JP2020192080A - Tablet printing inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a tablet printing inspection apparatus in which a problem related to maintenance hardly occurs when a printing function is not used, and which can perform maintenance without reduction in the operation rate even when abnormality occurs in a printing mechanism unit.SOLUTION: A tablet printing inspection apparatus comprises: a conveyance device 13 which conveys tablets; a printing device 20 which has a discharge head arranged at a printing position and performs printing on the surface of the tablet conveyed by the conveyance device 13; and an appearance inspection device 16 which inspects the appearance of the tablet at an inspection position set on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the printing position. The printing device 20 includes a head storage body which stores the discharge head. The appearance inspection device 16 includes an imaging unit storage body which stores an illumination part and an imaging camera, and has a support unit 4 which detachably supports the head storage body and the imaging unit storage body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a tablet printing inspection device capable of printing on the surface of a tablet and inspecting its appearance while transporting the tablet.

Conventionally, information such as a product name and a product number is printed on the surface of a tablet as identification information. As a device for performing such printing, a tablet printing device disclosed in the following Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-204943 (Patent Document 1) is known.

As described in Patent Document 1, this tablet printing apparatus includes a transport means for transporting tablets, a first printing unit that prints on the first surface side of the tablets moving on the transport means, and first printing. A second printing unit that is arranged above the unit and performs printing processing on the second surface side opposite to the first surface of the tablet that moves on the transporting means is provided, and the transporting means is printed by the first printing unit. The tablet is configured to be printed on both sides of the tablet by inverting the surface of the tablet and transporting it to a second printing unit and performing a printing process by the second printing unit.

Further, in this tablet printing apparatus, the first printing unit and the second printing unit are the subsequent stages of the first tablet detection sensor and the second tablet detection sensor for detecting tablets on the transport means, and the first tablet detection sensor, respectively. The tablet state photographing means for photographing the state of the tablet detected by the first tablet detection sensor and the tablet arranged after the second tablet detection sensor and detected by the second tablet detection sensor. A print head for ejecting ink to the tablet and a print state photographing means for photographing the state after printing of the tablet which is arranged after the print head and has been subjected to the printing process by the print head are provided.

According to the conventional tablet printing apparatus having the above configuration, cracks or chips on the first surface side of the tablet are confirmed based on the image captured by the tablet state photographing means of the first printing unit, and then cracks are confirmed. The first side of the tablet is printed by the print head, and then the suitability of printing on the first side is determined based on the image captured by the printing state photographing means. Will be done.

Similarly, in the second printing unit, cracks or chips on the second surface side of the tablet were confirmed based on the image captured by the tablet state photographing means, and then, with respect to the tablet having no cracks or chips. The print head prints on the second side, and then the suitability of printing on the second side is determined based on the image captured by the printing state photographing means.

As described above, according to the conventional tablet printing apparatus, both sides of the first side and the second side of the tablet are inspected for cracks and chips, and both sides are printed to be in the printed state. Compliance is checked.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-204943

By the way, conventionally, printing is not required for all tablets, but only for a limited number of desired tablets. In this case, an inspection as to whether the printing condition is good or bad is also required. On the other hand, all tablets are required to be inspected for appearance defects such as cracks, chips and stains.

Therefore, for tablets that require printing, a so-called printing inspection device having a function of inspecting the appearance, a function of performing printing processing, and a function of inspecting the printing state is suitable, while tablets that do not require printing. A visual inspection device having only a function of inspecting the appearance is suitable.

However, since the conventional tablet printing device has all of the visual inspection function, the printing function, and the printing inspection function, the specifications become excessive when inspecting tablets that do not require printing, and the printing function is used for a long period of time. If this is not done, maintenance problems such as clogging of the print head will occur.

Further, when the print head is clogged, it is necessary to disassemble the printing mechanism including the print head on the machine for maintenance, which causes a problem that it is difficult to perform the work, and the work is a tablet. Since it is necessary to stop the printing device, there is also a problem that the operating rate is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when the printing function is not used, maintenance problems are unlikely to occur, and even if an abnormality occurs in the printing mechanism including the printing head. An object of the present invention is to provide a tablet inspection printing apparatus capable of performing maintenance work without lowering the operating rate as much as possible.

