Inspection machines and production lines

Abstract

The utility model relates to a testing machine, including signal device, the signal device is equipped with the display surface of flat, preferably from each side surrounds, is used for outputting optical signal to operator.

Description

[0001] This utility model relates to an inspection machine, including a signal device, which is particularly used to display the operating status of the inspection machine.

[0002] In the operation of industrial machines, clear and direct communication is usually required between the machine and the operator so that the machine's operating status can be easily identified from a distance and a quick response can be made when necessary.

[0003] Therefore, so-called indicator lights are known from the prior art, which are designed, for example, as cylindrical light poles with controllable light-emitting elements and are thus arranged on the top side of switch cabinets or other equipment (hereinafter collectively referred to as "switch cabinets"). They can emit, for example, green, yellow, or red light as signals, from which the operator can infer the machine's operating status. The height of such indicator lights is relatively large compared to their diameter, because they should be visible from a distance. Such indicator lights, roughly centered on the top side of the switch cabinet, must therefore have a certain minimum height so that an operator standing at the switch cabinet can see them over the top edge of the switch cabinet. This also applies to indicator lights, for example, placed only in one corner of the switch cabinet, which, although well visible from one side, become increasingly difficult to see from the opposite side the lower their height.

[0004] However, the relatively high design of the signal lights has proven disadvantageous during the transport of the fuselage or switchgear, as the lights are relatively unprotected and protrude exposedly upwards from the fuselage, requiring additional protection against damage. Furthermore, the additional vertical transport space required above the switchgear, especially during air transport, comes at a high cost. Finally, the number of different possible signals among known signal lights is limited.

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide an inspection machine that overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings. This objective is achieved by providing an inspection machine.

[0006] This invention is based on the understanding that, by means of a long, narrow display surface that preferably completely surrounds the interior of the signal device, a particularly clearly visible signal device with a low structural height can be provided on the switch cabinet. The display surface is preferably flush with the side of the switch cabinet, i.e., located above the side of the switch cabinet in the height direction. The light-transmitting display surface emits the signal generated by the light source inside the signal device, especially outward in the horizontal direction. This structural form protrudes only slightly upward from the actual switch cabinet in a space-saving manner. Even so, the signal is preferably well identifiable from all sides because the switch cabinet does not obstruct the view of the signal device.

[0007] In a very simple implementation, the signal device is designed as follows: The length of the device other than the signal device extends in the first horizontal X direction, and the width of the device extends in the second horizontal Y direction orthogonal to it. Therefore, the "horizontal direction" in the sense of this application extends within the horizontal plane defined by these two directions X and Y.

[0008] Furthermore, the signal device extends upwards along the height direction Z, which is orthogonal to the XY plane. When viewed from above against the Z direction, the signal device can have different outer contours along its external dimensions, such as circular, square, rectangular, regular or irregular polygonal contours, or combinations of various such shapes. The signal device preferably has a rectangular outer contour when viewed along the height direction Z.

[0009] The signal device is defined horizontally by a plurality of horizontally connected sides (in the special case of a partially curved, elliptical, or fully circular outer contour, the plurality of sides can be understood as a plurality of seamlessly connected individual sides). The sides are preferably planar. Alternatively, they may also be partially or entirely designed as convex, concave, or other shapes in a vertical cross-section. Furthermore, the sides preferably extend parallel to the height direction Z (thus, a signal device with a rectangular outer contour has, for example, four surrounding vertical sides). Each side has its own side length in the horizontal direction.

[0010] The signal device includes at least one light source that can be controlled to emit a light signal. Furthermore, it includes a light-transmitting display surface extending in the height direction Z, which is part of at least one side surface, and light emitted by the at least one light source passes through the display surface as a signal and is emitted outwards ("extending in the height direction Z" in this context means that the display surface has a certain vertical height in the Z direction. Nevertheless, it extends substantially in the horizontal direction). The display surface is preferably partially or completely planar. Since it at least partially forms a side surface, the above description regarding the shape of the side surface also applies similarly to the display surface.

[0011] According to this invention, the signaling device is designed to be flat. Therefore, the device length and / or device width are specified to be at least four times the device height, preferably ten times, and most preferably twenty times. The signaling device thus extends substantially horizontally and only slightly vertically.

