JPH0616223A - Inspection method for article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To inspect the carrying of articles with normal intervals kept, by comparing a detected presence pattern with the presence inspection data of the articles, with the presence of the articles detected every given section. CONSTITUTION:An inspection system control panel 9081 is composed of a sequencer, and performs inspection action based on inspection data from a host CPU 9082. The comparation is made at a goods arrangement vessel unit between the presence inspection data (pattern) of an article every given section, based on inspection data, that is, a goods arrangement vessel number, an inspection standard pulse every main stream line, the presence inspection data of articles every main stream line, and the presence pattern of actual articles every main stream line, detected with respective photoelectric switches 9061 provided on the upstream end part of a cutoff conveyor. When nonconformity exists, a goods arrangement vessel number and an error pattern are outputted to the host CPU 9083 via a picking control panel 9082 and a PIO.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for inspecting articles which are continuously conveyed, and more particularly to an article inspection method for inspecting whether articles are conveyed at regular intervals. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique relating to a method of transporting an article, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-291310 is known.

The conventional technique described in the above publication will be described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-291310.
It describes a method of transporting an article that joins the article into a virtual space according to the size of the article.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following problems.

That is, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-291310 does not describe a function of inspecting whether or not the articles are conveyed at regular intervals.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to detect the presence or absence of an article for each predetermined section, and compare the detected presence / absence pattern with the article presence / absence inspection data to convey the article at a normal interval. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inspecting an article that can be inspected whether or not it has been.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method for inspecting articles that are continuously conveyed, detecting the presence or absence of articles conveyed on a conveyor for each predetermined section, and the detected presence / absence patterns and articles. The above object is achieved by providing a method for inspecting an article, which is characterized in that it is configured to inspect whether or not the article is normally conveyed by comparing the presence / absence inspection data. .

Further, according to the present invention, in the inspection method for articles merged from a plurality of tributary lines to the main stream line, the presence / absence of the articles merged into the main stream line is detected for each predetermined section, and the detected presence / absence pattern is detected. The above object is achieved by providing a method for inspecting an article, characterized by comparing the inspection data with the presence / absence inspection data of the article and inspecting whether or not the article is normally merged. Is.

It is preferable that the presence / absence of an article is determined based on the detection time of the article in a predetermined section.

Further, it is preferable that the section is set by the number of pulses.

[0011]

According to the method of inspecting an article of the present invention, the presence / absence of an article is detected at predetermined intervals, and the detected presence / absence pattern is compared with the article presence / absence inspection data to keep the article at a normal interval. It is possible to inspect whether it is being transported.

[0012]

The method for inspecting articles according to the present invention will be described below together with an example of article arranging equipment suitable for carrying out the method.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of equipment for arranging articles. In this drawing, reference numeral (1000) shows the upper outer flaps on the left and right side surfaces of a box body such as a corrugated cardboard box separated from the inner flaps. A box unpacking device, (2000) is a box unpacking device that separates the lower outer flaps of the left and right side surfaces of the box from the inner flap, and (3000) is an upper outer flap and a lower outer flap. Is a pusher for changing the conveying direction of the box body peeled from the inner flap, so that the upper outer flap and the lower outer flap, which are peeled and are in a free state, are not locked to the inner flap again.
Further, (4000) is a flap opening device that opens the upper outer flap and the lower outer flap of one (front side in the traveling direction) of the pair of side surface portions separated from the inner flap,
(5000) is an article take-out device for taking out the article (G) stored in the box body by pushing it horizontally with a pusher, and (6000) is an article supply apparatus in which a swing conveyor is mounted on a traveling carriage. Yes, the first tributary line (7001) in which the articles (G) taken out from the box by the article take-out device (5000) are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of stages of the article storage / loading device (7000).
It is designed to be supplied to A). Also, (7000)
Is a first tributary line (7001) consisting of a gravity roller conveyor (7001) on which goods (G) are placed by type.
A second tributary line (7) consisting of a gravity roller conveyor (7001) on which articles (G) of a plurality of types that are pre-sorted and supplied in the order of (A) and the types to be taken out are placed.
(001B) and a fluidized shelf (7
004), and the goods (G) stored in the fluidized shelves (7004) are moved from the storage front side to the storage front side by their own weight, and the article take-out device (7003) controls the respective gravity. It is taken out to the main line (7002) of a plurality of stages provided corresponding to the roller conveyor (7001), and the main line (7
002) are conveyed at intervals of each stage, and are conveyed through a separation conveyor (9006) and the like, and an inclined conveyor (90
It is transported to 10). Further, (8000) is an article loading device for loading articles (G) that have been continuously loaded by the article storage / load sorting apparatus (7000) into the moving load sorting container (C). 8002) and a container carrying conveyor (8001), and a stopper (9030) described later by the article supply conveyor (8002).
Thus, the articles (G) knitted into an aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows are loaded in a direction substantially parallel to the front wall (C1) of the load-sorting container (C). Also, (9001),
(9004) and (9005) are roller conveyors and (90
02) and (9003) are stoppers, and (9007) is a disassembling device for disassembling a plurality of stages of articles (G) taken out from the box by the article taking-out device (5000). Further, (9010) is a plurality of rows of inclined conveyors that convey articles (G) at intervals in each row, and (9020) is a knitting conveyor arranged downstream of the inclined conveyor (9010), A rotating endless round belt (92) for narrowing a plurality of rows of articles (G)
11) is provided with a side guide (9021). Further, (9030) is a stopper arranged on the downstream side of the knitting conveyor (9020) so that a plurality of rows of articles (G) conveyed on the knitting conveyor (9020) can be stopped. Then, the article (G) is taken out from the box body in which a plurality of articles (G) of the same type are stored by the article take-out device (5000), and the taken-out article (G) of the same type is given as an article. It is placed on a plurality of stages of first tributary lines (7001A) located in the same row of the flow rack (7004) of the storage load arranging device (7000) and taken out by an article load arranging device (7000B) not shown. Articles (G) of a plurality of varieties that are pre-sorted in the order of varieties are placed on the second tributary line (7001B) by a conveyor (7000C) (not shown), and the first tributary line (7001).
The article (G) placed on A) and the second tributary line (70)
01B) and the articles (G) placed on the main stream line (7002) are taken out in desired quantities. The taken out article (G) is conveyed through the separating conveyor (9006) and the like at intervals of each inclined conveyor (9010) and reaches the knitting conveyor (9020), where each of the aggregates composed of a plurality of rows is conveyed. A plurality of rows of articles (G) are separated by a stopper (9030) to separate the article (G) to be the head in the row and the article (G) to be the last in each row of the preceding assembly. After knitting into an aggregate consisting of the articles, the articles (G) are put into the load-sorting container (C) moving downward by the article inputting device (8000).
It is designed to be put in an aligned state so that they are stacked. In addition, a plurality of tributary lines (7001A), (7001A
The presence or absence of the article (G) merged from B) to the mainstream line (7002) and continuously conveyed on the mainstream line (7002) is detected for each predetermined section, and the detected presence / absence pattern and the presence / absence of the article are inspected. The data is compared to check whether or not the article (G) is normally merged and conveyed.

