JP2005114608A - Hardness testing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even an inexperienced person to test hardness easily. <P>SOLUTION: A hardness testing machine for measuring the hardness of a material 1 comprises a test force giving means 4 for pressing a penetrator onto the surface of a sample S for giving a specified test force; an amount-of-penetration detection means 20 for detecting the amount of penetration of the penetrator into the sample, when the penetrator is pressed to the sample and an indentation is formed; a distance calculation means 100 for calculating the distance between the specified feature points of the indentation, based on the detected amount of penetration; an objective lens selection means 100 for selecting a specified objective lens from a plurality of objective lenses 7, based on the distance between the specified feature points of the calculated indentation; and a notification means for notifying the specifications of a selected, specified objective lens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hardness tester that measures the hardness of a sample by forming indentations on the surface of the sample.

Conventionally, a hardness tester that evaluates and measures the hardness of a sample based on applying a load to the surface of the sample with an indenter to form an indentation has been used.
As such a hardness tester, the size of the indentation formed by pressing the indenter against the sample with a predetermined load (for example, the length between predetermined points of the indentation (the length of the diagonal line)) is measured, and the hardness is measured. A Vickers hardness tester for calculation is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The Vickers hardness tester is provided with an indenter for forming an indentation on a sample, and an objective lens for displaying the indentation formed by the indenter on a monitor in an enlarged manner. In general, a plurality of objective lenses are provided so as to correspond to any size of the indentation.
JP 2000-292333 A

  By the way, in order to display the indentation on the monitor with the optimum size, it is necessary to select an objective lens having an optimum magnification according to the size of the indentation. Since the lens was selected, the operator was required to have a certain level of skill.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hardness tester that can easily perform a hardness test even by a person who is not skilled in the hardness test.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes, for example, an indentation formed on the surface of a sample (for example, sample S) by an indenter (for example, indenter 5) as shown in FIG. A hardness tester (for example, a hardness tester 1) that measures the hardness of a sample based on the indentation, and includes a plurality of objective lenses (for example, the objective lens 7). A test force applying means (for example, arm actuating portion 4) for applying a predetermined test force for pushing the indenter into the sample surface, and the indenter is pushed into the sample by the test force applied by the test force applying means. Based on the intrusion amount detected by the intrusion amount detecting means (for example, the indenter shaft displacement detector 20) and the intrusion amount detected by the intrusion amount detecting means, the indentation is detected. Between predetermined feature points A predetermined objective lens is selected from the plurality of objective lenses based on the distance between the predetermined feature points of the indentation calculated by the distance calculation means (for example, the control unit 100) and the indentation calculated by the distance calculation means. Objective lens selection means (for example, the control unit 100) to select, and notification means for notifying the specification of the predetermined objective lens selected by the objective lens selection means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the hardness tester according to the first aspect, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a supporting means (for example, a turret 8) for supporting the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses, A drive means (for example, a drive motor 83) for driving the support means so that the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses can move; and after the formation of the indentation, the indenter is moved, and the objective lens Drive control means (for example, control unit 100) for controlling the drive means to move the predetermined objective lens selected by the selection means above the indentation.

