Method for inspecting sponge titanium and method for producing sponge titanium

Abstract

To provide a method for inspecting sponge titanium that can reduce the time required for a crushing process while suppressing deterioration of optical inspection accuracy.SOLUTION: A method for inspecting sponge titanium includes supplying sponge titanium to be inspected 1 onto an inspection transport device 4, measuring a thickness of the sponge titanium to be inspected 1 on the inspection transport device 4, confirming whether the measured thickness is within a range of an allowable thickness, and, when the measured thickness is outside the range of the allowable thickness, changing an amount of the sponge titanium to be inspected 1 supplied to the inspection transport device 4 so that the thickness of the sponge titanium to be inspected 1 on the inspection transport device 4 falls within the range of the allowable thickness.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for inspecting titanium sponge and a method for producing titanium sponge. [Background technology]

[0002] Titanium sponge can be produced by a method based on the so-called Kroll process. Specifically, titanium tetrachloride is generated in a fluidized bed in the presence of titanium ore, coke, and chlorine gas, yielding crude titanium tetrachloride. Impurities in the crude titanium tetrachloride are reduced using a fractionator or similar to obtain refined titanium tetrachloride. The refined titanium tetrachloride is reduced with metallic magnesium to obtain titanium sponge lumps with a unit weight of several tons to several dozen tons. These titanium sponge lumps are crushed to obtain smaller particles of titanium sponge. The smaller particles of titanium sponge are supplied to an inspection and transport device via a supply mechanism equipped with a storage container and a discharge device, after which they are inspected, packaged, and stored. Inspection involves the process of identifying and removing any defective products mixed in with the titanium sponge. Inspection is carried out on the titanium sponge to be inspected as it is transported by the inspection and transport device.

[0003] The following Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques related to the inspection of titanium sponge. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of detecting residual magnetism using a magnetic sensor on titanium sponge samples taken from the center of a titanium sponge block produced by the Kroll process. Those with a detected magnetic field level higher than a threshold are rejected as unacceptable products, while the rest are subjected to vacuum melting as acceptable products. Patent Document 2 discloses a method of projecting light from multiple directions onto a transported object to be inspected, extracting red, green, and blue wavelengths from the light reflected from the object, converting these into numerical electrical signals, and comparing these with pre-established reference values ​​for non-defective products to identify foreign matter in the object. Although not specifically disclosed in patent documents, it has also been common for workers to visually detect defective products. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-274406 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-157044 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The process from crushing titanium sponge blocks to inspection and packaging is sometimes called the crushing process. In order to meet the strong demand in recent years, there is a need to shorten the time required for the crushing process in order to improve the efficiency of titanium sponge production.

[0006] While magnetic sensors can be used as in Patent Document 1, some defective products are not magnetic, so it is also important to use optical sensors as in Patent Document 2 or visual inspection. For example, when titanium sponge is fed onto a belt conveyor, small pieces of rubber may be scraped off and carried along with the titanium sponge. Another example is when titanium sponge with residual magnesium chloride, a by-product of the reduction process, is carried along. Inspection is typically performed at room temperature, and rubber pieces and magnesium chloride cannot be detected by magnetic sensors. Furthermore, titanium sponge with magnesium chloride attached may be missed even by optical sensors, so visual inspection remains important. If many titanium sponges to be inspected are fed onto the inspection conveyor to shorten the crushing process, they are likely to overlap on the inspection conveyor, which reduces the accuracy of optical inspections such as visual inspections. On the other hand, if the amount of titanium sponge to be inspected is kept low to improve optical inspection accuracy, the crushing process takes longer.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a titanium sponge inspection method and manufacturing method that can shorten the time required for the crushing process while suppressing a decrease in optical inspection accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, the method for inspecting titanium sponge according to the present invention includes supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto an inspection transport device, measuring the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device, checking whether the measured thickness is within an allowable thickness range, and, if the measured thickness is outside the allowable thickness range, changing the amount of titanium sponge to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device so that the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device falls within the allowable thickness range.

[0009] In one embodiment, the method for producing titanium sponge according to the present invention includes a step of inspecting a titanium sponge to be inspected by the above-described titanium sponge inspection method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the titanium sponge inspection method and manufacturing method of the present invention, when the thickness is outside the allowable thickness range, the amount of titanium sponge to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device is changed so that the thickness falls within the allowable thickness range, thereby reducing the time required for the crushing process while preventing a decrease in optical inspection accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a titanium sponge inspection and packaging line on which a titanium sponge inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view showing the inspection transport device of FIG. 1 and its surroundings. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a plan view showing the inspection transport device of FIG. 2 and its surroundings. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a front view of the homogenizer of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device of FIG. 1 and the discharge setting value of the discharge device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in each embodiment. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components of different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0013] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a titanium sponge inspection and packaging line on which the titanium sponge inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented. The titanium sponge inspection and packaging line shown in Figure 1 is equipment for packaging the titanium sponge 1b for storage after inspecting the titanium sponge 1 (a collection of titanium sponge particles) to be inspected.

