JP4643088B2 - Position adjustment apparatus for article processing machine and position adjustment method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention adjusts the position of an article processing machine provided with a conveyor that conveys a workpiece such as a container, and a follower that reciprocates linearly within a predetermined feed range following the conveying operation of the container of the conveyor. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a position adjustment method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, it is used for an article processing machine in which a line-type packaging machine such as a rinser that automatically cleans containers, a filling machine that fills a liquid container with a liquid, or a capper that attaches a cap to a liquid-filled container is connected in series. Systems have been developed in the past. In this type of article processing machine system, a conveyor (work transport device) for transporting a work such as a container is provided. Furthermore, a line-type packaging machine such as a capper is provided with a working unit (following device) that moves following the container conveying operation of the conveyor.
[0003]
Further, a line-type packaging machine such as a capper is provided with a work unit conveyance path having an appropriate length range parallel to the container conveyance path of the conveyor. Then, the work unit moves following the container transport operation of the conveyor from the start position to the end position of the work unit transport path, and the work such as attaching a cap to the container during the follow operation is synchronized with the container transport operation of the conveyor. To do it. Further, when the work unit reaches the end position of the work unit conveyance path, the follow-up operation is stopped, and then returned to the start point position of the work unit conveyance path by being driven back in the opposite direction to the follow-up operation.
[0004]
Then, during the operation of the system of the article processing machine, the line-type packaging machine such as a capper follows the container transport operation of the conveyor, and the tracking operation of the work unit that transports the work unit from the start position to the end position of the work unit transport path After the follow-up operation is stopped at the end point position of the work unit conveyance path, the return operation for returning the work unit to the start point position of the work unit conveyance path is alternately repeated.
[0005]
Further, as a container transporting conveyor, for example, a container transporting system that transports at an equal pitch using an attachment chain has been conventionally employed. This attachment chain is configured such that a large number of chain components are rotatably connected by pins.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the article processing machine system described above, when an attachment chain is used and containers are transported at an equal pitch, pin wear or the like occurs due to changes over time, and due to rattling of the pin part connecting the chain or due to temperature The chain pitch may increase due to expansion of the chain. In such a case, the pitch of the containers being transported at equal intervals by the attachment will be shifted by the elongation of the chain pitch. Here, when the chain is long, the pitch deviation at both ends becomes very large.
[0007]
Therefore, it is preferable to use a chain having a small coefficient of linear expansion. Usually, a commonly used metal chain has a small coefficient of linear expansion, but has a problem of poor accuracy due to sheet metal processing. In addition, resin chains have relatively good manufacturing accuracy but have a large linear expansion coefficient and a large amount of elongation. Although it is possible to make a chain with higher accuracy using a metal chain, there is a problem that it takes a delivery date and increases the cost.
[0008]
In addition, in a container transport system for a conveyor that transports at an equal pitch, a cap is attached to the container synchronously by a work unit that moves following the container transport operation of the conveyor for a container transported at an equal pitch, etc. Work is to be done. However, if the container transport pitch of the conveyor is deviated due to the chain elongation, the container pitch will be out of order, and it will not be possible to perform cap mounting work by a work unit that moves following the container transport operation of the conveyor. In this case, the deviation of the container pitch increases as the number of heads incorporated in the work unit increases.
[0009]
Therefore, conventionally, in order to minimize the deviation of the container pitch, when the chain becomes large, a troublesome work of correcting the chain elongation visually is required each time. Therefore, there is a problem that the work efficiency of the entire system of the article processing machine is lowered.
