A control method for fully automatic packaging equipment of thermal printer

Abstract

The present invention provides a control method for fully automatic box packing equipment of thermal printers, comprising a product conveying platform, a placing mechanism, a box conveying platform and a handling mechanism; the product conveying platform is provided with a dynamic adjustment module, which can automatically adjust the speed and height of the conveyor belt according to different models of thermal printers; the placing mechanism is used to place the thermal printer at a predetermined position; the box conveying platform is equipped with a weight detection device to ensure the integrity of the product; the handling mechanism adopts a multi-axis robot system, equipped with a vacuum adsorption device and an automatic deviation correction module to realize batch handling; the present invention also provides a control method, comprising the steps of scanning and information matching of the thermal printer, position placement, handling and box packing, and weight verification; through weight detection and information consistency verification, the accuracy and stability of the box packing process are ensured, manual operation errors are reduced, production efficiency is improved, and product quality is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automatic box packing and packaging, and in particular to a control method for fully automatic box packing equipment with a thermal printer. Background Art

[0002] The thermal printer automatic packing equipment is a production line equipment specially used for automatic assembly, inspection and packaging of thermal printers. It automatically completes the process of loading products into boxes and packing boxes of single products into finished product outer packaging boxes according to customer needs through mechanical devices, and can automatically verify the consistency and correctness of internal product information.

[0003] There are some problems with the current manual operation: On the current production line, operators need to manually put thermal printers into independent small boxes one by one, and then continue to pack the small boxes into large finished product boxes in groups of 6 or 12 according to different customer needs, and manually check the consistency of the product information in the individual small boxes and the label content on the outside of the large packaging box. Manual intervention in this process inevitably leads to a certain proportion of errors, such as wrongly installing thermal printers in the box or forgetting to put products in, resulting in missing products; and if errors occur in the packaging process, causing the actual information of the machine to be inconsistent with the items on the packaging box, and then these products are sent to customers, it may attract a large number of consumer complaints and feedback about information differences.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a control method for a thermal printer fully automatic packaging equipment to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a control method for fully automatic packaging equipment of a thermal printer, which is used to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] The following steps are involved:

[0008] S1, scanning the thermal printer to be put into the product conveying platform, and comparing it with the preset information to confirm the match, and at the same time checking whether there is any defect in the appearance of the thermal printer;

[0009] S2, based on the comparison result of step S1, determining whether the thermal printer has entered the product conveying platform;

[0010] S3, the placement mechanism places the thermal printer that enters the product conveying platform according to the requirements;

[0011] S4, the transport mechanism loads the placed thermal printers into the corresponding large boxes accurately according to the preset quantity per box;

[0012] S5, the box conveying platform checks again whether the weight information of the packed product is consistent with that in the large box label. If the information is inconsistent, the system will issue an alarm and stop the operation;

[0013] In step S4, the transport mechanism adopts a multi-axis robot system, equipped with a vacuum adsorption device and an automatic deviation correction module. The automatic deviation correction module calibrates the adsorption position deviation. When the lateral deviation is no more than ±2mm from the preset value and the longitudinal deviation is no more than ±2mm from the preset value, that is, when the adsorption position in the X-axis or Y-axis direction is more than ±2mm from the preset value, the multi-axis robot is allowed to perform compensation action to ensure precise transport, calculate the deviation value and check whether |actual deviation|-|tolerance|≤0 is the correct condition.

[0014] Furthermore, in step S1, it includes:

[0015] S101, scanning a barcode or a QR code on a thermal printer to obtain model information;

[0016] S102, comparing the scanned information with the preset information in the database to confirm the matching degree;

[0017] S103: For products that are confirmed to be matched, further check the appearance for scratches or other defects. Defects are defined as damages longer than 2 mm or visible foreign matter.

[0018] S104, when the information matches and the appearance is intact, the system determines that the thermal printer is a qualified product and allows it to enter the product conveying platform.

[0019] Furthermore, in step S3, it includes:

[0020] S301, using a position sensor to measure and record the current horizontal coordinate x1 and vertical coordinate y1 of the thermal printer;

[0021] S302, obtaining target horizontal coordinates x0, y0 and set error ranges Δx, Δy in a predetermined standard;

[0022] S303, run comparison logic to determine whether the condition "|x1 - x0| > Δx, |y1 - y0| > Δy" is established;

[0023] S304, if the judgment condition is true (|x1 - x0| is greater than Δx or |y1 - y0| is greater than Δy), the placement mechanism adjusts the thermal printer so that it is located at the expected horizontal and vertical coordinates;

[0024] The placing mechanism is arranged on the product conveying platform, and includes a first push plate arranged in the X-axis direction and a second push plate arranged in the Y-axis direction, wherein the first push plate and the second push plate adjust the expected position of the thermal printer.

