Test piece preparation apparatus and test piece preparation method

Abstract

To reduce the time and labor of a worker required for preparing a test piece by preparing the test piece of stable quality regardless of the skill of the worker.SOLUTION: The test piece preparation device 10 is a device for preparing a test piece TP from a sheet material M, and includes a loading unit 20 for loading a standard sized sheet S, which is the sheet material M, a punching unit 40 for punching a test piece TP from one standard sized sheet S at a third stopping position ST3, which is a predetermined punching position, a discharge unit 50 for discharging the test piece TP, and a transport unit 30 for transporting the standard sized sheet S from the loading unit 20 to the third stopping position ST3 and transporting the test piece TP from the third stopping position ST3 to the discharge unit 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for an apparatus used to prepare a test piece and a method for preparing a test piece. [Background technology]

[0002] Materials such as rubber and plastics are subjected to various tests based on standards such as JIS. These tests are sometimes performed using test pieces prepared by punching a sheet of the material into a predetermined shape. For example, a known device for preparing test pieces by punching a sheet of material is disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-160580 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to produce test pieces of stable quality regardless of the skill of the worker, and to reduce the time and worker effort required to produce the test pieces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) The test piece manufacturing device of the present invention is a test piece manufacturing device that manufactures test pieces from sheet-like material, and includes an input section that transports the sheet-like material, a punching section that punches the test piece from one piece of the sheet-like material at a predetermined punching position, an output section that transports the test piece, and a transport section that transports the sheet-like material from the input section to the punching position and transports the test piece from the punching position to the output section.

[0006] The test piece preparation device having the above configuration can automate the test piece preparation process, thereby enabling the preparation of test pieces of consistent quality regardless of the skill level of the operator, and also reducing the time and labor required for test piece preparation.

[0007] (2) It is preferable that the test strip manufacturing device according to the aspect (1) of the present invention further comprises a printing unit that prints on the test strip. The test piece preparation device having the above configuration can automate the task of adding identification information to test pieces, thereby reducing the labor required by an operator to add identification information to test pieces.

[0008] (3) In the test piece preparation device according to the above aspect (1) or (2) of the present invention, it is preferable that the loading section loads the standard sheet material, which is a standard sheet, in a state where multiple sheets are stacked in the thickness direction. According to the test piece preparation device having the above configuration, multiple standardized sheets can be loaded into the test piece preparation device at once. This allows the process of preparing multiple test pieces to be automated. This also makes it possible to simultaneously prepare multiple test pieces with different specifications.

[0009] (4) In the test piece manufacturing device of any one of the aspects (1) to (3) of the present invention, it is preferable that the loading section further includes a supply section that feeds the standard sheet that has been loaded in a stacked state in the stacking direction, and a material separation section that separates one of the standard sheet that has been loaded in a stacked state and is located at an end in the stacking direction. According to the test piece manufacturing device having the above configuration, one standardized sheet can be reliably taken out from a plurality of standardized sheets that are collectively carried into the test piece manufacturing device.

[0010] (5) It is preferable that the test piece manufacturing device according to any one of the aspects (1) to (4) of the present invention further comprises a material confirmation unit that confirms the thickness of the standard sheet separated by the material separation unit. The test piece preparation device having the above configuration can prevent multiple standard sheets from being sent to the punching section in a stacked state. In other words, the number of standard sheets sent to the punching section can be reliably limited to one. This prevents failure in punching test pieces.

[0011] (6) The test piece manufacturing method of the present invention is a test piece manufacturing method for manufacturing test pieces from sheet-like material, and comprises a preparation step of preparing standard sheets by processing the sheet-like material into a standard shape and stacking them in the thickness direction; a removal step of removing one of the standard sheets from the multiple standard sheets stacked in the preparation step; and a punching step of punching the test piece from the one standard sheet removed in the removal step, and the removal step and the punching step are repeated sequentially the same number of times as the number of standard sheets stacked in the preparation step.

[0012] According to the test piece manufacturing method configured as described above, the test piece manufacturing process can be automated, thereby enabling the manufacture of test pieces of consistent quality regardless of the skill level of the operator, and thereby reducing the time and labor required for the manufacture of test pieces.

[0013] (7) It is preferable that the method for producing a test strip according to the aspect (6) of the present invention further comprises a printing step of printing on the test strip. According to the test strip manufacturing method configured as described above, the task of providing identification information to test strips can be automated, thereby reducing the labor required by an operator to provide identification information to test strips.

