JP3309673B2 - Transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer device for transferring two types of molded articles which are difficult to discern from the external appearance when, for example, small magnets or the like are manufactured in a dry process. The present invention relates to a transfer device capable of automatically distinguishing two types of molded products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of manufacturing small magnets and the like by a dry method, when sintering a molded product formed by a molding device, a transfer device for transferring a transfer table on which the formed product is loaded to a sintering furnace is used. ing. Some of such transfer devices are provided with loading means for loading the molded products on a transfer table. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a transfer device including a loading unit and a molding device.

[0003] Here, the outline of the configuration of a transfer device having a loading means and a forming device will be described with reference to FIG.
In the molding apparatus 50, a lower punch table 52 in which a number of lower punches 51 are erected and a mold mounting table 54 in which a mold 53 is fitted are fixed to a frame 55 of the molding apparatus 50. The mold 53 is provided with a large number of cavities 56 penetrating therethrough. In order to fit the lower punch 51 into the cavities 56, the mold 53 is
, So that it can be moved up and down. Further, an upper punch table 59 having a large number of upper punches 58 is held at an upper portion of the mold 53 so that the upper punches 58 can be fitted into the cavities 56 so that the upper punches 60 can move in the vertical direction. Have been.

In the molding apparatus 50 having the above configuration, when a powder material is filled in a concave portion formed by the cavity 56 and the upper surface of the lower punch 51 (hereinafter, the concave portion is also referred to as “cavity 56”), The upper punch 58 moves downward and presses the powder material filled in the cavity 56. Then, the upper punch 58 is moved upward to the mold 53.
Are moved downward, thereby obtaining a molded article 70 which is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower punch 51.
Note that, for convenience of explanation, a mechanism for the molded article 70 to be in close contact with the upper surface of the lower punch 51 is omitted.

[0005] The molded article 70 obtained from the molding apparatus 50 is:
It is taken out by the loading means of the transfer device 61 disposed on the right side of the molding device 50. The loading means is a vacuum pad 63,
It comprises a vacuum pad mounting base 64, a take-out cylinder 65, a vacuum pump 66, etc., and a molded article 70 is loaded on a setter 67 as a transfer base by the following method.

When the molded article 70 is obtained from the molding apparatus 50 in a state where the molded article 70 is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower punch 51,
With the removal cylinder 65, the vacuum pad mounting base 64 is
3 and the vacuum pad 63 to which a vacuum is applied through a vacuum pump 66 sucks the molded article 70 which is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower punch 51. Thereafter, the vacuum pad mounting base 64 is moved by the take-out cylinder 65 to the upper part of the setter 67 at a predetermined position on the belt conveyor 62 as the conveying means, and the vacuum state of the vacuum pad 63 is released through the vacuum pump 66. Molded product 70
Is loaded on the setter 67.

The molded article 70 loaded on the setter 67 by the loading means is conveyed to a sintering furnace (not shown) by the belt conveyor 62 and sintered. By the way, by adjusting the stroke of the upper punch 58 of the molding apparatus 50 and using the same mold 53, two types of molded products 7 having only slightly different thicknesses are obtained.
When 0 (for example, those having a thickness of 4.2 mm and 4.7 mm with respect to a height of 12 mm and a width of 24 mm) are formed, it is impossible to distinguish the two types of molded articles 70 from the appearance. Therefore, the setter 6 on which the molded article 70 is loaded
7 is conveyed by the belt conveyor 62,
In order to be able to distinguish the types of molded articles 70, it is necessary to load a mark (hereinafter referred to as a mark) on the setter 67.

