WO1995003897A1 - Method and machine for sorting precious stones and the like according to size - Google Patents

Method and machine for sorting precious stones and the like according to size Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995003897A1
WO1995003897A1 PCT/FR1994/000973 FR9400973W WO9503897A1 WO 1995003897 A1 WO1995003897 A1 WO 1995003897A1 FR 9400973 W FR9400973 W FR 9400973W WO 9503897 A1 WO9503897 A1 WO 9503897A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
stones
machine according
measurement
tube
machine
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR1994/000973
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Blaise Pantaleo
Original Assignee
Sothis Bijoux
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sothis Bijoux filed Critical Sothis Bijoux
Priority to AU74634/94A priority Critical patent/AU7463494A/en
Publication of WO1995003897A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995003897A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/04—Sorting according to size
    • B07C5/10—Sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for the automatic sorting of precious stones, or similar small parts, as well as the machine allowing this operation to be carried out.
  • the precious stones Before their setting on molded mounts the precious stones must be sorted so that their dimensions correspond substantially to the housing intended to receive them. Traditionally, this sorting is done with a palm dial. This requires manual handling and positioning with tweezers. The precision required is generally more or less 0.02 mm, and this precision eliminates the need to touch up the housing and the crimping claws of the frames.
  • the document FR-A-2,079,715 describes a method and a machine for sorting lighter stones or other small objects of the same kind.
  • the stones are brought by a feed chute constituted by an inclined and vibrating tube between two sets of three rollers each intended to roll and advance the stones, these two sets of rollers being separated by a free space through which stones of insufficient length can fall.
  • This document reports that the lighter stones are lined up "in a row", but the device described only separates stones that are too short and waste from stones of acceptable length thanks to an imprecise mechanical measurement of the length of the stones. In this known process, no precise dimensional measurement of the stones is made by comparison with a standard.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method for automating the handling, positioning, measurement of length and width, and sorting of precious stones with respect to a standard of reference and display of the tolerance, as well as a machine for implementing said method.
  • the proposed method consists in performing the measurement (s) of the precious stones placed in a suitable position and unitarily separated from each other in a transparent tube or in a chute animated by a vibratory movement. to scroll them between the transmitter and the receiver of at least one laser-type measuring device which communicates the measurement results to a programmable controller, which compares them to those of a standard and activates a mechanical sorting device automatic stones depending on the result.
  • the machine for the implementation of this process is essentially characterized in that it ensures the following operations: supply "in line” by vibrating bowl,
  • FIG. 2a shows a partial schematic view of the positioning table.
  • FIG. 2b shows a schematic view of the means for introducing the stones into the measuring device.
  • FIG. 2c shows a partial schematic view of the transparent tube, connected to the measuring device, in which the stones pass.
  • FIG. 3 shows a detail of the vibrator which supports the transparent tube.
  • FIG. 4 shows an overall block diagram of the electrical and electronic part of the machine.
  • FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the PLC program.
  • FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a multiple selection.
  • a machine comprises a box 1 which contains the electrical and electronic control and adjustment elements and the front face of which carries the measurement and 'display as well as buttons, switches and other control lights, and which supports all the devices ensuring the sorting of stones.
  • a vibrating bowl 2 of known type which contains the batch of precious stones to be sorted and which has the function of scrolling these stones on a positioning table 3.
  • the selection of the direction of the stones is made by traps consisting of transverse grooves 24 formed on the positioning table 3 and shown in Figure 2a.
  • the stones passing on their table 25 do not cling not in the grooves 24 while those not passing on their table 25 hang on the grooves 24 by their laminate 26 or the tip 27 of their cylinder head 28 and fall back into the bowl 2.
  • the setting of the stones that pass on the positioning table 3 is ensured by a small mechanical device 4 constituted by a knife 40 or, preferably, by a small brush 41, and controlled by an electromagnet 42.
  • the stones are thus allowed to penetrate one after the other and individually in the following measuring and sorting device, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2b.
  • the stone to be measured thus enters a small glass tube 5 of circular section in which it circulates along the lower generatrix in the direction of the arrow F, its advance being ensured according to a well-known method by the asymmetrical vibration of the tube 5 generated by a vibrating device 6 which supports the glass tube 5 and whose amplitude of vibration is adjustable.
  • Precious stones of a shape other than circular are positioned lengthwise in the tube 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2c.
  • FIG. 3 shows in detail the means for mounting the glass tube 5 on the vibrator 6.
  • the tube is supported by a part 7 in the form of a half-cylinder, preferably of molded plastic, integral with the movable frame 8 of 1 electromagnet 29, the assembly being mounted on two leaf springs 9 secured by their lower end to the fixed armature 10 of the electromagnet 29.
