JP7016160B2 - X-ray inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects an inspected object by irradiating the inspected object with X-rays.

The X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are opposed to each other, and the object to be inspected is sequentially conveyed by a transport device such as a conveyor so as to pass between them. An X-ray inspection device that constructs an X-ray transmission image of the inspected object using the X-ray transmission data obtained when passing through the space and inspects the inspected object nondestructively using the X-ray transmission image. Are known.

When such an X-ray inspection device is introduced into an automatic production line such as various factories, the object to be inspected is continuously supplied to the X-ray inspection device by a transfer device such as a conveyor, and the inspection result (for example, pass / fail) is obtained. ), And other processing is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this kind of so-called in-line X-ray inspection device, a monitor that displays an X-ray transmission image of the object to be inspected is installed, and an X-ray transmission image that is displayed on the monitor each time the object to be inspected passes the X-ray irradiation position. May be configured to be updated one after another. In such a configuration, the worker or the manager does not check the X-ray transmission image one by one in the state where the automatic production line is operating normally.

On the other hand, if a step is provided in which the operator visually inspects the X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor after the image pickup of the X-ray transmission image by the X-ray inspection device, the X-ray transmission image displayed on the monitor works. It must belong to the object to be inspected in the hands of the person. In order to ensure this, an X-ray inspection device has been proposed in which an X-ray inspection device discharges an inspected object and displays an X-ray transmission image of the discharged inspected object on a monitor (for example, Patent Document). See 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-128231 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-207987

However, the X-ray inspection device described in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which an X-ray transmission image of an object to be inspected discharged from the X-ray inspection device is displayed on one display each time it is discharged, so that the X-ray inspection is performed. Visual inspections downstream of the device cannot be shared by multiple workers and performed in parallel. Therefore, when inspecting an object to be inspected, which takes a long time for visual inspection, the efficiency of visual inspection may become a bottleneck in the processing of the entire line.

An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray inspection apparatus capable of constructing a line capable of efficiently performing a visual inspection by a plurality of workers.

The X-ray inspection apparatus of the present invention captures an X-ray transmission image of an inspected object and conveys the inspected object to a downstream processing unit having a plurality of processing positions. The X-ray inspection device has an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates an inspected object in an inspection target area with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit that detects X-rays that have passed through the inspected object, and an inspected object in an inspected area. An object to be inspected using a transport mechanism that transports to the downstream processing unit via To generate an X-ray transmission image of the inspected object, specify at which processing position the inspected object is processed, and display the X-ray transmission image of the inspected object in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. It is provided with a control unit for controlling. According to such an X-ray inspection device, it is possible to configure a line capable of efficiently performing a visual inspection by a plurality of workers.

In the present invention, the X-ray inspection apparatus further includes a distribution requesting means for receiving a distribution request for the inspected object for each of a plurality of processing positions, and the transport mechanism allows the inspected object to pass through the inspection target area. , To any of a plurality of processing positions, the control unit specifies to which processing position the inspected object is to be transported in response to the distribution request from the distribution requesting means, and the specified processing position. It is preferable to control the inspected object to be sorted by the transport mechanism and to display the X-ray transmission image of the inspected object in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. By doing so, the imaged object to be inspected can be distributed to the processing positions in the order in which the distribution request is received, and the operating rate of the worker at each processing position can be increased.

In the present invention, the control unit may specify to which processing position the inspected object is to be conveyed according to the order in which the distribution requests for the inspected object are received from the plurality of processing positions. By doing so, since the image of the object to be inspected that has reached each processing position is displayed in the display area of the processing position, it is possible to prevent the processing from being performed based on the erroneous image.

In the present invention, a sensor for detecting that the inspected object has been conveyed is provided at each of the plurality of processing positions, and the control unit determines that the inspected object has been conveyed by the sensor provided at the specified processing position. Depending on the detection, it is preferable to control the display of the X-ray transmission image of the inspected object in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. By doing so, since the image of the object to be inspected that has reached each processing position is displayed in the display area of the processing position, it is possible to prevent the processing from being performed based on the erroneous image.

