Shot blasting device, control method thereof, and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a shot blasting device and a control method thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium. Automation of pre-start operation check of the device is achieved, and automation of determination of normal operation and determination of a state in which a qualified product can be produced is achieved. After the device is started and before a projection material is projected to a projection object, a processor performs a first check process and a second check process, and displays at least one of respective determination results and a determination result obtained by integrating the respective determination results on a display, in the first check process, in a state in which a motor of an impeller is rotating but the impeller is not supplied with the projection material, it is determined whether a current value supplied to each motor possessed by the impeller is below a first threshold value, in the second check process, in a state in which the impeller projects the projection material, it is determined whether the current value supplied to each motor possessed by the impeller is above a second threshold value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shot peening apparatus, an inspection method, and a computer-readable recording medium containing the inspection procedure. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, in shot peening equipment, overload protection devices such as thermal relays have been known as anomaly detection systems to detect whether the motor or parts related to the motor drive have malfunctioned due to overload. Additionally, systems that use sensors to remotely monitor operation periodically are also known.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-011665 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, because these protective devices monitor the equipment after the production line has already started operating, it's common for a component of the shot peening unit to have already malfunctioned by the time an anomaly is detected, potentially leading to production halts until a replacement is completed. Therefore, pre-operation checks are crucial. However, pre-operation checks are time-consuming and costly, and sometimes cannot be easily implemented.

[0008] One objective of this invention is to automate the pre-operation checks of the device and to automate the determination of normal operation and the determination of being in a state capable of producing qualified products.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] To address the aforementioned problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a shot peening apparatus comprising an impeller and at least one processor. The impeller, used for projecting material onto a target object, has one or more motors. Before projecting material onto the target object, the processor performs a first inspection process and a second inspection process. In the first inspection process, while the impeller motors are rotating but the impeller is not being supplied with projecting material, it is determined whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is below a first threshold. In the second inspection process, while the impeller is projecting material, it is determined whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is above a second threshold. Furthermore, the processor performs a display process that displays at least one of (1) and (2) below on a display screen.

[0011] (1) The judgment results of the first inspection and the second inspection.

[0012] (2) The judgment result obtained by combining the judgment results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process.

[0013] The shot peening apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a computer. In this case, the scope of the present invention also includes the computer implementing the shot peening apparatus, the inspection program of the shot peening apparatus, and the computer-readable recording medium recording the inspection program by making the computer operate as the various parts (software elements) of the shot peening apparatus.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the pre-operation checks of the apparatus are automated. Furthermore, the determination of whether the apparatus is operating normally and whether it is in a state capable of producing qualified products are also automated, contributing to further efficiency improvements. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of a shot peening device.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the time axis, current values, and decision logic during the inspection.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the inspection and processing flow.

[0019] Figure 4 This is an example of a screen displaying the inspection results.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an example of a screen displaying the inspection results.

[0021] Figure 6 This is an example of a screen displaying the inspection results. Detailed Implementation

[0022] [Implementation Method 1]

[0023] (Structure of a shot peening device)

[0024] Reference Figure 1 The structure of a shot peening apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the shot peening device 1.

[0025] like Figure 1As shown, the shot peening apparatus 1 includes a projection device 100, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 200, and a display 300. The projection device 100 performs surface processing, such as removing burrs or adjusting surface roughness, by projecting (impacting) externally supplied projection material 400 onto the target object 500. Here, burrs refer to excess material protruding from the edges of the target object 500 during its manufacturing process. The projection material 400 can be, for example, spherical metallic particles (so-called shot), sharp-angled metallic particles (so-called grit), or non-metallic particles (such as glass, ceramics, sand, resin, plant seeds). The target object 500 is, for example, an industrial product such as a casting. The amount of projection material 400 projected onto each unit surface area of ​​the target object 500 is called the projection density. The projection density affects the projection quality. A certain projection density is required to maintain a certain projection quality.

[0026] The PLC 200 controls the projection device 100. The display 300 displays various information sent from the PLC 200.

