A device and method for measuring the size of a continuous extruded material

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of diameter measuring device using optical technology, and particularly relates to a size measuring device and method for continuous extrusion material, which comprises an image acquisition device, a cutter, a third carrier and a controller; the image acquisition device and the cutter are installed on the third carrier and move synchronously with the third carrier; the third carrier moves along a cutting direction, so that the cutter cuts off the strip-shaped material continuously extruded by an extrusion die, thereby continuously forming the cross section of the strip-shaped material along the cutting direction; the image acquisition device comprises a two-dimensional line-scan camera, which is located at the rear side of the cutter in the cutting direction and continuously acquires the line-by-line image of the cross section during the formation of the cross section. In the process of continuously acquiring the line-by-line image, the cross section maintains a preset working distance with the two-dimensional line-scan camera, so that the size analysis software built in the controller can obtain the accurate size of the strip-shaped material according to the line-by-line image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of diameter measuring devices using optical technology, and more specifically to a size measuring device and method for continuously extruded materials. Background Technology

[0002] The pill strips are formed by an extrusion process. The forming mold is a 200mm diameter disc with 522 holes, each 0.8mm in diameter. The ointment is extruded through these holes to form the pill strips.

[0003] The industry typically uses machine vision to measure the outer diameter of drug strips. This involves using a high-resolution industrial camera to take pictures from bottom to top to obtain high-resolution images, which are then imported into size analysis software. Pixel size calibration and background segmentation-based image recognition algorithms are then used to calculate the actual size parameters of multiple drug strips in the image.

[0004] Because the drug strips are continuously extruded, after cutting 522 drug strips with a blade, the strips cut earlier will be longer than those cut later, resulting in the cross-sections of the drug strips not being on the same measuring plane. Traditional dimensional analysis software cannot accurately handle the cross-sectional dimensions that are not on the same measuring plane. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device and method for measuring the dimensions of continuously extruded materials, in order to solve the technical problem of how to present the cross-section of the drug strip on the measurement plane required when an industrial camera captures an image.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention specifically provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A device for measuring the dimensions of continuously extruded materials includes: an image acquisition device, a cutter, a third carrier, and a controller;

[0008] The image acquisition device and the cutter are mounted on the third vehicle and move synchronously with the third vehicle;

[0009] The third carrier moves along the cutting direction, causing the cutter to cut the strip material continuously extruded by the extrusion die, thereby forming a continuous cross-section of the strip material along the cutting direction;

[0010] The image acquisition device includes a two-dimensional line scan camera, which is located on the rear side of the cutter in the cutting direction and continuously acquires line-by-line images of the cross-section during the cross-section formation process. The controller is used to obtain the size of the strip material based on the line-by-line images.

[0011] Furthermore, a third guide rail and a third horizontal driver are provided on the side of the extrusion end face of the extrusion die. The third guide rail is horizontally arranged on the frame, and the third carrier is slidably mounted on the third guide rail. The third horizontal driver connects the third carrier and the frame to drive the third carrier to move along the third guide rail.

[0012] Furthermore, the two-dimensional line scan camera is configured to acquire images of a measurement plane, which is a horizontal plane directly below the extrusion end face of the extrusion die;

[0013] When the cross-section of the strip material reaches the measuring plane, the two-dimensional line scan camera is located directly below the strip material.

[0014] Furthermore, the image acquisition device also includes a linear coaxial light source, which is configured to illuminate the measurement plane;

[0015] Furthermore, the cutter includes a blade and a push plate, both of which are mounted on the third carrier. The push plate is positioned below the blade and between the blade and the image acquisition device. The push plate is used to push away the falling strip material after the blade cuts it.

[0016] Furthermore, the cutting tool is elongated, and its length direction is perpendicular to the cutting direction;

[0017] One long side of the cutting tool forms a cutting edge, which remains in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion die.

[0018] Furthermore, the cutter includes a blade and two push plates, both of which are mounted on the third carrier and are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the image acquisition device in the forward and backward direction.

