JP2010284731A - Workpiece indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a workpiece indicator capable of indicating a workpiece to be needed by an operator among a plurality of workpieces disposed on a pallet. <P>SOLUTION: The workpiece indicator includes: an imaging means 3 for imaging a plurality of platelike workpieces W1 to W3 different in shape and dimensions after working; an image processing calculating means 19 for calculating the shape and dimensions and an arrangement position of each imaged workpiece; a memory means 21 for storing the calculated shape and dimensions of the workpiece in association with its arrangement position; a database 23 in which the shape and dimensions of the workpiece, a serial number, process contents of a subsequent process, a deadline of the subsequent process and a date of delivery are stored in association with one another in advance; a first searching means 25 for searching the database 23 based on workpiece information input by an input means 15; a second searching means 27 for searching the shape and dimension data same as that of the searched workpiece from the memory means 21; and a workpiece indicating means 29 for indicating the workpiece of interest based on the arrangement position data corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the workpiece searched by the second searching means 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a work instruction capable of notifying an operator of a work required by an operator among a plurality of processed plate-like works arranged in a plane in a work arrangement area such as a product pallet. Relates to the device.

  For example, when processing a wide variety of small-sized parts by a plate material processing machine such as a turret punch press or a laser processing machine, the processed workpieces are sometimes stacked on a pallet for each part and arranged in a plane. In this case, for example, after a skeleton and a processed workpiece (product) are connected and processed via a micro joint, the workpiece is removed from the skeleton, and the operator may place each workpiece on a pallet.

  In addition, after a workpiece is machined according to the machining program, a predetermined workpiece may be accumulated at a predetermined position on the pallet using a workpiece unloading device (unloader) based on accumulation location data accompanying the machining program. Furthermore, the workpiece machined by the plate material processing machine is imaged by an imaging means, and each workpiece is unloaded to a predetermined place on the pallet by a carrying robot or the like in accordance with the shape and the like of the workpiece. For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-296577

  As described above, for example, in a state where a plurality of workpieces are arranged in a plane on a pallet for each workpiece geometry, for example, a workpiece required by the worker in the next process such as bending is drawn by the worker. It was necessary to search using a work order, a terminal display, etc. Therefore, there are problems in improving the work efficiency, and when the workpieces have similar shape dimensions, a workpiece selection error may occur, resulting in a defective product.

  The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and works in a work placement area in which a plurality of plate-like works having different shape dimensions after processing are placed in a plane are arranged individually or in the work placement. Imaging means for imaging all the workpieces in the area, image processing computing means for computing the shape and size of each workpiece imaged by the imaging means and the placement position of each workpiece in the workpiece placement area, and computation by the image processing computing means Storage means for associating and storing the shape dimensions and arrangement positions of the workpieces, and a database storing the shape dimensions of the work as work information, the serial number, the process details of the next process, the deadline of the next process, and the delivery date in advance. First means for searching the database on the basis of input means for inputting various data and work information data input by the input means A search means; a second search means for searching the storage means for data identical to the shape data of the workpiece searched by the first search means; and a shape dimension of the workpiece searched by the second search means. And a work instruction means for instructing a corresponding work in the work placement area based on the placement position data corresponding to.

  Further, an imaging unit that images a workpiece in a workpiece arrangement area in which a plurality of plate-like workpieces having different shape dimensions after processing are arranged in a plane, or all the workpieces in the workpiece arrangement area, and the imaging unit Image processing arithmetic means for decoding the identification information of each imaged workpiece and calculating the arrangement position of each work in the work arrangement area, and memory for storing the work information and the arrangement position decoded by the image processing arithmetic means in association with each other Means, a workpiece shape dimension as a workpiece information, a serial number, a process content of the next process, a deadline of the next process, a delivery date associated with the database, an input means for inputting various data, and the input means A first search means for searching the database based on the work information data input by the first search means, and the first search means. Second search means for searching for the same data as the shape dimension or serial number data of the workpiece from the storage means, and position data corresponding to the shape dimension or serial number of the workpiece searched by the second search means And a work instruction means for instructing a corresponding work in the work placement area.

In addition, storage means for associating and storing workpiece information of a plurality of workpieces after processing arranged in a plane in the workpiece placement area and placement positions of the workpieces in the workpiece placement area, and workpiece information as workpiece information A database in which shape dimensions, serial numbers, process contents of the next process, deadline of the next process, and delivery date are stored in association with each other, input means for inputting various data, and work information data input by the input means First search means for searching the database based on;
Second search means for searching the storage means for the same data as the shape dimension or serial number of the workpiece searched by the first search means; and the shape dimension of the workpiece searched by the second search means or And a work instruction means for instructing a corresponding work in the work placement area based on the placement position data corresponding to the manufacturing number.

