JP4033750B2 - Sensitivity calibration method and sensitivity calibration apparatus for X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensitivity calibration apparatus for an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus that detects foreign substances contained in an inspection object by detecting transmitted X-rays.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus has been used for detecting foreign substances (metal, stone, glass, synthetic resin, bone, rubber, etc.) contained in foods and pharmaceuticals. The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus irradiates the inspection object with X-rays and detects the foreign substance contained in the inspection object based on the transmitted X-ray image data. In addition, the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus includes a line sensor, so that a transmission image of the inspection object on the conveyance apparatus can be detected. If a foreign substance contained in the inspection object is detected, the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus Is going to be excluded from.
[0003]
A conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, for example, images X-rays transmitted through an object to be inspected on a transport device by a line sensor, and compares and determines a threshold value based on image data obtained by the imaging. The foreign matter is detected by performing In addition, sensitivity calibration is performed in advance for the foreign object inspection of the inspection object. As the sensitivity calibration method, there is a method in which an inspection object mixed with a foreign material sample is passed through the X-ray foreign material inspection device and sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign material inspection device is manually performed. As a manual method using a foreign material sample, a plurality of inspection objects mixed with a plurality of foreign material samples are prepared, and the inspection object is passed through an X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus for each of the plurality of inspection objects. Each time, sensitivity calibration is performed. Further, in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, fluctuations in foreign substance detection sensitivity may occur during use due to fluctuations in the amount of X-ray irradiation and others. Therefore, even during the use state, the inspection object mixed with the foreign material sample is passed through the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus to calibrate the sensitivity.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in a conventional X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, when sensitivity calibration is manually performed using a foreign substance sample, a foreign substance sample mixed into the inspection object for each foreign substance sample before and during use. Since it is necessary to calibrate the sensitivity each time it passes through the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, there are problems that it takes time and labor for the calibration work and an efficient calibration work cannot be performed.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a calibration apparatus that solves such problems of the prior art and can efficiently perform sensitivity calibration work of an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus using a foreign substance sample. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus that detects the foreign substance contained in the object to be inspected by transmitted X-rays, the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus includes a moving unit that holds and passes the foreign substance sample to the foreign substance detection unit of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus is calibrated with the X-ray X-ray foreign substance inspection signal by irradiating the X-ray with the X-ray image on the X-ray image of the X-ray image. The moving means includes a driving device, a rotating shaft connected to the driving device, and a supporting arm provided on the rotating shaft, and the supporting arm rotates on the foreign matter detection sensor. It is characterized by doing so. (Claim 1).
[0007]
This makes it possible to calibrate the sensitivity of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus based on the foreign matter detection result in the foreign matter inspection performed using the moving means for holding and moving the foreign matter sample, and to move the structure easily. The foreign matter samples can be held using the means and can be passed through the detection unit of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus, and sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus can be performed efficiently.
[0008]
And in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus which detects the foreign substance contained in the inspection object by the transmitted X-ray, the foreign substance sample having the first volume and the second with respect to the foreign substance detection part of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus A foreign substance sample having the above volume is provided as a set, and the foreign substance sample moving means for holding and passing the integrally provided foreign substance sample body is provided, and the foreign substance sample having the first volume and the second volume are provided. X-rays are radiated to the foreign material sample, and sensitivity correction of the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus is performed by each foreign material detection signal output based on the image data of the transmitted X-ray image. The moving means includes a driving device, a rotating shaft connected to the driving device, and a supporting arm provided on the rotating shaft, and the supporting arm rotates on the foreign matter detection sensor. It is characterized by being able to move . (Claim 2).
[0009]
As a result, a set of foreign matter samples having two different volumes can be simultaneously inspected for foreign matter, and the sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus can be performed based on the foreign matter detection result of the foreign matter sample. Can be performed more efficiently.
[0010]
And in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus which detects the foreign substance contained in the inspection object by the transmitted X-ray, the foreign substance sample having the first volume and the second with respect to the foreign substance detection part of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus A foreign substance sample having a volume of a plurality of foreign substance samples and a foreign substance sample moving means for holding and passing a foreign substance sample body integrally including a plurality of foreign substance samples of a plurality of foreign substance samples. X-rays are radiated to the foreign material sample having the first volume and the foreign material sample having the second volume every time, and each foreign material detection signal output based on the image data of the transmitted X-ray image is used. While performing sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus , the foreign substance moving means includes a driving device, a rotating shaft connected to the driving device, and a support arm provided on the rotating shaft. The support arm includes a foreign object detection sensor. The upper support is characterized in that so as to rotate. (Claim 3).
