Inspection support system, inspection support method, and program

Abstract

To accurately detect all types of defects caused in a transparent or translucent injection-molded article.SOLUTION: In an inspection support system 1, a first irradiation part 12 irradiates a transparent or translucent injection-molded article 100 with light from the bottom side, a second irradiation part 13 irradiates the injection-molded article 100 with the light from the top side, and an imaging part 11 performs first imaging for imaging the injection-molded article 100 in a state of being irradiated with the light from the first irradiation part 12 and second imaging for imaging the injection-molded article 100 in a state of being irradiated with the light from the second irradiation part 13 by using a polarization camera.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection support system, an inspection support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technique for highlighting and displaying defects in an injection molded product (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a technique, defects in an injection molded product are highlighted in an image of the injection molded product captured using a monochrome camera or a color camera. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-136269 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It has been difficult to accurately detect all kinds of defects that occur in transparent or translucent injection-molded products using images captured by monochrome or color cameras.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable accurate detection of all kinds of defects occurring in transparent or translucent injection molded articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which was completed with this objective in mind, is an inspection support system characterized by having a first irradiation means that irradiates a transparent or translucent injection molded product with light from the bottom side, a second irradiation means that irradiates the injection molded product with light from the top side, and an imaging means that uses a polarized camera to perform a first imaging of the injection molded product in a state where it is irradiated with light from the first irradiation means, and a second imaging of the injection molded product in a state where it is irradiated with light from the second irradiation means. Here, the imaging device may further comprise a light blocking switching means for transmitting light from the ground side when the first imaging is performed and blocking light from the ground side when the second imaging is performed. The device may further include a support member having a transparent section that transmits light from the ground side and a shading section that blocks light from the ground side, and on which the injection-molded product can be placed on the top side, and the shading switching means may place the injection-molded product on the transparent section of the support member when the first imaging is performed, and place the injection-molded product on the shading section of the support member when the second imaging is performed. In addition, a picking robot or an extruder may serve as the light shielding switching means and move the injection molded article between the transmitting section and the light shielding section. The second irradiation means may be mounted on an end effector of the picking robot. The imaging device may further include an acquisition means for acquiring a first captured image by the first imaging and a second captured image by the second imaging, and a presentation means for analyzing at least one of the acquired first captured image and second captured image and presenting to a user whether or not there is a defect in the injection molded product. The presenting means may analyze the first captured image and present to a user the presence or absence of a defect resulting from resin flow in the injection molded product. The presenting means may analyze the second captured image and present to a user the presence or absence of defects in the injection molded product other than defects resulting from resin flow. The present invention also provides an inspection support method including the steps of irradiating a transparent or translucent injection-molded product with light from the bottom side, irradiating the injection-molded product with light from the top side, performing a first image capturing an image of the injection-molded product in a state where it is irradiated with light from the bottom side and a second image capturing an image of the injection-molded product in a state where it is irradiated with light from the top side using a polarized camera, acquiring a first captured image from the first image capturing and a second captured image from the second image capturing, and analyzing at least one of the first captured image and the second captured image and notifying a user of the presence or absence of a defect in the injection-molded product. The present invention is also a program for enabling a computer to realize the following functions: irradiating a transparent or translucent injection molded product with light from the bottom side; irradiating the injection molded product with light from the top side; using a polarized camera to perform a first image capture of the injection molded product in a state where light is irradiated from the bottom side and a second image capture of the injection molded product in a state where light is irradiated from the top side; acquiring a first captured image from the first image capture and a second captured image from the second image capture; and analyzing at least one of the first captured image and the second captured image and notifying a user of the presence or absence of a defect in the injection molded product. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, any type of defect occurring in a transparent or translucent injection molded product can be detected with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a test support system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a determination device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the determination device. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a specific example of a second image of the injection-molded product acquired as a result of the imaging device performing a second imaging operation. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a specific example of an image for determination generated by a determination device, in which (A) is a diagram showing a specific example of a 1ch image as the image for determination, and (B) is a diagram showing a specific example of a 3ch image as the image for determination. [Figure 6] (A) is the formula that shows the polarization angle of the 3ch image. (B) is the formula that shows the linear polarization degree of the 3ch image. [Figure 7] 13(A) and 13(B) are diagrams showing a specific example of a 1ch image of an injection-molded product that has been determined to have a defect by a determination device. [Figure 8]11 is a table showing a specific example of a method for determining the presence or absence of a defect using a 3ch image. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an overall configuration of a test support system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing other specific examples of the shape of the support member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First embodiment> (Configuration of Examination Support System 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of a test support system 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0010] The inspection support system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system used for quality inspection of a transparent or translucent injection molded product 100. The injection molded product 100 is manufactured by an injection molding machine (not shown), and the shape is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, a transparent or translucent injection molded product having a flat plate shape is the subject of quality inspection. The injection molding machine is a device that can manufacture an injection molded product by pouring a resin melted by heating into a mold, cooling it to solidify it, and then removing it. The inspection support system 1 includes an imaging device 10 and a determination device 30 connected via a network 90. ​​The network 90 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a wired connection, or the like.