[0010]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and its purpose is to easily set the reference position of the follow-up device at the start of work in the article processing machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a position adjusting device and a position adjusting method for an article processing machine that can prevent a reduction in work efficiency.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article for setting a reference position of the tracking device at the start of work in an article processing machine including a workpiece transfer device and a tracking device that moves following the workpiece transfer operation of the workpiece transfer device. In the processing machine position adjustment device,
A workpiece detector that is disposed in the tracking device and detects a workpiece on a workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device;
Measuring means for measuring the detection range between the detection start point of the workpiece and the detection end point of the workpiece by the workpiece detector by driving the follower forward when the workpiece transfer device is stopped;
A place where the follower is moved backward by a distance ½ of the distance of the workpiece detection range from the position of the workpiece detection end point in the workpiece detection range measured by the measuring means is determined by calculation. A reference position setting means for setting the place as a reference position of the follower at the start of work;
It is the position adjustment apparatus of the article processing machine characterized by comprising.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when setting the reference position of the tracking device at the start of work in the article processing machine, first, the tracking device is driven forward when the workpiece transfer device is stopped to detect the workpiece detector of the tracking device. To detect the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device. At this time, the detection means measures the detection range between the workpiece detection start time and the workpiece detection end time by the workpiece detector. Thereafter, a place where the tracking device is moved backward by a distance corresponding to ½ of the distance of the workpiece detection range from the position at the workpiece detection end point in the workpiece detection range measured by the measuring means is determined by calculation. Is set as the reference position of the follower at the start of work by the reference position setting means.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the work detector is formed by a photoelectric switch including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are workpieces on a work transfer track of the work transfer device. Is placed opposite to each other across the
2. The position adjusting device for an article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means measures a distance shielded by the workpiece while the follower is moving.
In the second aspect of the invention, the light from the light-emitting elements that are spaced apart from each other across the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device is detected by the light-receiving element, and is blocked by the workpiece while the follower is moving. The distance is measured.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the work detector is formed by a photoelectric switch including a light emitting element and a light receiving element.
2. The article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving element receives reflected light reflected from a work on a work transport path of the work transport device by light from the light emitting element. This is a position adjusting device.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, while the follower is moving, the light from the light emitting element of the work detector is reflected by the light receiving element by the reflected light reflected by the work on the work transporting path of the work transporting device, and the light is emitted. The distance at which the light from the element is reflected by the workpiece is measured.
[0014]
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the article adjusting machine position adjusting device according to the first aspect, wherein the workpiece detector is a laser-type photodetector.
In the invention of claim 4, the laser beam is detected by the laser-type photodetector from the laser beam emitting portion disposed so as to be spaced apart from and sandwiching the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device. During the movement, the distance shielded by the work is measured.
[0015]
A fifth aspect of the present invention is the article adjusting machine position adjusting device according to the first aspect, wherein the work detector is a contact type probe having a pressure-sensitive sensor.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the position of the workpiece is detected by a pressure-sensitive sensor of a contact-type probe that is spaced apart from the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance track of the workpiece conveyance device.
[0016]
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the article processing machine position adjusting device according to the first aspect, wherein the workpiece detector is an electrical length measuring device.
In the invention of claim 6, the position of the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance track of the workpiece conveyance device is detected by the electrical length measuring device.
[0017]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article for setting a reference position of the tracking device at the start of work in an article processing machine comprising a workpiece transfer device and a tracking device that moves following the workpiece transfer operation of the workpiece transfer device. In the processing machine position adjustment method,
A workpiece detection step of detecting the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device by driving the follower forward when the workpiece conveyance device is stopped;
A measuring step of measuring a detection range between the detection start time of the workpiece and the detection end time of the workpiece during the forward movement of the tracking device;
A place where the follower is retracted by a distance corresponding to ½ of the distance of the workpiece detection range from the position of the workpiece detection end point in the workpiece detection range measured in this measurement step is determined by calculation. A reference position setting step for setting the place as a reference position of the follower at the start of work;
It is the position adjustment method of the article processing machine characterized by comprising.
In the invention of claim 7, when setting the reference position of the tracking device at the start of work in the article processing machine, first, the tracking device is first driven forward when the workpiece transfer device is stopped to transfer the workpiece of the workpiece transfer device. A workpiece on the track is detected (work detection step). At this time, the detection range between the workpiece detection start point and the workpiece detection end point during the forward movement of the tracking device is measured (measurement step). Thereafter, a place where the tracking device is moved backward by a distance corresponding to ½ of the distance of the workpiece detection range from the position at the workpiece detection end point in the workpiece detection range measured in the measurement process is determined by calculation. Is set as the reference position of the follower at the start of work (reference position setting step).
