JP2019135058A - Connection structure of powder compression molding machine with module - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a powder compression molding machine capable of simply connecting a module for taking out a molded product to transfer to the machine.SOLUTION: A powder compression molding machine A has a structure for connecting the modules B, C, D taking out a molded product from the surface of a table of the machine A to transfer thereto. The connection structure comprises: a cradle 50 by which the modules B, C, D are made to be movable so that the modules can approach to the machine A from outside or can separate outside from the machine A; a transfer body, at least a part of which overlaps the table of the machine A from above and captures the molded product to transfer; and a unit 51 which includes a motor driving the transfer body, is supported by the cradle 50 and is relatively displaceable to the cradle 50. In the configured connection structure, an arm part 501 for positioning, extending along a direction approaching to or separating from the machine A is provided to one of the machine A and the cradle 50 of the modules B, C, D, and an engaged part 100 with which the arm part 501 is engaged is provided to the other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure for connecting a powder compression molding machine that compresses powder to form a molded product and a module that takes out the molded product from the powder compression molding machine and transfers it.

  In addition to providing mortar holes on the table of the rotary table, upper and lower ridges are slidably held above and below each mortar hole, and both the table and ridges are rotated horizontally, Known is a rotary powder compression molding machine that compresses (or compresses) powder filled in a mortar hole as it passes between an upper roll and a lower roll. This type of powder compression molding machine is used to manufacture pharmaceutical tablets, foods, electronic parts, and the like.

  Various post-processes are performed on the molded product. For example, inspecting the outer surface of the molded product for abnormalities, removing dust adhering to the molded product, testing the molded product volume, weight or components, checking for the presence of metal contamination, printing on the outer surface of the molded product, Printing or stamping, packaging of molded products, etc. Recently, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, an apparatus (or equipment) for performing a post-process is connected downstream of the powder compression molding machine, and after the molding of the molded product, Attempts have been made to execute all the processes in a lump. The molded product molded in the die hole of the powder compression molding machine is pushed up to the height of the upper surface of the table by the lower punch. Thereafter, the molded product is scraped off by a damper (or a scraper) installed at a position facing the upper surface of the table, guided to a bowl-like chute that is inclined downward, dropped into the chute, and sent to a subsequent process device. It is. Similarly, a device that performs a certain process and a device that performs the next process are similarly connected via a bowl-shaped chute to deliver a molded product.

  In such a method, as a matter of course, the height position of the molded product is gradually lowered. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange a lift device for lifting the molded product on the way. In addition, the molded product may be dropped into the chute several times, causing the molded product to collide with the inner wall or bottom wall of the chute or collide with each other, resulting in damage such as cracking, chipping or abrasion. Arise. In particular, if the molded product is an OD tablet with low hardness (orally disintegrating tablet; a tablet that disintegrates in the mouth with saliva or a small amount of water) or chewable tablet (chewable tablet; a tablet that can be chewed in the mouth), etc. The problem of damage due to.

  Further, in the process of feeding the molded products through the chute, the order in which the molded products are molded by the powder compression molding machine cannot be maintained. Therefore, molds such as tableting failure (binding, sticking) where the powder remains attached to a specific die or punch of a powder compression molding machine and the molded product is chipped, or the tip of the punch is missing When an abnormality occurs, a normal molded product and a defective molded product cannot be distinguished from each other and are mixed, and a large number of molded products must be collected and discarded.

  Therefore, a module has been developed that can be transferred in an aligned state while maintaining the order in which the molded products are molded in a powder compression molding machine, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 below. This product has a large number of holes in the outer periphery of the transfer body (rotating body) that rotates horizontally around the vertical axis. By capturing a molded product one by one in each hole, the molded product can be rotated. Convey along.

  If a device for performing post-process processing on the molded product is attached at a predetermined position on the rotation trajectory that is the trajectory of the molded product to be conveyed, Then, subsequent processes can be performed sequentially.

JP 2017-164786 A JP 2017-104902 A

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily connect a module to a powder compression molding machine.

  In the present invention, a mortar hole penetrating up and down is provided in the table, and an upper punch and a lower punch are slidably held on the upper and lower sides of the mortar, and the powder filled in the mortar hole is used as the upper punch and the lower punch. And a module for taking out the molded product from the table of the powder compression molding machine and transferring it to a powder compression molding machine that forms a molded product by compression with A platform that is movable so as to approach the powder compression molding machine from the outside and to be separated from the powder compression molding machine, and at least part of the table to the table of the powder compression molding machine from above A module that includes a transfer body that captures and transfers the overlapped molded article, and a unit that includes a motor that drives the transfer body and is supported by the frame and is relatively displaceable with respect to the frame; Between the powder compression molding machine On the other hand, a connecting structure is provided in which a positioning arm extending along the approaching / separating direction with respect to the powder compression molding machine of the module is provided, and an engaged part to which the arm is engaged is provided on the other. did. If it is such, a module can be simply connected with a powder compression molding machine. The powder is an aggregate of minute individuals, and is a concept including an aggregate of particles such as so-called granules and an aggregate of powder having a shape smaller than the particles.

  In order to connect the module to the powder compression molding machine, the base is brought close to the powder compression molding machine and the arm portion and the engaged portion are engaged. At this time, by displacing the unit away from the powder compression molding machine in advance, the transfer body of the unit and the like become components of the powder compression molding machine when connecting the gantry and the powder compression molding machine. Avoid collisions. Thereafter, the unit is displaced toward the powder compression molding machine, and the transfer body is positioned at a predetermined position overlapping the table.

  The unit is preferably supported by a gantry so as to be slidable along the approaching / separating direction with respect to the gantry.

  A plurality of the arm portions are provided, and the arm portions are spaced apart from each other along a direction orthogonal to the approaching / separating direction, and the engaged portion is moved closer to each of the plurality of arm portions. If it is provided so as to approach or abut from a direction orthogonal to the separation direction, it becomes easy to position the module base at an appropriate connection position with respect to the powder compression molding machine, and the module position is stably displaced. Disappear.

  If one of the arm portion and the engaged portion has a roller that can roll while being in contact with the other, the arm portion and the engaged portion are engaged, or both The resistance when releasing the engagement is reduced.

  If a mooring mechanism for mooring the gantry to the powder compression molding machine is provided, the module connected to the powder compression molding machine can be prevented from being unexpectedly displaced with respect to the powder compression molding machine. be able to.

  It is preferable that the gantry is provided with a caster that is grounded to smoothly move the gantry and a lock mechanism that can switch between a state in which the gantry is allowed to move and a state in which the gantry is prohibited. .

  According to the present invention, the module can be easily connected to the powder compression molding machine.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary powder compression molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The principal part top view of the powder compression molding machine and molded product extraction apparatus of the embodiment. The cylindrical view of the powder compression molding machine of the embodiment. The principal part top view of the taking-out apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the taking-out apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the taking-out apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the taking-out apparatus and dust removal apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part top view of the molded article conveyance apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conveying apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conveying apparatus and processing apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conveying apparatus and processing apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part top view of the molded article conveyance apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conveying apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conveying apparatus and processing apparatus of the embodiment. The principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conveying apparatus and exclusion apparatus of the embodiment. The top view of the powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment, a taking-out apparatus, and a conveying apparatus. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment, a taking-out apparatus, and a conveying apparatus. The principal part top view of the base | substrate of the powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment, and the stand of a taking-out apparatus and a conveying apparatus. The top view of the powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment, a taking-out apparatus, and a conveying apparatus. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment, a taking-out apparatus, and a conveying apparatus. The principal part top view of the base | substrate of the powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment, and the stand of a taking-out apparatus and a conveying apparatus. The principal part side view which shows the mooring mechanism interposed between the powder compression molding machine of the embodiment, and a mount frame. The principal part top view which shows the mooring mechanism interposed between the powder compression molding machine of the embodiment, and a mount frame. The principal part side view which shows the locking mechanism of the mount frame of the embodiment.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overall outline of a rotary powder compression molding machine (hereinafter referred to as “molding machine”) A in the present embodiment will be described. This molding machine A forms a compression molded product P such as a pharmaceutical tablet by compressing powder. As shown in FIG. 1, a standing shaft 2 serving as a rotating shaft is established in a frame 1 of the molding machine A, and a turntable 3 is attached to the upper portion of the standing shaft 2 via a connecting portion.

  The turntable 3 rotates horizontally, that is, rotates around the vertical shaft 2. The turntable 3 includes a table (mortar disk) 31, an upper punch holder 32, and a lower punch holder 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the table 31 has a substantially disk shape in a plan view as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating disk 3, that is, from the vertical direction. A plurality of mortar holes 4 are provided at predetermined intervals along the rotation direction (circumferential direction) on the outer peripheral portion. The mortar hole 4 penetrates the table 31 in the vertical direction. The table 31 may be divided into a plurality of plates. The table 31 itself is not directly formed with the mortar hole 4, but a plurality of mortar members which are separate from the table 31 and can be attached to and detached from the table 31 are attached to the table 31. It is good also as a structure which has drilled the mortar hole penetrated to the up-down direction in each.

  An upper punch 5 and a lower punch 6 are arranged above and below each mortar hole 4. The upper heel 5 and the lower heel 6 are held by the upper heel holding portion 32 and the lower heel holding portion 33 so as to be individually slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the mortar hole 4. The tip 53 of the upper arm 5 enters and exits the mortar hole 4. The tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is always inserted into the mortar hole 4. The upper iron 5 and the lower iron 6 together with the turntable 3 and the mortar hole 4 rotate horizontally, that is, revolve around the vertical shaft 2.

  A worm wheel 7 is attached to the lower end side of the vertical shaft 2. A worm gear 10 meshes with the worm wheel 7. The worm gear 10 is fixed to a gear shaft 9 that is driven by a motor 8. The driving force output from the motor 8 is transmitted to the gear shaft 9 by the belt 11, and rotationally drives the vertical shaft 2, and thus the rotating disk 3 and the eaves 5 and 6 via the worm gear 10 and the worm wheel 7.