[0011] [Imaging device 10] The imaging device 10 includes an imaging section 11 as an imaging means, a first irradiation section 12 as a first irradiation means, a second irradiation section 13 as a second irradiation means, a first fixing member 14, a second fixing member 15, a support member 16, and a third fixing member 17. The imaging unit 11 is composed of a camera or the like, and performs imaging of the injection molded product 100 as a subject. Specifically, the imaging unit 11 performs a first imaging of the injection molded product 100 receiving light irradiated from the bottom side toward the top side in the top-bottom direction of FIG. 1, and a second imaging of the injection molded product 100 receiving light irradiated from the top side toward the bottom side. The imaging device 10 switches between the first imaging and the second imaging. That is, the imaging device 10 does not perform the second imaging when performing the first imaging, and does not perform the first imaging when performing the second imaging. Hereinafter, the image acquired by the first imaging is referred to as the "first image", and the image acquired by the second imaging is referred to as the "second image". In addition, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first image and the second image, they are simply referred to as "images".

[0012] The imaging unit 11 transmits the captured first and second captured images to the determination device 30. The imaging unit 11 performs the first and second captured images using a polarization camera. The polarization camera is a camera in which polarizers with different orientations are built into a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0013] The polarizer incorporated in the polarization camera has four orientations: 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°, and each time a first image is captured, a polarized image in each of the four orientations is acquired as the first captured image. Each time a second image is captured, a polarized image in each of the four orientations is acquired as the second captured image. Specific examples of polarized images in the four orientations will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0014] The first irradiation unit 12 is a flat-plate-shaped lighting fixture having a polarizing plate 121. The light irradiated from the first irradiation unit 12 includes light irradiating the injection-molded product 100 from the ground side, and this irradiated light assists the first imaging of the imaging unit 11. The first irradiation unit 12 is disposed on the ground side of the injection-molded product 100. The polarizing plate 121 is a member for creating the polarization state of the irradiated light, and determines the initial state of the irradiated light by blocking one of the two light waves in the vertical and horizontal directions. In other words, the polarization state of the irradiated light is destroyed by residual stress, and the change in the state is captured by the polarized camera of the imaging unit 11.

[0015] The second irradiation unit 13 is a circular ring-shaped lighting fixture having an opening 131. The light irradiated from the second irradiation unit 13 includes light irradiating the injection molded product 100 from the top side, and this irradiated light assists the second imaging of the imaging unit 11. The second irradiation unit 13 is disposed on the top side of the injection molded product 100 and on the bottom side of the imaging unit 11. The opening 131 forms an imaging space for preventing the second irradiation unit 13 from being captured as much as possible when imaging the injection molded product 100. That is, imaging by the imaging unit 11 is performed toward the bottom side through the opening 131 of the second irradiation unit 13.

[0016] The first fixing member 14 is a member for fixing the imaging unit 11 and the second illuminating unit 13, and is configured of a rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, etc. The first fixing member 14 is fixed to the second fixing member 15 described later.

[0017] The second fixing member 15 is a member for fixing the first irradiating unit 12 and the first fixing member 14, and is composed of a flat plate-shaped member or the like. The second fixing member 15 is fixed to the installation surface 200. The imaging unit 11 and the second irradiating unit 13 are fixed to the first fixing member 14, and the first fixing member 14 is fixed to the second fixing member 15, thereby positioning the imaging unit 11, the second irradiating unit 13, and the first irradiating unit 12.

