JP2019056693A - X-ray inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an X-ray inspection device capable of configuring a line enabling a plurality of operators to efficiently perform visual inspection.SOLUTION: An X-ray inspection device images an X-ray transmission image of an inspected object, and conveys the inspected object to a downstream processing part having a plurality of processing positions. The X-ray inspection device comprises: an X-ray irradiation part for irradiating the inspected object in an inspection target region with an X-ray; an X-ray detection part for detecting an X-ray transmitted through the inspected object; a conveyance mechanism for conveying the inspected object via the inspection target region to the downstream processing part; a display part having a plurality of display regions respectively corresponding to the plurality of processing positions; and a control part for performing control to generate an X-ray transmission image of the inspected object by using a detection result of the X-ray by the X-ray detection part, and to specify which processing position is the inspected object processed at, and to display the X-ray transmission image of the inspected object in the display region corresponding to the specified processing position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects an inspection object by irradiating the inspection object with X-rays.

  The X-ray generation unit and the X-ray detection unit are opposed to each other, and the inspection object is sequentially conveyed by a conveying device such as a conveyor so as to pass between the X-ray generation unit and the X-ray detection unit. An X-ray inspection apparatus that constructs an X-ray transmission image of an object to be inspected using X-ray transmission data obtained when passing between them, and inspects the inspection object nondestructively using the X-ray transmission image Are known.

  When such an X-ray inspection apparatus is introduced into an automatic production line of various factories or the like, the inspection object is continuously supplied to the X-ray inspection apparatus by a transfer device such as a conveyor, and the inspection result (for example, pass / fail) ) And the like are performed according to (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of so-called in-line X-ray inspection apparatus, a monitor for displaying an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object is installed, and an X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor every time the inspection object passes through the X-ray irradiation position. May be configured to be updated one after another. In such a configuration, when the automatic production line is operating normally, the operator and the administrator do not check the X-ray transmission images one by one.

  On the other hand, when a step of visually inspecting the X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor after the X-ray transmission image is captured by the X-ray inspection apparatus is provided, the X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor is Must be from the object under test. In order to ensure this, there has been proposed an X-ray inspection apparatus that discharges an inspection object from the X-ray inspection apparatus and displays an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object to be discharged on a monitor (for example, Patent Documents). 2).

JP 2009-128231 A JP 2012-207987 A

  However, the X-ray inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is configured to display an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object discharged from the X-ray inspection apparatus on one display each time it is discharged. The visual inspection downstream of the apparatus cannot be performed in parallel by a plurality of workers. Therefore, when inspecting an inspection object that takes a long time for visual inspection, the efficiency of visual inspection may become a bottleneck for processing the entire line.

  The objective of this invention is providing the X-ray inspection apparatus which can comprise the line which a several operator can perform a visual inspection efficiently.

  The X-ray inspection apparatus of the present invention captures an X-ray transmission image of an inspection object and conveys the inspection object to a downstream processing unit having a plurality of processing positions. An X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates an inspection object in an inspection target region with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays transmitted through the inspection target, and the inspection target region. The object to be inspected using the transport mechanism for transporting to the downstream processing unit via the display, the display unit having a plurality of display areas corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions, and the X-ray detection result by the X-ray detection unit The X-ray transmission image of the inspection object is generated, the processing position at which the inspection object is processed is specified, and the X-ray transmission image of the inspection object is displayed in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. A control unit for controlling. According to such an X-ray inspection apparatus, it is possible to configure a line that allows a plurality of workers to efficiently perform visual inspection.

  In the present invention, the X-ray inspection apparatus further includes a distribution request unit that receives a distribution request for the inspection object for each of the plurality of processing positions, and the transport mechanism passes the inspection object through the inspection target area. , Transport to any one of the plurality of processing positions, the control unit specifies to which processing position the inspection object is transported in response to the distribution request from the distribution request means, and the specified processing position It is preferable that the inspection object is sorted by the transport mechanism and the X-ray transmission image of the inspection object is displayed on the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. In this way, the inspected objects that have been imaged can be distributed to the processing positions in the order in which the distribution requests are received, and the operating rate of the workers at each processing position can be increased.

