EP0102277B1 - Continuous-process industrial installation with dimensional control - Google Patents

Abstract

An installation for assembly-line manufacture in which workpieces move in a row along a production path at a generally uniform spacing. A feed unit holds a supply of workpieces and places them one at a time in a predetermined position in the seats of an input rotary feed conveyor. An inspecting unit defines a portion of the continuous production path for the workpieces and inspects the workpieces as they pass therealong. The inspecting unit itself includes an intake rotary conveyor cooperating with the feed conveyor, an output rotary conveyor, and at least one inspecting carousel between the intake and output conveyors. A controller supervises and coordinates the operation of the other units on the workpieces as same move along the production path. A calibrating unit serves to periodically create gaps in the production line upstream of the inspecting carousel, insert a minimum-size gage piece into one of the gaps and a maximum-size gage piece into another gap at a location upstream of the inspecting carousel, measuring the sizes of the gage pieces on the inspecting carousel, and establishing from the measured sizes of the gage pieces, new maximum- and minimum-size limits. A rejecting unit along the production path downstream of the inspecting carousel removes from the path workpieces whose sizes lie outside the range of the size limits established based on the gage-piece sizes.

Description

The invention relates to machining installations in continuous kinematics; it applies in particular, but not exclusively, to small arms ammunition production lines.

“Continuous kinematics” means that the parts to be treated move one by one, in continuous sequence, on dimpled wheels and work stations suitably arranged to pass said parts to each other. In known manner, a cellular wheel takes a part in one of its cells, at a determined point of its rotation. At another point, it transfers the part to another honeycomb wheel, or to a workstation, similarly, a part will leave a workstation by a honeycomb wheel, to go to another workstation or to a receptacle. The essential advantage of continuous kinematics is to increase production rates, while reducing production costs. On the other hand, due to the permanent movement of the parts, there are delicate problems of monitoring the installation, as well as metrology.

• - un module alimenteur apte à recevoir dans un bac un stock de pièces d'usinage, et à les placer en position prédéterminée sur une roue alvéolée débitrice,
• - un module de contrôle apte à définir une cinématique continue des pièces entre une roue alvéolée d'entrée, coopérant avec la roue alvéolée précédente, et sa roue alvéolée de sortie, au moins un barillet de contrôle étant prévu entre les roues alvéolées d'entrée et de sortie pour permettre au moins une opération de mesure, et
• - des moyens logiques de commande aptes à superviser et coordonner l'action des modules consécutifs comptetenu de la cinématique continue des pièces.

The present invention provides a solution for ensuring satisfactory metrology, control and also overall monitoring in an installation for machining parts in continuous kinematics. The installation in question includes:

• - a feeder module capable of receiving a stock of machining parts in a tray, and of placing them in a predetermined position on a debiting honeycomb wheel,
• - A control module capable of defining a continuous kinematics of the parts between an input honeycomb wheel, cooperating with the previous honeycomb wheel, and its output honeycomb wheel, at least one control barrel being provided between the honeycomb input wheels and output to allow at least one measurement operation, and
• - logic control means capable of supervising and coordinating the action of consecutive modules counted with the continuous kinematics of the parts.

In this structure, the parts are assumed to be pre-machined, at least in part. Very often, at least one working module is provided between the feeder module and the control module, capable of defining a continuous kinematics of the parts between an upstream honeycomb wheel, cooperating with the supplying honeycomb wheel, and a downstream honeycomb wheel, at least one work barrel being provided between the upstream and downstream honeycomb wheels, and this work barrel being able to perform at least one machining operation on the parts while they pass through it.

• a) dans une phase d'étalonnage, admettre des lacunes dans la cinématique continue, en amont du module de contrôle, pour permettre l'insertion d'au moins un étalon minimal et un étalon maximal dans deux desdites lacunes, acquérir les mesures maximale et minimale relatives à ces étalons, pour définir des valeurs de rejet, lesdits étalons étant ensuite enlevés, et
• b) par la suite, en production, commander au niveau de la roue alvéolée de sortie l'éjection au rebut des pièces dont la mesure n'est pas comprise entre lesdites valeurs de rejet maximale et minimale.

According to a very general characteristic of the invention, the logic control means are arranged for:

• a) in a calibration phase, admitting gaps in the continuous kinematics, upstream of the control module, to allow the insertion of at least one minimum standard and one maximum standard in two of said gaps, acquiring the maximum measurements and relative to these standards, to define rejection values, said standards then being removed, and
• b) thereafter, in production, order at the level of the output honeycomb wheel the scrap ejection of parts whose measurement is not between said maximum and minimum rejection values.

This arrangement makes it possible to quickly and safely carry out the calibration necessary for checking the parts.

Preferably, but not necessarily, a plurality of pairs of standards respectively maximum and minimum (in each pair) is provided, at the rate of at least one pair of standards for each dimensional measurement to be carried out.

• a) en phase étalonnage, admettre un nombre de lacunes supérieur au produit de ces deux nombres, les deux étalons étant insérés dans deux lacunes consécutives, acquérir les mesures maximale et minimale relatives aux deux étalons pour definir des valeurs de rejet pour chaque poste du barillet de contrôle, chaque étalon changeant de poste après être passé par la boucle de recyclage, les étalons étant finalement enlevés, et
• b) par la suite, en phase production, commander au niveau de la roue alvéolée de sortie l'éjection au rebut des pièces dont la mesure n'est pas comprise entre lesdites valeurs de rejet maximale et minimale correspondant au poste de contrôle par lequel est passée chaque pièce.

According to a more developed aspect of the present invention, each station of the control barrel comprises at least one measuring intermediary such as a target linked in position to a dimension to be measured, while said intermediaries pass during the movement of the barrel in operational relation with at least one sensor such as an eddy current probe. The control module also comprises a recycling device with honeycomb wheels capable of returning the parts of the output honeycomb wheel to the input honeycomb wheel on command. In this case, the number of steps of the recycling device and the number of work barrel positions are chosen first among them. And, for their part, the logic control means are arranged for:

• a) in the calibration phase, admit a number of gaps greater than the product of these two numbers, the two standards being inserted into two consecutive gaps, acquire the maximum and minimum measurements relating to the two standards to define rejection values for each station in the barrel control, each stallion changing position after having passed through the recycling loop, the stallions being finally removed, and
• b) thereafter, in the production phase, order at the level of the output honeycomb wheel the ejection of discarded parts, the measurement of which is not between said maximum and minimum rejection values corresponding to the control station through which passed each piece.

According to an advantageous but not imperative characteristic of the invention, the control module comprises means allowing the introduction on command of parts into the input wheel, as well as means allowing the command output of parts from the blister wheel. exit. This can allow, during the calibration phase, the automatic insertion and extraction of standards. In the production phase, after creation of suitable gaps, the insertion of reference parts, with known dimensions, makes it possible to verify the proper functioning of the control module (on operator command).

Very advantageously, the control barrel has at least one fixed on-board target (relative to this barrel) for each measurement to be carried out, preferably two fixed on-board targets for each measurement. This makes it possible to take into account in real time the response of the electronic measurement means, and the drift of the mechanical means.

Preferably, the installation also includes a control and calibration console, and the logic control means are arranged to allow, for each station, and each type of measurement, the display of the value measured in arbitrary internal units, as well as in millimeters, taking into account the calibration.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the logic control means comprise a basic logic device suitable for the functions of measurement acquisition, calibration and correction of measurements as a function of calibration, in interaction with the module control, as well as a logical operating device, in interaction with the power, work, and control modules, to monitor the entire installation.

Preferably, the basic logic device is also able to update the conversion coefficients of the measurements into metric values, as well as to determine the drift of the machining operations.

Very advantageously, the basic logic device comprises a saved memory, allowing the conservation of the calibration data.

Other aspects of the invention relate to the decentralized structure of the logic operating device.

The operating logic device comprises a first level logic structure comprising a logic unit for each of the modules, and the logic unit associated with the control module is connected to the basic logic device, while being arranged to control ejection at the reject parts whose measurement is not between said maximum and minimum rejection values.

In addition, the operating logic device can also comprise a second level logic unit, interconnected with the first level logic units, as well as with a general control console.

This allows great efficiency not only in the metrology and control of parts, but also in the overall monitoring of the machine.

Indeed, the present invention allows first of all to carry out a complete calibration of the machine, starting from a pair of standards respectively, maximum and minimum for each measurement to be carried out, it being observed that the number of measurements carried out can be greater than the number of sensors present: each sensor can, by successively cooperating with several targets associated with each control station, successively measure several physical quantities.