In the present invention, the control unit determines the pass / fail of the inspected object based on the generated X-ray transmission image, and specifies to which processing position the inspected object is to be conveyed only for the inspected object determined to be unacceptable. , It is advisable to distribute the inspected object to the specified processing position by the transport mechanism. By doing so, the work at the processing position (for example, the correction work) can be performed only on the inspected object that has failed, and the passed product can be smoothly advanced to the downstream process.

In the present invention, the X-ray inspection apparatus may be provided with a movement detecting means for detecting the movement of the object to be inspected to the processing position corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions. Then, the transport mechanism transports the inspected object to the standby unit via the inspection target area, and the control unit processes the inspected object at any processing position based on the detection result of the movement detecting means. It is preferable to control the display of the X-ray transmission image of the inspected object in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position.

In the present invention, the movement detecting means may be a switch that accepts the operation of the operator. Alternatively, the movement detecting means may be a sensor that detects that the object to be inspected has been moved to each processing position.

It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the processing / inspection line which has the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. An example of a tray is shown together with the object to be inspected. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure in the main body part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the appearance of an operation box. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the processing / inspection line which has the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same members are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the members once described will be omitted as appropriate.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a processing / inspection line 1 having an X-ray inspection apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The processing / inspection line 1 is a line for performing foreign matter removal processing and inspection on an object to be processed and inspected (hereinafter referred to as an inspected object 2) such as fish and chicken. The processing / inspection line 1 includes an X-ray inspection device 10 that captures an X-ray transmission image of the object 2 to be inspected transmitted from an upstream process, and an X-ray transmission of the object 2 to be inspected that has passed through the X-ray inspection device 10. It is composed of a visual processing unit 20 for visually inspecting an image by an operator. The object 2 to be inspected is imaged with an X-ray transmission image by the X-ray inspection device 10 in a state of being placed on a predetermined tray T, and is visually inspected by the visual processing unit 20.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the tray T together with the object 2 to be inspected. The tray T is, for example, a rectangular dish-shaped container having a width of 25 cm and a length of 80 cm, and is made of a material that transmits X-rays (for example, plastic such as polyethylene or polystyrene). The tray T is supplied to the X-ray inspection device 10 so that the longitudinal direction is the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of objects 2 to be inspected may be placed on the tray T.

The visual processing unit 20 is provided with a plurality of workbenches. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the visual processing unit 20 is provided with four workbenches (20A to 20D). The height of each workbench is set to substantially the same height as the transport surface of the transport mechanism 110 described later. The visual processing unit 20 corresponds to the downstream processing unit of the present invention, and each workbench corresponds to the processing position.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the X-ray inspection device 10. The X-ray inspection apparatus captures an X-ray transmission image of the inspected object 2 and conveys the inspected object 2 to the visual processing unit 20. The X-ray inspection apparatus 10 is a main body 100 that irradiates the inspected object 2 with X-rays and acquires an X-ray transmission image of the inspected object 2, a transport mechanism 110 that conveys the inspected object 2, and a main body 100. It includes a display unit 180 for displaying the acquired X-ray transmission image of the object 2 to be inspected, and an operation box B.

The transport mechanism 110 transports the inspected object 2 from the upstream process in the processing / inspection line 1 to any of the workbenches 20A to 20D in the visual processing unit 20 via the main body 100 of the X-ray inspection device 10. .. The transport mechanism 110 includes an input transport unit 111, a central transport unit 112, a discharge transport unit 113, and a distribution transport unit 114, and is in the above order from the process upstream of the processing / inspection line 1 toward the visual processing unit 20. Placed in. The upper surfaces of the input transport unit 111, the central transport unit 112, the discharge transport unit 113, and the distribution transport unit 114 are the transport surfaces on which the inspected object 2 is placed. The charging transport unit 111 transports the inspected object 2 to the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 from the upstream process. The central transport unit 112 passes the object 2 to be inspected through the main body 100 of the X-ray inspection device 10. The discharge transport unit 113 transports the inspected object 2 from the X-ray inspection device 10 toward the visual processing unit 20.

The input transfer unit 111, the central transfer unit 112, and the discharge transfer unit 113 are each composed of a drive roller rotated by a motor, a driven roller to which no driving force is supplied by the motor, and an endless transfer belt wound around these rollers. It is a so-called belt conveyor that is constructed, and moves objects arranged on the upper surface of the conveyor belt in the conveyor direction.