[0025] Furthermore, in step S5, it includes:

[0026] S501, after each carton is filled with a thermal printer, a weight detection device is used to obtain weight data and record it as the current detection weight W0;

[0027] S502, extract the pre-entered large box weight W1 plus the weight of the thermal printer assembly W2, and record the total as W3;

[0028] S503, calculating the absolute value of the error between W0 and W3, that is, ε=|W0-W3|, and the judgment condition is that when ε≤0.2kg, it is judged that there is no obvious error in the weight;

[0029] S504, if the conditions are met, it indicates that the carton can be sealed and prepared for the next operation; otherwise, the system will automatically mark the abnormal situation, issue an alarm, and interrupt the subsequent process to avoid problematic inventory.

[0030] Furthermore, a large box top supporting mechanism is provided above the box conveying platform for supporting the four edges of the large box.

[0031] Furthermore, positioning components are provided on both sides of the box conveying platform, and a baffle is provided in the forward direction of the box conveying platform.

[0032] Furthermore, the vacuum adsorption device contains a self-detection feedback unit for monitoring whether the product falls off.

[0033] Furthermore, clamping plates are provided around the vacuum adsorption device, and the adsorption and clamping forces act on the thermal printer together.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0035] 1. The thermal printer fully automatic packing equipment avoids possible errors in manual operation, such as wrong packing, missing packing, etc. through the automated product conveying, placement, handling and packing system. Through intelligent scanning, checking and handling operations, the system ensures the consistency between the thermal printer and the large box label content, thereby greatly reducing packing errors caused by manual operations.

[0036] 2. During the packing process, the weight detection device equipped on the box conveying platform can monitor the weight of each box in real time and compare it with the preset thermal printer combined weight. This device ensures the consistency of the weight of each box of products with the record on the box label, effectively preventing packing errors caused by weight deviation. In addition, the system can automatically issue an alarm and interrupt the operation to correct problems in packing in time and prevent unqualified products from entering the market. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fully automatic packaging equipment for thermal printers of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a product conveying platform and a placing mechanism in the fully automatic packaging equipment of a thermal printer of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a box conveying platform and a box supporting mechanism on the top of a large box in the fully automatic box packing equipment of a thermal printer of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a weight detection device in the fully automatic box packing equipment of a thermal printer of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a multi-axis robot system in the fully automatic packaging equipment for thermal printers of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 It is a flow chart of the steps of the control method of the full-automatic box packing equipment of the thermal printer of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work belong to the protection scope of the present invention. It is understood that the drawings are only provided for reference and explanation, and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0045] The invention discloses a fully automatic box packing device for a thermal printer and a control method thereof. The device and the method can automatically realize the packaging process of the thermal printer and effectively solve the problems of low efficiency and high error probability existing in the traditional manual box packing method.

[0046] First, the overall structure of the device is explained. Figures 1 to 5 ,

[0047] A fully automatic boxing device for thermal printers includes several main components. The product conveying platform 100 is responsible for conveying the thermal printer 400 product. In this embodiment, the conveyed thermal printer 400 is in a boxed state. The device has a dynamic adjustment function, which intelligently adjusts the movement parameters such as speed and height according to different types of thermal printers to ensure safe and lossless transportation of the machine. The placement mechanism is set on this platform, including a first push plate 101 moving along the X-axis direction and a second push plate 102 moving along the Y-axis direction. The coordinated operation of the two ensures that the device accurately places the position of the thermal printer 400 according to the predetermined arrangement plan.

[0048] Next comes the box transport device - the box conveying platform 200. In this link, a weight detection device 203 is set to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the items loaded into the carton to prevent out-of-stock situations.

[0049] The transport mechanism 300 in this embodiment, with the help of vacuum adsorption function and the assistance of automatic deviation correction module, realizes the smooth migration of thermal printers from the product conveying platform to the inside of the large box in batches. The vacuum adsorption device is also combined with a self-detection feedback unit to ensure that the items are well fixed and will not escape. At the same time, a splint is provided around the adsorption surface to ensure that the objects are firmly adsorbed under double force. In this way, the coordinated operation between the various components of the equipment is achieved, ensuring efficient and accurate product assembly and packaging.

