Automatic macroscopic inspection system and macroscopic inspection method for continuous casting slab sample

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of testing technology, specifically relating to an automated low-magnification inspection system and method for continuously cast slab samples. The automated low-magnification inspection system includes a feeding assembly for conveying material; a processing assembly, located on one side of the feeding assembly, for cutting, marking, deburring, and milling the material; an electrolytic etching machine located on the other side of the processing assembly for etching and photographing the material; and a sliding rail robot, positioned between the processing assembly and the electrolytic etching machine, for conveying material. The entire system and method exhibit good stability, are applicable to continuously cast slab samples with relatively small thicknesses, and offer advantages such as improved inspection efficiency, increased automation, and reduced sampling costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of detection technology, specifically relating to an automated low-magnification inspection system and method for continuous casting small slab samples. Background Technology

[0002] Low-magnification inspection of continuously cast slab samples involves handling, cutting, marking, deburring, and milling the continuously cast slab, followed by acid leaching or electrolytic low-magnification inspection to reveal its macroscopic structure and defects.

[0003] Traditionally, low-magnification inspection of continuously cast slabs involves using a forklift to move the slab sample to a flame cutting device for half-width cutting. Then, manual marking is applied to the sample. Next, the marked slab is placed on the ground and manually deburred using pry bars and chisels. Finally, a hoist or other lifting equipment is used to move the sample to a milling machine for milling before acid leaching or electrolytic low-magnification inspection. Because the samples are large, each step requires manual operation of forklifts and lifting equipment, wasting valuable time in the entire processing and inspection process. Furthermore, traditional methods typically require a slab sample thickness of 80mm-100mm, but in actual processing and inspection, even after removing the heat-affected zone, the sample thickness still has a significant margin, resulting in substantial waste in sampling costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated low-magnification inspection system and method for continuously cast small slab samples, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples, comprising:

[0006] Feeding assembly 1, the feeding assembly being used to convey materials;

[0007] Processing component 3 is set on one side of the feeding component and is used to cut, mark, deburr and mill the material. On the other side of processing component 3, there is an electrolytic corrosion machine 11, which is used to corrode and photograph the material.

[0008] The slide rail robot 7 is positioned between the processing component 3 and the electrolytic corrosion machine 11 for conveying materials;

[0009] Temporary feeding rack 6 is set on one side of the slide rail robot 7 and is used to place the material after flame cutting.

[0010] The feeding assembly 1 includes a track 102 disposed on the side of the processing assembly 3. A loading trolley 101 is connected to the top of the track 102. A pushing structure 103 for pushing materials is disposed on one side of the track 102.

[0011] Furthermore, one side of the track is located outdoors, and the other side is located indoors. In use, materials are directly transported from outdoors to indoors via a loading trolley.

[0012] A truss robotic arm 2 is provided on the top of the pushing structure 3, and the truss robotic arm 2 is used to move the material.

[0013] The processing component 3 includes a circular saw 301 located at the bottom of the gantry robotic arm 2, a laser marking machine 302 located on one side of the circular saw 301, and a deburring machine 303 for removing burrs from materials located between the laser marking machine 302 and the circular saw 301.

[0014] A first milling machine 304 and a second milling machine 305 are arranged side by side on the side of the sliding rail robot 7 away from the temporary loading rack 6. A storage platform is provided on the side of the second milling machine opposite to the electrolytic corrosion machine, and the storage platform is used to place materials.

[0015] A hot acid waiting rack is provided on one side of the sliding rail robot for placing hot acid materials waiting to be heated, and a flip steel structure is provided on the top of the electrolytic corrosion machine for moving the material position.

[0016] Furthermore, the flipping steel structure includes a clamping component, a moving module, and a rotating structure. The rotating structure can be a motor, and the clamping component can be composed of a thumb cylinder.

[0017] A finished product rack 4 for placing finished products is provided on one side of the slide rail robot 7, and a chip feeder 5 for storing waste materials is provided on one side of the circular saw 301.

[0018] An automated low-magnification inspection method for continuously cast small slab samples, employing the aforementioned automated low-magnification inspection system, comprises the following steps:

[0019] The first step is to feed the material. The material is transported to one side of the pushing structure 103 via the track 102 and the loading car 101, and then pushed to the circular saw 301 by the pushing structure 103.