The distribution transport unit 114 is arranged downstream of the discharge transport unit 113, and distributes the inspected object 2 to the workbenches 20A to 20D of the visual processing unit 20. The configuration of the distribution transport unit 114 is arbitrary, but for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a flipper type sorter 114a provided with a distribution arm on a belt conveyor or a position away from the end of the discharge transfer unit 113. It may be configured by combining a transfer belt conveyor 114b or the like that conveys the object 2 to be inspected to the vicinity of the workbench (workbench 20C and 20D in this example). Alternatively, the distribution transfer unit 114 may be configured so that it can be conveyed in a plurality of directions by combining a belt conveyor and a roller conveyor.

A plurality of sensors S for detecting an object on the transport surface are arranged in each part of the transport path by the transport mechanism 110. As the sensor S, for example, a retroreflective photoelectric sensor may be used, and the photoelectric sensor and the reflecting plate may be arranged so that the optical axis scatters at a position where the presence or absence of an object on the transport surface is desired to be detected at the arranged position. The sensor S is, for example, the most downstream portion of the input transport unit 111 (sensor S1), immediately before the inspection target area in the central transport unit 112 (sensor S2), the most downstream portion of the discharge transport unit 113 (sensor S3), and distribution transport. It is arranged immediately before the distribution destination by the unit (sensors S4A to S4D) and the like.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing the configuration inside the main body 100. The main body 100 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 120, an X-ray detection unit 130, a main body cover 140, a main body operation unit 150, a control unit 160, and a storage unit 190.

The X-ray irradiation unit 120 is arranged above the center of the transport mechanism 110. The X-ray irradiation unit 120 irradiates X-rays toward the X-ray detection unit 130 arranged inside the transfer belt of the central transfer unit 112. The X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 pass through the slit and spread from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 in a substantially fan shape. The X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 spread on a plane substantially perpendicular to the transport surface of the central transport unit 112 and substantially orthogonal to the transport direction, and extend in the width direction of the transport belt of the central transport unit 112. Spread to.

Of the substantially fan-shaped region through which the X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit 120 pass, the region from the upper surface of the transport belt to a predetermined height is the inspection target region of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10. The X-ray inspection apparatus 10 irradiates the inspected object 2 passing through the inspection target area with X-rays to inspect the foreign matter.

The X-ray detection unit 130 is composed of a line sensor in which a large number of X-ray detection elements are lined up in a line, and detects X-rays that have passed through the object 2 to be inspected. The X-ray detection unit 130 is arranged inside the transport belt so that the X-ray detection elements constituting the line sensor are substantially orthogonal to the transport direction and lined up in a direction substantially parallel to the transport surface (that is, in the width direction of the transport belt). Will be done. Each X-ray detection element detects X-rays at each position on the line, and outputs the intensity (transmitted X-ray dose) of the X-rays detected at each position to the control unit 160.

The main body cover 140 is a housing of the main body 100, and also functions as a shield for preventing X-rays from leaking to the outside of the X-ray inspection device 10. The main body cover 140 is provided so as to cover the X-ray irradiation unit 120, the X-ray detection unit 130, and the central transport unit 112. The main body cover 140 may further cover a part of the loading / unloading section 111 and the discharging / unloading section 113.

The main body cover 140 is provided with a supply port 142 for supplying the inspected object 2 to the inside and an discharge port 143 for discharging the inspected object 2 to the outside. The object 2 to be inspected is transported on the transport surface from the supply port 142 toward the discharge port 143 by the transport mechanism 110. The supply port 142 and the discharge port 143 are provided with an X-ray shield which is a plate-shaped body made of a metal (for example, stainless steel) capable of shielding X-rays. The X-ray shield is pivotally supported in a predetermined angle on the transport direction side so as not to hinder the movement of the inspected object 2 when pushed by the movement of the inspected object 2 conveyed by the transport mechanism 110. To. The X-ray shield is normally closed with respect to the transport mechanism 110 due to its own weight, and is pushed up and rotated only when the object 2 to be inspected passes under the X-ray shield to open. Will be. Therefore, the drive mechanism for opening and closing the X-ray shield becomes unnecessary, and the cost can be suppressed.

