JP3136678B2 - Method and apparatus for inspecting size and shape of glass tube - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for inspecting the size and shape of a glass tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a glass tube, for example, a glass tube for a fluorescent lamp, a glass tube which is drawn by a Dunner drawing device and roughly cut to a predetermined length is conveyed by a conveyer.
After being cut to a standard size, the both ends thereof are drawn and finally cut to the standard size of the glass tube, the size and shape are inspected. In such a glass tube, since the bases are attached to both ends, the inspection items include not only the entire length of the glass tube (1) but also the base diameter having the same diameter as the inside diameter of the base as shown in FIG. The length of the base line, the base diameter, the collar length up to the end face of the glass tube (hereinafter referred to as the cut surface edge), the outer diameter of the cut surface edge, and the shape of the cut surface edge. .

In the conventional dimensional inspection, an operator periodically removes a glass tube (for example, once an hour) and measures it with a measuring gauge. The inspection of the shape was performed by visual inspection by an operator.

[0004]

In the conventional method for inspecting dimensions and shapes, it is not possible to inspect all the parts, to grasp the tendency of dimensional change, and to automatically sort out defective products. There was a problem.

The present invention has been developed in view of the above problems of the conventional dimension and shape inspection methods. The object of the present invention is to enable 100% inspection and sorting and to use measurement data based on measurement data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for inspecting the size and shape of a glass tube, which make it possible to grasp the tendency and make an advance adjustment before a failure occurs and to reduce the occurrence of a line trouble in a later process.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a method according to the present invention comprises rotating a glass tube around a tube axis to illuminate both ends of the glass tube and forming a pair of a CCD image sensor camera for dimensional measurement. The images at both ends of the glass tube are individually captured by the CCD image sensor camera for inspection, and the diameter of the glass tube is calculated on the image of the CCD image sensor camera for dimension measurement, which matches the previously input base diameter size. The position and the measurement position of the collar outer diameter are searched, and the required dimension data of the glass tube is calculated based on these,
Good and bad are selected, while the above pair of shape inspection CCDs
The pattern of the cut edge at both ends of the glass tube taken in by the image sensor camera is compared with the pattern of the reference edge inputted in advance to select good or bad.

Further, the apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rotation support means for supporting and rotating the glass tube at the inspection position, and making the optical axis perpendicular to the center axis of the glass tube corresponding to both ends of the glass tube at the inspection position. CCD image sensor camera for dimensional measurement arranged in a position, and shape inspection arranged adjacent to this camera
CCD image sensor cameras, illumination units installed at both ends of the glass tube at the inspection position, measurement data from both cameras can be calculated and output, and good / bad selection signals are obtained from the measurement results. And a controller for outputting the same.

[0008]

According to the method of the present invention, a pair of dimensional measurement CCDs are rotated while illuminating both ends of a glass tube by rotating the glass tube around the tube axis.
Since the images at both ends of the glass tube are separately captured by the image sensor camera and the CCD image sensor camera for shape inspection, calculation of required dimension data at both ends of the glass tube, selection of good / bad, and glass tube Of the pattern of the cut surface edge at both ends can be automatically and independently performed, and the processing time can be shortened.

At this time, the diameter of the glass tube is calculated on the image of the above-mentioned CCD image sensor camera for measuring dimensions, and a position corresponding to the previously input base diameter and a measurement position of the color outer diameter are searched. The required dimension data of the glass tube is calculated on the basis of the above, so that good or defective is selected, so that the required dimension data can be calculated quickly and accurately.

In addition, the pattern of the cut surface edge at both ends of the glass tube taken by the pair of shape inspection CCD image sensor cameras is compared with the pattern of the reference edge inputted in advance to select good or bad. Therefore, the shape inspection of both ends of the glass tube can be easily and quickly performed.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the glass tube is rotated by the rotation supporting means, and the size of the glass tube is measured by illuminating both ends of the glass tube with the illumination unit.
Measure with a D image sensor camera, and inspect the end shape of the glass tube with a CCD image sensor camera for shape inspection. These data are calculated by a controller, and a good / bad selection signal is output from the result, and the data is output through a printer or the like.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a system of the entire apparatus, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of inspection items, and FIG. is there.