  The powder as the constituent material of the molded product P is filled into the mortar hole 4 from the feed shoe X. The types of the feed shoe X include a stirring feed shoe and an open feed shoe, any of which may be adopted. A powder supply device is used to supply the powder to the feed shoe X. Supply of the powder with respect to the powder supply apparatus is performed from the hopper 19. The hopper 19 can be attached to and detached from the molding machine A.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the revolving track around the vertical shaft 2 of the eaves 5 and 6, a preload upper roll 12 and a preload lower roll 13 which are paired up and down so as to sandwich the eaves 5 and 6, There is a main roll 14 and a main roll 15. The pre-loading roll 12 and the pre-loading roll 13, and the main-pressing roll 14 and the main-pressing roll 15 are arranged so as to compress the powder filled in the mortar hole 4 from above and below with the tip surfaces of the tips 53 and 63. The two cages 5 and 6 are urged in a direction in which they approach each other.

  The upper collar 5 and the lower collar 6 have head parts 51 and 61 pressed by the rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15, respectively, and body parts 52 and 62 having a smaller diameter than the head parts 51 and 61. The upper heel holding portion 32 of the turntable 3 holds the body portion 52 of the upper heel 5 so as to be slidable up and down, and the lower heel holding portion 33 holds the body portion 62 of the lower heel 6 so as to be slidable up and down. To do. The distal end portions of the body portions 52 and 62, that is, the tips 53 and 63, are thinner than other portions so as to be inserted into the mortar hole 4 and have a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the mortar hole 4. The rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 approach the heads 51 and 61 of the saddles 5 and 6 due to the revolution of the saddles 5 and 6, and come into contact with the heads 51 and 61. Furthermore, the rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15 push the upper collar 5 downward and push the lower collar 6 upward. During the period when the rolls 12, 13, 14, 15 are in contact with the flat surfaces on the ridges 5, 6, the ridges 5, 6 continue to apply a certain pressure to the powder in the mortar 4.

  A delivery position 16 for the molded product P exists at a position advanced from the pressurization position by the main roll 14 and the main roll 15 along the rotation direction of the rotary disk 3 and the eaves 5 and 6. By the delivery position 16, the lower punch 6 rises until the upper end surface of the tip 63 of the lower punch 6 becomes substantially the same height as the upper end of the die hole 4, that is, the upper surface of the table 31. Is pushed out from the mortar 4. The molded product P pushed out from the mortar 4 is transferred to a molded product processing system (hereinafter referred to as “processing system”) S connected to the molding machine A at the delivery position 16.

  The control device that controls the molding machine A and the processing system S (each module B, C, D) of the present embodiment is a processor, a main memory that is a storage device, and an auxiliary storage device (for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive, etc.) ), A microcomputer system having an input / output interface or the like, a personal computer or a workstation, or a programmable controller. The control device reads a program stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device into the processor via the memory, and decodes the program in the processor to control the molding machine A and the processing system S.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, and 12, the processing system S incidental to the molding machine A in this embodiment includes modules B, C, A plurality of D's are arranged.

  The module B directly connected to the downstream side of the molding machine A has a take-out device B1 that sequentially takes out the molded product P from the molding machine A while maintaining the order in which the molded product P is molded in the molding machine A. The take-out device B1 takes out the molded product P at the delivery position 16, and conveys the molded product P toward the processing device B2 that performs the next process. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 to 7, the take-out device B <b> 1 includes a rotating body 17 that is a transfer body that rotates horizontally around a vertical axis in synchronization with the rotating disk 3 and the table 31 of the molding machine A, and the rotating body 17. A holding body 18 that is directly below the rotating body 17, a plurality of protrusions 171 that protrude downward from the lower surface facing the holding body 18 at the outer periphery of the rotating body 17 toward the holding body 18, and the rotating body 17. The outer guide 20 that closes the outer periphery of the rotating body 17 and closes the gap between the protrusion 171 and the protrusion 171 from the outside, and the inner side of the outer periphery of the rotating body 17 and between the protrusion 171 and the protrusion 171. An inner guide 21 that closes the gap from the inner side is a main component.

  The rotating body 17 rotates clockwise in the figure with respect to the table 31 that rotates counterclockwise in the figure. In order to synchronize the rotation of the table 31 and the rotation of the rotating body 17, the motor 40 that rotates the rotating body 17 is a servo motor or a stepping motor, and an angular position sensor such as a rotary encoder is used. The rotation angle and the rotation speed of each body 17 are detected, and the rotation speed of the motor 40 is feedback-controlled so that both rotations are synchronized. Alternatively, the rotating disk 3 and the rotating body 17 may be mechanically connected and interlocked via a gear transmission mechanism, a winding transmission mechanism, or the like.

  The rotating body 17 has a substantially disk shape in a plan view when viewed from the direction of the rotating shaft 43 of the rotating body 17, that is, the vertical direction. The plurality of protrusions 171 provided on the rotating body 17 are intermittently arranged at predetermined intervals along the outer peripheral edge of the rotating body 17, that is, along the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft 43 of the rotating body 17. ing. Needless to say, these protrusions 171 rotate integrally with the rotating body 17. The molded product P molded by the molding machine A is captured by the protrusions 171 of the rotating body 17 and transferred while being accommodated in the gap between the protrusions 171 and 171.

  The size W of the gap between the protrusions 171 adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction is larger than the longest outer dimension of the molded product P formed by the molding machine A. The longest outer dimension referred to here extends from a certain point on the outer edge (contour) of the molded product P toward the center of gravity or geometric center of the molded product P in a plan view, and passes through the same center of gravity or geometric center. Among the lengths of line segments that reach another point on the outer edge of the product P, the largest one is indicated. When the molded product P has an elliptical shape in plan view, the major axis or the major axis corresponds to the longest outer dimension.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface of the rotating body 17 and the upper surface of the holding body 18 face each other with a predetermined distance along the vertical direction. The lower surface of the rotating body 17 is higher than the upper surface of the table 31 of the molding machine A. In addition, a part of the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 17 overlaps the table 31 of the molding machine A from above. The tips of the protrusions 171 protruding from the lower surface of the rotating body 17 are in close proximity to the upper surface of the holding body 18 and the upper surface of the table 31. Along with the synchronous rotation of the table 31 and the rotating body 17, the mortar holes 4 and the gaps between the protrusions 171 temporarily overlap at the delivery position 16 of the molded product P.

  Unlike the rotating body 17, the holding body 18 does not rotate and is disposed so as to overlap the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 17 from below. The holding body 18 is adjacent to the table 31 of the molding machine A, and the upper surface thereof is at a height substantially equal to the upper surface of the table 31. The molded product captured in the gap between the protrusions 171 of the rotating body 17 slides or slides on the upper surface of the holding body 18 while horizontally rotating together with the protrusions 171. That is, the holding body 18 supports the transferred molded product from below. In order to avoid interference with the table 31, a portion of the holding body 18 corresponding to the transfer position 16 where the table 31 and the rotating body 17 overlap in plan view is cut out in an arc shape along the outer peripheral edge of the table 31. The edge of the part of the holding body 18 is in close proximity to the outer peripheral edge of the table 31, and the molded product P is smoothly transferred from the upper surface of the table 31 of the molding machine A to the upper surface of the holding body 18 of the take-out device B1. be able to.

  The separation distance H between the lower surface of the rotating body 17 and the upper surface of the holding body 18 is equal to or larger than the thickness along the vertical direction of the molded product P molded by the molding machine A, and the shortest of the molded product P. Set smaller than the outer dimensions. The shortest outer dimension referred to here extends from a certain point on the outer edge of the molded product P toward the center of gravity or geometric center of the molded product P in plan view, and passes through the same center of gravity or geometric center of the molded product P. The smallest of the lengths of line segments that reach another point on the outer edge. When the molded product P has an elliptical shape in plan view, the short axis or the short diameter corresponds to the shortest outer dimension. The thickness of the molded product P is in the vertical direction of the tip 53 of the upper punch 5 and the tip 63 of the lower punch 6 when the compression of the powder filled in the mortar hole 4 is completed in the molding machine A. It is approximately equal to the distance.

  The outer guide 20 is adjacent to the outer peripheral edge of the rotating body 17 and extends so as to form a substantially arc shape surrounding the rotating body 17 in plan view. The guide 20 closes the gap between the protrusions 171 opening outward in the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 43 of the rotating body 17 from the outside, and the molded product P is moved outward from the gap by centrifugal force. Deter jumping into. The starting end 201 of the outer guide 20 protrudes toward the table 31 of the molding machine A, and is positioned directly above the locus of horizontal rotation of the mortar 4 so as to overlap the table 31 from above. It plays the role of a damper (or scraper) that takes in the scraped and picked-out device B1 at the delivery position 16 at the molded product P that has been pushed out.

  The inner guide 21 is adjacent to the inner edge along the radial direction of the protrusion 171 of the rotating body 17 and is extended so as to form a substantially arc shape in plan view inside the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 17. Yes. The guide 21 closes a gap that opens inward in the radial direction of the rotating body 17 from the inside, and prevents the molded product from being displaced inwardly without intention. The inner guide 21 may be fixed to the holding body 18 or may be integrated with the holding body 18. Note that the lower surface of the portion of the rotating body 17 facing the upper surface of the inner guide 21 is slightly above the lower surface facing the gap in the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 17 (that is, the portion where the protrusion 171 is not provided). It is recessed. The upper surface of the inner guide 21 is slightly higher than the lower surface facing the gap in the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 17 except for the area where a dust removing device B2 described later is provided. This prevents the molded product P from entering the gap between the lower surface of the rotating body 17 and the upper surface of the inner guide 21.