[0014] The titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be obtained by crushing a titanium sponge block into small particles. When crushing the titanium sponge block, the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the number of cuts with a shear or the size of the sieve. The particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be, but is not limited to, 0.5 mm to 20 mm, or 0.8 mm to 12.7 mm. Inspection is the process of finding and removing defective products mixed in with the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected. Packaging is the process of adjusting the composition specifications of the titanium sponge 1b to be stored and storing it in a packaging container 20 such as a drum. The composition specifications of the titanium sponge 1b to be stored may be achieved by mixing inspected titanium sponges 1a of different qualities (titanium sponges 1 to be inspected from which defective products have been removed by inspection). If mixing or adjustment of the composition specifications is not required for packaging, the titanium sponge 1b to be stored may be synonymous with the inspected titanium sponge 1a.

[0015] The inspection and packaging line shown in FIG. 1 may include a supply mechanism 3, an inspection and transport device 4, and a mixer 5.

[0016] The supply mechanism 3 is a mechanism for supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected onto the inspection transport equipment 4. The illustrated supply mechanism 3 has a plurality of storage containers 30, a plurality of discharge devices 31, a pre-stage transport equipment 32, and a homogenization device 33.

[0017] The multiple storage containers 30 each store the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected. While FIG. 1 shows four storage containers 30, the number of storage containers 30 may be one, two, three, five, or more. Providing multiple storage containers 30 increases the amount of titanium sponge 1 that can be temporarily stored, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the work schedule for the pre-crushing process (crushing the titanium sponge blocks, inspecting the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected, and packaging the titanium sponge 1b for storage). Furthermore, storing titanium sponge 1 of different qualities in each storage container 30 allows different qualities of inspected titanium sponge 1a to be fed into the mixer 5, making it easier to control the quality of the titanium sponge 1b for storage. In other words, the quantity and quality of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected for each storage container 30 can be controlled, for example, by the input amount, particle size range (size), and composition of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected. The required amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected can then be discharged from the storage container 30 containing the titanium sponge 1 of the desired particle size range and / or composition. Generally, the amount of impurities contained in the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected can be handled as a weight average, and the amount of impurities can be adjusted by mixing titanium sponges 1 to be inspected of different qualities (particularly compositions).

[0018] A discharge device 31 is provided for each storage container 30. The discharge device 31 is a device for discharging the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the corresponding storage container 30. Although not limited thereto, the discharge device 31 may be configured by a vibrating feeder. The vibrating feeder constituting the discharge device 31 can be called a discharge vibrating feeder. The configuration of the discharge vibrating feeder may be similar to that of the homogenizing vibrating feeder described below. The discharge device 31 may also be configured by other devices, such as a rotary valve or a movable partition plate.

[0019] The storage container 30 and the discharge device 31 are disposed above the upstream conveying device 32, and the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected discharged from the discharge device 31 is placed on the upstream conveying device 32 for transport. The upstream conveying device 32 may be configured as a conveyor in which an endless belt is driven in a circulating manner. The endless belt may be made of a resin such as rubber, although this is not a limitation.

[0020] A combination of one storage container 30 and one discharge device 31 may be referred to as a storage and discharge device. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple storage and discharge devices are arranged side by side in the conveying direction 32a of the upstream transport device 32. When the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is being discharged from one storage and discharge device, the discharge of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the other storage and discharge devices may be stopped. Switching between storage and discharge devices does not have to be performed while an inspection operation is being carried out. In other words, after the supply of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from one storage and discharge device has been completed and the inspection of that titanium sponge 1 has been completed, the discharge of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the other storage and discharge device may begin.

[0021] The homogenizing device 33 is disposed after the upstream conveying device 32. The homogenizing device 33 receives the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the upstream conveying device 32, spreads the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected in the width direction, equalizes the quality of the layer of the titanium sponge 1 in the width direction, and then supplies it to the inspection conveying device 4. Although not limited thereto, the homogenizing device 33 may be configured by a vibrating feeder. The vibrating feeder that constitutes the homogenizing device 33 can be called a homogenizing vibrating feeder. The configuration of the homogenizing vibrating feeder will be explained later with reference to the drawings. The homogenizing device 33 may also be configured by other devices, such as a chute with an adjustable width.

