Testing and sorting machine and method for operating a testing and sorting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a testing and sorting machine for inspecting and / or sorting large quantities of precision parts, wherein the testing and sorting machine comprises at least one glass ring for receiving and transporting the individual precision parts and at least one testing station for evaluating the precision parts. The object of the invention is to provide a glass ring exchange unit for such a testing and sorting machine, which enables a semi-automated exchange of the glass rings without manual intervention by an operator in fixing the position of the glass rings, thus achieving simpler, safer, and more efficient handling when changing glass rings compared to known technical solutions.The problem is solved by the testing and sorting machine (1) having a changeover device (8) designed to remove the glass ring (2) from the testing and sorting machine (1) and to insert it into the testing and sorting machine (1), wherein the changeover device (8) has a frame-like base body with a contour in which a changeover frame (10) is supported in a translationally displaceable manner, wherein several lifting cylinders (9) for raising and lowering the glass ring (2) are arranged on the changeover frame (10), wherein the changeover device (8) has two locking elements (11; 12) for position fixing, and wherein a specific procedure sequence for operating a testing and sorting machine (1) designed in this way is proposed. (Fig. 2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a technical solution for testing and sorting machines for testing and / or sorting large quantities of precision parts, wherein the testing and sorting machine has at least one feeding device for the precision parts supplied as bulk material, at least one singulation device for the precision parts, at least one glass ring for receiving and transporting the singulated precision parts, at least one testing station for evaluating the precision parts, at least one device for removing the precision parts rated as "GOOD" and at least one device for removing the precision parts rated as "BLOW", wherein the glass ring performs a rotational movement about its center point and moves the precision parts placed on the glass ring past the at least one testing station and wherein the testing or measurement takes place while the precision part on the glass ring is moved past the testing station.

[0002] Modern manufacturing processes aim for largely automated operation of testing and sorting machines to meet the ever-increasing demands for low defect rates while simultaneously reducing personnel costs for quality assurance. Numerous designs for testing and sorting machines are already known for inspecting and sorting large quantities of particularly small components.

[0003] DE 20 2021 102 829 U1 describes a semi-automatic device for checking and / or measuring screws, nuts, washers and similar small parts, which is primarily designed for sampling quality control.

[0004] In some other testing and sorting machines, glass rings are used, for example, to align top-heavy precision parts in a defined position. The precision parts are preferably fed in bulk, separated by a vibratory feeder, and placed or set down on a glass ring. The glass rings have a flat, circular surface and rotate within the respective testing or sorting machine.

[0005] At least one testing station, but usually several, is arranged around the glass ring. As the glass ring rotates, the precision parts placed on it are moved in front of the testing stations and thus made available for inspection or measurement. This inspection or measurement takes place while the respective precision part is moved past a testing station on the glass ring.

[0006] A testing and sorting machine for this purpose, designed with glass rings for testing top-heavy components, is offered by GPP Chemnitz mbH under the product name "preciSORT-GT". The glass rings are permanently mounted in the testing and sorting machine. Other known solutions also exclusively use permanently mounted glass rings.

[0007] The glass rings are subject to mechanical wear due to the constant impact of the individual precision parts and the movement of these parts on the glass ring. This results in scratches and similar defects on the glass surface. These defects impair the accuracy of the testing and measurement of the precision parts by the testing stations.

[0008] This inevitably leads to errors in the sorting results, which will detect a supposedly higher number of defective precision parts. Such measurement errors are unacceptable and result in an increased false positive rate. Therefore, it is necessary that the glass rings be replaced either based on wear or, alternatively, cyclically as consumable parts.

[0009] The replacement of such glass rings is currently performed manually and is therefore subject to a subjective factor, primarily dependent on the care and experience of the operator assigned to the task. The glass rings can vary in weight depending on their size, making reproducibility difficult for the operator when dealing with different sizes or when replacements are infrequent. Consequently, it cannot be ruled out that the new glass rings will be installed inaccurately or even break during manual replacement. Furthermore, in a high-density testing environment with numerous test stations or a very confined space within the testing and sorting machine, manual replacement requires sophisticated handling by the operator. This increases the time required for each glass ring replacement and reduces the overall efficiency of the process.

[0010] The object of the invention is to create a changing unit for glass rings in a testing and sorting machine that enables a semi-automated changing of the glass rings without manual intervention by a worker in fixing the position of the glass rings, so that compared to known technical solutions a simpler, safer and more effective handling when changing glass rings is achieved.

