JP6774895B2 - X-ray inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention irradiates an object to be inspected such as meat, fish, processed food, and pharmaceuticals with X-rays generated by an X-ray generator, and detects the X-rays transmitted through the object to be inspected by an X-ray detector. The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects the presence or absence of foreign matter and defects of the object to be inspected.

For example, an X-ray inspection device has been conventionally used to detect the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in an object to be inspected such as food. The X-ray inspection device irradiates the transported object with X-rays, and from the X-ray image obtained according to the amount of X-rays transmitted through the object to be inspected, the presence or absence of foreign matter in the object to be inspected, defects, etc. Is inspecting.

As a conventional X-ray inspection apparatus of this type, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the one described in Patent Document 1, the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are arranged so as to straddle the transport path on the conveyor in the width direction so as to face each other. X-rays are emitted sideways.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-272357

Here, as a lateral irradiation type X-ray inspection device as described in Patent Document 1, there is a built-in type X-ray inspection device that is used by incorporating it into a conveyor of a production facility without having a conveyor in its own machine. This built-in X-ray inspection device is often used.

The built-in X-ray inspection device is used by the inspection worker during product inspection after the X-ray generator and X-ray detector are adjusted to the optimum positions for the conveyor by the installation worker during installation in the production equipment. Be done. The optimum position of the X-ray generator and X-ray detector is that the conveyor does not appear in the X-ray image obtained by irradiating the object to be inspected on the conveyor with X-rays, and the entire object to be inspected is shown. Position. By arranging the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector at the optimum positions, it is possible to prevent the conveyor from being reflected in the X-ray image and to prevent the inspection accuracy from being lowered due to erroneous detection or the like.

However, in the conventional X-ray inspection apparatus, in order to arrange the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector at the optimum position, the position is highly accurate in units of pixels obtained from each detection element of the X-ray detector. Since it is necessary to make adjustments, and it is not easy to completely adjust to the optimum position or always maintain the optimum position, false detection factors cannot be completely eliminated, and inspection accuracy may be reduced. It was.

Therefore, even if the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are out of the optimum position, it is required that the inspection accuracy is not deteriorated due to the reflection of the conveyor in the X-ray image. It was.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an X-ray inspection apparatus capable of preventing the inspection accuracy from being lowered due to the conveyor being reflected in the X-ray image. The purpose is to provide.

The X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes an X-ray generator that generates X-rays and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays, and forms a transport path through which the object to be inspected passes in the horizontal direction. The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are arranged so that the X-ray detector detects the height direction from the transport surface of the conveyor, and the X-ray detector detects the X-ray detector. An X-ray inspection device that inspects the inspected object by processing an inspection area in which the inspected object is reflected in an X-ray image based on an X-ray, and is a display unit and an upper end side of the conveyor reflected in the X-ray image. a setting operation part for setting the user as a boundary between the examination region and non-examination region, the image information of the upper side to emphasize the conveyor on the X-ray image is displayed on the display unit, the X Display control in which the boundary position of the non-inspection region is displayed on the display unit by the pixel number corresponding to each detection element of the line detector, and the non-inspection region is set by the pixel number specified by the setting operation unit. It is characterized by having a part and.

With this configuration, the user can accurately set the area in which the conveyor is reflected as a non-inspection area by viewing the image information in which the upper end side of the conveyor is emphasized on the display unit. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inspection accuracy from being lowered due to the conveyor being reflected in the X-ray image. Further, with this configuration, the set value can be grasped by the pixel number and the set value can be set.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit displays an enlarged image of the vicinity of the upper end of the conveyor on the X-ray image on the display unit as the image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor. It is characterized by letting it.

With this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the position of the upper end of the conveyor set as the boundary with the inspection area of the non-inspection area by viewing the enlarged image near the upper end of the conveyor on the display unit, and the set value is accurate. Can be set well.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit sets the maximum value of the X-ray detection level detected by the X-ray detector as the image information in which the upper end side of the conveyor is emphasized in a certain period of time. It is characterized in that a two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image in which the minimum value is drawn in a columnar graph format along the arrangement direction of a plurality of detection elements of the X-ray detector is displayed on the display unit.