[0019] The image acquisition device is mounted on the third carrier via a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is used to move the position of the image acquisition device so that the cutting tool is always in front of the image acquisition device during the reciprocating motion of the cutting tool and the image acquisition device.

[0020] Furthermore, the transposition mechanism includes: a fourth carrier and a rotary driver;

[0021] The image acquisition device is carried by the fourth carrier, which is rotatably mounted on the third carrier around a vertical axis. The rotation driver connects the third carrier and the fourth carrier and drives the fourth carrier to rotate around the vertical axis, thereby driving the image acquisition device to rotate.

[0022] When the fourth carrier rotates 180°, the image acquisition device moves from the front of the blade to the rear of the blade.

[0023] Furthermore, the cutting tool is elongated, and its length direction is perpendicular to the cutting direction;

[0024] The two long sides of the cutter form two cutting edges, and each cutting edge is in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion die.

[0025] A method for measuring the size of continuously extruded materials, the method using a size measuring device, the method comprising the following steps: cutting strip material: during the continuous extrusion of strip material through an extrusion die, a cutter moves along the cutting direction to cut the strip material, so that the cross-section of the strip material is gradually formed along the cutting direction;

[0026] Image acquisition: The two-dimensional line scan camera moves synchronously with the cutter and continuously acquires line-by-line images of the cross-section during the cross-section formation process. During the continuous acquisition process, the cross-section maintains a preset working distance from the two-dimensional line scan camera.

[0027] Calculate dimensions: The controller processes the row-by-row image to obtain the dimensions of the strip material.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0029] The dimension measuring device proposed in this invention maintains a preset working distance between the cross-section and the two-dimensional line scan camera during the continuous acquisition of line-by-line images, thereby enabling the dimension analysis software built into the controller to obtain the accurate dimensions of the strip material based on the line-by-line images. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a traditional pharmaceutical strip extrusion device;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a top view of the experimental simulation device for extrusion molding process proposed in this invention;

[0033] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0034] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along the BB direction;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the extrusion molding process experimental simulation device proposed in this invention with the frame hidden.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the experimental simulation device for extrusion molding process proposed in this invention, with the frame and barrel concealed.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the experimental simulation device for extrusion molding process proposed in this invention, with the frame and barrel transfer mechanism hidden.

[0038] Figure 8 This is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the dimension measuring device proposed in this invention;

[0039] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view along the CC direction;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the size measuring device proposed in this invention, with the extrusion die hidden.

[0041] The reference numerals in the figure are as follows:

[0042] 1-Rack;

[0043] 2-Pre-compression press; 21-Pre-compression head; 22-Base support; 23-First annular positioning groove;

[0044] 3-Forming press; 31-Forming head; 32-Extrusion die; 33-Second annular positioning groove;

[0045] 4-Barrel; 41-Forming hole; 42-Positioning cylinder;

[0046] 5- Rotary transposition mechanism;

[0047] 6-Bug transfer mechanism; 61-First guide rail; 62-First carrier; 63-Second carrier; 64-First horizontal drive; 65-Vertical drive; 651-Screw slide; 652-Screw; 653-Nut; 654-Motor; 655-T-type reducer; 656-L-type reducer;

[0048] 7-Barrel locking mechanism; 71-Second guide rail; 72-Positioning bar; 73-Second horizontal actuator; 74-Strip positioning groove;

[0049] 8-Dimensional measuring device; 81-Third guide rail; 82-Third carrier; 83-Image acquisition device; 831-Two-dimensional line scan camera; 832-Line scan coaxial light source; 84-Cutter; 841-Knife; 842-Blade edge; 843-Push plate; 85-Third horizontal actuator; 86-Fourth carrier; 87-Rotary actuator. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] This invention uses a simulated drug strip extrusion process as an example to illustrate the structure and working principle of an experimental simulation device for extrusion molding process. (Refer to...) Figure 1 Traditional pharmaceutical strip extrusion devices typically include: frame 1, pre-compression press 2, forming press 3, barrel 4, and rotary transfer mechanism 5.

