such as needs analysis, product specification, concept generation, system-level and detail design, manufacturing, and testing. Key challenges addressed include extending and enhancing the range of motion of the optical instruments, ensuring mechanical stability during operation, and selecting materials with low reflectivity to maintain measurement accuracy. Design for manufacturing was prioritized to reduce cost and complexity, using methods such as 3D-printing for low-load components and metal machining of dynamic parts from third-party actors. The final prototype demonstrates improved mechanical performance, flexibility in configuration, and sufficient structural integrity to support accurate optical measurements. This thesis concludes with a functional OSMD prototype and offers insights for future development and potential commercial applications.