JP2005172608A - Appearance inspecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive appearance inspecting apparatus for inspecting shape defects on many faces of an inspected object. <P>SOLUTION: In a constitution. a directly photographed image of a tablet S vertically falling (image of the front face of the tablet S) and a reflection image (image of the faces of the tablet S which does not face a color camera 21, i.e. image of the left-side face and a back face of the tablet S, image of the right-side face and the back-face of the tablet S) are simultaneously imaged by one color camera 21 and one shutter depression, using two reflecting mirrors 22, simultaneously image-processed (inspected), and the quality of the shape of the tablet S is determined. Inspection accuracy can be improved, since the quality of the shapes on many faces of the tablet S can be determined. Cost can be reduced, in comparison with the conventional case in which a plurality of the cameras are disposed around the tablet S, since one color camera 21 copes with many faces of the tablet S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention optically captures an image of an object to be inspected such as a tablet or a small mass-produced product or a granular material such as a resin pellet, and the appearance is represented by chipping or cracking of the object to be inspected. The present invention relates to an appearance inspection apparatus for detecting a shape defect.

  Conventionally, the presence of chipping or cracking in tablets and other mass-produced parts can reduce the product value. Therefore, the image obtained by the imaging device is image-processed by a computer or the like to detect appearance defects. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses an appearance inspection apparatus that detects such a defective appearance.
That is, a belt conveyor for transferring an object to be inspected is disposed, and an inspection unit including an illuminator, a light diffusing plate, and an imaging device is disposed below the end of the belt conveyor, and the object to be inspected is disposed on the belt conveyor. When dropped from the edge, the imaging object is imaged by the imaging device, and the imaged data is image-processed to calculate the area and contour length of the object to be inspected. An appearance inspection device is disclosed that is compared with data and determined as a shape defect when it deviates significantly from the reference data, and is displayed by an alarm device.

Inspected objects that are determined to be defective in shape are generally excluded by operating a solenoid valve to eject compressed air toward the object to be inspected.
JP 2001-311691 A

  However, in the conventional visual inspection apparatus, only the surface of the object to be inspected that faces the imaging device is imaged, and even if a shape defect exists on the surface that cannot be imaged by the imaging device, it can be detected. There was a problem that I could not.

  In order to solve such a problem, a method is also conceivable in which an imaging device is arranged opposite to a plurality of surfaces of a falling inspection object, and a plurality of surfaces of the inspection object are imaged to detect a shape defect. However, such a method requires a plurality of imaging devices and causes a problem that it is too costly.

  Also, when ejecting compressed air to eliminate defective products, dust scattering may occur and the scattered dust may adhere to the object to be inspected, or the inspected object close by air expansion may be excluded. It was. In addition, there is a possibility that the solenoid valve that ejects the compressed air may become inoperable if defective products pass continuously because the responsiveness varies.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an appearance inspection apparatus that can inspect shape defects on many surfaces of an object to be inspected at a low cost without increasing the cost, and can accurately eliminate defective products. It is a thing.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an imaging data obtained by photographing an object to be inspected falling along a predetermined dropping path while irradiating illumination light. An appearance inspection apparatus that determines the quality of the appearance of an inspection object by performing image processing on the inspection object,
An imaging device that images the falling inspection object from a horizontal direction, and an image of the surface of the inspection object that is disposed across the imaging device and the drop path and that does not face the imaging device, A direct reflection image of the object to be inspected facing the imaging device and a reflection image reflected by the reflector are simultaneously captured by the imaging device, and the captured direct images It is characterized in that the quality of the appearance of the object to be inspected is determined by performing image processing on the image data of the image and the reflected image at the same time.