[0020] The second step is to cut and mark the material. The circular saw 301 cuts the material into half-width pieces. The cut material is transported to the laser marking machine 302 by the gantry robotic arm 2. The waste material after cutting is transported to the chip feeding cart 5 by the slide rail robotic arm 7. The laser marking machine 302 marks the side of the cut material.

[0021] The third step is to remove burrs. The marked material is transported to the deburring machine 303 by the gantry robotic arm 2. The deburring machine 303 removes the burrs from the marked material.

[0022] The fourth step involves milling and grinding. The deburred material is transported to the first milling machine 304 or the second milling machine 305 via the slide rail robot 7. The material is then milled and ground by the first milling machine 304 and the second milling machine 305.

[0023] The fifth step involves low-magnification inspection. The processed material is moved to the top of the waiting rack by the sliding rail robot 7, and then flipped over by the steel-turning structure 9. It is then transported by the sliding rail robot 7 to the inside of the electrolytic etching machine 11 for etching. After etching, the material is flipped over again by the steel-turning structure 9 and scanned by the scanning mechanism on the electrolytic etching machine 11. The material after low-magnification inspection is then transported to the finished product rack 4 by the sliding rail robot 7.

[0024] Beneficial technical effects:

[0025] This invention solves the problems of low processing and inspection efficiency, low automation, and high sampling costs by providing an automated low-magnification inspection system and method for continuous casting small slab samples. The entire system has good stability, is applicable to continuous casting slab samples with small thickness, and features improved inspection efficiency, increased automation, and reduced sampling costs. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a top view of the low-magnification inspection system of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram of section A.

[0028] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram of section B.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the low-magnification inspection method of the present invention.

[0030] In the diagram: 1-Feeding assembly; 101-Loading trolley; 102-Railway; 103-Pushing structure; 2-Gantry robotic arm; 3-Processing assembly; 301-Circular saw; 302-Laser marking machine; 303-Deburring machine; 304-First milling machine; 305-Second milling machine; 4-Finished product rack; 5-Chip conveyor; 6-Temporary loading rack; 7-Slide rail robotic arm; 8-Storage platform; 9-Tilting steel structure; 10-Hot acid waiting rack; 11-Electrolytic corrosion machine. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that its features and advantages will become more apparent and understandable.

[0032] Example 1: The present invention provides as follows Figure 1-3 The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples shown includes:

[0033] Feeding assembly 1 is used to convey materials;

[0034] Processing component 3 is located on one side of feeding component 1. Processing component 3 is used to cut, mark, deburr and mill the material. An electrolytic etching machine 11 is located on one side of processing component 3. Electrolytic etching machine 11 is used to etch and photograph the material.

[0035] The slide rail robot 7 is located on one side of the processing component 3 and is used to transport materials.

[0036] Temporary feeding rack 6 is set on one side of the slide rail robot 7 and is used to place the material after flame cutting.

[0037] The electrolytic corrosion machine 11 is used by introducing an electrolyte solution into its interior and placing the material in the solution. A DC voltage is applied between the anode and cathode via an external power source. When current flows through the electrolyte solution, an electrolytic reaction occurs. The metal material on the anode loses electrons in the electrolytic reaction, becoming cations that dissolve into the electrolyte solution, causing the material to be gradually corroded. A scanning imaging structure is installed on the top of the electrolytic corrosion machine 11. After the material is corroded, the scanning imaging structure scans the material and obtains an inspection image. A sliding rail robot 7 is used to move the material. The sliding rail robot 7 consists of a sliding rail and a robot arm. During use, the robot arm grips the material, and the sliding rail moves the robot arm and the material, thus transferring the material. A temporary loading rack 6 is used to hold the material after flame cutting. When it is necessary to inspect the material cut by the device, the material is directly transported to the temporary loading rack 6 by a trolley. The sliding rail robot 7, located on one side of the temporary loading rack 6, moves the material located on top of the temporary loading rack 6, and then the material is cut by the system.