[0012] The display surface, as a narrow band encircling the interior of the signal device when viewed in the height direction Z, extends horizontally through at least 80%, preferably 100%, of the length of each of at least two sides. The visibility of signals emitted from this multi-sided arrangement is significantly improved compared to signals emitted from only one side. Preferably, the display surface extends horizontally through at least 80% of the length of each of at least three sides. This further improves signal visibility and, for example, is sufficient to mount the signal device on a wall that would otherwise obscure a fourth side of the device. However, most preferably, the display surface encircles the interior of the signal device from each side, extending horizontally through at least 80%, preferably 100%, of the length of each of the corresponding sides. This ensures that signals emitted by the light source are emitted laterally outward through the display surface in a halo-like pattern on all sides of the signal device, and thus can be perceived as optimally as possible from all standing positions of the operator.

[0013] If the horizontal length of the display surface is less than 100% of the corresponding side length, the light signal emitted by the light source cannot be seen along the entire length of that side, because the light signal can only be emitted outward through the correspondingly shortened display surface. This implementation can be used to selectively interrupt an otherwise continuous display surface within, for example, 20% of the side length, or to design it to be opaque, or to provide a material bridge not used for signal emission, which, for example, connects the top and bottom sides of the signal device for mechanical or design reasons (see below).

[0014] However, according to a preferred embodiment, the display surface extends across its entire length on at least one side, i.e., 100%. Therefore, on this side of the signaling device, the signal emitted outwards by the light source through the display surface is visible over the entire length of the side. It is also preferred that this configuration be applied to all sides of the signaling device, such that the display surface extends seamlessly and completely around the interior of the signaling device in a nearly closed band. This embodiment advantageously ensures that the light signal can be emitted outwards through the display surface in all visible (rather than being blocked by the wall) sides and in every horizontal direction, and correspondingly, can also be seen by the operator from each such direction outside the signaling device.

[0015] In a simple implementation, such as one that can be integrated into a switch cabinet, the display surface corresponds to the side of the signal device. In this case, the overall height of the signal device is essentially determined by the height of the display surface. In another implementation, an upper and lower portion of the signal device housing can be provided above and / or below the display surface, wherein these two portions themselves can form part of a side surface.

[0016] Preferably, a light-guiding material is disposed horizontally between the light source housed inside the signal device and the display surface. The light-guiding material is used to selectively guide the light emitted by the light source to the inner side of the display surface. This allows the light to be uniformly distributed across the display surface before emitting outwards and / or its physical properties to be altered. Simultaneously, the light-guiding material can serve as a stabilizing structural material for the signal device, for example, to fix the upper or lower part of the signal device housing thereto. For example, a solid, flat block of plexiglass can be used as the light-guiding material.

[0017] The display surface can be arranged spaced apart from the light-guiding material, or formed on its outer surface. Additionally, a light diffuser can be placed between the light source and the light-guiding material and / or between the light-guiding material and the display surface to uniformly guide the light from the light source into the light-guiding material and / or distribute it to the display surface. The light diffuser can appropriately completely surround the light source in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, it can be designed to alter or adjust the physical properties of the light (wavelength, light intensity, etc.). The light-guiding material and / or the light diffuser can be used to modulate the light emitted from the light source so that the light is as visible as possible after passing through the display surface, or the light is distributed as uniformly as possible to a portion or the entire display surface. Alternatively or supplementarily, the display surface itself can also be designed as such a diffuser or contain such a diffuser. For example, the inner or outer surface of the display surface can be partially or completely designed to be frosted.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of this invention, the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements, preferably LEDs, arranged horizontally around a central point. Suitably, at least one such light-emitting element is arranged and designed to emit its light outward through the display surface on at least one side of the signaling device. This is desirable when different signals are emitted sequentially or simultaneously on different sides of the display surface or along different portions thereof. It may thus be suitable to assign specific light-emitting elements to specific portions of the display surface, which preferably illuminate selected portions of the display surface only from the inside. To allow for the diverse design of the emitted signals and selective emission through specific areas of the display surface, these light-emitting elements are preferably controllable to emit light independently of each other, simultaneously or sequentially, and preferably have selectable light colors. It is also conceivable to equip the light source with a plurality of horizontally arranged light-emitting elements, particularly LEDs, stacked in the height direction. Therefore, different stacked signals can be emitted within the total height of the display surface. This enables the emission of more complex information, such as letters or other written symbols, special symbols, geometric symbols, etc. The LEDs in different horizontal LED arrangements can differ in their physical characteristics (e.g., wavelength, luminous intensity, etc.).