[0014] (8) It is preferable that the test piece manufacturing method of the present invention according to the (6) or (7) aspect further comprises a confirmation step of confirming the thickness of the standard sheet removed in the removal step after the removal step and before the punching step. The test piece manufacturing device having the above configuration can prevent multiple standard sheets from being sent to the punching process in a stacked state. In other words, the number of standard sheets sent to the punching process can be reliably limited to one. This prevents failure in punching test pieces in the punching process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the test piece preparation process can be automated, thereby enabling test pieces of consistent quality to be prepared regardless of the skill level of the operator, and also reducing the time and labor required for test piece preparation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view illustrating a test piece manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a test piece manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet material, a standardized sheet, and a test piece. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the standard-size sheets are taken out by the material separating unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a test piece manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for producing a test piece using a test piece production device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [Findings that formed the basis of this invention] Conventionally, the work of punching test pieces from sheet-like material has sometimes been performed manually by an operator using the above-mentioned device. In this case, the quality of the test pieces may vary depending on the operator's skill. Furthermore, punching test pieces from sheet-like material requires the operator to operate the device with considerable force. Therefore, when a large number of test pieces are to be produced, the operator's labor is considerable. Furthermore, the test pieces must be assigned identification information such as classification and number. Conventionally, the assignment of identification information to test pieces has been performed manually by an operator, which may result in errors such as mix-ups and typos. Furthermore, when a large number of test pieces are to be produced, the time and labor required to assign identification information is considerable.

[0018] Therefore, in order to make it possible to produce test pieces of stable quality regardless of the skill of the worker, and to reduce the time and labor required to produce the test pieces, the inventors of the present application have conducted extensive research into a test piece production device and production method.

[0019] [Overall configuration of the test piece preparation device] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a test piece preparation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating a test piece preparation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a test piece preparation apparatus 10, which is one embodiment of the test piece preparation apparatus according to the present invention. The test piece preparation apparatus 10 of this embodiment is an apparatus that prepares test pieces (test pieces TP, described later) used to measure the physical properties of rubber that constitutes pneumatic tires. As shown in FIG. 1, the test piece preparation apparatus 10 includes an input section 20, a conveying section 30, a punching section 40, an output section 50, a material confirmation section 60, and a printing section 70. Note that the material from which the test pieces prepared by the test piece preparation apparatus 10 are made may be synthetic resins such as plastics, and is not limited to rubber. Note that the material confirmation section 60 and the printing section 70 may be omitted from the test piece preparation apparatus 10 of the present invention.

[0020] (For sheet materials, standard sheets, and test specimens) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet material, a standardized sheet, and a test piece. As shown in FIG. 3, the test piece preparation device 10 prepares a test piece TP from a sheet material M made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like. The test piece TP prepared by the test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment is a dumbbell-shaped tensile test piece (Type A3) specified in JIS K7139. Note that the test piece TP prepared by the test piece preparation device 10 of the present invention may also be a rectangular test piece (Type B3) specified in JIS K7139.

[0021] When preparing test pieces TP using the test piece preparation device 10, first, a sheet material M is processed into a predetermined shape (rectangular in this embodiment) to prepare a standardized sheet S. Then, the test piece preparation device 10 punches out the standardized sheet S into the predetermined shape to prepare test pieces TP. The test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment punches out one standardized sheet S with a punching blade (punching blade 42, described later) to prepare three test pieces TP at a time. Identification information J is assigned to the test pieces TP. The identification information J includes information identifying the lot of the standardized sheet S, the processing conditions, the person in charge, etc. In this description, the material remaining after punching out the test pieces TP from the standardized sheet S is referred to as a remainder RP. The number of test pieces TP prepared at one time by the test piece preparation device 10 of the present invention may be one or two, or may be four or more.

[0022] (Device body) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the test piece preparation device 10 comprises an apparatus main body 11 and a cover 12. The apparatus main body 11 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses various devices inside. The upper surface of the apparatus main body 11 is a work table 15. The work table 15 is the area where the work of punching test pieces TP from the standard sheet S is performed. The cover 12 is made of steel, acrylic plate, etc. The work table 15 is covered and protected by the cover 12. Although not shown in the figures, the cover 12 has an appropriate opening and closing door. Therefore, the user can access the work table 15 through the opening and closing door. In Figure 2 and the following description, the illustration and description of the cover 12 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0023] In the test piece manufacturing device 10, a plurality of (five in this embodiment) stop positions ST (ST1 to ST5) are set on the work table 15. The stop positions ST are positions where the standardized sheet S or test piece TP being transported on the work table 15 is temporarily stopped. The standardized sheet S or test piece TP stopped at each stop position ST (ST1 to ST5) is subjected to processing etc. according to that stop position ST while temporarily stopped.

[0024] The first stop position ST1 is a position where the standard sheet S transferred from the carry-in section 20 onto the work table 15 is first placed. The second stop position ST2 is a position where the quantity of the standard sheet S is inspected, and is located downstream of the first stop position ST1 in the transport direction of the standard sheet S. The third stop position ST3 is a position where the test strip TP is punched out of the standard sheet S (a predetermined punching position), and is located downstream of the second stop position ST2 in the transport direction of the standard sheet S. The fourth stop position ST4 is a position where the identification information J is printed on the test strip TP, and is located downstream of the third stop position ST3 in the transport direction of the test strip TP. The fifth stop position ST5 is a removal position on the work table 15 where the test strip TP is transferred to the carry-out section 50, and is located downstream of the fourth stop position ST4 in the transport direction of the test strip TP. In addition, in the test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment, due to the configuration of the device, the first stop position ST1 and the fifth stop position ST5 are at the same position, but in the test piece preparation device 10 of the present invention, the first stop position ST1 and the fifth stop position ST5 may be at different positions.