[0038] The feeding assembly 1 includes a track 102 disposed on one side of the processing assembly 3. A loading trolley 101 is connected to the top of the track 102. A pushing structure 103 for pushing materials is disposed on one side of the track 102. A gantry robotic arm 2 is disposed on the top of the pushing structure 103. The gantry robotic arm 2 is used to drive the materials to move.

[0039] One side of the track 102 is located outdoors, and the other side is located indoors. In use, materials are directly transported from outdoors to indoors via the loading trolley 101. The material is transported onto the loading trolley 101 by a forklift. The pushing structure 103 consists of a hydraulic cylinder and a push plate. In use, the output end of the hydraulic cylinder drives the push plate to move, thereby completing the unloading process. When the material is input into the loading trolley 101 and is located on one side of the pushing structure 103, the pushing structure 103 pushes the material on the loading trolley 101 to the gantry robotic arm 2, and the gantry robotic arm 2 moves the material.

[0040] The processing component 3 includes a circular saw 301 located at the bottom of the gantry robotic arm 2, a laser marking machine 302 located on one side of the circular saw 301, and a deburring machine 303 for removing burrs from materials located on one side of the laser marking machine 302.

[0041] The circular saw 301 is used to cut materials. After the gantry robotic arm 2 transports the slab to the circular saw 3 from the feeding assembly 1, the circular saw cuts the slab according to the length and width sent by the system message. The circular saw's feeding side push positions the slab, and then the feeding shaft automatically pushes the slab to half the material plus 50mm according to different slab lengths. The upper pressure cylinder clamps and fixes the slab longitudinally, and the main clamp clamps and fixes the slab laterally. The cutting shaft saws the slab. After sawing, the upper pressure cylinder and the main clamp are released, and the feeding shaft pulls the slab that needs further processing to the designated position to wait for the gantry robotic arm to transport the slab that needs further processing. At the same time, the unloading shaft transports the tail material to the designated position to wait for the slide rail robotic arm to transport the tail material to the tail material box.

[0042] The gantry robotic arm 2 moves the slab to one side of the laser marking machine 302. After receiving the slab, the laser marking machine 302 uses laser ablation to permanently mark the sawn surface of the workpiece. The gantry robotic arm then lifts the marked slab onto the deburring machine 303. The deburring machine removes slag and burrs using the patented "A Method for Removing Edge Slag from Continuously Cast Slab Samples". The deburring machine's feeding cylinder pushes the slab to the designated position. At this time, the vertical cylinder clamps the slab, and the equipment begins to deburr the slab. The system automatically adjusts the Y-axis of the deburring machine's scraper and the X-axis of the work platform according to the slab length and width given in the electronic order information. The scraper mechanism removes the burrs on the side of the slab by pressing down with the downward cylinder. The worktable moves in coordination with the scraper mechanism until the oxygen cutting burrs on the slab are effectively removed. After the burr removal is completed, the burr removal machine platform will move to the unloading position. At this time, the vertical cylinder will be released, the unloading cylinder will work to push the material to the unloading platform, the unloading cylinder will retract, and at the same time the straightening cylinder will push the slab to the designated position for final positioning, so that the slide rail robot can carry out subsequent transportation of the slab.

[0043] A first milling machine 304 is provided on the side of the slide rail robot 7 away from the temporary feeding rack 6, and a second milling machine 305 is provided on the side of the slide rail robot 7 away from the first milling machine 304. A storage platform 8 is provided on the side of the second milling machine 305 opposite to the electrolytic corrosion machine 11. The storage platform 8 is used to place materials.

[0044] After deburring the material, the slide rail robot 7 selects to place the slab to be processed directly onto the milling machine or the waiting platform according to the overall control scheduling. The milling machine automatically performs leveling, clamping, milling and grinding. During grinding, the patented "A Wide Belt Grinding Floating Mechanism" is used. The milling machine has an automatic tool changing system, consisting of a tool magazine, a tool exchange system, and a control system. It has two tool heads, T1 and T2, with T1 on the spindle and T2 on the tool magazine. The tool magazine has two sets of tool holders; one set is occupied by T2, and the other is idle. When the tool wear reaches the set tool wear time, the milling machine automatically changes tools. At this time, the tool magazine door opens, waiting for the spindle to enter. The spindle moves to the idle tool holder according to the program settings, and then uses an encoder for precise positioning and PLC program control to align perfectly with the XY axis of the tool holder. Then, the Z-axis moves to the tool changing position, the spindle tensioning mechanism releases, T1 tool head falls, the Z-axis rises to the tool safety position, the tool holder containing T2 moves to below the spindle, the Z-axis falls, the spindle tensioning mechanism tensions, T2 tool head connects to the spindle, the spindle returns to the machine zero position, the tool magazine door closes, and the tool changing is complete.