  According to the above configuration, the imaging device simultaneously captures a direct image and a reflected image of the falling inspection object (an image of the surface of the inspection object that does not face the imaging device). Image processing is simultaneously performed on the captured image data and the reflected image data to determine whether the appearance of the inspection object is good or bad. In this way, many surfaces (front, back, left and right side surfaces, etc.) of the object to be inspected can be simultaneously photographed with one imaging device, and the quality of these many surfaces (appearance) can be judged at the same time. To improve the inspection accuracy of an object, and to provide an appearance inspection apparatus at a low cost without increasing the cost as in the case of photographing with a plurality of cameras arranged around the falling path of the inspection object. Can do.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a rolling supply means for rotating the inspection object is attached, and the inspection object is rotated by the rolling supply means. The object to be inspected is dropped along the dropping path, and the object to be inspected is photographed a plurality of times by the imaging device to photograph the omnidirectional surface of the object to be inspected.

  According to the above configuration, the inspection object falling vertically is rotated, and the inspection object falling while rotating is photographed a plurality of times, for example, twice, and these photographed direct and reflected images are taken. The image data is simultaneously subjected to image processing, and the quality of the appearance of the inspection object is determined. As described above, when the object to be inspected is rotated and photographed a plurality of times, the omnidirectional surface of the object to be inspected is imaged, the quality of the omnidirectional surface can be determined, and the inspection accuracy can be further increased. . Further, the image can be taken with one imaging device, and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an exclusion means for excluding the inspected object determined as a defective product as a result of determining the appearance quality of the inspected object. The removal means is formed by a stepping motor and a branch blade connected to the output shaft of the stepping motor, and the object to be inspected determined to be defective is reflected and rejected by the branch blade driven by the stepping motor. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the above configuration, the object to be inspected determined as defective is subjected to reflection exclusion using the branch blade driven by the stepping motor. In this way, by using a stepping motor and branch blades with excellent responsiveness, it is possible to accurately eliminate defective products, and in addition, as in the past, when compressed air is ejected to eliminate defective products, Further, it is possible to prevent the proximity of an inspection object due to air expansion.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shape inspection of the object to be inspected is performed based on the captured image data of the direct image and the reflected image. A color inspection and a split inspection are performed, and the quality of the appearance of the inspection object is determined based on the inspection results.

  According to the above configuration, the shape inspection, the color inspection, and the split inspection are executed, so that the inspection object size is too large, the small object is determined, the inspection object is too large in diameter, the small object is determined, Discoloration of the object to be inspected, adhesion of foreign matter, determination of presence / absence of built-in object, and determination of cracking / missing of the object to be inspected are performed, and the defect of the object to be inspected can be found completely.

  The appearance inspection apparatus of the present invention can photograph many surfaces (front, back, left and right side surfaces, etc.) of an object to be inspected simultaneously with a single imaging device, and can judge the quality of these many surfaces (appearance). Therefore, the inspection accuracy of the inspection object can be improved, and it can be provided at a low cost without increasing the cost as in the case where a plurality of cameras are arranged around the falling path of the inspection object. It has the effect.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The appearance inspection apparatus of the present invention photographs, for example, a tablet (an example of an object to be inspected) S having a size of about several millimeters to several tens of millimeters with an imaging device, and determines that a crack has occurred as a defective product. It is an apparatus for eliminating defective products.

3 to 5 are a partial cross-sectional schematic side view, schematic front view, and schematic plan view showing the appearance of the appearance inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the appearance inspection apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped gantry (main body) 2 having a table 2 a that protrudes horizontally from the central portion on the front surface, a material supply device 3, and a chute portion 4. The imaging unit 5, the non-defective product / defective product separating unit 6, the operation unit 7, the illumination control device 8, and the image processing control device 9.

  The material supply device 3 is placed on the gantry 2, and the fixed supply hopper 11 and the tablets S such as supplements supplied from the fixed supply hopper 11 are maintained at a constant set amplitude and cut out. A vibration trough 12 to be performed, a fixed amount supply hopper 11, and a drive unit 13 for the vibration trough 12 are provided. The tip of the vibration trough 12 is narrowed at an angle for preventing bridges, and four branch ports 12a are provided.