  According to the present invention, for example, an instruction means such as a laser pointer is used to instruct a work required by an operator among a plurality of works arranged in a plane in a work placement area such as a pallet. The operator can take out the necessary work without error.

It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally and schematically the whole structure of the workpiece | work instruction | indication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the control means which controls a workpiece | work instruction | indication apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a work instruction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The work instruction apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 3 such as a CCD camera as conceptually and schematically shown in FIG. ing. The image pickup means 3 picks up all of a plurality of plate-like works W1, W2, and W3 that are arranged in a plane in a work arrangement area such as the upper surface of the pallet 5 and have different processed dimensions. . That is, the image pickup means 3 is arranged at a position above the pallet 5 arranged at a predetermined position and at a position vertically above the center of the pallet 5. The workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 can be individually imaged by the imaging means 3.

  Image data captured by the imaging unit 3 is input to the control unit 7 in order to obtain the shape and dimensions of the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 captured by the imaging unit 3 and the arrangement position on the pallet 5. The control means 7 is constituted by a computer or the like, and includes a central processing control device (CPU) 9 (see FIG. 2), a RAM 11 and a ROM 13, and an input means 15 and a display means 17. The control means 7 is provided with an image processing calculation means 19.

  The image processing calculation unit 19 has a function of calculating the shape dimensions of the workpieces W1 to W3 and the arrangement positions of the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 based on the image data captured by the imaging unit 3. It is what you have. That is, the image processing calculation unit 19 identifies the brightness of the surface of the pallet 5 and the brightness of the surfaces of the workpieces W1 to W3 in the image data captured by the imaging unit 3 (for example, the surface of the pallet 5 is black, or The area surrounded by the brightness of the surface of the pallet 5 (below or above a predetermined threshold) is the workpiece. The shape dimensions are calculated as follows.

  Then, the center (center of gravity) position of the shape dimension is calculated, and the position in the X and Y axis directions from the origin position in the X and Y axis directions on the upper surface of the pallet 5 to the center position is calculated. The arrangement positions of the workpieces W1 to W3 are calculated. The data of the shape dimensions and the data of the arrangement positions of the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 obtained by the image processing calculation means 19 are stored in the storage means 21 in association with each other.

  The control means 7 includes a database 23. The database 23 stores in advance data such as workpiece shape dimensions, serial numbers, process contents of the next process, time limit of the next process, and delivery date as work information. Therefore, for example, by inputting the manufacturing number of the workpiece information from the input means 15 and searching the database 23, it is possible to search related data such as the shape dimension of the workpiece corresponding to the manufacturing number. Therefore, the control means 7 is provided with first search means 25 for searching the database 23.

  The control means 7 is provided with a second search means 27 for searching the storage means 21 based on the search result of the first search means 25, and the second search means. 27 is provided with a work instruction means 29 for instructing a corresponding work based on the position information of the work on the pallet 5 retrieved by 27. The work instruction means 29 is constituted by, for example, a laser pointer, a spotlight or the like for instructing a corresponding work. As shown in FIG. 1, the work instruction means 29 is located above the pallet 5, It is arranged at a position close to the imaging means 3.

  As conceptually and schematically shown in FIG. 1, the work instruction means 29 includes a laser pointer and a spot supported on a frame 31 disposed above the pallet 5 via a spherical bearing 33 so as to be swingable. A projector 35 such as a light is provided. Further, the frame 31 is provided with a slider 37 for swinging the projector 35 in the X-axis direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The upper part of the projector 35 is swingably engaged in a long hole in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1).

  A ball screw mechanism is provided as an example of driving means for moving the slider 37 in the X axis direction (left and right direction), and an X axis motor 39 for driving the ball screw mechanism is provided. Further, the slider 37 includes a ball screw mechanism and a Y-axis motor 41 as an example of a drive mechanism for swinging the projector 35 in the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction) in a long hole in the Y-axis direction of the slider 37. It has been. Therefore, by driving the X-axis motor 39 and the Y-axis motor 41, the light projector 35 can be swung in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the light beam having directivity emitted from the light projector 35 is obtained. Thus, the work on the pallet 5 can be designated.