  In the invention according to claim 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of indentations formed on the surface of the sample (for example, the sample S) by the indenter (for example, the indenter 5) are displayed on the display unit. A hardness tester (e.g., hardness tester 1) that includes an objective lens (e.g., objective lens 7) and measures the hardness of the sample based on the indentation, and presses the indenter into the sample surface. When the indenter is pushed into the sample by the test force applying means (for example, the arm actuating portion 4) for applying the test force and the test force applied by the test force applying means, the sample is formed. Based on the intrusion amount detected by the intrusion amount detecting means (for example, the indenter shaft displacement detecting unit 20) and detecting the intrusion amount of the indenter into the indenter, a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation Calculate distance calculation hand (For example, the control unit 100) and an objective lens selection unit that selects a predetermined objective lens from the plurality of objective lenses based on the distance between the predetermined feature points of the indentation calculated by the distance calculation unit ( For example, the control unit 100), the support means for supporting the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses (for example, the turret 8), and the support means are driven so that the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses can move. Driving means (for example, driving motor 83) to be moved, and after the formation of the indentation, the indenter is moved, and the predetermined objective lens selected by the objective lens selecting means is moved above the indentation. Drive control means (for example, control unit 100) for controlling the drive means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hardness tester according to any one of the first to third aspects, for example, as shown in FIGS. Among the objective lenses, an objective lens in which the indentation is displayed on the display unit is selected.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined test force is applied to the indenter by the test force applying means, the indenter is pushed into the sample to form an indentation. At this time, the intrusion amount detection means detects the intrusion amount of the indenter into the sample, and the distance calculation means calculates a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation based on the detected intrusion amount. The objective lens selection means selects a predetermined objective lens from the plurality of objective lenses based on the distance between the predetermined feature points of the indentation, and the notification means notifies the specification of the selected predetermined objective lens. To do. In other words, the hardness tester automatically selects the objective lens according to the indentation that the user has conventionally performed based on experience.
This eliminates the need for a user of a hardness tester performing a hardness test to select an objective lens based on his / her own experience and knowledge, so even those who are not skilled in the hardness test can easily perform a hardness test. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the drive control means moves the indenter after forming the indentation and moves the selected predetermined objective lens above the indentation. Control the driving means.
Thereby, the user of the hardness tester who performs the hardness test does not need to select the objective lens based on his / her own experience and knowledge, and further does not need to set the objective lens corresponding to the indentation with his / her hand. Therefore, even those who are not skilled in the hardness test can easily perform the hardness test.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined test force is applied to the indenter by the test force applying means, the indenter is pushed into the sample to form an indentation. At this time, the intrusion amount detection means detects the intrusion amount of the indenter into the sample, and the distance calculation means calculates a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation based on the detected intrusion amount. The objective lens selection means selects a predetermined objective lens from the plurality of objective lenses based on the distance between the predetermined feature points of the indentation, and the drive control means moves the indenter after forming the indentation, The driving means is controlled to move the selected predetermined objective lens above the indentation. In other words, the hardness tester automatically selects the objective lens according to the indentation that the user has conventionally performed based on experience.
Thereby, the user of the hardness tester who performs the hardness test does not need to select the objective lens based on his / her own experience and knowledge, and further does not need to set the objective lens corresponding to the indentation with his / her hand. Therefore, even those who are not skilled in the hardness test can easily perform the hardness test.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the objective lens selection means selects the objective lens that displays the largest impression on the display unit from among the plurality of objective lenses, so that the user grasps the characteristics of the impression. It becomes easy.

Hereinafter, the best mode of a hardness tester according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hardness tester 1 includes a tester main body 2 in which each component is disposed, a load arm 3 that is rotatably supported by the tester main body 2, and a load. An arm operating part 4 as a test force applying means for applying a test force to the arm 3 and operating the load arm 3, and a turret 8 as a support means rotatably provided in the test machine main body 2 below the load arm 3. And an indenter shaft 6 attached to the turret 8 and having an indenter 5 at the tip, an objective lens 7 attached to the turret 8, and a sample stage 9 placed opposite to the turret 8 on which the sample S is placed. The imaging unit 10 captures an impression formed on the sample S on the sample stage 9, and the display unit 16 displays the indentation enlarged. In the hardness tester 1, operation control of each unit is performed by the control unit 100 shown in FIG.

The load arm 3 includes an arm main body 31 and a rotating shaft 32 that pivotally supports one end 31 a of the arm main body 31 on the tester main body 2. The other end of the arm body 31 is bifurcated into a first other end 31b and a second other end 31c, and the first other end 31b is shaped like a flexible leaf spring. Is formed.
Further, on the lower surface side of the arm main body 31, a load shaft 33 elastically supported by a coil spring 33a is provided between the lower surface of the arm main body 31 and the tester main body 2. The arm body 31 has an arm displacement detector 34 that detects an opening amount between the first other end 31b and the second other end 31c when the load arm 3 (arm body 31) is operated. Is provided.

