JP2001324307A - Shape measuring instrument and shape measuring method for long material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure the external shape and size of a long material such as an extrusion molding on an inline basis at a low cost. SOLUTION: This shape measuring instrument is provided with one or more light detection type sensors 2 (or laser displacement sensors) installed in a production line (such as an extrusion line) for long materials, a moving mechanism 4 for moving the sensors 2 in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the production line, and a position detecting means (position sensor such as displacement sensor) 3 for measuring the positions of the sensors 2. The external shape and size of a long material S to be measured is calculated based on the outputs of the sensors 2 and of the detecting means 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for measuring the shape and size of a long object such as a rain gutter or pipe extruded from a synthetic resin. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Extruded products such as rain gutters and pipes made of synthetic resin are generally extruded continuously in an extrusion molding line and then cut to a predetermined length (product length). Be transformed into For such an extruded product, the quality is determined at the end of the extrusion line and the like.
One criterion for determining the quality is measurement of the cross-sectional shape (outer dimension) of the molded product.

Conventionally, a method has been adopted in which an inspector measures the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of an extruded product using a gold scale or the like. As an automated method, the extruded product is cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an image of the cut surface is captured by a CCD camera or the like, and an appropriate processing is performed on the captured image to obtain a cross-section. A method for obtaining the shape and dimensions is conceivable.

Further, as an apparatus for automatically measuring the shape and size of a long object, an outer diameter measuring apparatus (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8 (1996)) which measures only the outer diameter of a long object such as a cable using a laser beam.
No. 201029).

[0005]

However, when the shape and dimensions of an extruded product are measured manually, in-line measurement is not possible, and the measurement requires many man-hours. In addition, there is a problem in that measurement variations among the measurers are inevitable and measurement errors are large.

On the other hand, in the method of measuring the cross-sectional shape using a CCD camera or the like, the measurement cannot be performed unless the extruded product is cut to produce a cut surface. In addition, it is necessary to remove burrs generated on the cut surface. Further, when the cross-sectional area of the extruded product is large, many cameras are required to secure the required resolution, and there is a problem that the cost of the apparatus is increased.

Further, the outer diameter measuring device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-201029 has the disadvantage that the structure is complicated and the device cost is high.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the shape of a long object capable of measuring the external dimensions of a long object such as an extruded product in-line at low cost. It is intended to provide a measuring device and a measuring method.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A measuring device according to the present invention comprises a light detection type sensor installed on a production line for a long object (for example, an extrusion molding line), and the light detection type sensor is connected to a flow direction of the production line. A moving mechanism for moving in a direction orthogonal to the position, position detection means for measuring the position of the light detection type sensor, and calculation for calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the outputs of the light detection type sensor and the position detection means It is characterized by having processing means.

According to the measuring device of the present invention, a long object such as an extruded product can be obtained with a simple structure simply by installing a light detecting sensor, a position detecting means, and a moving mechanism in an extruding line or the like. Can be measured in-line.

A measuring device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of light detecting sensors installed along a long production line, and a movement for moving each of the light detecting sensors in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the production line. A mechanism, position detecting means for measuring the position of each light detecting sensor, and arithmetic processing means for calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the outputs of the plurality of light detecting sensors and the position detecting means. It is characterized by having.

According to the measuring device of the present invention, only a plurality of light detection type sensors, position detecting means, and a moving mechanism are installed in an extrusion molding line or the like, and the extruded product or the like can be obtained with a simple configuration. External dimensions of long objects can be measured in-line. In addition, even if the long object to be measured is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the extrusion molding line, the influence of the inclination is
Since the cancellation can be performed using the outputs of the plurality of light detection sensors, the shape and dimension of the long object can be measured with good accuracy without requiring high-precision positioning.

As a light detection type sensor used in the above measuring device, a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor including a light emitter and a light receiver can be exemplified.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, a light detecting sensor is moved in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of a production line, and in the moving process, a position at which the light detecting sensor detects a long object to be measured is measured. It is characterized by calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the position data.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the shape and dimensions of a long object such as an extruded product can be measured in-line without cutting the long object.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, a plurality of light detection type sensors are moved in a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of a production line,
In the movement process, each light detection type sensor is characterized by measuring the position where the long object to be measured is detected, and calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the position data.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the shape and dimensions of a long object such as an extruded product can be measured in-line without cutting the long object. Moreover, the measurement can be performed with good accuracy without requiring high-precision positioning.