An X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1 is arranged on the upper outer surface of the supply port 142 of the main body cover 140. The X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1 indicates that the X-ray irradiation unit 120 is irradiating X-rays, and for example, a red LED indicator lamp is used.

The storage unit 190 is composed of a storage device such as a RAM and a hard disk. The storage unit 190 stores various programs executed by the control unit. Further, the storage unit 190 stores information on a distribution request indicating a request state for supplying the inspected object 2 to the workbenches 20A to 20D of the visual processing unit 20, and image data of an X-ray transmission image. In order to store these data and the like, the storage unit 190 is provided with a distribution request list 190a, a display waiting image storage area 190b, a display image storage area 190c, a pass image storage area 190d, and the like.

The control unit 160 is composed of a processing device such as a CPU. The control unit 160 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 120, an X-ray detection unit 130, a transport mechanism 110, a display unit 180, an X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1, a storage unit 190, a main body operation unit 150, a sensor S, and an operation box B. Each component, including, is connected. Then, the control unit 160 performs processing based on signals from the X-ray detection unit 130, the main body operation unit 150, the operation box B, the sensor S, and the like, and controls each unit in the X-ray inspection device. The operation of the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 performed under the control of the control unit 160 will be described in detail later.

The main body operation unit 150 is provided on the side surface of the main body cover 140, and includes a switch or the like for performing various operations of the X-ray inspection device 10. For example, the main body operation unit 150 includes a key switch KSW and an X-ray irradiation switching button BT1. The key switch KSW has a structure similar to that of a normal key, and is provided on the outer surface of the main body cover 140. The switch can be turned ON / OFF by inserting the key into the key switch KSW and rotating it. When the key switch KSW is turned on, the X-ray inspection device 10 becomes usable, and when the key switch KSW is turned off, the X-ray inspection device 10 becomes unusable. The key can be removed from the cylinder of the key switch KSW only when it is in the OFF state, the key is removed from the key switch KSW when the X-ray inspection device 10 is not used, and the removed key is an administrator (for example, a worker with special authority). ) Store.

The X-ray irradiation switching button BT1 is a button for starting / stopping X-ray irradiation from the X-ray irradiation unit 120. When X-rays are emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit 120, the X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1 provided on the main body cover 140 is turned on, and when not irradiated, it is turned off.

The display unit 180 is a so-called display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 180 displays an X-ray transmission image of the object 2 to be inspected acquired by the main body unit 100. The display unit 180 is arranged in the vicinity of the workbenches 20A to 20D of the visual processing unit 20. The display unit 180 is individually provided with display areas RA to RD for each of the workbenches 20A to 20D. Each display area RA to RD is arranged at a position easily visible to the operator on the corresponding workbench. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 180 is configured to provide as many display devices as the number of workbenches, and one display device is used as a display area for one workbench.

The configuration of the display unit 180 (number of display devices, allocation of display area, etc.) is not limited to the above, and may be determined according to the arrangement of workbenches and the like. For example, by dividing the screen of one display device and using it, one display device is used as a display area for a plurality of workbenches, and a display unit is configured with a number of display devices smaller than the number of workbenches. May be good.

The operation box B corresponds to the distribution requesting means of the present invention, and receives distribution requests for the inspected object 2 for each of the plurality of workbenches 20A to 20D. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the operation box B. The operation box B includes a plurality of push buttons and indicator lights, and is arranged at a position on the workbench 20A to 20D where the operator can easily operate the operation box B. In the present embodiment, one operation box B is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of workbenches of the visual processing unit 20 (operation boxes BA to BD).

As the push button, a pass determination button BT2, a fail determination button BT3, and the like are provided. The pass judgment button BT2 and the fail judgment button BT3 are buttons for inputting the inspection results of the inspected object 2 visually inspected on each workbench and requesting the distribution of the next inspected object 2. be. The pass determination button BT2 is pressed when the inspected object 2 is passed as a result of the visual inspection, and the fail determination button BT3 is pressed when the inspected object 2 is rejected as a result of the visual inspection. The operation of pressing the pass determination button BT2 or the fail determination button BT3 in each of the operation boxes BA to BD is transmitted to the control unit 160.