  According to the configuration of the material supply device 3, a fixed amount of tablet S is supplied from the fixed amount supply hopper 11, given a fixed set amplitude by the vibration trough 12, dispersed in a plane, and cut from each branch port 12 a to the chute unit 4. Is issued. Moreover, the fixed space | interval required by the image processing of the tablet S mentioned later is maintained with the quantity of the tablet S supplied from the fixed supply hopper 11. FIG.

  In addition, the chute 4 is arranged from the top end of the gantry 2 toward the table 2a, and is provided with an inclined chute 16 provided corresponding to each of the four branch ports 12a of the vibration trough 12 of the material supply device 3; A vertical chute 17 connected to the outlet of the chute 16 and an electromagnetic vibrator 18 for vibrating the entire inclined chute 16 are provided. The tilting chute 16 and the electromagnetic vibrator 18 constitute a rolling supply means.

  Each of the inclined chutes 16 has an inlet portion 16a corresponding to the branch port 12a widened, and a cross section of a central groove 16b is formed in a V shape as shown in FIG. Since the tablet S is vibrated by the container 18, the tablets S supplied from any position of the inlet portion 16 a are arranged vertically in a central groove 16 b like a wheel (side down in the short axis direction) and overlap. It is configured to roll down in a single row like a wheel in the absence of any. Further, the inner surface of the central groove 16b is coated with a low frictional resistance so that the tablet S having cracks and chips that do not roll can be fed out stably, and the entire inclined chute 16 is further covered with the electromagnetic vibrator 18. Because of having an inclination angle, the supply is not stopped. Further, the outlet c at the tip is curved downward, and acceleration is applied when the tablet S reaches the outlet c, so that the tablet S is released from contact supply and flows to the next vertical chute 17.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each vertical chute 17 has a cylindrical shape having a rectangular cross-section passage 17 a therein, and absorbs the change in the straight direction generated by the inclination angle of the inclined chute 16 at the upper part. An upper guide 17b having an R processed portion is provided to guide the tablet S to the passage 17a to free fall. In addition, the reciprocal contact / bounce generated on the inner surface due to the shape and frictional resistance is reduced by reducing the frictional resistance by coating the passage 17a and reducing the gap between the passage 17a and the tablet S, and the constant intervals required for image processing. Keeps falling.

  According to the configuration of the chute part 4, the posture of the tablet S (the posture with the side surface in the short axis direction down; see FIG. 6) is limited by each inclined chute 16, and the necessary rotation is given by the inclination angle, Further, each vertical chute 17 changes the direction while maintaining the posture and rotation of the tablet S, and freely falls in the vertical direction. The tilt angle of the tilt chute 16 is adjusted so that the rotation of the tablet S rotates by a quarter when it falls in a frame that can be photographed by the color camera 21 described later, as indicated by a black point K shown in FIG. The

  Moreover, the said imaging | photography part 5 is arrange | positioned on the table 2a of the mount frame 2, and as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the tablet S which falls from the vertical chute 17 provided for every four vertical chute | shoots 17 is horizontal. A (CCD) color camera (an example of an imaging device) 21 that captures images from a direction, a pair of reflectors (an example of a reflector) 22 that is arranged with respect to the color camera 21 with a drop path i of the tablet S interposed therebetween, 4 and FIG. 5, fluorescent lamps 23 are arranged above the four color cameras 21 to illuminate the dropping path i of the tablets S falling from the vertical chute 17, and below the four color cameras 21. The high-frequency light control unit 24 that is arranged and supports high-speed imaging of image processing, the imaging unit of the four color cameras 21, the four reflecting mirrors 22, the fluorescent lamp 23, and the high-frequency light control unit 24 are enclosed, and ambient light is blocked. And an inspection case 25 whose inner surface is coated with non-reflective black, and a camera bracket 26 that horizontally supports the color camera 21 for each color camera 21, and further covers the entire photographing unit 5 and blocks ambient light. A blocking case 27 is provided.