The measuring device of the present invention comprises a laser displacement sensor installed on a long production line, a moving mechanism for moving the laser displacement sensor in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the production line, and a laser displacement sensor. It is characterized by including a position detecting means for measuring the position, and an arithmetic processing means for calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the outputs of the laser displacement sensor and the position detecting means.

According to the shape measuring apparatus of the present invention, only a laser displacement sensor, a position detecting means and a moving mechanism are installed on an extrusion molding line or the like, and a long object such as an extruded product can be obtained with a simple structure. Can be measured in-line. Moreover, since the laser displacement sensor is used for the measurement, it is possible to measure not only the maximum external dimensions of the long object to be measured but also the external dimensions of the cross section. For example, when the long object to be measured is a rain gutter, it is possible to measure cross-sectional dimensions such as the outer dimensions of the opening and the distance of the opening.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the laser displacement sensor is moved in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the production line, and in the moving process, the position at which the laser displacement sensor detects the long object to be measured is measured. It is characterized by calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the data and the output of the laser displacement sensor.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the shape and size (including the cross-sectional shape) of a long object such as an extruded product can be measured in-line without cutting the long object.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an extrusion molding line in which the apparatus for measuring the shape of a long object of the present invention is installed will be described with reference to FIG.

The extrusion molding line 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a line for producing a synthetic resin rain gutter which is an extruded molded product, and includes an extruder 101, a mold 102, and a forming die 10.
3. A take-off machine 104, a cutting machine 105, a conveyor 106, and a reversing machine 107 are sequentially installed, and the resin melted by the extruder 101 is formed into a predetermined shape (rain gutter shape) by a mold 102. The extruded resin is extruded and cooled and solidified by the forming die 103.
04. The taken-out extruded product (semi-finished product) S0 is cut into a predetermined length (product length) by the cutting machine 105, and the extruded product (rain gutter) after the cutting is cut.
S is conveyed to the reversing machine 107 by the conveyor 106, and is stocked in the stocker (not shown) by the reversing machine 107.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of a long object shape measuring apparatus according to the present invention.

The shape measuring apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has a structure shown in FIG.
And a displacement sensor 3 as a position detecting unit, a moving mechanism 4, a computer 5, and the like, which are installed above the reversing machine 107 of the extrusion molding line 100 shown in FIG.

The proximity sensor 2 is a sensor for detecting the extruded product S placed on the reversing machine 107, and the lowermost end of the detection range is in the height direction of the extruded product S as shown in FIG. It is installed so that it is located near the center of. The proximity sensor 2 is moved by the moving mechanism 4 to the extrusion line 10.
It is horizontally moved in a direction orthogonal to the zero flow direction (the longitudinal direction of the extruded product S).

The displacement sensor 3 is fixedly arranged, and detects the position of the proximity sensor 2 moved by the moving mechanism 4, that is, the distance X of the proximity sensor 2 to the displacement sensor 3. Each output of the displacement sensor 3 and the proximity sensor 2 is taken into the computer 5.

The computer 5 calculates the maximum outer dimensions of the extruded product S using the outputs of the proximity sensor 2 and the displacement sensor 3 and an arithmetic expression (described later) registered in advance for each shape.

In this embodiment, the reversing machine 1
07, a guide 107a for positioning the extruded product S in parallel with the flow direction of the extrusion line 100.
Is provided.

Next, a method of calculating the external dimensions will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

First, the proximity sensor 2 is moved from the position of the distance X0 to the position of the distance X5 with respect to the displacement sensor 3. In this movement process, the proximity sensor 2 detects the distance X1
When the position of the distance X1 is reached, the output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes L at the position of the distance X1.
The output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes LOW when OW becomes HIGH, and then when the distance X2 is reached. Further, when the position of the distance X3 is reached, the output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes H again.
It becomes IGH, and the output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes LOW at the position of the distance X4. At this time, the maximum outer dimension of the extruded product S can be calculated by the following equation: Maximum outer dimension = X4−X1 (1). Therefore, the proximity sensor 2 and the displacement sensor 3
, The output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes L
The position X1 where OW changes to HIGH, and the second time changes from HIGH to HIGH
If the position X4 at which LOW occurs is detected, the maximum outer dimension of the extruded product S can be calculated from the above equation (1).