[0019] Preferably, multiple light-emitting elements can be controlled individually or in groups, depending on the operating status of the inspection machine, so that the light signal is displayed on the outer side of the display surface as follows: - Simultaneously, it presents a precisely predetermined light color across the entire display surface, or - Simultaneously or sequentially, using the same or different colors on the entire display surface or only on one or more predetermined portions thereof. - As a monochromatic or multicolor traveling light surrounding a signaling device (for example, such a traveling light can be used to visualize the operating speed of a machine connected to the signaling device, wherein the operating speed is reflected by the speed of the traveling light).

[0020] Preferably, the signal device can also be designed as follows: - It has an emergency light function, enabling the display surface to emit an emergency light (preferably battery-powered) for use as emergency illumination, for example, in the event of a power outage of one or more machines. As a work light, it emits light with a predetermined wavelength according to the time of day, for example, to best match the operator's circadian rhythm, and especially to emit appropriate light during night shifts. - As an advertising light, it is used, for example, to emit the color of the manufacturer's or company's logo or the logo itself, especially when the machine connected to the signaling device is stopped.

[0021] Preferably, a control device is provided to control the light source to emit the aforementioned light signal. The control device may also be part of the control device of a machine equipped with a signal device according to this invention. Preferably, the control device can be configured arbitrarily by the user and / or manufacturer to emit suitable signals.

[0022] Suitably, according to an advantageous embodiment, the signal device is surrounded in the height direction by a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, and preferably having the same horizontal dimension as the signal device itself or the same outer contour when viewed along the height direction Z. The housing can thus also be understood as part of a correspondingly extended signal device, wherein the housing should not be included in the device height. Suitably, the signal device with its display surface is sandwiched between the upper and lower portions such that the outward-facing side of the housing is aligned flush with the display surface or with the side of the signal device.

[0023] The upper and / or lower parts can be designed to be opaque, so that the signal is emitted from the signaling device in a substantially horizontal direction. Alternatively, the upper part can be designed to be partially or fully translucent, so that the light signal from the light source can also be emitted upward from the signaling device in the height direction, for example, towards the workshop roof.

[0024] According to this invention, a signaling device is combined with an inspection machine. The inspection machine may in particular include: a scale, an X-ray device, a metal detector, or other detectors. In principle, the signaling device is also applicable to other machines or their switch cabinets to issue operating status, alarm signals, or other optical indications as described above.

[0025] According to the combination of the signal device and the inspection machine of this utility model, the inspection machine has a switch cabinet or body (hereinafter collectively referred to as "body"), which extends in the X direction in length except for the upper end and in the Y direction (Y) in width except for the upper end. At this time, the body - similar to the signal device - is defined in the horizontal direction by a plurality of horizontally connected sides, each side having a corresponding horizontal side length.

[0026] Preferably, at least one outer width and / or at least one outer length of the signal device and the body, or their outlines when viewed along the height direction Z, are consistent. Thus, the signal device and the body are connected such that at least one side, preferably all sides that are consistent in length, of the signal device and the body are stacked flush in the height direction.

[0027] The arrangement ensures that the signal device is stacked on the machine body with the same horizontal extension as the machine body, such that the corresponding sides of the signal device and the machine body are flush with each other, or even when the two components are stacked without external gaps, their surfaces are flush with each other. Thus, the machine body does not obstruct the signal device from any viewing angle, and the signal device is well visible from all sides. Appropriately, the signal device is connected to the control unit of the inspection machine to receive commands to output optical signals. The signal device can also be connected, for example, via a bus system to a higher-level control unit, which itself is connected to the relevant inspection machine for signal exchange.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment of this invention, the machine body has an opening on its top side serving as a cable through-hole or an interface for an electrical connection mechanism. The signal device can be directly connected to the control device of the inspection machine via this connection mechanism for simple connection. The connection is particularly simply designed as a plug-in connection, allowing the signal device to be easily electrically connected to the control device of the inspection machine in a modular configuration.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the signal device is mounted on the generally rectangular belt of the scale. In this case, the signal device itself corresponds to the previously described embodiment. For example, the arrangement can be specified such that the display surface of the signal device extends horizontally across at least two sides, preferably all four sides, of the belt. Preferably, the signal device is designed in this case to display the operating status of the belt and / or the characteristics of the product being conveyed on the belt, especially the product being weighed in the process. For example, the signal device can simulate the movement of the product on the belt by displaying traveling light on the display surface. Preferably, the speed of the traveling light displayed on the display surface corresponds to the product conveying speed. Alternatively or additionally, the signal device can indicate whether the corresponding product is within or outside a predetermined weight tolerance range by tracking the corresponding optical product in the process line based on the weighing result, for example, by using monochrome or multicolor signals on the display surface.