  As already described, in the molding machine A, the lower punch 6 rises and pushes the molded product P out of the mortar hole 4 until the mortar hole 4 containing the molded product P reaches the delivery position 16. The extruded molded product P abuts on the outer guide 20 as the table 31 rotates at the delivery position 16, moves along the outer guide 20, and transitions from the table 31 to the holding body 18. . At this time, the molded product P is captured by the protrusion 171 protruding downward from the rotating body 17 and enters the gap between the protrusion 171 and the protrusion 171 in the region between the rotating body 17 and the holding body 18. The molded products P are accommodated one by one in each gap. Thus, the molded products P are arranged in order in the order in which the mortar holes 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A are arranged, in other words, without destroying the order of compression molding of the molded products P in the molding machine A. Can be accommodated. Moreover, the upper surface and the lower surface of the molded product P do not turn over in the process of delivering the molded product P from the table 31 of the molding machine A to the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 of the module B.

  The molded product P captured in the gap between the protrusions 171 contacts the protrusion 171 located rearward along the rotation direction of the rotating body 17, and is pressed by the protrusion 171 along the locus of rotation of the protrusion 171. Then, it is transferred while sliding or sliding on the holding body 18. Each molded product P has a substantially constant relative position to the protrusion 171 in each gap. The molded product P receives an action of centrifugal force by the rotation of the rotating body 17 and is displaced from the inner side to the outer side along the radial direction of the rotating body 17 in the gap. However, the molded product P abuts against the inner edge of the outer guide 20 and is prevented from further displacement, and does not jump out of the gap. Moreover, since the upper part of the gap is closed by the rotating body 17, the molded product P captured in the gap does not unexpectedly jump out of the gap.

  The molded product P captured by the protrusions 171 of the rotating body 17 is transferred to a delivery position 23 which is the end position of the transfer. A portion of the holding body 18 corresponding to the delivery position 23 is cut out in an arc shape along the outer peripheral edge of the rotating body 24 so as to avoid interference with the rotating body 24 of the transfer device C1 described later. That is, at the delivery position 23, the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 17 and the holding body 18 do not overlap in plan view. Therefore, each molded product P that has reached the delivery position 23 loses support from the lower side by the holding body 18, falls off from the gap between the projections 171, and is transferred to the transport device C 1 of the module C directly connected downstream of the module B. Delivered without breaking the order.

  In a part of the conveyance section of the molded product P from the delivery position 16 to the delivery position 23 on the outer periphery of the rotating body 17, dust attached to the molded product P is removed as a processing device in the module B. A dust removing device B2 is installed.

  The rotating body 17 is previously provided with a communication hole 172 that allows the gap between the protrusions 171 to communicate with the outside. The communication hole 172 is a long hole that is located on the inner side along the radial direction of the rotator 17 than the respective gaps, penetrates the rotator 17 along the vertical direction, and expands along the circumferential direction of the rotator 17. is there. The number of communication holes 172 is the same as the number of voids. The dust removing device B <b> 2 covers the communication hole 172, the gap between the protrusions 171, and the boundary portion between the rotating body 17 and the outer guide 20 from above, and extends along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 17. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the dust removing device B <b> 2 is positioned directly above the communication hole 172, and rotates with an ejection nozzle 221 that ejects compressed air K supplied from a pump (not shown) downward toward the communication hole 172. A dust collection port 222 is provided directly above the boundary between the body 17 and the outer guide 20 and sucks air K upward by a pump (not shown). The compressed air K may be ionized in advance by a static eliminator, or may be ejected in a pulse shape. The compressed air K supplied from the ejection nozzle 221 reaches the space between the protrusions 171 through the gap between the lower surface of the rotating body 17 and the upper surface of the inner guide 21, and reaches the outer surface of the molded product P accommodated in this space. The dust that is sprayed and adheres to the outer surface of the molded product P is blown off from the molded product P and removed. The air K containing the dust after sprayed on the molded product P leaks upward from the gap between the rotating body 17 and the outer guide 20 and is sucked into the dust collecting port 222.

  The conveyance device C1 of the module C subsequent to the module B receives the molded product P from the take-out device B1 at the delivery position 23 of the molded product P, and sends it to the processing devices C2 and C3 that perform the next process on the molded product P. Transport toward. Even when the molded product P is delivered between the take-out device B1 and the conveying device C1, the order in which the molded product P is molded in the molding machine A is still maintained. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the transport device C1 mainly includes a rotating body 24 that is a transfer body that rotates horizontally around the vertical axis in synchronization with the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1.

  The rotating body 24 rotates counterclockwise in the figure with respect to the rotating body 17 that rotates clockwise in the figure. In order to synchronize the rotation of the rotating body 17 and the rotation of the rotating body 24, for example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, a rotating shaft 43 of the rotating body 17 and a rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24 are connected to a gear. It is mechanically connected via the transmission mechanism 41 or the winding transmission mechanism to be interlocked. Alternatively, a motor that rotates the rotating body 24 is a servo motor or a stepping motor, and an angular position sensor such as a rotary encoder is used to detect the rotational angle and rotational speed of each of the rotating body 17 and the rotating body 24. It is good also as feedback-controlling the rotational speed of a motor so that rotation may synchronize.

  The rotating body 24 has a substantially disk shape in a plan view when viewed from the direction of the rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24, that is, the vertical direction. More specifically, the rotating body 24 includes two disk bodies 240 and 241 having different outer diameters, a disk body 240 having a smaller outer diameter, and a disk body 241 having a larger outer diameter. Overlaid on top of each other, both 240 and 241 are rigidly connected and integrated. Accordingly, the outer peripheral portion 242 of the lower disk body 241 extends outward from the base of the rotating body 24, that is, the outer peripheral edge of the upper disk body 240, along the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 44 of the rotating body 24. Overhang. The outer peripheral portion 242 becomes a flange of the rotating body 24.

  A pocket 243 that is recessed inward in the radial direction and opens outward is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the base 240 of the rotating body 24. The outer peripheral edge of the base 240 is generally circular, but is recessed in a direction approaching the rotation axis 44 of the rotating body 24 only by the pocket 243. A suction hole 244 having a closed periphery is opened at one side of the flange 242 along the direction of the rotation shaft 44, that is, at a position facing the pocket 243 from below. When the rotary body 24 is viewed from above and below, at least a portion of the suction hole 244 overlaps the pocket 243 and opens upward toward the pocket 243. In plan view, the inner peripheral edge of the suction hole 244 is along the inner wall surface of the pocket 243. Further, the suction hole 244 passes through the flange 242 in the vertical direction.

  The pockets 243 and the suction holes 244 are intermittently arranged at predetermined intervals along the outside of the rotating body 24, that is, along the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24. Needless to say, the pockets 243 and the suction holes 244 rotate integrally with the rotating body 24. The molded product P delivered from the take-out device B1 of the module B to the transport device C1 of the module C engages with the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 of the rotating body 24 and is transported while being captured by the suction hole 244.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface of the flange 242 at the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1 is positioned lower than the lower surface of the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 of the module B, and is substantially the same as the upper surface of the holding body 18. In equal height position. The outer periphery of the base portion 240 of the rotating body 24 and the pocket 243 are at substantially the same height so as to face the gap between the protrusions 171 of the rotating body 17 in the horizontal direction. In addition, a part of the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 in plan view overlaps a part of the rotating body 17 from below, and both face each other in the vertical direction. The tips of the protrusions 171 protruding from the lower surface of the rotating body 17 are very close to the upper surface of the holding body 18 and the upper surface of the flange 242. With the synchronous rotation of the rotating body 17 and the rotating body 24, the gap between the protrusions 171 and the suction hole 244 temporarily overlap at the delivery position 23.

  In order to avoid interference with the flange 242 of the rotating body 24, a portion of the holding body 18 corresponding to the transfer position 23 where the flange 242 and the rotating body 17 overlap in plan view is cut in an arc along the outer peripheral edge of the flange 242. It is missing. The edge of the part of the holding body 18 is in close proximity to the outer peripheral edge of the flange 242, and the molded product P extends from the upper surface of the holding body 18 of the take-out device B1 to the upper surface of the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 of the conveying device C1. You can transfer smoothly.

  At the delivery position 23, the molded product P accommodated in the gap between the protrusions 171 of the rotator 17 and transferred while being pushed by the protrusions 171 is rotated from above the holding body 18 with the rotation of the rotator 17. Transition to the flange 242 of the. At this time, the molded product P enters the pocket 243 formed in the rotating body 24 and is captured by the suction hole 244. The molded products P are accommodated one by one in each suction hole 244. As a result, in the order in which the gaps between the protrusions 171 of the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 are arranged, in other words, the molded product P is not compressed in the molding machine A, and the molded product one by one in each suction hole 244. P can be engaged in turn. In the process of delivering the molded product P from the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 to the rotating body 24 of the conveying device C1, the upper surface and the lower surface of the molded product P do not turn over.

  The molded product P captured in the suction hole 244 is transferred along the rotation locus of the suction hole 244 as the rotating body 24 rotates. Each molded product P has a substantially constant relative position with respect to the rotating body 24 and the suction hole 244 in each suction hole 244. The molded product P receives the action of centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotating body 24, but is adsorbed by the adsorbing holes 244 so that its displacement is prevented and does not jump outward. Further, in the process of transferring the molded product P, the upper surface and the lower surface of the molded product P do not turn over.

  Finally, the molded product P captured by the suction hole 244 is transferred to the delivery position 27 which is the end position of the transfer. The molded product P that has reached the delivery position 27 is delivered from the transport device C1 of the module C to the transport device D1 of the module D that is directly connected downstream of the module C.

  Hereinafter, a mechanism for adsorbing the molded product P in the pocket 243 and the adsorption hole 244 of the rotating body 24 will be described. Negative pressure is supplied to the inside of the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244, whereby the molded product P can be sucked into the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, suction passages 2451 and 2452 for supplying a negative pressure into the pocket 243 are formed in the rotating body 24 in advance. The suction passages 2451 and 2452 open at the innermost portion of the inner wall surface of the pocket 243 at the start ends thereof, and extend from the inside of the rotating body 24 toward the rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24. 2451 and a suction hole 2452 that opens the internal passage 2451 to the lower surface side of the rotating body 24 by excavating the rotating body 24 upward from the lower surface thereof toward the end of the internal passage 2451. Specifically, the internal passage 2451 is a groove that opens downward and is formed on the lower surface of the upper disk 240 that is the base of the rotating body 24. The groove 245 is closed from below by a disk body 241 joined to the lower surface of the disk body 240. The suction port 2452 is a through-hole penetrating in a vertical direction through a portion of the lower disc body 241 located immediately below the end of the internal passage 2451. By the suction passages 2451 and 2452, the inside of the pocket 243 communicates with the position of the suction port 2452 biased inwardly of the pocket 243 on the lower surface of the rotating body 24. The number of suction passages 2451 and 2452 is the same as the number of sets of pockets 243 and suction holes 244.