[0008]

However, since the temperature of the sintering furnace in which the setter 67 loaded with such marks is transported becomes high, it is necessary to prepare a mark having excellent heat resistance as a mark. In addition, when such a mark is loaded on the setter 67 by a manual operation of the operator, and further, when the sintered molded article 70 is selected and stored in each storage container from the setter 67, the same operation is performed by the operator. Since it is necessary to remove the mark by the work, a manual process is interposed, and there is a limit in improving the work efficiency. In addition, since the operator discriminates the two types of molded articles 70 using such marks, it is not possible to ensure the reliability of the sorting result of each storage container due to so-called forgetting work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer apparatus capable of automatically discriminating two types of molded articles which are difficult to discriminate from the appearance. With the goal.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, a transfer device according to the present invention comprises a loading means for loading a first workpiece or a second workpiece a plurality of times on a transport table at a loading position;
A transport device having transport means for transporting the transport table, wherein a first transport table positioning position for loading the first workpiece in a predetermined first arrangement; Positioning means for selecting a second transfer table positioning position to be loaded on the second arrangement, and discriminating means for discriminating the workpiece by detecting a difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement. It is characterized by the following. Further, the position of the stacking means is changed at least one time during the plurality of stacking operations.

The discriminating means may be configured to determine which of the first workpiece loaded on the carrier in the first arrangement and the second workpiece loaded on the carrier in the second arrangement. A first sensor fixed to the transfer means for detecting the first position, and the first sensor loaded in the first position on the transfer table.
A second sensor fixed to the transport means for detecting only the workpiece.

Further, the first workpiece loaded on the carrier in the first arrangement and the second workpiece loaded on the carrier in the second location are burned by the carrier. Sintered by passing through the kiln by the transfer means, the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement,
The second workpiece is caused by being loaded closer to the center of the transfer table than the first workpiece. Further, the first workpiece and the second workpiece are molded products formed by a molding device having a mold having a plurality of cavities.

In the transfer apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration, the molded article molded by the molding apparatus having the mold having a plurality of cavities is converted into the first workpiece or the second workpiece.
The workpiece is loaded on the carrier by the loading means, and the loading of the first workpiece or the second workpiece by the loading means is performed a plurality of times. It is needless to say that the first workpiece or the second workpiece is produced in what is called a lot, and is not mixedly loaded on the carrier. The transport table on which the first workpiece or the second workpiece is loaded passes through the sintering furnace while being transported to the processing line by the transport means, and thereby the first workpiece or the second workpiece. Can be sintered.

The loading of the first workpiece or the second workpiece by the loading means is performed on the carrier at the loading position. However, when the first workpiece is loaded on the carrier,
The positioning means selects a predetermined first transfer table positioning position, moves the transfer table from the loading position to the first transfer table positioning position, and loads the first workpiece on the transfer table in the first arrangement. When loading the second workpiece on the carrier, the positioning means selects the predetermined second carrier positioning position and moves the carrier from the loading position to the predetermined second carrier positioning position. Then, the second workpiece is loaded on the carriage in the second arrangement. At this time, the position of the second workpiece in the second arrangement is changed by at least one of the plurality of times of loading, so that the second workpiece is closer to the center of the transfer table than the first workpiece in the first arrangement. Loaded, the first arrangement and the second
A difference from the arrangement is provided.

The difference in the arrangement is determined by the determination means,
It is determined whether the object loaded on the carrier is the first workpiece or the second workpiece. The discrimination means has a first sensor and a second sensor, and can detect both the first workpiece loaded in the first arrangement and the second workpiece loaded in the second arrangement on the carrier. First, a first sensor is fixed to the transport means. In addition, a second sensor is fixed to the transfer unit at a location where only the first workpiece stacked on the transfer table in the first arrangement can be detected.

Thus, when the first sensor and the second sensor detect at the same time, it is determined that the object loaded on the carrier is the first workpiece, and when only the first sensor detects the object, the carrier is conveyed. It is determined that the object loaded on the table is the second workpiece.

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transfer device according to the present embodiment is one of devices in equipment for manufacturing a small magnet.