[0018] The support member 16 is a rectangular plate material on which the injection molded product 100 can be placed, and is a support member that supports the injection molded product 100 from the bottom side. The support member 16 is made of a transparent or substantially transparent plate material having non-polarizing properties, such as quartz glass. The support member 16 transmits light irradiated from the first irradiation unit 12 toward the injection molded product 100. The support member 16 is fixed to the installation surface 200 in a state where it is supported by four third fixing members 17 composed of cylindrical members or the like.

[0019] When the second image is captured by the imaging unit 11, a light-shielding member 18 is disposed between the injection molded product 100 and the support member 16 as a light-shielding switching means. The method of disposing the light-shielding member 18 is not particularly limited, and may be performed by a picking robot (not shown) or may be performed manually by a user. The light-shielding member 18 is made of a material having a light-shielding function such as polyvinyl chloride or flocked paper, and assists the second image capture by the imaging unit 11 by blocking light from the ground side.

[0020] [Determination device 30] The determination device 30 is an information processing device that analyzes the first captured image and the second captured image, determines whether or not there is a defect in the injection molded product 100, and notifies the user of the result. The determination device 30 is composed of a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, and can be operated by a user.

[0021] (Hardware configuration of the determination device 30) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the determination device 30. As shown in FIG. The determination device 30 has a control unit 31, a memory 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, an operation unit 35, and a display unit 36. These units are connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0022] The control unit 31 is a processor that controls the functions of the determination device 30 through the execution of various software such as an OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 31 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 32 is a storage area that stores various software and data used for executing the software, and is used as a working area for calculations. The memory 32 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0023] The storage unit 33 is a storage area for storing input data for various software programs and output data from various software programs. The storage unit 33 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a semiconductor memory, etc., used for storing programs and various setting data. The storage unit 33 stores databases for storing various information. Examples of the databases stored in the storage unit 33 include a database in which the captured image of the first imaging is stored, a database in which the captured image of the second imaging is stored, a database in which teacher data used to determine the presence or absence of a defect is stored, and a database in which a trained model is stored.

[0024] The communication unit 34 transmits and receives data between the determination device 30 and the outside via the network 90. ​​The operation unit 35 is composed of, for example, a software keyboard, mechanical buttons, switches, etc., and accepts input operations. The operation unit 35 also includes a touch sensor that constitutes a touch panel integrally with the display unit 36. The display unit 36 ​​is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information, and displays images and text data including the determination result of the determination device 30 as to whether or not there is a defect.

[0025] (Functional configuration of the control unit 31 of the determination device 30) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 31 of the determination device 30. As shown in FIG. In the control unit 31 of the determination device 30, an acquisition unit 301 as an acquisition means, a management unit 302, a determination unit 303, and a display control unit 304 function.

[0026] The acquisition unit 301 acquires various pieces of information via the communication unit (see FIG. 2). For example, the acquisition unit 301 acquires the first captured image and the second captured image transmitted from the imaging device 10.

[0027] The management unit 302 stores and manages the various information acquired by the acquisition unit 301 in a database in the storage unit 33 (see FIG. 2). For example, the management unit 302 stores and manages each of the first captured image and the second captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 301 in a database. The management unit 302 also stores and manages teacher data used to determine the presence or absence of a defect in a database in advance.

[0028] The determination unit 303 analyzes the first captured image to determine whether or not there is a defect in the injection-molded product 100 (see FIG. 1). The determination unit 303 also analyzes the second captured image to determine whether or not there is a defect in the injection-molded product 100. Specifically, the determination unit 303 analyzes the first captured image of the injection-molded product 100 to determine whether or not there is a general defect other than a defect resulting from resin flow. In this case, the determination unit 303 also analyzes the second captured image of the injection-molded product 100 to determine whether or not there is each of a defect resulting from resin flow and a general defect in the injection-molded product.

[0029] Here, "resin flow defects" include, for example, defects such as distortions or dents (also called "sink marks") that form on the surface of a molded product when molten resin shrinks as it cools and solidifies. Also, "general defects" include, for example, defects in which air bubbles form inside a molded product (also called "voids"), defects in which gas generated inside the molten resin flows in a stretched manner together with the molten resin inside the mold and forms gas flow marks on the surface of the molded product (also called "silver streaks"), and defects due to insufficient filling caused by molding being performed with the molten resin not filled in part of the mold (also called "short shots").