Each part in the above embodiment will be described. In FIG. 2, the number of rows of the gravity roller conveyor (7001) constituting the first tributary line (7001A) and the second tributary line (7001B) and the main line (7002). )
Arrangement of goods is as shown in FIG.
3 is a perspective view of an article storage / loading apparatus (7000) substantially the same as the article storage / loading apparatus (7000) shown in FIG. 1, but FIG. 3 is a gravity roller conveyor (70) shown in FIG.
(011) is an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of (011), and (7001) is a gravity roller conveyor with the front end side inclined downward, and is a plurality of rows (10 rows in FIG. 1, FIG. 2) in the direction along the main stream line (7002). 5 columns in FIG. 2, 2 in FIG.
(6 rows), 5 shelves arranged vertically (7004)
Are formed, and the article take-out device (70) is provided at the tip of each gravity roller conveyor (7001).
03) is provided. Further, (7002) is a mainstream line (loading conveyor) arranged so as to connect the article take-out devices (7003) in the same stage, and is provided in five stages in the vertical direction.

Thus, the gravity roller conveyor (70
No. 01) is a pair of rail frames (7012) provided with a plurality of rollers (7011) arranged in an inclined manner, and an article supply device (6000) or conveyor (7000C) is mounted on a gravity roller conveyor (7001). The article (G) supplied by is self-propelled on the roller (7011) by its own weight, is stored (storage), and is then taken out to the mainstream line (7002) by the article taking-out device (7003). is there.

Further, the mainstream line (7002) has a speed of about 67 m / min, which is arranged so as to connect the article take-out device (7003) provided at the tip of the gravity roller conveyor (7001) arranged in parallel. Belt conveyor (Fig. 2
In the embodiment shown in (1), five stages are provided in the vertical direction so as to be substantially orthogonal to the gravity roller conveyor (7001). A pulse encoder (7023) is attached to the mainstream line (7002). In addition, the outlet of each main line (7002),
That is, the photoelectric switch (9061) for detecting the conveyed article (G) is provided at the upstream end of the separation conveyor (9006).
Is provided.

Further, the article take-out device (7003) is
With the shaft (7033) as a fulcrum, the air cylinder (703
2) The stopper (7
031) and a chute (7034) arranged on the downstream side of the stopper (7031).
032) when the rod is in the protruding state, the stopper (7
The upper end of the front wall of 031) projects from the upper surface of the roller (7011), and the front wall of the stopper (7031) locks the self-propelled article (G). is there. When an article take-out command is issued, the upper end of the front wall of the stopper (7031) is moved to the roller (70) by operating the air cylinder (7032).
The article (G) at the tip, which is lowered from the upper surface of 11) and is locked by the front wall of the stopper (7031), is taken out. then,
The upper end of the rear wall of the stopper (7031) has a roller (701
Since it is higher than the upper surface of 1), the succeeding article (G)
Is locked by the rear wall of the stopper (7031), and only one article (G) stored (placed) on the gravity roller conveyor (7001) can be taken out to the mainstream line (7002). In addition, the stopper (7031) allows 1
The articles (G) taken out one by one are fed to the main line (700
The chute (7034) for carrying out to 2) is composed of a pair of rail frames (7341) provided with a plurality of rollers, and the rail frame (7341) of the chute (7034) is connected to the gravity roller conveyor (700).
It is arranged at a steeper slope than the rail frame (7012) of 1).

Hereinafter, a first tributary line (7001A) and a second tributary line (700) consisting of a gravity roller conveyor (7001) of an article storage / loading device (7000).
1B), the method of taking out and aligning the articles (G) placed on the flow shelf (7004), that is, the gravity roller conveyor (7001) shown in FIG. 4 is along the main line (7002). A description will be given based on another embodiment in which a total of 130 pieces, that is, 26 rows in the direction and 5 rows in the vertical direction are arranged. Note that (1a), (1b), ..., (1z) are gravity roller conveyors (7) arranged in the first stage from the bottom.
The main stream line (700
2), the most downstream side is (1a) and the most upstream side is (1z)
And (1a), (1b), ..., (1y) are the first
Is used as the tributary line (7001A) and (1z) is used as the second tributary line (7001B). Also, (2a), (2b), ..., (2
z) is a branch code indicating each of the gravity roller conveyors (7001) arranged in the second stage from the bottom, and 3 from the bottom.
Gravity roller conveyors (7001) arranged in the 5th to 5th steps are also shown, and the gravity roller conveyors (2z), (3
z), (4z) and (5z) are the second tributary line (700
1B).

Thus, each first tributary line (7
001A) is provided with a plurality of articles (G) supplied by the article supply device (6000) for each product type, and placed on the first tributary line (7) of all the stages located in the same row.
Articles (G) of the same type are placed on 001A). That is, the first tributary lines (1a), (2a), (3
a), (4a) and (5a) are articles of a type (Ga)
Is the first tributary line (1b), (2b), (3b),
In (4b) and (5b), the goods (Gb) of b type, and the other first tributary lines (7001A) are similarly processed, and the first tributary lines (1y), (2y), (3y), (4
Items of y type (Gy) are placed in y) and (5y). In addition, the second tributary line (1z), (2z),
In (3z), (4z), and (5z), a plurality of product types (Gz) with low load alignment request frequency are taken out to the main line (7002) by the article load sorting device (7000B) not shown. It is supplied and placed in order. still,
It goes without saying that the z-type articles (Gz) mean a plurality of types of articles (G).