  • the stone passes between two micrometric laser measurement sets 11 and 12, one of which 11 is intended to measure the length of the stone and the other, 12, its width along the axes XX 'and YY' respectively shown in Figure 2c.
  • the principle, well known to those skilled in the art, of measurement with a micrometric laser consists in measuring the amount of shadow generated by the stone to be measured passing through a beam of very parallel optical rays, and will not be described in more detail here.
  • Such a device is, for example, constituted by a KAYENCE LX2-12 laser micrometric cell followed by a KAYENCE LX2-70 amplifier connected to a KAYENCE RV2-52 monitor-comparator-calculator.
  • the glass tube 5 must be very thin so that the refraction affects the measurement as little as possible.
  • the error due to this possible refraction is corrected by the amplifier processing the signal from the laser receiver.
  • the maximum values of the measurements are stored and compared to the measurements of a standard stone.
  • the comparator tolerance is adjustable and an "outside dimension" signal is generated by this comparator.
  • Figure 4 is an overall block diagram of the electrical and electronic part of the machine, contained in the casing 1 which carries on its front side the control and command elements of the machine.
  • buttons 15 and 16 for adjusting the vibration intensities of the bowl 2 and the glass tube 5 respectively according to a conventional principle.
  • a programmable controller 17 receives the input signals from the infrared passage cell 13 and from the two laser micrometer assemblies 11 and 12 and is connected at output to the totalizing counter 18 and to the "good" stone counter 19, as well as solenoid for unit 42 and switch 30 and a measurement validation relay 20.
  • a push button 22 "standard” allows to shift the zero of the KAYENCE comparator of micrometers 11 and 12, after previous passage a standard stone in the system.
  • FIG. 5 schematically represents the program of the automaton 17, and it is self-explanatory enough that there is no need to comment on it.
  • the operation of the above machine is as follows. First put a standard stone in bowl 2 and adjust its vibration so that the stone normally goes up in the spiral. When the stone is taken in the unit setting system 4, the "start cycle" button 21 is pressed and the vibration of the tube 5 is adjusted so that the speed of the stone is between substantially 0.5 to 1 cm / sec, without start, especially in the measurement part. When this setting is correct, the stone is ironed. After the measurement and its validation (passage in front of the infrared cell 13), press the "standard” button 22. We then go back to the standard to make a check: the length 11 and width 12 displays should only indicate a few hundredths of a mm apart. The tolerance for the desired sorting, which may have been preprogrammed in displays 11 and 12, is then adjusted by button 23.
  • the machine is then ready to operate in series. We put the lot to sort in bowl 2 and, when the first stones appear in front of the placing system in unit 4, the "start cycle” button is pressed 21. Sorting is then done automatically for the entire batch contained in bowl 2.
  • the uniting tools can be designed in different ways, interchangeable or universal. They can also consist of a blower placed at the entrance to the transparent tube, which can be automatically adjustable according to the dimensions of the stones and which prevents the entry of a new stone before the previous one has entered the device. of measurement.
  • the glass tube used can be replaced by a transparent piece of appropriate shape and nature allowing measurements to be made with laser micrometers under good conditions. Furthermore, it is also possible to use the machine according to the invention to make multiple selections. It is thus possible to form a batch of non-pre-sorted stones and select a series of output batches corresponding to certain dime ⁇ si ⁇ nels criteria.
  • a microcomputer will be able to manage all of the data and, as can be seen in FIG. 6, will command at the output of the vibrating tube 5 a series of cascading drawers 33 sorting the stones into multiple categories, for example according to criteria dimensional. It is also possible to add a chromatic detection device to the machine in order to sort the stones according to their color or the density of the shade. You can also install a laser micrometer
  • the machine thus described is not limited to sorting precious stones, but can be used for sorting other small similar objects, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Abstract

A method and a machine for sorting precious stones and the like according to size, wherein one or more stones are suitably positioned, separated by suitable devices (3, 4) and fed into a vibrating transparent tube (5) for feeding them between the transmitter and the receiver of at least one laser micrometric measurement device (11, 12) which delivers the measurement results to a programmable controller for comparing the results with standard results and actuating a mechanical device (14) for automatically sorting the stones on the basis of the results, then restating the measurement cycle.

Description

PROCEDE ET MACHINE DE TRI AUTOMATIQUE DE PIERRES PRECIEUSES, OU AUTRES OBJETS SIMILAIRES, SELON DES CRITERESDIMENSIONNELS. METHOD AND MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIC SORTING OF PRECIOUS STONES, OR OTHER SIMILAR OBJECTS, ACCORDING TO DIMENSIONAL CRITERIA.