[0025] (Loading area) The loading section 20 is a section that loads the standard sheet S into the interior of the test piece preparation apparatus 10, and includes a supply section 21. The supply section 21 is a section that supplies the standard sheet S into the interior of the test piece preparation apparatus 10. The supply section 21 includes a casing 22, a stage 23, and a first actuator 24. The casing 22 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container that can accommodate multiple stacked standard sheets S. The casing 22 includes a first opening 22a and a second opening 22b. The casing 22 is provided on the device body 11 so that the first opening 22a opens to the side of the device body 11 and the second opening 22b opens to the top surface (workbench 15) of the device body 11. The internal space of the casing 22 is a space that can store multiple standard sheets S to be loaded into the interior of the test piece preparation apparatus 10.

[0026] The stage 23 is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction inside the casing 22. The stage 23 is a portion on which multiple stacked standard sheets S are placed. Note that only one standard sheet S may be placed on the stage 23. The stage 23 is displaced in the vertical direction inside the casing 22 by operation of the first actuator 24. A user carries the standard sheet S into the casing 22 through the first opening 22a. The standard sheet S placed on the stage 23 is raised by operation of the first actuator 24 and sent onto the work table 15 through the second opening 22b.

[0027] As described above, in the test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment, the standardized sheets S are loaded into the loading section 20 in a state where they are stacked in the thickness direction. With the test piece preparation device 10 configured in this way, multiple standardized sheets S can be loaded into the test piece preparation device 10 at once. This makes it possible to automate the process of preparing multiple test pieces TP. This also makes it possible to simultaneously prepare multiple test pieces TP with different specifications.

[0028] (Transportation section) The transport unit 30 is a section that transports the standard sheet S or test piece TP on the workbench 15, and is equipped with a transfer arm 31 and a turntable 32. The transport unit 30 transports the standard sheet S from the carry-in unit 20 to the punching unit 40, and transports the test piece TP and remaining portion RP from the punching unit 40 to the carry-out unit 50. The transport unit 30 transports the standard sheet S from the carry-in unit 20 to the first stop position ST1, the second stop position ST2, and the third stop position ST3, in that order, and transports the test piece TP and remaining portion RP from the third stop position ST3 to the fourth stop position ST4, the fifth stop position ST5, and the carry-out unit 50, in that order.

[0029] The transfer arm 31 is configured from a member having an L-shape in a plan view and includes a first arm 31a and a second arm 31b. In other words, in a plan view, the angle formed by an imaginary extension line of the first arm 31a and an imaginary extension line of the second arm 31b is 90 degrees. The transfer arm 31 includes a shaft 31c extending in the vertical direction at the intersection of the first arm 31a and the second arm 31b.

[0030] The transport unit 30 further includes a third actuator 33. The third actuator 33 reciprocates around the shaft 31c in the forward and reverse directions. This causes the transfer arm 31 to reciprocate around the shaft 31c. The first arm 31a is reciprocally rotated between a position where its end portion 31d is positioned directly above the first opening 22a of the carry-in unit 20 and a position where it is positioned directly above the first stop position ST1. The second arm 31b is reciprocally rotated between a position where its end portion 31e is positioned directly above the first opening 51a of the carry-out unit 50 and a position where it is positioned directly above the fifth stop position ST5. When the end portion 31d of the first arm 31a is positioned directly above the first opening 22a of the carry-in unit 20, the end portion 31e of the second arm 31b is positioned directly above the fifth stop position ST5. When the hand 31d of the first arm 31a of the transfer arm 31 is positioned directly above the first stop position ST1, the hand 31e of the second arm 31b is positioned directly above the first opening 51a of the carry-out section 50.

[0031] The transfer arm 31 further includes a first suction portion 35 and a second suction portion 36. The first suction portion 35 is provided on the end portion 31d of the first arm 31a and sucks the standard-size sheet S placed at the top of the carry-in section 20 and releases the suction of the standard-size sheet S at the first stop position ST1. The first suction portion 35 is provided on the end portion 31d of the first arm 31a via a fifth actuator 37. The first suction portion 35 is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction by operation of the fifth actuator 37. The second suction portion 36 is provided on the end portion 31e of the second arm 31b and sucks the test strip TP and the remnant portion RP at the fifth stop position ST5 and releases the suction of the test strip TP and the remnant portion RP at the carry-out section 50. The second suction portion 36 is provided on the end portion 31e of the second arm 31b via a sixth actuator 38. The second suction portion 36 is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction by the operation of a sixth actuator 38.