The present invention for solving the above problems
A transport device that aligns tablets and transports them along a predetermined transport path.
A printing device having a discharge head arranged at a printing position at a position along the transport path and printing on the surface of tablets transported by the transport device.
It has an illumination unit that illuminates the inspection surface of the tablet and an imaging camera that images the inspection surface illuminated by the illumination unit at an inspection position set downstream of the printing position in the transportation direction of the transportation path. , A device equipped with a visual inspection device that inspects the appearance of tablets based on an image captured by an imaging camera.
The printing apparatus has a head accommodating body in which the ejection head is accommodated.
The visual inspection device has an image pickup unit accommodating body for accommodating the illumination unit and the image pickup camera.
Further, the present invention relates to a tablet printing inspection apparatus provided with a support portion that detachably supports the head accommodating body and the imaging unit accommodating body.

According to this tablet printing inspection device, tablets are aligned by the transport device and transported in a predetermined transport path. Then, the tablet transported by the transport device is printed on its surface by the printing device at the printing position. Then, the inspection surface of the tablet is imaged by an imaging camera at an inspection position set on the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport path from the printing position, and the appearance of the tablet, for example, cracking or chipping, is based on the captured image. , The presence or absence of defects such as stains, and the quality of printing are determined.

In this tablet printing inspection device, the ejection head of the printing apparatus is housed in the head housing, the lighting unit and the imaging camera of the visual inspection device are housed in the imaging unit housing, and the head housing containing the ejection head ( The discharge head unit) and the imaging unit accommodating body (imaging unit) accommodating the lighting unit and the imaging camera are detachably supported by the support unit.

Thus, according to this tablet printing inspection device, when inspecting the appearance of a tablet that does not require printing, the appearance inspection device is in a state where the discharge head unit is removed and the tablet is appropriately stored in a storage place. The appearance of the tablet can be inspected using. Then, the removed discharge head can be appropriately maintained.

Further, even if some abnormality occurs in the discharge head, maintenance work can be performed with the discharge head unit removed from the support portion, and similarly, if an abnormality occurs in the lighting unit or the imaging camera. In addition, maintenance work can be performed with the image pickup unit removed from the support portion, and the maintenance work can be easily performed. Further, by replacing the ejection head unit or the imaging unit in which the abnormality has occurred with a spare ejection head unit or the imaging unit, it is possible to perform the work using the tablet printing inspection device without significantly reducing the operating rate.

In the tablet printing inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the printing apparatus includes a plurality of ejection heads arranged side by side along the conveying direction, and the plurality of ejection heads are accommodated in the head accommodating body. Can be done. By providing a plurality of ejection heads, various printing such as color printing can be performed on the tablet. Further, when some abnormality occurs in one discharge head, printing can be performed using the other discharge head. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the discharge head, the tablet printing inspection device is not stopped. You can do that work.

Further, the printing device can be arranged in the head housing and provided with a transfer mechanism for transferring the discharge head between the printing position and the standby position separated from the transfer path. .. In this way, the ejection head can be moved to the printing position only when the tablet is printed by the printing device, and the ejection head can be moved to the standby position when the tablet is not printed. it can.

Further, the transfer mechanism may be configured so that the discharge head can be positioned at a maintenance position set between the standby position and the printing position, and further, the printing device is set as the maintenance position. A wiper mechanism may be provided at the wiping position and a spit mechanism may be provided at the sucking position. In this way, maintenance using the wiper mechanism or the spit mechanism can be performed regularly or irregularly on the discharge head. For example, maintenance can be performed when the tablet printing inspection device is stopped, and maintenance can be performed when the tablet printing inspection device is operated for a certain period of time. The wiper mechanism is a mechanism for wiping off dirt and the like adhering to the nozzle portion of the discharge head by the wiper, and the spit mechanism is a mechanism for sucking ink from the nozzle portion.

Further, the printing device may be provided with a closing mechanism for closing the discharge nozzle of the discharge head at the standby position. By doing so, for example, when the printing apparatus is stopped for a long period of time or a short period of time, the ejection nozzles can be blocked by the blocking mechanism to prevent the ejection nozzles from drying, and the ejection nozzles can be prevented from drying. It is possible to prevent defects (that is, printing defects) from occurring.

