JPH07133125A - Glassware producing device and method for controlling production of glassware - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly correct a defect and to improve the quality and yield of glassware by providing an ID label putting means close to the terminal of a lehr mechanism and further an ID label reading means and a recovery means to an inspection mechanism. CONSTITUTION:A glass material is heated, melted into the shape of a desired glassware G by a forming mechanism, then introduced into a lehr 1 and annealed. The glassware G is then taken out on an inspection conveyor by a device 2 and transferred, and an ID label on which the type number, etc., are written is put in each piece of the glassware G from a label supply head of an ID label putting means 32. When the glassware G arrives at an inspection mechanism 28, the type number, etc., written on the label are read by a reading means 34, and the label is recovered by a recovery means 33. The glassware G is then introduced into the inspection mechanism 28 to check such a defect as defective mouth cutting, crack and wrinkle, and the information on the inspection result, type number, etc., are sent to a host computer C.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a glassware manufacturing apparatus suitable for manufacturing glassware that places importance on the design of tableware and the like, and a production management method for glassware.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 shows a general glassware manufacturing apparatus. The raw materials are melted in a glass melting furnace 40, and a molding mechanism 41 is used.
Then, it is molded into the shape of the glass container G, is gradually cooled by the slow cooling mechanism 42, and then is inspected by the inspection mechanism 43. The glassware that has been inspected is further transferred to the packaging process or the secondary processing process.

A glass product forming mechanism usually has a plurality of sections or molds, and each section or mold produces a product having exactly the same shape. When a defect occurs in the product in the inspection process, if you can know which section or the product produced by the mold has the defect, it is possible to quickly correct the defect and improve the quality. In addition, the yield can be improved. However, the produced products have exactly the same shape, and it is impossible to know the section produced from the shape.

The technology for recognizing the model number of a product, that is, the section number of the molding machine that manufactured the product is already used in the glass bottle production line. In the conventional technique, a mold number is represented by engraving a symbol similar to a barcode on a bottom mold for molding a glass bottle. In the inspection process, the image processing device is used and the image is read to recognize which mold is used for the product.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Since engraving a model number mark on a glassware whose design is more important, such as glass tableware, vases, and ashtrays, impairs the product design The methods already used are not available.

An object of the present invention is to improve the quality and yield of glass products by marking the product with a model number mark and controlling the production by a method that does not affect the design.

[0007]

The present invention provides a glassware manufacturing apparatus having a glassware forming mechanism having a plurality of sections, a slow cooling mechanism, an inspection mechanism, and a transfer mechanism in or between these mechanisms. A glassware manufacturing apparatus characterized in that an ID label introducing means is provided near the end of the slow cooling mechanism, and an ID label collecting means and an ID label reading means are provided in the inspection mechanism, and a slow cooling process of the glassware. It has an ID label inserting step at the final stage or immediately after, and has a step of reading the entered ID label in the inspection step and a step of collecting the ID label, and a model number obtained from the information recorded in the read ID label. It is a glassware production management method characterized by recognizing general inspection results as related information.

[0008]

The products formed by the forming mechanism are put into the annealing furnace which is the annealing mechanism in the order in which they are formed, so that the product arrangement in the annealing furnace becomes regular. Usually, since the annealing furnace is transferred in the same number of rows as the number of sections of the molding machine, as shown in FIG. 2, one row has glassware molded in the same section. Therefore, at the exit of the annealing furnace, it is possible to know in which section the product was produced depending on which row the product was in. In the tableware manufacturing line, the section number and the model number are used interchangeably, and hence the section number is hereinafter referred to as the model number.

There are two types of ID labels, a read-only ID label that cannot be changed once information is written and a readable / writable ID label.

First, the case of using a read-only ID label will be described. Write different numbers on all ID labels beforehand. In the slow cooling furnace, the model numbers correspond to the rows as shown in FIG. 2, so that the model numbers of the glassware can be easily recognized near the exit of the slow cooling furnace. The ID label is inserted into the product after the number is read out by the ID label inserting means. At this time, the control unit stores the number of the ID label and the model number of the product in which the ID label is put.

The glass container in which the ID label is put is sent to the inspection mechanism by a transfer mechanism such as a conveyor, and the transfer at this time can be performed randomly without considering the order of products. In the inspection mechanism, the number recorded on the ID label is read by the ID label reading means, and I
The ID label is taken out by the D label collecting means. Either of reading and taking out may be performed first. The read number is sent to the control unit. Since the control unit stores the number of the ID label and the model number of the product to which the ID label is applied at the time of insertion, the model number of the product in the inspection mechanism can be known.

Next, the case of using a readable / writable ID label will be described. In this case, the ID label is put into the product after the model number is written by the writer provided in the throwing means. In the inspection mechanism, the model number is read from the ID label and the ID label is collected.