[0011]
As a result, a plurality of sets of foreign samples made of a plurality of foreign samples having two different types of foreign samples as a set are simultaneously inspected, and the X-ray is detected based on the foreign matter detection results of the plurality of foreign samples. Sensitivity calibration of the foreign substance inspection apparatus can be performed, and sensitivity calibration can be performed more efficiently.
[0012]
And about the sensitivity calibration apparatus of the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus in any one of Claim 2 or Claim 3, the foreign material sample which has said 1st volume is detected as a foreign material, and the foreign material sample which has a 2nd volume is Sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus is performed so that it is not detected as a foreign matter (claim 4).
[0013]
This makes it possible to calibrate the sensitivity of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus so that one foreign matter sample of the pair of foreign matter samples having different volumes is not detected and the other foreign matter sample is detected. It is possible to perform sensitivity calibration more easily and accurately.
[0016]
Furthermore, the sensitivity calibration apparatus for an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a control means for moving means for moving the foreign material sample, and a support arm provided on the moving means. Sensitivity calibration is performed at each time of forward rotation and reverse rotation . (Claim 5).
[0017]
Thereby, since the control means of the moving means is further provided, the sensitivity can be calibrated at the time of forward rotation and reverse rotation of the support arm provided at the moving means. Sensitivity calibration can be performed efficiently.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, based on an accompanying drawing, the present invention is explained in detail about an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus 1 to which a sensitivity calibration apparatus using the sensitivity calibration foreign substance sample moving means of the present invention can be applied. In the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, the X-ray generation unit 2 and the X-ray line sensor 4 are arranged to face each other with the conveyance conveyor 3 interposed therebetween, and the X-ray line sensor 4 is disposed on the inspection object 9 by the X-ray imaging control unit 5. Imaging is performed, and the X-ray image processing unit 6 performs image processing on the captured transmission X-rays to generate transmission X-ray image data. Further, the image data is input to the foreign object detection determination unit 7 to perform detection determination of the foreign object contained in the inspection object, and the result is displayed on the display unit 8. Thereby, the presence / absence of foreign matter detection in the inspection object and the position of the foreign matter can be confirmed. The driving device 10 holds a foreign material sample for sensitivity calibration and moves it on the X-ray line sensor 4, and its operation is controlled by the moving means control unit 11.
[0020]
2 and 3 are diagrams schematically showing the appearance of the foreign sample moving means according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a top view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. 2 and 3, reference numeral 3 denotes a transport belt of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus, and an X-ray line sensor 4 is disposed below the transport belt in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The driving device 10 is an electric motor for holding and rotating the foreign material sample, and is attached to the main body frame 21 of the X-ray foreign material inspection device by a moving means fixing frame 28. A bearing portion 27 of a rotating shaft 26 connected to the rotating shaft of the electric motor 10 is provided on the moving means fixing frame 28. Further, a support arm 25 is attached to the rotating shaft 26 so as to support and rotate the foreign material sample body 23 integrally provided with the foreign material sample 22. Further, a foreign object sample body 23 integrally provided with a foreign substance sample 22 for sensitivity calibration is attached to the support arm 25 by a fixing bracket 24. Usually, the support arm 25 of the foreign object sample body 23 is stopped in a state parallel to the transport direction of the transport belt 3 at a position A on the side of the transport device. Therefore, based on the control signal from the drive device control unit 11 at the time of sensitivity calibration, the electric motor 10 as the drive device is driven.
[0021]
At this time, the support arm 25 rotates approximately 180 degrees in the direction toward the conveyor belt 3 and stops at a position B opposite to the position A with respect to the rotation shaft 26. Further, in the middle of the rotation, the foreign material sample 22 provided integrally with the foreign material sample body 23 attached to the support arm 25 moves and passes over the X-ray line sensor 4. During this time, sensitivity calibration is performed once by moving the foreign material sample 22. The support arm 25 stopped at the position B is driven by the electric motor 10 as a driving device based on a control signal from the driving device control unit 11 at the next sensitivity calibration, and is opposite to the previous calibration. It rotates about 180 degrees in the direction of the conveyance belt 3 in the direction, and stops at a position A opposite to the position B with respect to the rotation shaft 26. Thus, the sensitivity calibration can be performed twice by rotating the support arm 25 forward and backward. Further, the moving speed of the foreign material sample 22 provided in the foreign material sample body 23 attached to the support arm 25 when rotating can be set so that its peripheral speed is substantially equal to the transport speed of the transport belt 3. it can. Thus, sensitivity calibration can be performed with higher accuracy by setting the speed of the foreign material sample to a speed close to the conveyance speed at the time of foreign object inspection of the inspection object.
