Optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts
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Publication Number
US-11919045-B2
Publication Date
2024-03-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
An optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts, in particular gaskets, comprises a rotary table on which parts to be inspected are placed and, above the rotary table, at least one viewing unit for inspecting one or more outer and/or inner surfaces of a part, a first part ejection station that is activatable to eject a part from the rotary table to a first external conveyor for compliant parts, and a second part ejection station that is activatable to eject a part from the rotary table to a second external conveyor for rejected parts. The viewing unit and part ejection stations are positioned on the rotary table with an angular distance between them, and are connected to a central mounting member that is coaxial to the axis of the rotary table and is movable vertically in relation to the rotary table.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts, in particular gaskets. The machine comprises a rotary table on which parts to be inspected are placed, and at least one viewing unit arranged above the rotary table for inspecting one or more outer and/or inner surfaces of a part. A first part ejection station ejects a part from the rotary table to a first external conveyor for compliant parts, and a second part ejection station ejects a part to a second external conveyor for rejected parts.
The viewing unit, the first part ejection station, and the second part ejection station are positioned with an angular distance between them. The first and second part ejection stations are pneumatic stations and each comprises an air-jet-emitting nozzle connected to a shaft of a pneumatic handling unit. The pneumatic handling unit adjusts a radial position of the air-jet-emitting nozzle as a function of dimensions of the respective part.
Each viewing unit and each of the first and second part ejection stations is connected to a central mounting member that is coaxial to the axis of the rotary table and movable vertically with respect to the rotary table. The vertical movement enables repositioning of the viewing and ejection stations relative to the rotary table, including a lowered work position and a raised rest position, and supports operator access for maintenance and replacement of the rotary table.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim coverage is based on a single core independent claim directed to an optical inspection machine architecture combining rotary-table surface inspection with two pneumatic ejection stations to segregate compliant and rejected parts. The claims present 8 inventive features.
Rotary table inspection with viewing unit and dual ejection to separate conveyors
An optical inspection machine for quality control of parts, in particular gaskets, comprising a rotary table for parts to be inspected, at least one viewing unit above the rotary table for inspecting one or more outer and/or inner surfaces, a first part ejection station activatable to eject a part to a first external conveyor for compliant parts, and a second part ejection station activatable to eject a part to a second external conveyor for rejected parts.
Angular arrangement of viewing and pneumatic ejection stations with radial air-jet adjustment
The viewing unit and the first and second part ejection stations are positioned on the rotary table with an angular distance between them; the first and second part ejection stations are pneumatic stations, and each comprises an air-jet-emitting nozzle connected to a shaft of a pneumatic handling unit suitable for adjusting a radial position of the air-jet-emitting nozzle as a function of dimensions of the respective part.
Coaxial central mounting member movable vertically for viewing and ejection units
Each viewing unit and each of the first and second part ejection stations is connected to a central mounting member that is coaxial to the axis of the rotary table and is movable vertically with respect to the rotary table.
Operator-access vertical work/rest repositioning of the central mounting member
The central mounting member is movable vertically with respect to the rotary table between a lowered work position and a raised rest position to allow operator access for maintenance or replacement.
Pneumatic or hydraulic vertical actuation of the central mounting member
The central mounting member is movable vertically using a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator.
Encoder-equipped electric motor drive for vertical repositioning
A vertical movement drive comprises an electric shaft that includes an electric motor with an encoder.
Surface viewing unit with cylindrical frame, downward optics, and vertical focusing drive
A surface viewing unit includes a substantially cylindrical, vertically axis frame that slidably supports a downward-pointing video camera with a focusing drive for vertical movement, and a surface illuminator arranged at the base of the frame.
Peripheral viewing unit with toroidal frame, multiple peripheral cameras, and vertical focusing drive
A peripheral viewing unit includes a substantially toroidal frame with a vertical-axis cylindrical axial cavity that slidably supports a plurality of peripheral video cameras in a substantially horizontal video camera plane, and a second focusing drive unit for moving the video cameras in a vertical direction.
Overall, the claims cover an optical inspection machine with a rotary table and above-table viewing of outer/inner surfaces, two angularly spaced pneumatic ejection stations for segregating compliant versus rejected parts, air-jet nozzle radial positioning based on part dimensions, and a coaxial central mounting member that moves vertically to reposition the viewing and ejection stations and enable access for maintenance and replacement, with further detailed viewing-unit structures and vertical focusing drives.
Stated Advantages
Enables operator access to the rotary table for maintenance or replacement.
Allows quicker rotary table replacement/repair.
Enables fine adjustment of inspection and ejection positions based on part height.
Documented Applications
Quality control inspection of parts, in particular gaskets.
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