As described above, according to the tablet printing inspection apparatus according to the present invention, when inspecting the appearance of a tablet that does not require printing, the discharge head unit is removed and stored in a storage place as appropriate. , The appearance inspection of tablets using the appearance inspection device can be performed. Then, the removed discharge head can be appropriately maintained.

Further, even if some abnormality occurs in the discharge head, maintenance work can be performed with the discharge head unit removed from the support portion, and similarly, if an abnormality occurs in the lighting unit or the imaging camera. In addition, maintenance work can be performed with the image pickup unit removed from the support portion, and the maintenance work can be easily performed. Further, by replacing the ejection head unit or the imaging unit in which the abnormality has occurred with a spare ejection head unit or the imaging unit, it is possible to perform the work using the tablet printing inspection device without significantly reducing the operating rate.

It is a perspective view which showed the tablet printing inspection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the tablet printing inspection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a back view of the tablet printing inspection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a right side view of the printing unit shown in FIG. It is a right side sectional view of the printing unit seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the printing unit in the direction of arrow AA in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the moving position of a discharge head. It is explanatory drawing which showed the moving position of a discharge head. It is explanatory drawing which showed the moving position of a discharge head. It is explanatory drawing which showed the moving position of a discharge head. It is a perspective view which showed the tablet printing inspection apparatus in the state which removed the printing unit.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tablet printing inspection device 1 of this example has a frame 2 that appropriately forms an arrangement space, and a mounting base 3 that divides the arrangement space formed by the frame 2 into two upper and lower spaces. A support portion 4 mounted on the frame 2 above the mount 3, a hopper 9, a first line 10 and a second line 110 arranged on the mount 3, a control device 180, an image inspection device 190, and the like. Is configured with. Although not shown, a cover plate is appropriately attached to the frame 2, and the arrangement space is closed by the cover plate.

The hopper 9 is a member into which a large number of tablets K are charged, and the charged tablets K are distributed and supplied to the first line 10 and the second line 110.

The first line 10 and the second line 110 are composed of the same components and are arranged side by side in parallel with each other along a set direction (setting direction). As shown in FIG. 2, the first line 10 includes a supply unit 11, an alignment unit 12, a transport unit 13, a 3D inspection unit 14, a printing unit 20, a surface inspection unit 16, a transport unit 70, a 3D inspection unit 71, and a surface inspection. It is composed of a unit 73, a defective product collection unit 74, and a non-defective product collection unit (not shown). Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the second line 110 includes a supply unit 111, an alignment unit 112, a transport unit 113, a 3D inspection unit 114, a printing unit 120, a surface inspection unit 116, a transport unit 170, and a 3D inspection unit 171. , A surface inspection unit 173, a defective product collection unit 174, and a non-defective product collection unit (not shown). Since the first line 10 and the second line 110 have the same configuration as described above, the first line 10 will be described in detail below as a representative.

The supply unit 11 supplies the tablets K sorted and supplied from the hopper 9 to the alignment unit 12, and the alignment unit 12 aligns the supplied tablets K in a row and transfers them to the transfer unit 13. The transport unit 13 has two endless annular transport belts arranged side by side in parallel at predetermined intervals along the set direction, the upper side of the transport belt is the outward path, the lower side is the return path, and the outward path is indicated by arrow A. A drive unit that rotates in a direction and a suction box that applies a negative pressure between the transport belts are provided, and the tablet K transferred from the alignment portion 12 is attracted onto the transport belt by the action of the negative pressure. Then, it is conveyed in the direction of arrow A from the transfer start end to the transfer end.

The transport unit 70 has the same configuration as the transport unit 13, and in a state where the top and bottom of the transport unit 13 are inverted, the transport direction thereof is the same as the transport direction of the transport unit 13 (direction indicated by arrow A). It is arranged on the mounting base 3 so that the transfer start end thereof overlaps with the transfer end of the transfer unit 13.

Thus, the tablet K, which is transferred in a line from the aligning portion 12 and whose lower surface is adsorbed and transported by the transport unit 13, has the transport end of the transport unit 13 and the transport start end of the transport unit 70 overlapped with each other. In the region, the product is delivered from the transport unit 13 to the transport unit 70, and thereafter, the top surface of the transport unit 70 is attracted to the transport unit 70 and is transported in the direction of arrow A. The operation of the transport units 13, 70 and the alignment unit 12 is controlled by the control device 180.