La présente invention concerne un procédé pour le triage automatique de pierres précieuses, ou de petites pièces analogues, ainsi que la machine permettant d'effectuer cette opération.The present invention relates to a method for the automatic sorting of precious stones, or similar small parts, as well as the machine allowing this operation to be carried out.
Avant leur sertissage sur des montures moulées les pierres précieuses doivent être triées afin que leurs cotes correspondent sensiblement au logement destiné à les recevoir. Traditionnellement ce tri se fait au palmer à cadran. Cela nécessite une manipulation et un positionnement manuel avec des pinces brucelles. La précision demandée est généralement de plus ou moins 0,02 mm, et cette précision permet de ne pas avoir à retoucher le logement et les griffes de sertissage des montures.Before their setting on molded mounts the precious stones must be sorted so that their dimensions correspond substantially to the housing intended to receive them. Traditionally, this sorting is done with a palm dial. This requires manual handling and positioning with tweezers. The precision required is generally more or less 0.02 mm, and this precision eliminates the need to touch up the housing and the crimping claws of the frames.
Dans un domaine similaire, le document FR-A- 2.079.715 décrit un procédé et une machine permettant de trier les pierres à briquet ou autres menus objets du même genre. Selon ce procédé, les pierres sont amenées par une goulotte d'alimentation constituée par un tube incliné et vibrant entre deux jeux de trois galets chacun destiné à faire rouler et avancer les pierres, ces deux jeux de galets étant séparés par un espace libre à travers lequel les pierres de longueur insuffisante peuvent tomber. Ce document fait état d'une alimentation "à la file" des pierres à briquet alignées, mais le dispositif décrit ne fait que séparer les pierres trop courtes et les déchets des pierres de longueur acceptable grâce à une mesure mécanique peu précise de la longueur des pierres. Dans ce procédé connu on ne fait aucune mesure dimensionnelle précise des pierres par comparaison avec un étalon.In a similar field, the document FR-A-2,079,715 describes a method and a machine for sorting lighter stones or other small objects of the same kind. According to this process, the stones are brought by a feed chute constituted by an inclined and vibrating tube between two sets of three rollers each intended to roll and advance the stones, these two sets of rollers being separated by a free space through which stones of insufficient length can fall. This document reports that the lighter stones are lined up "in a row", but the device described only separates stones that are too short and waste from stones of acceptable length thanks to an imprecise mechanical measurement of the length of the stones. In this known process, no precise dimensional measurement of the stones is made by comparison with a standard.
L'objet de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé pour automatiser la manipulation, le positionnement, la mesure de longueur et de largeur, et le tri des pierres précieuses par rapport à un étalon de référence et un affichage de la tolérance, ainsi qu'une machine pour la mise en oeuvre dudit procédé.The object of the present invention is to provide a method for automating the handling, positioning, measurement of length and width, and sorting of precious stones with respect to a standard of reference and display of the tolerance, as well as a machine for implementing said method.
Selon la présente invention, ce but est atteint en ce que le procédé proposé consiste à effectuer la ou les mesures des pierres précieuses mises en position convenable et séparées unitairement les unes des autres dans un tube transparent ou dans une goulotte animés d'un mouvement vibratoire pour les faire défiler entre l'émetteur et le récepteur d'au moins un dispositif de mesure du type laser qui communique les résultats de la mesure à un automate programmable, lequel les compare à ceux d'un étalon et actionne un dispositif mécanique de triage automatique des pierres selon le résultat.According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that the proposed method consists in performing the measurement (s) of the precious stones placed in a suitable position and unitarily separated from each other in a transparent tube or in a chute animated by a vibratory movement. to scroll them between the transmitter and the receiver of at least one laser-type measuring device which communicates the measurement results to a programmable controller, which compares them to those of a standard and activates a mechanical sorting device automatic stones depending on the result.
La machine pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé se caractérise essentiellement en ce qu'elle assure les opérations suivantes : approvisionnement "à la file" par bol vibrant,The machine for the implementation of this process is essentially characterized in that it ensures the following operations: supply "in line" by vibrating bowl,
- sélection du sens des pierres par des pièges appropriés,- selection of the direction of the stones by appropriate traps,
- mise à l'unité des pierres, positionnement des pierres dans un tube transparent,- placing stones together, positioning the stones in a transparent tube,
- avance des pierres par vibration mécanique du tube transparent,- advancement of stones by mechanical vibration of the transparent tube,
- mesure longueur/largeur par deux ensembles émetteur/récepteur de laser micrométrique tri après la mesure par automate programmable et déclenchement d'un nouveau cycle. D'autres caractéristiques avantageuses de la présente invention ressortent de la description ci-après d'un mode de réalisation d'une machine selon l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif et illustré par le dessin annexé dans lequel : - la figure 1 représente une vue d'ensemble schématique, en élévation, de la machine selon 1 ' invention.- length / width measurement by two micrometric laser transmitter / receiver assemblies sorting after measurement by programmable controller and triggering of a new cycle. Other advantageous characteristics of the present invention appear from the following description of an embodiment of a machine according to the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the appended drawing in which: - Figure 1 shows a schematic overview, in elevation, of the machine 1 according to the invention.