  The pair of reflecting mirrors 22 has a function of adjusting the opening angle (opening angle on the plane) of the mirror 22 so that the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 23 and the high frequency light control unit 24 is not taken into the color camera 21. The non-reflective coating is applied except for the necessary surfaces. As shown in FIG. 2, the left side and back images of the tablet S by one mirror 22 and the right side and back images of the tablet S by the other mirror 22 are projected toward the color camera 21 by opening the mirror 22. Is done. Further, the orientation and size of the image are adjusted by adjusting the opening angle of the mirror 22, and photography from the left and right side surfaces to the back surface is possible.

  The non-defective product / defective product separating unit 6 is disposed at a position below the dropping path i of each tablet S of the photographing unit 5, and is disposed along the dropping path i of the tablet S. Path) and a pipe 31 with a branch pipe 31a having a branch path, a foreign substance removing device 32 that moves the tablet S from the straight path to the branch path while dropping the pipe 31, and the tablet S that has moved (dropped) in the straight path Is provided with a product chute 34 that guides the tablets S that have moved (dropped) along the branch path to the defective product collection box 35.

  Each of the foreign matter removing devices 32 includes a high-speed rotating stepping motor 38 driven by a defective product elimination signal, which will be described later, and a branch blade 39 attached to the output shaft of the stepping motor 38 and provided with an air vent hole by punching. Then, the branch blade 39 is rotated approximately 45 degrees from below vertically by the driving of the stepping motor 38, and the tablets S that have moved (dropped) in the straight path are reflected to the branch path (defective product chute 36) side and eliminated.

  The operation unit 7 is arranged on the side surface of the gantry 2 and is formed of a touch panel 41 having a liquid crystal display function and an activation board 42 having a plurality of activation buttons 42a. By the operation of the touch panel 41, inspection information stored in a memory, which will be described later, that is, an image of the tablet S determined as a defective product, measurement data, and a determination result are displayed as an image on the liquid crystal screen, and as a set value, A non-defective range (reference data) of items to be inspected by image processing is set for each inspection object. Further, the start button 42a of the starter panel 42 turns on and drives the fixed amount supply hopper 11, the drive unit 13 of the vibration trough 12, and the electromagnetic vibrator 18 of the chute unit 4 to drive the color camera 21 and the fluorescence of the photographing unit 5. Power is supplied to the lamp 23, the high-frequency dimming unit 24, the illumination control device 8, the image processing control device 9, and the touch panel 41.

  The illumination control device 8 and the image processing control device 9 are built in the gantry 2, and the four color cameras 21 and 4 are added to the image processing control device 9 mainly composed of a computer as shown in FIG. The stepping motor 38, the touch panel 41, and the illumination control device 8 are connected. The illumination control device 8 drives the high-frequency dimming unit 24 in response to a command signal from the image processing control device 9 described later to illuminate the dropping path i of the tablet S instantaneously.

  The image processing control device 9 has a function of generating a synchronization signal corresponding to the number of shutters for photographing the tablet S by the color camera 21, and the four color cameras 21 are driven in synchronization with this synchronization signal ( The image data of each color camera 21 is captured and stored in a memory provided corresponding to each color camera 21, and image processing is performed for each image data of each color camera 21. Further, the synchronization signal is output as a command signal to the illumination control device 8, and the dropping path i of the tablet S is illuminated instantaneously simultaneously with the shutter.

  The number of shutters is set to the number of times that the same tablet S being dropped can be photographed twice. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the tablet S falling vertically while rotating in the frame that can be photographed in the vertical direction of the color camera 21 is photographed twice, and at this time, different tablets S do not fall within the frame. Thus, supply of the tablet S from the material supply apparatus 3 is adjusted.