[0022]
Next, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the foreign material sample body. The foreign object sample body 23b is provided with a set of two foreign object samples 29a and 30a having different volumes. At the time of sensitivity calibration, sensitivity adjustment is performed so that the foreign material sample 29a having a small volume is not detected as a foreign material, and the foreign material sample 30a having a large volume is detected as a foreign material. It can be carried out. Furthermore, the further another Example of a foreign material sample body is shown in FIG. The foreign material sample body 23c is a foreign material sample body integrally including a set of a plurality of foreign material samples each having two different volumes, and is preferably made of a low-density material having a density different from that of the foreign material sample as much as possible. For example, a low density resin can be used. Further, the set of the plurality of foreign material samples is arranged on the foreign material sample in a row on a concentric circle of the rotation shaft 26 of the support arm 25, and is fixed or embedded in the foreign material sample. The foreign material sample body 23c is a foreign material sample body integrally including a plurality of sets of foreign material samples each having two different volumes, and includes foreign material samples 29b and 30b, 29c and 30c, and 29d and 30d. Yes.
[0023]
Further, 29b and 30b are, for example, a set of metal foreign material samples, 29b is formed of a sphere having a size (φ0.4 mm) that does not need to be detected by an X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus, and 30b is an X-ray foreign material. It is formed by a sphere having a size (φ0.5 mm) to be detected by the inspection device. 29c and 30c are, for example, a set of stone foreign matter samples, 29c is formed of a sphere having a size (φ1 mm) that does not require foreign matter detection by the X-ray foreign matter inspection device, and 30c is an X-ray foreign matter inspection device. Is formed by a sphere having a size (φ2 mm) to be detected by the foreign matter. 29d and 30d are, for example, a set of glass foreign matter samples, 29d is formed of a sphere having a size (φ1 mm) that does not require foreign matter detection by the X-ray foreign matter inspection device, and 30d is an X-ray foreign matter inspection device. Is formed by a sphere having a size (φ2 mm) to be detected by the foreign matter. In addition, foreign matter samples such as high-density synthetic resin, high-density rubber, bones, shells, and egg shells can be provided as foreign matter samples.
[0024]
Furthermore, the sensitivity can be calibrated while the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus is stopped by using the moving means, but the inspection object is transported on the transport apparatus and passes on the detection sensor even during operation. Further, by moving the foreign object sample body by controlling the driving device, the detection sensitivity can be calibrated by passing the X-ray line sensor 4. First, the calibration work of the detection sensitivity while the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus 1 is stopped will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. A start signal is output by turning on a push button switch (not shown) of the drive device controller 11 (S1), and the drive device 10 such as an electric motor is turned on by the start signal to operate (S2). Along with this, the support arm 25 fixed to the rotation shaft 26 of the drive device rotates (S3), and the foreign object sample body 23 provided on the support arm 25 passes over the foreign object detection sensor, During this time, foreign matter inspection is performed on the foreign matter samples 29 and 30 provided in the foreign matter sample body (S4).
[0025]
Further, the support arm 25 rotates to a predetermined position and stops (S5). In addition, the X-ray image obtained as a result of the foreign substance inspection in S4 is displayed on the monitor (S6), and it is confirmed whether or not the foreign substance sample is properly detected based on the X-ray image, thereby detecting the X-ray foreign substance. The suitability of the detection sensitivity of the device is determined (S7). In this case, by looking at the analysis image based on the transmission X-ray data of the foreign material sample body 23, the presence or absence of the foreign material detection and the position of the foreign material are confirmed for each set of foreign material samples provided in the foreign material sample body 23. Then, for each set of a plurality of foreign matter samples, it is determined whether or not foreign matter detection is correctly performed on a sample that may not be detected and a sample that is to be detected. Subsequently, if it is determined in S7 that the detection sensitivity is appropriate, it is not necessary to calibrate the detection sensitivity, and the operation is completed (S9). If it is determined in S7 that the detection sensitivity is inappropriate, the foreign matter detection standard (threshold value) of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus is changed (S8), and then the foreign matter detection standard performed in S8. In order to confirm the result of the change of (threshold value), the flow of S1 to S7 is executed again. In this way, the flow of S1 to S8 is repeated until the appropriate determination of the detection sensitivity is made in S7.