[0022] The configuration of the supply mechanism 3 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. The titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be supplied directly from the storage container 30 and the discharge device 31 (storage and discharge device) onto the inspection transport device 4, or the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be supplied to the inspection transport device 4 via a separate line or device.

[0023] The inspection transport device 4 is a device that transports the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected that has been supplied from the supply mechanism 3. The inspection transport device 4 may be configured as a conveyor with an endless belt driven in a circular motion, similar to the preceding transport device 32 described above. Although not limited thereto, the endless belt may be made of a resin such as rubber. Although not limited thereto, the width of the inspection transport device 4 may be, for example, about 0.5 m or more and 1.0 m or less, and the transport speed of the inspection transport device 4 may be, for example, about 3.5 m / min or more and 6.5 m / min or less.

[0024] Inspection is performed on the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected, which is being transported by an inspection transport device 4. Defective products to be detected during inspection are determined based on the required quality. For example, during inspection, the following defective products are removed when they are found: Titanium sponge containing MgCl2 Highly nitrided titanium particles (slightly different in color from good quality titanium sponge) TiFe (can be identified by its shine, but there is TiFe that cannot be removed by magnetic separation) Burning particles (caused by sparks or combustion) Rubber fragments (produced when titanium sponge gouges into the belts of conveying equipment) - Non-standard size items (e.g. items with a large aspect ratio in plan view, long and thin items)

[0025] The inspection may include visual inspection by an operator. The inspection may include inspection by a sensor. After the inspection, the inspected titanium sponge 1a is obtained from which defective products have been removed.

[0026] The mixer 5 is disposed downstream of the inspection transport equipment 4. The mixer 5 receives the inspected titanium sponge 1a and mixes the inspected titanium sponge 1a to obtain the titanium sponge 1b for storage. As described above, the mixer 5 can receive and mix the inspected titanium sponge 1a from different storage containers 30. The mixer 5 may be, but is not limited to, a container-type mixer in which the container receiving the inspected titanium sponge 1a is rotated, or an agitation-type mixer in which the components inside the container are rotated.

[0027] The titanium sponge 1b for storage obtained in the mixer 5 meets the specifications required by the recipient. The titanium sponge 1b in the mixer 5 is sometimes referred to as one lot of titanium sponge 1b. One lot of titanium sponge 1b for storage is distributed and stored in multiple (e.g., 10 to 30) packaging containers 20. The capacity of each packaging container 20 can be determined appropriately, for example, between 150 L and 250 L, more specifically, approximately 200 L. Larger or smaller capacity packaging containers 20 may be used depending on the recipient's needs. The packaging container 20 containing the titanium sponge 1b is typically filled with an inert gas atmosphere. The titanium sponge 1b can be stored in the packaging container 20. When titanium sponge (or a briquette formed by compressing it) is used as the melting raw material, titanium sponge stored in multiple packaging containers 20 may be used to melt a single ingot. The titanium sponge 1b for storage may also be inspected during packaging to identify defective products.

[0028] A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to an embodiment of the present invention includes supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected onto an inspection and transporting device 4, measuring the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transporting device 4, checking whether the measured thickness is within an allowable thickness range, and, if the measured thickness is outside the allowable thickness range, changing the amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection and transporting device 4 so that the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transporting device 4 is within the allowable thickness range.

[0029] The process from crushing the titanium sponge blocks through inspection and packaging is sometimes referred to as the crushing process. To meet the recent booming demand, shortening the crushing process time is required to improve titanium sponge production efficiency. If a large number of titanium sponges 1 to be inspected are supplied to the inspection transporter 4 to shorten the crushing process time, the titanium sponges 1 tend to overlap on the inspection transporter 4, resulting in reduced optical inspection accuracy, such as visual inspection. On the other hand, if the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transporter 4 is kept low to improve optical inspection accuracy, the time required for the crushing process increases. According to the titanium sponge inspection method of this embodiment, when the measured thickness is outside the allowable thickness range, the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transporter 4 is changed so that the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection transporter 4 falls within the allowable thickness range. This shortens the time required for the crushing process while suppressing a decrease in optical inspection accuracy.

[0030] The titanium sponge 1 to be inspected can be supplied onto the inspection transport device 4 by the supply mechanism 3 of the inspection and packaging line described above.