[0027] The projection device 100 includes: an impeller assembly 110 for projecting projection material 400 onto a projection target 500; a conveyor 120 for transporting the projection target 500; a distributor 130 for supplying the projection material 400 to the impeller assembly 110; a spiral device 140 for stirring within the projection device 100; a bucket elevator 150 for recovering the projected projection material 400; and a dust collection device 160 for recovering burrs and other waste materials detached from the projection target 500. However, the projection device 100 may also include other parts not shown. The impeller assembly 110 includes at least one impeller. In the figures, impellers 111 and 112 are shown, and descriptions of other impellers are omitted. The same applies to the following figures. For example, when the target object 500 is a long strip like a steel frame, it cannot be projected onto the whole object in one go. Therefore, the conveyor 120 gradually transports the object to the position where the projection device 100 projects the projection material 400 (hereinafter referred to as the projection position). Furthermore, the projection device 100 projects the material while the object is being transported. Additionally, if the target object 500 is larger than the projection device 100, the projection device 100 can be equipped with a traveling body or similar device to move itself, replacing the conveyor 120. The distributor 130 supplies an appropriate amount of projection material 400 to each impeller of the impeller assembly 110 for projection. The screw device 140 agitates the material within the projection device 100, for example, centrifugally separating the projected material 400 from the burrs. The bucket elevator 150 recovers the projected material 400 separated by centrifugation and replenishes it to the distributor 130. The dust collection device 160 recovers the burrs and other waste separated by centrifugation and discards them. Impeller 111, impeller 112, conveyor 120, distributor 130, screw device 140, bucket elevator 150 and dust collection device 160 respectively have motors M1a, M1b, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6.

[0028] The PLC 200 is connected to various parts of the projection device 100 and is used to control the projection device 100. The PLC 200 has a communication IF (interface) 211, a memory 212, a processor 213, and an input / output IF 214. The communication IF (interface) 211, the memory 212, the processor 213, and the input / output IF 214 are interconnected via a bus.

[0029] The communication IF 211 is connected to various information devices, such as instruments not shown, via a communication network. In this embodiment, the communication network is an analog circuit such as a wired LAN; however, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, CC-Link, etc., may also be used, and it can also be installed via the cloud.

[0030] For example, the memory 212 stores the following information.

[0031] (1) Maximum current value of each motor at the time of factory shipment

[0032] (2) Thresholds and judgment conditions of each motor used in the first inspection process

[0033] (3) Thresholds and judgment conditions of each motor used in the second inspection process

[0034] (4) The relationship between the conveying speed of conveyor 120 and the current value of motor M2 of conveyor 120

[0035] (5) The inspection results determined by processor 213

[0036] As a device that can be used as memory 212, flash memory can be cited as an example.

[0037] Processor 213 performs the first check process and the second check process. As a device that can be used as processor 213, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be cited as an example.

[0038] Input / output IF 214 is used to connect input devices and / or output devices. Examples of output devices connected to input / output IF 214 include monitors and printers. Examples of input devices connected to input / output IF 214 include keyboards and mice. Examples of input / output IF 214 include HDMI and USB. In this embodiment, a monitor 300, serving as an output device, is connected to input / output IF 214.

[0039] The display 300 is used to display the inspection results related to the shot peening apparatus 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display 300 employs a structure using a user-operable touch panel, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display 300 may, for example, be a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a monitor, or may include an input device (not shown) such as a mouse.

[0040] (Inspection and processing procedures)

[0041] Reference Figures 2-6 The process of the first inspection process and the second inspection process performed by the shot peening device 1 will be explained.

[0042] The following uses Figure 2 and Figure 3 This section will explain the overall process of inspection and handling.

[0043] (Check the overall process)

[0044] use Figure 2 This will explain the overall inspection process. Figure 2 It is a graph showing the shift in current value related to motor M1a of impeller 111 after the projection device 100 is powered on.

[0045] First, when the projection device 100 is powered on, the current of each motor in the projection device 100 temporarily increases and then returns to a lower level. During this period, the fluctuation of the current is drastic and unsuitable for inspection in this embodiment, so the processor 213 enters standby mode for a certain period of time from power-on to the end of standby. This time is set as the startup standby time t. In this embodiment, the startup standby time t is stored in advance in the memory 212, but it can also be calculated by the processor 213 based on the current value of motor M1a, for example.