After this calibration phase comes the production phase. At this level, the fixed on-board targets make it possible to follow with precision the sources of possible errors, which could occur due to variations in the response of the electronic measurement means, and especially due to the drift of the mechanical means (wear of the bearings , and tools, in particular).

In addition, it is possible, still in the production phase, to introduce reference parts with given dimensions on order, as well as to extract on order parts which can either be machined parts, or the aforementioned reference parts. The operator thus has a permanent and flexible means of monitoring the machining process and dimensional control.

• - les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues schématiques, respectivement en élévation et de dessus, d'un groupe de modules constituant une section d'une installation d'usinage selon la présente invention, et comprenant un module alimenteur, un module de travail et un module de contrôle ;
• - la figure 3 est une vue partiellement détaillée du module de contrôle MC représenté sur les figures 1 et 2 ;
• - la figure 4 est une vue (détaillée d'une autre manière) d'une partie du même module de contrôle ;
• - la figure 5 est un diagramme schématique donnant la structure générale des moyens électroniques incorporés à l'installation de la présente invention ;
• - la figure 6 est un schéma électrique plus détaillé de l'unité logique de mesure 600 de la figure 5 tandis que les figures 6A à 6D illustrent des organigrammes associés ;
• - la figure 7 est un schéma partiellement détaillé montrant la captation des informations de mesure, et la première étape de leur traitement ;
• - la figure 8 est un schéma électrique plus général montrant le rassemblement des informations de mesure captées dans le dispositif d'acquisition 800 de la figure 5, tandis que les figures 8A et 8B illustrent des organigrammes associés ;
• - la figure 9 est le schéma partiellement détaillé de l'unité centrale d'étalonnage et du pupitre d'étalonnage notés respectivement 900 et 950 sur la figure 5 ; tandis que la figure 9A illustre un organigramme associé ;
• - la figure 10 est le schéma de la face avant du pupitre d'étalonnage 950 ; et
• - la figure 11 est le schéma général du système logique d'exploitation 500 de la figure 5.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, as well as on examining the appended drawings, in which:

• FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views, respectively in elevation and from above, of a group of modules constituting a section of a machining installation according to the present invention, and comprising a feeder module, a work module and a control module;
• - Figure 3 is a partially detailed view of the MC control module shown in Figures 1 and 2;
• - Figure 4 is a view (detailed in another way) of a part of the same control module;
• - Figure 5 is a schematic diagram giving the general structure of the electronic means incorporated in the installation of the present invention;
• - Figure 6 is a more detailed electrical diagram of the logic measurement unit 600 of Figure 5 while Figures 6A to 6D illustrate associated flowcharts;
• - Figure 7 is a partially detailed diagram showing the capture of measurement information, and the first step of their processing;
• - Figure 8 is a more general electrical diagram showing the collection of measurement information captured in the acquisition device 800 of Figure 5, while Figures 8A and 8B illustrate associated flowcharts;
• - Figure 9 is the partially detailed diagram of the central calibration unit and the calibration desk denoted 900 and 950 respectively in Figure 5; while Figure 9A illustrates an associated flow diagram;
• - Figure 10 is the diagram of the front face of the calibration console 950; and
• FIG. 11 is the general diagram of the logic operating system 500 of FIG. 5.

As previously indicated, the present invention relates to machining installations in continuous kinematics, and more particularly the production lines for small arms ammunition.

In this field, various means have already been described, in the following patent publications: FR-A-2,346,072, FR-A-2,356,464, FR-A-2,379,335, FR-A-2,376,049, FR-A-2 333 412, FR-A-2 330 476, FR-A-2 475 946, FR-A-2 459 196 and FR-A-2 463 081. These previous descriptions may help to better understand some of the elements of this detailed description.

Mechanical components

• - un module alimenteur MA, apte à recevoir dans un bac MA10 un stock de pièces à usiner, et à les placer en position prédéterminée sur une roue alvéolée débitrice MA13. Entre le bac MA10 et la roue MA13 peuvent intervenir d'autres roues de transfert telles que MA11, ou chargées d'une opération particulière telle que MA12. La roue MA12 servira par exemple à la fonction de vérification que la pièce, par exemple l'ébauche d'une douille de cartouche, a été prélevée dans le bon sens par la chaîne de cinématique continue.
• - au moins un module de travail MT, apte à définir lui aussi une cinématique continue des pièces entre une roue alvéolée amont MT11, coopérant avec la roue alvéolée débitrice MA13, et une roue alvéolée aval MT16. Au moins un barillet de travail MT14 est prévu entre les roues alvéolées amont MT11 et aval MT16. Et ce barillet de travail est apte à effectuer au moins une opération d'usinage sur les pièces tandis qu'elles transitent par lui. D'autres roues telles que MT12, MT13 et MT15 sont utilisées dans le module de travail pour assurer le transfert des pièces entre son entrée et sa sortie. On notera également que dans la plupart des cas, un module de travail réalisant une opération d'usinage fera subir aux pièces un changement de niveau, que l'on voit particulièrement sur la figure 1 où les roues MT12 et MT13 sont placées à un niveau plus élevé que les roues MT15 et MT16.

If we now refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, a section of a continuous kinematic machining installation comprises:

• - A feeder module MA, capable of receiving a stock of workpieces in a tray MA10, and of placing them in a predetermined position on a debiting honeycomb wheel MA13. Between the MA10 tank and the MA13 wheel can intervene other transfer wheels such as MA11, or charged with a particular operation such as MA12. The wheel MA12 will be used for example for the function of verification that the part, for example the blank of a cartridge case, has been removed in the right direction by the continuous kinematic chain.
• at least one working module MT, which is also capable of defining a continuous kinematics of the parts between an upstream honeycomb wheel MT11, cooperating with the debiting honeycomb wheel MA13, and a downstream honeycomb wheel MT16. At least one MT14 work barrel is provided between the upstream honeycomb wheels MT11 and downstream MT16. And this work barrel is capable of performing at least one machining operation on the parts while they pass through it. Other wheels such as MT12, MT13 and MT15 are used in the work module to ensure the transfer of parts between its input and its output. It will also be noted that in most cases, a work module carrying out a machining operation will subject the parts to a level change, which is seen particularly in FIG. 1 where the wheels MT12 and MT13 are placed at a level higher than MT15 and MT16 wheels.

Finally, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a control module, which is also capable of defining a continuous kinematics of the parts between a dimpled input wheel MC11 and a dimpled output wheel MC14. The wheel MC11 cooperates with the downstream honeycomb wheel MT16 of the working module. And at least one control barrel MC12 is provided between the dimpled input wheels MC11 and exit MC14, to allow at least one measurement operation in relation to the aforementioned machining operation which was carried out in the work barrel . The control barrel MC12 cooperates with a measuring member MC13 in a manner which will be detailed below with reference to FIG. 4. Finally, and according to a particular aspect of the present invention, the control module has other MC15, MC16 and MC17 wheels, which are placed between the output honeycomb wheel MC14 and the input honeycomb wheel MC11.

In the foregoing, variable qualifiers have been added for “honeycomb wheels”, for example debit honeycomb wheel for the feeder module, upstream and downstream honeycomb wheels for the working module and inlet and outlet honeycomb wheels for the module control. Those skilled in the art will understand that this varied terminology is only used to allow easier recognition of the elements, since these wheels can be of strictly identical structure.

By way of example, the feeder module can be produced in the manner described in one of the patent publications FR-A-2,346,072, FR-A-2,356,464, FR-A-2,379,335 or FR- A-2 376 049 already cited.

In passing, it will be noted that the device described particularly in the booklet FR-A-2,379,335 allows the controlled ejection of parts. This is interesting in particular for the implementation of the invention, as will be seen below, so as to create gaps in the succession of parts relating to the continuous kinematics. Another way of creating gaps is described in the publication FR-A-2 459 196.

As regards the working module, this can for example be one of the machines described in the publications FR-A-2 333 412, FR-A-2 330 476, or also FR-A-2 475 946 In the detailed description which follows, it will be assumed that it is a machine for cutting tubular parts such as cartridge cases, this operation, simple, facilitating the description, and this machine could for example be that of publication FR-A-2 333 412.

