JP2001300688A - System for monitoring operation of sand treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote monitoring system for operation of a sand treatment facility. SOLUTION: This monitoring system is provided with a sensor for measuring a desirable attribute related to the sand treatment facility, a local unit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the desirable attribute measured by the sensor to a network and a remote unit, in which the desirable attribute related to the sand treatment facility is displayed by connecting with the communicating network and receiving the signal corresponding to the desirable attribute from the local unit, and which monitors this sand treatment facility at least when the sand treatment facility is operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sand operation monitoring system capable of transmitting and receiving sand operation information via a communication network between a sand processing site and a site remote from the site.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, labor savings have been made in sand processing equipment in foundries. For example, a kneading process that conventionally required skill is being labor-saving. On the other hand, in a foundry, a molding process is important, and even today, when a casting facility is labor-saving, an operator may confirm a molding in a molding shop. Labor is also being reduced in the work of incorporating the core into the molded main mold, but workers often incorporate the core in core shops. Some factories do not have any workers for such main molding and core incorporation,
Even in this case, the manager of the casting line controls the production in the office. Alternatively, maintenance personnel are not always near the sand treatment facility.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a worker, a manager or a maintenance worker working in a labor-saving foundry, Molding shop,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sand operation monitoring system that monitors how a sand processing facility is actually operating in a core shop or office and monitors, solves, or performs preventive maintenance of a problem.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a sensor for measuring a desired attribute of a sand processing facility, and a sensor corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor. A local unit that transmits a signal to the network, and a signal that is connected to the communication network and receives a signal corresponding to a desired attribute from the local unit, and displays a desired attribute related to the sand treatment facility; A sand operation system having a remote unit for monitoring the sand treatment facility when the sand treatment facility is operating. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sand operation monitoring system that monitors the sand processing equipment at least at the time of production and transmits the sand operation information to a remote place.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sand operation monitoring system according to the first aspect, wherein the local unit determines whether a signal from the sensor is within a predetermined range. Determining means for determining whether the signal from the sensor is out of a predetermined range, accessing the communication network,
Sending a signal to the remote unit.
According to the present invention, a worker or a manager remotely monitors a sand treatment facility site based on a signal from a sensor, and if there is a problem, part of the problem can be solved and preventive maintenance can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sand operation monitoring system according to the second aspect, wherein a remote unit communicates via the communication network and a predetermined unit associated with the judgment means. The range is changed. According to the present invention,
Signals from sensors allow workers and managers to remotely monitor the sand treatment facility site, and if there is a problem, change the predetermined range related to the judgment means at the location of the worker or manager. Thus, part of the problem can be solved and preventive maintenance can be performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is the sand operation monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attribute of the sand processing equipment is a sand kneading data.
, At least. According to the present invention, since sand kneading data, which is an important sand treatment immediately before the molding process, is included, an operator or a manager remotely monitors the final process site of the sand treatment facility in accordance with the data. can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sand operation monitoring system according to the first to fourth aspects, wherein the remote unit is a molding shop, a core shop, an office or a casting shop. It is characterized by being configured to be installed or movable at a remote location outside the factory. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a worker, an administrator, or a maintenance person can remotely monitor a sand processing facility at the place.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is the sand operation monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sand processing equipment has a plurality of local units. It is characterized by comprising processing equipment. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an operator, a manager, or a maintenance person can remotely monitor the sand processing equipment at a plurality of sites, and in some cases, can solve the problem of the plurality of casting facilities and perform preventive maintenance on the site. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7 is a sand operation monitoring system in which the sand treatment facility is constituted by a sand treatment facility having a plurality of local units. -Sand treatment equipment with a cal unit is compatible with water injection equipment (hereinafter referred to as CB)
It is characterized by comprising at least a control device. According to the present invention, an operator, a manager or a maintenance person remotely monitors the sand kneading data of the compactibility control device, and in some cases, solves the problem of the water injection device upstream of the sand treatment on the spot. Can be solved and preventive maintenance. In particular, since the water injection device is usually separated from the molding machine and the core molding machine, it is very significant that the setting of the water injection device can be corrected.

According to the present invention, various data, which are desired attributes of the sand treatment facility, can be sent to a remote location for analysis as sand operation information. Also, based on the analysis results, the operation status of each individual sand processing facility (eg, power fluctuation, rotation speed, operation rate, operation site screen, etc.), sand kneading data (eg, sand temperature, moisture, etc.), sand Property data can be displayed by selection.

Here, in the present invention, the sand processing equipment is a sand cooler, a sand kneader, a water injection device,
It is a compactability control device, an air radiator, a device for automatic measurement of fresh sand characteristics, etc., and includes substantially all of a single facility for sand treatment, regardless of its name.