[0052] The frame 1 is equipped with a pre-compression station and a forming station. The rotary switching mechanism 5 is used to drive the material cylinder 4 to move between the pre-compression station and the forming station. Traditional drug strip extrusion devices usually have two material cylinders 4. The rotary switching mechanism 5 is used to exchange the positions of the two material cylinders 4.

[0053] The material cylinder 4 is a cylindrical body, and the material cylinder 4 has a forming hole 41 that runs through it along its own axis. The forming hole 41 allows the pre-pressing head 21 and the forming head 31 to pass through.

[0054] The pre-compression station is equipped with a pre-compression press 2 and a base 22. When the material cylinder 4 is located at the pre-compression station, the base 22 contacts the bottom of the material cylinder 4 and blocks the forming hole 41 to form a cavity with an open top. The pre-compression press 2 is used to drive the pre-compression head 21 into the forming hole 41 of the material cylinder 4 and close to the base 22, thereby compacting the material filled in the material cylinder 4.

[0055] The molding station is equipped with a molding press 3 and an extrusion die 32. When the barrel 4 is located at the molding station, the extrusion die 32 contacts the bottom of the barrel 4 and blocks the molding hole 41 to form a cavity with an open top. The molding press 3 is used to drive the molding head 31 into the molding hole 41 of the barrel 4 and approach the extrusion die 32, thereby extruding the material from the through hole of the extrusion die 32.

[0056] Traditional pharmaceutical strip extrusion processes include the following steps.

[0057] Step 1, Loading: Load the prepared drug mixture into the material cylinder 4 until the material cylinder 4 reaches the specified loading amount.

[0058] Step 2, pre-compression: The pre-compression press 2 drives the pre-compression head 21 to squeeze the material in the cylinder 4, applying axial pressure to it, so that the loose material is compacted into a medicine cake with a certain strength and density.

[0059] Step 3, extrusion molding: The rotary positioning mechanism 5 moves the barrel 4 from the pre-pressing station to the molding station. The molding head 31 of the molding press 3 continues to push the drug cake downward, pressing the drug cake against the extrusion die 32. Under high pressure, the drug is extruded through the through hole on the extrusion die 32 to form the corresponding number of drug strips.

[0060] During the extrusion process of the material and the blister pack, key process data such as the temperature, pressure, and flow state of the material are very important to the final quality of the blister pack, and the diameter of the freshly extruded blister pack is very important to the final size of the blister pack.

[0061] Traditional drug extrusion devices have two barrels 4. The two barrels 4 need to constantly exchange their positions between the pre-compression station and the forming station. It is difficult to install sensors and wiring harnesses on the barrels 4, so it is difficult to detect key data such as material temperature, pressure, and flow state. The extrusion die 32 of the traditional drug extrusion device is enclosed inside the die sleeve, so it is difficult to detect the diameter of the freshly extruded drug strip.

[0062] In order to detect key data such as the temperature, pressure, and flow state of materials, this invention proposes an experimental simulation device for extrusion molding process and its application method, taking the extrusion strip extrusion process as an example.

[0063] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The extrusion molding process experimental simulation device includes: frame 1, pre-press press 2, molding press 3, barrel 4, and barrel transfer mechanism 6.

[0064] The frame 1 is equipped with a pre-pressing station and a forming station. In this embodiment, only one material cylinder is provided. The material cylinder transfer mechanism 6 is used to drive the material cylinder 4 to move between the pre-pressing station and the forming station.

[0065] The material cylinder 4 is a cylindrical body with a forming hole 41 that runs through it along its own axis. The forming hole 41 allows the pre-pressing head 21 and the forming head 31 to pass through. Multiple temperature sensors and pressure sensors are installed in the material cylinder 4. The temperature sensors and pressure sensors are used to collect temperature signals and pressure signals and transmit them to the controller. The controller calculates the pressure field and temperature field based on the multiple temperature signals and pressure signals.

[0066] The material transfer mechanism 6 includes a first guide rail 61, a first carrier 62, a second carrier 63, a first horizontal driver 64, and a vertical driver 65.