[0050] A large box top support mechanism 600 is arranged above the box conveying platform 200 to open the four sides of the large box, so that the contents can be placed without the trouble of opening the box. In addition, positioning components 201 are installed at the left and right ends of the conveying path and a baffle 202 is installed at the end of the forward movement path to maintain the precise alignment of the items.

[0051] In the design concept of the fully automated packaging process for thermal printers, the initial step involves scanning the thermal printers waiting to enter the assembly line, comparing the model code and comparing it with the stored information, and then checking whether there are any defects in the appearance. Only products that meet the requirements will be allowed to be transferred to the conveyor belt to continue the next work, avoiding defective products from mixing in.

[0052] Afterwards, according to the above comparison and verification results, it is determined whether the equipment of this model can be delivered to the product conveying platform 100. The placement mechanism receives the approved thermal printer and adjusts the position layout according to the requirements. The thermal printer of the present invention is pre-installed in the packaging box, and the transport mechanism 300 is responsible for accurately filling the arranged thermal printers 400 into the corresponding large box 500 according to the specified standards, and constantly verifies whether the number and identification of the installed thermal printers are completely matched during this process. Once there is a non-conformity, the alarm is immediately activated and the execution is suspended, so as to prevent errors from flowing into the subsequent process and causing complaints.

[0053] Specifically, before starting work, the digital code printed on the thermal printer 400 is read by the barcode reader terminal and compared with the parameters set in the background data to determine the degree of consistency between the two; the objects that have been verified to be correct need to be further screened, and then observe whether there are small conditions such as scratches or dirt spots on the surface that affect the quality. For products without quality problems, they are allowed to be included in the production line. When the thermal printers to be processed enter the placement step, the system will measure the actual horizontal and vertical coordinate values ​​of the place where they are staying, and compare them with the preset standard coordinates and their allowed change limits.

[0054] If the detected value is beyond the allowable range, the device will adjust it to the expected coordinate system. Next, when preparing to load the thermal printer 400 into the large box 500, the handling mechanism 300 is used to firmly stick the independent or multiple thermal printers 400 that have completed the calibration operation on the product conveying platform 100 to the bottom. Then, the automatic correction module adjusts the relative offset between the suction cup and the object, and continuously runs the detection program throughout the entire transportation journey to correct any factors that may cause errors in a timely manner. After arriving at the set delivery location, it must be verified that the distance difference between the point and the expected address is within the range of 3 mm before it is released. The last round of verification is to perform the weighing inspection process after the entire set of large boxes are filled. The current weight is collected through the reader, and the total count is obtained by comparing it with the preset empty container weight and the net weight of the goods, and then the coefficient of difference ε is obtained.

[0055] If the ε value is not higher than the 0.2kg threshold, it can be considered that there is no quality problem, and the sealing and packaging steps can be continued and the next batch of goods can be started; if it does not reach this level, a fault sign will be generated and a prompt will be sounded, and further processing will be stopped to prevent unqualified goods from being produced and stored in inventory, thereby ensuring the reliability of the packing process and reducing the possibility of negligent errors during manual operation.

[0056] For example, on a packaging line for a batch of 600 thermal printing devices, the automated system effectively identifies each machine and automatically sorts and places them into boxes in groups of 6 according to the customer's order specifications, and immediately verifies whether each box is correct after it is loaded into the box. In this way, in actual industrial scenarios, it not only saves a lot of time costs and human resources investment, but also greatly improves the accuracy and satisfaction of the final products being accurately delivered to consumers.

[0057] Next, refer to the attached Figure 6, is a control method for the fully automatic packaging equipment of thermal printers of the present invention, which aims to ensure that each thermal printer can be correctly and quickly packaged and loaded into the finished product box through a series of automated procedures after the thermal printer comes off the production line, ultimately achieving the purpose of improving efficiency and reducing human errors. The whole process is divided into five main steps: scanning recognition and appearance inspection, decision to enter the production line, placement adjustment, accurate packaging, and final review.

[0058] First, before the product is waiting to enter the product conveying platform, the identification code is scanned to automatically identify whether the thermal printer 400 product matches the preset information. This not only ensures that the product model specifications are consistent with the order requirements, but also detects whether there are obvious defects on the outer surface of the product through visual technology, such as scratches or other flaws exceeding a certain size. If the barcode information of a thermal printer is M01, after verification by the system database, the information matches and the product appearance is intact without scratches or foreign objects, after this process is completed, the system will instruct the thermal printer to enter the next process; if it is inconsistent or damaged, the thermal printer will be removed from the automated processing path.