As indicator lights, a standby indicator light L2 (for example, a red pilot lamp) that requests distribution and indicates that it is in a standby state, and an object 2 to be inspected are distributed to the workbench, and a visual inspection is being carried out. An inspecting indicator lamp L3 (for example, a green pilot lamp) indicating that the lamp is inspected is provided. The standby indicator light L2 is turned on by pressing the pass determination button BT2 or the fail determination button BT3, and the sensor of the distribution transfer unit 114 indicates that the object 2 to be inspected has been transported to the workbench corresponding to the operation box B. The light is turned off according to the detection of S4A to S4D. The inspecting indicator light L3 lights up in response to the detection by the sensors S4A to S4D of the distribution transport unit 114 that the object 2 to be inspected has been transported to the workbench corresponding to the operation box B, and the pass determination button is displayed. The light is turned off by pressing the BT2 or the fail determination button BT3. By visually recognizing the lighting state of these indicator lights, the manager of the processing / inspection line 1 can easily grasp the operating status of each workbench of the visual processing unit 20. In addition, each indicator light may be arranged at a position with high visibility separately from the operation box.

The configuration of the operation box B (number of operation boxes, allocation to the workbench, operation input means provided in the operation box, etc.) is not limited to the above, and may be determined according to the arrangement of the workbench and the like. For example, one operation box B may be arranged between adjacent workbenches and configured to be shared by workers on the adjacent workbench. In this case, it is advisable to provide an operation input means so that the request for any workbench can be distinguished. Specifically, it is preferable to provide a lever (for example, a joystick or the like) capable of inputting the tilting direction from the neutral state as an operation input means so that it is possible to distinguish which workbench is required according to the tilting direction.

Next, the operation of the X-ray inspection device 10 performed under the control of the control unit 160 will be described. It should be noted that the operation in which the subject is not specified in the following description is due to the control unit 160.

First, when the operator inserts the key into the key switch KSW and turns it on, the main power of the X-ray inspection device 10 is turned on. When the main power is turned on, the X-ray inspection device is ready to accept various operations. Subsequently, when the X-ray irradiation switching button BT1 is pressed, the control unit 160 confirms that there is no object left in the transport path based on the output signal of each sensor S provided on the transport path. do. When there is no leftover, the X-ray irradiation unit 120 starts X-ray irradiation, and the X-ray irradiation indicator lamp L1 provided on the main body cover 140 is turned on. On the other hand, when there is a leftover object, the X-ray irradiation unit 120 does not start the X-ray irradiation, but sounds an alarm buzzer to notify the operator of the existence of the leftover object.

When the X-ray irradiation unit 120 starts to irradiate X-rays, the tray T on which the object to be inspected 2 processed in the upstream process is placed is conveyed by the input transfer unit 111 and the central transfer unit 112. Then, when the tray T is supplied from the supply port 142 to the inside of the main body cover 140, the sensor S2 detects it. Then, based on the output signal of the sensor S2, the control unit 160 detects X-rays by a predetermined line scan from the timing when the sensor S2 immediately before the inspection target area in the central transport unit 112 reaches the position where the tray T is detected. The transmitted X-ray dose output by the unit 130 is acquired, and this is used to generate an X-ray transmission image of the object 2 to be inspected on the tray T. The generated X-ray transmission image is temporarily stored in the display-waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 as a display-waiting image. The tray T that has passed through the inspection target area is transported to the discharge transport unit 113. In this way, the X-ray transmission image of the object 2 to be inspected on the tray T conveyed to the discharge transfer unit 113 is stored in the display-waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 as a display-waiting image. ..

A worker working on each workbench 20A to 20D of the visual processing unit 20 presses the pass determination button BT2 (or the fail determination button BT3) of the operation boxes BA to BD provided for each workbench. Then, the distribution request of the object 2 to be inspected is accepted by the control unit 160. The control unit 160 records the waiting order of the distribution requests from the operation boxes BA to BD in the distribution request list 190a. The distribution request list 190a records the waiting order of distribution requests for the number of workbenches of the visual processing unit 20 (that is, the number of operation boxes B) at the maximum. In the distribution request list 190a, information indicating the workbench is recorded in the upper (that is, destination) field in the order in which the pass determination button BT2 is pressed earlier. For example, when the pass determination button BT2 is pressed in the order of the operation box BC, the operation box BA, the operation box BB, and the operation box BD, the information indicating the operation box BC in the field in which the standby order is the first (identification number). Etc.) are recorded, information indicating the operation box BA is recorded in the field with the second waiting order, information indicating the operation box BB is recorded in the field with the third waiting order, and the waiting order is the fourth. Information indicating the operation box BD is recorded in the field of. Further, the standby indicator lamp L2 of the operation box B in which the standby order is recorded in the distribution request list 190a is turned on.