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a line-type packaging machine, for example, a capper 2, which is an example of an article processing machine. The capper 2 includes a frame 4 that supports a work unit (following device) 18 to be described later. On the frame 4, a conveyor (work transport device) 6 for transporting a workpiece such as the container 8 is provided, and the containers 8 arranged at a predetermined interval (pitch) are transported at a constant speed.
[0019]
On the frame 4, a rack 12 extending in parallel with the conveying direction of the containers 8 by the conveyor 6 and a pair of guide shafts 13 are provided. On these guide shafts 13, a work unit 18 that moves following the container conveying operation of the conveyor 6 is slidably disposed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, both end portions of each guide shaft 13 are fixed on the frame 4 via shaft blocks 15. A pair of guide shafts 13 forms a work unit conveyance path in an appropriate length range parallel to the container conveyance path of the conveyor 6.
[0020]
Further, the work unit 18 is provided with a first servo motor 16 and its drive shaft is directed downward. A pinion 14 is attached to the drive shaft, and the pinion 14 is meshed with the rack 12.
[0021]
Therefore, when the pinion 14 is rotationally driven by the first servomotor 16, the work unit 18 is moved along the guide shaft 13 by the driving force transmitted through the meshing portion between the rack 12 and the pinion 14. Yes. At this time, in a state where the first servo motor 16 is rotationally driven in the forward direction, the work unit 18 follows the container transport operation of the conveyor 6 and is substantially linear within a certain range of movement by the pair of guide shafts 13. Moved to.
[0022]
When the first servo motor 16 is rotationally driven in the reverse direction, the work unit 18 is moved (returned) substantially linearly in the direction opposite to the container transport direction of the conveyor 6. That is, the work unit 18 is driven to reciprocate on the frame 4 along the rack 12 and the guide shaft 13 within a certain work unit transport path.
[0023]
The speed at which the work unit 18 moves following the container transporting operation of the conveyor 6 is feedback-controlled by the first servo motor 16 and is adjusted to the transport speed of the container 8 by the conveyor 6. Further, when the pinion 14 reaches a predetermined position near the end from the vicinity of the center of the rack 12, the first servo motor 16 is controlled to be temporarily stopped and rotated in the opposite direction or stopped. It is selected whether to do. The drive speed of the work unit 18 by the first servo motor 16 is different depending on whether the work unit 18 moves following the container transport operation of the conveyor 6 or when the work unit 18 is driven back. The speeds may be substantially the same or greatly different.
[0024]
Further, the work unit 18 is provided with a second servo motor 20 that is adjacent to the first servo motor 16 and whose drive shaft is disposed in the opposite direction (upward). A gear 22 is attached to the drive shaft of the second servo motor 20, and a timing belt 24 is engaged with the gear 22.
[0025]
A capping head 34 is disposed above the work unit 18. As shown in FIG. 2, three cap chuck units 36 extending downward are juxtaposed at the front end of the capping head 34. These three cap chuck units 36 are arranged in a line along the container transport direction of the conveyor 6.
[0026]
In addition, an elevating drive unit 32A that can be driven up and down is disposed at the rear end of the capping head. A lift screw ball 26 extending in the vertical direction is attached to the lift drive unit 32A. A gear 28 disposed at substantially the same height as the gear 22 on the drive shaft of the second servomotor 20 is attached to the lower end of the ball screw 26. The timing belt 24 is engaged with the gear 28.
[0027]
Further, a bearing 30 is provided at the upper end of the ball screw 26, and the base member 32 of the work unit 18 is attached via the bearing 30. For this reason, the rotational torque generated by the rotation of the servo motor 20 is transmitted to the gear 22 and transmitted to the timing belt 24 meshed with the gear 22. Further, the rotational torque is transmitted to the ball screw 26 through the gear 28, and the ball screw 26 is rotationally driven. The rotational movement of the ball screw 26 is converted into the up-and-down movement of the base member 32 through the meshing portion between the ball screw 26 and the bearing 30. As a result, when the ball screw 26 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the entire capping head 34 is driven up and down via the base member 32. The cap chuck unit 36 is linearly driven up and down integrally with the capping head 34.