Here, in the above embodiment, the method of calculating the maximum outer dimension of the rain gutter which is a profile-extruded product has been described.
When the object to be measured is a tubular extruded product (pipe), as shown in FIG. 4, when the proximity sensor 2 is moved from the position of the distance X0 to the position of the distance X5, the output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes LOW → Since it changes from HIGH to LOW,
Assuming that a position where → HIGH is set as Xa and a position where HIGH → LOW is set as Xb, the maximum external dimension can be calculated by the maximum external dimension = Xb−Xa (2). Therefore, the proximity sensor 2 and the displacement sensor 3
, The output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes HIGH →
By detecting the position Xa at which LOW occurs and the position Xb at which LOW → HIGH, the maximum outer diameter (diameter) of the tubular extruded product P can be calculated from the above equation (2).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a modification in which the photoelectric sensor 20 is used in place of the proximity sensor 2 in the embodiment of FIG.

The photoelectric sensor 20 used in this modification includes a light emitting device 21 and a light receiving device 22 opposed to each other in the vertical direction.
When the extruded product S exists between the light projector 21 and the light receiver 22, the light from the light projector 21 to the light receiver 22 is blocked, and the output changes from HIGH to LOW. The light projector 21 and the light receiver 22 of the photoelectric sensor 20 are horizontally moved at the same speed and at the same time in the direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the extrusion molding line 100 by the same moving mechanism 4 as described above.

In this modification, the photoelectric sensor 20
Is located below the reversing device 107,
A part of the reversing device 107, that is, a part where the photoelectric sensor 20 moves is formed of a translucent member.

Next, a method of calculating the external dimensions of the modification shown in FIG. 5 will be specifically described.

First, the photoelectric sensor 20 is moved from the position of the distance X0 to the position of the distance X5 with respect to the displacement sensor 3. In this movement process, the photoelectric sensor 20 moves the distance Xα
Is reached, the light from the light projector 21 is blocked by the extruded product S, so that the output of the photoelectric sensor 20 is L
OW, and the output of the photoelectric sensor 20 becomes HIGH again at the position of the distance Xβ. At this time, the maximum outer dimension of the extruded article S can be calculated by the following equation: Maximum outer dimension = Xβ−Xα (3) Therefore, based on the outputs of the photoelectric sensor 20 and the displacement sensor 3, the output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes HIGH.
If the position Xα where LOW changes and the position Xβ where LOW changes to HIGH are detected, the extruded product S
Can be calculated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of another embodiment of the long object shape measuring apparatus of the present invention.

The shape measuring apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes two proximity sensors 2a and 2b and a displacement sensor 3, which are installed above a reversing machine 107 of the extrusion molding line 100 shown in FIG. The computer 5 is mainly configured.

The proximity sensors 2a and 2b are arranged at a predetermined distance d in parallel with the flow direction of the extrusion line 100. The proximity sensors 2a and 2b are horizontally moved by the moving mechanism 4 simultaneously and at the same speed in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the extrusion line 100. In addition,
The proximity sensors 2a and 2b are installed such that the lowermost end of the detection range is located near the center of the extruded product S in the height direction as shown in FIG.

The displacement sensor 3 is fixedly arranged, and detects the position of the proximity sensors 2a and 2b moved by the moving mechanism 4, that is, the distance X between the proximity sensors 2a and 2b to the displacement sensor 3, respectively. The outputs of the displacement sensor 3 and the two proximity sensors 2a, 2b are taken into the computer 5.

The computer 5 includes the proximity sensors 2a, 2b
The maximum external dimensions of the extruded product S are calculated using the outputs of the displacement sensor 3 and an arithmetic expression (described later) registered for each shape in advance.