- la figure 2a représente une vue schématique partielle de la table de positionnement.- Figure 2a shows a partial schematic view of the positioning table.
- la figure 2b représente une vue schématique du moyen d'introduction des pierres dans le dispositif de mesure.- Figure 2b shows a schematic view of the means for introducing the stones into the measuring device.
- la figure 2c représente une vue schématique partielle du tube transparent, relié au dispositif de mesure, dans lequel les pierres défilent.- Figure 2c shows a partial schematic view of the transparent tube, connected to the measuring device, in which the stones pass.
- la figure 3 représente un détail du vibreur qui supporte le tube transparent.- Figure 3 shows a detail of the vibrator which supports the transparent tube.
- la figure 4 représente un schéma synoptique d'ensemble de la partie électrique et électronique de la machine.- Figure 4 shows an overall block diagram of the electrical and electronic part of the machine.
- la figure 5 représente un schéma synoptique du programme de l'automate.- Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the PLC program.
- la figure 6 représente un schéma de principe d'une sélection multiple.- Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a multiple selection.
Si on se réfère d'abord à la figure 1, on voit qu'une machine selon l'invention comprend un caisson 1 qui contient les éléments électriques et électroniques de commande et de réglage et dont la face avant porte les cadrans de mesure et d'affichage ainsi que les boutons, interrupteurs et autres voyants de commande, et qui supporte l'ensemble des dispositifs assurant le tri des pierres.If we refer first to FIG. 1, we see that a machine according to the invention comprises a box 1 which contains the electrical and electronic control and adjustment elements and the front face of which carries the measurement and 'display as well as buttons, switches and other control lights, and which supports all the devices ensuring the sorting of stones.
Ainsi à l'entrée de la machine est disposé un bol vibrant 2 de type connu qui contient le lot de pierres précieuses à trier et qui a pour fonction de faire défiler ces pierres sur une table de positionnement 3. La sélection du sens des pierres se fait grâce à des pièges constitués de rainures transversales 24 ménagées sur la table de positionnement 3 et représentées sur la figure 2a. Les pierres passant sur leur table 25 ne s'accrochent pas dans les rainures 24 alors que celles ne passant pas sur leur table 25 s'accrochent aux rainures 24 par leur feuilletis 26 ou la pointe 27 de leur culasse 28 et retombent dans le bol 2. La mise à l'unité des pierres qui défilent sur la table de positionnement 3 est assurée par un petit dispositif mécanique 4 constitué par un couteau 40 ou, de préférence, par une petite brosse 41, et commandé par un électro-aimant 42. Les pierres sont ainsi admises à pénétrer l'une après l'autre et unitairement dans le dispositif de mesure et de tri qui suit, représenté schématiquement sur la figure 2b.Thus at the entrance to the machine is placed a vibrating bowl 2 of known type which contains the batch of precious stones to be sorted and which has the function of scrolling these stones on a positioning table 3. The selection of the direction of the stones is made by traps consisting of transverse grooves 24 formed on the positioning table 3 and shown in Figure 2a. The stones passing on their table 25 do not cling not in the grooves 24 while those not passing on their table 25 hang on the grooves 24 by their laminate 26 or the tip 27 of their cylinder head 28 and fall back into the bowl 2. The setting of the stones that pass on the positioning table 3 is ensured by a small mechanical device 4 constituted by a knife 40 or, preferably, by a small brush 41, and controlled by an electromagnet 42. The stones are thus allowed to penetrate one after the other and individually in the following measuring and sorting device, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2b.
La pierre à mesurer pénètre ainsi dans un petit tube en verre 5 de section circulaire dans lequel elle circule le long de la génératrice inférieure dans le sens de la flèche F, son avance étant assurée selon une méthode bien connue par la vibration asymétrique du tube 5 engendrée par un dispositif vibrant 6 qui supporte le tube de verre 5 et dont l'amplitude de vibration est ajustable. Les pierres précieuses de forme autre que circulaire (ovales, rectangulaires, poires, navettes, etc..) se positionnent en long dans le tube 5, comme cela est illustré par la figure 2c.The stone to be measured thus enters a small glass tube 5 of circular section in which it circulates along the lower generatrix in the direction of the arrow F, its advance being ensured according to a well-known method by the asymmetrical vibration of the tube 5 generated by a vibrating device 6 which supports the glass tube 5 and whose amplitude of vibration is adjustable. Precious stones of a shape other than circular (oval, rectangular, pears, shuttles, etc.) are positioned lengthwise in the tube 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2c.