[0067] The first guide rail 61 is horizontally arranged on the frame 1. The first carrier 62 is slidably mounted on the first guide rail 61. The first horizontal driver 64 connects the first carrier 62 and the frame 1. The first horizontal driver 64 is used to drive the first carrier 62 to move along the first guide rail 61, so that the first carrier 62 can move horizontally between the pre-pressing station and the forming station.

[0068] The second vehicle 63 is vertically movable and mounted on the first vehicle 62. The vertical actuator 65 connects the first vehicle 62 and the second vehicle 63 and is used to drive the second vehicle 63 to move up and down.

[0069] The barrel 4 is fixedly installed on the second carrier 63. When the second carrier 63 moves up and down, the bottom of the barrel 4 moves closer to or further away from the base 22 and the extrusion mold 32, so that the base 22 and the extrusion mold 32 can block the forming hole 41 of the barrel 4.

[0070] The pre-compression station is equipped with a pre-compression press 2 and a base 22. When the material cylinder 4 is located at the pre-compression station, the base 22 contacts the bottom of the material cylinder 4 and blocks the forming hole 41 to form a cavity with an open top. The pre-compression press 2 is used to drive the pre-compression head 21 into the forming hole 41 of the material cylinder 4 and close to the base 22, thereby compacting the material filled in the material cylinder 4.

[0071] The molding station is equipped with a molding press 3 and an extrusion die 32. When the barrel 4 is located at the molding station, the extrusion die 32 contacts the bottom of the barrel 4 and blocks the molding hole 41 to form a cavity with an open top. The molding press 3 is used to drive the molding head 31 into the molding hole 41 of the barrel 4 and approach the extrusion die 32, thereby extruding the material from the extrusion die 32.

[0072] The application method of the extrusion molding process experimental simulation device includes the following steps.

[0073] Step 1, loading: The material cylinder transfer mechanism 6 moves the material cylinder 4 to the pre-compression station and makes the material cylinder 4 contact the bottom support 22, loading the prepared drug mixture into the material cylinder 4 so that the material cylinder 4 reaches the specified loading amount.

[0074] Step 2, pre-compression: The pre-compression press 2 drives the pre-compression head 21 to squeeze the material in the cylinder 4 and apply axial pressure to it, so that the loose material is compacted into a cake with a certain strength and density. Temperature and pressure sensors collect temperature and pressure signals inside the cylinder 4.

[0075] Step 3, extrusion molding: The barrel transfer mechanism 6 moves the barrel 4 from the pre-pressing station to the molding station. The molding head 31 of the molding press 3 pushes the drug cake downward and presses the drug cake against the extrusion die 32. Under high pressure, the drug is extruded through the through hole on the extrusion die 32 to form a corresponding number of drug strips. Temperature and pressure sensors collect temperature and pressure signals inside the barrel 4 and transmit the temperature and pressure signals to the controller. The controller calculates the pressure field and temperature field based on multiple temperature and pressure signals.

[0076] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 Other details that require further explanation are as follows.

[0077] The sensor setup method is as follows: 4 to 6 temperature sensors and pressure sensors are arranged along the axis of the barrel 4, and 3 to 5 temperature sensors and pressure sensors are arranged around the axis of the barrel 4. The temperature detection range of the temperature sensors is 0 to 100℃, and the pressure range of the pressure sensors is 0 to 40MPa.

[0078] The first horizontal actuator 64 is a cylinder. The cylinder body of the first horizontal actuator 64 is fixedly connected to the frame 1, and the rod body of the first horizontal actuator 64 is fixedly connected to the first carrier 62. When the rod body of the first horizontal actuator 64 extends or retracts, the first carrier 62 moves horizontally on the first guide rail 61. The stroke of the first carrier 62 is constrained by limiters installed at both ends of the first guide rail 61.