[0011] This task is accomplished by providing the testing and sorting machine with a changeover device designed to remove the glass ring from and insert it into the testing and sorting machine. The changeover device comprises a frame-like base with a contour in which a changeover frame is supported so as to be translationally displaceable. Several lifting cylinders are arranged on the changeover frame for raising and lowering the glass ring, and the changeover device includes two locking elements for position fixing.

[0012] This allows for a semi-automated replacement of the glass rings without manual intervention from a worker in positioning the rings. Consequently, compared to previously known solutions, the handling of glass ring replacement is simpler, safer, and more efficient.

[0013] One design proposes that the interchangeable frame has four lifting cylinders for raising and lowering the glass ring. This ensures particularly good, position-fixed support of the glass rings during their relative movement to the testing and sorting machine, and precise alignment for the actual operation involving the handling and transport of the precision parts to be tested or measured.

[0014] One design proposes that the changing mechanism can be operated automatically or manually. This allows specific customer requirements to be easily met.

[0015] One design proposes that the interchangeable frame has a handle. This allows for simple and cost-effective manual repositioning of the frame.

[0016] One design proposes that the interchangeable device be designed to accommodate steel plates. This allows for modification for other testing and sorting machines.

[0017] For the operation of such a testing and sorting machine, it is proposed that, when a process for changing a glass ring is started by the control system of the testing and sorting machine, no further precision parts are placed on the glass ring, all testing stations are moved to a changeover position outside the contour of the glass ring or outside the changeover movement of the glass ring, or are manually adjusted to this changeover position, the first locking element of the changeover device is released, the glass ring is lifted by means of the lifting cylinders and thus temporarily detachably connected to the changeover device, the second locking element of the changeover device is engaged, the changeover frame is pulled out of the testing and sorting machine, the glass ring is removed from the changeover frame, a new glass ring is placed on the changeover frame, and the changeover frame, now equipped with the new glass ring, is pushed back into the testing and sorting machine.The second locking element of the changing device is released and the first locking element of the changing device is re-engaged, the glass ring is lowered by means of the lifting cylinders and thus released from the changing device, and the test stations are moved back into their defined test position, so that the testing and sorting machine is ready for use again.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1: A perspective view of the testing and sorting machine in operating position. Fig. 2: A perspective view of the testing and sorting machine with a glass ring removed. Fig. 3: A perspective view of the glass ring changing device.

[0019] The testing and sorting machine 1 shown in the drawing is designed for testing and / or sorting large quantities of precision parts 5. The testing and sorting machine 1 has a feeding device (not shown) for the precision parts 5, which are fed in bulk, and a singulating device (not shown) for the precision parts 5.

[0020] Furthermore, the testing and sorting machine 1 has a glass ring 2 for receiving and transporting the individual precision parts 5. One or more testing stations 3 and 4 – in this case, two – are arranged around the glass ring 2. The specific number of these testing stations depends on the tasks to be performed for evaluating the precision parts 5.

[0021] Furthermore, a device designed as an ejection chute 6 for removing the precision parts 5 rated as "GOOD" and a device designed as an ejection chute 7 for removing the precision parts 5 rated as "BAD" are provided.

[0022] A drive 13 is assigned to the glass ring 2, which sets the glass ring 2 into a rotational movement around its center point. This moves the precision parts 5 placed on the glass ring 2 past the testing stations 3 and 4. The testing or measurement takes place while the precision part 5 is moved past the testing station 3 or 4 on the glass ring 2.

[0023] As the precision parts 5 to be evaluated pass through testing stations 3 and 4, the parameters to be tested are recorded and measured according to the specific testing procedure. Each testing station 3 and 4 determines a test result. These individual test results are combined by the testing and sorting machine 1 to produce an overall test result for the precision parts 5 to be tested. At the end of a test process, the precision parts 5 are sorted according to the result into either the "GOOD" ejection chute 6 or the "POOR" ejection chute 7.

[0024] This entire process leads to mechanical damage or increasing wear on the glass ring 2. Therefore, in the case of defects that gradually increase due to wear, or in the case of suddenly detected defects, or at specified time intervals, a replacement of the glass ring 2 is necessary.

[0025] According to the exemplary embodiment, when the changeover process is started, the machine control of the testing and sorting machine 1 moves all testing stations 3 and 4 into a glass ring changeover position or adjusts them manually to this position. In the glass ring changeover position, all testing stations 3 and 4 are outside the contour of the glass ring 2 or outside the changeover movement of the glass ring 2, so that collisions between the assemblies are excluded. The changeover process can then be initialized and continued by releasing the first locking element 11.