Next, a method of calculating the external dimensions according to this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

First, the proximity sensors 2a and 2b are moved from the position of the distance X0 to the position of the distance X5 with respect to the displacement sensor 3. In this movement process, the proximity sensor 2a
When the extruded product S is detected at the position of the distance Xa1, the output of the proximity sensor 2a changes from LOW to HIGH at the position of the distance Xa1, and then the distance Xa
When the output of the proximity sensor 2a reaches LOW
become. Further, the output of the proximity sensor 2a becomes HIGH again when the position of the distance Xa3 is reached, and the output of the proximity sensor 2 becomes LOW at the position of the distance Xa4. Similarly, the output of the proximity sensor 2b becomes HIGH at the position of the distance Xb1, becomes LOW at the position of the distance Xb2, becomes HIGH again at the position of the distance Xb3, and becomes LOW at the position of the distance Xb4. Here, two proximity sensors 2a and 2b
Is d, the maximum outer dimension of the extruded product S is

[0046]

(Equation 1)

Can be calculated. Therefore, based on the outputs of the two proximity sensors 2a and 2b and the displacement sensor 3, the outputs of the proximity sensors 2a and 2b are changed from low to high for the first time.
If the positions Xa1 and Xb1 at which H becomes H and the position Xa4 at which the output of the proximity sensor 2a becomes HIGH → LOW for the second time are detected, the maximum outer dimension of the extruded product S can be calculated from the above equation (4). it can.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the extruded product S is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the extrusion line 100, the influence of the inclination is determined by two light-detecting sensors. Since it is possible to cancel using the outputs of 2a and 2b, there is no need to provide the reversing machine 107 with the positioning guide 107a as shown in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,
The proximity sensors 2a and 2b are simultaneously moved and their respective positions are measured by one displacement sensor 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the proximity sensors 2a and 2b are individually moved and their respective positions are determined. You may make it measure with an individual displacement sensor.

Here, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the method of calculating the maximum outer dimensions of the rain gutter, which is a profile-extruded product, has been described. However, the measurement object is a tubular extruded product (pipe). In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, when the proximity sensor 2a is moved from the position at the distance Xa0 to the position at the distance Xa5, the output of the proximity sensor 2a becomes LOW → HIGH → LOW.
Similarly, the output of the proximity sensor 2b changes from LOW to H
Since the position changes from IGH to LOW, if the position from LOW to HIGH is Xaa and Xba, and the position from HIGH to LOW is Xab and Xbb, the maximum external dimension is:

[0051]

(Equation 2)

Can be calculated. Therefore, based on the outputs of the two proximity sensors 2 and the displacement sensor 3, the position X at which the outputs of the two proximity sensors 2a and 2b change from HIGH to LOW.
aa, Xba and the output of the proximity sensor 2a are LOW → HI
If the position Xab at which the GH is reached is detected, the maximum outer dimension of the tubular extruded product P can be calculated from the above equation (5).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a modification in which photoelectric sensors 20a and 20b are used in place of the proximity sensors 2a and 2b in the embodiment of FIG.

The photoelectric sensors 20a, 20a used in this modification
0b comprises a light projector 21a, 21b and a light receiver 22a, 22b facing each other in the vertical direction,
When the extruded product S exists between the light emitters 21a, 21b and the light receivers 22a, 22b, light from the light emitter 21 to the light receiver 22 is blocked, and the output becomes HIGH → LO.
Changes to W. Projector 21 and receiver 2 of photoelectric sensor 20
2 are horizontally moved at the same speed in the direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the extrusion molding line 100 by the same moving mechanism 4 as described above.

In this modification, the light receiving device 22
Since a and 22b are disposed below the reversing device 107, a part of the reversing device 107, that is, a portion where the photoelectric sensors 20a and 20b move is formed of a translucent member.

Next, a method of calculating the external dimensions of the modification shown in FIG. 10 will be specifically described.

First, the photoelectric sensors 20a and 20b are moved from the position of the distance X0 to the position of the distance X5 with respect to the displacement sensor 3. During this movement process, the photoelectric sensor 20
When a reaches the position of the distance Xaα, the light from the light projector 21a is blocked by the extruded product S, so that the output of the photoelectric sensor 20a becomes LOW, and the output of the photoelectric sensor 20a becomes HIGH again at the position of Xaβ. become. Similarly, the output of the photoelectric sensor 20b becomes LOW at the position of the distance Xbα and becomes HIGH at the position of the distance Xbβ. Here, since the distance between the two photoelectric sensors 20a and 20b is d, the maximum shape dimension of the resin molded product S is:

[0058]

(Equation 3)

Can be calculated. Therefore, based on each output of the two photoelectric sensors 20a and 20b and the displacement sensor 3,
The output of each photoelectric sensor 20a, 20b is changed from HIGH to LOW
, And the position Xaβ at which the output of the photoelectric sensor 20a becomes LOW → HIGH, the maximum outer dimension of the extruded product S can be calculated from the above equation (6).