The peripheral part of the transfer device in the facility for manufacturing small magnets will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of such a peripheral portion. On the left side of the transfer device 1, a molding device 2 for molding a molded product that is a first workpiece or a second workpiece is arranged. The molded product obtained from the molding apparatus 2 is loaded at a loading position A by a setter as a carrier.
Are stacked a plurality of times by stacking means of the transport device 1 described later. The setter on which the molded products are loaded is transported to a processing line by a belt conveyor 3 which is a transport means of the transport device 1.

First, the setter on which the molded product is loaded passes through the sintering furnace 4 over a long period of time by the belt conveyor 3, thereby sintering the molded product (hereinafter, the sintered product is sintered in the sintering furnace). Molded products are also referred to as “molded products”). still,
In order to keep the temperature inside the sintering furnace 4 constant, even if the molding device 2 is not operating and a molded product cannot be obtained, a setter without a molded product (hereinafter, referred to as a “dummy setter”) is used. The sintering furnace 4 is passed through a belt conveyor 3. The setter that has passed through the sintering furnace 4 is at the discrimination position B
After being conveyed by the belt conveyor 3, the type of the molded article loaded on the setter is determined by a determination means described later, and a step-down step (not shown) which is a subsequent step
Transported to

The step of separating is a step of accommodating the molded articles loaded on the setter in a storage container for each type. When the setter reaches the step-off position, the molded product loaded on the setter is automatically extruded in a specific direction by the push-off plate, and falls through a chute to a storage container located below the setter, and is then pushed. Stored in a storage container. In order to accommodate each type, the operator sets a storage container dedicated to each type at the outlet of the chute based on the result of the determination means described later.

Next, the loading means and the molding device 2 for loading the molded product on the setter will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the loading means and the molding apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment. In the molding apparatus 2, a lower punch table 12 in which a number of lower punches 15 are erected and a mold mounting table 19 in which a mold 14 is fitted are fixed to a frame 13 of the molding apparatus 2. The mold 14 is provided with a large number of cavities 21 penetrating therethrough. The lower punch 15 is fitted into the cavities 21 so that the mold 14 can be moved vertically by the lower cylinder 16. Is held. Further, an upper punch table 18 having a large number of upper punches 20 is held at the upper part of the mold 14 so that the upper punch 20 can be vertically moved by the upper cylinder 17 in order to fit the upper punch 20 into the cavity 21. Have been.

In the molding apparatus 2 having the above configuration, the concave portion formed by the cavity 21 and the upper surface of the lower punch 15 (hereinafter, the concave portion is also referred to as “cavity 21”).
Then, when the powder material is filled, the upper punch 20 moves downward to press the powder material filled in the cavity 21. Thereafter, the upper punch 20 is moved upward and the mold 14 is moved downward, whereby the lower punch 15 is moved.
A molded product 30 closely contacting the upper surface of the molded product can be obtained.

The molded product 30 obtained from the molding device 2 is taken out by the loading means 22 of the transport device 1. The loading means 22 includes a vacuum pad 23, a vacuum pad mounting base 24, a take-out cylinder 25, a vacuum pump 26, and the like, and loads the molded product 30 on the setter 31 at the loading position A by the following method.

When the molded product 30 is obtained from the molding apparatus 2 in a state where the molded product 30 is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower punch 15, the vacuum pad mounting table 24 is moved by the take-out cylinder 25 to the mold 14.
Then, the molded product 30 closely attached to the upper surface of the lower punch 15 is sucked by the vacuum pad 23 to which the vacuum is applied through the vacuum pump 26. Thereafter, the vacuum pad mount 2 is moved to the upper part of the setter 31 located at the loading position A.
4 is moved by the take-out cylinder 25 and the vacuum pump 26
The molded product 30 is released from the lower punch 15 (that is, the cavity 2) by releasing the vacuum state of the vacuum
It can be loaded on the setter 31 in the arrangement of 1).