[0032] The test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment employs a sponge-like suction pad having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as the first suction unit 35. The sponge-like first suction unit 35 has a suction surface over substantially the entire lower surface, allowing it to adsorb the standard sheet S over substantially the entire lower surface, thereby reliably adsorbing the standard sheet S. The test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment employs multiple suction cups as the second suction unit 36. The second suction unit 36, which is comprised of multiple suction cups, can adsorb the test piece TP and the remaining portion RP while avoiding the position of the slits, thereby reliably adsorbing the test piece TP and the remaining portion RP as a single unit. The first suction unit 35 and the second suction unit 36 ​​are each connected to a vacuum exhaust system (such as a vacuum pump) via a valve (not shown). The first suction unit 35 and the second suction unit 36 ​​are capable of adsorbing the target object when the valve is opened.

[0033] The turntable 32 includes a table portion 32a that is circular in a plan view, and a shaft portion 32b that is located at the center of the table portion 32a. The transport unit 30 further includes a fourth actuator 34 that rotationally drives the shaft portion 32b. The turntable 32 is driven to rotate the shaft portion 32b intermittently in 90-degree increments around its axis (clockwise in this embodiment) by operation of the fourth actuator 34.

[0034] The turntable 32 has a mounting portion 32c on the upper surface of the table portion 32a. The mounting portion 32c is where the standard sheet S, test piece TP, and remaining portion RP are placed. The transport unit 30 of this embodiment has four mounting portions 32c on the upper surface of the table portion 32a. The four mounting portions 32c are rotated by 90 degrees around the axis of the shaft portion 32b. The four mounting portions 32c are rotated sequentially to one of the first stop position ST1 (fifth stop position ST5), second stop position ST2, third stop position ST3, and fourth stop position ST4. In the test piece manufacturing device 10 of this embodiment, the turntable 32 is made of monomer cast nylon. Therefore, the turntable 32 is resistant to scratches even when it comes into contact with a punching blade (punching blade 42, described later) in the punching unit 40, and is strong enough to withstand the pressure from the punching blade. In this embodiment, the transport unit 30 includes a turntable 32, but the transport unit 30 constituting the test piece manufacturing apparatus 10 of the present invention may be, for example, a belt conveyor. In this case, the placement units 32c are arranged in a straight line with a gap therebetween. In this case, the first stop position ST1 and the fifth stop position ST5 are different positions.

[0035] (Punching section) The punching unit 40 is a section that punches out test pieces TP from the standard sheet S and includes a press device 41 and a punching blade 42. In the test piece preparation device 10, the punching unit 40 is positioned at the third stop position ST3. In the punching unit 40, the press device 41 can press the punching blade 42 against the standard sheet S transported to the third stop position ST3. The punching blade 42 is a cutter blade that can punch out the standard sheet S to dimensions specified in JIS K7139 (dumbbell-shaped tensile test piece). This allows the punching unit 40 to punch out the test pieces TP from the standard sheet S. It is more preferable that the punching blade 42 include a pressing mechanism equipped with a plunger, a pressure plate, etc., inside the punching blade 42. In this case, the pressing mechanism can prevent the test pieces TP from remaining in the punching blade 42 after the test pieces TP have been punched out of the standard sheet S. It is more preferable that the presser plate that comes into contact with the test piece TP when punching out the test piece TP is subjected to a surface treatment to improve the releasability of the test piece TP.

[0036] (Export section) The discharge section 50 is a section for discharging the test pieces TP and the remainder portion RP from the test piece preparation apparatus 10. The discharge section 50 comprises a casing 51, a stage 52, and a seventh actuator 53. The casing 51 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box capable of accommodating a plurality of stacked test pieces TP and the remainder portion RP. The casing 51 comprises a first opening 51a and a second opening 51b. The casing 51 is provided on the device body 11 so that the first opening 51a opens to the side of the device body 11 and the second opening 51b opens to the top surface (workbench 15) of the device body 11. The internal space of the casing 51 is a space capable of storing a plurality of test pieces TP and the remainder portion RP to be discharged from the test piece preparation apparatus 10.

[0037] The stage 52 is configured to be vertically displaceable within the casing 51. The stage 52 is a portion on which a plurality of stacked test pieces TP and remnant portions RP are placed. The stage 52 is displaced vertically within the casing 51 by the operation of a seventh actuator 53. The discharge unit 50 includes a sensor (not shown) disposed on the work table 15. The sensor can detect test pieces TP and remnant portions RP located above the upper surface of the work table 15. The seventh actuator 53 is activated when the test pieces TP and remnant portions RP are detected by the sensor and is stopped when the test pieces TP and remnant portions RP are no longer detected by the sensor. As a result, the stage 52 is displaced downward by a distance equivalent to the thickness of one test piece TP or remnant portion RP each time a test piece TP or remnant portion RP is placed on the stage 52. The test piece TP and remaining part RP placed on the stage 52 are lowered by the operation of the seventh actuator 53 and sent into the casing 51 through the second opening 51b. The user carries the test piece TP and remaining part RP out of the casing 51 through the first opening 51a.