  In order to supply a negative pressure into the pocket 243, the atmosphere in the internal passage 2451 and the pocket 243 may be sucked from the suction port 2452. Below the rotating body 24, a duct 25 for supplying negative pressure, which is expanded so as to form a semicircular arc along the outer periphery of the rotating body 24 in a plan view, is installed. The duct 25 includes a top wall 251 that is in close proximity to the lower surface of the rotating body 24, a side wall 252 that hangs down from the inner end and the outer end of the top wall 251, and a bottom wall 253 that connects the lower ends of the side walls 252 to each other. A cylindrical body surrounding the internal space. The internal space of the duct 25 is sucked by a pump (not shown) to be negative pressure.

  In the top wall 251 of the duct 25, two slot holes 254 and 256 having a partial arc shape centering on the rotation shaft 44 of the planar view rotating body 24 are formed in a portion located immediately below the suction port 2452. . Both of the slot holes 254 and 256 penetrate the top wall 251 in the vertical direction. Each slot hole 254, 256 expands along a trajectory along which each suction port 2452 moves as the rotating body 24 rotates. The expansion range of the former slot hole 254 is a range from the upstream side of the delivery position 23 that receives the molded product P from the take-out device B1 to a predetermined position downstream of the delivery position 23 along the rotation direction of the rotating body 24. Across. The expansion range of the latter slot hole 254 is a range from the upstream side of the delivery position 27 that delivers the molded product P to the take-out device D1 along the rotation direction of the rotating body 24 to the position immediately before the delivery position 27. Across.

  The negative pressure is supplied into the pocket 243, that is, the inside of the pocket 243 is sucked, because the suction port 2452 of the suction passages 2451 and 2452 connected to the pocket 243 is directly above any of the slot holes 254 and 256. It is limited to the time when it is located, that is, the time when the internal space of the duct 25 that has been made into a negative pressure communicates with the inside of the pocket 243. When the suction port 2452 is in a position where the slot holes 254 and 256 do not exist, the top wall 251 is interposed between the internal space of the duct 25 and the suction port 2452, and the internal space of the duct 25 and the pocket 243 are isolated. The inside of the pocket 243 is not sucked.

  The duct 25 also plays a role of supplying a negative pressure into the suction hole 244. In the top wall 251 of the duct 25, a slot hole 255 having a partial arc shape centering on the rotation shaft 44 of the planar view rotating body 24 is formed in a portion located immediately below the suction hole 244. The slot hole 255 also penetrates the top wall 251 in the vertical direction. The slot hole 255 expands along a trajectory along which each suction hole 244 moves as the rotating body 24 rotates. The expansion range of the slot hole 255 extends from the position immediately after the delivery position 23 for receiving the molded product P from the take-out device B1 along the rotation direction of the rotating body 24 to the delivery position 27 for delivering the molded product P to the take-out device D1. Over the range up to the previous position.

  The negative pressure is supplied into the suction hole 244, that is, the suction hole 244 is sucked at a time when the suction hole 244 is located immediately above the slot hole 255, that is, the internal space of the duct 25 that has been made negative pressure. And the time when the inside of the suction hole 244 communicates. When the suction hole 244 is in a position where the slot hole 255 does not exist, the interior space of the duct 25 is isolated from the suction hole 244 by the top wall 251, and the suction hole 244 is not sucked.

  In the process of delivering the molded product P captured in the gap between the projections 171 of the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 to the set of the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1, first, at the delivery position 23, The set of the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 that are upstream and do not hold the molded product P move toward the delivery position 23. Then, when they reach a position immediately before the delivery position 23, the suction port 2452 connected to the pocket 243 via the internal passage 2451 reaches directly above the slot hole 254, and the negative pressure supply duct Suction in the pocket 243 by 25 is started. At this time, the suction hole 244 paired with the pocket 243 has not yet reached directly above the slot hole 255, and the suction hole 244 is not sucked.

  Of the set of the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 reaching the delivery position 23 of the molded product P, the inside of the pocket 243 is sucked, but the suction hole 244 is not sucked. Therefore, the molded product P that is captured in the gap between the protrusions 171 of the rotating body 17 and arrives at the delivery position 23 is sucked inward toward the pocket 243 toward the rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24, 243 is engaged. Thereby, the molded product P is positioned at a certain relative position with respect to the suction hole 244.

  When the pocket 243 adsorbing the molded product P and the adsorbing hole 244 paired therewith move downstream from the delivery position 23, the adsorbing hole 244 reaches just above the slot hole 255 and is formed by the duct 25 for supplying negative pressure. Suction in the suction hole 244 is started. As a result, the molded product P adsorbed in the pocket 243 is also adsorbed in the adsorption hole 244. At this time, the suction port 2452 connected to the pocket 243 via the internal passage 2451 is still located immediately above the slot hole 254, and negative pressure is supplied to both the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244.

  When the rotating body 24 rotates and the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 that have sucked the molded product P move further downstream, the suction port 2452 connected to the pocket 243 via the internal passage 2451 is immediately above the slot hole 254. Since it detaches, the inside of the pocket 243 is not sucked, so that the molded product P is not attracted to the pocket 243. On the other hand, since the suction hole 244 that sucks the molded product P is still located immediately above the slot hole 255, the molded product P continues to be captured while being sucked into the suction hole 244.

  When the suction hole 244 that has sucked the molded product P moves downstream and approaches the delivery position 27 for delivering the molded product P to the take-out device D1, the pocket 243 and the internal passage 2451 that are paired with the suction hole 244 are moved through. The suction port 2452 connected via the first hole reaches the position directly above the slot hole 256, and suction in the pocket 243 is started by the negative pressure supply duct 25, and the molded product P is temporarily inserted into the pocket 243. Will also be adsorbed.

  Thereafter, when the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 that have sucked the molded product P reach the position immediately before the delivery position 27, the suction hole 244 is detached from immediately above the slot hole 255, and the suction hole 244 is not sucked. The molded product P is no longer adsorbed in the adsorption holes 244. At substantially the same time or just after that, the suction port 2452 connected to the pocket 243 that sucks the molded product P through the internal passage 2451 is detached from immediately above the slot hole 256, and the inside of the pocket 243 is sucked. The molded product P is not attracted to the pocket 243. In this state, the molded product P is transferred from the rotating body 24 of the transport apparatus C1 to the rotating body 28 of the transport apparatus D1.

  In a part of the outer periphery of the rotating body 24 in the conveyance section of the molded product P from the delivery position 23 to the delivery position 27, whether or not foreign matter is mixed into the molded product P as a processing device in the module C is checked. Foreign matter inspection device (which may be a metal detector) C2 to be inspected, quality inspection device C2 to inspect the components and other qualities of the molded product P, and external surface inspection device C3 to inspect the state of the outer surface of the molded product P Is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the foreign substance inspection device or quality inspection device C2 includes a light source 261 installed at a position overlapping the locus of movement of the molded product P transported by the transport device C1 in plan view, and a sensor 262 that is a light receiving element. And The light source 261 and the sensor 262 are arranged so as to face each other along the vertical direction that is the direction of the rotation axis 44 of the rotating body 24 with the molded product P and the rotating body 24 that conveys the molded product P interposed therebetween. Then, of the light emitted from the light source 261 or the electromagnetic wave L, the transmitted light L transmitted through the molded product P is made incident on the sensor 262 as signal light, and the signal light L is analyzed, so that foreign matter is mixed into the molded product P. And / or whether the components and other qualities of the molded product P are appropriate. This apparatus C2 performs near infrared spectroscopic analysis, or performs X-ray inspection (X-ray fluoroscopy or transmission measurement).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the outer surface inspection apparatus C3 includes a camera that captures an image of a predetermined surface, for example, the upper surface, of each molded product P that is captured by the suction hole 244 and transferred. The acquired image can be used for inspection of the state of the outer surface of the molded product P. That is, it is possible to determine whether the state of the outer surface of the molded product P is normal or defective by analyzing the captured image or comparing it with an image of a normal molded product P.

  The camera of the appearance inspection apparatus C3 is not limited to photographing the upper surface of the molded product P, but may also photograph the lower surface of the molded product P. An image obtained by photographing the upper surface / lower surface of the molded product P can be analyzed to measure the width, length, diameter, area, and the like of the molded product P. It is also possible to photograph the side surface of the molded product P and determine whether the state is normal or defective. The image obtained by photographing the side surface of the molded product P can be analyzed to measure the height (thickness) of the molded product P. Alternatively, if a three-dimensional measuring device using an optical cutting method is adopted as the appearance inspection device C3, the three-dimensional data of the molded product P can be acquired, the acquired data is analyzed, and the state of the outer surface of the molded product P is normal. It can be determined whether it is bad or bad. The process in the appearance inspection apparatus C3 is not limited to adopting any one of these, and a plurality of processes may be combined.

  The suction hole 244 that captures the molded product P passes through the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 in the vertical direction, and one of the light source 261 and the sensor 262 is positioned directly above the flange 242 and the other is positioned directly below the flange 242. doing. Furthermore, in the plan view seen from the up and down direction, the peripheral edge of the suction hole 244 is continuously closed once, and the peripheral edge has a size and shape that fits within the outer edge of the molded product P to be attracted thereto. . In addition, when the suction hole 244 that captures the molded product P passes through the area where the foreign substance inspection device or quality inspection device C2 and the outer surface inspection device C3 are located, negative pressure is applied from the duct 25 to the suction hole 244. Since it is supplied, the molded product P adheres exactly to the suction hole 244, and no gap is generated between the periphery of the suction hole 244 and the outer edge of the molded product P.