The support portion 4 is arranged above the transport unit 13 and detachably supports the 3D inspection unit 14, the printing unit 20, and the surface inspection unit 16. The details of the support structures of the 3D inspection unit 14, the printing unit 20, and the surface inspection unit 16 will be described later.

The 3D inspection unit 14 includes a laser beam irradiation unit that irradiates the surface of the tablet K conveyed by the transfer unit 13 with a band-shaped laser light at a set inspection position (hereinafter referred to as “3D inspection position”). A 3D image capturing camera that captures an image of the surface of the tablet K irradiated with the laser beam, and a 3D imaging section housing that houses the laser beam irradiating section and the 3D image capturing camera are provided. The laser light irradiation unit irradiates the laser beam from diagonally above toward the 3D inspection position so that the irradiation line of the laser light irradiated on the transport belt of the transport unit 13 is orthogonal to the transport direction of the transport unit 13. Further, the 3D image capturing camera captures an image of the surface of the tablet K at the 3D inspection position from diagonally above on the side opposite to the laser beam irradiation unit in the transport direction of the transport unit 13. Thus, by analyzing the image captured by the 3D image capturing camera, the three-dimensional shape of the tablet K surface can be detected by the so-called photocutting method.

The surface inspection unit 16 includes an illumination unit that illuminates the inspection surface (surface or side surface) of the tablet K transported by the transport unit 13 at a set inspection position (hereinafter, referred to as “surface inspection position”), and a surface inspection position. It is configured to include a surface image capturing camera that captures an image of the inspection surface of the tablet K in the tablet K, and a surface imaging unit accommodating body in which these illumination units and the surface image capturing camera are housed. Thus, by analyzing the image captured by this surface image capturing camera, surface texture defects such as cracks, chips, and spots existing on the surface of the tablet K can be detected, and the printing applied to the surface can be performed. Good or bad is judged. The surface inspection unit 16 can be referred to as an imaging unit in the sense that a surface image capturing camera is provided.

The laser beam irradiation unit and the 3D image imaging camera of the 3D inspection unit 14, and the illumination unit and the surface image imaging camera of the surface inspection unit 16 are controlled by the control device 180, respectively. Further, the image captured by the 3D image capturing camera and the image captured by the surface image capturing camera are transmitted to the image inspection device 190, processed by the image inspection device 190, and have a three-dimensional shape of each tablet K. The quality of the printing and the quality of the printing applied to the surface of the tablet K are determined, and the presence or absence of defects such as cracks, chips, and spots existing on the surface of the tablet K is determined.

The printing unit 20 includes a vertically arranged support plate 24, a first printing mechanism 30 and a second printing mechanism 50 provided on both sides of the support plate 24, and these support plates 24, a first printing mechanism 30, and a second. It is composed of a storage box 21 or the like that houses the printing mechanism 50.

The storage box 21 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, and the support plate 24 is housed in an upright state so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, vertical rails 26 are vertically arranged at both left and right ends of the accommodation box 21 in the drawing, and the vertical rails 26 move up and down along the vertical rails 26. The vertical slider 25 is freely engaged. Both ends of the support plate 24 are connected to the vertical slider 25, respectively. Further, a vertical position adjusting mechanism 27 having an adjusting knob arranged on the upper surface of the housing box 21 is connected to the support plate 24, and the support is supported by turning the adjusting knob of the vertical position adjusting mechanism 27. The vertical position of the plate 24 can be adjusted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a handle 28 is arranged on the left end surface (front end surface) of the storage box 21, and on the upper surface of the storage box 21, along the longitudinal direction of the storage box 21. A pair of parallel engaging rails 22 formed in a hook shape so as to bend outward are arranged at predetermined intervals, and at a position in front of the engaging rails 22 (position on the left side in the drawing). , The locking piece 23 is provided.

On the other hand, the support portion 4 has a pair of parallel portions having rail portions formed in a hook shape so as to bend inward along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (direction of arrow A) of the transport unit 13. Support frames 5 are provided at predetermined intervals, and stoppers 6 are provided on the front end faces of the pair of support frames 5 so as to be hung on the support frames 5.