[0059] After the correct thermal printer 400 has entered the product conveying platform, in the next key step, the positioning process, the specific coordinates of the thermal printer being transported are measured in real time with the help of sensors and cameras and compared with the set ideal position parameters, and then the first push plate 101 and the second push plate 102 are controlled to move the thermal printer so that they can be in the best arrangement before the next operation. Take a horizontal and vertical coordinate as an example (20, 30) and the allowable error limit (20±Δx; 30±Δy), where the values ​​of Δx and Δy are 3mm. Once the actual measured point exceeds the allowable difference of 3mm, the device will trigger the corresponding program to stop the conveyor belt, and the first push plate 101 and the second push plate 102 will perform the action to reposition it, so as to finally achieve accuracy so that each thermal printer 400 can accurately fall inside the specified large box 500.

[0060] Then, when all the thermal printers 400 to be placed in a large box 500 are ready, it is time for the automatic pick-and-place stage, in which a multi-axis robot system 301 with suction force is used to stably suck them up and then transport them to a designated destination.

[0061] After the shipment is completed, the last link, namely the weighing and verification stage, will be entered immediately. This action is usually performed by the sensor and the computer to automatically read the weight of the goods in the current box and then calculate the difference between the actual and expected amount by combining the net weight per unit pre-stored in the memory; once it is found that the difference between the two values ​​is too large and exceeds the pre-set allowable deviation of 0.2kg, the system will immediately activate the red alarm and lock the assembly line to prevent the mis-installed goods from entering the circulation system and causing unnecessary losses or reputation damage to the company. If everything is within the specified parameters, there will be no feedback, and the equipment will continue to operate according to the program and allow the sealed box-loaded thermal printer to be pushed off the conveyor belt to the subsequent area for further processing such as bundling or warehousing until it is delivered to the user. In this way, it not only simplifies the intensity of manual participation, but also ensures the standardized operation level of each checkpoint to avoid the misrecognition problem that may occur in the past when relying on human eye detection. Through this automated control system, not only the production efficiency of the production line is greatly improved, but also the error rate and management cost that may be caused by manual boxing are greatly reduced.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, the control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment of the present invention includes: the whole process of the thermal printer from scanning detection, position adjustment, transportation and packaging to final confirmation is carefully divided and automatically controlled by the automation equipment, which is as follows:

[0063] Step S1, use an automatic reading device to scan the identification code of the thermal printer. This process can not only quickly confirm the model and other information of the product, but also efficiently check the appearance defects. This step effectively solves the information errors that may be caused by manual identification and reduces the errors that may be caused by manual work in this link.

[0064] After the information matches and the product appearance meets the regulations, the thermal printer 400 is allowed to automatically move to the product delivery platform 100.

[0065] In step S2, based on the result of the previous step, the direction of the device is determined, and the device either enters the product delivery platform 100 or is prevented from entering.

[0066] In step S3, the placement mechanism makes necessary corrections to the position of the thermal printer according to pre-established standards; this improves the consistency of product placement during the packing process and reduces position deviations that may be encountered during subsequent handling, thereby ensuring that each robot can be accurately placed during the subsequent packing process.

[0067] Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where the transport mechanism 300 accurately loads the thermal printer 400 with adjusted position into the corresponding large box 500; the high-quality completion of each loading task is ensured by the precise transport position calibration algorithm.

[0068] After all these processes, loading information verification is performed again in step S5, including checking whether the package weight is within the set range and responding to any differences; this not only eliminates the trouble caused by weight errors in manual packaging, but also provides an additional detection layer for the production line, helping to catch potential filling errors.

[0069] The design of the entire method realizes efficient and automated management of the production process, significantly reduces the risk of errors caused by human operation, solves the problem of inconsistent quality caused by manual packaging, and ensures that all links from thermal printer factory inspection to large-box shipping are completed in a highly controlled environment, greatly enhancing the stability and quality level of production.

[0070] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function according to the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium.