[0030] The determination unit 303 generates a determination image from the polarized images in four directions as the second captured image acquired by the acquisition unit 301, and uses the generated determination image to determine the presence or absence of a defect in the injection molded product 100. Examples of the determination image generated by the determination unit 303 include a 1ch image, which is a monochrome image generated by averaging the polarized images in four directions, and a 3ch image, which is a color image. The 1ch image and the 3ch image as the determination image will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures.

[0031] The display control unit 304 performs control for displaying various information on the display unit 36 ​​(see FIG. 2). For example, the display control unit 304 performs control for displaying the determination result of the determination unit 303 as to whether or not the injection-molded product 100 has a defect on the display unit 36. Specific examples of the determination results displayed on the display unit 36 ​​will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0032] (Specific examples) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the second captured image of the injection-molded product 100 acquired as a result of the imaging device 10 performing the second imaging. As described above, when the imaging device 10 performs the second imaging, polarized images in four directions are acquired as the second captured image. Specific examples of polarized images in four directions, that is, polarized images of the injection molded article 100 as a subject at "0°", "45°", "90°", and "135°", are shown in each of Figs. 4(A) to 4(D).

[0033] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a determination image generated by the determination device 30. Fig. 5(A) is a diagram showing a specific example of a 1ch image as a determination image. Fig. 5(B) is a diagram showing a specific example of a 3ch image as a determination image. Fig. 6(A) shows the equation for the polarization angle of the 3ch image, and Fig. 6(B) shows the equation for the linear polarization degree of the 3ch image.

[0034] Among the images for determination generated by the determination device 30, the 1ch image shown in Fig. 5(A) is an image for determination that mainly indicates the strength of the injection-molded product 100. Among the images for determination, the 3ch image shown in Fig. 5(B) is an image for determination that mainly indicates the strength, the angle of polarization (AoLP / Angle of Linear Polarization), and the degree of linear polarization (DoLP / Degree of Linear Polarization) of the injection-molded product 100.

[0035] The angle of polarization (AoLP) in the 3ch image is a value calculated by the formula in Figure 6(A) and indicates which of the four directions the light is polarized in. The degree of linear polarization (DoLP) is a value calculated by the formula in Figure 6(B) and indicates how close the light is to linear polarization. In each formula in Figures 6(A) and (B), "I" indicates the light intensity. "Q" indicates the light intensity calculated by "light intensity when the polarizer direction is 0°" minus "light intensity when the polarizer direction is 0°", and "U" indicates the light intensity calculated by "light intensity when the polarizer direction is 45°" minus "light intensity when the polarizer direction is 135°".

[0036] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a specific example of a 1ch image of an injection-molded product 100 that has been determined by the determination device 30 to have a defect. 7(A) and (B) show specific examples of 1ch images of an injection molded product 100 that has been determined to have a general defect. The 1ch images shown in FIG. 7(A) and (B) are specific examples of images for determination generated based on the second captured image. Among these, the 1ch image in FIG. 7(A) shows that a void, which is a general defect, has occurred in the area surrounded by the dashed line as a determination result. Also, the 1ch image in FIG. 7(B) shows that each of the general defects, voids, silver streaks, and short shots, has occurred in the area surrounded by the dashed line as a determination result.

[0037] Fig. 8 is a table showing a specific example of a method for determining the presence or absence of a defect using a 3ch image. The 3ch image shown in Fig. 8 is a specific example of an image for determination generated based on the first captured image. When determining the presence or absence of a defect using the 3ch image of the injection molded product 100, the determination device 30 uses, for example, a VAE (Variational Autoencoder), which is one of generative models based on deep learning.

[0038] Specifically, the judgment device 30 uses VAE to generate a "difference image" that represents the difference between an "input image" and a "VAE output image," and judges the presence or absence of a defect from the difference image. The "input image" is a 3ch image generated as an image for judgment. The "VAE output image" is a 3ch image of a defect-free injection molded product 100, generated based on training data pre-stored in a database, as an image that is close to the input image.