  In the present invention, the control unit may specify to which processing position the inspection object is transported in accordance with the order in which the inspection object distribution requests are received from the plurality of processing positions. In this way, since the image of the inspection object that has reached each processing position is displayed in the display area of the processing position, it is possible to prevent the processing from being performed based on an erroneous image.

  In the present invention, each of the plurality of processing positions is provided with a sensor that detects that the inspection object has been conveyed, and the control unit confirms that the sensor provided at the specified processing position has conveyed the inspection object. In accordance with the detection, an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object may be controlled to be displayed in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. In this way, since the image of the inspection object that has reached each processing position is displayed in the display area of the processing position, it is possible to prevent the processing from being performed based on an erroneous image.

  In the present invention, the control unit determines pass / fail of the inspection object based on the generated X-ray transmission image, and specifies the processing position to which the inspection object is conveyed only for the inspection object determined to be unacceptable. The inspection object may be distributed to the specified processing position by the transport mechanism. If it does in this way, the operation | work (for example, correction operation | work) in a processing position can be performed only with respect to the to-be-inspected to-be-tested object, and it can advance to a downstream process without delay about an acceptable product.

  In the present invention, the X-ray inspection apparatus may include movement detection means for detecting movement of the inspection object to the processing position corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions. The transport mechanism transports the inspection object to the standby unit via the inspection target area, and the control unit processes the inspection object at any processing position based on the detection result of the movement detection unit. It is good to control so that the X-ray transmission image of a to-be-inspected object may be displayed on the display area corresponding to the specified processing position.

  In the present invention, the movement detection means may be a switch that accepts the operation of the operator. Alternatively, the movement detection means may be a sensor that detects that the inspection object has been moved to each processing position.

It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the process and inspection line which has the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. An example of a tray is shown together with an object to be inspected. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure in a main-body part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of an operation box. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the process and inspection line which has the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the members once described is omitted as appropriate.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a processing / inspection line 1 having an X-ray inspection apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing / inspection line 1 is a line that performs foreign matter removal processing and inspection on processing and inspection objects (hereinafter referred to as an inspection object 2) such as fish and chicken. The processing / inspection line 1 includes an X-ray inspection apparatus 10 that captures an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 conveyed from an upstream process, and an X-ray transmission of the inspection object 2 that has passed through the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. It is comprised with the visual processing part 20 with which an operator visually checks an image. The inspection object 2 is picked up by an X-ray transmission image by the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 while being placed on a predetermined tray T, and is visually inspected by the visual processing unit 20.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the tray T together with the inspection object 2. The tray T is a rectangular dish-shaped container having a width of 25 cm and a length of 80 cm, for example, and is formed of a material that transmits X-rays (for example, plastic such as polyethylene or polystyrene). The tray T is supplied to the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 so that the longitudinal direction is the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of inspection objects 2 may be placed on the tray T.

  The visual processing unit 20 is provided with a plurality of work tables. In the present embodiment, the visual processing unit 20 is described as being provided with four work tables (20A to 20D). The height of each work table is set to be substantially the same as the conveyance surface in the conveyance mechanism 110 described later. The visual processing unit 20 corresponds to a downstream processing unit of the present invention, and each work table corresponds to a processing position.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. The X-ray inspection apparatus captures an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 and conveys the inspection object 2 to the visual processing unit 20. The X-ray inspection apparatus 10 irradiates the inspection object 2 with X-rays, acquires the X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2, the transport mechanism 110 that transports the inspection object 2, and the main body section 100. A display unit 180 for displaying the acquired X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 and an operation box B are provided.

  The transport mechanism 110 transports the inspection object 2 from an upstream process in the processing / inspection line 1 to any one of the work tables 20A to 20D in the visual processing unit 20 via the main body 100 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. . The transport mechanism 110 includes an input transport unit 111, a central transport unit 112, a discharge transport unit 113, and a sorting transport unit 114. From the upstream process of the processing / inspection line 1 toward the visual processing unit 20, the above-described order is provided. It is arranged with. The upper surfaces of the input conveyance unit 111, the central conveyance unit 112, the discharge conveyance unit 113, and the sorting conveyance unit 114 are conveyance surfaces on which the inspection object 2 is placed. The input conveyance unit 111 conveys the inspection object 2 from the upstream process to the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. The central conveyance unit 112 allows the inspection object 2 to pass through the main body 100 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. The discharge conveyance unit 113 conveys the inspection object 2 from the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 toward the visual processing unit 20.