Special description of the control module

As for the control module, Figure 3 schematically illustrates the structure on a larger scale. We find the dimpled input wheel MC11, followed by the control barrel MC12 cooperating with the sensor device MC13, then the dimpled output wheel MC14. The MC11 wheel will therefore take parts from a previous module which is normally a working module. These parts will pass through the control barrel where they are checked in particular at the level of the sensor device MC13. Finally, said parts are taken up by the output honeycomb wheel which will either transfer them to a next module (working or control module), or store them in a storage device. It will be noted that the wheel MC14 also comprises a normal rejection position MC141, a position which is preceded by a special rejection station MC142, and followed by a normal presence test MC140, which makes it possible to ensure that an operation of desired rejection has been carried out, and by the same token of the fact that the documents transferred downstream are accepted. The rejection devices can be produced in the manner described in the patent publication FR-A-2 379 335 already cited.

Upstream of these devices MC140 to MC142, the locations of the output honeycomb wheel MC14 will come in cooperation with a transfer wheel MC15, followed by another honeycomb transfer wheel MC16, and a third honeycomb transfer wheel MC17 , which is then able to bring the parts back onto the dimpled input wheel MC11.

Thus, in the control module is defined a recycling device with dimpled wheels MC15 to MC17, capable of returning on command the parts of the dimpled output wheel MC14 to the dimpled input wheel MC11. To effectively carry out recycling, it will suffice to move switches provided between the wheels MC15 and MC13 and the wheels MC11 and Mc14.

Finally, it should be noted that the dimpled input wheel MC11 has a standard insertion location denoted MC110. The insertion of standards can be done for example using a chimney, placed tangentially above the trajectory of the cells, and allowing to release a standard piece so that it comes to fit into the alveolus.

Measuring device

Reference will now be made to FIG. 4 which describes in a more particular manner the manner in which the measurement is carried out at the level of the control barrel MC12, of which only one station is shown here. The post in question is placed opposite the sensor device generally denoted MC13 in FIG. 4.

Therefore, the station in question of the MC12 barrel comprises a cast iron support frame, in two pieces 1205 and 1210, resting on the barrel body, which appears in the lower part. The part 1205 is provided with a vertical through bore, through which slides a cylindrical sleeve with recess 1204. The sleeve is provided with an end head 1202, suitable for inserting a cartridge socket 1200 against a support part 1201 Transversally, on either side of the bushing 1200 can be placed projecting gripping members such as 1203. The sliding part 1204 is found in the upper part denoted 1206, and it is then provided with a coupling roller 1207 with a rod 1208 articulated in rotation in 1209 on the frame 1210. At its other end, the rod 1208 is again articulated in rotation on the roller 1211 of an assembly 1212 and 1213, which form a member capable of requesting the left part of part 1208 with rotation upwards. During the rotation of the barrel, a cam not shown, will stress the device so that the shaft 1204-1206 goes downwards, and therefore comes to grip the bushing 1200 of which it is necessary to measure under a predetermined force. height, after the cutting operation already mentioned (this when arriving at the right of the MC13 measuring station).

For measurement, the part 1206 is completed in the upper part of a bracket 1220, on which a target 1225, of predetermined shape and careful machining, is fixed in a predetermined manner, preferably a steel disc with rectified parallel faces.

Fixedly with respect to the control module, the measurement member MC13 comprises a frame 1303, the upper part 1302 of which supports a measurement device 1301 comprising a cylindrical cage of comparable size at the periphery of the target 1225, which cage internally houses a sensor 1300, which will measure its distance from the target 1225. The sensor 1300 is connected by an electrical connection 1305 to the rest of the structure. We see that the position of the target 1225 is mechanically linked to the vertical position of the part 1204, and therefore at the top level of the socket 1200, the bottom level being fixed relative to the frame of the barrel MC12, which is assumed in turn remain in a stable vertical position relative to the body MC13, despite its rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor 1300 is an eddy current probe, such as the probe sold by the company VIBRO-METER under the designation VIBRAX TQ102. This 1300 probe is connected by cable 1305 to a conditioner box, which can be the one sold by the same company under the designation IQS603.

In this way, the probe 1300 will measure its distance from the target 1225.

There remains a major problem, namely to take into account on the one hand the possibilities of vertical components existing in the rotational movement of the barrel MC12, as well as its variations, and on the other hand the fluctuations which can result in the measured indication. as a function of the temperature in particular, and of other parameters which may intervene.

For this, the present invention provides a combination of means, some of which have already been described.

In addition, at least one, preferably two “fixed” on-board targets (not shown) are provided on the control barrel for each measurement. These targets are mounted like the target 1225, but on a support 1220 which would be integral with the barrel.

Also involved are the logic control means generally denoted 500 and 600 in FIG. 5, with their complements 800, 900 and 950.

It will now be recalled that the patent publications FR-A-2,379,335 as well as FR-A-2,459,196 teach how to create gaps in the succession of parts leaving the feeder module, or even one of the work modules placed upstream of the MC control module.

General operation

These lessons can be used according to the present invention, in order to create gaps in the continuous kinematics upstream of the control module. In the event that these gaps are created at the level of the power supply module, the logic member concerned is block 511 of FIG. 11, as will be seen below. A simple variant consists in completely emptying all the modules of the installation with parts, and stopping the supply, if necessary.

The rest of the operations mainly concern the control module. The following operation consists in inserting at least one minimum standard and one maximum standard in two, preferably consecutive, gaps thus created in the continuous kinematics (manual or automatic operation).

After that, using the sensor member 1300 of FIG. 4, the maximum and minimum measurements relating to these standards are acquired as rejection values. The acquisition of the measurements in question involves their transport to the acquisition device 800 which will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.

All this is done in a calibration phase of the machining installation.

Thereafter, during the production phase, the scrap ejection of parts whose measurement is not between the maximum and minimum rejection values will be controlled at the output honeycomb wheel. This command is carried out logically by means of the member 513 of FIG. 11, which is responsible for the control module MC. Materially, the rejection takes place at the level of the member MC141 of FIG. 3.

For the implementation which has just been described, two standards per measurement are sufficient, which will pass through two successive stations of the control barrel MC12, and be measured successively via their target. respective 1225, by the same sensor 1300. This arrangement may be sufficient in certain applications, but the Applicant has observed that fluctuations could occur in the measurements between the various stations of the control barrel. This is particularly true when the quantity to be measured is relayed by a device of the type described in connection with FIG. 4, and comprising a measurement intermediary such as a target 1225.

In this case, it is desirable to use a recycling device as described with reference to FIG. 3, providing that the number of stations of the control barrel MC12 and the number of steps of the recycling device constituted by the wheels MC15 to MC17 be first between them. For example, the MC12 control barrel has 8 stations, while the number of steps of the recycling device is equal to 13. This number of steps is to be calculated taking into account the part of the alveolate output and input wheels which intervenes in the recycling device, as well as the distance at the level of the control barrel between the place of insertion of the parts and the location of their removal. All this comes into play in the definition of the “recycling loop”.

• a) en phase d'étalonnage :
  • - admettre un nombre de lacunes supérieur au produit du nombre de pas du dispositif de recyclage et du nombre de postes du barillet de travail. (En effet, un nombre de pas égal à ce produit suffit pour un étalon. Compte-tenu du fait qu'on utilise à chaque fois un étalon maximal et un étalon minimal, il est souhaitable que le nombre de lacunes soit supérieur au produit des deux nombres précités). Ensuite, les deux étalons sont placés consécutivement dans les deux premières lacunes. Après cela, l'unité 600 acquiert à travers les organes qui coopèrent avec elle les mesures maximale et minimale relatives aux deux étalons en tant que valeurs de rejet pour chaque poste du barillet de contrôle, chaque étalon changeant de poste après être passé par la boucle de recyclage. (Cela tient compte du fait que les deux nombres précités sont premiers entre eux.) Enfin, les étalons sont enlevés manuellement, ou automatiquement, par exemple au rejet spécial MC 142.
• b) Par la suite, en production le système électronique commande au niveau de la roue alvéolée de sortie l'éjection au rebut des pièces dont la mesure n'est pas comprise entre lesdites valeurs de rejet maximale et minimale qui correspondent au poste de contrôle par lequel est passée chaque pièce. Selon un autre aspect préférentiel de la présente invention, on prévoit une pluralité de paires d'étalons qui sont respectivement maximal et minimal dans chaque paire, de façon qu'une paire d'étalons corresponde par exemple à une grandeur à mesurer.