First, when the articles (G) are to be sorted in units of the sorting container (C), only the articles of the same type, for example, the articles (Ga) are m rows (for example, 4 rows) × n columns (for example, 5 rows). Explaining the case of arranging only the columns), since the articles (Ga) are placed on the respective stages, the first tributary lines (1a), (2a), (3a), (4a),
One article (Ga) is provided by each article take-out device (7003) provided at the tip of (5a).
Are taken out into each main stream line (7002) at approximately the same time, and a total of 5 articles (Ga) are taken out. Further, in the same manner, the articles (Ga) can be taken out at approximately the same time for each stage.
This process is repeated once, and four articles (Ga) are loaded on each main line (7002). 20 assorted
The individual articles (Ga) are conveyed through the separating conveyor (9006) and the like at intervals of each inclined conveyor (9010), reach the knitting conveyor (9020), and are gathered in five rows by the stopper (9030). After knitting into a body, the articles are put into the load arranging container (C) in an arrangement of 4 rows × 5 columns by the article inserting device (8000). That is, five articles (Ga) of the same type are provided with five first tributary lines (1a), (2a), (3a), (4a),
Even when only articles of the same type (Ga) are to be sorted by picking them up from (5a) substantially at the same time, the articles of the different type (G) are just as fast to be sorted. You can

Also, only articles (G) of different types, for example, articles (Ga), (Gb), (Gc), (G
d) and (Ge) in the second row and the articles (Gf), (Gg),
(Gh), (Gi), and (Gj) in the third line
k), (Gl), (Gm), (Gn), and (Go) in the fourth row, the articles (Gp), (Gq), (Gr), (Gs),
(Gt) are sorted, that is, 20 kinds of articles (G) are 4
Explaining the case of arranging loads in rows × 5 columns, the article (Ga) is placed at the head of the first main stream line (7002) from the bottom.
However, the article (Gb) is at the head of the second main stream line (7002) from the bottom, and the third main stream line (7002) from the bottom.
The article (Gc) at the beginning of the item, the article (Gd) at the beginning of the fourth main line from the bottom (7002), and the article (Ge) at the beginning of the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom As described above, the respective articles (G) are carried out from the first tributary lines (1a), (2b), (3c), (4d), (5e), and the articles (Ga), (Gb) are placed in the first row. ), (G
c), (Gd), and (Ge) are loaded. Next, the article (Gf) is added to the first main stream line (7002) from the bottom.
However, the article (Gg) is in the second main stream line from the bottom (7002), the article (Gh) is in the third main stream line from the bottom (7002), and the fourth main stream line from the bottom (7002).
The article (Gi) is loaded in 2), and the article (Gj) is loaded in the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom at the second position on each main line (7002). If the article (G) is the first tributary line (1f), (2
g), (3h), (4i), (5j), and articles (Gf), (Gg), (Gh), (G) in the second row.
i) and (Gj) are sorted. Next, the article (Gk) is fed from the bottom in the first main line (7002) from the bottom.
The article (Gl) is in the main stream line (7002) in the third row, and the article (Gm) is in the main stream line (7002) in the third row from the bottom.
However, the article (Gn) is on the fourth main stream line (7002) from the bottom, and the article (Go) is on the fifth main stream line (7002) from the third on the main stream line (7002). The respective articles (G) are loaded on the first tributary line (1k), (2l), (3
m), (4n), (5o), and articles (Gk), (Gl), (Gm), (Gn), (Go) in the third row.
Are sorted. Next, the main line (7
002) is the article (Gp), the second main flow line (7002) from the bottom is the product (Gq), the third main flow line (7002) is the bottom (Gr) from the bottom. The article (Gs) is loaded on the fourth main line (7002) and the article (Gt) is loaded on the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom at the fourth position on each main line (7002). The respective articles (G) are arranged in the first tributary line (1p), (2q), (3r), (4s), (5) so as to be aligned.
t), the goods (Gp), (G
q), (Gr), (Gs), and (Gt) are sorted.
That is, the articles (Ga), (Gf), (Gk), and (Gp) are arranged in this order on the first main stream line (7002) from the bottom, and the articles ( G
b), (Gg), (Gl), and (Gq) in that order, the article (Gc),
In the order of (Gh), (Gm), and (Gr), the articles (Gd) and (G
i), (Gn), and (Gs) in this order, the article (Ge), (Gj), and
(Go), (Gt) are ordered in the order, and the 20 items (G) that have been ordered are conveyed at intervals for each inclined conveyor (9010) through a separating conveyor (9006) and the like. After reaching the knitting conveyor (9020) and knitting into an aggregate consisting of five rows by the stopper (9030), the articles are put into the load-sorting container (C) in an arrangement of 4 rows × 5 columns by the article loading device (8000). To be done.