In FIG. 1, (1) is a glass tube, (2)
Is a rotation supporting means for supporting and rotating the glass tube (1) at the inspection position, and (3A) and (3B) are CCD image sensor cameras for dimension measurement arranged corresponding to both ends of the glass tube (1) at the inspection position. , (4A) and (4B) are the cameras (3
A) A CCD image sensor camera for shape inspection installed adjacent to (3B), and (5A) and (5B) are illumination units such as strobes.

The rotation support means (2) is installed on a continuous production line for the glass tube (1), and the inspection is performed in synchronization with the production speed of the glass tube (1). That is, a glass tube (1) continuously manufactured to a predetermined diameter by a Danner pipe drawing device.
First, after being roughly cut for each predetermined length, conveyed on a conveyor and cut to a standard size, both ends of which are drawn,
The glass tube cut to the standard size is transported to the inspection position. After the inspection, non-defective products are transported to the next process, and defective products are eliminated. An inspection position is provided on the conveyor line, and a rotation support means (2) for supporting and rotating the glass tube (1) is provided at the inspection position. The rotation support means (2) is composed of, for example, a plurality of roller conveyors, and the glass tube (1) is supported between the rollers and is rotated by itself. The inspection is completed in about one rotation, and after the inspection is completed. One is carried out from the inspection position, the next is carried into the inspection position, and such an operation is performed in synchronism with the glass tube production speed of the Danner tube drawing device.

[0015] CCD image sensor camera for dimension measurement (3
A) and (3B) show that the optical axes (a1) and (a2) are orthogonal to the center axis (C) of the glass tube (1) on the support frame (6) corresponding to both ends of the glass tube (1) at the inspection position. Be placed.

On the other hand, the CCD image sensor cameras (4A) and (4B) for shape inspection are provided with the optical axes (b1) and (b2) on the support frame (6) in the vicinity of the cameras (3A) and (3B). The glass tube (1) is inclined slightly toward the center of the glass tube (1) from a position orthogonal to the center axis (C) of (1).

The illuminating units (5A) and (5B) are installed in correspondence with both ends of the glass tube (1) at the inspection position, incorporate light emitting means such as a strobe, and have a diffusion plate such as a ground glass on the front surface. (7A) and (7B) are installed, and the illumination units (5A) and (5B) detect the rotation angle of the glass tube (1) by the rotation support device (2) with the encoder (8) shown in FIG. , A strobe power supply (10) is controlled via a controller (9), and a plurality of times (for example,
Light is emitted three times every 120 °) to illuminate both ends of the glass tube (1) via the diffusion plates (7A) and (7B), to sharpen the outline shape of both ends of the glass tube (1), Image analysis by the image sensor cameras (3A) (3B), (4A) (4B) is facilitated.

As shown in FIG. 2, a camera monitor (11) and a personal computer (12) are connected to the controller (9). The camera monitor (11) is connected to each of the CCD image sensor cameras (3A) to (3). The image of (4B) is displayed. In addition, a keyboard (13), a printer (14)
And a measurement data display monitor (15) are connected.

In the case of a fluorescent lamp, the dimensions of the glass tube (1) are, as shown in FIG. 3, the total length, the base diameter, the base line length, the collar length, and the collar outer diameter.

The shape inspection items of the glass tube (1) are as follows.
In the case of a fluorescent lamp, as shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the cut surface edge of the cut is inspected for good or bad, and FIG.
B indicates a step, C indicates a diagonal cut, D indicates a chipped cut, and B, C, and D are defective. Next, the procedure for measuring the dimensions of the glass tube (1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when an image is inputted from the CCD image sensor cameras (3A) and (3B) for dimension measurement, both ends of the glass tube (1) separately perform the following operations. That is, on the image, the outer diameter edge is extracted, and subsequently, the cut surface edge is extracted. Then, the diameter of the glass tube (1) is calculated from the extracted outer diameter edge, and a search for a base diameter parallel to this diameter is performed. This base diameter is input in advance by the operator using the keyboard (13) in FIG.
A search is made for a position that matches the input base diameter in this way. When this position is obtained, it is recorded and the color length,
Calculate the total length and baseline length.