[0038] (Materials Verification Department) The material confirmation unit 60 is a section that confirms whether only one standard sheet S has been transferred onto the workbench 15. In the test piece preparation device 10, the material confirmation unit 60 is arranged at the second stop position ST2. The material confirmation unit 60 includes a sensor 61. The test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment uses a sensor (infrared sensor) capable of detecting the distance to an object as the sensor 61. The sensor 61 detects the distance from the sensor 61 to the standard sheet S arranged at the second stop position ST2. The test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment determines whether only one standard sheet S has been transferred onto the workbench 15, or two or more standard sheets S, based on the detection result of the sensor 61 (the distance to the standard sheet S). Note that the sensor 61 constituting the material confirmation unit 60 is not limited to a sensor capable of detecting distance, and may be, for example, a sensor capable of detecting weight.

[0039] As described above, the test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment further includes a material confirmation unit 60 that confirms the thickness of the standard-sized sheets S separated by the material separation unit 25. The test piece preparation device 10 configured in this manner can prevent multiple standard-sized sheets S from being sent to the punching unit 40 in an overlapping state. In other words, it is possible to ensure that only one standard-sized sheet S is sent to the punching unit 40. This prevents failure in punching the test piece TP. This is particularly useful when the standard-sized sheets S are made of a rubber material, as overlaps can easily occur due to their adhesiveness.

[0040] (Printing section) The printing unit 70 is a section that prints identification information J (lot number, etc.) of the test strip TP on the test strip TP. In the test strip preparation device 10, the printing unit 70 is arranged at the fourth stop position ST4. The printing unit 70 includes a printer 71 and a controller 72. The printing unit 70 uses the printer 71 to print the identification information J on the test strip TP that has been transported to the third stop position ST3.

[0041] The user inputs the identification information J of the test piece TP to the controller 72 in advance. In this embodiment, the controller 72 can read a data file in which the identification information J of the standard sheet S (test piece TP) is written in the order of arrival, and can easily output the identification information J of the test piece TP arranged in the order of arrival to the printer 71. In the test piece production device 10 of this embodiment, if the data file is prepared in advance and the data file is read into the controller 72, the printing unit 70 can automatically print the identification information J on the test piece TP.

[0042] As described above, the test piece preparation device 10 further includes a printing unit 70 that prints on the test piece TP. With the test piece preparation device 10 configured as described above, the task of providing the identification information J to the test piece TP can be automated. This reduces the labor required by the operator to provide the identification information J to the test piece TP.

[0043] (Details of the loading section) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the removal of a standard sheet by the material separation unit. As shown in FIG. 4, the loading unit 20 further includes a material separation unit 25. The material separation unit 25 removes only the topmost standard sheet S from a stack of multiple standard sheets S placed on the stage 23. The material separation unit 25 includes a scraper 26, a second actuator 27, and an air nozzle 28. The scraper 26 is a wedge-shaped member that is inserted into and removed from the gap between the topmost standard sheet S of the stack of multiple standard sheets S and the standard sheet S directly below it. The scraper 26 is reciprocated horizontally along the top surface of the work table 15 by the operation of the second actuator 27. The air nozzle 28 is connected to an air supply source (not shown) and can blow air toward the gap. A solenoid valve (not shown) is provided between the air nozzle 28 and the supply source. The air nozzle 28 can jet air while the solenoid valve is open.

[0044] (Operation of the loading and transport sections) As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 4, in the supply unit 21, the stage 23 is displaced upward by the operation of the first actuator 24. The standard sheet S located at the top of the multiple standard sheets S placed on the stage 23 is eventually sent to a position above the upper surface of the work table 15. The supply unit 21 includes a sensor (not shown) arranged on the work table 15. The sensor detects that the top standard sheet S is positioned above the upper surface of the work table 15. The first actuator 24 displaces the stage 23 upward until the standard sheet S is detected by the sensor.

[0045] Next, as shown in the middle of Figure 4, the material separating unit 25 inserts the scraper 26 into the gap between the topmost standard sheet S and the standard sheet S located immediately below it by operating the second actuator 27. In this state, the material separating unit 25 further uses the air nozzle 28 to blow air into the gap into which the scraper 26 has been inserted. In this way, the material separating unit 25 can separate the topmost standard sheet S in the supply unit 21 from the standard sheet S located immediately below it.

[0046] Next, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 4, the conveying unit 30 adsorbs the standard sheet S located at the top of the supply unit 21 using the first adsorption unit 35, and then rotates the first arm 31a to convey only one standard sheet S to the first stop position ST1.

[0047] As described above, in the test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment, the carry-in unit 20 further includes a supply unit 21 that feeds the standardized sheets S that have been carried in a stacked state in the stacking direction, and a material separation unit 25 that separates one standardized sheet S located at an end in the stacking direction from the standardized sheets S that have been carried in a stacked state. With the test piece preparation device 10 configured in this way, it is possible to reliably remove one standardized sheet S from the multiple standardized sheets S that have been carried in together into the test piece preparation device 10.