  The arm main body 31 has a first end 31a of the arm main body 31 pivotally supported on the test machine main body 2 by a rotary shaft 32 and a test force for operating the load arm 3 on the first other end 31b. The arm actuating part 4 for generating the acting force is connected. Then, along with the operation of the arm operation unit 4, the arm body 31 rotates around the rotation shaft 32. As the arm body 31 pivots downward, the arm body 31 presses the load shaft 33 downward to move it. The load shaft 33 transmits the driving and operation of the arm body 31 (load arm 3) to the indenter shaft 6 (see FIG. 1).

  The arm displacement detection unit 34 includes, for example, a scale having graduations with predetermined intervals and a linear encoder that optically reads the graduations of the scales, and the arm main body 31 is rotated and the indenter shaft 6 is interposed therebetween. Then, an opening amount (spring displacement amount) between the first other end portion 31b and the second other end portion 31c when the indenter 5 is pushed into the sample S is detected, and an arm displacement signal based on the detected opening amount is controlled. Output to the unit 100. The opening amount (spring displacement amount) corresponds to a pressing force (test force) by which the indenter 5 pushes the sample S or a load applied to the sample S.

  The arm operating unit 4 includes a servo motor 41, a ball screw 43, a motor shaft 41a of the servo motor 41, a timing belt 42 spanning the screw shaft 43a of the ball screw 43, a fixing jig 44 held by the ball screw 43, and the like. It is configured. The arm operating unit 4 is connected to the load arm 3 with the leaf spring 44 a of the fixing jig 44 fixed to the first other end 31 b of the arm body 31.

The servo motor 41 is driven based on a drive control signal input from the control unit 100. Then, the driving force of the motor shaft 41a of the servo motor 41 that rotates by driving the servo motor 41 is transmitted to the screw shaft 43a of the ball screw 43 via the timing belt 42, and the ball screw 43 rotates. The fixing jig 44 is moved up and down by the rotation of the ball screw 43.
As described above, the arm operating unit 4 moves the fixing jig 44 up and down based on the drive of the servo motor 41, and moves it to the first other end 31 b of the arm main body 31 connected to the fixing jig 44. Driving (driving force) is transmitted, and the arm body 31 (load arm 3) is rotated. In addition, when the arm operation part 4 operates the load arm 3, the leaf | plate spring 44a bends.

  The sample stage 9 includes a sample stage 91 on which the sample S is placed, a stage elevating unit 92 provided on the lower surface of the sample stage 91, and the like. The stage elevating part 92 has a threaded part 92a, and the sample stage 91 can be moved up and down with respect to the tester main body 2 by rotating the threaded part 92a.

The turret 8 includes a turret main body 81, a rotation shaft 82 that rotatably supports the turret main body 81 on the tester main body 2, and the like.
The turret body 81 includes an indenter shaft 6, an objective lens 7, and an indenter shaft displacement detection unit 20 as an intrusion amount detection unit that detects a displacement amount of the indenter shaft 6. The indenter shaft 6 is provided in the turret body 81 via an indenter shaft holding portion 61. The turret body 81 is connected to a drive motor 83 as drive means. When a current is supplied from the control unit 100 to the drive motor 83, the drive motor 83 is activated, and the turret body 81 rotates, whereby the indenter is rotated. The arrangement of the shaft 6 and the objective lens 7 can be switched.

The indenter shaft holding portion 61 includes a vertical holding member 61a and plate springs 61b and 61b extending in the horizontal direction from the vertical holding member 61a. The indenter shaft 6 is elastically supported by the plate springs 61b and 61b. It is provided perpendicularly to the mounting surface of the sample S of the sample stage 91, particularly the surface (upper surface) of the sample mounted on the sample stage 91.
An indenter 5 is provided at the lower end of the indenter shaft 6 so as to be replaceable.
Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the turret 8 (turret body 81) is rotated, and the indenter shaft 6 is switched to an arrangement corresponding to the load shaft 33, so that the load shaft 33 moves downward as the load arm 3 rotates. It is possible to transmit the acting force of the movement to the indenter shaft 6. Then, the indenter 5 can be pressed against the sample S and pushed.