  For this reason, in the foreign matter inspection apparatus or the quality inspection apparatus C2, the signal light L that has passed through the molded product P is appropriately incident on the sensor 262 through the suction hole 244, while the stray light other than the signal light L, that is, the molded product P is transmitted. The missing light is shielded by the rotating body 24 and the flange 242 and is prevented from entering the sensor 262. The molded product P that is attracted and held by the suction holes 244 is transported along the rotation direction of the rotating body 24, and the relative position with respect to the rotating body 24 and the suction holes 244 is fixed. This is effective for processing of irradiating the molded product P with light or electromagnetic wave L and analyzing the signal light L transmitted through the molded product P, processing for photographing the molded product P with a camera and inspecting the outer surface, etc. It is.

  The table 31 of the molding machine A, the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 of the module B, and the rotating body 24 of the conveying device C1 of the module C rotate in synchronization with each other. The control devices of the molding machine A and the processing system S of the present embodiment are angular position sensors (such as a rotary encoder) associated with the rotary disk 3 of the molding machine A, the rotary body 17 of the take-out apparatus B1, or the rotary body 24 of the transport apparatus C1. By referring to the signal output from the above, it is possible to know at which position each of the suction holes 244 arranged along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis 44 of the rotator 24 is currently located. Furthermore, it is possible to know at which position in the module C the molded product P compression-molded in the mortar hole 4 in the table 31 of the molding machine A is present. This is because the molded product P that has passed in front of the sensor 262 of the foreign object inspection apparatus or quality inspection apparatus C2 or that has now passed in front of the camera of the external surface inspection apparatus C3, that is, foreign object inspection, quality inspection, or external inspection. This means that it is possible to know what number of mortar holes 4 the molded product P has been formed. The control device is information related to the result of the external surface inspection of the molded product P via the foreign material inspection device or the quality inspection device C2 or the external surface inspection device C3 (whether foreign material is not mixed in the target molded product P, The result of the determination of whether there is no abnormality in the quality of the target molded product P or whether the state of the outer surface of the target molded product P is normal or defective). In association with the ID number indicating whether it was molded in step 4, it is stored in the storage device.

  The transport device D1 of the module D subsequent to the module C receives the molded product P from the transport device C1 at the delivery position 27 of the molded product P, and toward the processing device D2 that performs the next process on the molded product P. Transport. Even when the molded product P is transferred between the transport device C1 and the transport device S1, the order in which the molded product P is molded in the molding machine A is still maintained. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the transport device D1 mainly includes a rotating body 28 that is a transfer body that rotates horizontally around a vertical axis in synchronization with the rotating body 28 of the transport device C1.

  The rotating body 28 rotates clockwise in the figure with respect to the rotating body 28 rotating counterclockwise in the figure. In order to synchronize the rotation of the rotating body 24 and the rotation of the rotating body 28, for example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, the rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24 and the rotating shaft 45 of the rotating body 28 are connected to a gear. It is mechanically connected via the transmission mechanism 42 or the winding transmission mechanism or the like to be interlocked. Alternatively, a motor that rotates the rotating body 28 is a servo motor or a stepping motor, and an angular position sensor such as a rotary encoder is used to detect the rotation angle and rotation speed of each of the rotating body 24 and the rotating body 28. It is good also as feedback-controlling the rotational speed of a motor so that rotation may synchronize.

  The rotator 28 has a substantially disk shape in a plan view when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis 45 of the rotator 28, that is, from the vertical direction. More specifically, the rotating body 28 includes two disk bodies 280 and 281 having different outer diameters, a disk body 281 having a larger outer diameter, and a disk body 280 having a smaller outer diameter. Overlaid on top of each other, both 280 and 281 are rigidly connected and integrated. Accordingly, the outer peripheral portion 282 of the upper disk body 281 is extended outward from the base of the rotating body 28, that is, the outer peripheral edge of the lower disk body 280, along the radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 45 of the rotating body 28. Overhang. The outer peripheral portion 282 becomes a flange of the rotating body 28.

  A pocket 283 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 280 of the rotating body 28 so as to be recessed inward in the radial direction and open outward. The outer peripheral edge of the base 280 is generally circular, but is recessed in a direction approaching the rotation axis 45 of the rotating body 28 only by the pocket 283. Then, a suction hole 284 having a closed periphery is formed at a position facing the pocket 283 from the other side of the flange 282 along the direction of the rotation shaft 45, that is, from above. When the rotary body 28 is viewed from above and below, at least a portion of the suction hole 284 overlaps with the pocket 283 and opens downward toward the pocket 283. In plan view, the inner peripheral edge of the suction hole 284 is along the inner wall surface of the pocket 283. Further, the suction hole 284 passes through the flange 282 in the vertical direction.

  The pockets 283 and the suction holes 284 are intermittently arranged at a predetermined interval along the outside of the rotating body 28, that is, along the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft 45 of the rotating body 28. Needless to say, the pockets 283 and the suction holes 284 rotate together with the rotating body 28. The molded product P delivered from the conveying device C1 of the module C to the conveying device D1 of the module D engages with the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 and is transported while being captured by the suction hole 284.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the lower surface of the flange 282 at the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 28 of the transport device D1 is higher than the upper surface of the flange 242 at the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1 of the module C. The outer periphery of the base 280 of the rotating body 28 and the pocket 283 are at substantially the same height so as to face the base 240 and the pocket 243 of the rotating body 24 in the horizontal direction. In addition, a part of the flange 282 of the rotating body 28 in plan view overlaps with a part of the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 from above, and both face each other in the vertical direction. With the synchronous rotation of the rotating body 24 and the rotating body 28, the suction hole 244 and the suction hole 284 temporarily overlap at the delivery position 27. Since the upper surface of the base 240 of the rotating body 24 is slightly lower than the lower surface of the flange 282 of the rotating body 28 and the upper surface of the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 is slightly lower than the lower surface of the base 280 of the rotating body 28, It does not interfere with the body 28.

  At the delivery position 27, the molded product P that has been captured and transferred to the suction hole 244 of the rotating body 24 transitions from above the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 to directly below the flange 282 of the rotating body 28. At this time, the molded product P enters the pocket 283 formed in the rotating body 28 and is captured by the suction hole 284. The molded products P are accommodated one by one in each suction hole 284. Thereby, the molded product P is put in each suction hole 284 one by one in the order in which the suction holes 244 of the rotating body 24 of the conveying device C1 are arranged, in other words, the order in which the molded products P are compression-molded in the molding machine A. They can be engaged in order. In the process of delivering the molded product P from the rotating body 24 of the conveying device C1 to the rotating body 28 of the conveying device D1, the upper surface and the lower surface of the molded product P are not reversed.

  The molded product P captured by the suction hole 284 is transferred along the rotation path of the suction hole 284 as the rotating body 28 rotates. Each molded product P has a substantially constant relative position with respect to the rotating body 28 and the suction hole 284 in each suction hole 284. The molded product P receives the action of centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotating body 28, but is adsorbed by the adsorption hole 284 and is prevented from displacing, and does not jump outward and does not fall from the adsorption hole 284. Further, in the process of transferring the molded product P, the upper surface and the lower surface of the molded product P do not turn over.

  Finally, the molded product P captured in the suction hole 284 is transferred to a transfer end position E by the transfer device D1 unless it is excluded by an exclusion device D3 described later. Then, at this terminal position E, it is detached from the suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 and delivered to the apparatus for performing the next process on the molded product P or flows down toward the container or the like for collecting the molded product P. Will be.

  Hereinafter, a mechanism for sucking the molded product P into the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 will be described. Negative pressure is supplied into the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284, whereby the molded product P can be sucked into the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, suction passages 2851 and 2852 for supplying a negative pressure into the pocket 283 are formed in the rotating body 28 in advance. The suction passages 2851 and 2852 open at the innermost portion of the inner wall surface of the pocket 283 at the start ends thereof, and extend from the inside of the rotary body 28 toward the rotary shaft 45 of the rotary body 28. 2851 and a suction hole 2852 that opens the internal passage 2851 to the upper surface side of the rotating body 28 by excavating the rotating body 28 downward from the upper surface thereof toward the end of the internal passage 2851. Specifically, the internal passage 2851 is a groove that opens upward and is formed on the upper surface of the lower disc body 280 that is the base of the rotating body 28. The groove 285 is closed from above by a disk body 281 joined to the upper surface of the rotating body 280. The suction port 2852 is a through hole penetrating in a vertical direction through a portion of the upper disc body 281 that is located immediately above the end of the internal passage 2851. With the suction passages 2851 and 2852, the inside of the pocket 283 communicates with the position of the suction port 2852 biased inwardly of the pocket 283 on the upper surface of the rotating body 28. The number of suction passages 2851 and 2852 is the same as the number of pairs of pockets 283 and suction holes 284.

  In order to supply a negative pressure into the pocket 283, the atmosphere in the internal passage 2851 and the pocket 283 may be sucked from the suction port 2852. Above the rotator 28, a duct 29 for supplying negative pressure, which is expanded so as to form a semicircular arc along the outer periphery of the rotator 28 in plan view, is installed. The duct 29 includes a bottom wall 291 that is in close proximity to the upper surface of the rotating body 28, a side wall 292 that stands up from the inner end and the outer end of the bottom wall 291, and a top wall 293 that connects the upper ends of the side walls 292. A cylindrical body surrounding the internal space. The internal space of the duct 29 is sucked by a pump (not shown) to be negative pressure.

  A slot hole 294 having a partial arc shape around the rotation axis 45 of the planar view rotating body 28 is formed in a portion of the bottom wall 291 of the duct 29 located immediately above the suction port 2852. The slot hole 294 penetrates the bottom wall 291 in the vertical direction. The slot hole expands along a trajectory along which each suction port 2852 moves as the rotating body 28 rotates. The expansion range of the slot hole 294 extends from the upstream side of the delivery position 27 that receives the molded product P from the transport device C1 to the predetermined position downstream of the delivery position 27 along the rotation direction of the rotating body 28. .