Subsequently, the product is inspected by an inspection machine for defects such as top inclination, cut edge failure, cracks, wrinkles and falling powder.
Since the ID label is taken out before the inspection by the inspection machine, the inspection machine does not recognize the ID label as a defect.

Whether the read-only ID label or the readable / writable ID label is used, the model number of the product sent to the inspection mechanism is recognized. When a flaw in the vessel is discovered,
You can find out in which section it is a molded product. When the control unit sets the number or model number read by the inspection mechanism and the general inspection result as a set, when a defect in the glassware is found, it can be dealt with more swiftly and appropriately. For example, the information from the inspection mechanism is sent to the control unit and, in some cases, to a higher-level computer, information processing is performed based on the model number information and the inspection machine information, and the information is sent to the manufacturing site, inspection line, or any other necessary place. The yield, the occurrence of serious defects, etc. can be promptly and accurately notified to the operator. The control unit consists of a microcomputer, its peripherals and software. FIG. 3 schematically shows the flow of this information.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The ID label used is a well-known coin type and is a read-only one in which different numbers are written in advance on all ID labels.
The number written by the label reader can be read. However, the ID label in the present invention is not limited to this, and various types such as an optically readable type can be used.

First, a glassware manufacturing apparatus A according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. 1
Is an annealing furnace which is an annealing mechanism. Reference numeral 2 is a take-out device such as one reversing machine of the transfer mechanism. It is installed at the exit of the annealing furnace. Reference numeral 3 is one inspection conveyor of the transfer mechanism. A product detection sensor 4 is installed so that a take-out device such as a reversing machine detects a product to be dispensed onto the inspection conveyor. Although five are drawn in FIG. 4, in reality, only the number of rows of products in the slow cooling furnace are arranged. 5 is a guide. 6
Is a closing timing confirmation sensor. Reference numeral 7 is a varicam of an angle sensor, which is attached to the drive shaft of the inspection conveyor 3. Reference numeral 8 denotes an ID label supply device, which sends the ID label to the supply head 9 using compressed air. An ID label supply head 9 is mounted on the inspection conveyor 3 so that the ID label can be dropped into the product from above.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a hose that connects the ID label supply device 8 and the supply head 9, through which the ID label is conveyed. Reference numeral 11 denotes an antenna, which passes through the hose 10
It is installed so that the D label can be read. Reference numeral 12 is an ID label reader. Read the ID label that is put into the product. A part feeder 13 stocks the ID label and supplies the ID label to the supply device 8. As described above, the ID label inserting means 32 includes the supply device 8, the supply head 9, the ID label reader 12, and the like.

14 is one inspection conveyor of the transfer mechanism,
It is installed between the inspection conveyor 3 and the inspection conveyor 19. Reference numeral 15 denotes an antenna group, and a plurality of antenna labels are installed under the inspection conveyor 14 so that the ID label in the product can be read. A relay 16 is used to switch the antenna group 15. Reference numeral 17 is an ID label reader.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a chute, which is a parts feeder 13.
Guide the ID label to. Reference numeral 19 is one inspection conveyor of a transfer mechanism, and supplies products to the inspection machine handling device 28. The ID label reading means 34 includes an antenna 20 installed below the inspection conveyor 19, an ID label reader 21, and a reading timing confirmation sensor 22. Reference numeral 23 is an ID label take-out timing confirmation sensor. 24 is one of the transfer mechanisms, and is a screw for supplying the product to the inspection mechanism. 25 is a vacuum head. 26 is a single-axis robot and is a vacuum head 25.
Move up and down. 27 is a single-axis robot that moves the vacuum head 25 in the horizontal direction. Thus, I
The D label collecting means 33 is composed of a sensor 23, a vacuum head 25, robots 26, 27 and the like. Two
Reference numeral 8 is an inspection mechanism.

First, in the slow cooling furnace 1, the products are placed with their mouths facing downward in the arrangement shown in FIG. In each of the product groups a to f, all products belonging to the same product group are products molded in the same section. The product is an annealing furnace 1
When it reaches the exit of, the take-out device 2 such as a reversing machine pays it out onto the inspection conveyor 3 so that the mouth part is on the top. Since the model number is determined by the row, when the product dispensed by the product detection sensor 4 is confirmed, a signal is sent to the control unit and tracked by the variable cam 7, and the product of each model number is controlled by the control unit. The position on the inspection conveyor is recognized.

When the dispensed product is conveyed to the loading timing confirmation sensor 6 by the inspection conveyor 3, the loading head 9 deposits the ID label into the product.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inserted ID label is randomly taken out from the parts feeder 13 and sent to the supply head 9 through the hose 10 using compressed air by the supply device 8. When the ID label passes through the hose 10, the reader 11 reads the number written on the ID label using the antenna 11. The control unit 31 stores the model number and the ID label number tracked by the variable cam 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the product to which the ID label is applied is conveyed toward the inspection mechanism. At this time, in order to prevent the product from dropping from the conveyor and losing the ID label, the antenna group 1 is placed under the belt of the inspection conveyor 14.
Install 5. The antenna group 15 is switched by the relay group 16 every several hundred msec. Therefore, the antenna connected to the ID label reader 17 at a certain moment is one of the antenna group 15. In this way, the antenna group 15 is used to scan the inspection conveyor to always confirm that the ID label has not dropped from the inspection conveyor 14.