[0046] If the standby time t during startup has elapsed, then in the state where the impeller 111 is not projecting the projection material 400 (hereinafter referred to as the non-projection state), no load of the projection material 400 is applied to the motors M1a and M1b. Therefore, if, for example, the motor M1a and the parts related to the drive of the motor M1a are normal, the current value of the motor M1a will be pushed at a lower level. If the current value of the motor M1a is higher than a specified level in the state where the impeller 111 is not projecting the projection material 400, then there may be some abnormality in the motor M1a of the projection device 100 or in the parts related to the drive of the motor M1a. Regarding abnormalities, in addition to considering the possibility of a malfunction in the motor M1a, other mechanical problems arising in the parts related to the drive of the motor M1a are also considered. The processor 213 performs a non-projection state monitoring and inspection process T1 (first inspection process) to determine the current value during the non-projection state. The threshold used to determine that the current value is normal is set as threshold θ1. If the current value of motor M1a is below θ1, processor 213 determines that the relevant parts of motor M1a are normal by non-projection state monitoring and inspection process T1. Furthermore, in the following figures, "motor M1a and the parts related to the drive of motor M1a are normal" will be recorded as "the relevant parts of motor M1a are normal".

[0047] Next, during the period when the impeller 111 projects the projected material 400 (hereinafter referred to as the projecting state), the load of the projected material 400 is applied to the motor M1a, so the current value is pushed at a higher level. If the current value of the motor M1a is lower than a specified level, the supply of projected material 400 from the distributor 130 to the impeller 111 may be insufficient to maintain the projected density. In this case, it becomes impossible to maintain the processing quality of the shot peening device 1, so the processor 213 needs to take measures such as increasing the supply of projected material 400 to the distributor 130. During the period when the impeller 111 projects the projected material 400, the processor 213 performs a projecting state monitoring and inspection process T'1 (second inspection process). The threshold for determining that the current value in the projecting state is normal is set as threshold θ2. If the current value of the motor M1a is above θ2, the processor 213 determines through the projecting state monitoring and inspection process T'1 that the supply of projected material 400 to the impeller 111 is sufficient.

[0048] Before manufacturing actually begins and the projection device 100 projects onto the object 500, the processor 213 automatically performs the aforementioned non-projection state monitoring and inspection process T1 and projection state monitoring and inspection process T'1, and displays the inspection results to the user. This allows for the prevention of production line stoppages without relying on visual judgment by the inspector, and also prevents the generation of defective products.

[0049] Furthermore, the aforementioned thresholds θ1 and θ2 can be set for each motor individually and can be changed at any time. Additionally, judgment conditions such as "above the threshold," "below the threshold," "exceeding the threshold," and "less than the threshold" can be arbitrarily set for each motor in the projection status monitoring and inspection process T'1. In this embodiment, 10% of the maximum current value of motor M1a at factory shipment (when it is set to 100%) is set as threshold θ1, and 90% of this value is set as threshold θ2.

[0050] The above checks can also be performed on motors other than the impeller. Regarding motors other than the impeller assembly 110, there are motors for which the processor 213 cannot determine whether the current value is below threshold θ1 when the impeller assembly 110 is not projecting the projection material 400. Therefore, for such motors, the processor 213 can also determine whether the motor's current value is below threshold θ2 as a second check process, namely, a projection state monitoring check process. In this case, the processor 213 can determine that the relevant parts of the motor are normal when the motor's current value is below threshold θ2. Regarding motors included in the projection device 100 but other than the impeller assembly 110, it is possible to set for each motor whether to use non-projection state monitoring check process or projection state monitoring check process in determining whether the relevant parts of the motor are normal. Furthermore, the user can change this setting for each motor at any time.

[0051] Furthermore, the processor 213 can also perform the same processing as the non-projection state monitoring and inspection process T1 and the projection state monitoring and inspection process T'1 described above in both the non-projection state and the projection state after actual manufacturing has begun.

[0052] use Figure 3 The flowchart illustrates a series of processes performed by the processor 213, including first inspection processing, second inspection processing, and display processing. In the diagram, "device" refers to the projection device 100.

[0053] (Non-projection state monitoring and inspection processing)

[0054] In step S101, the processor 213 determines whether the projection device 100 has been activated. This determination can be made, for example, by detecting the current value of various galvanometers (not shown). If the projection device 100 is not activated (S101 "No"), the processor 213 remains in standby mode. If the projection device 100 is activated (S101 "Yes"), the processor 213 proceeds to step S102. Alternatively, the processor 213 can accept a user's operation to begin the inspection process, instead of automatically starting the inspection process in step S101.