[0045] The central control dispatcher will instruct the sliding spindle robot 7 to place the slab directly onto the sample feeding platform in the electrolytic etching machine 11 based on the actual situation on site. When there is already a sample on the sample feeding platform, the central control dispatcher will instruct the sliding spindle robot 7 to temporarily store the slab on the storage platform 8, and then transport the slab on the storage platform 8 to the sample feeding platform in the electrolytic etching machine 11 when the electrolytic etching machine is idle.

[0046] A hot acid waiting rack 10 for placing hot acid materials is provided on one side of the sliding rail robot 7, and a flip steel structure 9 for moving the material position is provided on the top of the electrolytic corrosion machine 11.

[0047] The rotating steel structure 9 includes a clamping component, a moving module, and a rotating structure. The rotating structure can be a motor, and the clamping component can be composed of a thumb cylinder. When it is necessary to move the material from the storage platform 8 to the inside of the electrolytic corrosion machine 11, the material is transported to the top of the electrolytic corrosion machine 11 by the sliding rail robot 7. The rotating structure then rotates the material 180° so that the processing surface is facing down. The moving module then automatically feeds the material into the electrolytic corrosion machine 11, where the clamping component holds the material and moves it at a set speed for electrolytic corrosion, cleaning, and drying. After completion, the rotating structure rotates the material 180° so that the corrosion surface is facing up, and the material is scanned by the scanning imaging structure to obtain a high-definition inspection image.

[0048] A finished product rack 4 for placing finished products is provided on one side of the slide rail robot 7, and a chip feeder 5 for storing waste materials is provided on one side of the circular saw 301.

[0049] The finished product rack 4 is used to place the inspected materials on top. The long strip burrs that are removed during the deburring process are crushed by the crusher and finally conveyed to the chip conveyor 5. The waste material cut by the circular saw 301 is also fed into the chip conveyor 5. The chip conveyor 5 collects the chips and cleans the chips in the chip conveyor 5 regularly.

[0050] The clamping components of each part can accommodate continuous casting slab samples with a thickness of 55mm-75mm.

[0051] Example 2: The present invention provides as follows Figure 4 The automated low-magnification inspection method for continuously cast small slab samples shown above uses the aforementioned automated low-magnification inspection system. The low-magnification inspection method includes the following steps:

[0052] The first step is to feed the material. The material is transported to one side of the pushing structure 103 via the track 102 and the loading car 101, and then pushed to the circular saw 301 by the pushing structure 103.

[0053] The second step is to cut and mark the material. The circular saw 301 cuts the material into half-width pieces. The cut material is transported to the laser marking machine 302 by the gantry robotic arm 2. The waste material after cutting is transported to the chip feeding cart 5 by the slide rail robotic arm 7. The laser marking machine 302 marks the side of the cut material.

[0054] The third step is to remove burrs. The marked material is transported to the deburring machine 303 by the gantry robotic arm 2. The deburring machine 303 removes the burrs from the marked material.

[0055] The fourth step is to perform milling and grinding. The deburred material is transported to the first milling and grinding machine 304 or the second milling and grinding machine 305 by the slide rail robot 7. The material is then milled and ground by the first milling and grinding machine 304 and the second milling and grinding machine 305.

[0056] The fifth step involves low-magnification inspection. The processed material is moved to the top of the waiting rack by the sliding rail robot 7, and then flipped over by the steel-flipping structure 9. It is then transported by the sliding rail robot 7 to the electrolytic etching machine 11 for electrolytic etching. After etching, the material is flipped over again by the steel-flipping structure 9 and scanned by the scanning mechanism on the electrolytic etching machine 11. The material after low-magnification inspection is then transported to the finished product rack 4 by the sliding rail robot 7.