[0048] (Control unit) FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a test piece preparation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The test piece preparation device 10 further includes a control unit 80 shown in FIG. 5. The control unit 80 controls the operation of each component of the test piece preparation device 10. The control unit 80 may be a personal computer or other control device, on which are installed a control program for controlling the operation of the loading unit 20, a control program for transporting the standardized sheet S and the test piece TP by the transport unit 30, a control program for punching the test piece TP from the standardized sheet S by the punching unit 40, a control program for controlling the operation of the unloading unit 50, a control program for controlling the operation of the material confirmation unit 60, and a control program for controlling the operation of the printing unit 70. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 80 is connected to the first actuator 24, the second actuator 27, the third actuator 33, the fourth actuator 34, the first suction unit 35, the second suction unit 36, the fifth actuator 37, the sixth actuator 38, the seventh actuator 53, the press device 41, the sensor 61, and the printer 71.

[0049] (Procedure for transporting standard sheets and test pieces by the transport unit) 2, the transfer arm 31 is rotated by the operation of the third actuator 33 back and forth between a first phase in which the first suction portion 35 on the end portion 31d of the first arm 31a is positioned directly above the second opening 22b and the second suction portion 36 on the end portion 31e of the second arm 31b is positioned directly above the fifth stop position ST5 (first stop position ST1), and a second phase in which the end portion 31d (first suction portion 35) of the first arm 31a is positioned directly above the first stop position ST1 (fifth stop position ST5) and the second suction portion 36 on the end portion 31e of the second arm 31b is positioned directly above the second opening 51b. The phase difference between the first phase and the second phase is 90 degrees.

[0050] The placement unit 32c positioned at the first stop position ST1 receives a single standard-size sheet S taken out from the carry-in unit 20 and transfers it thereto by the first arm 31a.

[0051] The standard-size sheet S transferred to the placement section 32c located at the first stop position ST1 is then conveyed to the second stop position ST2 by the rotation of the turntable 32.

[0052] The material confirmation unit 60 confirms the number of standard-size sheets S on the placement unit 32c located at the second stop position ST2.

[0053] The material confirmation unit 60 detects the distance to the standard sheet S at the second stop position ST2 using the sensor 61. The control unit 80 calculates the number of standard sheets S located at the second stop position ST2 based on the distance detected by the sensor 61. Then, the control unit 80 controls the operation of the test piece preparation device 10 based on the calculated number of standard sheets S.

[0054] The standard sheet S on the mounting section 32c located at the third stop position ST3 is punched by the punching section 40 to become a test piece TP and a remnant portion RP. The test piece TP and the remnant portion RP on the mounting section 32c located at the third stop position ST3 are then transported to the fourth stop position ST4 by the rotation of the turntable 32.

[0055] The test strip TP and remaining portion RP on the mounting portion 32c located at the fourth stop position ST4 are printed with identification information J by the printing unit 70. The test strip TP and remaining portion RP located at the fourth stop position ST4 are then transported to the fifth stop position ST5 by the rotation of the turntable 32.

[0056] The test piece TP and the remaining portion RP on the placement portion 32c located at the fifth stop position ST5 are then transferred to the discharge portion 50 by the second arm 31b.

[0057] Through the above procedure, the transport unit 30 transports the standard sheet S from the carry-in unit 20 to the third stop position ST3, and transports the test strip TP and remaining portion RP from the third stop position ST3 to the carry-out unit 50.

[0058] As described above, the test piece preparation apparatus 10 of this embodiment is an apparatus for preparing test pieces TP from a sheet material M. It includes an input section 20 for inputting a standardized sheet S, which is the sheet material M; a punching section 40 for punching a test piece TP from one standardized sheet S at a predetermined punching position, the third stop position ST3; an output section 50 for outputting the test piece TP; and a transport section 30 for transporting the standardized sheet S from the input section 20 to the third stop position ST3 and transporting the test piece TP from the third stop position ST3 to the output section 50. The test piece preparation apparatus 10 configured in this manner automates the preparation of test pieces TP, thereby enabling the preparation of test pieces TP of consistent quality regardless of the operator's skill level. This also reduces the time and labor required to prepare the test pieces TP.

[0059] [Test specimen preparation method] 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for producing a test piece using a test piece production device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, a method for producing a test piece TP using a test piece production device 10 (see FIG. 1) will be described.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the method for producing a test piece TP using the test piece production device 10 first performs a preparation step (S01). In the preparation step (S01), the user prepares a plurality of standard sheets S (N sheets in this embodiment) stacked in the thickness direction. When producing a test piece TP using the test piece production device 10, the standard sheets S may be loaded into the loading section 20 one by one. In this case, the preparation step (S01) may be omitted.

[0061] In the preparation step (S01), the user determines the stacking order of N standard sheets S. Then, the user creates a data file in which the identification information J for each standard sheet S from the first standard sheet S to the Nth standard sheet S is written in the stacking order, and causes the controller 72 of the printing unit 70 to read the data file.

[0062] Next, a removal step (S02) is performed in the method for producing a test piece TP using the test piece production device 10. The removal step (S02) is a step of removing only one standard-sized sheet S from the plurality of standard-sized sheets S arranged in the carry-in section 20.