Under these conditions, the logic control means 500 and 600 are arranged to perform the following operations:

• a) during the calibration phase:
  • - admit a number of gaps greater than the product of the number of steps of the recycling device and the number of work barrel positions. (Indeed, a number of steps equal to this product is sufficient for a standard. Given the fact that each time a maximum standard and a minimum standard are used, it is desirable that the number of gaps is greater than the product of two aforementioned numbers). Then, the two standards are placed consecutively in the first two gaps. After that, the unit 600 acquires through the organs which cooperate with it the maximum and minimum measurements relating to the two standards as rejection values for each station of the control barrel, each standard changing station after having passed through the loop recycling. (This takes account of the fact that the two aforementioned numbers are prime to each other.) Finally, the standards are removed manually, or automatically, for example at the special rejection MC 142.
• b) Thereafter, in production, the electronic system controls at the level of the output honeycomb wheel the ejection of discarded parts whose measurement is not between said maximum and minimum rejection values which correspond to the control station by which passed each piece. According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pairs of standards is provided which are respectively maximum and minimum in each pair, so that a pair of standards corresponds for example to a quantity to be measured.

Electronic components - Detailed description

The electronic system will now be described in more detail, the general structure of which is given in FIG. 5.

This system firstly comprises a logical operating system generally designated by 500, and which will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 11. (In this FIG. 11, we find the general structure of the device 500 to inside the dashed line).

This device firstly comprises a digital encoder block or “encoder” connected to one or more incremental encoders generally denoted by CO, and having the function of determining the machine position making it possible to detect the presence of parts at various points in the installation , so that the electronics can at any time determine the position of the parts in the continuous kinematics.

In a particular embodiment, each encoder block has three outputs. The first delivers an index to each round of the associated barrel. The second delivers pulses at the rate of 180 per barrel position, in forward gear. The third does the same, but in reverse.

Besides this, each module of the installation is associated with a first level logic block (LEVEL 1). For example, the power supply module MA is associated with a Level logic block denoted 511; the working module MT is associated with a Level logic block denoted 512; and the control module MC is associated with a Level logic block denoted 513. It is also noted in FIG. 11 that all of the calibration and measurement acquisition operations are performed by a block 600, in interaction with the control module. Block 600 reports the operations it performs, directly to the Level I logic block 513 being precisely associated with the control module.

The various blocks 510 to 513 are in interaction by 8-bit parallel links with a second level logic device (LEVEL II) denoted 520. This is preferably associated by an asynchronous link with a general control console 521 of the installation, which will not be described in more detail here.

Finally, the logic block 520 of Level II is optionally associated with a logic block of third Level 530, which can be responsible for example for controlling not only the section of the machining installation which is described here, but all the entire installation, which performs joint operations on the same product. To this end, it is connected to other second level logic blocks by asynchronous serial links illustrated in FIG. 11. For example, assuming that the machining installation described relates to the cutting of sockets, other installations machining placed after this one will carry out the subsequent operations of continuous stamping, as well as shrinking and calibration, for example. This Level III logic block marked 530 performs general surveillance operations which will not be described in more detail in the context of this patent application.

Returning now to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the logic operating system denoted globally 500 will be in connection via its LEVEL element 1513 with the block 600, illustrated in more detail in the figure. 6. This block 600 constitutes a logic measurement unit, or Level 0 unit. The unit 600 dialogues by asynchronous lines with a measurement acquisition unit 800 described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. synchronization are also transmitted by the Level 0 unit 600 to the acquisition unit 800, which also receives analog inputs of measurement signals (for example, 5 analog inputs for 5 sensors, therefore at least 5 quantities to be measured, it being observed that the same sensor can successively carry out measurements of different nature).

Finally, the Level 0 unit 600 also dialogues, still by asynchronous lines, with a calibration unit 900 which is in charge of the calibration operations, and of annex operations. The unit 900 is associated by the bus line 901 with the calibration control console 950. The unit 900 and the console 950 are illustrated in more detail in FIG. 9.

Detailed description of unit 600 (Level 0)

FIG. 6 shows the particular structure of the level 0 unit 600. This comprises an internal bus 601, to which a measurement processor 602 is connected, as well as memories 603 and 604. Memory 603 is a memory programmable read-only or pROM, with a capacity of 8 kilobytes, for example, while the memory 604 is a direct access memory or RAM memory, with a capacity of 4 kilobytes.

The bus 601 is also connected to the parallel interface 608, having a port A and a port B, responsible respectively for information arriving from the operating system 500, and information which will go towards it. Another parallel interface 609 is provided, as an option, for 16 inputs-outputs available for user-definable purposes.

At the top right of FIG. 6, a serial interface 607 is also provided, as well as two time counters 605 and 606. The serial interface 607 is in intercommunication with the bus 601, and has two sets of outputs denoted respectively line A, which goes to the calibration unit of figure 9, and line B which goes to the acquisition unit of figure 8. The clock for line A is defined by the time counter 605, which receives synchronization signals from the encoder device 510. The clock for line B is defined by the time counter 606, which is only connected to the serial interface 607.

It emerges from this description that the level 0 unit of FIG. 6 is capable of receiving all the raw measurement information coming from the acquisition unit 800, as well as to dialogue with the calibration unit 900 and the associated 950 calibration control console. This unit 600 of FIG. 6 will therefore be responsible for establishing the calibration, then then taking it into account on the actual measurements carried out on the products during manufacture.

Via the parallel interface 608, the unit 600 of FIG. 6 will finally be able to report its interventions to the assembly 500 of FIG. 5 and of FIG. 11, at the same time as requesting the latter to carry out the ejection suitable for the parts being manufactured which will not comply with the calibration data, through the first level logic unit 513, to which the device 600 is directly connected.

Acquisition unit E00

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which represent the acquisition of the information available at the level of the sensors.

In FIG. 7, we see at the top left a line which comes from the sensor 1300 of FIG. 4, or more precisely from the signal conditioner which is connected to it. This line is brought through a resistor 8310 to the inverting input of the differential amplifier 831. This inverting input is also connected to the output through an adjustable resistor 8311.

The non-inverting input of the same amplifier 831 is connected on the one hand to ground through an adjustable resistor 8312, and on the other hand to a resistor 8313 which goes to an inverter 8314.

When a measurement concerns a single sensor, the inverter 8314 is in the position shown, to connect the non-inverting input of the amplifier 831 to ground. When, on the contrary, a measurement involves two sensors, in differential mode, the second sensor is then connected to the input located at the bottom left of FIG. 7, the inverter 8314 therefore being in the other position.

In both cases, we find the measurement information from the sensors at the output of the amplifier 831. This information is brought to the analog input of an analog digital converter 821, which receives an acquisition trigger order from of the acquisition processor 802, through the internal bus 801 (link not shown in FIG. 8). When the conversion to digital of an input sample is completed, the end of conversion is indicated by the output located at the bottom right of block 821 at the parallel interface 811. This then acquires the 12 conversion bits available on the parallel outputs of the converter, to transmit them on the internal bus of acquisition 801 (raw measurement data, in internal units).

This structure is generalized in FIG. 8 in the case of 5 sensors. It will be observed in passing that these 5 sensors can make much more than 5 measurements, each cooperating with several targets from the same control station, on which they make measurements in rapid sequence. This is very advantageous, in particular given the space taken up by the bracket associated with each sensor (Figure 4).

For the 5 sensors, there are therefore 5 differential amplifiers 831 to 835, followed by 5 analog-to-digital converters 821 to 825, then 5 parallel interfaces 811 to 815, respectively. All the parallel interfaces are in communication with the internal acquisition bus 801.

In the upper part of FIG. 8, the measurement acquisition processor denoted 802 first appears. Two memories 803 and e04 are associated with it. The memory 803 is a programmable read only memory or pROM of capacity 4 kilobytes, while the memory 804 is a direct access memory or RAM of capacity 2 kilobytes. A time counter 806 is also connected to the internal measurement acquisition bus 801, which receives the synchronization signals from the encoder device 510. This time counter 806 defines clock signals for the serial interface 807 which can transmit the quantities measured towards the unit 600 of FIG. 6.

We can immediately see that all the measurement acquisition operations are carried out by the members illustrated in FIG. 8.

Calibration unit 900 and console 950

Figure 9 illustrates the two calibration bodies consisting of a central unit and a desk.