[0079] The vertical actuator 65 includes multiple lead screw slides 651 and a motor 654. Each lead screw slide 651 includes a lead screw 652 and a nut 653. The lead screw slides 651 are evenly distributed around the axis of the material cylinder 4. The motor 654 is fixedly connected to the first carrier 62. The lead screw 652 of each lead screw slide 651 is vertically upward and rotatably connected to the first carrier 62. The nut 653 of each lead screw slide 651 is fixedly connected to the second carrier 63. The power output shaft of the motor 654 is connected to the lead screw 652 of each lead screw slide 651 through a transmission mechanism, thereby driving each lead screw 652 to rotate at the same speed, so that each nut 653 rises and falls at the same speed, thereby driving the second carrier 63 to rise and fall vertically.

[0080] There are four lead screw slides 651 in total. The transmission mechanism includes three T-type reducers 655 and four L-type reducers 656. Each T-type reducer 655 includes one input shaft and two output shafts, and each L-type reducer 656 includes one input shaft and one output shaft.

[0081] In this configuration, the power output shaft of motor 654 is connected to the input shaft of a T-type reducer 655. The two output shafts of the T-type reducer 655 are respectively connected to the input shafts of two L-type reducers 656. The output shafts of the two L-type reducers 656 are respectively connected to the input shafts of the remaining two T-type reducers 655. One output shaft of the remaining two T-type reducers 655 is respectively connected to two lead screws 652. The other output shaft of the remaining two T-type reducers 655 is respectively connected to the input shafts of the remaining two L-type reducers 656. The output shafts of the remaining two L-type reducers 656 are respectively connected to two lead screws 652. Thus, a transmission connection is established between the power output shaft of motor 654 and each lead screw 652.

[0082] Furthermore, the bottom of the barrel 4 is provided with a positioning cylinder 42 extending axially downward. The top periphery of the base 22 and the extrusion mold 32 are respectively provided with a first annular positioning groove 23 and a second annular positioning groove 33 that are engaged with the positioning cylinder 42. When the barrel 4 contacts the base 22 or the extrusion mold 32, the positioning cylinder 42 is inserted into the first annular positioning groove 23 or the second annular positioning groove 33. At this time, the barrel 4 cannot move horizontally.

[0083] Furthermore, the frame 1 is also equipped with a material cylinder 4 locking mechanism, which includes: a second guide rail 71 and a positioning bar 72.

[0084] The second guide rail 71 is horizontally set and fixedly connected to the frame 1. The positioning bar 72 is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 71. The second horizontal driver 73 is used to drive the positioning bar 72 to move along the second guide rail 71.

[0085] The second horizontal actuator 73 is preferably a cylinder, the cylinder body of the second horizontal actuator 73 is fixedly connected to the frame 1, and the rod body of the second horizontal actuator 73 is fixedly connected to the positioning bar 72.

[0086] The outer wall of the barrel 4 is provided with an inwardly recessed strip-shaped positioning groove 74; when the barrel 4 contacts the extrusion die 32 and the positioning cylinder 42 is inserted into the second annular positioning groove 33 on the periphery of the extrusion die 32, the strip-shaped positioning groove 74 is located in the moving path of the positioning insert; when the second horizontal driver 73 drives the positioning bar 72 to insert into the strip-shaped positioning groove 74, the barrel 4 cannot move horizontally or vertically, thereby locking the barrel 4.

[0087] In order to detect the diameter of freshly extruded drug strips, this invention proposes a device and method for measuring the size of continuously extruded materials, taking the drug strip extrusion process as an example.

[0088] (First embodiment)

[0089] refer to Figure 8 , Figure 9The bottom of the extrusion die 32 is exposed on the outside of the frame 1. The size measuring device includes the following components located below the extrusion die 32: a third guide rail 81, a third carrier 82, an image acquisition device 83, a cutter 84, and a third horizontal drive 85.

[0090] The image acquisition device 83 is configured to take an upward image to acquire an image of the measurement plane, which is a horizontal plane directly below the extrusion die 32. The cross-section of the strip on the measurement plane best reflects the diameter of the freshly extruded strip.

[0091] The third guide rail 81 is horizontally arranged on the frame 1. The third carrier 82 is slidably mounted on the third guide rail 81. The third horizontal driver 85 connects the third carrier 82 and the frame 1. The third horizontal driver 85 is used to drive the third carrier 82 to move along the third guide rail 81. The image acquisition device 83 and the cutter 84 are both mounted on the third carrier 82, so that the cutter 84 can move horizontally on both sides of the extrusion die 32.