In the present invention, the sensors for measurement include, for example, an image sensor that indicates the operation of the machine, a sound collector that is generated by the operation of an actuator of the machine,
Pressure sensor, temperature sensor, current sensor, stroke counter, load sensor, cut-off, limit switch,
Other types of sensors, such as proximity switches, moisture sensors, compactibility sensors, etc., that can measure attributes for sand treatment facilities and sand properties can be mentioned.

The local unit in the present invention is a unit incorporated in a control device of a sand processing facility (for example, a kneading machine) or disposed adjacent to a kneading machine.
It incorporates a function that allows the software of the cull unit to be reset by a user command from a remote location via a communication network. That is, at remote locations, the metric can be changed and the local unit can be reconfigured to change certain limits or programmed variables. For example, in order to determine whether or not the measurement standard is correct, a determination is made using a comparator connected to a processor or a determination means configured by software, and if it is out of the range, a variable or the like can be changed.

According to the present invention, a plurality of monitor criteria are incorporated, and the user can select them with different input / output cards. The input / output card is connected to a sensor box, which is attached to a specific part of the sand treatment facility. These input / output cards process signals from the sensors to generate signals that are accepted as inputs to the local unit.

The communication network according to the present invention is used between a local unit and a remote unit. Such communication systems may include telephone lines and other protocols for transmitting data to and from remote locations, such as mobile phones and Internet access. More simply, the site and the remote site may be connected by a serial cable. Alternatively, another protocol known in the art, such as a local area network or a wide area network, can be used to transmit data between them. Means for accessing the communication network include:
A modem operatively connected to the local unit 4 can be used.

In the present invention, at least when the sand treatment equipment is operated means that the sand processing equipment can be used not only during operation but also in accordance with a user command. For example, monitoring the log only if there is a warning for a specific desired period, or re-logging the data according to the parameters.

The monitoring of the sand processing equipment means that a sand operation monitoring system sends a signal to a person in charge of maintenance of the sand processing equipment at the site via, for example, a facsimile or a mobile phone, or other mobile communication means. It also means that. As a result, the necessity of maintenance can be promptly notified to the person in charge.

The remote unit is connected to the local unit by a communication network, the remote unit is adapted to receive signals from the local unit, and to measure measured attributes of the sand treatment facility. Is displayed, whereby the sand treatment facility can be monitored at a remote location during production by the sand treatment facility. Further, similarly to the local unit, it can have a function of analyzing a measurement signal in order to determine whether or not the measurement reference is correct.

The invention thus provides a means for accessing a communication network connected to a local unit. A sensor for measuring the desired quantity for the sand treatment facility is connected to the local unit and can send a signal to it. The local unit is adapted to transmit a signal via a communication network corresponding to the attribute to be measured.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 discloses a schematic configuration of a hardware device according to the present invention. The sand operation monitoring system 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a sand processing facility 2, a sensor 3, a local unit 4, and a remote unit 5. The local unit 4 is connected to at least one sensor 3 for monitoring desired attributes of the sand processing equipment (here, the water injection device 2A and the CB control device 2B). As the sensor 3, an image sensor, a sound collecting device, a water injection amount sensor, a temperature sensor, a compactibility sensor, an ammeter, a pocket meter, a limit switch, a proximity switch, and the like are used.

The local unit 4 comprises a hardware operation monitoring system including a processor, a display, a printer, and an indicator. The local unit 4 may be a plurality of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) configured as hardware or software, or many other types of electronic calculation / processing devices. The printer / indicator is optional and not essential. In the present invention,
The cull unit 4 can be a personal computer. The local unit 4 is also connected to a storage device (not shown). For this reason, conventional sand treatment equipment could not accumulate data on long-term operation, but it was also possible to obtain information on how the sand treatment equipment was operated on a daily basis. become.

The sensor 3 is connected to the local unit 4 via a signal line 6, and the signal line 6 transfers a signal generated by the sensor 3 to an input / output board (not shown).

The input / output board is composed of a signal processing system for converting the signal into a format convenient for processing by the local unit 4 using the sensor output received on the signal line 6. Can be.

For example, if the sensor 3 is a temperature sensor 3A for measuring the sand temperature measured by the compactibility controller 2B, the weak analog signal is amplified, and the amplified analog signal is further amplified. Into a digital signal. The input / output board is, for example,
It can be a multiplexer, which processes the received DC level voltage signal into a numerical signal for use in the local unit 4.

The means for accessing the communication network is a modem operatively connected to the local unit 4. However, the means for accessing the communication network according to the communication network. Various other types of means can be utilized.

Also, various types of communication networks may be utilized, including dedicated telephone lines, dedicated communication lines, calling telephone lines, mobile telephone systems, wireless network systems, Internet access systems and remote locations. There are other types of protocols for transmitting data between, and the like.