[0031] The thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected can be understood as the distance from the reference surface (e.g., the surface of the endless belt) of the inspection and transport device 4 at the thickness measurement position to the highest point of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection and transport device 4. The thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transport device 4 can be measured, for example, visually or using a sensor. Visual thickness measurement has the advantage of being able to confirm whether or not the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected overlaps on the inspection and transport device 4. Sensor thickness measurement has the advantage of enabling quantitative thickness measurement. The thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected can be measured at regular time intervals or continuously. When continuously measuring thickness using a sensor, the average of the measured values ​​over a given time period can be used to determine the thickness (layer thickness) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected over a given time period or per unit time. If titanium sponges 1 to be inspected that are at the upper limit (maximum value) of the allowable thickness pass consecutively, the average value will also be the upper limit of the allowable thickness. In this case, it can be determined that there is no or little overlap of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transport device 4. If the average value is below the lower limit (minimum value) of the allowable thickness, it can be determined that the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is sparse (sparse) in the direction of transport of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected. In addition, by combining this with visual confirmation, it is possible to more accurately eliminate overlaps of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4.

[0032] The particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection and transport equipment 4 is kept within a certain range by crushing. The allowable thickness range (upper and lower limits) can be appropriately set to include this particle size. For example, the upper limit of the allowable thickness can be set to the maximum value or approximately the maximum value of the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected, and the lower limit of the allowable thickness can be set to approximately half of the upper limit (e.g., within a range of 40% to 60% of the upper limit). For example, if the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is 0.8 mm to 12.7 mm, the upper limit of the allowable thickness can be 12.7 mm and the lower limit can be 6 mm. By setting the upper limit of the allowable thickness to the maximum value or approximately the maximum value of the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected, overlapping of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transport equipment 4 can be reduced.

[0033] When the measured thickness exceeds the upper limit of the allowable thickness, the amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device 4 is reduced, and when the measured thickness is below the lower limit of the allowable thickness, the amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device 4 is increased. The amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device 4 can be controlled by changing the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 shown in FIG. 1. That is, feedback control of the discharge device 31 is performed based on the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4. Feedback control of the discharge device 31 may be performed by a control device (not shown). Feedback control of the discharge device 31 may also be performed manually.

[0034] As mentioned above, the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected varies to a certain extent, for example, from 0.8 mm to 12.7 mm. Therefore, the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected discharged from the discharge device 31 also varies to a certain extent, and an error may occur between the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 expected from that discharge setting value. By changing the supply amount of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected, as in the titanium sponge inspection method of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 from falling outside the allowable thickness range due to the above-mentioned error.

[0035] The supply rate of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be changed based on the average thickness of the titanium sponge 1 within a predetermined time period. That is, the average thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected within a predetermined time period is checked to see if it is within the allowable range, and if the average thickness within the predetermined time period is outside the allowable range, the supply rate of the titanium sponge 1 to the inspection transport device 4 may be changed. For example, when the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is measured at intervals selected from the range of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds, the average thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected over a period of approximately 1 to 60 seconds may be used. However, the time period for calculating the average is longer than the measurement interval.

[0036] It is preferable to change the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transport device 4 so that the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 is within the upper 10% of the allowable thickness range. When the upper limit of the allowable thickness is 12.7 mm and the lower limit is 6 mm, the upper 10% of the allowable thickness range can be understood as a thickness range of 12.0 mm to 12.7 mm. By keeping the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 within the upper 10% of the allowable thickness range, even if the amount of titanium sponge 1 discharged from the supply mechanism 3 unintentionally increases, it is easy to eliminate overlapping of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection transport device 4, and it is possible to inspect many titanium sponges 1 over a long period of time. This allows for a more reliable reduction in the time required for the crushing process while minimizing a decrease in optical inspection accuracy.

[0037] The thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 may be determined to be within the upper 10% range of the acceptable thickness when the measured thickness is outside the acceptable thickness range. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 may be determined to be within the upper 10% range of the acceptable thickness when the measured thickness is within the lower 90% range of the acceptable thickness.

[0038] Although inspection of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be performed before measuring the thickness, it is preferable to inspect the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected after measuring the thickness. This is because inspecting the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected with the overlapping titanium sponges 1 removed makes it easier to detect defective products. Even if there is a defective product below the layer of overlapping titanium sponges 1 to be inspected, removing the overlapping layer makes it possible to find such a defective product more reliably.