[0092] The third horizontal actuator 85 can be a cylinder, with the cylinder body fixedly connected to the frame 1 and the cylinder rod fixedly connected to the third carrier 82.

[0093] When the third horizontal drive 85 is working, the cutter 84 moves with the third carrier 82, sweeping horizontally over the measuring plane, thereby cutting off the cross-section (strip) of the vertically moving strip material and forming a cross-section. Then the image acquisition device 83 acquires an image of the cross-section.

[0094] Specifically, the image acquisition device 83 includes a two-dimensional line scan camera 831 and a line scan coaxial light source 832, both of which are mounted on the third carrier 82.

[0095] The reason why the image acquisition device 83 of the present invention uses a two-dimensional line scan camera 831 is as follows.

[0096] 2D area scan cameras can only perform dimensional calibration on a fixed measurement plane. The size of the drug strip is calculated by the ratio of camera pixels to the actual size. After the drug strip is cut, it will continue to be extruded at a certain speed. If you wait until all the drug strips are cut before taking a picture, the previously cut drug strips will have already protruded to a certain size, resulting in all the drug strips having uneven lengths and not being on the same measurement plane, making accurate measurement impossible.

[0097] The two-dimensional line scan camera 831 can capture images line by line and finally stitch them together into a complete image. When the cutter 84, the two-dimensional line scan camera 831 and the line scan coaxial light source 832 are all mounted on the third carrier 82, the movement direction and speed of the three are consistent. At this time, the triggering of each line of the two-dimensional line scan camera 831 is precisely controlled by the encoder. When the third horizontal driver 85 is working, the size measuring device completes the action of cutting and then shooting, and can ensure that the state of each strip of medicine is basically consistent when shooting each strip of medicine.

[0098] The dimensional measurement method includes the following steps.

[0099] Step 1, extrusion molding: The forming head 31 of the forming press 3 pushes the drug cake downward and presses the drug cake against the extrusion die 32. Under high pressure, the drug is extruded through the through hole on the extrusion die 32 to form a corresponding number of drug strips.

[0100] Step 2, cutting the drug strip: The third horizontal driver 85 drives the third carrier 82 to move from one side to the other side below the extrusion die 32. During this process, the drug strip is cut by the cutter 84 to form a cross section.

[0101] Step 3, image acquisition: The strip continues to move downwards so that when the cross-section of the strip reaches the measurement plane, the 2D line scan camera 831 and the line scan coaxial light source 832 are exactly below the cross-section. The 2D line scan camera 831 captures images line by line and sends the images to the controller (including the image acquisition card and industrial control computer) to stitch them into a complete image. Finally, the size parameters of the strip (e.g., diameter) are calculated by the size analysis software.

[0102] Other details that require further explanation are as follows.

[0103] The extrusion die 32 is a disc with a diameter of 200 mm. Hundreds of through holes are arranged inside the extrusion die 32, each of which is a round hole with a diameter of 0.8 mm.

[0104] The 2D line scan camera 831 has an X-axis resolution of 16384 pixels. The design of the shooting field of view in the X direction is 230mm. The single pixel accuracy is 230mm / 16384pix = 0.014mm / pixel. A 0.8mm sample is approximately 57 pixels. The detection is relatively stable and the accuracy is sufficient.

[0105] The 2D line scan camera 831 uses an M72*0.75 interface industrial line scan lens. The design field of view of the 2D line scan camera 831 and the illumination range of the coaxial light source 832 are 230mm, which can fully cover the extrusion mold 32 with a diameter of 200mm.

[0106] The distance between the two-dimensional line scan camera 831 and the extrusion die 32 is approximately 300 mm.