[0030] According to this invention, the signaling device can be used flexibly and can replace the combination with switch cabinets or weighing belts. It can also be combined with other machines and devices, especially along the production line, for use as operation display, emergency light, alarm display, etc. The signaling device of this invention is preferably positioned above or on such components to ensure the signal is visible from as many sides as possible. Therefore, the signaling device can also be arranged above the collection container to, for example, indicate its material level. Other components of the machine or production line, preferably cubic in shape, can also have the signaling device according to this invention, such as containers, protective covers, hoods or protective devices, covers, flip covers, etc.

[0031] The same applies to operating terminals or displays. Here, flat signal devices can also be connected to the terminal in an inclined or vertical orientation so that they can be grounded to the terminal or display of the corresponding orientation and send signals around the display or terminal from each side.

[0032] It is also conceivable that the operating status can be displayed along an optically displayed scale on the display surface using a signal device according to this invention. Therefore, the conveyor belt speed can be displayed on the display surface as a dynamic bar, wherein the maximum speed is indicated, for example, by extending across the entire lateral width or a colored marked area, the dynamic bar filling or covering the colored marked area to varying degrees and preferably with different colors according to the current value. Current operating parameters or measurements occurring in or detected by the machine, or operating-related indications (conveyor speed, level, weight, pressure, temperature, maintenance interval, zeroing interval, etc.), can also be displayed as dynamically moving, color-highlighted narrow bars along a scale, possibly of different colors, on which minimum and maximum values ​​can also be visualized by corresponding bars. All these optical displays are generated by a correspondingly controlled light source, which preferably includes multiple individually controllable light-emitting elements, especially LEDs.

[0033] A production line can have multiple machines for processing products conveyed along the production line. According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least two of these machines may be equipped with a signaling device according to the present invention. Multiple machines arranged sequentially along a production line, each equipped with a signaling device according to the present invention, advantageously provide the possibility that the movement of products along the production line and / or processing or inspection results can be optically displayed through the display surface of each signaling device. Therefore, even for operators who may be far from the machine, the current processing step or inspection result can be quickly and reliably identified. Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, for which: Figure 1 The signal device of this utility model is shown on a switch cabinet. Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A magnified view of the local area. Figure 3 Another perspective view showing the open signal device.

[0034] Figure 1 The upper part of the switch cabinet is shown in perspective view. Within the scope of this specification, the switch cabinet may also be referred to as the body GM. The body GM of the inspection machine M extends horizontally in the X direction with body length XGM, and horizontally in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction with body width YGM. The height direction Z is orthogonal to both directions X and Y and extends upwards vertically.

[0035] In the horizontal directions X and Y, the body GM is defined by multiple interconnected and surrounding sides FG. Each of the sides FG of the body GM is planar and has its own corresponding horizontal length L. FG Two significantly shorter, opposing sides in the X direction connect to a large, unmarked rear section that is obscured in perspective. These two sides are each connected by a shorter diagonal side to a front section parallel to the rear section and opposite it in the Y direction. In a top-down view against the vertical Z direction, the GM appears as an irregular hexagonal polygon.

[0036] A signal device S is installed above the fuselage GM in the vertical direction Z. The signal device S includes a device housing GS, which has a flat upper part GSO and a flat lower part GSU opposite the upper part in the vertical direction Z (see also...). Figure 2 Vertical sides FS are formed between the upper GSO and the lower GSU, which laterally surround and define the signal device S in the horizontal direction. Here, similar to the body GM, each side FS of the signal device S has its own corresponding horizontal length L. FS Without considering the device housing, the signal device S has a device height ZS (see...). Figure 2 ), which in the example shown corresponds to the height of the side FS.

[0037] The horizontal dimensions XS and YS of the signal device are larger than its vertical height ZS. The device length XS is approximately 15 times the device height ZS, while the device width YS is approximately eight times the device height ZS. Therefore, the entire signal device S is flat.