When there is a record of the distribution request in the distribution request list 190a and the display waiting image is stored in the storage unit 190b, the control unit 160 is inspected according to the order in which the distribution request is received from each operation box B. Specify to which workbench the object 2 is to be transported. Specifically, the control unit 160 specifies the workbench corresponding to the operation box B having the first waiting order in the distribution request list 190a as the workbench of the transfer destination. Then, the control unit 160 controls the discharge transport unit 113 and the distribution transport unit 114 to transport the tray T transported to the discharge transport unit 113 to the workbench specified as the transport destination. Further, the control unit 160 moves the data of the display-waiting image from the display-waiting image storage area 190b to the display image storage area 190c for the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the work table, and the display-waiting image storage area 190b is empty. It is in a state of being.

Sensors S4A to S4D are provided at the boundary between the distribution transport unit 114 and each workbench to detect that the tray T has reached the workbench. In response to the detection that the tray T has reached the workbench corresponding to the operation box B having the first standby order, the control unit 160 has the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the workbench to which the tray T has arrived. Displays an image stored in the corresponding display image storage area 190c.

Further, as the tray T transported to the discharge transport unit 113 is transported to the workbench of the visual processing unit 20 by the discharge transport unit 113 and the distribution transport unit 114, the control unit 160 has a distribution request list. The waiting order of the distribution request recorded in 190a is updated. That is, the control unit 160 erases the first place in the waiting order of the distribution request recorded in the distribution request list 190a, and advances the second place and below by one place. For example, in the above example, the information indicating the operation box BC is deleted from the field having the first waiting order, and the information indicating the operation box BA is moved up from the second place to the field having the first waiting order. It is recorded in the 1st place, and similarly, the information indicating the operation box BB is recorded in the field having the 2nd place in the waiting order, and the information indicating the operation box BD is recorded in the field having the 3rd place in the waiting order. The 4th place field will be blank. The standby indicator light L2 of the operation box B whose sorting is performed and the standby order is deleted from the sorting request list 190a is turned off, while the inspecting indicator light L3 is turned on. The standby indicator lamp L2 of the operation box B in which the standby order is recorded after the distribution request list 190a is updated is maintained in the lit state.

Further, the control unit 160 operates the input transfer unit 111 and the central transfer unit 112 to supply the next tray T from the supply port 142 to the inside of the main body cover 140, captures an X-ray transmission image, and waits for a new display. It is stored in the display waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190. Until a new display-waiting image is captured, the workbench whose standby order is recorded in the distribution request list 190a is in a state of waiting for distribution. When the imaging of the new display-waiting image is completed, the control unit 160 controls the distribution transport unit 114 and the like, and the tray T is updated. The standby order of the distribution request corresponds to the first operation box B. When the tray T reaches the workbench 20A to 20D after being transported to the workbench (the workbench in which the operation box BA is arranged in the above example), the tray T reaches the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the workbench. Display an X-ray transmission image.

At each workbench 20A to 20D, an operator performs a visual inspection while referring to an image displayed in the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the workbench 20A to 20D. Then, the operator presses either the pass determination button BT2 or the fail determination button BT3 of the operation box B according to the result of the visual inspection. When the pass determination button BT2 is pressed, the control unit 160 displays the image displayed in the display areas RA to RD corresponding to the workbench as an X-ray transmission image of the product that has passed the visual inspection in the storage unit 190. It is recorded in the pass image storage area 190d, and is received as a new distribution request and recorded in the lowest waiting order of the distribution request list 190a. When the fail determination button BT3 is pressed, the control unit 160 accepts the image displayed in the display areas RA to RD of the workbench as a new distribution request without storing it in the storage unit 190. And record in the order of resumption of the distribution request list 190a. At this time, the standby indicator light L2 of the operation box B in which the standby order is recorded in the distribution request list 190a is turned on by the operation of the operation box, while the inspecting indicator light L3 is turned off.