The internal calibration bus is denoted 901, and is connected (on the right in the unit 900) to a calibration processor 902, associated with three memories 903, 904 and 905. Memory 903 is a programmable read only memory or pROM with a capacity of 10 kilobytes. The memory 904 is a direct access memory or RAM with a capacity of 4 kilobytes. Finally, the memory 905 is a direct access memory also RAM, with a capacity of 2 kilobytes, but saved, that is to say capable of retaining the information it contains when the device and the entire installation do not are not in operation. This RAM memory 905 is useful for storing the calibration data even when the machining installation is not working, taking into account the means used according to the present invention.

Finally, the internal bus 901 is connected (in the right part) to a time counter 906, which defines clock information for the serial interface 907 which is connected on the one hand to the internal calibration bus 901 and on the other hand to the logical measurement unit 600 of FIG. 6.

On the left of FIG. 9, the links with the calibration console include 4 parallel interfaces 951 to 954, responsible respectively for ensuring the connections with the elements of the calibration console; Before examining these connections, the calibration console will be described with reference to Figure 10.

This first includes buttons which are noted 971 to 981, and allow you to define a certain number of status information for the machining installation (see below). Each button is associated with an indicator light which indicates whether the state in question is validated or not. All these buttons are managed via the parallel interface 951.

The calibration console also includes a keyboard 962, as well as switches 961, 963, 964 and 965. The keyboard and these switches are managed through the parallel interface 952 in FIG. 9.

All the display diodes associated with the buttons, as well as other diodes denoted 991 to 994 are managed through the parallel interface 953 in FIG. 9.

Finally, the calibration console includes a display block 995 for the displayed measurement data, as well as a display block 996 for indicating the extension number concerned by the display. These two digital displays are managed through the parallel interface 954 in FIG. 9.

950 console controls

As previously indicated, two operating modes are provided, namely production (key 971) and calibration (key 972) respectively. The 961 key is a calibration key. In the OFF position, it prohibits calibration and any modification of the data relating to it. In the EN position, it authorizes the passage to calibration. If during a calibration the key is returned to the OFF position, the calibration is instantly stopped.

The rotary measurement selector 965 allows you to choose the dimension to be measured, from among those provided, and there are a maximum of 5. This selector is associated with the keys 979 (ON-BOARD STANDARD), 976 (MAX / MIN LIMIT), 978 (POST SIDE), 977 (DERIVATIVE), 975 (POST CORRECTION) and 974 (STANDARD DIMENSIONS).

On the other hand, data visualization is associated with switch 963, which indicates whether one chooses to display the minimum or maximum data, as well as key 981, which requests a CHANGE OF VALUE.

Table 1 below gives the combined actions allowed (YES) or prohibited (NO) on different keys and depending on the "calibration" or "production" status.

We will now describe the use of various other keys.

Key 973 constitutes a switch for passing from measurements in millimeters to measurements in internal units, that is to say to the raw digital values obtained by converting the output voltages of the conditioners of the sensors. In production, this switch has no action, since it is coupled to the development commands (not shown, and intended for maintenance).

The value modification key 981 allows you to start entering a new value using the keyboard 962. The clear key (EFF) on the keyboard allows you to erase the last number entered. The validation key (VAL) on the keyboard must be pressed to take into account the number entered by the electronic circuits, in which case the erase key no longer acts.

The station selection keys (vertical arrows) on the keyboard 962 allow you to increment or decrement the station numbers, in combination with the display keys illustrated in table 1 above.

Switch 963 is associated with keys 974 (CALIBRATION SIDE), 976 (MAX / MIN LIMIT), and 979 (ON-BOARD CALIBRATION) and 977 (DRIFT).

Finally, switch 964 turns on all the LEDs on the display panel. Otherwise, the operator immediately identifies the faulty diodes. And the SIGN key (on the keyboard is to be used to modify the corrections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION OF THE INSTALLATION

The operation of the installation element according to the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the flow charts given in the figures.

Beforehand, it will be noted that in the following organs 900 and 950 of FIG. 5 are denoted in abbreviation “calibration”. Organ 800 is denoted “acquisition”. The logical measurement unit 600 is denoted “LEVEL 0”. Finally, the elements 510 to 513 of FIG. 11 are generally noted "LEVEL 1". In practice, the reference to level 1 will mainly concern element 513 associated with the control module MC.

Furthermore, the measured values which relate to the targets actually measuring the size of a part, as shown in FIG. 4, are noted DATA 1-5. (Figures 1 to 5 indicate that up to 5 different measured values can be obtained for each room and each station of the control module). On the contrary, the measured values which relate to fixed on-board targets are denoted DATA 6 and 7. These data relate to the variations in time of the physical law of movement of the barrel of the control module.

Measurement Acquisition Unit

To facilitate understanding, we will start with Figures 8A and 8B which relate to the acquisition of measurements. In FIG. 8A, the acquisition flowchart begins with step 850, which is followed by operations initialization (step 851). Next, a test 852 examines whether the measurement acquisitions have been completed, otherwise we loop this step 852.

The acquisition of the measured values is carried out on interruption, in a manner known to those skilled in the art of microprocessors. This interruption is illustrated in Figure 8B. The starting point of the interruption is a step 860 which indicates that the position of the machine is correct for the acquisition of measured values. In practice, if we refer to FIG. 4, this means that the measurement station MC13 is located opposite either a target of the control barrel which is in relation to a part (standard or part in production), or d '' a fixed target on board the control barrel.

Step 861 of the interrupt triggers, in rapid sequence, a predetermined number of measurements of the same physical magnitude (by one of the 5 sensors in FIG. 8). Step 862 establishes that these acquisitions have been completed, and leads to the end of the interruption.

Returning to FIG. 8A, the output of test 852 is then YES.

Step 853 then calculates the average of the measurements which have just been made. Finally, step 854 stores this average (memory 804) at the same time as it transmits it to the Level 0 unit 600.

We then return to test 852, awaiting a new set of measurements (either for the next sensor, or for the next position of the control barrel).

It should be noted that all of the measurement information acquired, whether it is calibration data or production data, is transmitted directly to Level 0, which in turn is responsible for passing it on, in particular to the means of calibration 900. These will now be described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 9A.

Calibration Unit

The first step 910 starts this flowchart, and is followed by an initialization step 911. Step 911 includes the display of a number of passes, using the console 950. This number of passes (or passages) of the standards is defined using the 980 key and the keyboard, the switch 961 being in position "EN". In the absence of a definition of the number of passes by the user, the calibration unit will arbitrarily fix the number of passes at 20.

The general definition of the invention given above does not speak of several passes of the standards at the level of the control barrel. A single pass may suffice to already obtain information useful for calibration. However, the Applicant has observed that it is clearly preferable to carry out a fairly high number of passes, and to average the different values obtained. The word "number of passes is used here as defining the number of passes of each stallion at each particular station of the control barrel.

The number of passes thus defined is displayed on display 995, during step 911 already mentioned.

Next, the calibration flow chart includes a test 912 which examines whether calibration data is stored in the stored memory (memory 905). If such data is not available, step 913 inhibits the production mode, thus obliging the user to carry out a calibration and makes the LED 991 flash. Conversely, if calibration data are completely available, the step 914 authorizes the transition to production mode, and step 915 sends the calibration data (thus found in memory 905) at Level 0 already mentioned.

After that, step 916 examines whether the console 950 is actuated by the operator, and performs corresponding displays if necessary. In particular, the operator can request the production mode (key 971) or the calibration mode (key 972).

Therefore, test 917 examines whether the operator has requested production mode. If so, step 918 examines whether this production mode is authorized. If so, step 920 updates the display on the console 950, and informs Level 0 of this transition to production mode. After that, the electronic calibration device goes into mode for receiving information from Level 0. When such information is received (in production mode), step 922 calculates the drifts, and the coefficients, and returns them at Level 0. These calculations will be described below.

After step 922, we pass to 923 for the test: "does the operator request a calibration?" "(Key 972 and key 961 EN). In the absence of such a request, we return to step 916, which normally results in a loopback on operations 920 to 922.

If the requested production mode (test 917) is not authorized (test 918), step 919 displays an error (switching on of 992). Then we go to test 923. Looping then occurs, until the operator performs a calibration mode.

Finally, if the output of test 917 is no, we go directly to test 923, to determine if the operator is performing the calibration mode. A loop occurs through step 916 and tests 917 and 923 as long as the operator does not request any of the calibration and production modes.

On calibration request, the yes output of test 923 goes to a new test 924 examining whether this constitutes a mode change and extinguishes the diode 991. If yes, step 925 informs Level 0. And then we pass upon receipt of the measurements relating to the calibration (made by the acquisition unit, and passing through level 0 to come to the calibration unit). As long as test 927 indicates that the reception of the calibration measurements is not complete, we return (in a loop) through step 916 and step 926 (output not).