By adjusting the stroke of the upper punch 20 of the molding apparatus 2 and using the same mold 14, two types of molded products 30 (for example, 12 mm long × 24 mm wide) are slightly different only in thickness.
On the other hand, when the thickness is 4.2 mm or 4.7 mm, the positioning means 5 moves the setter 31 and loads it according to the type. 6 and 7 show the arrangement of loading according to the type. The positioning means 5 is a so-called XY table, and is controlled by a sequencer or the like in accordance with the stroke of the upper punch 20 of the molding apparatus 2.

When a product having a thickness of 4.2 mm (hereinafter, referred to as a "first workpiece") is formed, the molded product is arranged in the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter, referred to as a "first arrangement"). 30A, 30
The positioning means 5 moves the setter 31 a plurality of times so that B, 30C, and 30D are stacked. The molded products 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D are a group of molded products 30 formed at a time from the mold 14 provided with a large number of cavities 21 in the molding apparatus 2, and the cavities in the mold 14 21 are loaded on the setter 31 in an arrangement state. Therefore, the arrangement of the cavities 21 in the mold 14 is a so-called grid pattern. When the first workpiece (with a thickness of 4.2 mm) is loaded on the setter 31 in the first arrangement, the four destinations to which the setter 31 moves correspond to the first transfer table positioning position.

Also, a sheet having a thickness of 4.7 mm (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet)
When the “second workpiece” is molded, the molded article 30 is arranged in the arrangement shown in FIG. 7 (hereinafter, “second arrangement”).
The positioning means 5 moves the setter 31 a plurality of times so that A, 30B, 30C, and 30D are stacked. However, the molded products 30A, 30B, 30C,
Among the loading positions of 30D, the position where the molded product 30D is loaded is changed as compared with the first arrangement. In other words, the loading position of the molded article 30D (hatched line) in the second arrangement is set closer to the center of the setter 31 than the molded article 30D (dotted line) in the first arrangement. In this way, the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement is set because the temperature of the sintering furnace 4 is higher at the center and lower as it is closer to the furnace wall, so that the molded product 30A loaded on the setter 31 , 30B, 30C, 30D in order to secure the sintering temperature. In the second arrangement, the second workpiece (with a thickness of 4.7 mm) is set in the setter 3.
The four transfer destinations of the setter 31 at the time of stacking on the sheet 1 correspond to the second transfer table positioning position.

Next, the molded product 3 loaded on the setter 31
The determination means for determining the type of 0 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the determining means. Determination means 40
Has a first sensor 41 and a second sensor 42 of a light transmission type, furthermore, a limit switch 43 for detecting that the setter 31 has been conveyed, and raises the setter 31 when the judgment means 40 makes a judgment. A lifter 44 and a lateral feeding cylinder 45 for laterally feeding the setter 31 after the determination by the determining means 40 are fixedly provided at or near the determination position B of the belt conveyor 3. Note that the belt conveyor 46 is for the step of separating, and is located at a higher position than the belt conveyor 3 of the transport device 1.

The first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42
Molded product 30 loaded on setter 31 at determination position B
Is a first workpiece (having a thickness of 4.2 mm) or a second workpiece (having a thickness of 4.7 mm). It is fixed to the belt conveyor 3 with a positional relationship in which a difference between the arrangement and the second arrangement can be detected. FIG. 2 shows a first sensor 41 and a second sensor 41.
The positional relationship between the sensor 42 and the setter 31 at the determination position B is shown.

That is, the first sensor 41 includes a molded product 30D (dotted line) in the first arrangement and a molded product 30D (hatched line) in the second arrangement.
Both are fixed to the base of the belt conveyor 3 so that the light of the first sensor 41 is blocked. Further, the second sensor 42 is fixedly mounted on the base of the belt conveyor 3 so that the light of the second sensor 42 is blocked only by the molded product 30D (dotted line) in the first arrangement. Therefore, the first sensor 41
When both the light of the second sensor 42 and the light of the second sensor 42 are blocked,
Molded product 30 loaded on setter 31 at determination position B
Is a molded product 30D (dotted line) of the first arrangement (that is, a first workpiece (having a thickness of 4.2 mm)), in which the light of only the first sensor 41 is blocked and the light of the second sensor 42 is Is not blocked, the molded product 30 loaded on the setter 31 at the determination position B is the molded product 30D in the second arrangement (hatched).
(Ie, a second workpiece (with a thickness of 4.7 mm)). When the light is not blocked, the sensor is set to “ON”. When the light is blocked, the sensor is set to “OFF”.

