JP3942922B2 - Bottle can measuring device and measuring method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for measuring a bottle can made of metal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, bottle cans made of aluminum alloys and the like have become widespread as containers filled with soft drinks and the like, in addition to PET bottles. This bottle can is composed of a large-diameter barrel portion and a small-diameter base portion formed at the upper end portion of the barrel portion. A screw portion is formed in the base portion, and a cap is screwed onto the screw portion. It becomes the composition which is done.
[0003]
Usually, this bottle can is processed by drawing and ironing a disk-shaped aluminum alloy (DI processing) to form a bottomed cylindrical can body, and the upper end of the can body is necked in. It is manufactured by processing, narrowing down to a small diameter, forming a base part, and further forming a screw part in the base part.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Incidentally, in recent years, as the demand for bottle cans increases, an apparatus for measuring bottle cans is required in order to achieve higher quality and uniformity.
However, in the case of a conventional bottle can apparatus, when measuring, since it is a technique for measuring the part by directly contacting the contact point with the measurement part of the bottle can, the measurement part is, for example, several tens of places. However, there was a problem that required a considerable amount of time.
[0005]
In addition, since the bottle can made of aluminum has a cylindrical shape, the surrounding position is not clearly distinguished, and since it is thin and flexible and processed by DI, each formed can Since each bottle can has a slightly different shape and dimension, it was difficult to measure the same for all bottle cans when trying to measure specific locations in the circumferential direction.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is to perform measurement without touching the bottle can and perform measurement processing at high speed even if the circumferential direction is not distinguished. To provide an apparatus.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes the following means.
The invention according to claim 1 is a measuring device for a metal bottle can in which a screw portion is formed around a base, a transport mechanism for transporting the bottle can to a measurement position, and a mark portion provided on the bottle can Detecting means for positioning the circumferential position of the bottle can, an imaging camera for imaging the bottle can transported to the measurement position, and image processing for measuring the measurement site of the bottle can based on the imaging data of the imaging camera A position of the bottle can in the circumferential direction with reference to a screw start portion of the threaded portion of the bottle can, and the image pickup camera images the bottle can .
[0008]
According to this measuring apparatus, the bottle can is transported by the transport mechanism, the mark portion provided on the bottle can is detected by the positioning means , and the peripheral position of the bottle can is determined based on the screw start portion in the threaded portion of the bottle can. Is set at the measurement position, and when the imaging camera images the bottle can at that position, the image processing unit performs image processing based on the imaging data and measures the measurement site of the bottle can. Measurements can be made without direct contact.
[0009]
In addition, since the imaging camera images the bottle can in a state where the circumferential position is positioned with respect to the screw start portion of the bottle can, measurement can always be performed from a fixed position in the circumferential direction for any bottle can. The position where the bottle can should be measured can always be the same for any bottle can.
[0010]
Invention according to claim 2, in the measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means, thread-starting portion of the threaded portion of the bottle can is, a position rotated approximately 90 degrees from the imaging camera position facing Thus, the circumferential direction position of the bottle can is positioned .
[0011]
According to the measuring apparatus according to the present invention, when the screw start portion of the bottle can is positioned at a position rotated at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the position facing the imaging camera, the circumferential direction is fixed with respect to any bottle can. Since the image can be reliably captured from the determined position and the same location can be measured, the position where the bottle can should be measured can always be the same for any bottle can.
[0012]
A third aspect of the present invention is the measuring apparatus according to the first or second aspect , wherein a plurality of the imaging cameras are arranged at different positions with respect to the bottle can.
[0013]
According to the measuring apparatus of the present invention, since another imaging camera is installed at an imaging distance different from that of the imaging camera, and the other imaging camera images the bottle can at a different angle and different imaging distance from the imaging camera, the bottle can When imaging multiple locations around the camera, if the installation angle between multiple imaging cameras is selected at an angle corresponding to the number of locations, the number of times the bottle can can be rotated can be minimized, and the number of measurements can be reduced. can do.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 4 is the measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an illumination mechanism installed at a position facing the imaging camera across the bottle can to be measured. .
[0015]
According to the measuring apparatus according to the present invention, since the illumination mechanism is installed at a position facing the imaging camera with the bottle can to be measured interposed therebetween, the imaging camera can easily capture a necessary silhouette image for obtaining imaging data. be able to.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 5 is the measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein when the bottle can is conveyed to the measurement position, the axis of the bottle can coincides with the measurement center axis. It is characterized by providing.