[0055] In step S102, the processor 213 starts each motor of the projection device 100 without feeding the projection material 400.

[0056] In step S103, the processor 213 reads the startup standby time t from the memory 212.

[0057] In step S104, the processor 213 causes the process to go into standby mode during the startup standby time t.

[0058] From here on, up to step S116, the inspection process is repeated for each motor included in the projection device 100. Alternatively, each motor can be pre-set to be an object of inspection.

[0059] In step S111, processor 213 reads a first threshold θ1 from memory 212. The threshold θ1 can be different for each motor or the same for all motors.

[0060] In step S112, the processor 213 acquires the current values ​​of each motor of the projection device 100.

[0061] In step S113, the processor 213 determines whether the current value of each motor in the projection device 100 is below a threshold θ1. If the current value of the motor is below the threshold θ1, the processor 213 proceeds to step S114 (the "Yes" condition in step S113). If the current value of the motor exceeds the threshold θ1, the processor 213 proceeds to step S115 (the "No" condition in step S113). The motor in question is arbitrary; it can be only the motors included in the impeller assembly 110 or all the motors included in the projection device 100.

[0062] In step S114, the processor 213 determines that the relevant parts of the motor are normal for motors whose current value is below the threshold θ1.

[0063] In step S115, the processor 213 determines that a motor with a current value exceeding the threshold θ1 is abnormal in the relevant part of the motor.

[0064] In step S116, the processor 213 saves the inspection result to the memory 212. The inspection result refers to the combination data of the motor and the normal or abnormal result determined in step S114 or S115.

[0065] (Projection status monitoring and inspection processing)

[0066] In step S121, processor 213 causes distributor 130 to supply projection material 400 to impeller assembly 110. That is, processor 213 creates a projection state of impeller assembly 110 projecting projection material 400, and then performs projection state monitoring and inspection processing.

[0067] From here on, up to step S129, the inspection is repeated for each motor included in the projection device 100. Either each motor can be pre-set as an inspection target, or only the motors included in the impeller assembly 110 can be designated as inspection targets.

[0068] In step S122, processor 213 reads the second threshold θ2 and determination condition of the motor from memory 212. The threshold θ2 can be different for each motor or the same for all motors. Additionally, determination conditions such as "above the threshold" or "below the threshold" can also be set for each motor. In addition to "above the threshold" or "below the threshold," the determination condition can also include "exceeding the threshold" or "below the threshold," but for ease of explanation, it will be described as "above the threshold" or "below the threshold." If the determination condition for the motor is "above the threshold θ2," proceed to step S123. If the determination condition for the motor is "below the threshold θ2," proceed to step S126. In this embodiment, the determination condition of "above the threshold θ2" is set for the motors in impeller assembly 110, and the determination condition of "below the threshold θ2" is set for motors other than those in impeller assembly 110.

[0069] In step S123, the processor 213 determines whether the current value of the motor of the impeller assembly 110 is above the threshold θ2.

[0070] In step S124, the processor 213 determines that the motor of the impeller assembly 110 with a current value above the threshold θ2 has been supplied with a sufficient amount of projection material 400 from the distributor 130.

[0071] In step S125, the processor 213 determines that the motor of the impeller assembly 110 with a current value less than the threshold θ2 is not supplying a sufficient amount of projection material 400 from the distributor 130.

[0072] In step S126, the processor 213 determines whether the current value of the motor other than the impeller assembly 110 is below the threshold θ2.

[0073] In step S127, the processor 213 determines that the relevant parts of the motor are normal for motors other than the impeller assembly 110 whose current value is below the threshold θ2.

[0074] In step S128, the processor 213 determines that the motor is abnormal in any part other than the impeller assembly 110 whose current value exceeds the threshold θ2.

[0075] In step S129, the processor 213 saves the inspection results to the memory 212. That is, the processor 213 saves the inspection results of step S124 or step S125 and the inspection results of step S127 or step S128 to the memory 212. The inspection results refer to the combined data of the motor and the determination results of whether the supply of projection material 400 from the distributor 130 is sufficient, as determined in step S124 or step S125, or the combined data of the motor and the determination results of whether the relevant parts of the motor are normal or abnormal, as determined in step S127 or step S128.