Next, 4 pieces of 20 articles (G) of the same kind but different kinds are placed in the first packing container (C).
Twenty articles (G) of the same varieties and the remaining different varieties in the second arranging container (C)
The case of packing items in 4 rows × 5 columns will be described. For example, an article (G) to be loaded into the first loading container (C)
In the first row, the articles (Ga), (Gd), (Gd),
(Gf), (Gg) in the second row, the articles (Gg), (G
h), (Gj), (Gj), and (Gl), and the articles (Gr), (Gr), (Gr), (Gr), and (Gr) in the third row.
In the fourth row, the articles (Gr), (Gs), (Gt), (G
t) and (Gy) are sorted and the articles (G) to be loaded into the second sorting container (C) are further loaded in the fifth row as articles (Ga), (Ga), (Gb), and (Gd). ), (Ge)
In the 6th row, the articles (Ge), (Gg), (Gh), (G
k), (Gk) in the 7th row, articles (Gl), (Gm),
(Gp), (Gr), (Gs) in the 8th row, the article (G
s), (Gt), (Gy), (Gz), and (Gz), when arranging the loads, the first main line from the bottom (700)
2) The article (Ga) is at the beginning, the article (Gd) is at the beginning of the second main stream line (7002) from the bottom, and the article (Gd) is at the beginning of the third main stream line (7002) from the bottom. , The article (G
In (f), the respective articles (G) are first tributary lines (1a), (2d), (so that the articles (Gg) are lined up at the head of the main stream line (7002) at the fifth stage from the bottom. Three
d), (4f), (5g), and the articles (Ga), (Gd), (Gd), (Gf), (Gg) in the top row.
Are sorted. Next, the main line (7
002) is the article (Gg), the second main line from the bottom (7002) is the article (Gh), the third main line from the bottom is the main line (7002) is the article (Gj) from the bottom. The article (Gj) is loaded on the fourth main line (7002) and the article (Gl) is loaded on the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom at the second position on each main line (7002). The respective articles (G) are aligned so that the first tributary lines (1g), (2h), (3j), (4j), (5) are aligned.
l), and the goods (Gg), (G
h), (Gj), (Gj), and (Gl) are loaded.
Next, the article (Gr) is in the first main line (7002) from the bottom, the article (Gr) is in the second main line (7002) from the bottom, and the main line (third) from the bottom (7002). 700
2) is the article (Gr), the fourth main line (7002) from the bottom is the article (Gr), and the fifth main line (7002) is the main line from which the article (Gr) is the main stream. Each article (G) has its first tributary line (1) so that it can be loaded at the third position on the line (7002).
r), (2r), (3r), (4r), (5r), and articles (Gr), (Gr), (G
r), (Gr), and (Gr) are loaded. Next, in the first main stream line (7002) from the bottom, articles (Gr)
However, the article (Gs) is in the second main stream line from the bottom (7002), the article (Gt) is in the third main stream line from the bottom (7002), and the main stream line is the fourth main stream from the bottom (7002).
The article (Gt) is loaded in 2) and the article (Gy) is loaded in the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom at the fourth position on each main line (7002). The article (G) is the first tributary line (1r), (2
s), (3t), (4t), (5y), and articles (Gr), (Gs), (Gt), (G) in the fourth row.
t) and (Gy) are loaded. Next, the article (Ga) is fed from the bottom to the main stream line (7002) at the first stage from the bottom.
The article (Ga) is in the main stream line (7002) in the third row, and the article (Gb) is in the main stream line (7002) in the third row from the bottom.
However, the article (Gd) is on the fourth main stream line (7002) from the bottom, and the article (Ge) is on the fifth main stream line (7002) from the fifth on the main stream line (7002). The respective articles (G) are loaded on the first tributary lines (1a), (2a), (3
b), (4d), (5e), and the fifth row has articles (Ga), (Ga), (Gb), (Gd), (Ge).
Are sorted. Next, the main line (7
002) is the article (Ge), the second main flow line (7002) from the bottom is the product (Gg), and the third main flow line (7002) is the product (Gh) from the bottom. The article (Gk) is loaded on the fourth main line (7002) and the article (Gk) is loaded on the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom at the sixth position on each main line (7002). The respective articles (G) are aligned so that the first tributary lines (1e), (2g), (3h), (4k), (5).
k), and in the 6th row, the articles (Ge), (G
g), (Gh), (Gk), and (Gk) are loaded.
Next, the article (Gl) is in the first main line from the bottom (7002), the article (Gm) is in the second main line from the bottom (7002), and the main line in the third from the bottom (700). 700
2) is the article (Gp), the fourth main flow line (7002) from the bottom is the article (Gr), and the fifth main flow line (7002) is the main stream from the bottom (Gs). Each article (G) has its first tributary line (1) so that it can be loaded at the 7th position on the line (7002).
l), (2m), (3p), (4r), (5s), and articles (Gl), (Gm), (G
p), (Gr), and (Gs) are loaded. Next, in the first main line (7002) from the bottom, articles (Gs)
However, the article (Gt) is in the second main stream line from the bottom (7002), the article (Gy) is in the third main stream line from the bottom (7002), and the fourth main stream line from the bottom (7002).
2) The article (Gz) is loaded on the fifth main line (7002) from the bottom, and the article (Gz) is loaded on the main line (7002) at the eighth position. The article (G) is the first tributary line (1s), (2
t), (3y) and the second tributary line (4z), (5z)
And the goods (Gs), (Gt),
(Gy), (Gz), and (Gz) are loaded. That is,
In the first main line (7002) from the bottom, goods (G
a), (Gg), (Gr), (Gr), (Ga), (G
e), (Gl), and (Gs) in this order, the articles (Gd), (Gh), and
(Gr), (Gs), (Ga), (Gg), (Gm),
In the order of (Gt), the third main line (700
2) includes articles (Gd), (Gj), (Gr), (G
In the order of t), (Gb), (Gh), (Gp), and (Gy), the articles (Gf), (Gj), (Gr), and (Gt) are provided in the fourth main flow line (7002) from the bottom. ), (Gd),
In the order of (Gk), (Gr), and (Gz), the articles (Gg) and (G
l), (Gr), (Gy), (Ge), (Gk), (G
s) and (Gz) are ordered in the order of 40
2 of the goods (G) in the first row to the fourth row
0 articles (G) are conveyed through the separating conveyor (9006) and the like at intervals of each inclined conveyor (9010), reach the knitting conveyor (9020), and are composed of five rows by the stopper (9030). After knitting into an aggregate, they are loaded into the first load-sorting container (C) in an arrangement of 4 rows × 5 columns by the article loading device (8000),
Twenty articles (G) arranged in rows to row 8 are also knitted into an aggregate consisting of 5 rows, and then placed in the second arrangement container (C) in an arrangement of 4 rows x 5 rows. It

Next, the order as described above, that is, the article (G
a), (Gg), (Gr), (Gr), (Ga), (G
e), (Gl), and (Gs) in this order when the articles (G) are loaded on the first main stream line (7002) from the bottom, the first tributary line (7001A) or the second tributary line (7001A) How the article (G) placed on the tributary line (7001B) is taken out to the main stream line (7002) will be described.