[0028]
Further, when the cap chuck unit 36 is driven to move up and down, the second servomotor 20 is feedback-controlled to appropriately control the vertical movement amount (lifting amount).
[0029]
A spindle 41 is disposed at the axial center of the three cap chuck units 36. A gear 38 is attached to the upper end of the spindle 41, and a chuck portion 40 that can be opened and closed and rotated is provided at the lower end.
[0030]
Further, the capping head 34 is provided with three motors 42, preferably servo motors, arranged in a line. Gears 44 are attached to the rotation shafts of the motors 42, and timing belts 46 are engaged with the gears 44, respectively. These timing belts 46 are respectively meshed with gears 38 at the upper end of the cap chuck unit 36. Therefore, when the motors 42 are rotated, the rotational torque of the motors 42 is transmitted to the timing belt 46 through the gears 44. Further, the rotational torque is transmitted to the spindle 41 via the gear 38, the spindle 41 is rotated, and the chuck portion 40 at the lower end of the cap chuck unit 36 is rotated.
[0031]
When the cap 48 is attached to the container 8 at the time of capping by the motor 42, the chuck portion 40 is covered with an optimally controlled degree of tightening of the cap 48.
[0032]
Therefore, the cap chuck unit 36 is moved up and down in a straight line with a free stroke, and is rotated so that the cap 48 is capped with an appropriate force with respect to the container 8.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cap 4 has a cap chute 50 (cap conveyance path) to which a cap is supplied. The cap chute 50 is disposed on the upper surface of the frame 4, and the terminal portion thereof is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor 6 along the container transport path of the conveyor 6. Then, the caps 48 sequentially fed from the cap supply unit (not shown) to the cap chute 50 are naturally dropped so as to slide down while being aligned along the cap chute 50, and are conveyed to the terminal end side of the cap chute 50. The On the terminal end side of the cap chute 50, a scratch piece unit 60 parallel to the upper surface of the frame 4 is disposed separately. Three scratch pieces 58 are placed on the scratch piece unit 60.
[0034]
The scratch piece unit 60 is moved by a scratch piece transport mechanism 52. As the scratch piece unit 60 moves, the caps 48 at the positions of the end portions of the cap chute 50 are hooked and transferred to the three scratch pieces 58 one by one.
[0035]
When the capper 2 is in operation, the work unit 18 moves from the start position (left end position of the guide shaft 13 in FIG. 2) to the end position (guide in FIG. 2) of the work unit conveyance path formed by the pair of guide shafts 13. (The position of the right end portion of the shaft 13) is moved following the container conveying operation of the conveyor 6, and the operation such as mounting the cap 48 on the container 8 by the chuck portion 40 at the lower end of the cap chuck unit 36 is performed during the following operation. 6 is performed in synchronism with the container transporting operation.
[0036]
Further, when the work unit 18 reaches the end point position of the work unit conveyance path, the follow-up operation to the container conveyance operation of the conveyor 6 is stopped, and then returned to the opposite direction to the follow-up operation to be driven to start position of the work unit conveyance path. It is supposed to be returned to. Thereafter, the following operation of the work unit 18 that conveys the work unit 18 from the start position to the end position of the work unit conveyance path following the container conveyance operation of the conveyor 6 described above and the end position of the work unit conveyance path are followed. After the operation is stopped, the returning operation for returning the work unit 18 to the start point position of the work unit transport path is alternately repeated.
[0037]
FIG. 3 shows a position adjusting device for an article processing machine according to the present embodiment for performing an operation for setting a reference position of the operation unit 18 at the start of operation in a line-type packaging machine such as the capper 2 described above. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 61 denotes an optical sensor as a work detector attached to the work unit 18 of the capper 2. The optical sensor 61 is disposed at a position facing the container transport track of the conveyor 6 in the work unit 18.