In FIG. 7 or FIG. 10 described above, an example in which two proximity sensors or two photoelectric sensors are used is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of proximity sensors or photoelectric sensors may be three or more. Good. As an example, FIG. 11 shows a method of calculating external dimensions when three proximity sensors 2a, 2b, 2c are used.

In this example, the three proximity sensors 2a, 2b, 2
The position Xa1 at which the output of c goes from low to high for the first time
, Xb1, Xc1 and the positions Xa4, X at which the outputs of the two proximity sensors 2a, 2b change from HIGH to LOW for the second time.
b4 is detected, and using the position data, the external dimensions W1 and W2 of the extruded product S are calculated using the following equations (7) and (8).
Is calculated by Then, of the calculated outer dimensions W1 and W2, the one having the larger value is set as the maximum outer dimension of the resin molded product S.

[0062]

(Equation 4)

Here, as a computer applied to each of the above embodiments, in addition to the function of calculating the shape and dimensions of the extruded product S (profile data generation), a pass / fail judgment function as shown in FIG. A computer equipped with a computer (described later) may be used.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of another embodiment of the long object measuring apparatus of the present invention.

The shape measuring apparatus 30 of this embodiment comprises two laser displacement sensors 32, 33, a moving mechanism 34, and a computer 35 installed above the reversing machine 107 of the extrusion molding line 100 shown in FIG. It is configured as a subject.

The laser displacement sensors 32 and 33 are known sensors that detect the distance from the sensor to the object using laser light. Of these two sensors, one of the laser displacement sensors 32 is horizontally moved by a moving mechanism 34 in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the extrusion line 100 (the longitudinal direction of the extruded product S1), and is mounted on the reversing machine 107. The placed extruded product S1 is detected.

The other laser displacement sensor 33 is
6 fixedly arranged. This laser displacement sensor 33
Detects the position of the laser displacement sensor 32 on the moving side moved by the moving mechanism 34, that is, the distance X of the laser displacement sensor 32 to the laser displacement sensor 33. These two
Each output of the two laser displacement sensors 32 and 33 is taken into a computer 35.

As shown in FIG. 13, the computer 35 includes a profile data generator 35a,
b, a pass / fail judgment data input unit 35c, a display unit 35d, and the like.

The profile data generating unit 35a calculates the maximum shape and size of the extruded product S1 and the cross-sectional shape using the outputs of the two laser displacement sensors 32 and 33 and an arithmetic expression (described later) registered for each shape in advance. Calculate the dimensions (opening outer dimensions and opening distance).

The non-defective product judging section 35b compares the shape data calculated by the profile data generating section 35a with the reference data input from the non-defective / defective judging data input section 35c to judge the quality of the extruded product S1. The determination result is displayed on the display unit 35d.

In this example, the reversing machine 107 is provided with a guide 107a for positioning the extruded product S1 in parallel with the flow direction of the extrusion line 100.

Next, a method of calculating the outer dimensions and cross-sectional dimensions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

First, the moving mechanism 34 is driven to move the laser displacement sensor 32 from the position at the distance X0 to the position at the distance X16. In this movement process, the laser displacement sensor 32
Measures the distance to the reversing table of the reversing machine 107 between the distances X0 to X11, and measures the distance (Y) to the extruded product S1 between the distances X11 to X15. Further distance X15 ~ X
Measure the distance to the reversing table again between 16.

Here, the position of the laser displacement sensor 32 (the distance from the laser displacement sensor 33 on the fixed side) is the X axis, and the distance from the laser displacement sensor 32 to the extruded product (the output of the laser displacement sensor 32) is the Y axis. Then, the output of the laser displacement sensor 32 becomes a graph as shown in FIG. The points on this graph are P (X11, Y11), Q (X14, Y1)
2), R (X15, Y13), etc., and each point P, Q,
From R, the maximum external dimensions and the external dimensions of the opening of the extruded product S1 can be calculated by the following equations.

Maximum outer dimension = X15−X11 (9) Opening outer dimension = X14−X11 (10) The opening distance of the extruded product S1 (points P and Q in FIG. 14)
Distance from the point) can also be calculated by the following equation.