[0039] When inspecting the titanium sponge 1 after measuring its thickness, if the measured thickness exceeds the upper limit of the allowable thickness, it is preferable to adjust the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 (the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection conveying device 4 downstream of the thickness measurement position and upstream of the inspection position) to within the allowable thickness range before inspection. This prevents inspection when the upper limit of the allowable thickness is exceeded. Furthermore, inspection can be more reliably performed without overlapping the titanium sponge 1. Thickness adjustment may be performed on the portion where the instantaneous measured thickness exceeds the upper limit of the allowable thickness. Thickness adjustment may be performed by an operator using a tool such as a rake to roll the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection conveying device 4 to level it. The titanium sponge 1 may be rolled across the width of the inspection conveying device 4.

[0040] Next, Fig. 2 is a side view showing the inspection and transport equipment 4 and its periphery in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the inspection and transport equipment 4 and its periphery in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a front view showing the homogenization device 33 in Fig. 2. Note that Fig. 4 schematically shows the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected. The white circles in the figure indicate cross sections of titanium sponge particles, and the shaded areas indicate clusters of titanium sponge particles behind the titanium sponge particles represented by the white circles.

[0041] The thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 may be measured at multiple locations along the width of the inspection transport device 4. Figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment in which the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is measured using multiple laser sensors 61, 62, 63 arranged on the inspection transport device 4 at intervals along the width of the inspection transport device 4. By measuring the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected at multiple locations along the width of the inspection transport device 4, the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected can be controlled more accurately.

[0042] When the laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 are referred to individually, they may be referred to as a first laser sensor 61, a second laser sensor 62, and a third laser sensor 63.

[0043] The amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport equipment 4 may be changed, and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected before inspection may be adjusted based on the average value of the thickness measured by the first laser sensor 61, the thickness measured by the second laser sensor 62, and the thickness measured by the third laser sensor 63.

[0044] Alternatively, the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transport device 4 may be changed and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 before inspection may be adjusted based on the maximum value of the thickness measured by the first laser sensor 61, the thickness measured by the second laser sensor 62 and the thickness measured by the third laser sensor 63.

[0045] Alternatively, the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transport device 4 may be changed and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 before inspection may be adjusted based on the thickness measured by the first laser sensor 61, the thickness measured by the second laser sensor 62 and the thickness measured by the third laser sensor 63, respectively.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may be measured using laser sensors 61, 62, and 63. Using the laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 enables accurate and quantitative thickness measurement. When using the laser sensors 61, 62, and 63, the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transporting device 4 is calculated by subtracting the distance between the laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 and the surface of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transporting device 4 from the distance between the laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 and the reference surface of the inspection and transporting device 4. While FIGS. 2 and 3 show three laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 being used, the number of laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 may be one, two, four, or more.

[0047] In the titanium sponge inspection method of this embodiment, supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected onto the inspection transport equipment 4 may include supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected stored in the storage container 30 onto the upstream transport equipment 32 (see Figure 1), supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the upstream transport equipment 32 to the homogenization device 33, and supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the homogenization device 33 onto the inspection transport equipment 4.

[0048] 4, the outlet width 33w of the homogenizing device 33 may be 100% or less of the width 4w of the inspection transport device 4, and is preferably 60% to 80%. When the outlet width 33w of the homogenizing device 33 is 60% or more of the width 4w of the inspection transport device 4, the amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 can be increased while minimizing overlap. When the outlet width 33w of the homogenizing device 33 is 80% or less of the width 4w of the inspection transport device 4, there is enough space on the inspection transport device 4 to roll the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected in the width direction of the inspection transport device 4 and level it.

[0049] As described above, the homogenization device 33 may be configured as a homogenization vibrating feeder. As particularly shown in Figures 2 and 3, the homogenization vibrating feeder serving as the homogenization device 33 may include a homogenization pan 331 and a homogenization vibrator 332 that vibrates the homogenization pan 331. The titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is dropped from the upstream conveying device 32 (see Figure 1) and placed on the homogenization pan 331. The homogenization vibrator 332 vibrates the homogenization pan 331, causing the titanium sponge 1 to be spread in the width direction on the homogenization pan 331 and move toward an outlet 331a at one end of the homogenization pan 331, from which the titanium sponge 1 is supplied to the inspection conveying device 4. The outlet width 33w of the homogenizer 33 may be the width of the outlet 331a of the homogenization pan 331. The widthwise center position of the homogenizer 33 or the homogenization pan 331 and the widthwise center position of the inspection and transport device 4 may be horizontally aligned. The term "aligned" here includes "substantial alignment" that includes tolerances acceptable in the technical field of the present invention. For example, when the positional deviation between the widthwise center position of the homogenizer 33 or the homogenization pan 331 and the widthwise center position of the inspection and transport device 4 is 1 / 5 or less of the width 4w of the inspection and transport device 4, they may be considered to be substantially aligned.

