10-25-2017, 10:13 AM
Happy that you were able to see our humor (or attempt thereof) in our post Jan. We don't think that your idea is far-fetched or whimsical at all and, as a matter of fact, we have envisioned an approach that might be feasible. Many moons ago we developed a simple and inexpensive means of coupling laser diodes to fibers via a GRIN lense. These are all very tiny things i.e. 9 micron fiber and even smaller light point sources (diode emitters). The efficiency of the coupling process approached 80% which was double the typical coupling efficiency at the time. This was all accomplished with a machine that cost less than the components we were coupling. While the process would be quite different for knife edges the underlying principle would remain.
We have mixed emotions about the idea though and here's why; Users of cutting edges typically and anecdotally determine that an edge is dull or sharp by how much force is required to cut through some common material i.e. a piece of meat, a tomato, or a piece of rope. Our current methodology ties directly to that same process. In other words, using our current instruments, we have to actually cut through something in order to deduce an answer. This physical correlation makes us feel all warm and fuzzy and does, in fact, negate many of the subtle arguments that might affect the actual cutting/chopping/slicing ability of the edge.
Its an intriguing idea though and one that, for better or worse, might see the light (pun intended) of day. It's always good to correspond with someone who has their "thinking cap on" Jan. That's how we all get a little smarter.
We have mixed emotions about the idea though and here's why; Users of cutting edges typically and anecdotally determine that an edge is dull or sharp by how much force is required to cut through some common material i.e. a piece of meat, a tomato, or a piece of rope. Our current methodology ties directly to that same process. In other words, using our current instruments, we have to actually cut through something in order to deduce an answer. This physical correlation makes us feel all warm and fuzzy and does, in fact, negate many of the subtle arguments that might affect the actual cutting/chopping/slicing ability of the edge.
Its an intriguing idea though and one that, for better or worse, might see the light (pun intended) of day. It's always good to correspond with someone who has their "thinking cap on" Jan. That's how we all get a little smarter.