Thus, the handle 28 is gripped to lift the storage box 21, and as shown in FIGS. 4-FIG. 6, the storage box 21 is attached to the hook-shaped rail portion provided on the support frame 5 of the support portion 4. The housing box 21 is supported by the support frame 5 by pushing the housing box 21 rearward in a state where the hook-shaped engaging rail 22 is engaged. Then, when the accommodation box 21 is pushed in until the locking piece 23 comes into contact with the stopper 6 of the support portion 4, the accommodation box 21 is positioned with respect to the support portion 4, and then a clamp mechanism (not shown) is operated. 21 is fixed to the support portion 4. On the contrary, after the clamp mechanism is operated to release the fixing of the storage box 21 to the support portion 4, the storage box 21 is removed from the support portion 4 by grasping the handle 28 and pulling out the storage box 21 toward the front. be able to. The storage box 21 can be attached to and detached from the support portion 4 as described above.

Although not shown in detail, the 3D inspection unit 14 and the surface inspection unit 16 can also be attached to the support portion 4 by the same mechanism, and can be removed from the support portion 4.

In the storage box 21, the support plate 24 is provided with a first printing mechanism 30 on one side thereof and a second printing mechanism 50 on the other side. The first printing mechanism 30 and the second printing mechanism 50 have the same configuration. Here, the configuration of the first printing mechanism 30 will be described as a representative, and the corresponding configuration of the second printing mechanism 50 will be described. Elements shall be coded in parentheses.

The first printing mechanism 30 (50) includes a set of horizontal rails 33 (53), a total of two sets of horizontal sliders 32 (52) engaged with each horizontal rail 33 (53), and horizontal rails 33 (53). The electric linear slider 34 (54) arranged between the above, the moving table 31 (51) attached to the horizontal slider 32 (52), and the discharge head 37 (57) attached to the moving table 31 (51). In addition, a spit mechanism 40 (60), a wiper mechanism 41 (61), a capping mechanism 42 (62), and the like are provided. The printing units 20 and 120 can be referred to as discharge head units in the sense that the discharge heads 37 (57) are provided.

The horizontal rail 33 (53) is fixed vertically to the support plate 24 at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the storage box 21, and the two sets of horizontal sliders 32 (52) are engaged with each other. It is movable along the horizontal rail 33 (53). In FIG. 5, the horizontal slider 32 (52) that should be located on the right side thereof is not shown.

The electric linear slider 34 includes a linear rail 36 (56) and a linear motor unit 35 (55) movably engaged with the linear rail 36 (56) along the linear rail 36 (56). The rail 36 (56) is arranged between the horizontal rails 33 (53), and the moving table 31 (51) is fixed to the linear motor unit 35 (35). Thus, the horizontal slider 32 (52) and the linear motor unit 35 (55) are fixed to the surface of the moving table 31 (51) on the support plate 24 side. The linear motor unit 35 (55) is controlled by the control device 180 and moves together with the moving table 31 (51) in the direction of arrow CD along the linear rail 36 (56). At that time, the movement of the moving table 31 (51) is guided by the engaging relationship between the horizontal rail 33 (53) and the horizontal slider 32 (52).

The ejection head 37 (57) includes an ejection nozzle 38 (58) that ejects ink downward, and an ink cartridge 39 (59) that is detachably provided above the ejection nozzle 38 (58). The discharge nozzle 38 (58) is fixed to the surface of the moving table 31 (51) opposite to the support plate 24 side. The discharge head 37 (57) has a printing position set as a moving end in the arrow C direction by the moving table 31 (51) that moves in the arrow CD direction under the control of the control device 180. And the standby position set as the moving end in the arrow D direction, and is positioned at the maintenance position set at the intermediate position. Then, at the printing position, the ejection nozzle 38 (58) ejects ink from an opening formed on the lower surface thereof under the control of the control device 180, and prints on the tablet K located below the opening. .. The vertical position of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) is adjusted by the vertical position adjusting mechanism 27, and the gap between the lower surface of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) and the upper surface of the tablet K, which is the object to be printed, is adjusted. .. Further, the control device 180 prints the tablet K adjusted according to the position and the three-dimensional shape of the tablet K detected by the image inspection device 190 based on the image captured by the 3D inspection unit 14. It may be configured to be applied to. For example, when the tablet K is provided with a score line, the characters are printed in the direction corresponding to the score line, or the characters are printed so as to straddle the score line, or when the tablet K is oval. , Characters can be printed in an orientation that matches this shape.