With this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the position of the upper end portion of the conveyor set as the boundary of the non-inspection region by the pixel pitch of the detection element, and can set the set value accurately.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit includes a first X-ray image including both the inspection region and the non-inspection region as the image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor . It is characterized in that a second X-ray image composed of the inspection area and the vicinity of the upper end of the conveyor is enlarged is simultaneously displayed on the display unit.

With this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the position of the upper end of the conveyor set as the boundary of the non-inspection area by confirming the reflection of the conveyor in the second X-ray image, and set the set value accurately. can do.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit is characterized in that the second X-ray image is displayed outside the region of the first X-ray image.

With this configuration, the user can perform the setting operation of the set value without confusing the first X-ray image and the second X-ray image.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a symbol indicating the position of the boundary of the non-inspection area with the inspection area, and the boundary designated by the setting operation unit. It is characterized in that a non-inspection area is set according to the position of .

With this configuration, the user can visually perform the setting value setting operation by moving the symbol representing the position of the boundary between the non-inspected area and the inspected area .

The X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes an X-ray generator that generates X-rays and an X-ray detector that detects X-rays, and forms a transport path through which the object to be inspected passes in the horizontal direction. The X-ray detector and the X-ray detector are arranged so that the X-ray detector detects the height direction from the transport surface of the conveyor, and the X-ray detector detects the X-ray detector. An X-ray inspection device that inspects the inspected object by processing an inspection area in which the inspected object is reflected in an X-ray image based on an X-ray, and is an X-ray inspection device, which is an X-ray inspection device and has a display unit and an upper end side of the conveyor reflected in the X-ray image. Was detected by the X-ray detector as image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor on the X-ray image and a setting operation unit for causing the user to set the boundary between the inspection area and the non-inspection area. A display in which a two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image in which the maximum value and the minimum value of the X-ray detection level at a certain time are drawn in a columnar graph format along the arrangement direction of a plurality of detection elements of the X-ray detector is displayed on the display unit. It is characterized by having a control unit .

With this configuration, the user can accurately set the area in which the conveyor is reflected as a non-inspection area by viewing the image information in which the upper end side of the conveyor is emphasized on the display unit. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inspection accuracy from being lowered due to the conveyor being reflected in the X-ray image. Further, with this configuration, the user can accurately grasp the position of the upper end portion of the conveyor set as the boundary of the non-inspection region by the pixel pitch of the detection element, and can set the set value accurately.

The present invention can provide an X-ray inspection apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in inspection accuracy due to reflection of a conveyor on an X-ray image.

It is a perspective view of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the cross section orthogonal to the transport direction of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation in inspection mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the area division of the X-ray image in the inspection mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation in maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the X-ray image before image processing in the maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the X-ray image after image processing in maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation in maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the X-ray image after image processing in the maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation in maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the X-ray image before setting of the non-inspection area in maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the X-ray image in the setting of the non-inspection area in the maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the X-ray image after setting of the non-inspection area in maintenance mode of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration will be described.

In FIG. 1, the X-ray inspection device 1 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 is incorporated in the conveyor 2 that conveys the object W to be inspected. On the conveyor 2, a transport path 3 is formed in which the object W to be inspected is placed on the transport member 21 and passes in the horizontal direction. This embodiment illustrates the case where the object W to be inspected is a beverage bottle.

The conveyor 2 is a part of the production facility of the object W to be inspected, and is configured separately from the X-ray inspection device 1. This embodiment illustrates the case where the conveyor 2 is composed of a top chain conveyor. The top chain conveyor is an endless chain provided with a plurality of plates, and the object W to be inspected is conveyed on the upper surface of the plates serving as the transfer member 21 of the conveyor 2.

As described above, the X-ray inspection device 1 is a built-in X-ray inspection device incorporated in a separate conveyor 2, and is a top chain conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like often used for bottle transportation as shown in FIG. It is incorporated into an existing conveyor that transports the object W to be inspected in the horizontal direction. In the case of transporting the object W to be inspected by the belt conveyor, the belt serves as the transport member 21. Further, the conveyor 2 may be integrally configured with the X-ray inspection device 1.