[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates input images, VAE output images, and difference images of the injection molded product 100 judged as "normal" (i.e., having no defect) and the injection molded product 100 judged as "abnormal" (i.e., having a defect) as judgment results by the judgment device 30. The difference image of the injection molded product 100 judged as "normal" (i.e., having no defect) shows a small number of different-colored parts indicating the difference, while the difference image of the injection molded product 100 judged as "abnormal" (i.e., having a defect) shows many different-colored parts indicating the difference. That is, if the ratio of the area of ​​the different-colored parts indicating the difference to the entire image is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is judged as "normal" (i.e., having no defect), and if it is larger than the threshold, it is judged as "abnormal" (i.e., having a defect). The judgment method by the judgment device 30 is not limited to the ratio of the area of ​​the different-colored parts indicating the difference to the entire image, and other methods may be used.

[0040] In summary, the test support system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various forms. That is, the inspection support system 1 according to the first embodiment is an inspection support system characterized by having a first irradiation unit 12 that irradiates light from the bottom side onto a transparent or translucent injection molded product 100, a second irradiation unit 13 that irradiates light from the top side onto the injection molded product 100, and an imaging unit 11 that uses a polarized camera to perform a first imaging operation to image the injection molded product 100 in a state where it is irradiated with light from the first irradiation unit 12, and a second imaging operation to image the injection molded product 100 in a state where it is irradiated with light from the second irradiation unit 13.

[0041] As a result, the imaging unit 11, which captures an image of a transparent or translucent injection molded product 100 using a polarized camera, performs a first image capture of the injection molded product 100 illuminated with light from the bottom side, and a second image capture of the injection molded product illuminated with light from the top side. This makes it possible to accurately determine any type of defect that has occurred in the transparent or translucent injection molded product based on the four-directional polarized images as the captured images acquired by each of the first and second images capture.

[0042] Here, the optical element may further include a light blocking member 18 as a light blocking switching means that transmits light from the ground side when the first image is captured and blocks light from the ground side when the second image is captured. Thereby, when the first image is captured, the light blocking member 18 transmits light from the bottom side, and when the second image is captured, the light blocking member 18 blocks light from the bottom side. As a result, when the second image is captured, the background of the injection molded product 100, which is the subject, can be made a dark color, thereby improving the quality of the captured image.

[0043] The system may further include an acquisition unit 301 that acquires a first captured image by the first imaging and a second captured image by the second imaging, and a determination device 30 that serves as a presentation means that analyzes at least one of the acquired first captured image and second captured image and presents to a user whether or not there is a defect in the injection molded product 100. Thereby, the first captured image by the first imaging and the second captured image by the second imaging are analyzed, and the presence or absence of a defect in the injection molded product 100 is presented to the user. As a result, the accuracy of the determination can be improved compared to the case where the user determines the presence or absence of a defect while viewing the first captured image and the second captured image with his or her own eyes.

[0044] Furthermore, the determination device 30 may analyze the first captured image and notify the user of the presence or absence of defects in the injection-molded product 100 resulting from resin flow. This allows the presence or absence of defects due to resin flow to be presented to the user through analysis of the first captured image, which improves the accuracy of the determination of the presence or absence of defects compared to when the user determines the presence or absence of defects with their own eyes.

[0045] Furthermore, the determination device 30 may analyze the second captured image and notify the user of the presence or absence of defects in the injection-molded product 100 other than defects resulting from resin flow. This allows the user to be informed of the presence or absence of defects other than those caused by resin flow through analysis of the second captured image, which improves the accuracy of the determination of the presence or absence of defects compared to when the user determines the presence or absence of defects with their own eyes.