The operation of the image processing control device 9 will be described in detail according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed for each shutter.
Step-1
By driving (shutter) each color camera 21, the front image of the tablet S, the left and rear images of the tablet S reflected by one mirror 22, and the other mirror 22 shown in FIG. Images of the right side and back of the reflected tablet S are taken simultaneously.
Step-2, 3
The imaging data of each color camera 21 is captured and stored in each memory.
Step-4
Next, image processing is executed for each imaging data stored in each memory.

  As this image processing, processing of three captured images, that is, an image of the front surface of the tablet S, an image of the left side surface and the back surface of the tablet S, and an image of the right side surface and the back surface of the tablet S are simultaneously executed. That is, it is captured as three plane images, and a shape inspection, a color inspection, and a split inspection are executed (processing of three images is executed on one frame screen).

  In the shape inspection, the outline of the outer shape of the tablet S is extracted, the area measurement and the diameter measurement are executed from the outline data, and the quality is determined by comparing with the respective non-defective product ranges (reference data) set in advance. The If it is determined to be out of range, it is determined as a defective product.

  In the color inspection, the measurement of color by RGB (red, green, blue) hue of video and the measurement of blackness by R (red) hue are executed and compared with each pre-set good product range (reference data). The quality is determined. If it is determined to be out of range, it is determined as a defective product. In addition, if only the non-defective product is inspected within a certain time in this color inspection, the color data has a range for each RGB (teaching function), and those outside the range are determined as defective products.

Further, in the split inspection, the contour of the outer shape of the tablet S is extracted, and as shown in FIG. 11, a vector measurement is performed by tracking the outer periphery of the contour with a vector locus and measuring the rotation angle of the vector. Is found to be defective, that is, it is determined as a defective product.
Step-5
It is determined whether or not the tablet S is determined to be defective by the above three inspections.
Step-6
When the tablet S is determined to be a non-defective product by the above three inspections, the imaging data stored in the memory is deleted, and the process returns to Step-1.
Steps 7 and 8
When the tablet S is determined to be defective by the above inspection, a forward / reverse drive signal is output to the stepping motor 38 for a certain period of time and is excluded as a defective product. Subsequently, the measurement data and the determination result data are sequentially numbered. (Number updated in order) and imaging data (data of three images of tablet S) are stored in the memory, and the process returns to Step-1.

  In this way, the tablets S falling from the four vertical chutes 17 are simultaneously and three images of each tablet S (the front image of the tablet S, the left side image and the back image of the tablet S, the right side surface of the tablet S). And the rear image) are simultaneously photographed by the color camera 21, and the image data of each color camera 21 is subjected to image processing (shape inspection, color inspection, and split inspection). When the determination is made, the stepping motor 38 is driven and eliminated, and the measurement data and the determination result data by the inspection are stored in the memory together with the serial number and the imaging data.

  The same tablet S is photographed twice, and the above steps -1 to 8 are repeated for the same tablet S. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface and the lower surface of the tablet S that could not be imaged by the first imaging are imaged by the rotation of the tablet S and the same image processing is executed. Thereby, the omnidirectional inspection of the tablet S is executed.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described. It should be noted that when the non-defective range (reference data) of items to be inspected by image processing is set in advance by the touch panel 41 and the tablet S is photographed twice as described above, different tablets S do not fall within the frame. As described above, it is assumed that the supply of the tablet S from the material supply device 3 is adjusted.

  First, the tablet S to be inspected is loaded into the fixed amount supply hopper 11, the start button 42 a of the starter panel 42 is operated, and power is supplied to the fixed amount supply hopper 11, the drive unit 13 of the vibration trough 12, and the electromagnetic vibrator 18 of the chute unit 4. Is turned on to drive the color camera 21, the fluorescent lamp 23, the high-frequency light control unit 24, the illumination control device 8, the image processing control device 9, and the touch panel 41 of the photographing unit 5.