The collar length is obtained by measuring the distance between the cut surface edges from the base diameter position.

The total length is calculated as the sum of the edge position of the cut surface of the CCD image sensor camera (3A) (3B) for dimension measurement and the distance between the installation of the two cameras (3A) (3B).

The base line length is obtained by subtracting the color lengths at both ends from the entire length.

Then, each measurement position is compared with the standard deviation,
Sort out. Next, as for the color outer diameter, a search is made for a color outer diameter measurement position, and the position is input. At this input position, a straight line parallel to the diameter of the glass tube (1) is calculated as the color outer diameter. Then, the measured values are compared with the standard range, and sorting is performed.

In the shape inspection of the glass tube (1), first, as shown in FIG. 6, a pattern of a cut surface edge is extracted on an image projected by the shape inspection CCD image sensor cameras (4A) and (4B). Then, this is compared with a reference edge pattern input in advance, a deviation amount from the reference is calculated, and a comparison is made with a standard difference to select. in this case,,
Regarding the step, when the rate of change within a predetermined interval subdivided in the circumferential direction of the glass tube is equal to or higher than a standard value, it is determined to be defective. On the other hand, regarding the oblique cutting, when the maximum deviation amount in the circumferential length of the glass tube is equal to or larger than the standard value, it is determined to be defective. In addition, if there is a cut in the cut, all are determined to be defective.

The image is captured by rotating the glass tube (1) at a rotation angle of 12 °.
The inspection is performed three times every 0 °.
Since the CD image sensor cameras (4A) and (4B) input images from obliquely above the cut surface edge, the shape of the cut surface edge over the entire circumference is inspected by three image inputs.

In the above embodiment, after the search for the base diameter is performed, the search for the fixed position on the outer diameter side of the color is performed. However, the search may be performed in the reverse order or simultaneously.

[0029]

According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to automatically and automatically inspect all the dimensions and shapes of glass tubes online without any contact, and at the same time, based on measurement data. Since the tendency can be grasped and pre-adjustment can be performed before a failure occurs, the occurrence of line trouble in the subsequent process can be significantly reduced, and the dimensions, shape accuracy and reliability of the glass tube can be improved.

Further, according to the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic inspection apparatus for the size and shape of a glass tube with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a system of the entire apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an inspection item.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a shape inspection item.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a dimension measurement flow.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a shape inspection flow.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Glass tube 2 Rotation support means 3A, 3B CCD image sensor camera for dimension measurement 4A, 4B CCD image sensor camera for shape inspection 5A, 5B Illumination unit 9 Controller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-222245 (JP, A) JP-A-1-85612 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01B 11/24 G01N 21/84-21/958 G06T 1/00 300

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of a CCD image sensor camera for dimension measurement and a CCD image sensor camera for shape inspection separate images of both ends of a glass tube while rotating the glass tube around the tube axis to illuminate both ends of the glass tube. Calculate the diameter of the glass tube on the image of the above-mentioned CCD image sensor camera for dimension measurement, search for the position that matches the dimension of the base diameter input in advance and the measurement position of the color outer diameter, and use these as a reference. Calculate the required dimension data of the glass tube,
In order to sort out defects, on the other hand, compare the pattern of the cut surface edge at both ends of the glass tube captured by the pair of shape inspection CCD image sensor cameras with the pattern of the reference edge input in advance so as to select good / bad. What is done is a method for inspecting the shape of a glass tube. 2. A rotation support means for supporting and rotating a glass tube at an inspection position, and dimensional measurement arranged so that an optical axis is orthogonal to a center axis of the glass tube at both ends of the glass tube at the inspection position. CCD image sensor camera for use, a CCD image sensor camera for shape inspection arranged adjacent to this camera, illumination units installed at both ends of the glass tube at the inspection position, and measurement data of both cameras A size and shape inspection apparatus, comprising: a controller capable of calculating and outputting a signal, and outputting a good / bad selection signal from the measurement result.