First main stream line (7002) from the bottom
Is set to a virtual space of 500 mm obtained by adding a certain margin space 200 mm to the length dimension (300 mm) of the article (G), and the above eight articles (G) are taken out from the virtual space.
When there is a load alignment command to convey at a pitch of 00 mm, the pulse encoder (7023) attached to the mainstream line (7002) causes the mainstream line (7002).
Since one pulse is generated for 1 mm movement of 2), by counting this pulse with a pulse counter (not shown), the first tributary line (1
At the timing when the positions of a), (1b), ..., (1y) and the second tributary line (1z) are corrected, the respective articles (G) are placed on the main stream line (7002) in a predetermined manner. It is taken out and sorted in order of pitch and order.

That is, the main flow line (700
A first tributary line (1a) arranged in parallel along 2),
(1b), ..., (1y) and the second tributary line (1
z) is 400 mm, for example, the distance between the uppermost stream (26th) second tributary line (1z) and the first tributary line (1a) is 400 mm × (26−
1) = 10000 mm, which is the final end of the first main stream line (7002) from the bottom, that is, the separation conveyor (900
Since the article (Ga) to reach 6) first is placed on the first tributary line (1a), 1
The article (Ga) may be carried out from the first tributary line (1a) with a delay of 0000 pulses. That is, the position correction value of the first tributary line (1a) or the article (Ga) is 10,000 pulses after the start of the load alignment, and is 1 after the start of the load alignment.
An article take-out device (7003) provided with an article take-out command at the tip of the first tributary line (1a) so as to take out the article (Ga) from the first tributary line (1a) to the main stream line (7002) after 0000 pulses. ) Is given to. The final end, that is, the article (Ga) that should first reach the separation conveyor (9006) is the main line (7002).
Is carried out at the top, the carry-out timing based on the carrying order is 0 pulse.

After the article (Ga), the mainstream line (700
The article (Gg) to reach the final end of 2) is carried out from the first tributary line (1g), and then the main line (7002).
500 mm from the virtual space of the article (Ga) set above
Only the virtual space on the upstream side is loaded. That is, the distance between the uppermost second tributary line (1z) and the seventh first tributary line (1g) is 400 mm × (26−7) = 760.
The position correction value of the first tributary line (1g) or the article (Gg) is 7600 pulses. Also,
The conveyance interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 5
Since it is 00 mm, the first tributary line (1 g) after 8100 pulses obtained by adding 500 pulses to 7600 pulses
An article take-out command is given to the article take-out device (7003) provided at the tip of the first tributary line (1g) so as to take out the article (Gg) from the main stream line (7002).

After the article (Gg), the main line (700
The article (Gr) that should reach the final end of 2) is carried out from the first tributary line (1r), and the main line (7002).
1000m from the virtual space of the article (Ga) set above
Only m items are loaded in the virtual space on the upstream side. That is, the distance between the uppermost second tributary line (1z) and the 18th first tributary line (1r) is 400 mm × (26-18) =
It is 3200 mm, and the position correction value of the first tributary line (1r) or the article (Gr) is 3200 pulses. In addition, since the conveyance interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 1000 mm, it is 1000 in 3200 pulses.
Article which is provided at the tip of the first tributary line (1r) so as to take out the article (Gr) from the first tributary line (1r) to the main tributary line (7002) after 4200 pulses after adding the pulses Removal device (70
03).

After the above article (Gr), the article (Gr) of the same type reaches the final end of the main line (7002),
The article (Gr) is also carried out from the first tributary line (1r) and set on the main stream line (7002) (G).
The load is aligned in the virtual space on the upstream side by 1500 mm from the virtual space of a). That is, since the conveyance interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 1500 mm, 32
After 4700 pulses obtained by adding 1500 pulses to 00 pulses, an article take-out command is sent to the tip of the first tributary line (1r) so as to take out the article (Gr) from the first tributary line (1r) to the main stream line (7002). It is given to the article take-out device (7003) provided.

Next to the article (Gr), the mainstream line (700
The article (Ga) that should reach the final end of 2) is carried out from the first tributary line (1a), and the main line (7002).
2000 mm from the virtual space of the article (Ga) that should reach the final end of the first mainstream line (7002) set above
Only the virtual space on the upstream side is loaded. That is, the conveying interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 2000 m.
Since it is m, the 1st tributary line (1a) after 12000 pulses obtained by adding 2000 pulses to 10000 pulses
An article take-out command is given to the article take-out device (7003) provided at the tip of the first tributary line (1a) so as to take out the article (Ga) from the main stream line (7002).

After the article (Ga), the mainstream line (700
The article (Ge) to reach the final end of 2) is carried out from the first tributary line (1e), and the main line (7002).
2500mm from the virtual space of the article (Ga) that should reach the final end of the first mainstream line (7002) set above
Only the virtual space on the upstream side is loaded. That is, the distance between the uppermost second tributary line (1z) and the fifth first tributary line (1e) is 400 mm × (26−5) = 840.
The position correction value of the first tributary line (1e) or the article (Ge) is 8400 pulses. Also,
The conveyance interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 2
Since it is 500 mm, the article take-out command is such that the article (Ge) is taken out from the first tributary line (1e) to the main stream line (7002) after 10900 pulses obtained by adding 2500 pulses to 8400 pulses. ). The article take-out device (70
03).

After the article (Ge), the mainstream line (700
The article (Gl) that should reach the final end of 2) is carried out from the first tributary line (1l), and the main line (7002).
3000 mm from the virtual space of the article (Ga) that should reach the final end of the first mainstream line (7002) set above
Only the virtual space on the upstream side is loaded. That is, the distance between the uppermost second tributary line (1z) and the twelfth first tributary line (1l) is 400 mm × (26-12) = 5.
It is 600 mm, and the position correction value of the first tributary line (1l) or the article (Gl) is 5600 pulses. In addition, since the conveyance interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 3000 mm, it is 3000 in 5600 pulses.
Article provided with an article take-out command at the tip of the first tributary line (1l) so as to take out the article (Gl) from the first tributary line (1l) to the main tributary line (7002) after 8600 pulses after adding the pulses Removal device (70
03).