  The input conveyance unit 111, the central conveyance unit 112, and the discharge conveyance unit 113 are each composed of a driving roller that is rotated by a motor, a driven roller that is not supplied with a driving force by the motor, and an endless conveyance belt wound around these rollers. This is a so-called belt conveyor configured to move an object disposed on the upper surface of the transport belt in the transport direction.

  The sorting / conveying unit 114 is disposed downstream of the discharge / conveying unit 113, and distributes the inspection object 2 to the work tables 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> D of the visual processing unit 20. Although the configuration of the sorting and conveying unit 114 is arbitrary, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a position separated from the end of the flipper type sorting machine 114 a provided with a sorting arm on the belt conveyor or the discharge and conveying unit 113. It is good to comprise combining the belt conveyor 114b for transfer etc. which conveys the to-be-inspected object 2 to the vicinity of the work table in this (work table 20C and 20D in this example). Or you may comprise the distribution conveyance part 114 so that conveyance in a several direction is possible with the combination of a belt conveyor and a roller conveyor.

  A plurality of sensors S that detect an object on the conveyance surface are arranged in each part of the conveyance path by the conveyance mechanism 110. As the sensor S, for example, a regressive reflection type photoelectric sensor is used, and the photoelectric sensor and the reflection plate may be arranged so that the optical axis scatters at a position where the presence / absence of an object on the conveyance surface is to be detected at the arrangement position. The sensor S includes, for example, the most downstream part (sensor S1) of the input conveyance unit 111, immediately before the inspection target area in the central conveyance unit 112 (sensor S2), the most downstream part (sensor S3) of the discharge conveyance unit 113, and the distribution conveyance. It is arranged immediately before the allocation destination by the unit (sensors S4A to S4D) or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the configuration inside the main body 100. The main body unit 100 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 120, an X-ray detection unit 130, a main body cover 140, a main body operation unit 150, a control unit 160, and a storage unit 190.

  The X-ray irradiation unit 120 is disposed above the center of the transport mechanism 110. The X-ray irradiation unit 120 irradiates X-rays toward the X-ray detection unit 130 disposed inside the conveyance belt of the central conveyance unit 112. X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 pass through the slit and spread from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 in a substantially fan shape. The X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiating unit 120 are spread on a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the central conveying unit 112 and substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the width direction of the conveying belt of the central conveying unit 112. To spread.

  Of the substantially fan-shaped region through which the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 pass, a region from the upper surface of the transport belt to a predetermined height is an inspection target region of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. The X-ray inspection apparatus 10 irradiates the inspection object 2 passing through the inspection target region with X-rays and performs foreign object inspection.

  The X-ray detection unit 130 is constituted by a line sensor in which a large number of X-ray detection elements are arranged in a line, and detects X-rays that have passed through the inspection object 2. The X-ray detection unit 130 is arranged inside the conveyance belt so that the X-ray detection elements constituting the line sensor are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction and substantially parallel to the conveyance surface (that is, the width direction of the conveyance belt). Is done. Each X-ray detection element detects X-rays at each position on the line, and outputs the X-ray intensity (transmission X-ray dose) detected at each position to the control unit 160.

  The main body cover 140 is a housing of the main body 100 and functions as a shield for preventing X-rays from leaking outside the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. The main body cover 140 is provided so as to cover the X-ray irradiation unit 120, the X-ray detection unit 130, and the central conveyance unit 112. The main body cover 140 may further cover a part of the loading / unloading unit 111 and the discharging / unloading unit 113.