La figure 3 représente en détail les moyens de montage du tube de verre 5 sur le vibreur 6. Le tube est supporté par une pièce 7 en forme de demi-cylindre, de préférence en matière plastique moulée, solidaire de l'armature mobile 8 de 1 'électro-aimant 29, l'ensemble étant monté sur deux lames ressorts 9 solidaires par leur extrémité inférieure de l'armature fixe 10 de l'électro¬ aimant 29.FIG. 3 shows in detail the means for mounting the glass tube 5 on the vibrator 6. The tube is supported by a part 7 in the form of a half-cylinder, preferably of molded plastic, integral with the movable frame 8 of 1 electromagnet 29, the assembly being mounted on two leaf springs 9 secured by their lower end to the fixed armature 10 of the electromagnet 29.
En circulation dans le tube de verre 5 dans le sens de la flèche F, la pierre passe entre deux ensembles de mesure micrométrique par laser 11 et 12 dont l'un, 11 est destiné à mesurer la longueur de la pierre et l'autre, 12, sa largeur selon les axes respectivement XX' et YY' portés sur la figure 2c. Le principe, bien connu de l'homme de l'art, de la mesure avec un laser micrométrique consiste à mesurer la quantité d'ombre générée par la pierre à mesurer passant dans un faisceau de rayons optiques très parallèles, et ne sera pas décrit plus en détail ici. Un tel dispositif est, par exemple, constitué par une cellule micrométrique laser KAYENCE LX2-12 suivi par un amplificateur KAYENCE LX2-70 raccordé à un moniteur-comparateur-calculateur KAYENCE RV2-52. Le tube de verre 5 doit être très fin afin que la réfraction affecte le moins possible la mesure.Circulating in the glass tube 5 in the direction of arrow F, the stone passes between two micrometric laser measurement sets 11 and 12, one of which 11 is intended to measure the length of the stone and the other, 12, its width along the axes XX 'and YY' respectively shown in Figure 2c. The principle, well known to those skilled in the art, of measurement with a micrometric laser consists in measuring the amount of shadow generated by the stone to be measured passing through a beam of very parallel optical rays, and will not be described in more detail here. Such a device is, for example, constituted by a KAYENCE LX2-12 laser micrometric cell followed by a KAYENCE LX2-70 amplifier connected to a KAYENCE RV2-52 monitor-comparator-calculator. The glass tube 5 must be very thin so that the refraction affects the measurement as little as possible.
L'erreur due à cette réfraction éventuelle est corrigée par l'amplificateur traitant le signal du récepteur laser.The error due to this possible refraction is corrected by the amplifier processing the signal from the laser receiver.
Les valeurs maximum des mesures sont mémorisées et comparées aux mesures d'une pierre étalon.The maximum values of the measurements are stored and compared to the measurements of a standard stone.
La tolérance du comparateur est ajustable et un signal "hors cotes" est généré par ce comparateur.The comparator tolerance is adjustable and an "outside dimension" signal is generated by this comparator.
Lorsque la pierre arrive à l'extrémité du tube de verre 5, elle passe devant une cellule 13 formant barrage infra-rouge qui réalise les opérations suivantes :When the stone reaches the end of the glass tube 5, it passes in front of a cell 13 forming an infrared barrier which performs the following operations:
- validation des mémoires de mesure par la comparaison,- validation of the measurement memories by comparison,
- lecture des signaux "hors cotes" éventuels,- reading of possible "odds" signals,
- aiguillage en "bon" ou "mauvais" en sortie du tube 5 par action sur une goulotte 14 mue par un électro-aimant 30 pour diriger la pierre dans le bac récepteur correspondant,- referral to "good" or "bad" at the outlet of the tube 5 by action on a chute 14 moved by an electromagnet 30 to direct the stone in the corresponding receiving tank,
- initialisation des mémoires de mesures,- initialization of the measurement memories,
- admission d'une nouvelle pierre dans le tube 5 par excitation du soléπσïde 42 de mise à l'unité.- Admission of a new stone into the tube 5 by excitation of the soléπσïde 42 for unitization.