  The objective lens 7 is a lens unit attached to the microscope unit 11 of the imaging unit 10 to be described later. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the turret 8 (turret body 81) is rotated and the objective lens 7 corresponds to the imaging unit 10. When switching to the arrangement to be performed, the imaging of the sample S by the imaging unit 10 becomes possible.

  The indenter shaft displacement detection unit 20 includes, for example, a scale in which a scale having a predetermined interval is engraved, and a linear encoder that optically reads the scale of the scale, and when the indenter shaft 6 forms an indentation on the sample S. The displacement amount thus moved (that is, the penetration amount when the indenter 5 is pushed into the sample S, the depth of the indentation) is detected, and an indenter shaft displacement signal based on the detected displacement amount is output to the control unit 100 described later.

  The imaging unit 10 includes a microscope unit 11, a CCD camera 10a (see FIG. 3) attached to the microscope unit 11, an illumination device (not shown) that illuminates the observation position of the sample S, and the like. The impression formed on the surface is imaged. Then, the imaging unit 10 (CCD camera 10a) outputs the captured image data of the impression to the control unit 100 described later.

  The display unit 16 includes, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or the like, and displays image data of the captured indentation. The display unit 16 displays the test force calculated by the control unit 100 to push the indenter 5 into the surface of the sample S.

  The control unit 100 is composed of an arithmetic unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a predetermined operating condition set in advance for performing a predetermined hardness test by executing a predetermined program stored in the ROM. It has a function of controlling the operation of each part for forming an indentation based on (operating conditions for each hardness test).

  For example, the controller 100 compares the arm displacement signal input from the arm displacement detector 34 with preset arm displacement data, and applies the indenter 5 to the sample S with a predetermined test force (load). In order to rotate the load arm 3 in such a manner, a drive control signal for controlling the drive of the arm operating unit 4 (servo motor 41) is output to the servo motor 41.

In addition, the control unit 100 functions as a distance calculation unit that calculates the distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation based on the intrusion amount of the indenter 5 into the sample S detected by the indenter shaft displacement detection unit 20.
Furthermore, the control unit 100 selects the objective lens 7 that is optimal for displaying the impression from the plurality of objective lenses 7 supported by the turret 8 based on the calculated distance between the predetermined feature points of the impression. It functions as an objective lens selection means to select. Here, the selection criterion of the objective lens 7 is optimally the objective lens 7 that can display the impressions on the display unit 16 most greatly.
Further, the controller 100 controls the drive motor 83 connected to the turret 8 to move the indenter shaft 6 and move the selected predetermined objective lens 7 above the indentation after forming the indentation. It functions as a control means.

Next, a hardness test method using the hardness tester 1 will be described.
First, the indenter 5 is attached to the indenter shaft 6, the sample S is placed on the sample stage 9, and the turret 8 and the sample stage 9 are adjusted.
Next, when the control unit 100 drives the arm actuating unit 4, the load arm 3 rotates downward and moves the indenter shaft 6 downward via the load shaft 33. Then, the indenter 5 attached to the tip of the indenter shaft 6 is pushed into the sample S, and a substantially square indentation is formed on the sample S.
When the indentation is formed on the sample S, the control unit 100 controls the indenter shaft displacement detection unit 20 to detect the intrusion amount of the indenter 5 into the sample S, that is, the depth of the indentation. Next, the control unit 100 calculates the length of the diagonal line of the indentation from the detected depth of the indentation. In calculating the diagonal length of the indentation, a relational expression indicating the relationship between the depth of the indentation and the diagonal length is used.
When the diagonal length of the impression is calculated, the control unit 100 selects the objective lens 7 that is most suitable for the size of the impression. In selecting the objective lens 7, when the impression is displayed on the display unit (not shown) provided in the hardness tester 1, it is enlarged to a size with good visibility so that the impression is not distorted. The objective lens 7 having a magnification is selected.

  Next, the control unit 100 controls the drive motor 83 to rotate the turret 8 so that the selected objective lens 7 as shown in FIG. Switch to a position corresponding to 10. Then, when the imaging unit 10 captures an impression formed on the sample S and outputs image data of the captured impression to the control unit 100, the control unit 100 causes the display unit to display the impression.