  The main body cover 140 is provided with a supply port 142 for supplying the inspection object 2 to the inside and a discharge port 143 for discharging the inspection object 2 to the outside. The inspection object 2 is transported on the transport surface by the transport mechanism 110 from the supply port 142 toward the discharge port 143. The supply port 142 and the discharge port 143 are provided with an X-ray shielding body that is a metal (for example, stainless steel) plate-like body capable of shielding X-rays. The X-ray shield is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate by a predetermined angle toward the conveyance direction so as not to hinder the movement of the inspection object 2 when pushed by the movement of the inspection object 2 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 110. The The X-ray shield is normally in a closed state in which the X-ray shield is suspended with respect to the transport mechanism 110 due to its own weight, and is pushed up and rotated only when the inspection object 2 passes below the X-ray shield. It becomes. Therefore, a driving mechanism for opening and closing the X-ray shield is not necessary, and the cost can be suppressed.

  An X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1 is disposed on the upper outer surface of the supply port 142 of the main body cover 140. The X-ray irradiation display lamp L1 indicates that the X-ray irradiation unit 120 is irradiating X-rays. For example, a red LED display lamp is used.

  The storage unit 190 is configured by a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk. The storage unit 190 stores various programs executed by the control unit. In addition, the storage unit 190 stores information on a distribution request indicating a request state of supply of the inspection object 2 to each work table 20A to 20D of the visual processing unit 20, and image data of an X-ray transmission image. In order to store these data, the storage unit 190 is provided with a distribution request list 190a, a display waiting image storage area 190b, a display image storage area 190c, a pass image storage area 190d, and the like.

  The control unit 160 is configured by a processing device such as a CPU. The control unit 160 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 120, an X-ray detection unit 130, a transport mechanism 110, a display unit 180, an X-ray irradiation display lamp L1, a storage unit 190, a main body operation unit 150, a sensor S, and an operation box B. Each component including it is connected. And the control part 160 performs a process based on the signal from the X-ray detection part 130, the main body operation part 150, the operation box B, the sensor S, etc., and controls each part in an X-ray inspection apparatus. The operation of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 performed under the control of the control unit 160 will be described in detail later.

  The main body operation unit 150 is provided on a side surface of the main body cover 140 and includes switches and the like for performing various operations of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. For example, the main body operation unit 150 includes a key switch KSW and an X-ray irradiation switching button BT1. The key switch KSW has a structure like a normal key, and is provided on the outer surface of the main body cover 140. By inserting a key into the key switch KSW and rotating it, the switch can be turned ON / OFF. When the key switch KSW is turned on, the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 is usable, and when the key switch KSW is turned off, the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 is unusable. The key can be removed from the cylinder of the key switch KSW only when it is in the OFF state, and the key is removed from the key switch KSW when the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 is not used, and the removed key is an administrator (for example, an operator having special authority). ) Keep.

  The X-ray irradiation switching button BT1 is a button for starting / stopping X-ray irradiation from the X-ray irradiation unit 120. When X-rays are irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit 120, the X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1 provided on the main body cover 140 is turned on, and is turned off when not irradiated.

  The display unit 180 is a so-called display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 180 displays an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 acquired by the main body unit 100. The display unit 180 is disposed in the vicinity of the work tables 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> D of the visual processing unit 20. In the display unit 180, display areas RA to RD are individually provided for the work tables 20A to 20D. Each of the display areas RA to RD is arranged at a position that is easy for the operator on the corresponding work table to see. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 180 is configured to have as many display devices as the number of work tables, and uses one display device as a display area for one work table.

  Note that the configuration of the display unit 180 (the number of display devices, the allocation of display areas, and the like) is not limited to the above, and may be determined according to the layout of the work table. For example, by dividing and using the screen of one display device, one display device can be used as a display area for a plurality of work tables, and the display unit can be configured with a smaller number of display devices than the number of work tables. Also good.

  The operation box B corresponds to a distribution request unit of the present invention, and receives a distribution request for the inspection object 2 to each of the plurality of work tables 20A to 20D. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the operation box B. The operation box B includes a plurality of push buttons and indicator lights, and is arranged at a position where the operator on the work tables 20A to 20D can easily operate. In the present embodiment, one operation box B is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of work tables of the visual processing unit 20 (operation boxes BA to BD).