[0076]

(Equation 5)

Therefore, the two laser displacement sensors 32, 3
3 based on each output of FIG. 3: P (X11, Y1
1) When Q (X14, Y12) and R (X15, Y13) are detected, the maximum external dimensions of the extruded product S1 and the external dimensions of the opening are obtained using the above equations (9) to (11). And the cross-sectional shape dimension of the opening distance can be calculated. Next, FIG.
Another method of calculating the external dimensions and cross-sectional dimensions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In general, in the case of a long-sized extruded product S1, when a twist occurs in the longitudinal direction due to a slight molding distortion or the like, the cross section of the extruded product S1 conveyed on the reversing table at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction is reduced. The extruded product S1 may be inclined in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the degree of the inclination may vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the bottom surface L of the extruded product S1 is inclined with respect to the plane of the reversing table, and the inclination angle varies according to the cross-sectional position, that is, according to the flow of the extruded product S1. However, even if the cross-sectional shape of the extruded product S1 is substantially the same, if the bottom surface is inclined with respect to the reversing table, the maximum external dimension and the external dimension of the opening of the extruded product S1 also vary according to the inclination. Therefore, in this example, a calculation means for correcting the error is used. First, the moving mechanism 34 is driven to move the laser displacement sensor 32 from the position at the distance X0 to the position at the distance X6. During this movement process, the laser displacement sensor 32
The distance to the reversing table of the reversing machine 107 is measured between the distances X0 to X1, and the distance (Y) to the extruded product S1 is measured between the distances X1 to X5. Further, the distance to the reversing table is measured again between the distances X5 and X6. Here, the position of the laser displacement sensor 32 (the distance from the laser displacement sensor 33 on the fixed side) is taken on the X axis, and the distance from the laser displacement sensor 32 to the extruded product (the output of the laser displacement sensor 32) is taken on the Y axis. The output of the laser displacement sensor 32 becomes a graph as shown in FIG. Each point on this graph is represented by P (X1, Y
1), Q (X4, Y2), R (X5, Y3), A (α1, β)
1), B (α2, β2) and the like, and when the maximum outer dimension and the outer dimension of the opening of the extruded product S1 are defined as a distance between a straight line perpendicular to the bottom surface (straight line L1) passing through the points P and Q, From the points P, Q, R, A, and B, the maximum external dimensions and the external dimensions of the opening can be calculated. First, two points A on the bottom
The straight line L1 passing through (α1, β1) and B (α2, β2) is as follows: L1: a1X + b1Y + c1 = 0, where a1 = β2−β1 b1 = α1−α2c1 = α1 (β2−β1) −β1 (α2−α1) = A1α1 + b1
It can be expressed as β1. Here, it is determined at two points A and B, but it may be determined at a large number of points by the least square method or the like. Next, the straight line L
A straight line L2 perpendicular to 1 and passing through Q (X4, Y2) can be represented by L2: b1X-a1Y + a1Y + a1Y2-b1X4. Thus, from the formula for calculating the distance between the point and the straight line, the opening outer dimension represented by the distance between the point P (X1, Y1) and the straight line L2 is

(Equation 6) Is required. Similarly, R (X5,
Assuming that a straight line passing through Y3) is L3, the maximum outer dimension expressed by the distance between the point P (X1, Y1) and the straight line L3 is:

(Equation 7) Is required. Therefore, two laser displacement sensors 32,
33, each point in FIG. 15: P (X1, Y
1), Q (X4, Y2), R (X5, Y3), A (α1, β)
1) If B (α2, β2) is detected, the above equation (12) is obtained.
Using Equation (13), even when the extruded product S1 is inclined and the degree of the inclination varies, the cross-sectional shape of the maximum external dimension and the external dimension of the opening with the error corrected based on the inclination variation is determined. Can be calculated.

The moving mechanism used in each of the above embodiments is not particularly limited as long as it is a known mechanism generally used for moving an object. For example, a rack and pinion or a feed screw and a motor may be used. A combined mechanism, a mechanism combining a belt wound around pulleys with a motor, or a mechanism utilizing a pneumatic / hydraulic cylinder can be used.

In the present invention, the means for detecting the position of a light detection type sensor such as a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor or a laser displacement sensor is not limited to a displacement sensor.
For example, it may be a position detecting unit including another position sensor such as an encoder or a setting motor.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the measurement of the maximum external dimensions of the rain gutter and the tubular resin molded product (pipe) which are the extruded molded products has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to measurement of external dimensions of various long objects such as deck materials.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A sensor for detecting a long object and a position detecting means for detecting its position are installed on a production line, and a sensor for detecting a long object is moved along a flow direction of the production line to obtain a long object such as an extruded product. Since the external dimensions of the object are measured, the external dimensions of the long object at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction can be measured at low cost in-line.