The housing 4 is formed with an opening 7 into which the object W to be inspected is carried in and an opening 8 in which the object W to be inspected is carried out. The conveyor 2 penetrates the housing 4 through the openings 7 and 8. The housing 4 is provided with a shielding cover 16 made of a metal capable of shielding X-rays such as stainless steel around the openings 7 and 8, and the shielding cover 16 is provided with X-rays from the openings 7 and 8 to the outside. Leakage is prevented.

A guide member 61 is provided above the conveyor 2, and the guide member 61 guides the object W to be inspected so as to be conveyed at the center position in the width direction on the conveyor 2. A total of four guide members 61 are provided on the left and right sides so as to sandwich the object W to be inspected in the width direction.

The guide member 61 is divided so as not to enter the X-ray irradiation field of the X-ray generator 9. The guide member 61 may be made of a material having a high X-ray transmittance and may be continuously provided so as to penetrate from the opening 7 to the opening 8 like the conveyor 2.

In FIG. 2, the X-ray inspection device 1 includes an X-ray generator 9 that generates X-rays, an X-ray detector 10 that detects X-rays, and a comprehensive control unit 40. The X-ray generator 9, the X-ray detector 10, and the comprehensive control unit 40 are housed inside the housing 4 (see FIG. 1).

The X-ray generator 9 and the X-ray detector 10 are arranged so as to face each other in the width direction of the conveyor 2 so as to sandwich the transport path 3 on which the object W to be inspected on the conveyor 2 is conveyed. That is, the X-ray generator 9 and the X-ray detector 10 are arranged so as to face each other with the conveyor 2 sandwiched in the width direction.

The X-ray generator 9 generates X-rays by irradiating the target of the anode with an electron beam from the cathode of an X-ray tube (not shown) provided inside the X-ray generator 9, and the generated X-rays are formed into a substantially triangular shape by slits (not shown). It is designed to be molded into the shape of a screen. Further, the X-ray generator 9 irradiates the X-rays formed in the screen-shaped X-ray irradiation field toward the X-ray detector 10 so as to cross the transport path 3 on the conveyor 2 in the width direction. It has become.

The X-ray detector 10 includes an X-ray line sensor in which a plurality of detection elements 10A are arranged in a line. The detection element 10A of the X-ray detector 10 includes a photodiode (not shown) and a scintillator (not shown) provided on the photodiode. X-rays are converted into light by the scintillator, and this light is detected by the photodiode. ing.

N of the plurality of detection elements 10A of the X-ray detector 10 are arranged perpendicular to the upper surface of the conveyor member 21 of the conveyor 2. The data output from the detection element 10A at the lower end of the X-ray detector 10 corresponds to the image of the first pixel at the lower end of the X-ray image.

Similarly, the data output from the nth detection element 10A from the lower end of the X-ray detector 10 corresponds to the nth pixel image from the lower end of the X-ray image. Although the position of the guide member 61 is shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, the guide member 61 does not enter the X-ray irradiation field of the X-ray generator 9.

The X-ray detector 10 configured in this way is an X-ray image corresponding to the amount of X-rays (detection level) transmitted through the X-ray detector W when the X-ray detector W passes through the X-ray detector 10. Is output. The X-ray detector 10 includes an A / D conversion unit (not shown), and the A / D conversion unit converts the luminance value data from the photodiode into digital data.

The data output from the A / D conversion unit may be an X-ray image (bright and dark image) represented by light and dark according to the brightness value, or a density value obtained by converting the brightness value to a desired density. It may be an X-ray image (shading image) represented by shading. In this embodiment, the X-ray image output from the A / D conversion unit of the X-ray detector 10 is a light-dark image showing the detection level in light and dark.

In the present embodiment, the X-ray generator 9 is preliminarily adjusted by the installation work so that the X-ray irradiation field is above the conveyor 2. Further, the position of the X-ray detector 10 is adjusted in advance by the installation work so that the lower end portion of the X-ray detector 10 is at the same height as the upper surface of the conveyor 2.

The X-ray inspection device 1 includes a display unit 5, a setting operation unit 45, and a comprehensive control unit 40.