At the standby position, a capping mechanism 42 (62) that closes the lower surface of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) with a cap is provided. The capping mechanism 42 (62) is controlled by the control device 180, and when the discharge head 37 (57) is in the standby position, the lower surface of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) is closed by a cap. Further, in this standby position, the ink cartridge 39 (59) can be replaced.

The maintenance position is set to a suction position and a wiping position provided adjacent to each other, and the discharge head 37 (57) is positioned at this suction position under the control of the control device 180. The sucking position is set closer to the printing position, and the spit mechanism 40 (60) is provided at the sucking position. Further, the wiping position is set closer to the standby position, and the wiper mechanism 41 (61) is provided at the wiping position.

The spit mechanism 40 (60) has a mechanism that abuts on the lower surface of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) and sucks and discharges ink in the nozzle from each opening, and is controlled by the control device 180. Then, the ink in each nozzle is sucked and discharged. Further, the wiper mechanism 41 includes a tank for storing the alcohol liquid and a wiper made of a porous elastic body arranged so that one end is immersed in the alcohol liquid in the tank, and the discharge nozzle 38 ( When the 58) passes through this wiping position, the wiper contacts the lower surface of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) to clean the lower surface through which the nozzle opens.

The state in which the discharge head 37 (57) is positioned at the print position is shown in FIG. 7, the state in which the discharge head 37 (57) is positioned at the suction position is shown in FIG. 8, and the state in which the discharge head 37 (57) is positioned at the wiping position is shown in FIG. The state of being positioned in FIG. 10 is shown in FIG.

The 3D inspection unit 71 has the same configuration as the 3D inspection unit 14, and is arranged on the mounting base 3 so as to face the transport surface of the transport unit 70 in a state where the top and bottom are inverted from the 3D inspection unit 14. Will be set up. Similarly, the surface inspection unit 72 has the same configuration as the surface inspection unit 16, and is mounted so as to face the transport surface of the transport unit 70 in a state where the surface inspection unit 16 is turned upside down. It is arranged on the table 3.

Further, the defective product collection unit 74 operates under the control of the control device 180, and the control device 180 receives the detection result of the image inspection device 190 and detects defects in the three-dimensional shape and the surface. In this case, when the tablet K reaches the defective product collecting unit 74, the defective product collecting unit 74 is driven to collect the corresponding defective product. On the other hand, non-defective products are collected by a non-defective product collection unit (not shown).

According to the tablet printing inspection device 1 of this example having the above configuration, under the control of the control device 180, the tablet K is printed on the front surface and the front and back surfaces are visually inspected as follows. Will be printed.

That is, first, a large number of tablets K are collectively charged into the hopper 9, and the charged tablets K are supplied from the hopper 9 to the first line 10 and the second line 110, respectively.

In the first line 10, the tablet K discharged from the hopper 9 is supplied from the supply unit 11 to the alignment unit 12, and the tablets K are aligned in a row by the alignment unit 12 and delivered to the transfer unit 13. It is conveyed in a state where the lower surface is attracted by the transfer unit 13, then is delivered from the transfer unit 13 to the transfer unit 70, and is conveyed in a state where the upper surface is attracted by the transfer unit 70.

Then, in the process of transporting the tablet K by the transport unit 13, images for 3D inspection are sequentially imaged by the 3D inspection unit 14, and then a predetermined print is applied to the upper surface of the tablet K by the printing unit 20. An image for visual inspection is captured by the surface inspection unit 16. Then, the images for 3D inspection and the images for visual inspection that are sequentially captured are transmitted to the image inspection device 190, and necessary processing is performed in the image inspection device 190, and the inspection surface including the upper surface of each tablet K is subjected to the necessary processing. The quality of the three-dimensional shape and the quality of the printing applied to the surface of the surface are determined, and the presence or absence of defects such as cracks, chips, and spots existing on the inspection surface is determined.