[0050] 3, the homogenizing pan 331 may have a bottom plate 331b and a pair of side walls 331c extending from both sides of the bottom plate 331b. The width of the outlet 331a may be understood to be the distance between the inner walls of the pair of side walls 331c. A rear wall 331d may be provided at the other end of the bottom plate 331b opposite the outlet 331a.

[0051] The homogenization device 33 may be composed of other equipment or components such as a chute, and even in other equipment or components, the outlet width 33w may be 100% or less of the width 4w of the inspection and transport equipment 4, and it is preferable that it be 60% or more and 80% or less.

[0052] Next, Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport equipment 4 in Figure 1 and the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31. The vertical axis of the upper graph in Figure 5 is the thickness (measured value) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport equipment 4, and the vertical axis of the lower graph in Figure 5 is the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31. In both graphs, the horizontal axis is time. The origin of the horizontal axis is the time when discharge of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the discharge device 31 begins. Because there is a distance between the position of the discharge device 31 and the position where the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport equipment 4 is measured, there is a difference between the start (origin) of discharge of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the discharge device 31 and the time when the measured thickness value of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is obtained.

[0053] In the titanium sponge inspection method of this embodiment, the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected is stored in a storage container 30, and supplying the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected onto the inspection transport equipment 4 may include discharging the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from the storage container 30 through a discharge device 31.

[0054] Here, when the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 at which the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport equipment 4 is the lower limit of the allowable thickness is set to 0% and the discharge setting value at which the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport equipment 4 is the upper limit of the allowable thickness is set to 100%, it is preferable to gradually increase the discharge setting value from a value between 0% and 80% when starting to supply the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected onto the inspection transport equipment 4. In other words, it is preferable to set the initial value of the discharge setting value to a value between 0% and 80% and to gradually increase the discharge setting value from that initial value.

[0055] As mentioned above, the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected varies to some extent, for example, from 0.8 mm to 12.7 mm. Therefore, the particle size of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected discharged from the discharge device 31 also varies to some extent, and an error may occur between the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 expected from that discharge setting value. In this regard, the above-mentioned 0% value can be understood to be the discharge setting value at which the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 is expected to be the lower limit of the allowable thickness, and the above-mentioned 100% value can be understood to be the discharge setting value at which the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 is expected to be the upper limit of the allowable thickness. These 0% and 100% values ​​can be determined through actual operation.

[0056] The error between the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 expected by that discharge setting value tends to be particularly large at the beginning of the supply of the titanium sponge 1 to the inspection transport device 4. This is because, at the beginning of supply, there is a large amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected in the storage container 30, and the weight of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected at the top makes it easier for more titanium sponge 1 to be inspected to be directed toward the discharge device 31 than expected. From the perspective of shortening the time required for the crushing process, it is considered to set the initial discharge setting value to 100%, but this may cause the thickness (measured value) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4 to exceed the upper limit of the allowable thickness. By setting the initial discharge setting value to 80% or less, the risk of the thickness (measured value) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected exceeding the upper limit of the allowable thickness can be reduced. On the other hand, by setting the initial discharge setting value to 0% or more, it is possible to prevent the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected from being too small on the inspection transport device 4. The initial value of the discharge setting value may be between 0% and 80%, between 25% and 80%, or between 60% and 80%.

[0057] The discharge setpoint may be increased to a value between 90% and 100% (within the upper 10% range), for example, to 95%.

[0058] As at time TP1 in Figure 5, when the thickness (measured) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected exceeds the upper limit of the allowable thickness due to an error between the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 and the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4, the discharge setting value is decreased. This brings the thickness (measured) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected within the allowable thickness range. As at time TP2 in Figure 5, when the thickness (measured) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected falls below the upper 10% range of the allowable thickness due to the above-mentioned error, the discharge setting value is increased. This brings the thickness (measured) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected within the upper 10% range of the allowable thickness.

[0059] When the content of the storage container 30 becomes low, as shown at time TP3 in Figure 5, even if the discharge setting value is increased in response to the thickness (measured value) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected falling below the upper 10% range of the allowable thickness, the thickness (measured value) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected may not increase.

[0060] The titanium sponge inspection method of this embodiment may further include checking whether the measured thickness falls below the upper 20% range of the allowable thickness after the supply of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected onto the inspection transport device 4 has continued for a predetermined time, and increasing the discharge setting value of the discharge device 31 when the measured thickness falls below the upper 20% range of the allowable thickness, as at time TP4 in Figure 5.