The display unit 5 is composed of a flat display or the like, and outputs a display to the user. The display unit 5 is designed to display an image such as an inspection result by the comprehensive control unit 40.

Further, the display unit 5 displays the quality determination result of the object W to be inspected with characters or symbols such as "OK" and "NG". In addition, the display unit 5 displays statistical values such as the total number of inspections, the number of non-defective products, and the total number of NGs.

The display content and display mode of the display unit 5 are determined based on a default setting or a request from the setting operation unit 45 by a predetermined key operation.

The setting operation unit 45 inputs settings such as various parameters to the general control unit 40. The setting operation unit 45 is composed of a plurality of keys, switches, and the like operated by the user, and inputs settings such as various parameters to the general control unit 40 and selects an operation mode. In the present embodiment, the display unit 5 and the setting operation unit 45 are integrated as a touch panel type display and are arranged on the upper front surface of the housing 4. The operation mode of the X-ray inspection device 1 includes a normal inspection mode for inspecting the object W to be inspected and a maintenance mode for performing maintenance such as various adjustments and status confirmation of the X-ray inspection device 1.

The comprehensive control unit 40 includes an X-ray image storage unit 42, an image processing unit 43, a determination unit 44, and a control unit 46. Further, the comprehensive control unit 40 includes a display control unit 47 for displaying image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor 2 (see the transparent image 2X in FIG. 7) on the X-ray image on the display unit 5.

The X-ray image storage unit 42 temporarily stores the X-ray image received from the X-ray detector 10. That is, the X-ray image storage unit 42 functions as a buffer memory for the X-ray image.

The image processing unit 43 applies various image processing algorithms and the like to the X-ray image read from the X-ray image storage unit 42 to perform image processing. Here, the image processing algorithm is composed of a combination of a plurality of image processing filters.

The determination unit 44 determines the X-ray image image-processed by the image processing unit 43 from the object W to be inspected and the foreign matter to determine the presence or absence of foreign matter, and also determines the foreign matter to be inspected. The shape determination for determining the quality of the shape of the object W is performed.

The control unit 46 has a memory as a storage area or a work area for the CPU and the control program, and controls the entire X-ray inspection device 1 in each operation mode including the inspection mode and the maintenance mode. ing.

Here, it is not easy to completely adjust the X-ray generator 9 and the X-ray detector 10 to the optimum positions for the conveyor 2 or to keep them at the perfect optimum positions. Therefore, the conveyor 2 may be reflected in the X-ray image acquired from the X-ray detector 10. For example, when the plane along the upper surface of the conveyor 2 is steadily displaced above the lower end of the X-ray detector 10 after the position adjustment at the time of installation, the upper side of the conveyor 2, that is, the cover is displayed on the X-ray image. The transport member 21 on which the inspection object W is placed is reflected. In particular, the conveyor 2 of the present embodiment is a top chain conveyor in which a plurality of transport members 21 as plates are provided on an endless chain, and the X-ray transmission rate of the transport members 21 is lower than that of the belt of the belt conveyor. Therefore, the influence of the reflection of the transport member 21 on the X-ray image is large.

If the conveyor member 21 of the conveyor 2 is reflected in the X-ray image, erroneous detection may occur in the determination unit 44 due to the influence of the conveyor member 21, and the inspection accuracy may be lowered. On the other hand, it may not be easy to readjust the X-ray detector 10 to the optimum position because the time for the adjustment work cannot be secured.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user sets the area in which the conveyor 2 is reflected in the X-ray image as a non-inspection area in the maintenance mode, and the X-ray inspection device 1 inspects the area other than the non-inspection area in the inspection mode. The object W to be inspected is inspected by the determination unit 44 in the area.

Further, when the user sets the non-inspection area while confirming the position of the conveyor 2 in the X-ray image, it is desirable that all the conveyors 2 fit in the non-inspection area and all the objects W to be inspected fit in the inspection area. For that purpose, it is necessary to accurately set the non-inspection region with the arrangement pitch (pixel pitch) of the detection element 10A of the X-ray detector 10.