[0017]
According to the measuring apparatus according to the present invention, when the bottle can is conveyed to the measurement position, the axis of the bottle can coincides with the measurement center axis of the mounting table, so that the measurement can be started immediately, Higher speed can be realized.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 6 is a bottle can measuring method for measuring a metal bottle can in which a screw portion is formed around a base, wherein the screw portion is detected by detecting a mark portion provided on the bottle can. The position in the circumferential direction of the bottle can is positioned with reference to the screw start portion in the bottle, and the bottle can transported to the measurement position is imaged with reference to the screw start portion in the screw portion. Is measured.
[0019]
According to the measurement method of the present invention, the bottle can is conveyed to the measurement position, and the measurement portion of the bottle can is measured based on the imaged data of the bottle can imaged at the position. Measurement can be performed without any problem. In addition, measurement can always be performed from a fixed position in the circumferential direction with respect to any bottle can, and the position where the bottle can should be measured can always be the same for any bottle can.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Before describing the measuring apparatus of this embodiment, a bottle can measured by the measuring apparatus will be described.
The bottle can 30 shown in FIG. 5 is formed by subjecting a plate made of aluminum or its alloy to DI processing to form a bottomed cylindrical can body 31 and then neck-in the tip opening of the can body 31. After that, a base 32 is formed, and then a screw portion 33 for attaching a cap (not shown) around the base 32 is formed, and a wall for forming an opening is folded outward at the tip portion to form a curled portion 34. Is done.
[0021]
In this case, in the formation process of the bottle can 30, undercoating, character coating, and the like are performed and a baking process is performed. In FIG. 5, the code | symbol 35 has shown the screw | thread start part 35 in the screw part 33 of a nozzle | cap | die. Although this screw start portion 35 is not shown in detail, in the screw portion 33 formed spirally downward from the upper part with respect to the periphery of the base 32, the screw thread and the screw valley have predetermined dimensions. This is the starting point of the effective screw that functions as a thread.
[0022]
And the measuring apparatus of embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is for measuring the said bottle can 30, Comprising: If it divides roughly, the bottle can 30 drawn | fed out from the supply part 1 of the bottle can 30 and the supply part 1 will be described. Is provided with a transport mechanism 3 for feeding the sample to the measurement position.
[0023]
The supply unit 1 is provided with a stocker 2 for storing a plurality of bottle cans 30, and as shown in FIG. 2, the stocker 2 is installed so as to be inclined so that the outlet side is low and the opposite side is high. For example, the 1st storage part 2A which accumulates and stores the same kind of bottle cans 30 in three stages, and the second storage part 2B which stores the different types of bottle cans 30 in different lengths on the first storage part 2B. The bottle cans 30 in the storage units 2A and 2B are moved to the outlet side.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, a positioning plate 2c and a pressing plate 2d along the longitudinal direction are provided in each of the storage portions 2A and 2B, and the pressing plate 2d slides forward so that the front end opening of the bottle can 30 is moved to the positioning plate 2c. By pressing, the bottle cans 30 having different lengths are stored with the tips of the bottle cans 30 aligned.
Further, the supply unit 1 is provided with an unloading body 2a formed in an L shape as shown in FIG. 2, and the unloading body 2a receives a bottle can 30 to be measured on the outlet side of the storage units 2A and 2B. After that, by rotating like a chain line, it is fed to the feeding position via the discharge shooter 2b. The carry-out body 2a is configured to be movable up and down and rotatable between the storage portions 2A and 2B.
[0025]
The transport mechanism 3 includes an adsorption unit 4, a robot hand 5, and a marker sensor 6. When the bottle can 30 is unwound from the supply unit 1, the bottle can 30 is passed through an intermediate body (not shown) such as a cylinder. Then, after the suction part 4 sucks the bottle can 30, it moves to the delivery position 7 in that state.
[0026]
At that time, when the suction part 4 reaches the delivery position 7, the bottle can 30 is rotated around its axis, and the marker sensor 6 detects the mark part 36 provided on the bottle can 30, thereby delivering the delivery position 7. The position in the circumferential direction of the bottle can 30 is positioned as the specific position. The mark portion 36 is made of a colored body provided in advance at the position of the screw start portion 35 of the screw portion 33 in the base 32 of the bottle can 30. The suction part 4 is provided with a rotation mechanism for rotating the bottle can 30 around the axis, and when the marker sensor 6 detects the mark part 36, the rotation of the bottle can 30 is stopped, thereby the mark part of the bottle can 30. The position of 36 is positioned at a specific position, whereby the circumferential position of the bottle can 30 is specified.