[0063] In the removal step (S02), the control unit 80 activates the first actuator 24 to lift the stage 23 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of one standard sheet S. Then, the supply unit 21 supplies the topmost standard sheet S among the standard sheets S arranged on the stage 23 above the upper surface of the work table 15.

[0064] In the removal process (S02), the control unit 80 then operates the material separation unit 25 to separate the topmost standard sheet S among the standard sheets S arranged on the stage 23 from the standard sheet S located directly below it.

[0065] In the removal step (S02), the control unit 80 then activates the fifth actuator 37 to lower the first suction unit 35 and causes the first suction unit 35 to adsorb the uppermost (single separated) standard sheet S. The control unit 80 then activates the fifth actuator 37 to raise the first suction unit 35 and activates the third actuator 33 to rotate the first arm 31a. As a result, the single standard sheet S adsorbed by the first suction unit 35 is positioned directly above the first stop position ST1.

[0066] The control unit 80 then activates the fifth actuator 37 to lower the first suction unit 35 and releases the suction of the standard sheet S by the first suction unit 35. In this way, the conveying unit 30 transfers the standard sheet S from the input unit 20 onto the placement unit 32c located at the first stop position ST1.

[0067] In the method for producing a test piece TP using the test piece production device 10, a confirmation step (S03) is next performed. The confirmation step (S03) is a step for confirming the number of standard sheets S placed at the second stop position ST2. In the confirmation step (S03), the control unit 80 determines the number of standard sheets S placed at the second stop position ST2 based on the detection result of the sensor 61.

[0068] In the confirmation step (S03), if the control unit 80 determines that the number of standard-size sheets S transported to the second stop position ST2 is one, it operates the fourth actuator 34 to rotate the turntable 32 and transport the standard-size sheet S arranged at the second stop position ST2 to the third stop position ST3. On the other hand, if it determines that the number of standard-size sheets S is two or more, the control unit 80 temporarily stops the test piece preparation device 10. In this case, it is preferable to notify the user that an abnormality has occurred in the test piece preparation device 10 using an alarm device or the like (not shown).

[0069] In the method for producing a test piece TP using the test piece production apparatus 10, the next step is a punching step (S04). The punching step (S04) is a step in which the standard-size sheet S located at the third stop position ST3 is punched out using the press device 41 and the punching blade 42. In the punching step (S04), the control unit 80 operates the press device 41. The press device 41 presses the punching blade 42 against the upper surface of the standard-size sheet S on the mounting unit 32c located at the third stop position ST3 with a predetermined pressure. This punches out the test piece TP from the standard-size sheet S. After the punching step (S04), the standard-size sheet S becomes the test piece TP and a remnant portion RP. Note that in this embodiment, the test piece TP is transported together with the remnant portion RP after the punching step (S04). However, the test piece TP and the remnant portion RP may be completely separated in the punching step (S04), and only the test piece TP may be transported.

[0070] In this way, the method for producing a test piece TP using the test piece production device 10 includes a confirmation step (S03) after the removal step (S02) and before the punching step (S04), in which the thickness of the standard-sized sheet S removed in the removal step (S02) is confirmed. This method for producing a test piece TP can prevent multiple standard-sized sheets S from being sent to the punching step (S04) in a stacked state. In other words, it can ensure that only one standard-sized sheet S is sent to the punching step (S04). This can prevent failure in punching the test piece TP in the punching step (S04).

[0071] Next, the control unit 80 rotates the turntable 32 by actuating the fourth actuator 34, and transports the test piece TP and the remainder RP placed at the third stop position ST3 to the fourth stop position ST4.

[0072] In the method for producing a test strip TP using the test strip production device 10, the printing step (S05) is next performed. The printing step (S05) is a step of printing identification information J on the test strip TP placed at the fourth stop position ST4. In the printing step (S05), the control unit 80 operates the printer 71. The controller 72 sends the identification information J corresponding to each standard sheet S to the printer 71 in the stacking order (1 to N) determined in the preparation step (S01). The printer 71 prints the identification information J sent from the controller 72 on each test strip TP in the stacking order.

[0073] As described above, the method for producing a test strip TP using the test strip production device 10 includes a printing step (S05) for printing on the test strip TP. According to this method for producing a test strip TP, the task of providing the identification information J to the test strip TP can be automated. This reduces the labor required by the operator to provide the identification information J to the test strip TP.

[0074] Next, the control unit 80 rotates the turntable 32 by actuating the fourth actuator 34, and transports the test piece TP and the remainder RP placed at the fourth stop position ST4 to the fifth stop position ST5.

[0075] Next, a carry-out step (S06) is performed in the method for producing the test piece TP using the test piece production apparatus 10. The carry-out step (S06) is a step of carrying out the test piece TP and the remaining part RP located at the fifth stop position ST5 to the outside of the test piece production apparatus 10.