When all the calibration measurements have been made, step 929 produces the storage thereof, in memory 904. We return to 916.

In this case, we pass to the yes output of test 926 (end of all calibration passes). As described below, step 928 calculates the calibration data, and stores it in saved memory (905). Finally, step 930 authorizes the transition to production mode. And we return to step 916.

Operator interventions

• 1°) mettre les aiguillages de pièces en position convenable pour que les étalons puissent passer par la boucle de recyclage définie par les roues MC15 à MC17 ( figure 3 ), et placer manuellement les étalons dans les alvéoles de la boucle de recyclage, consécutivement en n'importe quel point, mais dans l'ordre des mesures à effectuer. Dans l'hypothèse de 5 mesures, on placera les étalons par paires, à savoir successivement l'étalon minimum et l'étalon maximum pour la première mesure, puis l'étalon minimum et l'étalon maximum pour la seconde mesure, et ainsi de suite jusqu'à la cinquième mesure. Dans chaque paire d'étalons l'usinage est soigné pour les surfaces intervenant dans la définition de la mesure à laquelle est affectée cette paire. Par exemple, pour la découpe des douilles en longueur, les deux étalons de la paire seront très précisément usinés sur leurs deux faces d'extrémité. Si la deuxième mesure consistait par exemple en une mesure de diamètre, ce serait alors l'usinage cylindrique périphérique de l'étalon qui serait important.
• 2°) Introduire les cotes des étalons au niveau du pupitre 950 de la figure 10. Pour cela, l'opérateur va d'abord sélectionner la mesure choisie à l'aide du commutateur 965, puis presser la touche 974, placer le commutateur 963 sur MIN, presser la touche 981 de modification de valeur, et introduire au clavier la valeur numérique associée à l'étalon minimum pour la mesure concernée, en millimètres. La procédure est la même pour la valeur maximum, après avoir bien entendu placé le commutateur 963 sur MAX. Et cette procédure est également répétée pour toutes les mesures relatives à tous les étalons que l'on introduit dans la machine.
• 3°) De la même manière, l'opérateur va pouvoir introduire les cotes de rejet en millimètres, c'est-à-dire les cotesau-delà et en deça desquelles on n'acceptera pas les pièces, en production. La procédure est la même que pour les cotes d'étalon, sous réserve de presser la touche 976, au lieu de la touche 974.
• 4°) Pour réaliser l'étalonnage proprement dit, l'opérateur va presser la touche 972, et faire tourner la machine. Durant l'opération d'étalonnage, la machine visualise le nombre de passes qui reste à exécuter. Ensuite, elle peut visualiser sur demande les valeurs limites maximum et minimum. En fin d'étalonnage, il est possible d'obtenir une visualisation des valeurs de mesures obtenues pour les cibles fixes en millimètres puisque les coefficients de conversion sont connus, c'est-à-dire celles qui sont directement solidaires du barillet d'étalonnage. A cet effet, on presse la touche 979, et on sélectionne le type de mesure désiré par le commutateur 965.

In physical terms, the transitions between calibration mode and production mode involve a certain number of operator interventions. To enter calibration mode, the operator must:

• 1 °) put the points of parts in a suitable position so that the standards can pass through the recycling loop defined by the wheels MC15 to MC17 (figure 3), and manually place the standards in the cells of the recycling loop, consecutively in any point, but in the order of the measurements to be taken. In the case of 5 measurements, the standards will be placed in pairs, namely successively the minimum standard and the maximum standard for the first measurement, then the minimum standard and the maximum standard for the second measurement, and so continued until the fifth measure. In each pair of standards the machining is treated for the surfaces involved in the definition of the measurement to which this pair is assigned. For example, for cutting the sleeves in length, the two standards of the pair will be very precisely machined on their two end faces. If the second measurement consisted for example of a diameter measurement, then it would be the peripheral cylindrical machining of the standard that would be important.
• 2 °) Enter the dimensions of the standards at the console 950 in figure 10. For this, the operator will first select the measurement chosen using the switch 965, then press the key 974, place the switch 963 on MIN, press the value modification key 981, and enter the numeric value associated with the minimum standard for the measurement concerned, in millimeters, using the keyboard. The procedure is the same for the maximum value, after of course having set switch 963 to MAX. And this procedure is also repeated for all the measurements relating to all the standards which are introduced into the machine.
• 3 °) In the same way, the operator will be able to enter the rejection dimensions in millimeters, that is to say the dimensions beyond and below which the parts will not be accepted, in production. The procedure is the same as for standard dimensions, subject to pressing the 976 key, instead of the 974 key.
• 4 °) To carry out the actual calibration, the operator will press the button 972, and run the machine. During the calibration operation, the machine displays the number of passes that remain to be executed. Then, it can display the maximum and minimum limit values on request. At the end of the calibration, it is possible to obtain a visualization of the measurement values obtained for the fixed targets in millimeters since the conversion coefficients are known, that is to say those which are directly integral with the calibration barrel . To do this, press the 979 key, and select the type of measurement desired by the switch 965.

• - valeurs initiales mesurées sur les cibles fixes
• - cotes des étalons
• - cotes de rejet
• - valeur des corrections
• - dérive
• - cotes relatives aux postes du module de contrôle.

In production, no manipulation is in principle necessary on the 950 console. However, it is possible to view certain information:

• - initial values measured on fixed targets
• - standards of stallions
• - rejection ratings
• - value of corrections
• - drift
• - dimensions relating to the control module positions.

It will be seen later that corrections are made item by item on the measured values. A visualization of these corrections can be obtained by pressing the button 975 and the switch 965, to define the type of measurement chosen. The desired station is obtained by pressing the station selection keys (up or down arrow) on the keyboard 962.

After a calibration, it remains possible at any time to modify the correction values used by the electronic circuit, by placing the key 961 in the EN position, by selecting the measurement chosen by the switch 965, by pressing the key 981 for modifying value, by entering the new keyboard correction, in millimeters, and pressing the keyboard validation key.

The dimensions of the control module positions are displayed by pressing the 978 key, even if there is no socket at the user-defined position.

The drift represents the difference between the measurements made at the start (during the last calibration) on the on-board fixed targets, and the measurements made at the present time on the on-board fixed targets. To obtain this difference, we select the measurement chosen by the switch 965, and the minimum or maximum target by the key 963. We also press the drift key noted 977.

As previously announced, the calculations made by the calibration unit will now be described in more detail. These calculations are different depending on whether you are in calibration mode or in production mode.

Calibration unit in calibration mode

In calibration mode, the calculations are those called in step 928 of FIG. 9A.

We give the index i to the positions of the control barrel, i varying from 1 to 8. We give the index j to the different measures, which we indicated previously that they can range from 1 to 5.

• VijM: mesure j sur poste i pour étalon maxi
• Vijm: mesure j sur poste i pour étalon mini
• EjM : mesure j sur cible fixe embarquée maxi
• Ejm : mesure j sur cible fixe embarquée mini.

The following notations will also be adopted:

• VijM: measurement j on station i for maximum standard
• Vijm: measurement j on station i for mini standard
• EjM: measurement j on maximum on-board fixed target
• Ejm: measurement j on fixed on-board target min.

• BjM = Moyenne pour étalon maxi
• Bjm = moyenne pour étalon mini

The calibration unit calculates minimum and maximum averages for each of the calibrated sockets, as follows:

• BjM = Average for maximum standard
• Bjm = average for mini standard

This makes it possible to adjust all the values in relation to these averages by means of the corrections per item: CijM = VijM - BjM Cijm = Vijm - Bjm hence the average correction per item

• CcjM = EjM - BjM Ccjm = Ejm - Bjm
• L'unité d'étalonnage dispose alors de valeurs corrigées
• pour les poster de contrôle: Vcij = Vij - Cij
• pour les cibles fixes embarquées: EcjM = EjM - CcjM Ecjm = Ejm - Ccjm

Similarly for fixed on-board targets we have the following corrections:

• CcjM = EjM - BjM Ccjm = Ejm - Bjm
• The calibration unit then has corrected values
• for control posters: Vcij = Vij - Cij
• for fixed on-board targets: EcjM = EjM - CcjM Ecjm = Ejm - Ccjm

Furthermore, it is assumed that the eddy current sensors described above have a linear response, and using a maximum standard and a minimum standard, this characteristic can be determined precisely.