[0076] (Display processing)

[0077] In step S131, the processor 213 displays the inspection results on the display 300 via input / output IF 214.

[0078] (An example of display processing)

[0079] use Figures 4-6 To illustrate by Figure 3 This is an example of a screen displayed on the monitor 300 after the display processing performed in step S131. Furthermore, the examples shown below are just one example; other structures can also be used to display each display area.

[0080] Figure 4 Is Figure 3 In step S131, the processor 213 displays an example of screen σ1 on the display 300. Screen σ1 displays the results of non-projection state monitoring and inspection processes and projection state monitoring and inspection processes performed before the start of operation (after the device is started and before the projection material is projected onto the object) for each motor of the projection device 100, and displays the results of both in combination. In this embodiment, "0" indicates "the motor-related part is normal" or "sufficient amount of projection material has been supplied from the dispenser," and "△" indicates "the motor-related part is abnormal" or "sufficient amount of projection material has not been supplied from the dispenser." The same applies to the following figures. In addition, other symbols may be used instead of "0" and "△" to clearly show the inspection results, and words such as "good" and "bad" may also be used. In addition, in this embodiment, the display positions of "0" and "△" are separated left and right, but they may not be separated left and right. This is also the case in all result display areas described later. The screen σ1 has a comprehensive result display area σ101, a screen transition button σ102, a processing request button σ103, a history confirmation button σ104, and display areas corresponding to each motor of the projection device 100. In this embodiment, the display area σ11a corresponding to the motor M1a of the impeller 111 will be described. The description of the display areas corresponding to the other motors is the same as that of the display area σ11a, and therefore is omitted.

[0081] The processor 213 comprehensively displays the inspection results of all motors that have undergone at least one of the non-projection state monitoring and inspection processes in the comprehensive result display area σ101. Additionally, it may include a display for motors that were not inspected. In this embodiment, if at least one of the motors that underwent at least one of the non-projection state monitoring and inspection processes results in a "motor-related part abnormality" or "insufficient amount of projection material not supplied from the dispenser," a "△" is displayed in the comprehensive result display area σ101; otherwise, a "〇" is displayed in the comprehensive result display area σ101. In this embodiment, if a result of "motor-related part abnormality" or "insufficient amount of projection material not supplied from the dispenser" is given for motor M1a, then a "△" is displayed in the comprehensive result display area σ101.

[0082] The screen transition button σ102 accepts user input. When user input is received at the screen transition button σ102, the processor 213 transitions from screen σ1 to another screen (not shown). The action request button σ103 accepts user input. When user input is received at the action request button σ103, the processor 213 notifies other PCs on a network (not shown) from screen σ1 that action is required. For example, if a result such as "Motor M1a malfunction" is given, the processor 213 notifies other PCs on a network (not shown) that motor M1a needs to be checked, repaired, or replaced. The history confirmation button σ104 accepts user input. When user input is received at the history confirmation button σ104, the processor 213 transitions from screen σ1 to screen σ3.

[0083] The display area σ11a includes a component name display area σ11a1, a motor name display area σ11a2, a result display area σ11a3, and a details display button σ11a4.

[0084] The processor 213 displays the names of the components of the projection device 100 that include a motor in the component name display area σ11a1. In this embodiment, "Impeller 111" is displayed, but it could also be, for example, "Impeller No. 1". The name of the motor is displayed in the motor name display area σ11a2. The result display area σ11a3 displays the combined result of the non-projection state monitoring and inspection processing and the projection state monitoring and inspection processing for the motor M1a. If the processor 213 gives a result such as "Motor-related part abnormal" or "Insufficient amount of projection material is not supplied from the dispenser" for the motor, it displays "△" in the result display area σ11a3; otherwise, it displays "〇" in the result display area σ11a3. The details display button σ11a4 accepts the user's operation and switches to the screen σ2 described later.

[0085] Figure 5 Is Figure 3 In step S131, the processor 213 displays screen σ2 on the display 300. Screen σ2 is a screen in which the processor 213 displays a graph showing the relationship between the current value of the motor M1a of the impeller 111 and the time series, as well as the non-projection state monitoring and inspection processing results and the projection state monitoring and inspection processing results, so that the user can understand the details of the inspection results. Screen σ2 has an object component name display area σ21, a result display area σ22, a non-projection state monitoring result display area σ221, a projection state monitoring result display area σ222, a screen transition button σ23, and a current value shift graph display area σ24.