  As the push buttons, a pass determination button BT2, a failure determination button BT3, and the like are provided. The pass determination button BT2 and the failure determination button BT3 are buttons for inputting the inspection result of the inspection object 2 being visually inspected on each work table and requesting the distribution of the next inspection object 2. is there. The pass determination button BT2 is pressed when the inspection object 2 is acceptable as a result of the visual inspection, and the failure determination button BT3 is pressed when the inspection object 2 is unacceptable as the result of the visual inspection. The pressing operation of the pass determination button BT2 or the fail determination button BT3 in each of the operation boxes BA to BD is transmitted to the control unit 160.

  As the indicator lamp, a standby indicator lamp L2 (for example, a red pilot lamp) that indicates that a distribution is requested and a standby state is being inspected, and the inspection object 2 is allocated to the work table, and a visual inspection is being performed. An in-inspection indicating light L3 (for example, a green pilot lamp) is provided. The standby indicator lamp L2 is turned on by pressing the pass determination button BT2 or the failure determination button BT3, and the sensor of the sorting transport unit 114 indicates that the inspection object 2 has been transported to the work table corresponding to the operation box B. Turns off in response to detection by S4A to S4D. The in-inspection indicator light L3 is turned on in response to the detection of the inspection object 2 by the sensors S4A to S4D of the sorting and conveying unit 114 that the inspection object 2 has been conveyed to the work table corresponding to the operation box B, and a pass determination button. It is turned off by pressing the BT2 or the failure determination button BT3. By visually checking the lighting state of these indicator lights, the manager of the processing / inspection line 1 can easily grasp the operating status of each work table of the visual processing unit 20. In addition, you may make it arrange | position each indicator lamp in the position where visibility is high separately from an operation box.

  The configuration of the operation box B (the number of operation boxes, assignment to the work table, operation input means provided in the operation box, etc.) is not limited to the above, and may be determined according to the arrangement of the work table. For example, one operation box B may be arranged between adjacent work tables, and may be configured to be shared by workers on the adjacent work tables. In this case, it is preferable to provide an operation input means so as to distinguish any of the work tables. Specifically, a lever (for example, a joystick or the like) that can input the direction of tilting from the neutral state is provided as an operation input means so that any work table required can be distinguished according to the tilting direction.

  Next, the operation of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 performed under the control of the control unit 160 will be described. In the following description, the operation not particularly specifying the subject is performed by the control unit 160.

  First, when an operator inserts a key into the key switch KSW to turn it on, the main power of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 is turned on. When the main power supply is turned on, the X-ray inspection apparatus is ready to accept various operations. Subsequently, when the X-ray irradiation switching button BT1 is pressed, the control unit 160 confirms that there is no object left in the transport path based on the output signal of each sensor S provided on the transport path. To do. When there is no left-over object, X-ray irradiation by the X-ray irradiation unit 120 is started and the X-ray irradiation display lamp L1 provided on the main body cover 140 is turned on. On the other hand, if there is a leftover object, the X-ray irradiation by the X-ray irradiation unit 120 is not started, an alarm buzzer is sounded, and the presence of the leftover object is notified to the operator.

  When the X-ray irradiation unit 120 starts to irradiate X-rays, the tray T on which the inspection object 2 processed in the upstream process is placed is transported by the input transport unit 111 and the central transport unit 112. When the tray T is supplied into the main body cover 140 from the supply port 142, the sensor S2 detects it. Then, based on the output signal of the sensor S2, the control unit 160 detects X-rays for a predetermined line scanning from the timing when the sensor S2 immediately before the inspection target area in the central transport unit 112 reaches the position where the tray T is detected. The transmitted X-ray dose output by the unit 130 is acquired, and an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 placed on the tray T is generated using this. The generated X-ray transmission image is temporarily stored in the display waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 as a display waiting image. The tray T that has passed the inspection target area is transported to the discharge transport unit 113. In this way, the X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 placed on the tray T conveyed to the discharge conveyance unit 113 is stored in the display waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 as a display waiting image. .