  X and Y motor control means 43 for controlling the X and Y axis motors 39 and 41 based on the arrangement position information of the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 calculated by the image processing calculation means 19 is provided. Yes. The X, Y motor control means 43 irradiates the works W1 to W3 with light from the projector 35 based on the arrangement position information of the works W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 and the arrangement position of the work instruction means 29 with respect to the pallet 5. In this case, the tilt angle of the projector 35 in the X and Y axis directions is calculated, and the rotation of the X and Y axis motors 39 and 41 is controlled in accordance with the tilt angle in the X and Y axis directions.

  In the configuration as described above, for example, a plurality of workpieces W1 to W3 processed by an appropriate plate material processing machine such as a punch press or a laser processing machine are divided for each shape dimension, and as shown in FIG. When the pallet 5 is positioned at a predetermined position below the image pickup means 3 in a state where it is placed inside, that is, on the upper surface of the pallet 5, the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 are simultaneously placed. Or it is imaged separately. When the image data picked up by the image pickup means 3 is input to the control means 7, as described above, the shape and dimensions of the workpieces W1 to W3 and the pallet 5 are set in advance by the image processing calculation means 19. Arrangement positions of the workpieces W1 to W3 with respect to the origin position are calculated. The shape data of the workpieces W1 to W3 calculated by the image processing calculation unit 19 and the data of the arrangement positions of the workpieces W1 to W3 are stored in the storage unit 21 in association with each other.

  Thereafter, for example, when workpiece information of a workpiece required by the operator in the next process, for example, a production number is input from the input means 15 to the control means 7, the first search means 25 is stored in the database based on the input workpiece information. 23 searches are performed. In this case, when the corresponding workpiece is not searched, the fact is displayed on the display means 17 in the control means 7.

  When the first retrieval means 25 retrieves a corresponding workpiece from the database 23, the shape dimension of the workpiece associated with the retrieved workpiece is obtained. Then, the second search means 27 searches the storage means 21 on the basis of the obtained workpiece geometry. If there is no corresponding workpiece, a message to that effect is displayed on the display means 17. When a corresponding workpiece is searched for by the second search means 27, the X and Y motor control means 43 uses the X of the projector 35 in the work instruction means 29 based on the arrangement position information (arrangement position data) associated with the work. , The tilt angle in the Y-axis direction is calculated, and the rotations of the X-axis motor 39 and the Y-axis motor 41 are controlled so as to obtain the calculated tilt angle.

  Therefore, a light beam is irradiated from the projector 35 to the work on the pallet 5 corresponding to the work information input from the input means 15 by the operator, and a necessary work is instructed. Therefore, the operator can take out the next necessary work without error by taking out the work instructed by the work instructing means 29, and can solve the conventional problems as described above. . If there is no corresponding workpiece as a result of the search by the first and second search means 25 and 27, the workpiece information of the next separate workpiece is newly input.

  By the way, when a workpiece is cut by a plate material processing machine, identification information such as a barcode or a QR code may be attached to each workpiece (product). This identification information includes, for example, a workpiece shape and size, a manufacturing number, a process content of the next process, a time limit of the next process, a delivery date, and the like as the work information. Therefore, in this case, the image processing calculation means 19 has a function of decoding the identification information. When the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 are imaged by the imaging means 3, the identification information is decoded and, as described above, the arrangement positions of the workpieces W1 to W3 on the pallet 5 are calculated. The pieces of work information of the works W1 to W3 thus decoded and the data of the arrangement positions of the works W1 to W3 are stored in the storage means 21 in association with each other.

  As described above, when the worker inputs the work information of the necessary work from the input means 15, as described above, the first search means 25 searches the database 23, and the work information obtained by this search is obtained. The second search means 27 searches the storage means 21 based on the shape dimension or the serial number. When the corresponding workpiece is searched for by the second search means 27, based on the position data of the searched workpiece, the corresponding workpiece on the pallet 5 is indicated by the workpiece instruction means 29 as described above. is there. Therefore, in this case as well, the operator can take out the necessary work from the pallet 5 without error.

  Further, when cutting the workpiece by the plate material processing machine, the workpiece is processed by a processing program for controlling the operation of the plate material processing machine, and the unloader is operated by the plate material processing machine based on the accumulation location data attached to the processing program. The workpiece (product) may be taken out from the pallet 5 and loaded at a predetermined position on the pallet 5. In this case, the workpiece (product) loaded at a predetermined position on the pallet 5 can be specified according to the machining program. That is, in the above case, it is possible to know the work information loaded at a predetermined position on the pallet 5 without being imaged by the imaging means 3.