[0026] At the start of the exchange process, the glass ring 2 is connected to the exchange frame 10 by means of the lifting cylinders 9 and can then be manually pulled out of the testing and sorting machine 1 by hand on the exchange frame. The old glass ring 2 is removed and replaced with a new one. The exchange device 8 is controlled by the machine control of the testing and sorting machine 1 and moves the new glass ring 2 back into the testing and sorting machine 1 by means of a translational movement of the exchange frame 10 and fixes the position with the second locking element 12. Finally, the testing stations 3 and 4 are moved back to their defined testing positions and the testing and sorting machine 1 is ready for operation again. Reference symbol list

[0027] 1 Testing and sorting machine 2 Glass ring 3 Testing station 4 Testing station 5 Precision part (test object) 6 Discharge chute - GOOD 7 Discharge chute - BAD 8 Changeover device 9 Lifting cylinder 9.1 Single lifting cylinder 9.2 Single lifting cylinder 9.3 Single lifting cylinder 9.4 Single lifting cylinder 10 Changeover frame with handle 11 First locking element 12 Second locking element 13 Drive for the glass ring

Claims

1. Inspection and sorting machine for inspecting and / or sorting large quantities of precision parts (5), wherein the inspection and sorting machine (1) comprises at least one feed device for the precision parts (5) fed into the machine as bulk material, at least one separating device for the precision parts (5), at least one glass ring (2) for receiving and transporting the separated precision parts (5), at least one inspection station (3; 4) for evaluating the precision parts (5), at least one device (6) for discharging the precision parts (5) assessed as "GOOD" and at least one device (7) for discharging the precision parts (5) assessed as "BAD", wherein the glass ring (2) performs a rotational movement about its centre and moves the precision parts (5) placed on the glass ring (2) past the at least one inspection station (3; 4), and wherein the inspection or measurement is carried out while the precision part (5) is being moved past the inspection station (3; 4) on the glass ring (2), characterised in that the inspection and sorting machine (1) comprises an exchange device (8) configured to remove the glass ring (2) from the inspection and sorting machine (1) and to insert it into the inspection and sorting machine (1), wherein the exchange device (8) has a frame-like base body with a contour in which an exchange frame (10) is mounted for translational movement, wherein multiple lifting cylinders (9) for raising and lowering the glass ring (2) are arranged on the exchange frame (10), and wherein the exchange device (8) comprises two locking elements (11; 12) for fixing the position.

2. Inspection and sorting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the exchange frame (10) comprises four lifting cylinders (9.1 / 9.2 / 9.3 / 9.4) for raising and lowering the glass ring (2).

3. Inspection and sorting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the exchange frame (10) comprises a handle.

4. Inspection and sorting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the exchange device (8) is configured to receive steel plates.

5. Inspection and sorting machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the exchange device (8) can be operated automatically or manually.

6. Method for operating an inspection and sorting machine according to claim 1, the machine comprising an exchange device (8) configured to remove a glass ring (2) from the inspection and sorting machine (1) and to insert it into the inspection and sorting machine (1), wherein the exchange device (8) has a frame-like base body with a contour in which an exchange frame (10) is mounted for translational movement, wherein multiple lifting cylinders (9) for raising and lowering the glass ring (2) are arranged on the exchange frame (10), and wherein the exchange device (8) comprises two locking elements (11; 12) for fixing the position, characterised in that when a process for exchanging a glass ring (2) is started by a control system of the inspection and sorting machine (1), no further precision parts (5) are placed on the glass ring (2), all inspection stations (3; 4) are moved into an exchange position outside the contour of the glass ring (2) and / or outside the exchange movement of the glass ring (2) or manually adjusted into this exchange position, the first locking element (11) of the exchange device (8) is released, the glass ring (2) is raised by means of the lifting cylinders (9) and thereby temporarily detachably connected to the exchange device (8), the second locking element (12) of the exchange device (8) is engaged, the exchange frame (10) is pulled out of the inspection and sorting machine (1), the glass ring (2) is removed from the exchange frame (10), a new glass ring (2) is placed on the exchange frame (10), the exchange frame (10) now equipped with the new glass ring (2) is pushed back into the inspection and sorting machine (1), the second locking element (12) of the exchange device (8) is released and the first locking element (12) of the exchange device (8) is re-engaged, the glass ring (2) is lowered by means of the lifting cylinders (9) and thereby released from the exchange device (8), and the inspection stations (3; 4) are moved back to their defined inspection position.

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