[0057] Furthermore, when it is necessary to inspect the half-width material after flame cutting, the material after cutting is first moved to the top of the temporary loading rack 6 by a crane and stored by the temporary loading rack 6. Then, the material is clamped by the slide rail robot 7 and moved to the milling and grinding machine. The milling and grinding machine is used to mill and grind the material. After milling and grinding, the material is moved to the hot acid waiting rack 10 by the slide rail robot 7 and placed. Then, the steel flipping structure 9 is used to move the material to the electrolytic corrosion machine 11 to complete the electrolysis and scanning of the material.

[0058] The steps and accompanying drawings described above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments within the scope of protection can also achieve the above-mentioned beneficial effects, and will not be described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples, characterized in that: include Feeding assembly (1), the feeding assembly being used to convey materials; The processing component (3) is set on one side of the feeding component (1) and is used to cut, mark, deburr and mill the material; an electrolytic corrosion machine (11) is set on the other side of the processing component (3) and is used to corrode and photograph the material. A sliding rail manipulator (7) is positioned between the processing unit (3) and the electrolytic corrosion machine (11) for conveying materials; A temporary feeding rack (6) is set on one side of the slide rail robot (7) and is used to place the material after flame cutting.

2. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding assembly (1) includes a track (102) disposed on the side of the processing assembly (3), the top of the track (102) is connected to a loading trolley (101), and a pushing structure (103) for pushing materials is disposed on one side of the track (102).

3. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 2, characterized in that, A truss robotic arm (2) is provided on the top of the pushing structure (3), and the truss robotic arm (2) is used to move the material.

4. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing component (3) includes a circular saw (301) disposed at the bottom of the gantry robotic arm (2), a laser marking machine (302) disposed on one side of the circular saw (301), and a deburring machine (303) for removing material burrs disposed between the laser marking machine (302) and the circular saw (301).

5. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide rail robot (7) is provided with a first milling machine (304) and a second milling machine (305) arranged side by side on the side away from the temporary loading rack (6).

6. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 5, characterized in that, A storage platform (8) is provided between the second milling machine (305) and the electrolytic corrosion machine (11), and the storage platform (8) is used to place materials.

7. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, A hot acid waiting rack (10) for placing hot acid materials waiting to be placed is provided on one side of the sliding rail manipulator (7), and a flip steel structure (9) for moving the material position is provided on the top of the electrolytic corrosion machine (11).

8. The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, A finished product rack (4) for placing finished products is provided on one side of the slide rail robot (7), and a chip feeder (5) for storing waste materials is provided on the side of the circular saw (301).

9. An automated low-magnification inspection method for continuous casting small slab samples, characterized in that, The automated low-magnification inspection system for continuous casting small slab samples as described in any one of claims 1-8 includes the following steps: The first step is feeding. The material is transported to one side of the pushing structure (103) via the track (102) and the loading car (101), and then pushed to the circular saw (301) by the pushing structure (103). The second step is material cutting and marking. The material is cut into half widths by a circular saw (301). The cut material is transported to a laser marking machine (302) by a gantry robotic arm (2). The cut waste is transported to a chip delivery cart (5) by a slide rail robotic arm (7). The laser marking machine (302) marks the side of the cut material. The third step is to remove burrs. The marked material is transported to the deburring machine (303) by the gantry robotic arm (2). The deburring machine (303) is used to remove burrs from the marked material. The fourth step is milling and grinding. The deburred material is transported to the first milling machine (304) or the second milling machine (305) by the slide rail robot (7). The material is then milled and ground by the first milling machine (304) and the second milling machine (305). The fifth step is low-magnification inspection. The processed material is moved to the top of the waiting rack by the slide rail robot (7), and the material is flipped by the steel flipping structure (9). The material is then transported to the inside of the electrolytic corrosion machine (11) by the slide rail robot (7) for corrosion. After corrosion, the material is flipped again by the steel flipping structure (9) and then scanned by the scanning mechanism on the motor corrosion machine (11).

10. The automated low-magnification inspection method for continuous casting small slab samples according to claim 9, characterized in that, After low-magnification inspection, the materials are transported to the finished product rack (4) via a slide rail robot (7).

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