• XjM et Xjm les valeurs maximale et minimale respectivement, en microns des douilles calibrées correspondantes, BjM et Bjm les valeurs en unités internes des moyennes calculées pour ces douilles. On peut alors en déduire simplement les caractéristiques de la réponse linéaire du capteur à courants de Foucault, à savoir la pente aj et l'ordonnée à l'origine βj, qui s'exprime par les relations suivantes :
  
  Il vient alors pour une valeur quelconque sur la droite la relation linéaire suivante:
  
  où
• Xj : valeur des mesures en microns
• Vj : valeur des mesures en unités internes.

We now note:

• XjM and Xjm the maximum and minimum values respectively, in microns of the corresponding calibrated sockets, BjM and Bjm the values in internal units of the means calculated for these sockets. We can then simply deduce the characteristics of the linear response of the eddy current sensor, namely the slope aj and the ordinate at the origin βj, which is expressed by the following relationships:
  
  There then comes for any value on the right the following linear relation:
  
  or
• Xj: value of measurements in microns
• Vj: value of measurements in internal units.

• - Coefficients de conversion : aj et βj
• - Corrections par poste en unités internes : Cij
• - Corrections des cibles étalons fixes embarquées en unités internes : Ce j
• - Cibles étalons embarquées en unités internes
• - Barres de rejet en microns
• - Cotes cibles fixes embarquées en microns.

Since it is Level 0 which itself performs the correction and conversion of the data before transmitting it to the other logical units of higher level, the calibration unit must give it the means necessary for its calculations. At the end of the calibration procedure, the following values are therefore sent towards Level 0:

• - Conversion coefficients: aj and βj
• - Corrections by post in internal units: Cij
• - Corrections of fixed standard targets on board in internal units: Ce j
• - Standard targets on board in internal units
• - Rejection bars in microns
• - Fixed target dimensions onboard in microns.

At the same time, all these values are stored in the saved memory 905 of FIG. 9. They will thus allow the immediate transition to production mode upon power-up without requiring calibration, since the saved information is immediately transmitted as soon as the production mode. This has already been described at the general level with reference to FIG. 9A, in its steps 912 and 915.

Calibration unit in production mode

We will now describe the calculations performed by the calibration unit in production mode, following step 922 of FIG. 9A.

After reception of the five measurements and the dimensions of the on-board standard targets from Level 0, these data are processed in order to be able to transmit back to Level 0 the conversion coefficients and the calibration data.

Upon receipt, the data from the five measurements are corrected using Cij corrections, then converted to microns with the coefficients aj and βj. Likewise, the data of the on-board standard targets are corrected (Ccj correction), and converted into microns (coefficients aj and βj) by the calibration unit.

For the calculation of the drift, two important quantities are used: the initial values measured on the fixed on-board targets, and the current values measured on the fixed on-board targets.

The dimensions of the initial fixed on-board targets are the values calculated during the previous calibration. They correspond to the starting values of the fixed fixed on-board targets.

The current odds for fixed on-board targets are the moving averages of the measurements of minimum and maximum corrected fixed on-board targets. These sliding averages are performed, on the last 16 measurements, by Level 0, and constitute an image of the mechanical drift of the module.

The minimum drift is equal to the difference between the minimum current on-board fixed target dimension (sliding average) and the minimum on-board fixed target dimension measured initially during the previous calibration. The maximum drift is equal to the difference between the maximum current on-board fixed target dimension on a sliding average and the maximum on-board fixed target dimension measured initially during the previous calibration.

In addition, the current fixed target odds on a sliding average are used as a basis for calculating and updating the conversion coefficients aj and βj at each turn of the control barrel. Thus, the values of the dimensions in microns will be faithful due to the taking into account of the drift of the module.

These updated coefficients aj and βj are sent to Level 0 at each round of the barrel so as to allow it to make correct calculations.

Now knowing in detail the operations carried out at the level of the calibration unit and of the acquisition unit, we will describe the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6D.

Level 0 electronic unit

The flowchart in Figure 6A constitutes a main monitor or program for the Level 0 unit.

The introduction step 610 is followed by an initialization step 611. After that, we simply loop around test 612, which determines whether the reception of information from the calibration unit is complete. If not, we go back to test 612. If yes, we go to step 613 which is the decoding of the current function, after which, this function being performed, we go back upstream of test 612.

The function decoding operation 613 introduces a series of steps illustrated in FIG. 6B.

The first operation is test 614 which examines whether calibration data (corrections, coefficients) have just been received from the calibration unit. If so, step 615 stores this data in the memory 604 of Level 0, and we go directly to step 622 of Return ending the flowchart of "Function Decoding". If not, test step 616 examines whether the calibration function is requested at the level of the calibration unit. On a yes answer, step 640 effectively establishes the calibration mode (see the description of FIG. 6C below).

If there is no request for the calibration function, we go to test 617 which examines whether the production function has been requested by the calibration unit and its desk (key 971). If so, step 618 examines whether the calibration data has been received. If this is the case, the transition to production mode is established in 670 which will also be described later with reference to FIG. 6D. If, on the other hand, the calibration data have not been received, we go directly to return 622, awaiting this data during a subsequent cycle.

If the production function was not requested in test 617, test 619 examines whether the coefficients already mentioned (aj - pj etc) have been properly received by the Level 0 unit. If not, we go directly to return to 622 pending these coefficients. If so, we examine in 620 if the production mode is in progress (having been requested during a previous cycle). The production mode not being in progress, we again go back to 622. On the other hand, if the production mode is in progress, we go to step 621 which consists in storing these coefficients for later use, after which we returns to return step 622.

In established production mode, the steady state therefore goes through steps 614, 616, 617 and 618. At each turn of the control barrel, new values of the coefficients aj and βj are received, and then stored in step 621 , by the route 614, 616, 617, 619, 620.

Unit 600 Level 0 in Calibration Mode

The operations performed by Level 0 during the calibration are therefore now described, with reference to FIG. 6C.

After the initial step 640, there is an initialization step 641. After that, step 642 searches for the presence of the standard sockets, examines whether they are correctly placed consecutively and in the correct number. Test 643 then determines whether this examination revealed an error. If yes, step 644 sends an error code to the calibration unit (LED 992), and step 645 requests a return to the monitor of FIG. 6A.

In the absence of error, the test 646 determines whether the reception from the acquisition unit 800 of the measurement information acquired on the standard values has ended. If not, it is determined in test 947 whether a complete set of information has been received from the calibration unit 900. If not, we return to 646. If yes, we go to step 648 of function decoding, which covers all the operations of FIG. 6B, then we return to 646 (except change of mode).

In the case where test 646 reveals that the reception of a complete set of measurement information from the unit 800 is finished, we pass to processing operations. Step 649 processes the so-called 1-5 data, that is to say the data relating to the targets which are effectively integral with the mobile members relating to a station of the control barrel. After that, step 650 performs another processing, relating to the targets which are fixed relative to the control barrel (Data 6 and 7).

As previously indicated, this is done station by station, at the level of the control cylinder. When the examination relating to the current station is finished, the YES output of step 651 starts the transmission of the measurement information to the calibration unit, by step 654, at the same time as it authorizes their transmission to Level 1 (unit 513), this time at step 655. And we return to 646.

If on the contrary the information available for the current station is not complete, the NO output of test 651 results in another test 652 which examines whether complete information for a station has been obtained from the calibration unit 900. If no, we go to step 651. If yes, we go to the operation 653 for decoding a function which includes the operations of FIG. 6B, after which we return to test 651 to see if the examination of the position is complete ( except change of mode requested during 653).

From the above, it can be seen that in the calibration phase, the Level 0 unit is content to follow closely the acquisition of the measurement information as well as their use by the calibration unit, without really intervening in the detail other than to processing operations 649 and 650.

Unit 600 Level 0 in production mode

We will now focus on the behavior of the Level 0 unit during the production phase, with reference to Figure 6D. After the initial steps 670 of introduction and 671 of initialization, the test 672 examines whether the reception of the information acquired on the station under measurement is complete. If not, we loop over to this test 672. If yes, we go to test 673 which examines whether the reception of information from the calibration unit has ended. If not, we still loop on step 672. If yes, we go to step 674 of function decoding. Again, this is what has been described in connection with Figure 6B.

Then, step 675 performs a processing of the Data 1 to 5 already defined, by correcting this data taking into account the calibration information, by converting them into microns, and by making tests and checks on the dimensions with respect to the established limit values.