[0046] <Second embodiment> (Configuration of Examination Support System 2) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an examination support system 2 according to the second embodiment. 9 is a system used for quality inspection of a transparent or translucent injection-molded product 100, similar to the inspection support system 1 according to the first embodiment in FIG. 1 described above. The inspection support system 2 includes an imaging device 20 and a determination device 30. The configuration of the determination device 30 is the same as that of the determination device 30 of the inspection support system 1 according to the first embodiment in FIG. 1 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] [Imaging device 20] The imaging device 20 includes an imaging section 21, a first irradiation section 22, a second irradiation section 23, a first fixing member 24, a second fixing member 25, a support member 26, an XY stage 27, and a picking robot 28. Among these, the imaging section 21, the first irradiation section 22, the second irradiation section 23, the first fixing member 24, and the second fixing member 25 are similar to the imaging section 11, the first irradiation section 12, the second irradiation section 13, the first fixing member 14, and the second fixing member 15 of the imaging device 20 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] The support member 26 is a rectangular plate material on which the injection-molded product 100 can be placed, and is a support member that supports the injection-molded product 100 from the bottom side. The support member 26 is made of a transparent or substantially transparent plate material having non-polarizing properties, such as quartz glass. The support member 26 is supported by an XY stage 27 that allows movement in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction in FIG. 9. Therefore, the support member 26 allows movement in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0049] The support member 26 has a transmission portion 261 which is an area that transmits light from the ground side, and a light-shielding portion 262 which is an area that blocks light from the ground side. The light-shielding portion 262 is an area formed by attaching a dark-colored member having a light-shielding function, such as polyvinyl chloride or flocked paper, to the support member 26. The light-shielding portion 262 assists the second imaging by the imaging unit 21 by blocking light from the ground side. Since the support member 26 is supported by the XY stage 27 as described above, when the first imaging is performed, the injection molded product 100 placed on the transmission portion 261 can be moved in each of the left-right direction and the front-back direction so as to be positioned directly below the second irradiation unit 23, and when the second imaging is performed, the injection molded product 100 placed on the light-shielding portion 262 can be moved in each of the left-right direction and the front-back direction so as to be positioned directly below the second irradiation unit 23.

[0050] The picking robot 28 is a robot that grips and moves the injection molded article 100. The picking robot 28 is equipped with an end effector 281 that can grip the injection molded article 100. The picking robot 28 grips and releases the injection molded article 100 with the end effector 281. Thereby, the picking robot 28 moves between the transmitting section 261 and the light-shielding section 262 of the support member 26 as a light-shielding switching means. Specifically, the picking robot 28 places the injection molded article 100 on the transmitting section 261 of the support member 26 when the first image is taken by the imaging section 21, and places the injection molded article 100 on the light-shielding section 262 of the support member 26 when the second image is taken.

[0051] The picking robot 28 also moves the injection molded product 100 placed on the belt conveyor 50 to the support member 26. An injection molding machine (not shown) is installed upstream of the belt conveyor 50, and the imaging device 10 is installed downstream of the belt conveyor 50. Therefore, the injection molded product 100 manufactured by the injection molding machine is transported downstream while being placed on the belt conveyor 50, and is placed on the transmission portion 261 of the support member 26 of the imaging device 10 by being held by the picking robot 28. Then, after the first imaging is performed by the imaging unit 21, the injection molded product 100 is placed on the light-shielding portion 262 by the picking robot 28, and the second imaging is performed by the imaging unit 21.

[0052] In summary, the test support system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention only needs to have the following configuration, and can take various forms. That is, the inspection support system 2 according to the second embodiment is an inspection support system characterized by having a first irradiation unit 22 that irradiates light from the bottom side onto a transparent or translucent injection molded product 100, a second irradiation unit 23 that irradiates light from the top side onto the injection molded product 100, and an imaging unit 21 that uses a polarized camera to perform a first imaging operation to image the injection molded product 100 in a state where it is irradiated with light from the first irradiation unit 22, and a second imaging operation to image the injection molded product 100 in a state where it is irradiated with light from the second irradiation unit 23.

[0053] As a result, the imaging unit 21, which captures images of the transparent or translucent injection molded product 100 using a polarized camera, performs a first image capture of the injection molded product 100 illuminated with light from the bottom side, and a second image capture of the injection molded product illuminated with light from the top side. This makes it possible to accurately determine any type of defect that has occurred in the transparent or translucent injection molded product based on the four-directional polarized images as the captured images acquired by each of the first and second images capture.