[0026]
Next, the detection sensitivity calibration operation during operation of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus 1 will be described. Based on a detection signal from an inspection object detection sensor (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the foreign matter detection unit of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus 1, a start signal of S1 is generated as in the flowchart of FIG. The start signal uses the gap between the objects to be continuously conveyed during operation, and the support arm 25 and the foreign object sample body 23 rotate on the foreign object detection sensor (X-ray line sensor 4). Timing is set in advance so that it can be done. The subsequent operation is the same as that in the flowchart of FIG. 6, but the X-ray image monitor display in S6 is fixed for a predetermined time for determination based on the image. Therefore, during this time, the X-ray image monitor is not displayed on the inspection object that is continuously conveyed and inspected for foreign matter. In addition, the sensitivity adjustment of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus includes a method for adjusting a foreign substance detection reference value (threshold value) for foreign substance detection, and an adjustment method using a tube voltage and a tube current of an X-ray irradiation tube. .
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, a moving unit having a simple configuration is provided, and the driving unit of the moving unit is controlled, so that one set or a plurality of two different volumes are provided. The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus can be calibrated based on the result of the foreign substance inspection by passing the foreign substance sample body integrally including a set of foreign substance samples having Sensitivity calibration can be performed more simply and efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus to which a sensitivity calibration apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the external appearance of a first embodiment of a sensitivity calibration moving means and a foreign object sample body of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the external appearance of the first embodiment of the sensitivity calibration moving means and foreign object sample according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the external appearance of another embodiment of the foreign object sample body of the sensitivity calibration moving means of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the external appearance of still another embodiment of the foreign object sample body of the sensitivity calibration moving means of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus to which the sensitivity calibration apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
[Explanation of number]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus 2 X-ray generation part 3 Conveyor 4 X-ray line sensor 5 X-ray imaging control part 6 X-ray image processing part 7 Foreign object detection determination part 8 Display part 9 Test object 10 Drive means 11 Drive means control Part 21 X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus main body frame 22 Foreign object sample 23a Foreign object sample body 24 Foreign object sample body fixing bracket 25 Support arm 26 Rotating shaft 27 Bearing part 28 Moving means fixing frames 29a to 29d Foreign matter samples 30a-30d Foreign matter sample having a second volume

Claims (5)

In the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus that detects the foreign substance contained in the object to be inspected by transmitted X-rays, the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus includes a moving unit that holds and passes the foreign substance sample to the foreign substance detection unit of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, The X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus is calibrated with the X-ray X-ray foreign substance inspection signal by irradiating the X-ray with the X-ray image on the X-ray image of the X-ray image . The moving means includes a driving device, a rotating shaft connected to the driving device, and a supporting arm provided on the rotating shaft, and the supporting arm rotates on the foreign matter detection sensor. A sensitivity calibration apparatus for an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, characterized in that: In an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus for detecting foreign substances contained in an object to be inspected by transmitted X-rays, a foreign substance sample having a first volume and a second volume with respect to the foreign substance detection part of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus A foreign material sample having a first volume and a foreign material sample having a second volume, and a foreign material sample having a first volume. irradiated with X-rays to the image data of the transmitted X-ray image - by the respective foreign object detection signal is output based on the data, performs sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus, the movement of the foreign substance sample The means includes a driving device, a rotating shaft coupled to the driving device, and a supporting arm provided on the rotating shaft, and the supporting arm rotates on the foreign matter detection sensor. X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus characterized by the the like Sensitivity calibration device. In an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus for detecting foreign substances contained in an object to be inspected by transmitted X-rays, a foreign substance sample having a first volume and a second volume with respect to the foreign substance detection part of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus A foreign substance sample having a plurality of foreign substance samples, and a foreign substance sample moving means for holding and passing the foreign substance sample body integrally provided with a plurality of foreign substance samples. X-rays are irradiated to the foreign material sample having the first volume and the foreign material sample having the second volume, and the X-rays are detected by the respective foreign material detection signals output based on the image data of the transmitted X-ray image. While calibrating the sensitivity of the line foreign object inspection device, the moving means for moving the foreign material sample includes a driving device, a rotating shaft connected to the driving device, and a support arm provided on the rotating shaft, The support arm is placed on the foreign object detection sensor. Calibration device of the X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus is characterized in that so as to movement. 3. The sensitivity calibration of the X-ray foreign matter inspection apparatus is performed so that the foreign matter sample having the first volume is detected as a foreign matter, and the foreign matter sample having the second volume is not detected as a foreign matter. Or the sensitivity calibration method of the X-ray foreign material inspection apparatus in any one of Claim 3. The control device for the moving means of the foreign material sample is further provided, and sensitivity calibration is performed at each time of forward rotation and reverse rotation of a support arm provided on the moving means. 4. The sensitivity calibration apparatus for an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus according to any one of 4 above.

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