Next, the discriminating process in which the discriminating means 40 discriminates the type of the molded article 30 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a determination step. First, in S1,
It is determined whether the setter 31 has been transported to the determination position B. Specifically, when the end of the setter 31 presses the limit switch 43, the setter 3 is moved to the determination position B.
It is determined that 1 has been transported (S1: Yes). On the other hand, when the limit switch 43 is not pressed (S1: N
In o), it is determined that the setter 31 has not been transported to the determination position B, and the process stands by until the setter 31 is transported to the determination position B.

When it is determined that the setter 31 has been transported to the determination position B, in step S2, the lifter 44 is raised, and the setter 31 is lifted upward. This is because the belt conveyor 3 and the setter 31 are completely separated from each other to ensure the accuracy of the determination in S3 and to match the height level of the belt conveyor 3 in the step-down process.

In S3, the setter 31 at the determination position B is determined based on the detection results of the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42.
Is determined. There are four types of determination results, which will be described with reference to FIG. When both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are OFF, since the light of both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 is blocked, the molded article 30D has the first arrangement ( (Dotted line), and the molded product 3 loaded on the setter 31
0 is determined as the first workpiece (with a thickness of 4.2 mm).

When the first sensor 41 is OFF and the second sensor 42 is ON, since only the light of the first sensor 41 is blocked, the molded article 30D is of the second arrangement (hatched). Thus, the molded product 30 loaded on the setter 31 is determined to be a second processed product (one having a thickness of 4.7 mm). When the first sensor 41 is ON and the second sensor 42 is OFF, light of only the second sensor 42 is blocked. However, the light of the second sensor 42 can be blocked by the molded product 30D in the first arrangement.
(Dotted line), and the molded article 30 in the first arrangement
D (dotted line) also blocks the light of the first sensor 41 at the same time, so that the molded article 30 is loaded on the setter 31 in another location other than the first location or the second location, which causes abnormal loading. Determine.

When both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are ON, since the light of both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 is not blocked, the molded product 30D is It is not loaded, that is, the molded products 30A, 30B, and 30C are not loaded on the setter 31, and are determined to be dummy setters.

In the next step S4, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is abnormal loading. If the result of the determination is abnormal loading (S4: Yes), the process proceeds to S5, where an alarm is output to inform the operator that the load is abnormal, and the operator can confirm the loading status of the setter 31. And the process proceeds to S13 where the setter 31 is transported to the step of separating. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is not abnormal loading (S4: No), the process proceeds to S6. In S6, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is a dummy setter. If the result of the determination is a dummy setter (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to S13 for transporting the setter 31 to the step-down process. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is not a dummy setter (S4: No), the process proceeds to S7.

In S7, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is the same as the result of the previous determination except for the abnormal stacking and the dummy setter. That is, the first workpiece (4.2 mm thick)
) And the second workpiece (4.7 mm in thickness) are determined as to whether or not one of them is continuously conveyed. If the result of the determination is the same as the result of the previous determination (S7: Yes), the setting step 3
The process proceeds to S13 and subsequent steps for transporting 1.

On the other hand, if the result of the discrimination is not the same as the result of the previous discrimination (S7: No), the process proceeds to S8, and an alarm notifying the operator that the result of the discrimination is not the same as the result of the previous discrimination. Perform output. This is to provide an opportunity for the operator to set a storage container of each type at the exit of the chute in the step of separating. Then, in the next S9, 5 minutes is secured as a waiting time for setting the storage container in the separating step.