[0061] If the measured thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected falls below the upper 20% of the allowable thickness range after the supply of the titanium sponge 1 to the inspection transport device 4 has continued for a predetermined time (e.g., one minute), it is likely that the amount of material in the storage container 30 has decreased. As the amount of material in the storage container 30 decreases, the amount of material discharged from the discharge device 31 also tends to decrease. By increasing the discharge setting of the discharge device 31 when the amount of material in the storage container 30 decreases, the time required to empty the storage container 30 can be shortened compared to when the discharge setting of the discharge device 31 is maintained without being increased, and the time required for the crushing process can be shortened. In Figure 5, the two-dot chain line shows the trend in the thickness (measured value) of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected when the discharge setting of the discharge device 31 is maintained without being increased.

[0062] The method for producing a titanium sponge according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a step of inspecting the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected by the above-described titanium sponge inspection method.

[0063] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064] For example, the target thickness of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection transporter 4 may be changed depending on the amount or proportion of defective products mixed in with the titanium sponge 1. That is, in the embodiment, the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transporter 4 is changed so that the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection transporter 4 is within the upper 10% range of the allowable thickness. However, if a large number of defective products are expected to be mixed in with the titanium sponge 1, the target thickness of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection transporter 4 may be lowered. When the lower limit of the allowable thickness is set to 0% and the upper limit to 100%, if a particularly large number of defective products are expected, the amount of titanium sponge 1 supplied to the inspection transporter 4 may be changed so that the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 on the inspection transporter 4 is within the range of, for example, 50% to 60% of the allowable thickness. Furthermore, if the number of defective products is not particularly high, the amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected supplied to the inspection and transporting device 4 may be changed so that the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection and transporting device 4 is within the range of 70% to 80% of the value. Note that the approximate amount and proportion of defective products can be confirmed in advance by determining which part of the titanium sponge mass is sampled and crushed. [Example]

[0065] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0066] As comparative examples and examples, the inventors distributed and packaged one lot of titanium sponge into 20 drums in multiple lots on an inspection and packaging line such as the one shown in Figure 1. The particle size of the inspected titanium sponge 1 was set to 0.8 mm or more and 12.7 mm or less, with an upper limit of the allowable thickness set to 12.7 mm and a lower limit of 6 mm.

[0067] In the comparative example, the laser sensors 61, 62, 63 were not used, and feedback control of the discharge device 31 was not performed. In such a comparative example, when a large amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected was supplied to the inspection and transporting equipment 4, the inspection time was short, but the amount of impurities was high (or there was a large amount of defective products mixed in) during inspection in the packaging work, making it more likely to fail. If the titanium sponge in a specific packaging container 20 was unacceptable, the lot produced in the mixing work would also be unacceptable, so the number of rejected lots increased. On the other hand, when a small amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected was supplied to the inspection and transporting equipment 4, the time required for the inspection work was longer.

[0068] In contrast, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, multiple laser sensors 61, 62, and 63 were used to measure the thickness of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected on the inspection transport device 4, and feedback control of the discharge device 31 was performed based on the measured value. The initial discharge setting of the discharge device 31 was set near the lower limit of the allowable thickness, and then the discharge setting was gradually increased until the feed rate of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected was stabilized at the upper limit of the allowable thickness. In this embodiment, although the inspection rate was low immediately after the start, the feed rate could be stabilized at the upper limit of the allowable thickness for a long period of time, resulting in the completion of inspection in a short time. High inspection accuracy was also maintained.

[0069] In the comparative example and the example, four storage containers 30 each storing 2500 kg of the titanium sponge 1 to be inspected were used, and inspection was carried out for each storage container 30 (2500 kg inspection x 4 times).

[0070] In the comparative example, the time required for the inspection work was 46 minutes on average for four runs, but there was a large variation, with the shortest being 37 minutes and the longest being 55 minutes. This was due to variations in the amount of titanium sponge 1 to be inspected discharged from the discharge device 31. The test this time involved inspection of 2500 kg, but the greater the total inspection weight, the greater the difference in the time required for the inspection work, which increased the burden of time adjustment with other processes.

[0071] In contrast, in the example, the time required for inspection work was approximately 38 minutes per inspection. There was almost no variation in the inspection work time, and titanium sponge was produced efficiently in conjunction with other processes.