[0076] In the removal process (S06), the control unit 80 activates the sixth actuator 38 to lower the second suction portion 36, and causes the second suction portion 36 to adsorb the test piece TP and remaining portion RP placed at the fifth stop position ST5.

[0077] The control unit 80 then activates the sixth actuator 38 to raise the second suction unit 36, and also activates the third actuator 33 to rotate the second arm 31b. As a result, the test piece TP and the remainder RP held by the second suction unit 36 ​​are positioned directly above the second opening 51b of the discharge unit 50.

[0078] The control unit 80 then activates the sixth actuator 38 to lower the second suction unit 36 ​​and releases the suction of the test piece TP and the remaining part RP by the second suction unit 36. This causes the test piece TP and the remaining part RP to be transferred onto the stage 52 of the carry-out unit 50.

[0079] In the carrying-out step (S06), the control unit 80 actuates the seventh actuator 53 each time the second arm 31b transfers a test piece TP and a remaining portion RP, thereby lowering the stage 52 by a distance equivalent to the thickness of one test piece TP and one remaining portion RP. The test piece manufacturing device 10 then stacks the test pieces TP and the remaining portions RP on the stage 52 as needed. The user then removes the test pieces TP and the remaining portions RP stacked inside the casing 51 from the first opening 51a.

[0080] The user removes the test piece TP and the remaining portion RP from the discharge section 50 and manually separates the test piece TP from the remaining portion RP. As described above, the test piece preparation device 10 can automate the process of preparing the test piece TP from the standard sheet S. Furthermore, the test piece preparation device 10 of this embodiment can also automate the process of assigning identification information J to the test piece TP.

[0081] In the method for producing the test piece TP using the test piece production device 10, the steps from the removal step (S02) to the carry-out step (S06) are repeatedly performed the same number of times as the number of standard sheets S stacked in the preparation step (S01).

[0082] As described above, the method for producing a test piece TP using the test piece production apparatus 10 of this embodiment is a method for producing a test piece TP from a standard sheet S, which is a sheet-like material M, and includes a preparation step (S01) for preparing multiple standard sheets S, which are formed by processing the sheet-like material M into a standard shape, stacked in the thickness direction; a removal step (S02) for removing one standard sheet S from the multiple standard sheets S stacked in the preparation step (S01); and a punching step (S04) for punching a test piece TP from one standard sheet S removed in the removal step (S02); and the removal step (S02) and the punching step (S04) are repeated sequentially the same number of times as the number of standard sheets S stacked in the preparation step (S01). According to the method for producing the test piece TP configured as described above, the work of producing the test piece TP can be automated, which makes it possible to produce test pieces TP of stable quality regardless of the skill level of the operator, and also reduces the time and labor required to produce the test piece TP. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] The test piece preparation device and test piece preparation method described above can be widely applied not only to the preparation of rubber test pieces used in tire manufacturing, but also to the preparation of test pieces made of synthetic resins including plastics. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10: Test piece preparation device 20: Loading area 21: Supply section 22: Material separation section 30: Transport unit 40: Punching section 50: Unloading section 60: Material confirmation section 70: Printing section TP: Test piece M: Sheet material S: Standard sheet J:Identification information ST3: 3rd station (punching position) S01: Preparation process S02: Removal process S03: Confirmation process S04: Punching process S05: Printing process

Claims

1. A test piece preparation device for preparing a test piece from a sheet-like material, a loading section for loading the sheet material; a punching unit that punches the test piece from one of the sheet-like materials at a predetermined punching position; a discharge unit that discharges the test piece; a transport section that transports the sheet material from the loading section to the punching position and transports the test piece from the punching position to the unloading section.

2. The test strip preparation device according to claim 1 , further comprising a printing unit that prints on the test strip.

3. 3. The test piece manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of standard sheets, which are the sheet-shaped material of a standard shape, are loaded into the loading section in a state where they are stacked in the thickness direction.

4. The loading section includes: a supply unit that sends the standard-size sheets that are carried in a stacked state in a stacking direction; a material separating unit that separates one of the standard-size sheets that is located at an end in the stacking direction from the standard-size sheets that are carried in a stacked state; The test piece preparation device according to claim 3 , further comprising:

5. The test piece manufacturing device according to claim 4 , further comprising a material confirmation unit that confirms the thickness of the standard sheet separated by the material separation unit.

6. A test piece preparation method for preparing a test piece from a sheet-like material, comprising: a preparation step of laminating a plurality of standard sheets obtained by processing the sheet-like material into a standard shape in a thickness direction; a removing step of removing one of the standard sheets from the plurality of standard sheets stacked in the preparation step; a punching step of punching the test piece from the one fixed-size sheet taken out in the taking-out step, A test piece manufacturing method in which the removing step and the punching step are repeatedly performed in sequence for the number of standard sheets stacked in the preparation step.

7. The test strip manufacturing method according to claim 6 , further comprising a printing step of printing on the test strip.

8. 8. The test piece manufacturing method according to claim 6, further comprising a confirmation step of confirming the thickness of the standard sheet removed in the removal step after the removal step and before the punching step.

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