  The negative pressure is supplied into the pocket 283, that is, the inside of the pocket 283 is sucked when the suction port 2852 of the suction passages 2851 and 2852 connected to the pocket 283 is located immediately below the slot hole 294. That is, it is limited to the time when the internal space of the duct 29 that has become negative pressure communicates with the inside of the pocket 283. When the suction port 2852 is in a position where the slot hole 294 does not exist, the bottom wall 291 is interposed between the internal space of the duct 29 and the suction port 2852, and the internal space of the duct 29 and the pocket 283 are isolated from each other. The inside of 283 is not sucked.

  The duct 29 also plays a role of supplying a negative pressure into the suction hole 284. A slot hole 295 having a partial arc shape centering on the rotation axis 45 of the planar view rotating body 28 is formed in a portion of the bottom wall 291 of the duct 29 located immediately above the suction hole 284. The slot hole 295 also penetrates the bottom wall 291 in the vertical direction. The slot hole 295 expands along a trajectory along which each suction hole 284 moves as the rotating body 28 rotates. The expansion range of the slot hole 295 extends from the delivery position 27 where the molded product P is received from the transport device C1 to the position immediately before the end position E of the transport of the molded product P by the transport device D1 along the rotation direction of the rotating body 28. Over a range of.

  The negative pressure is supplied into the suction hole 284, that is, the suction hole 284 is sucked at the time when the suction hole 284 is located immediately below the slot hole 295, that is, the internal space of the duct 29 that has been made negative pressure. And the time when the inside of the suction hole 284 communicates. When the suction hole 284 is in a position where the slot hole 295 does not exist, the inner space of the duct 29 and the suction hole 284 are isolated by the bottom wall 291, and the suction hole 284 is not sucked.

  In the process of delivering the molded product P captured in the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1 to the set of the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284 of the transport device D1, first, the delivery position 27 The pair of the pockets 283 and the suction holes 284 that are upstream of each other and do not hold the molded product P move toward the delivery 27. Then, when they reach a position immediately before the delivery position 27, the suction port 2852 connected to the pocket 283 via the internal passage 2851 reaches just below the slot hole 294, and the negative pressure supply duct The suction in the pocket 283 by 29 is started. At this time, the suction hole 284 paired with the pocket 283 has not yet reached directly below the slot hole 295, and the suction hole 284 is not sucked.

  On the other hand, in the transport device C1, a set of the pocket 243 and the suction hole 244 that are upstream of the delivery position 27 and holds the molded product P moves toward the delivery 27. Then, when these reach the position immediately before the delivery position 27, the suction hole 244 is detached from immediately above the slot hole 255 of the duct 25, and the inside of the suction hole 244 is not sucked, and the molded product P is sucked into the suction hole 244. No longer adsorbs to Further, at substantially the same time or immediately after that, the suction port 2452 connected to the pocket 243 adsorbing the molded product P via the suction passages 2451 and 2452 is detached from immediately above the slot hole 256, so that the inside of the pocket 243 Is not sucked, and the molded product P is not attracted to the pocket 243 as well. Therefore, the molded product P that has arrived at the delivery position 27 is in a state where it is not restrained by the pockets 243 or the suction holes 244 just placed on the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1.

  In the transport device D1, when the set of the pocket 283 that does not hold the molded product P and the suction hole 284 reaches the delivery position 27 of the molded product P, the suction hole 284 reaches just below the slot hole 295 and is negative. Suction in the suction hole 284 by the pressure supply duct 29 is started. At this time, the suction port 2852 connected to the pocket 283 via the internal passage 2851 is still located immediately below the slot hole 294, and negative pressure is supplied to both the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284. As a result, at the delivery position 27, the molded product P on the flange 242 of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1 is directed toward the pocket 283 of the rotating body 28 of the transport device D1 and approaches the rotating shaft 45 of the rotating body 28. To the lower side of the flange 284 and engage with the pocket 283. Thereby, the molded product P is positioned at a certain relative position with respect to the suction hole 284. Furthermore, the molded product P is in a state of being adsorbed not only in the pocket 283 but also in the adsorption hole 284.

  When the rotating body 28 rotates and the set of the pocket 283 and the suction hole 284 that sucks the molded product P moves more than a certain distance from the delivery position 27, the suction port 2852 connected to the pocket 283 through the internal passage 2851. Is released from just below the slot hole 294, so that the inside of the pocket 283 is not sucked, so that the molded product P is not attracted to the pocket 283. On the other hand, since the suction hole 284 that sucks the molded product P is still located immediately below the slot hole 295, the molded product P continues to be captured while being sucked into the suction hole 284.

  Thereafter, when the suction hole 284 that has sucked the molded product P reaches the position immediately before the end position E, the suction hole 284 is detached from directly below the slot hole 295, and the suction hole 284 is not sucked. P does not adsorb to the adsorption holes 284. Accordingly, the molded product P is detached from the suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 and falls from the flange 282, and is delivered to an apparatus for performing the next process on the molded product P, or a container for collecting the molded product P, etc. Flow down toward

  An outer surface for inspecting the state of the outer surface of the molded product P as a processing device in the module D is provided in a part of the outer periphery of the rotating body 28 in the conveyance section of the molded product P from the delivery position 27 to the end position E. Inspection device D2 is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the outer surface inspection apparatus D2 includes a camera that captures an image of a predetermined surface, for example, the lower surface, of each molded product P that is captured by the suction hole 284 and transferred. The acquired image can be used for inspection of the state of the outer surface of the molded product P. That is, it is possible to determine whether the state of the outer surface of the molded product P is normal or defective by analyzing the captured image or comparing it with an image of a normal molded product P.

  The camera of the appearance inspection apparatus D2 is not limited to photographing the lower surface of the molded product P, but may also photograph the upper surface of the molded product P. An image obtained by photographing the upper surface / lower surface of the molded product P can be analyzed to measure the width, length, diameter, area, and the like of the molded product P. It is also possible to photograph the side surface of the molded product P and determine whether the state is normal or defective. The image obtained by photographing the side surface of the molded product P can be analyzed to measure the height (thickness) of the molded product P. Alternatively, if a three-dimensional measuring device using an optical cutting method is adopted as the appearance inspection device D2, the three-dimensional data of the molded product P can be acquired, the acquired data is analyzed, and the state of the outer surface of the molded product P is normal. It can be determined whether it is bad or bad. The process in the appearance inspection apparatus D2 is not limited to adopting any one of these, and a plurality of processes may be combined.

  In the plan view seen from the up and down direction, the peripheral edge of the suction hole 284 is continuously closed once, and the peripheral edge has a size and shape that fits within the outer edge of the molded product P to be attracted thereto. In addition, when the suction hole 284 that captures the molded product P passes through the area where the outer surface inspection device D2 is located, the negative pressure is supplied from the duct 29 into the suction hole 284. Adheres exactly to the suction hole 284, and no gap is formed between the peripheral edge of the suction hole 284 and the outer edge of the molded product P. The molded product P adsorbed and held in the suction holes 284 is transported along the rotation direction of the rotary body 28, but the relative position with respect to the rotary body 28 and the suction holes 284 is fixed. This is effective for the processing of photographing the molded product P with a camera and inspecting the outer surface.

  The table 31 of the molding machine A, the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1 of the module B, the rotating body 24 of the conveying apparatus C1 of the module C, and the rotating body 28 of the conveying apparatus of the module D rotate in synchronization with each other. The control device of the molding machine A and the processing system S includes an angular position sensor (rotary disk 3 of the molding machine A, a rotary body 17 of the take-out apparatus B1, a rotary body 24 of the transport apparatus C1, or a rotary body 28 of the transport apparatus D1. By referring to a signal output from a rotary encoder or the like, it is possible to know at which position each of the suction holes 284 arranged along the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 45 of the rotating body 28 is located. . Furthermore, it is possible to know at which position in the module D the molded product P that has been compression-molded in the mortar hole 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine A. This indicates that the molded product P that has just passed in front of the camera of the outer surface inspection apparatus D2, that is, the molded product P that has been subjected to the outer surface inspection, is formed in the mortar hole 4. Means that. The control device includes information related to the result of the external surface inspection of the molded product P via the external surface inspection device D2 (determination result as to whether the state of the external surface of the target molded product P is normal or defective), It is stored in the storage device in association with an ID number indicating the number of the mortar hole 4 in which the target molded product P is molded.

  The molded product P captured in the suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 of the transport device D1 is usually transferred to the end position E of the transfer. However, there is a desire to selectively exclude or collect a specific molded product P, for example, a defective product or a sampled product from the molded product P group that is transferred to the end position E.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the specific molded product P is excluded in the course of the rotational movement of the suction hole 284 and the molded product P to the end position E in the transport device D1 of the module D. It is also preferable to install an exclusion device D3 for this purpose. The exclusion device D3 includes an injection nozzle 301 that injects the compressed air K toward the molded product P engaged with the suction hole 284, and a chute 302 into which the molded product P blown off by the compressed air K is dropped. And The injection nozzle 301 and the chute 302 are arranged so as to face each other up and down across the adsorption hole 284 that adsorbs the molded product P, and are held in the adsorption hole 284 by the compressed air K injected from the injection nozzle 301. The molded product P is detached from the suction hole 284, and the molded product P peeled off from the flange 282 of the rotating body 28 is received by the chute 302 and collected. The injection amount (flow rate per unit time) and the injection pressure of the compressed air K may be small. The relative position of the injection nozzle 301 with respect to the rotating body 28 and the direction in which the compressed air K is injected from the injection nozzle 301 are arbitrary as long as the molded product P can be peeled off from the flange 282.