[0072] The invention described in this specification can also be described as follows. [1] Supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto an inspection transport device; measuring the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device; determining whether the measured thickness is within an acceptable thickness range; and When the measured thickness is outside the range of the allowable thickness, changing the amount of the titanium sponge to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device so that the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device falls within the range of the allowable thickness. Inspection method for titanium sponge, including [2] changing the amount of the titanium sponge to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device so that the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device is within the upper 10% range of the allowable thickness; 2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge as described in paragraph 1. [3] The thickness measurement is performed at a plurality of locations along the width direction of the inspection transport device. 3. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1 or 2. [4] The thickness measurement is performed using a laser sensor. 4. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [5] After measuring the thickness, the titanium sponge to be inspected is inspected. 5. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [6] and when the measured thickness exceeds the upper limit of the allowable thickness, adjusting the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected to fall within the allowable thickness range before the inspection. 6. A method for inspecting titanium sponge as described in paragraph 5. [7] supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device includes supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected stored in a storage container onto a upstream transport device, supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected on the upstream transport device to a homogenizing device, and supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected from the homogenizing device onto the inspection transport device; The outlet width of the homogenization device is 60% or more and 80% or less of the width of the inspection and transport equipment. 7. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [8] the titanium sponge to be inspected is stored in a storage container, and supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device includes discharging the titanium sponge to be inspected from the storage container through a discharge device; When the discharge setting value of the discharge device is set to 0% when the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device is the lower limit of the allowable thickness, and when the discharge setting value is set to 100% when the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device is the upper limit of the allowable thickness, When starting to supply the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device, the discharge setting value is gradually increased from a value of 0% or more and 80% or less. 8. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [9] the titanium sponge to be inspected is stored in a storage container, and the supply of the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device is performed by discharging the titanium sponge to be inspected from the storage container through a discharge device; After the supply of the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device has continued for a predetermined time, it is confirmed whether the measured thickness is below the upper 20% range of the allowable thickness; and increasing the discharge setting of the discharge device when the measured thickness falls below the upper 20% range of the acceptable thickness; further comprising: Item 9. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to any one of items 1 to 8.

[10] 10. A method for producing a titanium sponge, comprising the step of inspecting a titanium sponge to be inspected by the titanium sponge inspection method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1: Titanium sponge to be inspected 4: Inspection and transportation equipment 30: Storage container 31: Discharge device 32: Front-stage transport equipment 33: Homogenizer 33w:Exit width 61, 62, 63: Laser sensors

Claims

1. Supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto an inspection transport device; measuring the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device; determining whether the measured thickness is within an acceptable thickness range; and When the measured thickness is outside the range of the allowable thickness, changing the amount of the titanium sponge to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device so that the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device falls within the range of the allowable thickness. Inspection method for titanium sponge, including

2. changing the amount of the titanium sponge to be inspected supplied to the inspection transport device so that the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device is within the upper 10% range of the allowable thickness; 2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

3. The thickness measurement is performed at a plurality of locations along the width direction of the inspection transport device.

2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

4. The thickness measurement is performed using a laser sensor.

2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

5. After measuring the thickness, the titanium sponge to be inspected is inspected.

2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

6. and when the measured thickness exceeds the upper limit of the allowable thickness, adjusting the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected to fall within the allowable thickness range before the inspection.

6. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 5.

7. supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device includes supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected stored in a storage container onto a upstream transport device, supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected on the upstream transport device to a homogenizing device, and supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected from the homogenizing device onto the inspection transport device; The outlet width of the homogenization device is 60% or more and 80% or less of the width of the inspection and transport device.

2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

8. the titanium sponge to be inspected is stored in a storage container, and supplying the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device includes discharging the titanium sponge to be inspected from the storage container through a discharge device; When the discharge setting value of the discharge device at which the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device becomes the lower limit of the allowable thickness is set to 0% and the discharge setting value at which the thickness of the titanium sponge to be inspected on the inspection transport device becomes the upper limit of the allowable thickness is set to 100%; When starting to supply the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device, the discharge setting value is gradually increased from a value of 0% or more and 80% or less.

2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

9. the titanium sponge to be inspected is stored in a storage container, and the supply of the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device is performed by discharging the titanium sponge to be inspected from the storage container through a discharge device; After the supply of the titanium sponge to be inspected onto the inspection transport device has continued for a predetermined time, it is confirmed whether the measured thickness is below the upper 20% range of the allowable thickness; and increasing the discharge setting of the discharge device when the measured thickness falls below the upper 20% range of the acceptable thickness; further comprising:

2. A method for inspecting titanium sponge according to claim 1.

10. A method for producing a titanium sponge, comprising the step of inspecting a titanium sponge to be inspected by the titanium sponge inspection method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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