JP2000039405A - X-ray inspection equipment Conveyor for automatic inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a detection object in an object to be inspected even if the X-ray generation output of an X-ray generation means is low, by installing an X-ray inspection device at a carrying device for temporarily stopping the object to be inspected during transportation. SOLUTION: An X-ray generation body part 1 is provided on an intermittent carrying device 8, an object 9 to be inspected is arranged within the application range of an X-ray generation tube 3 so that it can be stopped temporarily, and a traveling device is used for moving the object 9 to be inspected from an already installed conveyor 15 to the intermittent carrying device 8. In this case, for following the line speed of the conveyor 15, the intermittent transportation of carry-in, stop, and carry-out of the object 9 to be inspected is made by controlling a stepping motor so that one processing can be made within the tact time of the object 9 to be inspected. The object 9 to be inspected is fixed by the envelope of a rib being provided on the conveyor so that the object 9 to be inspected cannot move due to inertia or the like in the intermittent transportation, and a sensor for detecting the object to be inspected is mounted to a location where the object 9 to be inspected stops temporarily for reading an X-ray transmission data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus which detects X-ray transmission data of an object in an object to be inspected even if the X-ray generation output is low, and which can be automatically judged by image processing means. The present invention relates to a transport device of a line inspection device system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inspection of an object to be inspected by an X-ray inspection apparatus is performed by mounting the X-ray inspection apparatus on an existing conveyor and moving the inspection object at the line speed of the existing conveyor. Inspection of the inside. In addition, an X-ray inspection is performed in which the conveyor is mounted on the X-ray detection device and installed between the existing conveyors, and the object to be inspected is moved from the existing conveyor to the conveyor equipped with the X-ray detection device to inspect the inside of the inspection object. There are also devices. As a detection object, a foreign substance such as metal, glass, stone, rubber, and plastic, and a liquid level of drinking water are detected.

[0003] As a detecting means for detecting X-ray transmission data of a detection object in an inspection object, an apparatus using an X-ray line sensor has become mainstream. Another detecting means is an image intensifier (hereinafter referred to as II).
There is also a detecting means for detecting a screen image captured by a television camera. There is also an apparatus for visually inspecting transmission data of a detected object in an object to be inspected, which is taken at II, without using a television camera. I. compared to line sensors
The X-ray generation output for causing I. to image can be imaged with a very low output.

[0004]

In the above prior art,
X-ray transmission data must be detected when a moving inspection object passes through the detection unit. In the case of an X-ray line sensor, if the transit time of the detection unit is short, the amount of accumulated X-ray transmission data in the detection unit (time) decreases, so that the X-ray generation output (tube voltage, tube current) is increased. By increasing the intensity of X-rays, the amount of accumulation in the detection unit is increased to enable detection.
In such a way, it is possible to follow the line speed of the conveyor. In the case of II, the shutter speed of the TV camera is taken in accordance with the line speed of the conveyor, so if the speed of the conveyor line is high, the shutter speed will be high and the amount of light will be insufficient. It is difficult to detect a detected object that is present.

In the case of an X-ray line sensor, increasing the intensity of X-rays increases the amount of X-rays, and the amount of X-rays leaking from an X-ray inspection device also increases. ) Needs to be done enough. Further, the X-ray dose applied to the inspection object also increases. Further, increasing the X-ray generation output (tube voltage, tube current) increases the amount of heat generated by the X-ray generation tube, and requires oil cooling of the X-ray generation tube as a measure against heat.

[0006] Increasing the X-ray generation output (tube voltage, tube current) requires the above measures to be taken.
If the size of the X-ray inspection apparatus is large and there is a problem in the installation space, or if the amount of leaked X-rays cannot be reduced below the standard value, the installation place must be a controlled area and the installation place is restricted. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray inspection apparatus provided with an II and a television camera as a detection unit, and to provide a transport apparatus for temporarily stopping an inspection object during transportation.
An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic inspection system for an X-ray inspection apparatus capable of detecting a detection object in an inspection object even when an X-ray generation output of a line generation unit is low.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an X-ray inspection apparatus having an I.I. and a television camera as a detection unit is used in a transport apparatus for temporarily stopping an object to be inspected while being transported. The purpose is achieved by installation.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an automatic X-ray inspection apparatus inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of an intermittent transport device A that performs intermittent transport according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view of an intermittent transport device B according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a slope is provided on a part of an existing conveyor and intermittent transport is performed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray inspection apparatus automatic inspection system comprises an X-ray generation tube 3, an X-ray generation main unit 1 of a detection means (I.I. The display unit 6 and the control unit 7 of the control unit 7 are separated from each other. By providing a separate device, the size of the device installed on the intermittent transport device 8 can be reduced, which is effective for saving space. X
The X-ray generation main unit 1 is connected to the X-ray generation main unit 1 by the control device main unit 2. It goes without saying that the X-ray generation main body 1 and the control device main body 2 may be integrally formed. The X-ray generation main body 1 is disposed on the intermittent transport device 8, and is disposed so as to temporarily stop the inspection object 9 in the irradiation range of the X-ray generation tube 3. Although not shown, a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting to the height of the intermittent transport device 8 is provided on the installation leg of the X-ray generation main body 1. The control device main body 2 is disposed near the X-ray generation main body 1 in a place with good operability.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an intermittent transport device A for intermittent transport. In order to follow the line speed of the existing conveyor 15, the intermittent conveyance of the inspection object 9 is carried in, stopped, and unloaded so that one processing can be performed within the tact time of the inspection object 9. The inspection object 9 is fixed by an enclosure such as a rib 16 provided on a conveyor so that the inspection object 9 does not move due to inertia force or the like at the time of intermittent conveyance. Although not shown, the inspection object detection sensor 12 described above is attached to a place where the inspection object 9 is temporarily stopped and X-ray transmission data is to be taken. In addition, a method may be used in which the intermittent transport of the inspection object 9 is carried in, stopped, and unloaded by sending a signal of pass / fail determination of the image processing unit 5 or by sending a completion signal from the image processing unit 5 to the intermittent transportation device 8.