When the product with the ID label reaches the inspection mechanism, it is detected by the reading timing confirmation sensor 22 in front of the screw 24 and the antenna 20 is used.
The D label reader 21 reads the number.
Since the control unit 31 stores the number of the ID label and the model number of the product in which the ID label is inserted at the time of insertion, the product number can be known.

As shown in FIG. 6, the product passing over the antenna 20 enters the screw 24. When the ID label take-out timing confirmation sensor 23 detects the product, the vacuum head 25 descends by the single-axis robot 26 to adsorb the ID label contained in the product and take it out of the product. At this time, the single-axis robot 27 moves the vacuum head and the single-axis robot 26 in synchronization with the speed of the product. When the ID label is taken out, the single-axis robot 27 carries the vacuum head 25 onto the chute 18 at high speed. Upon reaching the chute 18, the vacuum head 25 cuts off the vacuum and releases the ID label. The ID label drops in the chute 18 and is stored in the parts feeder 13.

The product from which the ID label is taken out enters the inspection mechanism 28 and is inspected by various inspection machines. Products are ordered N from the No. 1 station by Star Wheel 29.
It is transported to the o5 station. Each station 30
Various inspection machines are attached to the product to inspect the product. The inspection machine installed here inspects for defects such as ceiling inclination, poor cutting, cracks, wrinkles, and falling powder.
The control unit 31 receives the inspection result information from the inspection machine, collates it with the model number information, and sends it to the host computer. At the same time, the display device such as the graphic display of the tableware model number recognition device promptly and accurately displays the information obtained by this system such as the yield and the occurrence of serious defects in the manufacturing site and the inspection line.

In this embodiment, the ID label feeding device 9 is installed on the inspection conveyor 3 downstream of the annealing furnace, but a slide device is provided in the take-out device 2 such as a reversing machine and the feeding head 9 is attached to this. Or a slide device is provided on the conveyor of the annealing furnace 1 before the take-out device 2 such as a reversing machine, and the charging head 9 is attached to it.
It is also possible to add a D label.

When a readable / writable ID label is used, the antenna 11 is used in the ID label inserting means shown in FIG.
In place of the ID label reader 12, an ID label writer is provided, and the model number is written on the ID label according to a command from the control unit.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the model number can be recognized by the present invention although the model number has not been recognized in the conventional production line of tableware or the like. Moreover, since the ID label is used for model number recognition, the shape design of the product is not damaged. ID
Since the label is taken out before entering the inspection machine, it does not cause the recognition error of the inspection machine. When a defect occurs in the product by enabling model number recognition, the defective section or mold can be immediately known, so defect correction can be performed quickly, quality is improved and yield is improved. Can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a glassware manufacturing process.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement of glassware in a slow cooling furnace.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a glassware manufacturing apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a glassware manufacturing apparatus A.

5 is an explanatory diagram of a glassware manufacturing apparatus A. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an inspection mechanism of the glassware manufacturing apparatus A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Annealing furnace 2 Unloading device 3 Inspection conveyor 4 Product detection sensor 5 Guide 6 Loading timing confirmation sensor 7 Varicam 8 ID label supply device 9 ID label supply head 10 Hose 11 Antenna 12 ID label reader 13 Parts feeder 14 Inspection conveyor 15 Antenna group 16 Relay 17 ID Label Reader 18 Chute 19 Inspection Conveyor 20 Antenna 21 ID Label Reader 22 Reading Timing Confirmation Sensor 23 ID Label Extraction Timing Confirmation Sensor 24 Screw 25 Vacuum Head 26 Robot 27 Robot 28 Inspection Mechanism 29 Star Wheel 30 Station 31 Control Section 32 ID Label Inserting means 33 ID label collecting means 34 ID label reading means A Glassware manufacturing device C Upper computer Tar D graphic display G glassware

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A glassware manufacturing apparatus having a glassware forming mechanism having a plurality of sections, a slow cooling mechanism, an inspection mechanism, and a transfer mechanism in or between these mechanisms, near the end of the slow cooling mechanism. A glassware manufacturing apparatus characterized in that an ID label inputting means is provided, and an inspection mechanism is provided with an ID label collecting means and an ID label reading means. 2. An ID label introducing step is provided immediately after or at the final stage of the slow cooling step of the glassware, and a step of reading the entered ID label and a step of collecting the ID label in the inspection step are included and read. Production control method of glassware characterized by recognizing the model number obtained from the information recorded on the ID label and the general inspection result as related information