By repeating such control, the tray T on which the X-ray transmission image has been captured is sequentially distributed to the workbench whose standby order is the first in the distribution request list 190a.

When the standby order is not recorded in the distribution request list 190a (for example, the work is being performed on all workbenches) and the imaging of the X-ray transmission image of the next tray T is completed. The tray T is transported to a position where the sensor S3 at the most downstream portion of the discharge transport unit 113 detects the tray T until the next distribution request is received, and the tray T is placed in the distribution standby state. In the state where the tray T is on standby on the discharge transport unit 113, the next tray T is further transported to the position where the sensor S1 at the most downstream portion of the input transport unit detects the tray T, and is in the image pickup standby state.

As described above, the control unit 160 receives a distribution request for the object to be inspected 2 from the operation box B arranged on each workbench, a distribution according to the request, and the like. The distribution request list 190a stored in the storage unit 190 is updated. Then, each time the imaging of the X-ray transmission image of the inspected object 2 is completed, the inspected object 2 is conveyed to an appropriate workbench by the conveying mechanism 110 according to the distribution request list 190a, and the work is performed on the display unit 180. The display areas RA to RD corresponding to the table are controlled so that the X-ray transmission image of the object 2 to be inspected transported to the workbench is displayed.

With such a configuration, in the line using the X-ray inspection device of the present embodiment, a plurality of workers can efficiently perform a visual inspection, and the play time of the inspection device of each worker can be reduced. can.

[Modification of the first embodiment]
Although the processing / inspection line 1 having the X-ray inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment has been described above, the configuration of the X-ray inspection device 10 is not limited to these examples.

For example, the control unit 160 of the X-ray inspection device 10 determines the pass / fail of the inspected object 2 based on the X-ray transmission image, and the inspected object 2 that has passed is conveyed to a further downstream process, but is rejected. It may be specified whether or not only the inspected object 2 that has become is to be distributed to each workbench of the visual processing unit 20. In this case, the object to be inspected 2 is distributed to the specified processing position by the transport mechanism 110, and the X-ray transmission image of the object to be inspected 2 that has failed is displayed in the display area corresponding to the workbench of the distribution destination. It is good to do so. In addition, the visual processing unit 20 performs a correction work for removing the foreign matter and the like that caused the failure of the inspected object 2 that has failed, and the X-ray inspection device 10 again performs the correction work on the inspected object 2 after the correction work. It is advisable to configure it so that it is input to.

[Second Embodiment]
In the X-ray inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment, the transport mechanism 110 includes a distribution transport unit 114, and the work in the visual processing unit 20 is based on the distribution request received by the distribution request means (operation box B). A configuration is adopted in which the inspected object 2 is conveyed to any of the tables 20A to 20D, but in the second embodiment, a simple configuration in which the distribution and transportation of the inspected object 2 are not automated is adopted.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a processing / inspection line 1A having an X-ray inspection device 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of the X-ray inspection device 10A. The common configuration with the X-ray inspection apparatus 10 in the first embodiment is designated by a common reference numeral and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, the X-ray inspection device 10A includes a transport mechanism 110A. The transport mechanism 110A includes an input transport unit 111, a central transport unit 112, and a discharge transport unit 113, but does not include a distribution transport unit, and the discharge transport unit 113 transports the non-inspected object 2 to the standby unit 115. The standby unit 115 is provided at a position easily accessible to the workers of all the workbenches (20A to 20D) in the visual processing unit 20. The discharge transport unit 113 is extended as necessary as compared with the first embodiment. Each of the workbenches 20A to 20D is provided with an operation box B (BA to BD) as in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the operation box B includes an image request button in addition to the pass determination button BT2 and the fail determination button BT3. This image request button is an example of the movement detecting means in the present invention.

The inspected object 2 for which the X-ray transmission image has been photographed is carried into the discharge transfer unit 113 in the order in which the X-ray transmission image is photographed and accumulated in the standby unit 115. Workers of the workbenches 20A to 20D in the visual processing unit 20 move the earliest photographed object 2 stored in the standby unit 115 to the workbench on which they work, and the subject. Visual inspection is performed on the inspection object 2. At this time, the operator moves the object 2 to be inspected to the workbench and presses the image request button. When the image request button is pressed, the control unit 160 installs the oldest display-waiting image stored in the display-waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190, and the operation box B on which the image request button is pressed is installed. Display in the display area corresponding to the workbench.