The intermittent conveyance is performed by controlling a stepping motor 17. Intermittent transport device 8 from existing conveyor 15
Although not shown, the inspection object 9 is moved using a moving device (the inspection object 9 loading / unloading device). If a material that shields X-rays is used at the position of the intermittent transport device 8 where the X-rays are irradiated, X-ray transmission data of the detected object in the inspection object 9 cannot be captured in II. Is made of a material that does not shield X-rays.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an intermittent transport device B which intermittently transports a slope provided on a part of an existing conveyor. The inspection object 9 conveyed from the existing conveyor 15 slides on the slope 18 provided in a part of the existing conveyor, and stops at the end portion 19 of the slope 18. Existing conveyor 1
In order to follow the line speed of 5, the intermittent transport of the inspection object 9 is carried in, stopped, and unloaded so that one processing can be performed within the tact time of the inspection object 9. Inspection object 9
Although not shown, the inspection object detection sensor 12 described above is attached to the ending portion 19 where is temporarily stopped.

A method for intermittently carrying in, stopping, and unloading the inspection object 9 by sending a signal of pass / fail judgment of the image processing unit 5 or a completion signal from the image processing unit 5 to the intermittent conveyance device 8. May be. The intermittent conveyance controls the discharge device 20 of the cylinder mechanism. The movement of the inspection object 9 from the existing conveyor 15 to the intermittent transport device 8 is performed by using a moving device (not shown), which carries in and out the inspection object 9. If a material that shields X-rays is used at the position where the X-rays are irradiated by the intermittent transport device 8, X-ray transmission data of the detected object in the inspection object 9 cannot be captured in II.
The portion irradiated with X-rays is made of a material that does not block X-rays.

It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a temporary stop system other than the temporary stop system described in the embodiment. It goes without saying that any object to be inspected may be targeted as long as it can be detected by the inspection system according to the present invention.

[0017]

According to the present invention, an X-ray inspection apparatus having an I.I. and a television camera as a detection unit is installed in a transport apparatus for temporarily stopping an object to be inspected while being transported. Even if the X-ray generation output of the generating means is low, there is an effect that the detection object in the inspection object can be detected.

Also, since the X-ray generation output becomes low,
There is an effect that the line inspection device can be downsized. By separately providing the X-ray generation main body and the control device main body, the size of the device installed on the intermittent transfer device can be reduced, and the size can be further reduced, which is effective in saving space. In addition, the effect that X-ray protection measures can be easily performed, and the fact that the output of X-ray generation is low means that the value of high voltage is low, so that insulation measures for the anode (or cathode) of the X-ray generation tube are required. There is also an effect that can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an automatic X-ray inspection apparatus inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an intermittent transport device A that performs intermittent transport according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an intermittent conveyance device B according to an embodiment of the present invention, which performs intermittent conveyance by providing a slope on a part of an existing conveyor.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray generation main body part, 2 ... control device main body part, 3 ... X-ray generation tube, 4 ... II, 5 ... Image processing part, 6 ... Display part, 7 ...
Control unit, 8: intermittent transport device, 9: inspection object, 10: X
Line, 11 TV camera, 12 object detection sensor,
13 ... rejecter, 14 ... cable, 15 ... existing conveyor,
16: rib, 17: stepping motor, 18: slope, 19: terminal part, 20: discharge device.

Claims (5)

[Claims] An X-ray generating means for irradiating an X-ray toward an object to be inspected, a detecting means for detecting X-ray transmission data of an object in the object, and an X-ray transmission obtained by the detecting means Image processing means for automatically determining the pass / fail of the data, display means for displaying the result of the pass / fail determination, and control means for integrally controlling these, comprising an image intensifier and a television camera as detection means In the X-ray inspection apparatus, by temporarily stopping the object to be inspected while being transported, the X-ray generation unit detects the X-ray transmission data of the object within the object to be detected even when the X-ray generation output is low. A transport device of an automatic inspection system for an X-ray inspection apparatus, wherein the automatic determination can be performed by image processing means. 2. An X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection object is temporarily stopped by using an intermittent transportation device as means for temporarily stopping the inspection object during transportation. Intermittent transfer device for automatic inspection system. 3. An intermittent transport device according to claim 2, further comprising: a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object to be detected, a structure for preventing movement of the object to be inspected during intermittent transport, and an X-ray irradiation range. An intermittent conveyance device for an automatic X-ray inspection system, wherein a material for shielding a line is not used. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein a slope is provided in a part of the existing conveyor as a means for temporarily stopping the object to be inspected while being transported, so that the object to be inspected is temporarily stopped at an end portion of the slope. An intermittent transport device for an automatic X-ray inspection device inspection system. 5. A sensor according to claim 4, further comprising a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the inspection object, a discharge device for discharging the inspection object, and shielding the X-ray in the X-ray irradiation range. An intermittent conveyance device for an automatic X-ray inspection system, which does not use any material.