[0027]
When the robot hand 5 receives the bottle can 30 at the delivery position 7, the robot hand 5 changes its posture and places the bottle can 30 on the measuring table 8. Therefore, when the robot hand 5 places the bottle can 30 on the measurement table 8, the circumferential position of the bottle can 30 on the measurement table 8 is determined.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the measuring table 8 includes a rotating unit 9 that rotates the bottle can 30 around its axis, and an elevating unit 10 that raises and lowers the rotating unit 9, and rotates the bottle can 30 as necessary during measurement. Can be moved up and down. In the measuring table 8, an adsorption mechanism is provided in the rotating unit 9, and when the bottle can 30 is fed by the robot hand 5, the bottle can 30 is adsorbed to the rotating unit 9 by the operation of the adsorption mechanism, and the axis of the bottle can 30. And the measurement center axis of the rotating unit 9 are made to coincide with each other.
[0029]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the measuring apparatus includes first to third cameras 11 to 13 that are three imaging cameras, an illumination mechanism (not shown) that illuminates the bottle can 30 to be measured, And an image processing unit 17 that measures the bottle can 30 by performing image processing based on the imaging data.
[0030]
The first camera 11 of the imaging camera is for obtaining main imaging data having a large number of measurement points, and is installed at a position facing the bottle can 30 as shown in FIG. The camera 11 is installed in a position facing the bottle can 30 at a predetermined angle (for example, 120 degrees) α1, and the third camera 13 images the inner diameter of the curled portion 34 provided in the opening of the bottle can 30. The bottle can 30 is installed above the can.
In this case, the first camera 11 is for imaging a large number of measurement points such as the total length, neck length, skirt height, curl width, etc. of the bottle can 30, and the second camera 12 is the neck length of the bottle can 30. It is for measuring. Each of the first to third cameras 11 to 13 is configured by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD.
[0031]
The illumination mechanism includes first to third illuminators 14 to 16. The first and second illuminators 14 and 15 are installed so that each of the first and second cameras 11 and 12 can capture the bottle can 30 as a silhouette image. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the first illuminator 14 is installed at a position facing the first camera 11 across the bottle can 30 on the measurement table 8, and the second illuminator 15 is on the measurement table 8. It is installed at a position facing the second camera 12 across the bottle can 30. The third illuminator 16 has an annular shape provided around the front position of the first camera 11.
[0032]
The image processing unit 17 is provided in the control device 18. When various types of data necessary for measurement are input from the input unit 20, the control device 18 includes the supply unit 1 including the stocker 2 described above, the suction unit 4, the robot hand 5, and the marker sensor 6. Each of the mechanical devices including the various drive systems of the transport device 3 and the various drive systems and control systems of the measuring table 8 is driven and controlled.
[0033]
The image processing unit 17 measures the measurement site of the bottle can 30 based on the imaging data captured by the first to third cameras 11 to 13.
That is, when the imaging data of the peripheral part of the base in the bottle can 30 is input by the first camera 11, the total length, neck length, neck length, skirt height, height of the thread 33, etc. are measured based on the data. When the second camera 12 inputs imaging data of the peripheral part of the base of the bottle can 30 at an imaging distance different from that of the first camera 11, the neck length is measured based on the data, and the bottle can 30 is further measured by the third camera 13. When the imaging data of the tip opening is input, the inner diameter dimension of the curled portion 34 provided on the base 32 of the bottle can 30 is measured from the imaging data.
[0034]
If the measurement result by the image processing unit 17 shows that the measurement dimension is within the allowable range, the bottle can 30 to be measured is carried out to the next step, and if it is outside the allowable range, the robot hand 5 30 is carried out to the defect processing step.
[0035]
In this embodiment, when the imaging camera captures an image of the bottle can 30, the mark portion 36 provided on the bottle can 30 is positioned at a specific position, and an image is captured using the positioned mark portion 36 as a reference. Thus, the circumferential position of the bottle can 30 is specified.
[0036]
Therefore, at the measurement position, when the first camera 11 images the bottle can 30, the position of the mark portion 36 of the bottle can 30 is set to be arranged at either the left or right end on the imaging screen. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the mark portion 36, that is, the screw start portion 35 is positioned at the left end on the imaging screen X.
[0037]
That is, when the bottle can 30 is placed on the measuring table 8 by the robot hand 5, the screw start portion 35 in the screw portion 33 of the bottle can 30 is 90 from the position facing the first camera 11 as shown in FIG. It is placed so as to be shifted counterclockwise at an angle α of degrees. Therefore, when the bottle can 30 is imaged by the first camera 11, the screw start portion 35 of the bottle can 30 is positioned on the left end of the base of the bottle can 30 on the imaging screen X as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the hatched portion represents the bottle can 30 captured by the first camera 11.
[0038]
Since the measuring apparatus of this embodiment has the above-described configuration, its operation will be described below.