  In the control device of the molding machine A and the processing system S, the number of the mortar hole 4 in the molding machine A in which the molded product P engaged with each suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 is molded. I know. The control device then performs various inspections on the molded product P, that is, whether there is an abnormality in the compression pressure during compression molding, whether there is foreign matter, whether there is a quality abnormality, whether there is an abnormality on the outer surface of the molded product P, etc. Is stored for each molded product P in association with an ID number indicating which mortar hole 4 is molded in the molding machine A. Therefore, the control device recognizes whether the molded product P engaged with each suction hole 284 of the rotating body 28 is a normal product or a defective product, and the defective molded product P is engaged. The current position of the suction hole 284 can be known.

  The control device includes a valve (which may be built in the injection nozzle 301) that controls the flow of the compressed air K when the suction hole 284 that has captured the defective molded product P passes through the vicinity of the injection nozzle 301. A control signal for opening the valve is given, the compressed air K is injected from the injection nozzle 301 toward the defective molded product P, and the molded product P is dropped from the rotating body 28 and eliminated. The molded product P that has fallen on the chute 302 cannot reach the end position E.

  While the molded product P adsorbed in the suction hole 284 is conveyed along the rotation direction of the rotary body 28, the relative position with respect to the rotary body 28 and the suction hole 284 is fixed. This is also effective for a process of ejecting the compressed air K to the molded product P that engages with the specific suction hole 284 to eliminate or extract the compressed air K.

  In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 43 of the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1, the rotating shaft 44 of the rotating body 24 of the transport device C1, and the rotating shaft 45 of the rotating body 28 of the transport device D1 are connected to the gear transmission mechanisms 41 and 42. They are connected via the two, and they rotate synchronously. There is one motor 40 that rotationally drives the rotating bodies 17, 24, and 28, and this motor 40 is directly connected to the rotating shaft 43 of the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1. The driving force output by the motor 40 rotates the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B1, and is also transmitted to the rotating shafts 44 and 45 of the rotating bodies 24 and 28 of the conveying devices C1 and D1 via the gear transmission mechanisms 41 and 42. Then, the rotating bodies 24 and 28 are rotated.

  The take-out device B1 including the rotator 17 and the holding body 18, the transport devices C1 and D1 including the rotators 24 and 28 and the suction ducts 25 and 29, the motor 40 serving as a drive source for the take-out device B1 and the transport devices C1 and D1, and dust The removal device B2, the foreign matter inspection device or quality inspection device C2, the outer surface inspection devices C3 and D2, and the rejection device D3 constitute a single unit 51 supported by a single support 511. The unit 51 is supported by the gantry 50 via the slide rail mechanism 52. Below the gantry 50, a caster 503 that rolls in contact with the floor is mounted, and the gantry 50 can be easily moved together with the unit 51. In short, the module B, the module C, and the module D are integrated through the unit 51 and the mount 50, and the modules B, C, and D are integrated with each other and attached to and removed from the molding machine A.

  In order to connect the modules B, C, and D to the molding machine A, the platform 50 is formed on the side of the molding machine A, in particular, the molding machine A in a state where the prohibition of the movement of the rack 50 by the lock mechanism 53 described later is released. The molding machine A is approached from the side where the delivery position 16 for discharging the product P is present. As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 20, and 21, the gantry 50 has an arm portion extending along a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the rotation shafts 43, 44, and 45 of the rotators 17, 24, and 28 are arranged. 501 is formed. 18 and 21, the arm portion 501 is closer to the molding machine A side than the outer edge of the gantry 50 (the flat plate portion 504) which is in contact with or very close to the molding machine A (the flat plate portion 101). It extends towards. The direction in which the arm portion 501 extends is also the moving direction when the gantry 50 approaches the molding machine A or moves away from the molding machine A. In the present embodiment, there are a pair of arm portions 501, which are spaced apart along a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the arm portions 501 extend. Each of the arms 501 has a height substantially equal to that of the slide rail mechanism 52 provided below the rotating bodies 17, 24, 28 and in the vicinity of the lower edge of the support body 511 of the unit 51 in the side view shown in FIGS. Is located.

  The arm portion 501 of the gantry 50 is engaged with the engaged portion 100 provided on the base body supporting the rotating disk 3 and others in the molding machine A, thereby positioning the gantry 50 with respect to the molding machine A. Specifically, the engaged portion is set to the upright column 100 that is a component of the frame 1 of the molding machine A and that is arranged side by side on the side where the delivery position 16 exists. The standing columns 100 are separated along the direction in which the pair of arm portions 501 of the gantry 50 are separated, and the inner method of the compatible columns 100 is substantially equal to the outer method of the both arm portions 501. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, when the gantry 50 is connected to the molding machine A, each arm portion 501 enters immediately inside each vertical column 100, and the outer surface of the arm portion 501 is the engaged portion. It is in contact with or very close to the inner surface of the upright column 100.

  Each arm 501 is provided with a plurality of rollers (or rollers) 502 that can rotate horizontally around the vertical axis in a direction along which the arm 501 extends. In plan view, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 502 slightly protrudes outward from the outer edge of the arm portion 501. When each arm portion 501 enters the inside of each vertical column 100, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 502 comes into contact with the inner side surface of the vertical column 100 and rolls to guide the arm portion 501.

  When the modules B, C, and D are connected to the molding machine A, the outer edge of the flat plate portion 504 of the mount 50 is in contact with or in close proximity to the outer edge of the flat plate portion 101 of the molding machine A. 504 are butted together. The upper surface of the former flat plate portion 101 and the upper surface of the latter flat plate portion 504 are at substantially equal height positions. An anchoring mechanism 54 for anchoring the gantry 50 to the molding machine A is provided so as to straddle the flat plate portions 101 and 504.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the mooring mechanism 54 includes a handle device 541 with a hook 542 fixed to one of the flat plate portions 101 and 504 and a bollard 544 fixed to the other. The handle device 541 can be rotated about a horizontal axis around the hinge 543, and a base end portion of the hook 542 is attached to a position deviated from the hinge 543. The hook 542 can rotate around the horizontal axis relative to the handle device 541 with the base end portion as the center.

  In order to moor the frame 50 of the modules B, C, and D with respect to the molding machine A, the flat plate portion 504 of the mount 50 is abutted against the flat plate portion 101 of the molding machine A, and the handle device 541 is drawn by a chain line in the figure. Stand up as if you were standing. As a result, the tip of the hook 542 supported by the handle device 541 is positioned beyond the bollard 544.

  Thereafter, the handle device 541 is rotated so as to be pulled down, so that the posture is lowered as depicted by a solid line in the drawing. Then, a force is applied so that the tip of the hook 542 engages with the bollard 544 and is pulled into the bollard 544. As a result, the flat plate portion 504 of the gantry 50 is pulled in a direction approaching relatively to the flat plate portion 101 of the molding machine A, and both flat plate portions 101 and 504 are coupled. In this state, even if an external force is applied to the gantry 50 or the molding machine A, the gantry 50 is not easily displaced relative to the molding machine A, that is, the gantry 50 is at a fixed position with respect to the molding machine A. Maintained.

  When it is desired to separate the platform 50 of the modules B, C, and D from the molding machine A, the handle device 541 may be raised to the standing posture drawn by the chain line in the drawing. Then, the tip of the hook 542 can be detached from the bollard 544, and the relative displacement of the gantry 50 with respect to the molding machine A is lifted.

  In addition, the gantry 50 is provided with a lock mechanism 53 that can switch between an unlocked state that allows movement of the gantry 50 and a locked state that prohibits movement. The lock mechanism 53 uses, for example, a known floor lock or floor stopper as shown in FIG. The floor lock or floor stopper 53 can move the grounding body 533 up and down by the user operating the pedals 531 and 532 with a foot or the like. The grounding body 533 is drawn as a solid line in the figure. An unlocked state floating from the floor surface and a locked state in which the grounding body 533 is grounded to the floor surface as depicted by a chain line in the figure can be taken selectively. In the former unlocked state, the lock mechanism 53 does not hinder the movement of the gantry 50. In the latter locked state, the grounding body 533 tries to push up the gantry 50 in close contact with the floor surface, and the friction between the grounding body 533 and the floor surface is increased to prevent the gantry 50 from moving. In some cases, the gantry 50 is lifted until the casters 503 are lifted from the floor surface, and the grounded locking mechanism 53 may appear to support the gantry 50.

  When the platform 50 is moved and connected to the molding machine A, or when the platform 50 connected to the molding machine A is separated from the molding machine A, the lock mechanism 53 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. The gantry 50 is moved. After the gantry 50 is arranged at a desired position where it is connected to the molding machine A, the lock mechanism 53 is switched from the unlocked state to the locked state, and is fixed so that the gantry 50 does not move unexpectedly.

  The slide rail mechanism 52 interposed between the support body 511 of the unit 51 and the gantry 50 allows the unit 51 to slide horizontally relative to the gantry 50. The slide rail extends substantially parallel to the direction in which the arm portion 501 of the gantry 50 extends. That is, the unit 51 can slide linearly relative to the gantry 50 substantially parallel to the direction in which the arm portion 501 extends. Then, the unit 51 is displaced between the retracted position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and the connecting position shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

  When the unit 51 is in the retracted position, the majority of the unit 51 is retracted from the outer edge of the gantry 50 that is in contact with or very close to the molding machine A. In a state where the gantry 50 is connected to the molding machine A, the holding unit 18 of the take-out device B1 is separated from the table 31 of the molding machine A, and the rotor 17 is retracted so as not to overlap the planar view table 31.

  On the other hand, when the unit 51 is in the coupling position, the unit 51 advances beyond the outer edge of the gantry 50. In a state where the gantry 50 is connected to the molding machine A, the holding unit 18 of the take-out device B1 is in contact with or in close proximity to the table 31 of the molding machine A, and the rotating body 17 partially overlaps the table 31 in plan view. The molded product P can be transferred from the molding machine A to the take-out device B1.