Then, the tablet K delivered from the transport unit 13 to the transport unit 70 is similarly imaged by the 3D inspection unit 71 in sequence for 3D inspection in the transport process, and then by the surface inspection unit 73. An image for visual inspection is captured. Then, the images for 3D inspection and the images for visual inspection that are sequentially captured are transmitted to the image inspection device 190, and necessary processing is performed in the image inspection device 190, and the inspection surface including the upper surface of each tablet K is subjected to the necessary processing. The quality of the three-dimensional shape and the presence or absence of defects such as cracks, chips, and stains existing on the inspection surface are determined.

Then, as a result of determination by the image inspection device 190 based on the images captured by the 3D inspection unit 14, the surface inspection unit 16, the 3D inspection unit 71, and the surface inspection unit 73, an abnormality is detected in the three-dimensional shape and appearance. The defective tablet K is collected in the defective product collection unit 74, and the non-defective product is collected in the non-defective product collection unit (not shown).

On the other hand, also in the second line 110, similarly, the tablet K discharged from the hopper 9 is supplied from the supply unit 111 to the alignment unit 112, and the tablets K are aligned in a row by the alignment unit 112 and are arranged in the transport unit 113. It is delivered, transported with its lower surface adsorbed by the transport unit 113, then delivered from the transport unit 113 to the transport unit 170, and transported with its upper surface attracted by the transport unit 170. ..

Then, in the process of transporting the tablet K by the transport unit 113, images for 3D inspection are sequentially imaged by the 3D inspection unit 114, and then a predetermined print is applied to the upper surface of the tablet K by the printing unit 120. An image for visual inspection is captured by the surface inspection unit 116. Then, the images for 3D inspection and the images for visual inspection that are sequentially captured are transmitted to the image inspection device 190, and necessary processing is performed in the image inspection device 190, and the inspection surface including the upper surface of each tablet K is subjected to the necessary processing. The quality of the three-dimensional shape and the quality of the printing applied to the surface of the surface are determined, and the presence or absence of defects such as cracks, chips, and spots existing on the inspection surface is determined.

Then, the tablet K delivered from the transport unit 113 to the transport unit 170 is similarly imaged by the 3D inspection unit 171 in sequence for 3D inspection in the transport process, and then by the surface inspection unit 173. An image for visual inspection is captured. Then, the images for 3D inspection and the images for visual inspection that are sequentially captured are transmitted to the image inspection device 190, and necessary processing is performed in the image inspection device 190, and the inspection surface including the upper surface of each tablet K is subjected to the necessary processing. The quality of the three-dimensional shape and the presence or absence of defects such as cracks, chips, and stains existing on the inspection surface are determined.

Then, as a result of determination by the image inspection device 190 based on the images captured by the 3D inspection unit 114, the surface inspection unit 116, the 3D inspection unit 171 and the surface inspection unit 173, an abnormality is detected in the three-dimensional shape and appearance. The defective tablet K is collected in the defective product collection unit 174, and the non-defective product is collected in the non-defective product collection unit (not shown).

The first printing mechanism 30 and the second printing mechanism 50 can drive either one of them to print the tablet K, or the ejection heads 37 and 57 use inks of different colors. , Both the first printing mechanism 30 and the second printing mechanism 50 can be driven to perform color printing on the tablet K.

Thus, according to the tablet printing inspection apparatus 1 of this example, printing on the tablet K and visual inspection of the surface of the tablet K are performed on the two lines of the first line 10 and the second line 110.

By the way, some tablets K do not need to be printed on the surface thereof. In this case, if the discharge head 37 (57) is left as it is, the discharge nozzle 38 (58) may be clogged, and in this case, there is a problem that printing defects occur when printing is restarted.

In the printing unit 20 of the tablet printing inspection device 1 of this example, the ejection head 37 (57) can be moved to a standby position to stand by, and at this standby position, the ejection nozzle 38 is provided by the capping mechanism 42 (62). Since the lower surface of (58) can be closed by the cap, it is possible to prevent printing defects from occurring due to drying of the discharge nozzle 38 (58).

Further, when printing is performed for a long time by using the first printing mechanism 30 and the second printing mechanism 50, the ink ejection surface (lower surface) may become dirty, such as ink adhering to the ejection nozzle 38 (58). However, in the tablet printing inspection device 1 of this example, since the spit mechanism 40 (60) and the wiper mechanism 41 (61) are provided at the maintenance position, the ejection head 37 (57) may be clogged. Is used for suction and discharge of ink in the nozzle by the spit mechanism 40 (60), and the discharge surface of the discharge nozzle 38 (58) is cleaned by the wiper mechanism 41 (61) for printing. It is possible to prevent defects from occurring. It should be noted that this maintenance operation can be carried out periodically or irregularly under the control of the control device 180.