La figure 4 est un schéma synoptique d'ensemble de la partie électrique et électronique de la machine, contenue dans le caisson 1 qui porte sur sa face avant les éléments- de contrôle et de commande de la machine. A côté de l'interrupteur général de mise en marche 31 et de son voyant de contrôle 32, on trouve deux boutons 15 et 16 de réglage des intensités de vibration respectivement du bol 2 et du tube de verre 5 selon un principe classique. Un automate programmable 17 reçoit .en entrée les signaux de la cellule infra-rouge de passage 13 et des deux ensembles micromètres laser 11 et 12 et est raccordé en sortie au compteur totalisateur 18 et au compteur de pierres "bonnes" 19, ainsi qu'aux solénoïdes de mise à l'unité 42 et d'aiguillage 30 et à un relais de validation de la mesure 20. Un bouton-poussoir 22 "étalon" permet de décaler le zéro du comparateur KAYENCE des micromètres 11 et 12, après passage préalable d'une pierre étalon dans le système.Figure 4 is an overall block diagram of the electrical and electronic part of the machine, contained in the casing 1 which carries on its front side the control and command elements of the machine. Next to the general start switch 31 and its indicator light 32, there are two buttons 15 and 16 for adjusting the vibration intensities of the bowl 2 and the glass tube 5 respectively according to a conventional principle. A programmable controller 17 receives the input signals from the infrared passage cell 13 and from the two laser micrometer assemblies 11 and 12 and is connected at output to the totalizing counter 18 and to the "good" stone counter 19, as well as solenoid for unit 42 and switch 30 and a measurement validation relay 20. A push button 22 "standard" allows to shift the zero of the KAYENCE comparator of micrometers 11 and 12, after previous passage a standard stone in the system.
La figure 5 représente schématiquement le programme de l'automate 17, et elle est suffisamment explicite par elle-même pour qu'il ne soit pas nécessaire de la commenter.FIG. 5 schematically represents the program of the automaton 17, and it is self-explanatory enough that there is no need to comment on it.
Le fonctionnement de la machine ci-dessus est le suivant. On met d'abord une pierre étalon dans le bol 2 et on règle sa vibration pour que la pierre monte normalement dans le colimaçon. Lorsque la pierre est prise dans le système de mise à l'unité 4, on appuie sur le bouton "départ cycle" 21 et on règle la vibration du tube 5 pour que la vitesse de la pierre soit comprise entre sensiblement 0,5 à 1 cm/sec, sans sursaut, surtout dans la partie mesure. Lorsque ce réglage est correct, on repasse la pierre. Après la mesure et sa validation (passage devant la cellule infra-rouge 13) on appuie sur le bouton "étalon" 22. On repasse alors l'étalon pour faire un contrôle : les afficheurs de longueur 11 et de largeur 12 ne doivent indiquer que quelques centièmes de mm d'écart. On règle alors par le bouton 23 la tolérance du tri désiré, qui peut avoir été préprogrammé dans les afficheurs 11 et 12.The operation of the above machine is as follows. First put a standard stone in bowl 2 and adjust its vibration so that the stone normally goes up in the spiral. When the stone is taken in the unit setting system 4, the "start cycle" button 21 is pressed and the vibration of the tube 5 is adjusted so that the speed of the stone is between substantially 0.5 to 1 cm / sec, without start, especially in the measurement part. When this setting is correct, the stone is ironed. After the measurement and its validation (passage in front of the infrared cell 13), press the "standard" button 22. We then go back to the standard to make a check: the length 11 and width 12 displays should only indicate a few hundredths of a mm apart. The tolerance for the desired sorting, which may have been preprogrammed in displays 11 and 12, is then adjusted by button 23.
La machine est alors prête pour fonctionner en série. On met le lot à trier dans le bol 2 et, quand les premières pierres se présentent devant le système de mise à l'unité 4, on appuie sur le bouton "départ cycle" 21. Le tri se fait alors automatiquement pour tout le lot contenu dans le bol 2.The machine is then ready to operate in series. We put the lot to sort in bowl 2 and, when the first stones appear in front of the placing system in unit 4, the "start cycle" button is pressed 21. Sorting is then done automatically for the entire batch contained in bowl 2.
La machine de tri qui vient d'être décrite peut faire l'objet de nombreuse variantes de réalisation, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention.The sorting machine which has just been described can be the subject of numerous variant embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Ainsi il est bien connu de l'homme de l'art que la sélection du sens des pierres à la sortie du bol vibrant 2 et la forme des pièges de sélection peuvent être réalisées de différentes façons et dépendent de la forme générale des pierres.Thus, it is well known to those skilled in the art that the selection of the direction of the stones at the outlet of the vibrating bowl 2 and the shape of the selection traps can be carried out in different ways and depend on the general shape of the stones.