  An operator who works on each of the work tables 20A to 20D of the visual processing unit 20 performs an operation of pressing the pass determination button BT2 (or the fail determination button BT3) of the operation boxes BA to BD provided for the respective work tables. Then, the control unit 160 receives a request for distributing the inspection object 2. The control unit 160 records the order of waiting for distribution requests from the operation boxes BA to BD in the distribution request list 190a. The distribution request list 190a records the waiting order of distribution requests for the number of work tables (that is, the number of operation boxes B) of the visual processing unit 20 at the maximum. In the distribution request list 190a, information indicating the work table is recorded in the upper (that is, the first) field in the order in which the pass determination button BT2 is pressed earlier. For example, when the pass determination button BT2 is pressed in the order of the operation box BC, the operation box BA, the operation box BB, and the operation box BD, information (identification number) indicating the operation box BC in the field in which the standby order is the first place. Etc.), the information indicating the operation box BA is recorded in the field in which the standby order is second, the information indicating the operation box BB is recorded in the field in which the standby order is third, and the standby order is fourth. Information indicating the operation box BD is recorded in this field. Further, the standby indicator lamp L2 of the operation box B whose standby order is recorded in the distribution request list 190a is turned on.

  When a distribution request is recorded in the distribution request list 190a and a display-waiting image is stored in the storage unit 190b, the control unit 160 performs the inspection according to the order in which the distribution request is received from each operation box B. It is specified to which work table the object 2 is to be transported. Specifically, the control unit 160 identifies the work table corresponding to the operation box B with the first waiting order in the distribution request list 190a as the work table of the transfer destination. Then, the control unit 160 controls the discharge transport unit 113 and the sorting transport unit 114 to transport the tray T transported to the discharge transport unit 113 to the work table specified as the transport destination. In addition, the control unit 160 moves the display-waiting image data from the display-waiting image storage area 190b to the display image storage areas 190c for the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the work table, and the display-waiting image storage area 190b is empty. State.

  Sensors S4A to S4D are provided at the boundary between the sorting transport unit 114 and each work table, and detect that the tray T has reached the work table. In response to detecting that the tray T has reached the work table corresponding to the first operation box B in the standby order, the control unit 160 displays the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the work table that the tray T has reached. The image stored in the corresponding display image storage area 190c is displayed.

  Further, as the tray T conveyed to the discharge conveyance unit 113 is conveyed to the work table of the visual processing unit 20 by the discharge conveyance unit 113 and the distribution conveyance unit 114, the control unit 160 displays the distribution request list. The waiting order of the distribution request recorded in 190a is updated. That is, the control unit 160 deletes the first place in the waiting order of the distribution requests recorded in the distribution request list 190a and moves up the second place and lower by one place. For example, in the above-described example, the information indicating the operation box BC is deleted from the field in which the standby order is the first place, and the information indicating the operation box BA is moved up from the second place in the field in which the standby order is the first place. In the same manner, information indicating the operation box BB is recorded in the second-order field, and information indicating the operation box BD is recorded in the third-order field. The fourth field is blank. The standby indicator lamp L2 of the operation box B in which the sorting has been performed and the standby order has been deleted from the sorting request list 190a is turned off, while the inspection indicator lamp L3 is turned on. The standby indicator lamp L2 of the operation box B in which the standby order is recorded after the distribution request list 190a is updated is maintained in the lighting state.

  Further, the control unit 160 operates the input conveyance unit 111 and the central conveyance unit 112 to supply the next tray T from the supply port 142 to the inside of the main body cover 140, capture an X-ray transmission image, and display a new display-waiting image. Is stored in the display waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190. Until a new display-waiting image is captured, the work table whose standby order is recorded in the distribution request list 190a is in a state of waiting for distribution. When the imaging of the new display-waiting image is completed, the control unit 160 controls the distribution transport unit 114 and the like, and the work corresponding to the first operation box B corresponds to the standby order of the distribution request with the updated tray T. When the tray T arrives at the work table 20A to 20D, the tray T reaches the display area RA to RD corresponding to the work table. An X-ray transmission image is displayed.