[0038]
Further, a measuring instrument (measuring means) 62 is connected to the optical sensor 61. A detection signal from the optical sensor 61 is input to the measuring device 62 when the work unit 18 is driven forward when the conveyor 6 is stopped. Based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 61, the detection start time L1 of the container 8 and The detection range S between the detection end time L2 of the container 8 is measured. Note that L0 is the origin position of the optical sensor 61 during the position adjustment work by the position adjustment device.
[0039]
The measuring device 62 is connected to a control unit (reference position setting means) 63. The control unit 63 further includes a drive motor 64 for the conveyor 6, a first servo motor 16 that is a drive motor for the work unit 18, and a position detector 66 that detects the position of the attachment 65 of the container 8 on the conveyor 6. Is connected. Here, the control unit 63 retracts the work unit 18 by a distance corresponding to ½ of the distance of the detection range of the container 8 from the position of the detection end point L2 of the container 8 in the container detection range S measured by the measuring device 62. The location is determined by calculation, and the location is set as the reference position P of the work unit 18 at the start of work.
[0040]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When setting the reference position of the work unit 18 at the start of work in the article processing machine such as the capper 2 by the position adjusting device of the article processing machine according to the present embodiment, first, when the conveyor 6 is stopped at an arbitrary fixed position. The work unit 18 is driven forward. While the work unit 18 is being driven forward, the container 8 is detected by the light from the optical sensor 61 being blocked by the container 8 on the container transport path of the conveyor 6 (work detection process). At this time, the time when the light from the optical sensor 61 is blocked by the container 8 during the forward movement of the work unit 18 is the detection start time L1 of the container 8. Furthermore, after the light from the optical sensor 61 is shielded by the container 8, the time when the light is incident again becomes the detection end time L2 of the container 8. The detection range S between the detection start time L1 of the container 8 and the detection end time L2 of the container 8 during the forward operation of the work unit 18 is measured by the measuring device 62 (measurement process). Further, the measurement signal from the measuring device 62 is input to the control unit 63.
[0041]
Thereafter, the control unit 63 moves the work unit 18 by a distance corresponding to ½ of the distance of the detection range S of the container 8 from the position of the detection end point L2 of the container 8 in the detection range S of the container 8 measured by the measuring device 62. The retreated place is determined by calculation, and the place is set as the reference position of the work unit 18 at the start of work (reference position setting step). As a result, when the chain pitch is extended due to rattling of the pins connecting the chains during the operation of the conveyor 6 or expansion of the chain due to temperature, the conveyor 6 and the capper 6 are displaced. The offset dimension between the work unit 18 of the article processing machine such as 2 can be easily corrected.
[0042]
Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the position adjustment device of the article processing machine according to the present embodiment, when containers are conveyed at an equal pitch by the conveyor 6, pin wear or the like occurs due to a change with time, Even when the chain pitch is extended due to expansion of the chain due to temperature, the work unit 18 for the conveyor 6 at the start of work in the article processing machine such as the capper 2 by the position adjusting device of the article processing machine of the present embodiment. The operation of setting the reference position can be easily performed. Therefore, when the elongation of the chain of the conveyor 6 becomes large, the conveyor 6 at the time of starting the work in the article processing machine is compared with the conventional case where the troublesome work of correcting the elongation of the chain is visually performed each time. The operation of setting the reference position of the work unit 18 can be easily performed, and a reduction in work efficiency of the entire system of the article processing machine can be prevented.
[0043]
When setting the work station such as the work unit 18 that moves in synchronization with the attachment chain of the conveyor 6 to a predetermined position, set the work station 18 and the work station 18 in a place where the position of the chain and the workstation does not shift when moving in synchronization. Since the relative speed becomes 0 by detecting while the sensor is detected, the detection accuracy is improved.
[0044]
In addition, when the deviation of the position of the work unit 18 with respect to the operating conveyor 6 is detected and the shifted dimension is corrected, if the attachment mounting pitch is slightly shifted, the dimensions are detected and the average dimension is detected. May be corrected.