It is at this point that the determination of whether a part is or is not within the allowed range is made as correct for the machining operation carried out.

Then, step 676 processes the so-called Data 6 and 7, that is to say which relate to the fixed targets on board the control barrel. The processing of these data allows, in the manner already indicated, the calculation of a sliding average, as well as the drift of the physical characteristics of the movement of the control barrel. After these calculations, test 677 examines whether the current position has been completely analyzed. If not, it is checked at 678 whether the reception of the information from the calibration unit has ended. If not, we go to step 677. If yes, we go to step 679 for decoding the function.

If, on the contrary, test 677 revealed that the current station has been completely examined, step 680 starts the transmission of the information from Level 0 to the calibration unit, for the latter for the purpose of calculating the updates. necessary days as previously indicated. Finally, step 681 authorizes the transmission of the measured information to level 1 of the electronics. After that, we return to step 672.

. In short, the Level 0 electronics receives, each time the machine advances by one step, the result of the measurements carried out by the acquisition card, i.e. a block of 5 data, in internal units, which represents the values ratings of the product present. To these dimensions can be added one or two additional, which are the dimensions in internal units of the on-board standard targets. For certain machine positions, these values can naturally be absent, since it is not always necessary to provide two on-board standard targets for each control station.

In summary, in the calibration phase, level 0 communications with the calibration unit consist in communicating to the latter the raw data coming from the acquisition unit. In this case, Level 0 electronics can also transmit raw data to Level 1, but in internal units, since the corrections and conversion coefficients already mentioned are not yet known.

In production phase, Level 0 essentially has the function of using the synchronization signals, in particular those which come from the encoder card 510 of FIG. 11, to assign to each of the 5 data coming from the acquisition unit the extension number on which the measurement took place, and the identity of the product concerned. Regarding the values of fixed on-board targets, Level 0 achieves an average per target sliding on the last 16 values (for example). These are the 5 raw measurements and the uncorrected moving averages and in internal unit which are therefore transmitted to the calibration unit.

Conversely, at each revolution of the barrel in production mode, the calibration unit communicates the new conversion coefficients so as to take account of the slightest variations and drifts in the machine.

During the production phase, the Level 0 unit now knows the values converted to microns of the measurements, and can sort them using the rejection ratings in micron issued at the end of calibration or at the start of production. The validity of the ratings is checked by simple comparison with the two limit values. All this converted data is transferred in microns to Level 1, assigned an indicator giving the result of the odds check, namely GOOD, above the maximum, or below the minimum.

Although the decision to reject a production part can be executed in Level 0, which is close to acquisition (800) and calibration (900), the structure which is illustrated in Figure 11 proceeds differently. : there is a Level 1 for each of the elements of the machine, namely for the control module, as well as for the work module and the power module. Under these conditions, the information which has just been indicated is in fact used by the level unit 1513 to trigger the ejection of the product if a rejection is necessary. This ejection could for example be done at the level of the normal rejection station noted MC141 in FIG. 3.

Those skilled in the art will now understand that the arrangements according to the invention make it possible to obtain a machining installation section capable of performing machining operations at high speed with extremely reliable control as to the precision of the machining performed. This is important in many technical fields, and in particular for the production of cartridge cases. Note that the operator practically only has to intervene during the calibration phase. Once this is done, production can proceed normally without any human intervention. The flow charts previously described clearly show that, on a production incident, the machine will be able to stop by itself, and ask the operator to carry out the desirable intervention which can be for example a new calibration operation. Furthermore, and in addition, the devices of the present invention allow physical control of parts in production. To this end, it is possible to verify in particular the operation of the control module, by introducing one or more standard flight pieces at the level of the station MC110 of FIG. 3, and by controlling the display of the dimensions of these standards in the appropriate manner. using the 950 desk. The standards will then not need to go through the recycling loop, and may come out through the special rejection MC142.

Similarly, it is possible to take from the same special rejection MC142 parts in production, whose values measured by the machine are known, values which can be checked by measurements carried out manually or in any other way.

Claims (12)

1. Machining installation with continuous kinematics of the type comprising :

- a feed module (MA) adapted to receive in a container a stock of workpieces and to place them in a predetermined position on a cellular delivery wheel,

- a control module (MC) adapted to define continuous kinematics of the workpieces between a cellular inlet wheel, cooperating with the aforesaid cellular wheel, and its cellular outlet wheel, at least one control drum being provided between the cellular inlet and outlet wheels in order to permit at least one measuring operation, and

- logic control means (500) adapted to supervise and coordinate the action of the consecutive modules, with due regard for the continuous kinematics of the workpieces, characterised by the fact that the logic control means (500, 600) are arranged for:

a) in a calibration phase, allowing gaps (511) in the continuous kinematics, upstream of the control module, to permit the insertion of at least one minimum gauge and one maximum gauge in two of the said gaps, acquiring (600) the maximum and minimum measurements relating to these gauges in order to define rejectiot values, these gauges then being removed, and

b) thereupon, during production, controlling (513) at the cellular outlet wheel the ejection as rejects of workpieces whose measurements are not within these maximum and minimum rejection values.

2. Installation accordin to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that it comprises, between the feed module (MA) and the control module (MC), at least one work module (MT) adapted to define continuous kinematics of the workpieces between an upstream cellular wheel cooperating with the cellular delivery wheel and a downstream cellular wheel, at least one work drum being provided between the upstream and downstream cellular wheels, this work drum being adapted to effect at least one machining operation on the workpieces while they are passing through it.

3. Installation according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised by the fact that each station of the control drum (MC12) has at least one measuring intermediary, such as a target (1225) connected in position to a dimension which is to be measured, these intermediaries passing, on the movement of the drum, into an operating relationship with at least one pickup (1300), such as an eddy current probe, by the fact that the control module is provided with a recycling device comprising cellular wheels (MC15 to MC17) and adapted on command to return the workpieces from the cellular output wheel (MC14) to the cellular input wheel (MC11), by the fact that the number of steps of the recycling device (MC15 to MC17) and the number of stations of the work drum (MC12) are prime to one another, and by the fact that the logic control means (500, 600) are arranged for:

a) in a calibration phase, allowing (511) a number of gaps greater than the product of these two numbers, the two gauges being inserted into two consecutive gaps, acquiring (600) the maximum and minimum measurements relating to the two gauges in order to define rejection values for each station of the control drum, each gauge changing station after having passed through the recycling loop, the gauges finally being removed, and

b) thereupon, in the production phase, controlling (513) at the cellular outlet wheel the ejection as rejects of workpieces whose measurements are not within these maximum and minimum rejection values corresponding to the control station through which each workpiece has passed.

4. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that a plurality of pairs of gauges are inserted, each pair comprising a maximum and a minimum gauge.

5. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised by the fact that the control module comprises means (MC110) permitting the introduction on command of workpieces into its cellular inlet wheel (MC11) and also means (MC141, MC142) permitting the rejection on command of workpieces from the cellular outlet wheel (MC14).

6. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised by the fact that it contains a control and calibration console (950), and that the logic control means (900) are arranged to permit, for each station, each pickup and each type of measurement, the display of the value measured in arbitrary internal units taking the calibration into account.

7. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised by the fact that the control drum (MC12) has a fixed embarked target, thus making it possible to take into account the response of the electronic measuring means and the mechanical drifts.

8. Installation according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised by the fact that the logic control means (500, 600) comprise a base logic device (600) suitable for the functions of acquisition of measurements, calibration and correction of measurements in dependence on the calibration, in interaction with the control module (MC), and also and operating logic device (500) in interaction with the feed module (MA), work module (MT), and control module (MC), for supervising the entire installation.

9. Installation according to Claim 8, characterised by the fact that the base logic device (600) is also adapted to update the coefficients for the conversion of the measurements into digital values, and also to determine the drift of the machining operations.

10. Installation according to one of Claims 8 and 9, characterised by the fact that the base logic device has a backup memory (905) permitting the saving of calibration data.

11. Installation according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterised by the fact that the first level logic device comprises a logic unit (511 to 513) for each of the modules, and that the logic unit (513) associated with the control module (MC) is connected to the base logic device (600) and is arranged to control the ejection as rejects of workpieces whose measurements are not within the aforesaid maximum and minimum rejection values.

12. Installation according to Claim 11, characterised by the fact that the operating logic device (500) comprises a second level logic unit (520) which is interconnected with the first level logic units (511 to 513) and also with a general control console (521).

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