In the present invention, if a plurality of light detection sensors are used for measuring the shape and dimensions, it is possible to perform a measurement with good accuracy without requiring high-precision positioning.

In the present invention, if a laser displacement sensor is used for measuring the shape and dimensions, it becomes possible to measure the cross-sectional external dimensions in addition to the maximum external dimensions of the long object to be measured. For example, when the long object to be measured is a rain gutter, it is possible to measure a cross-sectional shape such as an outer dimension of an opening and an opening distance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an extrusion molding line.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method for calculating the outer dimensions of a profile-extruded product (rain gutter).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a method for calculating the outer dimensions of a tubular extruded product.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another method for calculating the outer dimensions of a profile-extruded product (rain gutter).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation method.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another calculation method of the outer dimensions of the tubular extruded product.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the embodiment in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of still another method of calculating the outer dimensions of a profile-extruded product (rain gutter).

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer applied to the embodiment in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a method of calculating the outer dimensions and cross-sectional dimensions of a profile-extruded product (rain gutter).

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of another method for calculating the outer dimensions of a profile-extruded product (rain gutter).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 shape measuring device 2 proximity sensor 2a, 2b, 2c proximity sensor 3 displacement sensor (position detecting means) 4 moving mechanism 5 computer 20 photoelectric sensor 21 light emitting device 22 light receiving device 21a, 21b light emitting device 22a, 22b light receiving device 30 shape measuring device 32 laser Displacement sensor (moving side) 33 Laser displacement sensor (fixed side) 34 Moving mechanism 35 Computer 100 Extrusion line 101 Extruder 102 Mold 103 Forming die 104 Take-off machine 105 Cutting machine 106 Conveyor 107 Inverter S, S1 Extruded product ( Rain gutter)

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2F065 AA06 AA22 AA26 AA37 AA52 BB05 BB08 BB11 CC00 FF02 GG04 GG13 HH15 JJ01 JJ05 MM07 MM28 PP02 PP11 PP22 QQ25 QQ26 RR05 RR08 SS04 SS11 TT02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A light detecting sensor installed on a production line for a long object, a moving mechanism for moving the light detecting sensor in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of the production line, and a position of the light detecting sensor. An apparatus for measuring the shape of a long object, comprising: a position detecting means for measuring; and an arithmetic processing means for calculating an outer dimension of the long object to be measured based on outputs of the light detection type sensor and the position detecting means. 2. A plurality of light detecting sensors installed along a production line for a long object, a moving mechanism for moving each of the light detecting sensors in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the production line, and each light A long object including position detection means for measuring the position of the detection type sensor, and arithmetic processing means for calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured based on the outputs of the plurality of light detection type sensors and the position detection means. Shape measuring device. 3. The shape measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light detection type sensor is a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor including a light emitter and a light receiver. 4. A light detection type sensor is moved in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of a production line, and a position at which the light detection type sensor detects a long object to be measured is measured in the moving process, and based on this position data. And calculating the external dimensions of the long object to be measured. 5. A plurality of light detection type sensors are moved in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the production line, and in the movement process, the positions at which the respective light detection type sensors detect a long object to be measured are measured. A method for measuring the shape of a long object, comprising calculating an external dimension of the long object to be measured based on position data. 6. A laser displacement sensor installed on a long production line, a moving mechanism for moving the laser displacement sensor in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the production line, and a position for measuring the position of the laser displacement sensor. An apparatus for measuring the shape of a long object, comprising: a detecting means; 7. A laser displacement sensor is moved in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction of a production line, and a position at which the laser displacement sensor detects a long object to be measured during the moving process is measured. A shape measuring method for a long object, wherein an outer dimension of the long object to be measured is calculated based on the output of the long object. 8. The calculation of the external dimensions is based on the position data of the laser displacement sensor and the output of the laser displacement sensor, and calculates an inclination in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the production line of the long object to be measured. 8. The method for measuring the shape of a long object according to claim 7, wherein the external dimensions of the long object to be measured are calculated in consideration of the calculated inclination of the long object.