In the present embodiment, in order to enable the non-inspection area to be set accurately, the display control unit 47 uses X-rays so that the user can clearly determine the boundary between the conveyor 2 and the other parts in the X-ray image. Image information that emphasizes the upper end side of the conveyor 2 (transparent image 2X) on the image is displayed on the display unit 5.

By doing so, the user can easily and accurately set the area in which the conveyor 2 is reflected as a non-inspection area by viewing the image information in which the upper end side of the conveyor 2 is emphasized on the display unit 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the conveyor 2 being reflected in the inspection area of the X-ray image, and it is possible to improve the inspection accuracy.
Next, the operation and the action effect will be described.

First, the operation of the inspection mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the inspection mode, the X-ray inspection device 1 acquires X-ray image (transmission image) data from the X-ray detector 10 (step S1), and temporarily stores the X-ray image in the X-ray image storage unit 42. (Step S2).

Next, the X-ray inspection device 1 reads the set value of the non-inspection area preset in the maintenance mode (step S3). The set value of the non-inspection area is stored in the display control unit 47. Next, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 divides the X-ray image into an inspection region and a non-inspection region according to the set value (step S4).

In this step S3, the position in the vertical direction of the boundary of the non-inspection region or the pixel number is read as a set value. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the X-ray image is a non-inspection region including the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 based on the position of the boundary 51A (denoted as H in the figure) or the pixel number as a set value. It is accurately divided into 51 and an inspection area 52 including a transparent image WX of the object W to be inspected. The inspection area 52 is subjected to image processing in order to accurately perform the determination operation in the next step S5.

Next, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 targets the inspection area of the X-ray image after image processing, and the determination unit 44 determines whether or not foreign matter is mixed in, whether or not there is a shape defect, and the like (step S5). Is displayed on the display unit 5 together with the X-ray image and the like (step S6).

Next, the operation of the maintenance mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the maintenance mode, the X-ray inspection device 1 acquires X-ray image (transmission image) data from the X-ray detector 10 (step S11), and temporarily stores the X-ray image in the X-ray image storage unit 42. (Step S12).

Next, the display control unit 47 generates image information that emphasizes the upper end side of the conveyor 2 (transparent image 2X) on the X-ray image (step S13), and displays the generated image information on the display unit 5 (step). S14).

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the X-ray image acquired in step S11 includes all the pixels corresponding to each detection element 10A of the X-ray detector 10, and the conveyor 2 with respect to the screen size of the display unit 5. The size of the transparent image 2X is small. Therefore, when the upper end position of the transparent image 2X is specified from this X-ray image and the upper end position is set as the setting value of the non-inspection area, it is not easy to set the setting value accurately for each pixel. ..

On the other hand, the image information generated by the display control unit 47 in step S13 and displayed on the display unit 5 in step S14 includes an enlarged image near the upper end of the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 as shown in FIG. That is, the upper end side of the conveyor 2 (transparent image 2X) is emphasized by enlarging the vicinity of the upper end. Further, in the example of FIG. 7, the pixel numbers corresponding to each detection element 10A of the X-ray detector 10 are superimposed on the X-ray image.

In the X-ray image of FIG. 7, the user indicates that the upper end of the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 is located at the 4th pixel and the lower end of the transparent image WX of the object W to be inspected is located at the 5th pixel. It can be easily and accurately grasped. Therefore, by displaying the X-ray image shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 5 in step S14, the user can easily and accurately grasp that the position of the upper end portion of the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 is the fourth pixel. In step S15, which will be described later, a pixel number (fourth pixel) can be specified as a setting value indicating the position of the boundary of the non-inspection area with the inspection area. That is, the user can grasp the set value by the pixel number and can perform the setting operation of the set value.

Here, the method of specifying the set value by the user is not limited to the method of specifying the set value by the pixel number. For example, a horizontal line-shaped symbol S that specifies the position of the boundary of the non-inspection area is displayed on the display unit 5, and the symbol S is displayed at the position of the upper end of the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 by the user by touch operation or the like. It may be a method of moving. According to the method of designating the position of the boundary by moving the symbol S, the user can visually perform the setting operation of the set value.

The X-ray inspection device 1 acquires the set value input by the user from the setting operation unit 45 (step S15), stores the set value in the display control unit 47 (step S16), and ends the current operation. The set value stored in step S16 is used when the inspection area and the non-inspection area are separated during image processing in the inspection mode.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the operation of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 in the maintenance mode.