After the article (Gl), the mainstream line (700
The article (Gs) to reach the final end of 2) is carried out from the first tributary line (1s), and then the main line (7002).
3500 mm from the virtual space of the article (Ga) that should reach the final end of the first mainstream line (7002) set above
Only the virtual space on the upstream side is loaded. That is, the distance between the uppermost second tributary line (1z) and the 19th first tributary line (1s) is 400 mm × (26-19) = 2.
The position correction value of the first tributary line (1s) or the article (Gs) is 2800 pulses. Further, since the conveyance interval with the article (Ga) that reaches the final end first is 3500 mm, 3500 in 2800 pulses.
Article which is provided at the tip of the first tributary line (1s) so as to take out the article (Gs) from the first tributary line (1s) to the main tributary line (7002) after 6300 pulses after adding the pulses Removal device (70
03).

The method for arranging the articles (G) to be loaded into the one or two arranging containers (C) has been described above. It goes without saying that you can arrange them.

When the articles (G) are lined up in the main line (7002) from the second to the fifth from the bottom, the position correction value and the conveyance interval are calculated in the same manner, and the predetermined values are calculated. At the timing, from the first tributary line (7001A) and the second tributary line (7001B) to the main line (7
002) is controlled so that the article (G) is carried out.

Also, each main line (7002)
In order to convey the articles (G) that have been packed and arranged at intervals to the inclined conveyor (9010), a separating (belt) conveyor at a speed of about 96 m / min is provided downstream of each main line (7002). (9006), left 90 ° roller curve conveyor at a speed of about 42 m / min, linear belt conveyor at a speed of about 42 m / min, right 9 at a speed of about 42 m / min
A 0 ° roller curve conveyor and a linear belt conveyor having a speed of about 42 m / min are arranged. In the main line, the article (G) to be the head in each row of the aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows reaches the final end of the inclined conveyor (9010), that is, the upstream end of the knitting conveyor (9020) almost at the same time. The speeds of the conveyors provided downstream of (7002) are set to be shifted for each row, or the gravity roller conveyors (70) are provided for each main line (7002).
It is preferable to correct the carry-out timing from 01).

Thus, a plurality of first tributary lines (700
1A) and the second tributary line (7001B) are joined to the respective mainstream lines (7002) at a predetermined pitch and order, and the presence or absence of articles (G) continuously conveyed on the mainstream line (7002) is checked. The detection is performed for each predetermined section, the detected presence / absence pattern of the article is compared with the article presence / absence inspection data, and it is inspected whether or not the article (G) is normally merged and conveyed. is there.

That is, FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of an inspection system suitable for carrying out the method for inspecting an article of the present invention.
81) is the upper C through the picking control panel (9082)
The inspection system control panel that executes the inspection operation based on the inspection data (see FIG. 12) from the PU (9083) is composed of a sequencer, and the inspection data, that is, the packing container number, the inspection for each main line (7002) Reference pulse, inspection data (1o) of the presence / absence of articles for each main line (7002)
r0), the presence / absence inspection data (pattern) of the article for each predetermined section, and each photoelectric switch (9061) provided at the upstream end of the separation conveyor (9006).
The actual article presence / absence pattern (see FIG. 13) for each mainstream line (7002) detected by the above is compared for each packing container (C) unit, and if there is a mismatch, the picking control panel (9082), PIO The load container number and the error pattern are output to the upper CPU (9083) via the. The inspection reference pulse is a leading pulse for each load container (C), and the inspection system control panel (9081) sets a detection section for every 500 pulses from the leading pulse. Within the set 500 pulse interval, the photoelectric switch (906
1) continuously for a certain period of time (for example, when the detected article (G) is 300 mm, the mainstream line (700
2) is turned on for a time required to move 180 mm to 360 mm), it is determined that the correct article (G) exists in the corresponding section. Thus, by taking the exclusive OR (XOR) of each bit corresponding to the actual article presence / absence pattern (1 when detected) detected for each section and the article presence / absence inspection pattern, respective bits are obtained. If the patterns are the same, the result is 0, so the accumulator is cleared, but if there is a difference in any of the bits, the accumulator is not cleared and an error (the article (G) merges normally). It is possible to detect that it has not been transported. Further, the picking control panel (9082) is for executing the article taking-out operation based on the article taking-out data from the upper CPU (9083), and the solenoid (7032S) is used for the air cylinder (703) of the article taking-out device (7003).
32) is activated. In addition, RS232C
Is data for taking out the article, RS422 is for sending the inspection data, and MELSECNET2 is for sending the pulse count value.

In FIG. 5, the knitting conveyor (9020) is different from that shown in FIG. 1, but the other points are the inclined conveyor (9010), knitting conveyor (9020),
FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view substantially the same as a stopper (9030) and the like,
The inclined conveyor (9010) is a belt conveyor having a speed of about 42 m / min, and is arranged in five rows corresponding to the mainstream line (7002), and the inclination angles of the conveyors are different.
The knitting conveyor (9020) is an inclined conveyor (90
10) is a belt conveyer arranged at the downstream side at a speed of about 45 m / min, and has a belt width corresponding to 5 rows of inclined conveyers (9010), and a plurality of rows of articles (G) are squeezed. Pair of rotating endless round belts (9211) for
The side guide (9021) is made up of, and the interval between the pair of endless round belts (9211) is narrowed on the downstream side so that the article (G) can be kept close. Further, the stopper (9030) is arranged on the upstream side of the article supply conveyor (8002) of the article inputting device (8000) described later and about 67 m / min which is arranged on the downstream side of the knitting conveyor (9020). A rocking roller conveyor of speed, which is configured to rock by a downstream end as a fulcrum by an air cylinder (not shown), and is conveyed on the knitting conveyor (9020) at the upstream end of the rocking roller conveyor (9030). The plurality of rows of articles (G) are configured to be stopped. Further, (9022) is a photoelectric switch for detecting passage of an article (G) conveyed at intervals in each row, and the knitting conveyor (9) is arranged so as to correspond to each row.
020), five of them are provided above the upstream end.