  When the gantry 50 is connected to the molding machine A, or when the gantry 50 connected to the molding machine A is separated from the molding machine A, the unit 51 is displaced to the retracted position prior to the movement of the gantry 50. Is preferred. In this case, it is possible to avoid the unit 51 from colliding with the rotating plate 3 of the molding machine A, the lower iron 6 and other components during the movement of the gantry 50 and causing damage. After connecting the gantry 50 to the molding machine A, if the unit 51 is displaced from the retracted position to the coupling position, the coupling of the molding machines A of the modules B, C, and D is completed.

  Incidentally, the relative height of the unit 51 with respect to the gantry 50, and thus the height position of the rotating bodies 17, 24, 28 can be finely adjusted up and down through the operation of the adjusting mechanism 512. The adjustment mechanism 512 includes, as an element, a screw jack that extends and contracts the vertical dimension of the support that supports the rotating bodies 17, 24, 28, etc., which forms part of the support body 511.

  In the take-out device B1, the size of the gap between the protrusions 171 that accommodate the molded product P is larger than that of the molded product P itself. For this reason, the positional accuracy of delivery of the molded product P from the table 31 of the molding machine A to the rotating body 17 of the take-out device B is not strict. Therefore, the molded product P can be properly taken out and transferred even if the accuracy of the installation position of the modules B, C, and D with respect to the gantry 50 and the unit 51 with respect to the molding machine A is not significantly high.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the molding machine A is housed in a containment container F1. Moreover, each module B, C, D of the processing system S is also accommodated in the containment container F2. The containment container F1 of the molding machine A and the containment containers F2 of the modules B, C, and D are connected through a joint J. The joint J communicates the internal space of the containment container F1 that accommodates the molding machine A with the internal space of the containment container F2 that accommodates the modules B, C, and D, and the former containment container F1 and the latter containment container. F2 can be arbitrarily attached and detached. The molded product take-out position 16 where the table 31 of the molding machine A and the rotating body 17 of the take-out mechanism B1 overlap in plan view and its peripheral part are accommodated in the joint J.

  The containment containers F1 and F2 and the joint J suppress unintended leakage of the atmosphere in the internal space containing the molding machine A and the modules B, C and D to the outside of the containment containers F1 and F2. Molding of the molded product P, delivery of the molded product P between the molding machine A and the module B and between the modules B, C, and D, and subsequent processing of the molded product P, for example, dust adhered to the molded product P Removal and inspection of the molded product P are generally performed in the containment containers F1 and F2. It is not necessary to discharge the molded product P out of the system in order to carry out the post-process. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a containment environment in which the atmosphere containing the powder does not leak to the outside, and it is particularly useful in the production of the molded product P containing the highly pharmacologically active substance. Moreover, the contamination (contamination) to the molded product P can also be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when maintaining the modules B, C, and D, the unit 51 is displaced to the retracted position, so that at least a part of the unit 51 can be taken out of the containment container F2. .

  In the present embodiment, the table 31 is provided with the mortar hole 4 penetrating vertically, and the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 are slidably held above and below the mortar hole 4 so that the powder filled in the mortar hole 4 is filled. The molded product P is taken out from the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A and transferred to the powder compression molding machine A that compresses the body with the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 to form the molded product P. A structure for connecting modules B, C, and D, wherein the modules B, C, and D approach the powder compression molding machine A from the outside and from the powder compression molding machine A to the outside. A gantry 50 that is movable so as to be separated, and transfer bodies 17, 24, and 28 that at least partially overlap the table 31 of the powder compression molding machine A from above to capture and transfer the molded product P, and the transfer body Including a motor 40 for driving 17, 24, 28, and supported by the mount 50. And a unit 51 that is displaceable relative to the gantry 50, and extends to the gantry 50 of the module along the approach and separation direction of the modules B, C, and D with respect to the powder compression molding machine A. A positioning arm portion 501 is provided, and a connection structure is provided in which the engaged portion 100 with which the arm portion 501 is engaged is provided on the molding machine A.

  In connecting the modules B, C, and D to the powder compression molding machine A, the platform 50 is brought close to the molding machine A and the arm portion 501 and the engaged portion 100 are engaged with each other. Connect to molding machine A. At this time, if the unit 51 is displaced in advance so as to be away from the molding machine A, the transfer body 17, the holding body 18, and the like of the unit 51 are components of the molding machine A when the gantry 50 and the molding machine A are connected. It is possible to avoid damage due to collision. Thereafter, when the unit 51 is displaced toward the molding machine A and the transfer body 17 is positioned at a predetermined position overlapping the table 31, the connection of the molding machines A of the modules B, C, and D is completed.

  When connecting the molding machine A and the modules B, C and D, or disconnecting the molding machine A and the modules B, C and D, the disk-shaped rotating bodies 17, 24 and 28 as transfer bodies are moved from the unit 51. There is no need to remove it.

  The unit 51 is supported by the gantry 50 so as to be slidable along the approaching / separating direction with respect to the gantry 50.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of the arm portions 501 are provided, and the arm portions 501 are spaced apart along a direction orthogonal to the approaching / separating direction, and the engaged portion 100 is the plurality of arms. Since it is provided so as to approach or come into contact with each of the parts 501 from a direction orthogonal to the approaching / separating direction, the platform of the modules B, C, D at an appropriate connection position with respect to the powder compression molding machine A It becomes easy to position 50, and the positions of modules B, C, and D are stably shifted.

  Since the arm portion 501 includes the roller 502 that can roll while being in contact with the engaged portion 100, the arm portion 501 and the engaged portion 100 are engaged with each other, or both of them. The resistance when releasing the engagement is reduced.

  Further, since a mooring mechanism 54 for mooring the gantry 50 with respect to the molding machine A is provided in advance, the modules B, C and D connected to the molding machine A are unexpectedly displaced with respect to the molding machine A. Can be prevented.

  The gantry 50 is provided with a caster 503 that is grounded to facilitate the movement of the gantry 50 and a lock mechanism 53 that can switch between a state in which the gantry 50 is allowed to move and a state in which the gantry 50 is prohibited. ing. Thereby, not only can the gantry 50 be moved easily, but also the gantry 50 can be fixed at an appropriate position with respect to the molding machine A.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the roller 502 is attached to the arm portion 501 of the gantry 50 of the modules B, C, and D. However, the roller 502 can be horizontally rotated to the side of the vertical column 100 that is the engaged portion adjacent to the arm portion 501. It is good also as a structure which attaches a roller and the roller contacts the side surface of the arm part 501, and rolls, when the arm part 501 and the standing pillar 100 engage.

  In the above embodiment, the arm portion 501 is engaged with the standing column 100 so that the pair of arm portions 501 enter the inside of the pair of standing columns 100. However, the pair of arm portions 501 form a pair. It is also conceivable that the arm portion 501 is engaged with the standing column 100 so that the standing column 100 forming a pair enters the inside of the paired arm portion 501. Also in this case, the roller 502 attached to the arm portion 501 rolls in contact with the side surface of the upright column 100, or the roller attached to the upright column 100 comes into contact with the side surface of the arm portion 501 and rolls. Can do.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the arm portion 501 is provided on the mount 50 of the modules B, C, and D, and the engaged portion 100 is provided on the base of the molding machine A. Instead, the base of the molding machine A is provided. It is also possible to provide an arm portion extending outward toward the gantry 50 and to provide an engaged portion similar to the upright column 100 on the gantry 50 of the modules B, C, and D.

  The lock mechanism 53 for prohibiting the movement of the gantry 50 is not limited to the one using the floor lock or the floor stopper as in the above embodiment. It is also conceivable to mount the lock mechanism 53 in such a manner that the movement of the gantry 50 is prohibited by stopping the rolling of the casters 503 that contact the floor.

  Needless to say, the apparatus for performing the post-processing of the molded product P provided in the modules B, C, and D is not limited to the above-described example. As a specific example of such an apparatus, a laser beam machine-type printing device that engraves or laser marks the outer surface of the molded product P by irradiating the molded product P with laser light, or an inkjet that performs inkjet printing on the surface of the molded product P. Examples thereof include a printer-type printing apparatus, a packaging apparatus that wraps the molded product P in a PTP (Press Through Pack) packaging sheet, an ESOP (Easy Seal Open Pack) packaging sheet, and the like.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

31 ... Table 4 ... Mill hole 5 ... Upper punch 6 ... Lower punch 17, 24, 28 ... Transfer body (rotating body)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Stand 501 ... Arm part 502 ... Roller 503 ... Caster 51 ... Unit 53 ... Locking mechanism 54 ... Mooring mechanism 100 ... Engagement part (standing pillar)
A ... Powder compression molding machine B, C, D ... Module P ... Molded product

Claims (6)

The table is provided with a mortar hole penetrating vertically, and upper and lower rivets are slidably held above and below the mortar hole, and the powder filled in the mortar hole is compressed with the upper and lower ridges. A structure for connecting a module for taking out and transferring a molded product from the table of the powder compression molding machine to a powder compression molding machine for molding the molded product,
A platform in which the module is movable so as to approach the powder compression molding machine from the outside and to be separated from the powder compression molding machine, and at least a part of the table of the powder compression molding machine Including a transfer body that captures and transfers an overlapped molded product from above and a unit that includes a motor that drives the transfer body and is supported by the mount and is relatively displaceable with respect to the mount.
One of the module base and the powder compression molding machine is provided with a positioning arm extending along the approaching / separating direction of the module with respect to the powder compression molding machine, and the other arm is engaged with the other. A connection structure provided with an engaged portion. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the unit is supported by a gantry so as to be slidable along the approaching and separating direction with respect to the gantry. A plurality of the arm portions are provided, and the arm portions are spaced apart along a direction orthogonal to the approaching / separating direction,
The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is provided so as to approach or abut on each of the plurality of arm portions from a direction orthogonal to the approaching / separating direction. The connection structure according to claim 3, wherein one of the arm portion and the engaged portion has a roller that can roll while being in contact with the other. The connection structure according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein a mooring mechanism for mooring the gantry with respect to the powder compression molding machine is provided. The caster that is grounded to facilitate movement of the mount and a lock mechanism that can switch between a state that allows the move of the mount and a state that prohibits the caster are provided on the mount. The connection structure according to 2, 3, 4 or 5.

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