  Then, the fixed amount tablet S is supplied from the fixed amount supply hopper 11 to the vibrating trough 12, and the supplied tablet S is supplied to each inclined chute 16 by the vibrating trough 12, and is supplied to each inclined chute 16. The inside rolls in a predetermined posture (the posture with the side surface in the short axis direction down; see FIG. 6) and does not overlap, and is turned downward by the vertical chute 17 and vertically dropped. At this time, a predetermined interval required for image processing is maintained between the tablets S, and the tablets S can be rotated as necessary.

  In the imaging unit 5, the tablet S that is vertically falling while being rotated by the vertical chute 17 is illuminated twice by the light emitted from the high-frequency dimming unit 24 and photographed by the color camera 21. When the color inspection and the split inspection are performed and are determined to be non-defective, they are dropped and recovered to the product recovery box 33 via the product chute 34, and when determined to be defective, a drive signal is sent to the stepping motor 38. The output is branched to the defective product chute 36 by the reflection rejection of the branch blade 39 rotated by the stepping motor 38, and is collected into the defective product collection box 35 via the defective product chute 36 (excluded as a defective product). . If it is determined as a defective product, the measurement data and the determination result data are stored in the memory together with the serial number and the imaging data.

  The defective product data is confirmed on the touch panel 41. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the display of an image of a defective product is selected, a number (the serial number stored in the memory) is input, and when selected, the combination with the input number is stored in the memory. Three images of defective products (front image of tablet S, left and back images of tablet S, right and back images of tablet S), and inspection data (measurement) for shape inspection, color inspection, and split inspection Data and judgment result data) are displayed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by using the two reflecting mirrors 22, a direct image (an image in front of the tablet S) and a reflected image (an image on the color camera 21) of the tablet S falling vertically. The images of the surfaces of the tablets S that are not facing each other, that is, the images of the left and back surfaces of the tablets S and the images of the right and back surfaces of the tablets S) can be simultaneously captured with one color camera 21 with one shutter. By performing image processing (inspection) on the copied image and the reflected image at the same time, it is possible to determine the quality of the appearance of the tablets S on many surfaces (three surfaces), and thus the accuracy of the appearance inspection of the tablets S can be improved. Further, since the single color camera 21 can cope with the tablet S, the appearance inspection apparatus 1 is inexpensive and does not increase the cost as in the case where a plurality of cameras are arranged around the tablet S for photographing. Can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, rotation is given to the vertically falling tablet S, and the surface of the omnidirectional surface of the tablet S can be photographed by photographing twice. The quality of the appearance inspection can be further improved. Further, the image can be taken with one color camera 21, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, compressed air is ejected as in the prior art by reflecting off (repelling) defective products using the branch blades 39 driven by the stepping motor 38 having excellent responsiveness. It is possible to prevent dust scattering that occurs when rejecting defective products, and adhesion of dust to the tablet S due to the dust scattering, and it is possible to avoid the adjacent tablets S being excluded due to air expansion. . In addition, since there is a variation in the response of the solenoid valve that ejects the compressed air, there is a risk of malfunction if a defective product passes continuously. However, in the stepping motor 38, there is no variation in the response, so there is a continuous failure. Even if a non-defective product passes, it can be accurately excluded.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the shape inspection, the color inspection, and the split inspection are executed, so that the tablet S size is determined to be too large or small, and the tablet S diameter is determined to be too large or small. Further, discoloration of the tablet S, adhesion of foreign matter, determination of presence or absence of exposure of built-in objects, determination of cracking and chipping of the tablet S can be performed, and the defect of the tablet S can be found completely from all sides.

  In the present embodiment, the vertically falling tablet S is rotated and photographed twice. However, when it is not necessary to inspect the upper surface and the lower surface of the tablet S, the photographing is performed once. be able to. At this time, the drop interval of the tablet S can be halved as compared with the case where the image is taken twice, and the inspection speed can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the tablet S that is falling vertically is rotated and photographed twice, but it can be photographed more times. At this time, due to the variation in rotation of the tablet S, a part of the surface that could not be photographed can be photographed, and the appearance quality of the tablet S can be determined with higher accuracy.