Further, since the tablet printing inspection device 1 of this example includes two printing mechanisms, a first printing mechanism 30 and a second printing mechanism 50, as described above, various printing mechanisms such as color printing can be applied to the tablet K. It can be printed. Further, when some abnormality occurs in one of the first printing mechanism 30 and the second printing mechanism 50, printing can be performed using the other ejection head, so that even if an abnormality occurs in the ejection head, the tablet The work can be performed without stopping the print inspection device 1.

Further, in the tablet printing inspection device 1 of this example, the 3D inspection units 14, 114, the printing units 20, 120, and the surface inspection units 16, 116 are detachably attached to the support portion 4, so that printing can be performed. When inspecting the appearance of the tablet K that does not require the above, the appearance inspection of the tablet K can be performed with the printing units 20 and 120 removed and these being appropriately stored in a storage place. FIG. 11 shows a mode in which the printing units 20 and 120 are removed in this way.

Then, the removed printing units 20 and 120 can be appropriately maintained. Similarly, when a defect occurs in the 3D inspection units 14, 114 and the surface inspection units 16, 116, maintenance work can be performed with the 3D inspection units 14, 114 and the surface inspection units 16, 116 removed from the support portion 4. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the printing units 20, 120, 3D inspection units 14, 114, and the surface inspection units 16, 116, by replacing them with spare ones, the operation rate is not significantly reduced. The work using the tablet printing inspection device 1 can be performed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific embodiments that the present invention can take are not limited thereto.

For example, in this example, an example in which two lines of the first line 10 and the second line 110 are provided is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and even if one line is provided, a plurality of lines of three or more lines are provided. It may be provided.

Further, in the above example, both the front and back surfaces of the tablet K are inspected, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one surface may be inspected.

1 Tablet printing inspection device 2 Frame 4 Support part 10 1st line 11 Supply part 12 Alignment part 13 Conveyance unit 14 3D inspection unit 16 Surface inspection unit 20 Printing unit 70 Conveyance unit 71 3D inspection unit 73 Surface inspection unit 74 Defective product collection unit 110 2nd line 111 Supply part 112 Alignment part 113 Conveying unit 114 3D inspection unit 116 Surface inspection unit 120 Printing unit 170 Conveying unit 171 3D inspection unit 173 Surface inspection unit 174 Defective product collection unit 110 2nd line

Claims (6)

A transport device that aligns tablets and transports them along a predetermined transport path.
A printing device having a discharge head arranged at a printing position at a position along the transport path and printing on the surface of tablets transported by the transport device.
It has an illumination unit that illuminates the inspection surface of the tablet and an imaging camera that images the inspection surface illuminated by the illumination unit at an inspection position set downstream of the printing position in the transportation direction of the transportation path. , A device equipped with a visual inspection device that inspects the appearance of tablets based on an image captured by an imaging camera.
The printing apparatus has a head accommodating body in which the ejection head is accommodated.
The visual inspection device has an image pickup unit accommodating body for accommodating the illumination unit and the image pickup camera.
Further, the tablet printing inspection apparatus is provided with a support portion that detachably supports the head accommodating body and the imaging unit accommodating body. The tablet printing inspection according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus includes a plurality of ejection heads arranged side by side along the conveying direction, and the plurality of ejection heads are accommodated in the head accommodating body. apparatus. The printing apparatus is characterized by comprising a transfer mechanism that is arranged in the head housing and transfers the discharge head between the printing position and a standby position separated from the transfer path. The tablet printing inspection apparatus according to 1 or 2. The tablet printing inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer mechanism is configured so that the discharge head can be positioned at a maintenance position set between the standby position and the printing position. The tablet printing inspection device according to claim 4, wherein the printing device includes a wiper mechanism at a wiping position set as the maintenance position and a spit mechanism at a sucking position. The tablet printing inspection device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the printing device includes a closing mechanism for closing the discharge nozzle of the discharge head at the standby position.

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