Then, each inclined conveyor (901
0) are conveyed at intervals, and further knitting conveyor (9
020) A plurality of rows of articles (G) conveyed at intervals in each row above, the article (G) to be the head in each row of the aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows, and the preceding group The article (G) to be the last in each row of the body is separated by raising the upstream end of the oscillating roller conveyor (9030) and then descending the upstream end of the oscillating roller conveyor (9030). By doing so, a plurality of rows of articles (G) are knitted into an aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows.

Hereinafter, the articles (G) having a length of 300 mm are conveyed to each knitting conveyor (9010) at a substantially constant pitch, for example, at intervals of 0.5 seconds, and reach the knitting conveyor (9020). A description will be given based on an embodiment in which an assembly of 30 articles (G) consisting of 5 rows is knitted and placed in a load-sorting container (C) in an array of 6 rows × 5 columns as shown in FIG. To do. The articles (G) that have reached the knitting conveyor (9020) are further conveyed on the knitting conveyor (9020) at intervals of each row, and the five articles (G) placed in the width direction are Knitting conveyor (902
0) is conveyed in the direction of the rocking roller conveyor (9030) while being width-shifted by a side guide (9021) made of an endless round belt (9211) that rotates in the same direction. The photoelectric switch (9022) provided at the upstream end of the knitting conveyor (9020) so as to correspond to each inclined conveyor (9010) detects that articles (G) in the corresponding row pass one after another. It is designed to continue (in FIG. 7, one inclined conveyor (901
(0) only the operation of the photoelectric switch (9022) is shown).

Five photoelectric switches (902) provided so as to correspond to the respective tilt conveyors (9010)
When any one of 2) detects the passage of the article (G) that reaches the knitting conveyor (9020) at the head, the interrupt mask is turned on and the swing roller conveyor (with a delay of a predetermined time (T1) ( 9030) has its upstream end raised,
After a certain time (T2), the rocking roller conveyor (9
030) has its upstream end lowered, and the article (G) that reaches the knitting conveyor (9020) at the top in each row is the rocking roller conveyor (9030).
Of the article supply conveyor (8002) to be described later in a state in which the leading articles (G) in each row are aligned in a horizontal row by temporarily stopping at the upstream end portion where the ) To be knitted into an aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows.
In the present embodiment, T1 indicates that the article (G) moves from the position of the photoelectric switch (9022) to the swing roller conveyor (903).
Since the time required to reach the upstream end of (0) is 0.1 seconds less, and T2 is 0.3 seconds,
Arrival time of an article (G) that first arrives at the knitting conveyor (9020) at the beginning and an article (G) that reaches the knitting conveyor (9020) at the beginning in another row, caused by slipping of the separation conveyor (9006) If the deviation is within 0.2 seconds, the first article (G) in each row
Can be aligned horizontally.

Thus, the leading article (G) forming the next aggregate reaches the knitting conveyor (9020) in the calculation that the leading article (G) constituting the previous assembly is It is 3 seconds (0.5-second pitch x 6 pieces) after reaching the knitting conveyor (9020), so 2.8 0.2 seconds before that.
After a second (at this time, the photoelectric switch (9022) detects the sixth article (G)), the interrupt mask is turned off, and the first article (G) forming the next aggregate is moved to the knitting conveyor ( Wait until it reaches 9020). After the interrupt mask is turned off, each tilt conveyor (901
0) corresponding to any one of the five photoelectric switches (9022) provided to the knitting conveyor (902).
When the passage of the article (G) that reaches 0) at the beginning is detected,
The interrupt mask is turned on again, and a certain time (T
1) The upstream end of the oscillating roller conveyor (9030) is raised with a delay, and further, the upstream end of the oscillating roller conveyor (9030) is lowered with a delay of a predetermined time (T2), so that a plurality of rows of articles ( G) is knitted into an aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows. That is, the upstream side of the article (G) which reaches the knitting conveyor (9020) at the head after the interruption mask is turned off is controlled to be the next aggregate.

Further, after the interrupt mask is turned on, the article loading device (80 which will be described later) is delayed for a predetermined time (T3).
The container forced transfer device (8012) of No. 00) is instantaneously driven at a high speed from the stopped state and immediately switched to a low speed. Incidentally, in T3, after the leading article (G) forming the next assembly reaches the knitting conveyor (9020), all the articles (G) forming the previous assembly are placed in the load-sort container (C). It is the time until the input is completed.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the article loading device (8000) shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the operation of the article loading device (8000) shown in FIG.
1) is a container transfer conveyor configured to transfer (load) containers (C) in a tilting direction (substantially vertical) and including an endless rotary body with pawls that is driven at two transfer speeds. Forced container transfer device in which six claws (8122) are attached to a pair of container transfer chutes (8011) arranged and a pair of endless rotating bodies (8121) arranged between the pair of container transfer chutes (8011). (8012), a pair of container regulation guides (8013) arranged above the pair of container transfer chutes (8011), a transmission (8014) (not shown) including an inverter, and the like, and the transmission (8014) allows endless movement. The rotating body (8121) is configured so that it can be shifted to two preset conveying speeds. In addition, (80
Reference numeral 02) is an article supply conveyor configured to load the article (G) in a direction substantially parallel to the front wall (C1) of the container (C) conveyed by the container conveyance conveyor (8001). The inclined belt conveyor is provided so that the article (G) discharged from (8002) can be loaded by gravity in a direction substantially parallel to the front wall (C1) of the container (C). Further, (8003) is a container carry-in conveyor composed of a belt conveyor, and (8004) is a container carry-out conveyor composed of a belt conveyor. Thus, each of the inclined conveyors (9010) is conveyed at intervals,
Further, a plurality of rows of articles (G) that are conveyed on the knitting conveyor (9020) at intervals with respect to each row, and an article (G) that is to be the head in each row of the aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows, The article (G) to be the last in each row of the assembly before it is set to the swing roller conveyor (9).
030) and the upstream end of the rocking roller conveyor (9030) is lowered to knit into an aggregate consisting of a plurality of rows to form a knitted article (G). The container (C) is thrown into the container (C) moving downward at a stacking speed substantially equal to the moving speed of (C), and the containers (C) are arranged in an aligned state so that the articles (G) are stacked.
The container (C) in which the article (G) is loaded and the next container (C) are temporarily stopped, and then the next container (C) is loaded in the article. The moving speed is higher than the moving speed of (C) to a position where the article (G) can be loaded.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a length of 300 mm and a thickness of 5 are placed on the article supply conveyor (8002) at a substantially constant pitch, for example, 0.5 seconds at a pitch of 5 rows each.
The 0 mm article (G) is moved in the container (C) direction by the article supply conveyor (8002). On the other hand, the containers (C) are sequentially supplied to the container transfer chute (8011) by the container carry-in conveyor (8003), and the container transfer chute (8)
011) It glides on and is supplied to the container forced transfer device (8012). Incidentally, FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the article (G) knitted in 4 rows × 5 columns is put into the container (C). Further, when the container (C) is transferred from the container transfer chute (8011) to the container forced transfer device (8012) (FIG. 9).
In (a), the forced container transport device (8012) is driven at a low speed.