In the five minutes, the signal transmitted by the worker or the like when the setting of the storage container is completed is constantly detected in S10, and when such a signal is detected (S1).
0: Yes), the process proceeds to S13 in which the setter 31 is transported to the step of separating. On the other hand, in 5 minutes, since the setting of the storage container is not completed, no signal is transmitted and if such a signal is not detected (S10: No), the waiting time after 5 minutes elapses in S11, Next S12
In, with respect to the setter 31 that is the target of the current determination result, it is determined that the accommodation work in the step of separating is stopped. More specifically, the automatic pushing of the molded product 30 loaded on the setter 31 by a pushing / pushing plate (not shown) is stopped. In addition, with respect to the setter 31, the type of the molded product 30 can be easily determined from the appearance by the first arrangement or the second arrangement.
After the step of separating, the operator manually stores in a dedicated storage container.

In the next step S13, the horizontal feeder 45 is operated to set the setter 31 down, and the belt conveyor 4 in the step of stepping down is set.
Move to 6. Then, the lifter 44 is lowered in S14, and the horizontal feeder 45 is returned in S15, so that the next setter 31 can be transported to the determination position B.

As described above in detail, according to the transport apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the molded article 30 molded from the same mold 14 by the positioning means 5 and the loading means 22.
Is setter 31 in the first arrangement or the second arrangement according to two types of first workpiece (with a thickness of 4.2 mm) and second workpiece (with a thickness of 4.7 mm). Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare two types of landmarks, and it is possible to improve the working efficiency by omitting the manual operation for the landmarks. The difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement is detected by the 2 sensor 42, and the one loaded on the setter 31 is the first workpiece (with a thickness of 4.2 mm) or the second workpiece. (A thickness of 4.7 mm) can be automatically determined (S3), so that the reliability of the sorting result of each storage container can be ensured in the separating step, so that , Two types that are difficult to distinguish from appearance It is possible to provide the conveying apparatus 1 of the molded article 30 can be determined automatically.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the thickness 4.2
mm molded product 30 is loaded on the setter 31 in the first arrangement,
A set product 31 having a thickness of 4.7 mm in a second arrangement is set.
The molded product 30 having a thickness of 4.2 mm is
Even if the molded product 30 having a thickness of 4.7 mm is loaded on the setter 31 in the first arrangement in the first arrangement,
It is possible to automatically determine the type of molded product 30.

In the above embodiment, the molded product 30D
Is set closer to the center of the setter 31 to set the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement, but the position at which the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are fixed is required. If it is changed according to the
Set one of the loading positions of 0B and 30C to the setter 31
Even if it is set even closer to the center of the mold, the sintering temperature is secured for all of the molded products 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D loaded on the setter 31, and the two types of molded products 30 are automatically Can be determined. Further, even if the loading position of any one of the molded products 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D is set farther from the center of the setter 31, the position where the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are fixed is adjusted according to the conditions. In this case, it is possible to automatically determine the two types of molded products 30 in the same manner.

In the above embodiment, the setter 31
Are a group 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D of the molded products 30 formed at a time from the mold 14 provided with a large number of cavities 21, but the group 30A, The configuration of 30B, 30C, 30D is 1
Since the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement can be set even with only the individual molded articles 30, it is possible to automatically determine the two types of molded articles 30 in the same manner. If the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement can be set, the number of the set groups 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D may not be four. Further, the molded product 30 loaded on the setter 31
Even if the number is one, the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement can be set if the one molded article 30 is regarded as a group of molded articles 30D. It is possible to determine automatically.

The molded products 30A, 30B, 30C, 3
The two types of molded articles 30 are formed by setting the arrangement in which any one of the two ODs is not loaded to the first arrangement or the second arrangement.
Can be automatically determined. However, it is necessary to ensure that the determination means 40 can determine the dummy setter. For example, when the molded product 30D is not loaded, the second sensor 42 outputs the molded product 30A, 30B, 30B.
C is fixed at a position where the light of the second sensor 42 is blocked by any of C, so that it is ensured that the discriminating means 40 can discriminate the dummy setter.