[0086] The processor 213 displays the name of the component with the motor as the object of inspection in the object component name display area σ21, but it may also display the motor name. In this embodiment, "impeller 111" with the motor M1a as the object of inspection is displayed.

[0087] Processor 213 performs AND operation in the result display area σ22 Figure 4 The same display appears in σ11a3. Processor 213 displays the results of the non-projection state monitoring and inspection processing for motor M1a in the non-projection state monitoring result display area σ221. Processor 213 displays the results of the projection state monitoring and inspection processing for motor M1a in the projection state monitoring result display area σ222.

[0088] The screen transition button σ23 accepts the user's operation and transitions to screen σ1.

[0089] The current value shift curve display area σ24 is a curve showing the shift in the current value of motor M1a. The vertical axis represents the current value of motor M1a, and the horizontal axis represents time. As the horizontal axis, a user-defined time axis can be used. In this embodiment, it is set to display the time of non-projection state monitoring and inspection process T1 and projection state monitoring and inspection process T'1 after the power is turned on to the projection device 100. In this embodiment, the result of non-projection state monitoring and inspection process T1 is that motor M1a is normal, so "0" is displayed in the non-projection state monitoring result display area σ221. On the other hand, since the current value of motor M1a is lower than the threshold θ2 in the projection state, the supply of projection material 400 from distributor 130 to impeller 111 is insufficient as a result of projection state monitoring and inspection process T'1. Therefore, "△" is displayed in the projection state monitoring result display area σ222. As a reason, a malfunction of the cage (not shown) connecting distributor 130 and impeller 111 can be considered. In this way, the processor 213 enables the user to properly locate the fault by separately displaying details of the current value shift curve.

[0090] Figure 6 Is Figure 3 In step S131, the processor 213 displays screen σ3 on the monitor 300. Screen σ3 is a screen where the processor 213 displays a summary of past inspection history for the user to refer to. Screen σ3 has a screen transition button σ23 and an inspection history summary σ31. The screen transition button σ23 and... Figure 5 The screen transition button is the same.

[0091] The processor 213 displays the non-projection state monitoring and inspection results and the projection state monitoring and inspection results for each motor of the projection device 100, as well as the combined inspection results, in the inspection history overview σ31 according to the start date and time of each inspection. In the figure, the processor 213 displays the component name of each motor as the column header, but it may also display the motor name. "Non" indicates the non-projection state monitoring and inspection result, and "Projection" indicates the projection state monitoring and inspection result. If either the non-projection state monitoring and inspection result or the projection state monitoring and inspection result for any motor of the projection device 100 is "△", the processor 213 displays "△", meaning there is a problem, in the "Comprehensive" column; otherwise, it displays "0" in the "Comprehensive" column. In this embodiment, regarding the latest non-projection state monitoring and inspection and projection state monitoring and inspection performed at 11:24 on July 24, the projection state monitoring and inspection result for the motor M1a of the impeller 111 is "△", therefore, the processor 213 displays "△" in the "Comprehensive" column.

[0092] [Implementation Method 2]

[0093] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0094] In the projection process, when the conveyor 120 transports the projection target 500, the projection density varies depending on the transport speed. Therefore, the transport speed needs to be considered when determining whether the supply of projection material 400 is appropriate. The transport speed of the motor M2 of the conveyor 120 may slow down due to factors such as age-related deterioration. If the transport speed slows down, the projection density may be too high, making it impossible to maintain projection quality. Therefore, the processor 213 can determine whether the transport speed of the conveyor 120 is within a specified range. The transport speed of the conveyor 120 is related to the operating frequency of the motor M2, so the memory 212 can pre-store the correspondence between the operating frequency of the motor M2 and the transport speed of the conveyor 120. Alternatively, the processor 213 can read this correlation data from the memory 212 and calculate the transport speed of the conveyor 120 based on the inverter frequency of the motor M2. Specifically, the processor 213 can compare the conveying speed calculated based on the frequency of the inverter of the motor M2 with the conveying speed obtained by converting the count of the rotation detection sensor of the roller (not shown) installed on the conveyor 120 into the conveying speed, in order to calculate whether the conveying speed of the conveyor 120 is normal.