[0054] Here, the support member 26 may further include a transparent section 261 that transmits light from the ground side and a shading section 262 that blocks light from the ground side, and on which the injection-molded product 100 can be placed on the top side, and a picking robot 28 as a shading switching means may place the injection-molded product 100 on the transparent section 261 of the support member 26 when the first imaging is performed, and may place the injection-molded product 100 on the shading section 262 of the support member 26 when the second imaging is performed. Thereby, when the first imaging is performed, the injection molded product 100 is placed on the transmitting portion 261 of the support member 26, and when the second imaging is performed, the injection molded product 100 is placed on the light-shielding portion 262 of the support member 26. As a result, it is possible to improve the quality of the captured image in the second imaging, and it is possible to smoothly switch between the first imaging and the second imaging.

[0055] Furthermore, as the light shielding switching means, the picking robot 28 or an extruder (not shown) may move the injection molded article 100 between the transmitting portion 261 and the light shielding portion 262 . Thereby, the movement of the injection molded article 100 between the light transmitting portion 261 and the light blocking portion 262 is performed by the picking robot 28 or an extruder (not shown). As a result, switching between the first imaging and the second imaging can be performed smoothly.

[0056] Further, the second irradiating section 23 may be mounted on the end effector 281 of the picking robot 28 serving as the light blocking switching means. Thereby, the second irradiation unit 23 is mounted on the end effector 281 of the picking robot 28 that moves the injection molded product 100 between the transmitting portion 261 and the light blocking portion 262. As a result, the picking robot 28 integrally performs the work of irradiating light by the second irradiation unit 23 and the work of switching between transmitting and blocking light. As a result, the second irradiation unit 23 does not limit the operating range of the end effector 281, so that the degree of freedom of operation of the end effector 281 can be increased. In addition, since light is irradiated from the second irradiation unit 23 at a close distance, light can be irradiated efficiently and power costs can be suppressed.

[0057] <Modification> The support member 16 constituting the imaging device 10 according to the first embodiment and the support member 26 constituting the imaging device 20 according to the second embodiment are both rectangular plate members, but the shape of the support member is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, or any other shape.

[0058] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another specific example of the shape of the support member. The support member 360 shown in Fig. 10 is a support member having an overall shape of the letter "L". As in the above-described embodiment, the support member 360 is made of a transparent or substantially transparent plate material having non-polarizing properties, such as quartz glass. The support member 360 is supported by an XY stage (not shown) that allows movement in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction in Fig. 10. Therefore, the support member 360 allows movement in both the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0059] The support member 360 has transmitting sections 361 and 362 which are regions that transmit light from the bottom side, and a light-shielding section 363 which is a region that blocks light from the bottom side. Since two transmitting sections are provided (transmitting sections 361 and 362), images of the three injection-molded products 100 can be taken simultaneously. This enables efficient inspection. The light-shielding section 363 is a region formed by attaching a dark-colored member having a light-shielding function, such as polyvinyl chloride or flocked paper, to the support member 360. The light-shielding section 363 assists the second image capture by an image capture section as an image capture means (not shown) by blocking light from the bottom side.

[0060] In addition, although the inspection support systems 1 and 2 according to the above-described embodiments are directed to inspecting transparent or translucent resin injection-molded products, the inspection targets are not limited to resin injection-molded products. Any transparent or translucent products can be inspected.

[0061] In addition, in both the inspection support systems 1 and 2 according to the above-described embodiments, a flat lighting fixture is used as the first irradiating unit, but the first irradiating unit is not limited to a flat lighting fixture. Any lighting fixture of any shape capable of irradiating the injection molded product 100 with light from the bottom side can be used as the first irradiating unit.

[0062] In addition, in both the inspection support systems 1 and 2 according to the above-described embodiments, a circular ring-shaped lighting fixture is used as the second irradiation unit, but the second irradiation unit is not limited to a circular ring-shaped lighting fixture. Any lighting fixture of any shape that can irradiate the injection molded product 100 with light from the top and can secure an imaging space to prevent the second irradiation unit from being captured as much as possible during imaging can be adopted as the second irradiation unit. For example, a plurality of lighting fixtures may be arranged to surround the injection molded product 100, but in this case, the overall power cost may increase compared to the case where one circular ring-shaped lighting fixture is arranged.

[0063] In addition, in both of the inspection support systems 1 and 2 according to the above-described embodiments, a rod-shaped member is used as the first fixing member, but the first fixing member is not limited to a rod-shaped member. Any shape of member capable of fixing the imaging unit and the second irradiation unit can be adopted as the first fixing member.