  Therefore, in this case, the arrangement position information when loaded on the pallet 5 by the unloader and the information on the shape dimension or the manufacturing number of the workpiece at the time of cutting are associated with each other and stored in the storage means 21. As described above, when the operator inputs work information of a necessary work through the input unit 15, the database 23 is searched as described above, and the storage unit 21 is searched based on the search result. After that, the corresponding work on the pallet 5 is instructed by the work instruction means 29 as described above.

  As can be understood from the above description, when a plurality of workpieces W1 to W3 having different shape dimensions after processing are arranged and stacked on the pallet 5 as the workpiece placement region, the workpiece placement region Each piece of work information and arrangement position information of each work in a plurality of works is stored in the storage means 21, and when the work information of the work required by the operator is input from the input means 15, the work corresponds to the work. The shape dimension or product number of the workpiece is retrieved from the database 23, the storage means 21 is retrieved based on the retrieved shape dimension or product number to obtain the position information of the corresponding workpiece on the pallet 5, and the workpiece Since the instruction means 29 indicates the corresponding workpiece on the pallet 5, the operator takes out the necessary workpiece on the pallet 5 without error. It is what it is.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in other forms by making appropriate changes. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the workpiece on the pallet 5 is instructed with a light beam is exemplified. However, an appropriate robot arm is adopted as the configuration of the workpiece instruction means 29, and the robot arm can be directly or directly It is also possible to instruct the workpiece on the pallet 5 by the pointing rod held on the pallet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work instruction | indication apparatus 3 Imaging means 5 Palette 7 Control means 19 Image processing calculating means 21 Storage means 23 Database 25 1st retrieval means 27 2nd retrieval means 29 Work instruction means 35 Projector

Claims (3)

Imaging means for imaging the workpieces in the workpiece placement area in which a plurality of plate-like workpieces having different shape dimensions after processing are arranged in a plane or all the workpieces in the workpiece placement area;
Image processing calculation means for calculating the shape dimension of each workpiece imaged by the imaging means and the arrangement position of each workpiece in the workpiece arrangement area;
Storage means for associating and storing the shape dimension of the workpiece and the arrangement position calculated by the image processing calculation means;
A database in which the shape and dimensions of the workpiece as work information, the serial number, the contents of the next process, the deadline of the next process, and the delivery date are stored in association with each other;
Input means for inputting various data;
First search means for searching the database based on data of work information input by the input means;
Second search means for searching the storage means for the same data as the workpiece shape dimension data searched by the first search means;
A work instruction means for instructing a corresponding work in the work placement area based on the placement position data corresponding to the shape dimension of the work searched by the second search means;
A work instruction device characterized by comprising: Imaging means for imaging the workpieces in the workpiece placement area in which a plurality of plate-like workpieces having different shape dimensions after processing are arranged in a plane or all the workpieces in the workpiece placement area;
Image processing calculation means for decoding the identification information of each work imaged by the imaging means and calculating the placement position of each work in the work placement area;
Storage means for storing the work information decoded by the image processing calculation means and the arrangement position in association with each other;
A database in which the shape and dimensions of the workpiece as work information, the serial number, the contents of the next process, the deadline of the next process, and the delivery date are stored in association with each other;
Input means for inputting various data;
First search means for searching the database based on data of work information input by the input means;
Second search means for searching the storage means for data identical to the data of the workpiece shape dimension or serial number searched by the first search means;
A work instructing means for instructing a corresponding work in the work placement area based on position data corresponding to a shape dimension or a manufacturing number of the work searched by the second search means;
A work instruction device characterized by comprising: Storage means for storing workpiece information of a plurality of workpieces after being arranged in a plane in the workpiece placement area in association with the placement positions of the workpieces in the workpiece placement area;
A database in which the shape and dimensions of the workpiece as work information, the serial number, the contents of the next process, the deadline of the next process, and the delivery date are stored in association with each other;
Input means for inputting various data;
First search means for searching the database based on data of work information input by the input means;
A second search means for searching the storage means for data identical to the shape dimension or serial number of the workpiece searched by the first search means;
A work instruction means for instructing a corresponding work in the work placement area based on the placement position data corresponding to the shape or manufacturing number of the work searched by the second search means;
A work instruction device characterized by comprising:

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