Further, in the above embodiment, the setter 3
1 is a molded product 30 molded by the molding device 2, and includes a first sensor 41 and a second sensor 42.
As long as can be detected, a so-called pressed product, a machined product, or the like can also be a target of determination.

Further, in the above embodiment, the molding apparatus 2
The cavities 21 provided in the mold 14 are arranged in a grid pattern. However, even when the cavities 21 are arranged in a so-called staggered manner (hereinafter, referred to as a “staggered arrangement”), the two types of molded products 30 are similarly formed. Can be automatically determined. In particular, since the position of the setter 31 can be precisely shifted by the positioning means 5 which is an XY table, the size of the thick wall formed by the adjacent cavities 21 in such a staggered arrangement secures the size of the cavity 21. In this case, the staggered array of molded products 30 can be newly loaded in the gaps between the already stacked staggered array of molded products 30. Further, since the loading means 22 loads the molded product 30 on the setter 31 in a state where the cavities 21 in the mold 14 are arranged, the molded product 30 can be easily formed as long as the molded product 30 can be stacked in a shape and material. Can be stacked. As a result, the loading efficiency of the setter 31 and the sintering efficiency of the sintering furnace 4 are improved, and
It is also possible to automatically determine the two types of molded products 30.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the transfer apparatus of the present invention, the molded article molded from the same die by the positioning means and the loading means is separated from the first workpiece and the second workpiece. According to the two types of the workpiece, the setters are loaded in the first arrangement or the second arrangement, so that it is not necessary to prepare the marks representing the two kinds, and the manual work related to the marks representing the kinds is omitted. The work efficiency can be improved, and the difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement is detected by the first sensor and the second sensor of the discriminating means. Since it is possible to automatically determine whether the storage container is the second workpiece or not, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the sorting result of each storage container in the step-off process, and thus to determine from the appearance. Difficult to do Two moldings it is possible to provide a conveying apparatus can be automatically discriminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a determination unit of a transport device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a first sensor, a second sensor, and a setter at a determination position.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a determination step.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a peripheral portion of a transport device.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a loading device and a molding device of a transport device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of loading by a first arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of loading by a second arrangement.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an entire configuration of a transfer device having a stacking unit and a molding device in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveying apparatus 2 Molding apparatus 3 Belt conveyor 4 Sintering furnace 5 Positioning means 14 Mold 21 Cavity 22 Loading means 30 Molded article 31 Setter 40 Determination means 41 First sensor 42 Second sensor A Loading position

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B30B 15/30 B23Q 41/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transport device comprising: loading means for loading a first workpiece or a second workpiece a plurality of times on a transport table at a loading position; and transport means for transporting the transport table. Positioning means for selecting a first transfer table positioning position for loading one workpiece in a predetermined first arrangement, and a second transfer table positioning position for loading the second workpiece in a predetermined second arrangement; A transport device comprising: a determination unit configured to determine the workpiece by detecting a difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement. 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the stacking unit changes the position at least one of a plurality of times of stacking. 3. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating means includes: the first workpiece stacked on the transfer table in the first arrangement; and the second arrangement on the transfer table. A first sensor fixed to the transport means for detecting any of the second workpieces loaded in the first stage, and only the first workpiece loaded in the first arrangement on the transport platform. And a second sensor fixed to the transfer means for detecting. 4. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the first workpiece is loaded on the transfer table in the first arrangement, and the second arrangement is on the transfer table. Said second loaded by
The workpiece is sintered by the carrier being passed through the sintering furnace by the carrier means. The difference between the first arrangement and the second arrangement is the second workpiece. Is caused by being loaded closer to the center of the carrier than the first workpiece. 5. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the first workpiece and the second workpiece have a mold provided with a plurality of cavities. A conveying device characterized by being a molded article molded by a molding device.