[0045]
Furthermore, in order to minimize errors at both ends of the work unit 18 having a large number of heads, it is preferable that the optical sensor 61 for detecting the positional deviation is attached to the center of the work unit 18 and distributes the errors to both sides.
[0046]
Further, since the center of the head of the work unit 18 is determined in advance, the position of the attachment 65 needs to be moved by a half of the difference in container diameter when the container diameter changes.
[0047]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above method, the center of the head of the work unit 18 is determined in advance, but a correction device may be incorporated between the heads to detect the extension of the chain and correct the dimension between the heads.
[0048]
Further, the work detector is formed by a photoelectric switch including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed to face each other with the container 8 on the container transport track of the conveyor 6 interposed therebetween. The measuring device 62 may measure the distance shielded by the container 8 during the movement of the work unit 18. Furthermore, the workpiece detector is formed by a photoelectric switch including a light emitting element and a light receiving element and a reflecting plate that reflects light from the light emitting element, and the light receiving element is reflected by the reflecting plate from the light emitting element. It may receive reflected light. The workpiece detector may be a laser-type photodetector, a contact-type probe equipped with a pressure-sensitive sensor, or an electrical length measuring device.
[0049]
Furthermore, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as a modification to a packaging machine such as a filling machine, a rinser, a container supply device, a container take-out device, or an article processing device using a robot. It is.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation | work which sets the reference position of the tracking apparatus at the time of the work start in an article processing machine can be performed easily, and the fall of the work efficiency of the whole system of an article processing machine can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an entire line type capper.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the entire line type capper.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a position adjusting device for an article processing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a connection state of a control unit according to the first embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
6 Conveyor (work transfer device)
8 Container (work)
18 Working unit (follow-up device)
61 Optical sensor (work detector)
62 Measuring instrument (measuring means)
63 Control unit (reference position setting means)

Claims (7)

In a position adjusting device for an article processing machine for setting a reference position of the tracking device at the start of work in an article processing machine having a workpiece transfer device and a tracking device that moves following the workpiece transfer operation of the workpiece transfer device ,
A workpiece detector that is disposed in the tracking device and detects a workpiece on a workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device;
Measuring means for measuring the detection range between the detection start point of the workpiece and the detection end point of the workpiece by the workpiece detector by driving the follower forward when the workpiece transfer device is stopped;
A place where the follower is moved backward by a distance ½ of the distance of the workpiece detection range from the position of the workpiece detection end point in the workpiece detection range measured by the measuring means is determined by calculation. A position adjustment device for an article processing machine, comprising reference position setting means for setting the place as a reference position of the follower at the start of work. The work detector is formed by a photoelectric switch including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged to face each other with a work on a work transfer track of the work transfer device interposed therebetween. And
2. The position adjusting device for an article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means measures a distance shielded by the workpiece while the follower is moving. The work detector is formed by a photoelectric switch including a light emitting element and a light receiving element and a reflecting plate that reflects light from the light emitting element, and the light receiving element reflects light from the light emitting element by the reflecting plate. The position adjustment device for an article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the reflected light is received. The position adjusting device for an article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece detector is a laser-type photodetector. The position adjustment apparatus for an article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece detector is a contact type probe including a pressure-sensitive sensor. The position adjusting device for an article processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece detector is an electrical length measuring device. In an article processing machine position adjustment method for setting a reference position of the tracking device at the start of work in an article processing machine having a workpiece transfer device and a tracking device that moves following the workpiece transfer operation of the workpiece transfer device ,
A workpiece detection step of detecting the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance path of the workpiece conveyance device by driving the follower forward when the workpiece conveyance device is stopped;
A measuring step of measuring a detection range between the detection start time of the workpiece and the detection end time of the workpiece during the forward movement of the tracking device;
A place where the follower is retracted by a distance corresponding to ½ of the distance of the workpiece detection range from the position of the workpiece detection end point in the workpiece detection range measured in this measurement step is determined by calculation. And a reference position setting step for setting the place as a reference position of the follower at the start of work.

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