A new quartz-blank sorting machine including optical and extended X-ray inspection

A new multi-task sorting machine ("The Carousel") for AT-cut quartz blanks has been developed, which enables the simultaneous X-ray angle measurement and X-ray topography on up to four stations placed around one X-ray tube as well as additionally light-optical surface scan and/or other actual checking procedures. From the additional checks, extended criteria for the sorting process can be derived. The throughput is two to four times larger than with the existing angle-sorting machines. The apparatus is constructed as a modular system so that it can be equipped according to the demands of the user. Due to a modified X-ray angle-measuring technique combined with a double-side laser reflection measurement, the orientations of both surfaces of blanks with widths down to 1.5 mm are determined as absolute figures.