Depending on the type of communication network used, the type of means for accessing such a communication network will also differ. Further, the communication network can be a local area network or a simple serial cable. Alternatively, it may be another type of computer-based communication card for communicating with a communication network.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network is connected to a remote unit 5. The remote unit 5 receives a signal transmitted from the local unit 4 via the communication network, and measures the measured attributes (for example, CB, CB, etc.) of the CB controller 2B measured by the sensor 3.
(Sand temperature, moisture) is displayed, whereby the CB control device 2B can be monitored during the production operation of the CB control device 2B. At the same time, water injection device 2A
Are displayed (e.g., water injection amount, sand temperature, moisture). Further, the operation state of the water injection state can be photographed by the image sensor and monitored. Furthermore, it is also possible to record the operation sound of the kneader and monitor it.

Also, it can be a siren, a bell, or any other type of indicator that indicates that a signal has been received from the local unit 4. In the present invention, the remote unit 5 can be a personal computer. Remote unit 5 can include a printer.

Also, the remote unit 5 can be a mobile phone, in which case the signals generated by the local unit 4 are displayed on a mobile phone with an LCD display, and thereby generated. Specific sensor readings can be indicated to maintenance personnel.

In the sand operation monitoring system 1, the operation monitor of the sand processing facility can be selected from many monitor functions in the remote unit 5A. For example, the operation monitoring function of the water injection device 2A includes an ammeter that measures the energization time of a solenoid valve that adjusts a water injection amount per day or a specific time for each batch of the water injection device 2A, and a thermometer that measures sand temperature. And a moisture meter for measuring moisture. In addition, the sand operation monitoring system can display CB, sand temperature, moisture, and the like by the sand operation monitoring function of the CB control device. In this case, the signal transmitted by the specific corresponding sensor 3 is processed and displayed.

Then, the software developed for use in the remote unit 5 can analyze the measurement signal transmitted through the communication network and determine the status of the CB control device 2B and the water injection device 2A. Can be made.

Since the operation of the local unit can be configured by software, the setting of the local unit 4 can be updated at present or as required by a command or signal from the remote unit 5.

More specifically, in the sand operation data monitoring function of the remote unit 5A, the CB value of the CB control device 2B adjacent to the kneader forming a part of the sand processing equipment 2, the change of the sand temperature, etc. The operator at the position of the molding machine can remotely monitor the sand kneading data. At the same time, the operation monitor function of the remote unit 5A allows the user to view the water injection amount, sand temperature, and moisture for each batch of the water injection device 2A or every 30 seconds.

For example, if the sand temperature of the CB control device 2B is too high, if the cause is a problem of the water injection device 2A upstream of the sand treatment, the amount of water injection is reduced by the judgment means configured by software. Remote unit 5
A. The command can be issued via the local unit 4 to solve the problem. If the problem is any other cause, you will take action. In addition, if a range requiring preventive maintenance is set, maintenance can be performed in advance when the required range is entered. In particular, since the water injection device 2A is apart from the molding shop where the molding machine is located and the core shop where the core molding machine is located, it is very significant that the setting of the water injection device 2A can be modified from the remote unit 5A at a remote location. is there.

As is apparent from the above invention, the present invention transmits a sensor for measuring a desired attribute relating to sand treatment equipment and a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor to a network. A local unit,
Upon receiving a signal corresponding to a desired attribute from the local unit and displaying a desired attribute relating to the sand treatment facility, the sand treatment facility is connected to the communication network, and the sand treatment facility is operated at least when the sand treatment facility is operated. Since it is a sand operation monitoring system having a remote unit that monitors equipment, it is possible to provide a sand operation monitoring system that monitors the sand processing equipment at the time of production and transmits the data to a remote place. The contribution to the foundry industry is significant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Sand operation monitoring system 2 Sand treatment equipment 3 Sensor 4 Local unit 5 Remote unit 6 Signal line

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sensor for measuring a desired attribute of a sand treatment facility, a local unit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor to a network, and a connection to the communication network. Receiving a signal corresponding to a desired attribute from the local unit, displaying a desired attribute related to the sand treatment facility, and monitoring the sand treatment facility at least during operation of the sand treatment facility; , Having a sand operation monitoring system. 2. The local unit includes determination means for determining whether the signal from the sensor is within a predetermined range, and wherein the signal from the sensor is the predetermined signal. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising accessing the communication network and sending a signal to the remote unit when out of range. 3. The sand of claim 2, wherein said remote unit communicates via said communication network to change said predetermined range associated with said determining means. Operation monitoring system. 4. An attribute of the sand processing equipment is a sand kneading data.
The sand operation monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. The remote unit according to claim 1, wherein the remote unit is installed or movable in a remote place outside a molding shop, a core shop, an office or a foundry. Sand operation monitoring system as described. 6. The sand operation monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said sand treatment facility is a sand treatment facility having a plurality of local units. 7. The sand operation monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein the sand treatment facility having the plurality of local units is configured to include at least a water injection device and a compactibility control device.