[0038] Simultaneously, the signal device S, in terms of its horizontal dimensions, its lateral arrangement, and its outline when viewed from above in the reverse vertical direction Z, corresponds precisely to the fuselage GM. Furthermore, the signal device S is positioned at the top of the fuselage GM such that its polygonal sides FS and FG are aligned with each other in the vertical direction Z, i.e., each lies within a common plane. Therefore, the signal device S is located directly above the fuselage GM.

[0039] The sides FS of the signal device S are formed by display surfaces A, which surround the interior of the signal device S from each side with a vertical height ZS. Display surfaces A are light-transmitting and designed such that light emitted outward from the interior of the signal device S through display surfaces A illuminates all vertical sides FS of the signal device S along the entire side length L. FS All of these are visible above.

[0040] Figure 3 A perspective view of the signal device S mounted on the main body GM is shown, which is open at the top after the upper GSO is removed. These roughly rectangularly arranged LEDs (only some are shown for overview) collectively form the light source Q and are designed to emit their light horizontally (indicated by small arrows) from the inside to the display surface A. These LEDs are designed to emit different light signals outward through the display surface A via a control device (not shown). The possible types of light signals have been described above.

[0041] A flat piece of plexiglass is placed between the light source Q and the display surface A. It serves as a light guide material P to guide the light emitted from the LED of the light source Q uniformly and with minimal loss to the inner side of the display surface. In a top view, the outer contour of the light guide material P substantially corresponds to the polygonal shape of the body GM. In the illustrated case, the display surface A is formed by the horizontal outer surface of the light guide material P.

[0042] At the center of the light-conducting material P is a roughly rectangular, undetermined recess for the electronic device of the light source. There, an opening leading downwards into the housing GM can also be seen, allowing the light source Q or its electronic device to be electrically connected to a control device preferably housed within the housing GM.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the signal device S is arranged on the fuselage GM, with the display surface A flush with the side LG of the fuselage GM. Therefore, the light signals emitted outward through the display surface A are visible as they surround the fuselage GM from each side. At the same time, the signal device occupies only a small amount of height.

[0044] List of reference numerals A Display Surface The side view of the FG unit GM Side of FS signal device S GM switch cabinet or enclosure GS signal device housing Upper part of GSO signal device Lower part of GSU signal device L FG Length of side FG L FS Length of side FS M Inspection Machine P-optical material Q light source S signal device X is the first horizontal direction, X direction XGM unit GM length XS signal device length Y-second horizontal direction, Y direction YGM unit GM width YS signal device width Z-axis ZGM unit height ZS signal device height

Claims

1. An inspection machine (M) comprising a signaling device (S), wherein, The signal device (S) extends in a first horizontal X direction (X) with a device length (XS), in a second horizontal Y direction (Y) orthogonal to the device (S), and in a height direction (ZS) orthogonal to the X and Y directions (X, Y). The signal device (S) is defined horizontally by a plurality of horizontally connected sides (F), each side having its own horizontal side length (L). FS ),include: a) at least one light source (Q) arranged inside the signal device (S), and b) A light-transmitting display surface (A) extending in the height direction (Z), which is part of at least one side surface (FS), and light emitted by the at least one light source (Q) is emitted outward through the display surface as a signal. c) wherein the length (XS) and / or the width (YS) of the device are at least four times the height (ZS) of the device. d) wherein the display surface (A), as a narrow strip viewed in the height direction (Z), surrounds the interior of the signal device (S) in such a way that the display surface extends horizontally across at least 80% of the length of each of at least two sides, and the signal, as a halo, is emitted laterally outward through the display surface (A) across at least two sides (F) of the signal device (S). Its characteristics are, e) The inspection machine (M) has a switch cabinet or body (GM) extending in the X direction (X) with a body length (XGM) excluding the upper end and in the Y direction (YGM) with a body width (YGM), wherein the body (GM) is defined horizontally by a plurality of horizontally connected sides (FG), each side having its own horizontal side length (L). FG ), f) wherein at least one outer width (YS, YGM) and / or at least one outer length (XS, XGM) of the signal device (S) and the body (GM) are consistent. g) and wherein the signal device (S) g1) is mounted on top of the main body (GM). or g2) is integrated into the body (GM) in such a way that at least one of the signal device (S) and the body (GM) is integrated with respect to its length (L). FS L FG The sides (FS, FG) are stacked flush in the height direction (Z).

2. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length (XS) and / or width (YS) of the device are at least ten times the height (ZS) of the device.

3. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length (XS) and / or width (YS) of the device are at least twenty times the height (ZS) of the device.

4. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display surface (A), as a narrow strip when viewed in the height direction (Z), surrounds the interior of the signal device (S) in such a way that the display surface extends horizontally through at least 80% of the length of each of the at least three sides (F), and the signal is emitted laterally outward through the display surface (A) on the at least three sides (F) of the signal device (S).

5. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display surface (A), as a narrow strip when viewed in the height direction (Z), surrounds the interior of the signal device (S) in such a way that the display surface extends horizontally through at least 80% of the length of each of the respective sides (F), and the signal is emitted laterally outward as a halo through the display surface (A) on all the sides (F) of the signal device (S).

6. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display surface (A) extends horizontally through 100% of the length of the corresponding side surface (F).

7. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal device (S) is integrated into the body (GM) in such a way that all aspects of the signal device (S) and the body (GM) with respect to their length (L) are integrated. FS L FG The sides (FS, FG) are stacked flush in the height direction (Z).

8. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in A light guide material (P) is provided between the light source (Q) and the display surface (A) in the horizontal direction (X, Y). The light guide material completely surrounds the light source (Q) in the horizontal direction (X, Y) and includes the display surface (A) on its outside or is directly or intermittently connected to it.

9. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 8, characterized in that, in The horizontal extension dimension of the light guide material (P) between the light source (Q) and the display surface (A) in the X or Y direction is equivalent to at least 10% of the corresponding device length (XS) or device width (YS).

10. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The horizontal extension dimension of the light guide material (P) between the light source (Q) and the display surface (A) in the X or Y direction is equivalent to more than 20% of the corresponding device length (XS) or device width (YS).

11. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 8, characterized in that, in A light diffuser is provided between the light source (Q) and the light guide material (P) and / or between the light guide material (P) and the display surface (A), and / or the display surface (A) itself has a light diffuser, so as to uniformly distribute the light from the light source (Q) to the display surface (A).

12. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, a) The light source (Q) comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged horizontally around a center, wherein at least one of the light-emitting elements is arranged and designed to emit its light outward through the display surface (A) from at least one side (F) of the signal device (S). b) Among them, Several of the plurality of light-emitting elements can be arbitrarily selected to emit light independently of each other, either simultaneously or sequentially.

13. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The light-emitting element is an LED.

14. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The light emitted by the light-emitting element has a selectable color.

15. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal device (S) includes: a) Upper part (GSO) and lower part (GSU), wherein these two parts (GSO, GSU) form the housing (GS) of the signal device and are opaque. b) wherein the display surface (A) is vertically sandwiched between the upper part (GSO) and the lower part (GSU). c) wherein the outer width and / or outer length of the upper part (GSO) and / or the lower part (GSU) are substantially consistent with the device width (YS) or device length (XS) of the signal device (S), such that the display surface (A) is connected to the upper part (GSO) and / or the lower part (GSU) at approximately flush edges.

16. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The display surface (A) is flush in the height direction (Z) with one side (FG) of the body (GM) and / or with at least one edge area of ​​the upper (GSO) and / or lower (GSU) of the housing (GS) of the signal device.

17. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The display surface (A) is flush in the height direction (Z) with all sides (FG) of the body (GM) and / or with at least one edge area of ​​the upper (GSO) and / or lower (GSU) of the housing (GS) of the signal device.

18. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a control device designed to control the signal device (S) to emit optical operating signals based on the operating status of the inspection machine (M), wherein one or more light-emitting elements of the light source (Q) a) sequentially or simultaneously, and / or b) with successive, identical, or different length intervals, and / or c) Using the same or different colors The connection is made or disconnected.

19. The inspection machine (M) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The body (GM) has an opening or interface for an electrical connection mechanism on its top side, through which the signal device (S) can be connected to the control device of the inspection machine (M) in a plug-in connection for simple connection.

20. The inspection machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that, The inspection machine is designed as a scale, comprising a belt conveyor body with a driven annular belt, and the signaling device (S) is integrated into the belt body or fixed to the belt body.

21. A production line comprising multiple machines for processing products conveyed along the production line, characterized in that, At least two of the machines are inspection machines (M) as described in any one of claims 1 to 20.

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