First, when measuring the bottle can 30, when one kind of bottle can 30 to be measured is fed from the stocker 2 of the supply unit 1, the bottle can 30 is adsorbed by the adsorption unit 4 of the transport mechanism 3, and the adsorption unit 4. Is moved to the delivery position 7. At this time, the suction portion 4 rotates and the marker sensor 6 detects the mark portion 36 provided on the screw start portion 35 of the screw portion 33 of the base 32 of the bottle can 30, so that the bottle can at the delivery position 7. Thirty mark portions 36 are positioned with the circumferential direction as a specific position.
[0039]
As described above, when the bottle can 30 is placed on the measuring table 8 by the robot hand 5 after the bottle can 30 has reached the delivery position 7 with the circumferential direction as the specific position by the mark portion 36, the bottle can be in that state. The can 30 will be measured. When the bottle can 30 is placed, the measuring table 8 is fixed by adsorbing the bottle can 30 while the axis of the bottle can 30 coincides with the measurement central axis.
[0040]
And if the 1st-3rd cameras 11-13 as an imaging camera image the bottle can 30 on the measurement stand 8 from each installation position, the imaging data will be output to the image process part 17. FIG. At that time, the mark portion 36 is positioned at a position where the bottle can 30 moves counterclockwise at an angle α of 90 degrees from the position facing the first camera 11 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the first camera 11 captures an image of the bottle can 30, a screw start portion 35 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed at the left end of the image data of the bottle can 30. That is, the first camera 11 takes an image with the screw start portion 35 of the bottle can 30 as a reference.
[0041]
In the image processing unit 17, when image data from the first to third cameras 11 to 13 is input, a total of 17 locations including the inner diameter of the curl, the total length of the bottle can 30, the neck length, the neck length, and the like based on the image data. Measure.
In this embodiment, the bottle can 30 is positioned at an opposite position at an angle α of 90 degrees from the position facing the first camera 11 that obtains the main image of measurement, and measurement is started in that position state. The position determined in the circumferential direction can always be measured for any bottle can 30, and the position to be measured of the bottle can 30 can always be the same for any bottle can 30.
[0042]
As a result, since the measurement position is the same for any bottle can 30, each portion in the circumferential direction is not clearly distinguished, and the bottle can 30 has the flexibility to cause a subtle difference in shape around it. Even if it exists, it can measure correctly irrespective of this, and the reliability as a measuring apparatus is acquired.
[0043]
Further, since the image processing unit 17 performs measurement based on the imaging data, the measurement process can be performed at a high speed, and even if there are many measurement points such as the total 17, the high-speed process can be performed in a short time.
Furthermore, since the second camera 12 is installed at an imaging distance different from that of the first camera 11 and the second camera 12 images the circumferential direction of the bottle can 30 at an imaging distance different from that of the first camera 11, there are several places around the bottle can 30. When the installation angle between the first camera 11 and the second camera 12 is selected at an angle corresponding to the number of measurement points, the number of times the bottle can 30 is rotated can be minimized. That is, when measuring three places around the bottle can 30 at intervals of 120 degrees, if the angle between the first camera 11 and the second camera 12 is an interval of 120 degrees, the bottle can 30 is rotated twice at intervals of 120 degrees. The surroundings can be measured just by making it possible to perform high-speed processing reliably.
[0044]
In addition, the screw start portion 35 of the bottle can 30 is not positioned when it is set on the measurement table 8 but is positioned in the previous process, so that the bottle can 30 is placed on the measurement table 8. The measurement can be started immediately. Moreover, when the bottle can 30 is mounted on the mounting table 8, the measurement center axis of the mounting table 8 and the axis coincide with each other, so that the measurement can be started more quickly.
[0045]
On the other hand, if the measurement result of the image processing unit 17 is determined to be a non-defective product, the bottle can 30 that has been measured is transferred from the measurement table to the next process, and the bottle can 30 to be measured next is shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the product is defective from the delivery position, the robot bottle 5 is sent to the defect process and the next measurement bottle is measured.
[0046]
Furthermore, since the first camera 11 and the second camera 12 capture a silhouette image of the bottle can 30, the first illumination is provided at a position facing the first camera 11 and the second camera 12 with the bottle can 30 to be measured interposed therebetween. Since the instrument 14 and the second illuminator 15 are installed, it is possible to easily capture a silhouette image necessary for the first camera 11 and the second camera 12 to obtain imaging data.