[0107] To ensure that the image acquisition device 83 is positioned directly below the strip when the cross-section of the strip reaches the measuring plane, the first vertical distance h1 between the cutter 84 and the measuring plane, the second vertical distance h2 between the image acquisition device 83 and the measuring plane, and the horizontal distance s between the image acquisition device 83 and the cutter 84 satisfy the following condition: the first time t1 for the cross-section of the strip material to travel the first vertical distance h1 is equal to the second time t2 for the third horizontal driver 85 to drive the image acquisition device 83 to travel the horizontal distance s.

[0108] The cutter 84 includes a blade 841, which is directly mounted on the third carrier 82.

[0109] Furthermore, in order to obtain a flat cross-section of the drug strip and to ensure that the drug strip does not wobble when cut and does not affect subsequent photography, the cutting tool 841 is preferably long and narrow, with one side of the cutting tool 841 forming a cutting edge 842. The cutting edge 842 extends along the length of the cutting tool 841, and the cross-section of the cutting edge 842 is wedge-shaped. The cutting edge 842 is in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion die 32.

[0110] Since the subsequent drug strips are still in the through hole of the extrusion mold 32 when the drug strip is cut, the subsequent drug strips will not shake due to the cutting. Furthermore, the cutting edge 842 of the cutter 841 remains in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion mold 32, so that the cross-section of the drug strip is flush with the bottom end face of the extrusion mold 32, thereby obtaining a flat cross-section.

[0111] Furthermore, the cutter 84 also includes a push plate 843, which is disposed on the third carrier 82, below the cutter 841, and between the cutter 841 and the image acquisition device 83.

[0112] When the third horizontal drive 85 is working, the push plate 843 moves synchronously with the third carrier 82. After the cutter 841 cuts the drug strip, the push plate 843 pushes away the falling drug strip, thereby creating space for the subsequent image acquisition device 83 to acquire images and preventing the cut drug strip from falling onto the image acquisition device 83.

[0113] Preferably, the cutting tool 841, the push plate 843, and the third carrier 82 are an integral piece.

[0114] (Second Embodiment)

[0115] A size measuring device for continuously extruded materials includes: a third guide rail 81, a third carrier 82, an image acquisition device 83, a cutter 84, and a third horizontal driver 85 disposed below the extrusion die 32.

[0116] refer to Figure 10A size measuring device for continuously extruded materials also includes a shifting mechanism, which is used to move the position of the cutting tool 841 or the image acquisition device 83 so that during the reciprocating motion of the cutting tool 841 and the image acquisition device 83, the cutting tool 841 is always located in front of the image acquisition device 83.

[0117] Specifically, the cutter 841 is preferably elongated, with cutting edges 842 formed on both sides of the cutter 841. Both cutting edges 842 extend along the length of the cutter 841, and each cutting edge 842 has a wedge-shaped cross section. Each cutting edge 842 is in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion die 32, so that the reciprocating motion of the cutter 841 can cut the drug strip.

[0118] In this embodiment, the position of the moving image acquisition device 83 is taken as an example to illustrate the structure and working principle of the transposition mechanism.

[0119] The switching mechanism includes a fourth carrier 86 and a rotary driver 87. The image acquisition device 83 is carried by the fourth carrier 86. The fourth carrier 86 is rotatably mounted on the third carrier 82 around a vertical axis. The rotary driver 87 connects the third carrier 82 and the fourth carrier 86. The rotary driver 87 is used to drive the fourth carrier 86 to rotate around the vertical axis, thereby driving the image acquisition device 83 to rotate. When the fourth carrier 86 rotates 180°, the image acquisition device 83 moves from the front of the cutter 841 to the rear of the cutter 841.

[0120] The rotary driver 87 can be a swing cylinder, the output shaft of which is connected to the central rotation shaft of the fourth vehicle 86, and the image acquisition device 83 is installed on the eccentric side of the fourth vehicle 86.

[0121] Furthermore, the cutter 84 also includes two push plates 843, both of which are mounted on the third carrier 82. The two push plates 843 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the forward and backward direction of the image acquisition device 83, so that when the cutter 841 reciprocates, the push plates 843 can promptly push away the falling medicine strips.

[0122] Preferably, the cutting tool 841, the push plate 843, and the third carrier 82 are an integral piece.