The container (C) transferred to the container forced transfer device (8012) was transferred at a low speed in synchronization with the transfer of the container (C) into which the article (G) was being loaded, as described later. Then, the article (G) is moved to the position where the article (G) is loaded by temporarily stopping the operation and further conveying it at a high speed, and then repeating the low speed conveyance, the temporary stop, and the high speed conveyance again.

When the container (C) is moved to the article loading start position, the carrying speed of the container forced carrying device (8012) is switched from the high speed to the low speed, and the article feeding conveyor (80
02) the articles (G) that are continuously supplied by 5 are placed so as to be piled up by 5 at a time at a low speed in a container (C) that is moving, and the articles (G) that have been introduced are aligned in the container (C). It is stored in the state. Incidentally, the transport speed of the container forced transport device (8012) when the article (G) is loaded into the container (C),
That is, the moving speed of the container (C) is equal to or a little faster than the stacking speed of the articles (G) to be loaded, which is 50 mm / 0.5 seconds = 6 m / minute in this embodiment, for example, 6
It is set to ~ 7 m / min. However, the container forced transfer device (8012) is stopped when the fourth-stage article (G) is loaded into the container (C). That is, the final article (G)
When the container (C) arrives at the position where the container is put, the claw (8122) attached to the endless rotating body (8121) is detected by the detector arranged at a predetermined position, and the container forced transfer device (8012) is moved. It pauses and waits until the final product (G) is completely loaded (see FIG. 9B).

When the final article (G) is loaded into the container (C), the container forced transfer device (8012) is driven at a high speed, and the next set is continuously supplied by the article supply conveyor (8002). After the container (C) is transported to a position (see FIG. 9C) at which the article (G) forming the body can be loaded slightly above the front wall (C1) of the next container (C),
The transport speed of the container forced transport device (8012) is switched from the high speed to the low speed, and the article (G) is sequentially loaded into the next container (C) as described above. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the shifting state of the transport speed of the container forced transfer device (8012). When the final article (G) is loaded into the container (C), the container forced transfer device (8012) is shown. Is driven from a stopped state at a high speed momentarily and can be immediately switched to a low speed.

The container (C) loaded with the article (G) is released from the container forced transfer device (8012), and slides again on the container transfer chute (8011) (see FIG. 9 (d)).
It is sent to the next step through the container unloading conveyor (8004) (see FIG. 9E). When the container (C) is changed from the inclined state to the horizontal state, the 20 articles (G) put in the container (C) are aligned from the stacked state to the standing state.

The method for inspecting articles according to the present invention has been described above together with the example of the article assembling equipment suitable for carrying out the method.
The method of inspecting the article of the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the size of the article (G) may be different for each type.

Further, the detection section is the upper CPU (9083)
May be set by.

Further, the detected presence / absence pattern and the presence / absence inspection data of the article may be compared in units other than the load-sorting container (C) unit.

[0053]

As described above, the article inspection method of the present invention detects the presence or absence of an article for each predetermined section, and compares the detected presence / absence pattern with the article presence / absence inspection data to determine whether the article is present. It is possible to inspect whether or not they are conveyed at a normal interval.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an article arranging facility.

FIG. 2 is different in the number of rows of gravity roller conveyors and the arrangement of main lines from the article storage and arranging apparatus shown in FIG.
The other points are perspective views of the article storage / loading apparatus substantially the same as the article storage / loading apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a front end portion of the gravity roller conveyor shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a fluidized shelf formed by arranging a total of 130 gravity gravity roller conveyors in 26 rows in the direction along the main stream line and in five stages in the vertical direction.

5 is an enlarged perspective view of the knitting conveyor which is different from that shown in FIG. 1, but is otherwise substantially the same as the inclined conveyor, knitting conveyor, stopper and the like shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of operations of the inclined conveyor, the knitting conveyor, the stopper and the like shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a time chart of operations of the inclined conveyor, the knitting conveyor, the stopper and the like shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the article input device shown in FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the article input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shift state of the transport speed of the container forced transport device.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of an inspection system suitable for carrying out the method for inspecting an article of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of inspection data from a higher CPU.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an actual article presence / absence pattern on the first main stream line from the bottom.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7001A (first) tributary line 7001B (second) tributary line 7002 Main stream line (conveyor) G Article

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a method for inspecting articles conveyed continuously, the presence or absence of articles conveyed on a conveyor is detected for each predetermined section, and the detected presence / absence pattern is compared with the article presence / absence inspection data. A method for inspecting an article, wherein the article is inspected to determine whether or not the article is normally conveyed. 2. A method for inspecting an article joined to a main line from a plurality of tributary lines, wherein presence / absence of an article joined to the main line is detected for each predetermined section, and a detected presence / absence pattern and presence / absence of the article are detected. A method for inspecting an article, comprising: comparing with inspection data to inspect whether or not the articles are normally joined. 3. The method of inspecting an article according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of the article is determined based on the detection time of the article within a predetermined section. 4. The method for inspecting an article according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the section is set by the number of pulses.