  In each of the work tables 20A to 20D, the worker performs a visual inspection while referring to the images displayed in the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the work tables 20A to 20D. Then, the operator presses one of the pass determination button BT2 and the failure determination button BT3 of the operation box B according to the result of the visual inspection. When the pass determination button BT2 is pressed, the control unit 160 uses the images displayed in the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the work table as X-ray transmission images of the visual inspection pass product in the storage unit 190. In addition to recording in the acceptable image storage area 190d, it is accepted as a new distribution request and recorded in the lowest standby order in the distribution request list 190a. When the failure determination button BT3 is pressed, the control unit 160 accepts the image displayed in the display area RA to RD of the work table as a new distribution request without storing the image in the storage unit 190. Are recorded in the order of restart in the distribution request list 190a. At this time, the standby indicator light L2 of the operation box B in which the standby order is recorded in the distribution request list 190a by the operation of the operation box is turned on, while the in-inspection indicator light L3 is turned off.

  Such a control is repeated, and the trays T on which the X-ray transmission images have been taken are sequentially distributed to the work table in which the standby order is first in the distribution request list 190a.

  In the case where the standby order is not recorded in the distribution request list 190a (for example, the work is being performed on all work tables), and the imaging of the X-ray transmission image of the next tray T is completed. The tray T is transported to a position where the sensor S3 in the most downstream portion of the discharge transport unit 113 detects the tray T until the next distribution request is received, and is placed in a standby state. In a state where the tray T is on standby on the discharge conveyance unit 113, the next tray T is further conveyed to a position where the sensor S1 at the most downstream side of the input conveyance unit detects the tray T, and enters an imaging standby state.

  As described above, the control unit 160, when there is a request for distributing the inspection object 2 from the operation box B arranged on each work table, or when performing a distribution according to the request, The distribution request list 190a stored in the storage unit 190 is updated. Then, every time an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 is completed, the inspection mechanism 2 is transported to an appropriate work table by the transport mechanism 110 according to the distribution request list 190a, and the operation on the display unit 180 is performed. Control is performed to display an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 conveyed to the work table in the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the table.

  With such a configuration, in a line using the X-ray inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of workers can efficiently perform a visual inspection, and the play time of each worker's inspection apparatus can be reduced. it can.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
The processing / inspection line 1 having the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment has been described above, but the configuration of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 is not limited to these examples.

  For example, in the control unit 160 of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10, the pass / fail of the inspection object 2 is determined based on the X-ray transmission image. You may specify whether only the to-be-inspected object 2 is distributed to each work table of the visual processing unit 20. In this case, the inspection object 2 is distributed by the transport mechanism 110 to the specified processing position, and an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object 2 that has failed is displayed in a display area corresponding to the work table to which the inspection object is distributed. It is good to do so. The visual processing unit 20 performs a correction operation for removing the foreign matter that has caused the failure of the inspection object 2 that has failed, and the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 again performs the inspection object 2 after the correction operation. It is better to configure so that

[Second Embodiment]
In the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the conveyance mechanism 110 includes the distribution conveyance unit 114, and the work in the visual processing unit 20 is performed based on the distribution request received by the distribution request unit (operation box B). Although the structure which conveys the to-be-inspected object 2 was employ | adopted to either of the bases 20A-20D, in 2nd Embodiment, the simple structure which does not automate distribution and conveyance of the to-be-inspected object 2 is employ | adopted.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a processing / inspection line 1A having an X-ray inspection apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10A. The components common to the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, the X-ray inspection apparatus 10A includes a transport mechanism 110A. The transport mechanism 110A includes the input transport unit 111, the central transport unit 112, and the discharge transport unit 113, but does not include the sorting transport unit, and the discharge transport unit 113 transports the non-inspection object 2 to the standby unit 115. The standby unit 115 is provided at a position that is easily accessible from the workers of all the work tables (20A to 20D) in the visual processing unit 20. In addition, the discharge conveyance part 113 is extended as needed compared with 1st Embodiment. As with the first embodiment, operation boxes B (BA to BD) are provided on the work tables 20A to 20D, respectively. In the present embodiment, the operation box B includes an image request button in addition to the pass determination button BT2 and the fail determination button BT3. This image request button is an example of movement detection means in the present invention.

  In the standby unit 115, the inspection object 2 on which the X-ray transmission image has been taken is carried into the discharge conveyance unit 113 in the order in which the X-ray transmission image was taken and accumulated. The workers of the respective work tables 20A to 20D in the visual processing unit 20 move the first photographed object 2 stored in the standby unit 115 to the work table on which the work is performed, A visual inspection is performed on the inspection object 2. At this time, the worker moves the inspection object 2 to the work table and presses the image request button. When the image request button is pressed, the control unit 160 installs the oldest display waiting image stored in the display waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 in the operation box B in which the image request button is pressed. Is displayed in the display area corresponding to the working table.