[0064] In addition, in both of the inspection support systems 1 and 2 according to the above-described embodiments, a plate-shaped member is used as the second fixing member, but the second fixing member is not limited to a plate-shaped member. Any shape of member capable of fixing the first irradiation unit and the first fixing member can be adopted as the second fixing member.

[0065] In addition, in both the inspection support systems 1 and 2 according to the above-described embodiments, a rectangular plate material is used as the support member, but the support member is not limited to a rectangular plate material. Any shape of member on which the injection molded product 100 can be placed can be used as the support member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] Reference Signs List 1, 2... inspection support system, 10, 20... imaging device, 11, 21... imaging section, 12, 22... first irradiation section, 13, 23... second irradiation section, 14, 24... first fixing member, 15, 25... second fixing member, 16, 26... support member, 17... third fixing member, 18... light shielding member, 27... XY stage, 28... picking robot, 30... judgment device, 31... control section, 32... memory, 33... storage section, 34... communication section, 35... operation section, 36... display section, 50... belt conveyor, 121... polarizing plate, 131... opening, 100... injection molded product, 200... installation surface, 261... transmission section, 262... light shielding section, 281... end effector, 301... acquisition section, 302... management section, 303... judgment section, 304... display control section

Claims

1. A first irradiation means for irradiating a transparent or translucent injection molded article with light from a bottom side thereof; A second irradiation means for irradiating the injection molded product with light from the top side; an imaging means for imaging the injection molded product in a state where the injection molded product is irradiated with light from the first irradiation means and the injection molded product in a state where the injection molded product is irradiated with light from the second irradiation means, using a polarization camera; An inspection support system comprising:

2. The present invention is characterized in that the imaging device further comprises a light-shielding switching means for transmitting light from the ground side when the first imaging is performed and for blocking light from the ground side when the second imaging is performed. The inspection support system according to claim 1 .

3. The injection molding device further includes a support member having a transmitting portion that transmits light from the bottom side and a light blocking portion that blocks light from the bottom side, and capable of placing the injection molding product on the top side; the light-shielding switching means places the injection-molded product on the light-transmitting portion of the support member when the first image is captured, and places the injection-molded product on the light-shielding portion of the support member when the second image is captured. The inspection support system according to claim 2 .

4. As the light-shielding switching means, a picking robot or an extruder moves the injection-molded product between the transmitting section and the light-shielding section. The inspection support system according to claim 3 .

5. The second irradiation means is mounted on an end effector of the picking robot. The inspection support system according to claim 4.

6. an acquisition means for acquiring a first captured image by the first imaging and a second captured image by the second imaging; a presentation means for analyzing at least one of the acquired first captured image and the acquired second captured image and presenting to a user whether or not the injection molded product has a defect; Further characterized by having The inspection support system according to claim 1 .

7. The presenting means analyzes the first captured image and presents to a user the presence or absence of a defect caused by resin flow in the injection molded product. The inspection support system according to claim 6.

8. The presenting means analyzes the second captured image and presents to a user the presence or absence of defects other than defects caused by resin flow in the injection molded product. The inspection support system according to claim 6.

9. Irradiating a transparent or translucent injection molded article with light from the bottom side; Irradiating the injection molded product with light from above; A step of taking a first image of the injection molded product in a state where light is irradiated from the bottom side and a second image of the injection molded product in a state where light is irradiated from the top side using a polarization camera; acquiring a first captured image by the first imaging and a second captured image by the second imaging; analyzing at least one of the first captured image and the second captured image and notifying a user of the presence or absence of a defect in the injection molded product; 13. An inspection support method comprising:

10. On the computer, The function of irradiating light from the bottom side of a transparent or translucent injection molded product, A function of irradiating light from above the injection molded product; A function of performing a first image capturing an image of the injection molded product in a state where light is irradiated from the bottom side and a second image capturing an image of the injection molded product in a state where light is irradiated from the top side using a polarization camera; a function of acquiring a first captured image by the first imaging and a second captured image by the second imaging; a function of analyzing at least one of the first captured image and the second captured image and notifying a user of the presence or absence of a defect in the injection molded product; A program to achieve this.

Images