[0123] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. All such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of this application, and should not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for measuring the dimensions of continuously extruded materials, Its features are, include: Image acquisition device (83), cutter (84), third vehicle (82) and controller; The image acquisition device (83) and the cutter (84) are mounted on the third vehicle (82) and move synchronously with the third vehicle (82); The third carrier (82) moves along the cutting direction, causing the cutter (84) to cut the strip material continuously extruded by the extrusion die (32), thereby forming a continuous cross-section of the strip material along the cutting direction; The image acquisition device (83) includes a two-dimensional line scan camera (831), which is located on the rear side of the cutter (84) in the cutting direction and continuously acquires line-by-line images of the cross-section during the cross-section formation process. The controller is used to obtain the size of the strip material based on the line-by-line images.

2. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, A third guide rail (81) and a third horizontal driver (85) are provided on the side of the extrusion end face of the extrusion die (32). The third guide rail (81) is horizontally arranged on the frame (1). The third carrier (82) is slidably mounted on the third guide rail (81). The third horizontal driver (85) connects the third carrier (82) and the frame (1) to drive the third carrier (82) to move along the third guide rail (81).

3. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two-dimensional line scan camera (831) is configured to acquire images of a measurement plane, which is a horizontal plane directly below the extrusion end face of the extrusion die (32); When the cross-section of the strip material reaches the measuring plane, the two-dimensional line scan camera (831) is located directly below the strip material.

4. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The image acquisition device (83) further includes a linear coaxial light source (832), which is configured to illuminate the measurement plane.

5. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cutter (84) includes a blade (841) and a pusher plate (843), both of which are mounted on the third carrier (82). The pusher plate (843) is positioned below the blade (841) and between the blade (841) and the image acquisition device (83). The pusher plate (843) is used to push away the falling strip material after the blade (841) cuts it.

6. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cutting tool (841) is long and narrow, and the length direction of the cutting tool (841) is perpendicular to the cutting direction. One long side of the cutting tool (841) forms a cutting edge (842), which is in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion die (32).

7. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cutter (84) includes a blade (841) and two push plates (843), both of which are mounted on the third carrier (82) and are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the image acquisition device (83) in the forward and backward direction. The image acquisition device (83) is mounted on the third carrier (82) by a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is used to move the position of the image acquisition device (83) so that during the reciprocating motion of the cutter (841) and the image acquisition device (83), the cutter (841) is always located in front of the image acquisition device (83).

8. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transposition mechanism includes: a fourth carrier (86) and a rotary drive (87). The image acquisition device (83) is carried by the fourth carrier (86), which is rotatably mounted on the third carrier (82) around a vertical axis. The rotation driver (87) connects the third carrier (82) and the fourth carrier (86), and the rotation driver (87) drives the fourth carrier (86) to rotate around the vertical axis, thereby driving the image acquisition device (83) to rotate. When the fourth vehicle (86) rotates 180°, the image acquisition device (83) moves from the front of the cutter (841) to the rear of the cutter (841).

9. The size measuring device for continuously extruded materials according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cutting tool (841) is long and narrow, and the length direction of the cutting tool (841) is perpendicular to the cutting direction. The two long sides of the cutting tool (841) form two cutting edges (842), and each cutting edge (842) is in contact with the bottom end face of the extrusion die (32).

10. A method for measuring the dimensions of continuously extruded materials, characterized in that, The dimension measurement method uses the dimension measuring device according to claim 1, and the dimension measurement method includes the following steps: Cutting strip material: During the continuous extrusion of strip material by the extrusion die, the cutter moves along the cutting direction to cut the strip material, so that the cross-section of the strip material is gradually formed along the cutting direction; Image acquisition: The two-dimensional line scan camera moves synchronously with the cutter and continuously acquires line-by-line images of the cross-section during the cross-section formation process. During the continuous acquisition process, the cross-section maintains a preset working distance from the two-dimensional line scan camera. Calculate dimensions: The controller processes the row-by-row image to obtain the dimensions of the strip material.

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