Hereinafter, the operation and operation / effect of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 in the maintenance mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the maintenance mode, the X-ray inspection device 1 acquires X-ray image (transmission image) data from the X-ray detector 10 (step S21), and temporarily stores the X-ray image in the X-ray image storage unit 42. (Step S22).

Next, the display control unit 47 generates image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor 2 (transparent image 2X) on the X-ray image (step S23), and displays the generated image information on the display unit 5 (step). S24).

In step S23, the display control unit 47 generates the two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image 50 shown in FIG. In this two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image 50, the maximum value 50max and the minimum value 50min of the X-ray detection level detected by the X-ray detector 10 at a fixed time are set along the arrangement direction of the detection element 10A of the X-ray detector 10. It is an X-ray image drawn in a columnar graph format.

In FIG. 9, the detection level is reduced from the first pixel to the fourth pixel due to the reflection of the conveyor 2. By confirming the two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image 50 on the display unit 5, the user can accurately grasp how much the conveyor 2 is reflected in the X-ray image, and the reflection of the conveyor 2 is not minimized. The boundary of the inspection area (fourth pixel) can be designated as a set value from the setting operation unit 45.

The X-ray inspection device 1 acquires the set value input by the user from the setting operation unit 45 (step S25), stores the set value in the display control unit 47 (step S26), and ends the current operation.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in the operation of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 in the maintenance mode.

Hereinafter, the operation and operation / effect of the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 in the maintenance mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the maintenance mode, the X-ray inspection device 1 acquires X-ray image (transmission image) data from the X-ray detector 10 (step S31), and temporarily stores the X-ray image in the X-ray image storage unit 42. (Step S32).

Next, the display control unit 47 generates image information that emphasizes the upper end side of the conveyor 2 (transparent image 2X) on the X-ray image (step S33), and displays the generated image information on the display unit 5 (step). S34). The details of the X-ray image displayed on the display unit 5 will be described later.

The X-ray inspection device 1 acquires the set value input by the user from the setting operation unit 45 (step S35), and determines whether or not the set value is fixed (step S36). Here, the X-ray inspection apparatus 1 determines that the set value is confirmed when the confirmation operation is performed by the user.

When the X-ray inspection device 1 determines in step S36 that the set value has not been determined, the X-ray inspection device 1 returns to step S33, and when it determines that the set value has been determined, the X-ray inspection device 1 transmits the determined set value to the display control unit 47. It is memorized (step S37), and the current operation is terminated.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the X-ray image displayed on the display unit 5 in step S34 is the first one including both the inspection area 52 and the non-inspection area 51. The X-ray image is displayed in the display area 5A. Further, in the X-ray image displayed on the display unit 5, a second X-ray image including the inspection area 52 and the vicinity of the upper end of the conveyor 2 is enlarged is displayed in the display area 5B. That is, the display control unit 47 includes a first X-ray image composed of both the inspection area 52 and the non-inspection area 51, and a second X-ray image composed of the inspection area 52 and in which the vicinity of the upper end of the conveyor 2 is enlarged. Is displayed on the display unit 5 at the same time.

In the X-ray images of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 is displayed in the actual size in the display area 5A. Further, in the display area 5A, a horizontal line-shaped symbol S for specifying the position of the boundary of the non-inspection area is displayed. On the other hand, in the display area 5B, the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 reflected in the inspection area 52 is displayed after being filled by binarization or the like and image processing by stretching in the vertical direction.

Further, in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the display area 5B of the second X-ray image is arranged outside the display area 5A of the first X-ray image. That is, the display control unit 47 displays the second X-ray image outside the region of the first X-ray image. Therefore, the user can perform the setting operation of the set value without confusing the first X-ray image and the second X-ray image.