De la même façon, les outillages de mise à l'unité, interchangeables selon la forme et le calibre des pierres à traiter, peuvent être conçus de différentes manières, interchangeables ou universels. Ils peuvent d'autre part consister en une soufflerie placée à l'entrée du tube transparent, qui peut être automatiquement réglable en fonction des dimensions des pierres et qui empêche l'entrée d'une nouvelle pierre avant que la précédente ait pénétré dans le dispositif de mesure.Similarly, the uniting tools, interchangeable according to the shape and size of the stones to be treated, can be designed in different ways, interchangeable or universal. They can also consist of a blower placed at the entrance to the transparent tube, which can be automatically adjustable according to the dimensions of the stones and which prevents the entry of a new stone before the previous one has entered the device. of measurement.
Le tube de verre mis en oeuvre peut être remplacé par une pièce transparente de forme et de nature appropriées permettant d'effectuer les mesures avec les micromètres laser dans de bonnes conditions. Par ailleurs il est également possible d'utiliser la machine selon l'invention pour effectuer des sélections multiples. Il est ainsi possible de former un lot de pierres non pré-triées et sélectionner une série de lots de sortie correspondant à certains critères dimeπsiσπnels.The glass tube used can be replaced by a transparent piece of appropriate shape and nature allowing measurements to be made with laser micrometers under good conditions. Furthermore, it is also possible to use the machine according to the invention to make multiple selections. It is thus possible to form a batch of non-pre-sorted stones and select a series of output batches corresponding to certain dimeπsiσπnels criteria.
Un micro-ordinateur pourra gérer l'ensemble des données et, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 6, commandera en sortie du tube vibrant 5 une série de tiroirs en cascade 33 triant les pierres en de multiples catégories, par exemple selon des critères dimensionnels. Il est également possible d'adjoindre à la machine un dispositif de détection chromatique afin de trier les pierres selon leur couleur ou la densité de le.ur teinte. On peut aussi installer un micromètre laserA microcomputer will be able to manage all of the data and, as can be seen in FIG. 6, will command at the output of the vibrating tube 5 a series of cascading drawers 33 sorting the stones into multiple categories, for example according to criteria dimensional. It is also possible to add a chromatic detection device to the machine in order to sort the stones according to their color or the density of the shade. You can also install a laser micrometer
"diagonal" qui permettrait de différencier les pierres selon leur forme, par exemple distinguer une pierre ronde d'une pierre carrée."diagonal" which would make it possible to differentiate stones according to their shape, for example to distinguish a round stone from a square stone.
La machine ainsi décrite n'est pas limitée au tri des pierres précieuses, mais peut servir au tri d'autres menus objets similaires, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention. The machine thus described is not limited to sorting precious stones, but can be used for sorting other small similar objects, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1) Procédé de tri automatique de pierres précieuses, ou autres objets similaires, selon des critères dimensionnels, caractérisé en ce que la ou les pierres, mises en position convenable et séparées les unes des autres par des dispositifs appropriés (3, 4), sont introduites dans un tube transparent (5), animé d'un mouvement vibratoire pour les faire défiler entre l'émetteur et le récepteur d'au moins un dispositif de mesure micrσmétrique à laser (11, 12) qui communique les résultats de la mesure à un automate programmable (17), lequel les compare à ceux d'un étalon et actionne un dispositif mécanique (14) de triage automatique des pierres selon le résultat, puis initialise à nouveau le cycle de mesure .1) Process for automatic sorting of precious stones, or other similar objects, according to dimensional criteria, characterized in that the stone or stones, placed in suitable position and separated from each other by suitable devices (3, 4), are introduced into a transparent tube (5), animated by a vibratory movement to make them pass between the transmitter and the receiver of at least one laser micrometric measurement device (11, 12) which communicates the results of the measurement to a programmable automaton (17), which compares them to those of a standard and actuates a mechanical device (14) for automatic sorting of stones according to the result, then initializes the measurement cycle again.
2) Machine pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des moyens lui permettant d'assurer les opérations successives suivantes :2) Machine for implementing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means enabling it to ensure the following successive operations:
- approvisionnement "à la file" par un bol vibrant (2)- "in line" supply by a vibrating bowl (2)
- sélection du sens des pierres par des pièges appropriés (24) ménagés dans une table de positionnement (3)- selection of the direction of the stones by appropriate traps (24) formed in a positioning table (3)
- mise à l'unité des pierres- uniting of stones
- positionnement des pierres dans un tube transparent (5), ou une goulotte transparente avance des pierres par vibration mécanique du tube transparent (5)- positioning of the stones in a transparent tube (5), or a transparent chute advancing the stones by mechanical vibration of the transparent tube (5)
- mesure de la longueur et de la largeur par deux ensembles émetteur-récepteur micrométriques à laser (11, 12)- length and width measurement by two micrometric laser transceiver assemblies (11, 12)
- tri après la mesure par un automate programmable (17) et déclenchement d'un nouveau cycle par une cellule à infra- rouges (13).- sorting after measurement by a programmable controller (17) and triggering of a new cycle by an infrared cell (13).
3) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le tube transparent (5) est un tube en verre mince de section circulaire. 3) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le tube transparent (5) est un tube en verre mince de section circulaire.3) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the transparent tube (5) is a thin glass tube of circular section. 3) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the transparent tube (5) is a thin glass tube of circular section.
4) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la sélection du sens des pierres s'effectue à l'aide de rainures transversales (24) ménagées dans la table de positionnement (3).4) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the selection of the direction of the stones is carried out using transverse grooves (24) formed in the positioning table (3).
5) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la mise à l'unité des pierres s'effectue à l'aide d'un dispositif mécanique (4) qui peut être un couteau ( 40 ) ou une brosse (41) commandés par un électro-aimant (42).5) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the uniting of the stones is carried out using a mechanical device (4) which can be a knife (40) or a brush (41) controlled by an electromagnet (42).
6) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la mise à l'unité des pierres s'effectue à l'aide d'une soufflerie placée à l'entrée du tube (5), qui empêche l'entrée d'une nouvelle pierre dans ledit tube (5) avant que la précédente ait pénétré dans le dispositif de mesure. 7) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce qu'un dispositif automatisé effectue en sortie du tube transparent (5) une sélection multiple selon des critères dimensiσnnels définis.6) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the uniting of the stones is carried out using a blower placed at the inlet of the tube (5), which prevents the entry of a new stone in said tube (5) before the previous one has entered the measuring device. 7) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that an automated device performs at the output of the transparent tube (5) a multiple selection according to defined dimensional criteria.
8) Machine selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif automatisé mis en oeuvre est un micro-ordinateur.8) Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the automated device used is a microcomputer.
9) Machine selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que la sélection multiple s'effectue à l'aide d'une série de tiroirs en cascade (33).9) Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the multiple selection is carried out using a series of cascading drawers (33).
10) Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce qu'un détecteur chromatique permet en outre une sélection des pierres selon la couleur ou l'intensité de coloration. 10) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that a chromatic detector further allows a selection of stones according to the color or intensity of coloring.
PCT/FR1994/000973 1993-08-02 1994-08-02 Method and machine for sorting precious stones and the like according to size WO1995003897A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU74634/94A AU7463494A (en) 1993-08-02 1994-08-02 Method and machine for sorting precious stones and the like according to size

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR93/09648 1993-08-02
FR9309648A FR2708489B1 (en) 1993-08-02 1993-08-02 Method and machine for automatic sorting of precious stones, or other similar objects, according to dimensional criteria.

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AU (1) AU7463494A (en)
FR (1) FR2708489B1 (en)
IL (1) IL110529A (en)
WO (1) WO1995003897A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA945740B (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3708065A (en) * 1970-08-27 1973-01-02 Amsted Ind Inc Measuring and sorting apparatus
US4132314A (en) * 1977-06-13 1979-01-02 Joerg Walter VON Beckmann Electronic size and color sorter
GB2117111A (en) * 1982-03-16 1983-10-05 Satake Eng Co Ltd Detecting cracked rice grains
EP0303084A2 (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-02-15 Rhein-Nadel Automation Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Method and device for measuring objects on a conveyor section
FR2668962A1 (en) * 1990-11-09 1992-05-15 Femia Ind Method of sorting elongate objects, in particular curvilinear objects such as French beans, and sorting system for the implementation of this method

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3708065A (en) * 1970-08-27 1973-01-02 Amsted Ind Inc Measuring and sorting apparatus
US4132314A (en) * 1977-06-13 1979-01-02 Joerg Walter VON Beckmann Electronic size and color sorter
GB2117111A (en) * 1982-03-16 1983-10-05 Satake Eng Co Ltd Detecting cracked rice grains
EP0303084A2 (en) * 1987-08-10 1989-02-15 Rhein-Nadel Automation Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Method and device for measuring objects on a conveyor section
FR2668962A1 (en) * 1990-11-09 1992-05-15 Femia Ind Method of sorting elongate objects, in particular curvilinear objects such as French beans, and sorting system for the implementation of this method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2708489A1 (en) 1995-02-10
FR2708489B1 (en) 1995-10-27
AU7463494A (en) 1995-02-28
IL110529A (en) 1998-03-10
IL110529A0 (en) 1994-11-11
ZA945740B (en) 1995-05-19

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