[0095] Alternatively, the processor 213 may perform a third check process to determine whether the projection status from the impeller assembly 110 is appropriate based on the projection status monitoring check process result and the conveying speed of the conveyor 120. In the above display process, the determination result of the third check process is displayed on the above display.

[0096] (Additional Notes)

[0097] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above embodiments are also included within the technical scope of this invention. Regarding the threshold, the cases of "above" and "below" can also be set as "more than" and "less than", respectively.

[0098] [Software-based implementation example]

[0099] The function of the shot peening device 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program for enabling the computer to function as the device and for enabling the computer to function as the various control blocks (parts included in the processor) of the device.

[0100] The aforementioned program may not be transient, but rather recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The aforementioned device may or may not have such a recording medium. In the latter case, the aforementioned program may also be supplied to the aforementioned device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0101] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the aforementioned control blocks can also be implemented using logic circuits. For example, integrated circuits that form the logic circuits that enable the functions of the aforementioned control blocks are also included within the scope of this invention. In addition, the functions of the aforementioned control blocks can also be implemented using, for example, a quantum computer.

[0102] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of this invention.

[0103] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0104] 1: Shot peening device; 100: Projection device; 110: Impeller assembly; 111: Impeller; 120: Conveyor; 130: Distributor; 200: PLC; 212: Memory; 213: Processor; 300: Display; 400: Projected material; 500: Projected object; M1a, M2: Motor; t: Standby time during startup; T1: Non-projection state monitoring and inspection processing; T'1: Projection state monitoring and inspection processing; θ1, θ2: Thresholds; σ1, σ2, σ3: Screen.

Claims

1. A shot peening device for projecting material onto a target object for surface treatment. The shot peening device includes: an impeller for projecting material onto the target object, having one or more motors; and at least one processor. After the device is started but before the projection material is projected onto the target object, the processor performs the following processing: In the first inspection process, while the impeller is rotating but no projected material is being supplied to the impeller, it is determined whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is below a first threshold; and The second inspection process involves determining whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is above a second threshold while the impeller is projecting the projected material. The processor also performs a display process in which at least one of the determination results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, and a determination result obtained by combining the determination results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, is displayed on the screen.

2. The shot peening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor executes the first check process and the second check process sequentially in the order of the first check process and the second check process.

3. The shot peening apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the first inspection process, the processor determines whether the current value is below a threshold for at least a portion of the motors in the shot peening device, excluding the impeller.

4. The shot peening apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the second inspection process, the processor determines whether the current value is below a threshold for at least a portion of the motors in the shot peening device, excluding the impeller.

5. The shot peening apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The shot peening device includes a conveyor for transporting the projectile. The processor performs the following processing: obtaining the conveying speed of the conveyor transporting the projected object, and determining whether the conveying speed is within a specified range.

6. The shot peening apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The processor performs a third inspection process based on the determination result of the second inspection process and the conveying speed to determine whether the projection state of the projection material projected by the impeller is in a specified state. In the display process, the determination result of the third inspection process is displayed on the display.

7. A control method for a shot peening device, the shot peening device comprising an impeller for projecting material onto a target object, and having one or more motors, wherein in the control method, After the device is started but before the projection material is projected onto the target object, the following process is performed: In the first inspection process, while the impeller is rotating but no projected material is being supplied to the impeller, it is determined whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is below a first threshold; and The second inspection process involves determining whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is above a second threshold while the impeller is projecting the projected material. The control method also includes a display process in which at least one of the determination results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, and a determination result obtained by combining the determination results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, is displayed on a screen.

8. A computer-readable recording medium containing a program for enabling a processor-equipped computer to function as a shot peening device, the shot peening device having an impeller for projecting material onto a target object, and having one or more motors. The program causes the processor to perform the following processing after the device is started and before the projection material is projected onto the object: In the first inspection process, while the impeller is rotating but no projected material is being supplied to the impeller, it is determined whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is below a first threshold; and The second inspection process involves determining whether the current value supplied to each motor of the impeller is above a second threshold while the impeller is projecting the projected material. The program also causes the processor to perform display processing, in which at least one of the determination results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, and the determination result obtained by combining the determination results of the first inspection process and the second inspection process, is displayed on the screen.

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