As described above, in the processing / inspection line 1A having the X-ray inspection device 10A according to the second embodiment, a plurality of workers can efficiently perform visual inspection even in a simple configuration in which sorting is not performed automatically. It will be possible.

[Modification of the second embodiment]
Although the processing / inspection line 1A having the X-ray inspection device 10A according to the second embodiment has been described above, the configuration of the X-ray inspection device 10A is not limited to these examples. For example, in the second embodiment described above, when the operator presses the image request button provided on the operation box B, the control unit is informed to which workbench the object 2 to be inspected 2 has been moved to, and accordingly. Although the display-waiting image is displayed in an appropriate display area, it may be possible to automatically detect to which workbench the inspected object 2 has been moved, regardless of the operator's operation. As a specific example, it is preferable to provide a sensor such as a passage sensor at the boundary between the standby unit 115 and each workbench 20A to 20D to detect that the tray T has been moved to the workbench. This sensor is an example of the movement detecting means in the present invention. Then, the control unit 160 displays the oldest display-waiting image stored in the display-waiting image storage area 190b of the storage unit 190 on the workbench corresponding to the sensor that detects the movement of the object 2 to be inspected. It is good to display it in the area.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, those skilled in the art appropriately adding, deleting, and designing changes to each of the above-described embodiments, and those in which the features of each embodiment are appropriately combined are also provided with the gist of the present invention. As long as it is, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

1 Processing / inspection line 2 Inspected object T tray 10 X-ray inspection device 20 Visual processing unit 100 Main unit 110 Conveyance mechanism 120 X-ray irradiation unit 130 X-ray detection unit 140 Main unit cover 150 Main unit operation unit 160 Control unit 180 Display unit 190 Memory

Claims (6)

An X-ray inspection device that captures an X-ray transmission image of an object to be inspected and conveys the object to be inspected to a downstream processing unit having a plurality of processing positions.
An X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates the object to be inspected in the inspection target area with X-rays,
An X-ray detector that detects X-rays that have passed through the object to be inspected,
A transport mechanism for transporting the inspected object to any of the plurality of processing positions in the downstream processing unit via the inspection target area.
A display unit having a plurality of display areas corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions, and a display unit.
Using the X-ray detection result by the X-ray detection unit, an X-ray transmission image of the inspected object is generated, it is specified at which processing position the inspected object is processed, and the specified processing is performed. A control unit that controls the display of the X-ray transmission image of the object to be inspected in the display area corresponding to the position, and
A distribution requesting means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions and receiving a distribution request for distributing the next inspected object to each processing position.
Equipped with
The control unit specifies, in the order in which the distribution requests for the inspected object are received from the plurality of processing positions, the processing positions corresponding to the distribution request means that received the distribution requests as the processing positions of the transport destination. It is characterized in that the object to be inspected is distributed to the specified processing position by the transport mechanism, and the X-ray transmission image of the object to be inspected is displayed in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. X-ray inspection equipment. A sensor for detecting that the object to be inspected has been conveyed is provided at each of the plurality of processing positions.
In response to the detection by the sensor provided at the specified processing position that the object to be inspected has been conveyed, the control unit displays the object to be inspected in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the X-ray transmission image is controlled to be displayed. The control unit determines the pass / fail of the inspected object based on the generated X-ray transmission image, and specifies to which processing position the inspected object is to be conveyed only for the inspected object determined to be unacceptable. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the object to be inspected is distributed to the specified processing position by the transport mechanism. A movement detecting means for detecting the movement of the inspected object to the processing position corresponding to each of the plurality of processing positions is provided.
The transport mechanism transports the object to be inspected to the vicinity of the plurality of processing positions via the inspection target area.
The control unit specifies at which processing position the inspected object is processed based on the detection result of the movement detecting means, and X of the inspected object is displayed in the display area corresponding to the specified processing position. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray inspection apparatus is controlled to display a line transmission image. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 4 , wherein the movement detecting means is a switch that accepts an operation of an operator. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the movement detecting means is a sensor that detects that the object to be inspected has been moved to each processing position.

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