When the user adjusts the position of the symbol S by a touch operation or the like with respect to the X-ray image before the setting value shown in FIG. 11, the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 becomes smaller in the display area 5B as shown in FIG. Become. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the user can make accurate adjustments until the transparent image 2X of the conveyor 2 is not displayed in the display area 5B. After that, the user can confirm the state of FIG. 13 and then perform the operation of confirming the set value.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, steps S33 to S35 are repeated until the set value is determined, so that the user sets the set value while checking the state of reflection of the conveyor 2 on the X-ray image. can do. In addition, the user can visually perform the setting value setting operation by moving the symbol S that sets the position of the boundary of the non-inspection area 51.

In the first to third embodiments, one or both of a method of displaying and setting a set value by a pixel number and a method of displaying and setting a set value by a symbol S are adopted. You can do it.

As described above, the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the inspection accuracy from being lowered due to the reflection of the conveyor in the X-ray image, and is irradiated from the X-ray generator. It is useful as an X-ray inspection device that detects foreign matter by detecting X-rays that have passed through the object to be inspected by an X-ray detector.

1 X-ray inspection device 2 Conveyor 5 Display unit 9 X-ray generator 10 X-ray detector 10A Detection element 45 Setting operation unit 47 Display control unit 50 Two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image 51 Non-inspection area 52 Inspection area S symbol W Inspected object

Claims (7)

An X-ray generator (9) that generates X-rays and
Equipped with an X-ray detector (10) for detecting X-rays,
The X-ray detector detects the height direction from the transport surface of the conveyor across the conveyor (2) forming the transport path (3) through which the object to be inspected (W) passes in the horizontal direction. The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are arranged,
An X-ray inspection apparatus (1) that inspects the inspected object by processing an inspection area (52) in which the inspected object is reflected in an X-ray image based on the X-ray detected by the X-ray detector.
Display (5) and
A setting operation unit (45) for allowing the user to set the upper end side of the conveyor reflected in the X-ray image as a boundary between the inspection area and the non-inspection area (51).
The image information that emphasizes the upper end side of the conveyor on the X-ray image is displayed on the display unit, and the boundary position of the non-inspection region is determined by the pixel number corresponding to each detection element of the X-ray detector. An X-ray inspection apparatus including a display control unit (47) for displaying on a display unit and setting the non-inspection area according to a pixel number designated by the setting operation unit . The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the display control unit displays an enlarged image of the vicinity of the upper end of the conveyor on the X-ray image on the display unit as the image information that emphasizes the upper end side of the conveyor. The X-ray inspection device described. The display control unit sets the maximum value (50max) and the minimum value (50min) of the X-ray detection level detected by the X-ray detector in a certain period of time as the image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein a two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image (50) drawn in a columnar graph format along the arrangement direction of a plurality of detection elements (10A) of the X-ray detector is displayed on the display unit. X-ray inspection device. The display control unit comprises a first X-ray image including both the inspection region and the non-inspection region and the inspection region near the upper end of the conveyor as the image information emphasizing the upper end side of the conveyor. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second X-ray image in which is enlarged is displayed on the display unit at the same time. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display control unit displays the second X-ray image outside the region of the first X-ray image. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a symbol indicating the position of the boundary of the non-inspection area with the inspection area, and sets the non-inspection area according to the position of the boundary designated by the setting operation unit. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the X-ray inspection apparatus is characterized. An X-ray generator (9) that generates X-rays and
Equipped with an X-ray detector (10) for detecting X-rays,
The X-ray detector detects the height direction from the transport surface of the conveyor across the conveyor (2) forming the transport path (3) through which the object to be inspected (W) passes in the horizontal direction. The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are arranged,
An X-ray inspection apparatus (1) that inspects an inspected object by processing an inspection area (52) in which the inspected object is reflected in an X-ray image based on the X-ray detected by the X-ray detector.
Display (5) and
A setting operation unit (45) for allowing the user to set the upper end side of the conveyor reflected in the X-ray image as a boundary between the inspection area and the non-inspection area (51).
As image information that emphasizes the upper end side of the conveyor on the X-ray image, the maximum value (50max) and the minimum value (50min) of the X-ray detection level detected by the X-ray detector in a certain period of time are set to the X. It is provided with a display control unit (47) for displaying a two-dimensional cross-sectional waveform image (50) drawn in a columnar graph format along the arrangement direction of a plurality of detection elements (10A) of the line detector on the display unit. An X-ray inspection device characterized by .