[0047]
Still further, the supply unit 1 is provided with a plurality of stockers 2A, 2B, each of which stores bottle cans 30 of different types such as lengths, and each time the bottle cans 30 are fed out. Since the bottle can 30 is inevitably moved to the outlet side, the designated type of bottle can 30 can be fed out accurately, and the configuration as the supply unit 1 can be simplified. You can also.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, the screw start portion 35 of the screw portion 33 of the bottle can 30 is shifted counterclockwise at an angle α of 90 degrees from the position facing the first camera 11 as shown in FIG. However, even if the angle α is in the range of 87 degrees to 93 degrees, the function remains unchanged.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the transported bottle can is imaged, the image processing is performed based on the imaged data, and the measurement site of the bottle can is measured. Measurement can be performed without directly contacting the can, and the effect of high-speed measurement processing can be obtained.
[0050]
In addition, any bottle can can always be measured from a fixed position in the circumferential direction, and the position where the bottle can should be measured can always be the same for any bottle can. An apparatus can be provided, and the effect of enabling the production of bottle cans with high quality and high uniformity can be obtained.
[0051]
According to the invention according to claim 2 , for any bottle can, measurement can always be started from a fixed position in the circumferential direction, and the position where the bottle can should be measured is always the same for any bottle can. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable measuring apparatus and to obtain an effect that enables the production of high-quality and highly uniform bottle cans.
[0052]
According to the invention of claim 3 , since the plurality of imaging cameras capture the bottle can at different angles and different imaging distances, the number of times the bottle can is rotated can be minimized, and the measurement can be performed with a small number of times. Thus, the measurement time can be further shortened.
[0053]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4 , an illumination mechanism is installed in the position which opposes an imaging camera on both sides of the bottle can which should be measured, and an imaging camera can image | photograph the required silhouette image which obtains imaging data easily. An effect is obtained.
[0054]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, when the axis line of a bottle can and the measurement center axis | shaft of a mounting base correspond, a measurement start can be performed rapidly and the effect which can implement | achieve a higher-speed measurement is acquired. .
[0055]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6 , it can measure without contacting a bottle can directly, and the effect which can be measured at high speed is acquired. In addition, measurement can always be performed from a fixed position in the circumferential direction with respect to any bottle can, and the position where the bottle can should be measured can always be the same for any bottle can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view showing a conveyance path of a bottle can.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view showing a supply unit.
3 is a configuration block diagram showing a main part in the measuring apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a bottle can imaged by an imaging camera.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the periphery of a base of a bottle can.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply part 2 Stocker 2A, 2B 1st, 2nd storage part 3 Conveyance mechanism 4 Adsorption part 5 Robot hand 6 Marker sensor 7 Delivery position 8 Measurement stand 9 Rotation part 10 Lifting part 11 1st camera (imaging camera)
12 Second camera (imaging camera)
13 Third camera (imaging camera)
14 First illuminator (illumination mechanism)
15 Second illuminator (illumination mechanism)
16 Third illuminator (illumination mechanism)
17 Image processing unit 18 Control device 20 Input unit 30 Bottle can 32 Base 33 Screw unit 34 Curl unit 35 Screw start unit 36 Mark unit X Imaging screen

Claims (6)

A metal bottle can measuring device having a screw part formed around a base, and a transport mechanism for transporting the bottle can to a measurement position and a mark portion provided on the bottle can to detect the circumference of the bottle can. A positioning means for positioning the directional position; an imaging camera for imaging the bottle can conveyed to the measurement position; and an image processing unit for measuring a measurement site of the bottle can based on imaging data of the imaging camera, the positioning means Thus, the peripheral position of the bottle can is positioned with reference to the screw start portion of the screw portion of the bottle can, and the bottle can is imaged by the imaging camera . The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means is configured so that a screw start portion of the screw portion of the bottle can is positioned at a position rotated approximately 90 degrees from a position facing the imaging camera in a circumferential direction. An apparatus for measuring a bottle can characterized by positioning the bottle. 3. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the imaging cameras are disposed at positions where the imaging distance is different from the bottle can. The measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the measuring device of a bottle can, characterized in that it comprises a lighting mechanism that is installed in the imaging camera and a position facing each other across the bottle can be measured. The measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the bottle can is conveyed to the measurement position, the bottle characterized in that it comprises a measuring stand to match the axis of the bottle can and the measured central axis Measuring device for cans. A bottle can measuring method for measuring a metal bottle can in which a screw part is formed around a base, wherein the bottle part is detected by detecting a mark part provided on the bottle can with reference to a screw start part in the screw part. The peripheral position of the can is positioned, the bottle can transported to the measurement position is imaged with reference to the screw start portion in the screw portion, and the measurement site of the bottle can is measured based on the imaging data Measuring method for bottle cans.

Images