  In this embodiment, the inspected object is a tablet S. However, the inspected object is not limited to a tablet. May be.

In the present embodiment, the reflector is the reflecting mirror 22, but is not limited to the mirror, and any reflector that can reflect the image of the object to be inspected, such as a metal or plastic reflector.
In the present embodiment, the number of the reflecting mirrors 22 is two. However, the upper and rear images of the tablet S and the lower and rear images of the tablet S are further transferred to the color camera 21 with the color camera 21 and the drop path i interposed therebetween. It is also possible to install two reflecting mirrors that reflect toward each other (at this time, there are four reflecting mirrors). At this time, the color camera 21 has five images (an image on the front side of the tablet S, an image on the left side and the back side of the tablet S, an image on the right side and a back side of the tablet S, an image on the top and back sides of the tablet S, and a tablet S). The image of the lower surface and the rear surface of the tablet S is simultaneously photographed, and the imaging data of the five images are simultaneously image processed to determine the appearance of the tablet S. Therefore, when the tablet S is rotated and photographed twice, The upper and lower surfaces that could not be photographed can be photographed, and the appearance of the tablet S can be judged with higher accuracy.

It is a principal part partial cross section side view of the external appearance inspection apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the image image | photographed with the color camera of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is a partial cross section schematic side view of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is a schematic front view of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is a schematic plan view of the same appearance inspection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the imaging | photography state of the tablet by the color camera of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is the plane of the vertical chute | shoot of the same external appearance inspection apparatus, the front, and sectional drawing. It is an expansion explanatory view of the foreign substance removal device of the appearance inspection device. It is a control block diagram of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the image control apparatus of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the crack detection operation | movement of the image control apparatus of the same external appearance inspection apparatus. It is a screen figure displayed on the touch panel of the same external appearance inspection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Appearance inspection apparatus 2 Base 3 Material supply apparatus 4 Chute part 5 Vibration part 6 Non-defective / defective part separation part 9 Image processing control apparatus 11 Fixed quantity supply hopper 12 Vibration trough 16 Inclination chute 17 Vertical chute 21 Color camera 22 Reflector 24 High frequency adjustment Optical unit 32 Foreign matter removing device 38 Stepping motor 39 Branching blade 41 Touch panel S Tablet i Falling path

Claims (4)

An appearance inspection apparatus that determines the quality of an appearance of an inspection object by performing image processing on imaging data obtained by irradiating the inspection object falling along a predetermined falling path with illumination light. And
An imaging device for imaging the falling inspection object from a horizontal direction;
A reflector that is disposed across the imaging device and the fall path and reflects an image of the surface of the inspection object that does not face the imaging device toward the imaging device;
The imaging device simultaneously captures a direct image of the inspection object facing the imaging device and a reflected image reflected by the reflector, and simultaneously captures the captured direct image and the captured image of the reflected image. An appearance inspection apparatus characterized by determining whether the appearance of an inspection object is good or bad by performing processing. A rolling supply means for rotating the inspection object is attached,
The rolling supply means rotates the inspection object to drop it along the dropping path, and the falling inspection object is imaged a plurality of times by the imaging device to image the omnidirectional surface of the inspection object. The visual inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A determination result of the quality of the appearance of the inspection object, an exclusion means for excluding the inspection object determined as defective,
The rejection means is formed by a stepping motor and a branch blade connected to the output shaft of the stepping motor, and the object to be inspected determined to be defective is reflected and excluded by the branch blade driven by the stepping motor. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appearance inspection apparatus is characterized. The shape inspection, the color inspection, and the split inspection are executed by the imaging data of the direct image and the reflection image, and the quality of the appearance of the inspection object is determined based on the inspection results. The visual inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images