According to the hardness tester 1 according to the present invention, when a test force is applied to the indenter 5 by the arm operating unit 4, the indenter 5 is pushed into the sample S and an indentation is formed in the sample S. At this time, the indenter shaft displacement detection unit 20 detects the intrusion amount of the indenter 5 into the sample S, and the control unit 100 calculates the length of the diagonal line of the indentation based on the detected intrusion amount. Then, the control unit 100 selects the optimum objective lens 7 from the plurality of objective lenses 7 based on the length of the diagonal line of the indentation, rotates the turret 8, and moves the selected objective lens 7 above the indentation. Move to. That is, the hardness tester 1 automatically selects the objective lens 7 according to the indentation that the user has conventionally performed based on experience.
Thereby, the user of the hardness tester 1 performing the hardness test does not need to select the objective lens 7 based on his / her own experience and knowledge, and further needs to set the objective lens corresponding to the indentation with his / her hand. Therefore, even those who are not skilled in the hardness test can easily perform the hardness test.
Moreover, since the control part 100 selects the objective lens 7 in which an impression is the largest displayed on the display part 16 among the several objective lenses 7, it becomes easy for a user to grasp | ascertain the characteristic of an impression.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, when the optimum objective lens 7 is selected, the turret 8 is rotated so that the selected objective lens 7 is automatically positioned above the sample S. The objective lens 7 may be notified to the user by sound from a speaker (not shown) as a notification means or display on a display unit, or may be provided with both. In addition, the present invention can be freely changed and improved without departing from the gist of the invention.

1 is a schematic sectional view of a hardness tester according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hardness tester according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardness tester based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Hardness Tester 4 Arm Actuator (Test Force Applicator)
5 Indenter 7 Objective lens 8 Turret (support means)
20 Indenter shaft displacement detector (intrusion detection means)
83 Drive motor (drive means)
100 control unit (distance calculation means, objective lens selection means, drive control means)
S sample

Claims (4)

A hardness tester comprising a plurality of objective lenses for displaying indentations formed on the sample surface by an indenter on a display unit, and measuring the hardness of the sample based on the indentations,
A test force applying means for applying a predetermined test force for pushing the indenter into the sample surface;
An intrusion amount detecting means for detecting an intrusion amount of the indenter into the sample when the indenter is pushed into the sample by the test force applied by the test force applying means and an indentation is formed;
A distance calculating means for calculating a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation based on the intrusion amount detected by the intrusion amount detecting means;
Objective lens selection means for selecting a predetermined objective lens from the plurality of objective lenses based on a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation calculated by the distance calculation means;
Notification means for notifying the specification of the predetermined objective lens selected by the objective lens selection means;
A hardness tester comprising: Support means for supporting the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses;
Drive means for driving the support means such that the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses are movable;
Drive control means for controlling the drive means to move the indenter after the formation of the indentation and to move the predetermined objective lens selected by the objective lens selection means above the indentation;
The hardness tester according to claim 1, comprising: A hardness tester comprising a plurality of objective lenses for displaying indentations formed on the sample surface by an indenter on a display unit, and measuring the hardness of the sample based on the indentations,
A test force applying means for applying a predetermined test force for pushing the indenter into the sample surface;
An intrusion amount detecting means for detecting an intrusion amount of the indenter into the sample when the indenter is pushed into the sample by the test force applied by the test force applying means and an indentation is formed;
A distance calculating means for calculating a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation based on the intrusion amount detected by the intrusion amount detecting means;
Objective lens selection means for selecting a predetermined objective lens from the plurality of objective lenses based on a distance between predetermined feature points of the indentation calculated by the distance calculation means;
Support means for supporting the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses;
Drive means for driving the support means such that the indenter and the plurality of objective lenses are movable;
Drive control means for controlling the drive means to move the indenter after the formation of the indentation and to move the predetermined objective lens selected by the objective lens selection means above the indentation;
A hardness tester comprising:   The said objective lens selection means selects the objective lens with which the said impression is displayed on the said display part most among the said some objective lenses, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Hardness tester.

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