[0071] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing module, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one module. The above-mentioned integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. If the above-mentioned integrated module is implemented in the form of a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a read-only memory, a disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0072] The above are only specific implementations of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A control method for fully automatic packaging equipment of thermal printers, characterized in that: include: A product conveying platform, used for conveying thermal printers, wherein the product conveying platform is provided with a dynamic adjustment module, which can automatically adjust the speed and height of the conveyor belt according to different types of thermal printers; A position sensor is used to measure the current horizontal coordinate x1 and vertical coordinate y1 of the thermal printer in real time; A control unit is provided for obtaining the x1 and y1 data transmitted by the position sensor and comparing the data with the target coordinates x0 and y0 in the predetermined standard; the control unit stores and sets the error ranges Δx and Δy for judging whether the current position is within the allowable range; a comparison logic module is integrated in the control unit, and the module runs the comparison logic to judge whether the current position of the thermal printer exceeds the allowable error range according to the condition "|x1 - x0| > Δx or |y1 - y0| > Δy"; A placing mechanism is arranged on the product conveying platform, comprising a first push plate arranged in the X-axis direction and a second push plate arranged in the Y-axis direction, wherein the first push plate and the second push plate adjust the actual position of the thermal printer according to the instruction of the control unit; The box conveying platform is used to convey large boxes. The box conveying platform is equipped with a weight detection device to ensure the integrity of full boxes of products; A transport mechanism is used to transport the placed thermal printers to the large box on the box conveying platform. The transport mechanism adopts a multi-axis robot system, equipped with a vacuum adsorption device and an automatic deviation correction module, and can perform batch transport operations; The following steps are also included: S1, scanning the thermal printer to be put into the product conveying platform, and comparing it with the preset information to confirm the match, and at the same time checking whether there is any defect in the appearance of the thermal printer; S2, based on the comparison result of step S1, determining whether the thermal printer has entered the product conveying platform; S3, the placement mechanism places the thermal printer that enters the product conveying platform according to the requirements; S4, the transport mechanism loads the placed thermal printers into the corresponding large boxes accurately according to the preset quantity per box; S5, the box conveying platform checks again whether the weight information of the full box product is consistent with that in the large box label. If the information is inconsistent, the system will issue an alarm and stop the operation; In step S3, it includes: S301, measuring and recording the current horizontal coordinate x1 and vertical coordinate y1 of the thermal printer; S302, obtaining target horizontal coordinates x0, y0 and set error ranges Δx, Δy in a predetermined standard; S303, run comparison logic to determine whether the condition "|x1 - x0| > Δx or |y1 - y0| > Δy" is established; S304, if the judgment condition is true, the placement mechanism adjusts the thermal printer so that it is located at the expected horizontal and vertical coordinates; In step S4, it includes: S401, the vacuum adsorption module is activated to stably adsorb a single or a group of thermal printers that have been adjusted and positioned; S402, the automatic deviation correction module calibrates the adsorption position deviation. The lateral deviation of the adsorption position does not exceed ±2mm, and the longitudinal deviation does not exceed ±2mm. The multi-axis robot performs compensation actions to ensure accurate handling, calculates the deviation value and checks |actual deviation|-|tolerance|≤0 for the correct condition; S403, before reaching the placement position and releasing the thermal printer, confirm that the deviation between the preset coordinates of the to-be-placed position is within an acceptable range of ±3 mm, and then release the thermal printer through the vacuum suction port to make it fall to a predetermined point.

2. The control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: In step S1, it includes: S101, scanning a barcode or a QR code on a thermal printer to obtain model information; S102, comparing the scanned information with the preset information in the database to confirm the matching degree; S103: For products that are confirmed to be matched, further check the appearance for scratches or other defects. Defects are defined as damages longer than 2 mm or visible foreign matter. S104, when the information matches and the appearance is intact, the system determines that the thermal printer is a qualified product and allows it to enter the product conveying platform.

3. The control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: In step S5, it includes: S501, after each box of thermal printers is filled, the weight data is obtained by using a weight detection device and recorded as the current detection weight W0; S502, extract the pre-entered large box weight W1 plus the weight of the thermal printer assembly W2, and record the total as W3; S503, calculating the absolute value of the error between W0 and W3, that is, ε=|W0-W3|, and the judgment condition is that when ε≤0.2kg, it is judged that there is no obvious error in the weight; S504, if the conditions are met, it indicates that the large box can be sealed and prepared for the next operation; otherwise, the system will automatically mark the abnormal situation, issue an alarm, and interrupt the subsequent process to avoid generating problematic inventory.

4. The control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A large box top supporting mechanism is arranged above the box conveying platform to support the four edges of the large box.

5. The control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: Positioning components are arranged on both sides of the box conveying platform, and a baffle is arranged in the forward direction of the box conveying platform.

6. The control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum adsorption device contains a self-detection feedback unit for monitoring whether the product falls off.

7. The control method of the thermal printer automatic packaging equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: Clamping plates are also arranged around the vacuum adsorption device, and the adsorption and clamping forces act on the thermal printer together.

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