  As described above, in the processing / inspection line 1A having the X-ray inspection apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment, a plurality of workers can efficiently perform visual inspection even in a simple configuration in which no automatic distribution is performed. It becomes possible.

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
Although the processing / inspection line 1A having the X-ray inspection apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment has been described above, the configuration of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10A is not limited to these examples. For example, in the second embodiment described above, when the operator presses the image request button provided in the operation box B, the control unit is notified to which work table the inspection object 2 has been moved, and accordingly, Although the display waiting image is displayed in an appropriate display area, it may be automatically detected that the work piece 2 has been moved to which work table without depending on the operator's operation. As a specific example, a sensor such as a passage sensor may be provided at the boundary between the standby unit 115 and each of the work tables 20A to 20D to detect that the tray T has been moved to the work table. This sensor is an example of the movement detecting means in the present invention. Then, the control unit 160 displays the oldest display waiting image stored in the display waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 corresponding to the work table corresponding to the sensor that has detected the movement of the inspection object 2. It is good to display in the area.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, those in which those skilled in the art appropriately added, deleted, and changed the design of the above-described embodiments, and combinations of the features of each embodiment as appropriate also include the gist of the present invention. As long as it is within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processing / inspection line 2 Inspected object T Tray 10 X-ray inspection apparatus 20 Visual processing part 100 Main body part 110 Conveyance mechanism 120 X-ray irradiation part 130 X-ray detection part 140 Main body cover 150 Main body operation part 160 Control part 180 Display part 190 Memory

Claims (8)

An X-ray inspection apparatus that captures an X-ray transmission image of an inspection object and conveys the inspection object to a downstream processing unit having a plurality of processing positions,
An X-ray irradiation unit for irradiating the inspection object in the inspection target region with X-rays;
An X-ray detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the inspection object;
A transport mechanism for transporting the inspection object to the downstream processing unit via the inspection target area;
A display unit having a plurality of display areas corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions;
An X-ray transmission image of the inspection object is generated using an X-ray detection result by the X-ray detection unit, a processing position where the inspection object is processed is specified, and the specified processing An X-ray inspection apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to display an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object in a display area corresponding to the position. A distribution request means for receiving a distribution request of the inspection object for each of the plurality of processing positions;
The transport mechanism transports the inspection object to any one of the plurality of processing positions via the inspection target region,
The control unit specifies a processing position to which the inspection object is to be conveyed in response to a distribution request from the distribution request unit, and the inspection object is moved to the specified processing position by the conveyance mechanism. 2. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that an X-ray transmission image of the inspection object is displayed in a display area corresponding to the specified processing position.   The said control part specifies to which processing position the said to-be-inspected object is conveyed according to the order which received the distribution request | requirement of the to-be-inspected object from the said some processing position. X-ray inspection equipment. A sensor for detecting that the inspection object has been conveyed is provided in each of the plurality of processing positions,
In response to the fact that the sensor provided at the specified processing position has detected that the inspection object has been conveyed, the control unit displays the inspection object in a display area corresponding to the specified processing position. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the X-ray transmission image is controlled to be displayed.   The control unit determines pass / fail of the inspection object based on the generated X-ray transmission image, and specifies a processing position to which the inspection object is conveyed only for the inspection object determined to be unacceptable. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inspection object is distributed to the specified processing position by the transport mechanism. Corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions, comprising a movement detection means for detecting the movement of the inspection object to the processing position,
The transport mechanism transports the inspection object to the vicinity of the plurality of processing positions via the inspection target region,
The control unit specifies at which processing position the inspection object is processed based on a detection result of the movement detection unit, and displays the X of the inspection object in a display area corresponding to the specified processing position. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray inspection apparatus is controlled to display a line transmission image.   The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the movement detection unit is a switch that receives an operation of an operator.   The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the movement detection unit is a sensor that detects that the inspection object has been moved to each processing position.

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