Equipment and methods for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments

Abstract

The present invention provides equipment and methods for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments. [Solution] The writing instrument manufacturing equipment includes an uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3, a coated writing instrument conveyor 4, and a primer coating device 5 and a molten plastic coating device 6. The controller is configured to perform the steps of spraying primer onto the writing instrument, applying a coating drying treatment to the writing instrument, applying a molten plastic coating treatment to the writing instrument, applying a coating cooling treatment to the writing instrument, and transporting the cooled writing instrument. This embodiment not only improves the feel of the writing instrument when held, but also further improves the user's comfort and safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiment forms of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of manufacturing writing instruments coated with plastic, and particularly relate to equipment and methods for manufacturing writing instruments coated with plastic.

Background Art

[0002] Writing instruments are tools widely used for writing and sketching. Currently, common commercially available writing instruments are usually made of wood and have paint coated on the outer layer.

[0003] However, in the process of using this type of writing instrument, there are usually the following technical problems: First, conventional wooden writing instruments have a hard texture. After long-term use, calluses may form on the fingers, and the comfort of use may deteriorate. Also, the coating on the outer layer of the writing instrument is very easy to peel off. If a child accidentally swallows it, there is a possibility of health hazards. Second, currently, when manufacturing writing instruments, defective writing instruments are often excluded from the production line through manual visual inspection. This method has high labor costs, is time-consuming, and is prone to omissions.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this background art paragraph is only for deepening the understanding of the background of the technical idea of the present invention, and may include information that does not constitute prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The summary paragraph of the present disclosure is used to introduce the technical idea in a simplified form. These technical ideas will be specifically described in the embodiment paragraphs below. The summary paragraph of the present disclosure is not intended to identify important or essential features of the claimed technical means, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed technical means.

[0006] Some embodiments of this disclosure propose equipment and methods for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments to solve one or more of the technical problems mentioned in the background art paragraphs above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In a first embodiment, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a manufacturing apparatus for plastic-coated writing instruments, comprising a writing instrument conveyor, a coating apparatus, a baking apparatus, a cooling apparatus, and a controller. The writing instrument conveyor comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor, wherein the uncoated writing instrument conveyor and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected, and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor and the coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected. The coating apparatus comprises a primer-coating apparatus and a molten plastic coating apparatus, wherein the primer-coating apparatus is located above the uncoated writing instrument conveyor, the molten plastic coating apparatus is located between the baking apparatus and the cooling apparatus, the baking apparatus is configured to dry the primer-coated writing instruments, the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor passes through the baking apparatus, and the cooling apparatus is configured to cool the molten plastic-coated writing instruments. The coated writing instrument conveyor passes through the cooling device, and the writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device, and the cooling device are communicated to the controller, which is configured to perform the following steps: control the primer coating device to spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor; control the baking device to perform a paint drying treatment on the writing instruments on the primer coated writing instrument conveyor; control the molten plastic coating device to perform a molten plastic coating treatment on the painted and dried writing instruments and move the molten plastic coated writing instruments onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor; control the cooling device to perform a coating cooling treatment on the writing instruments on the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor; and control the coated writing instrument conveyor to transport the cooled writing instruments.

[0008] Alternatively, the above-mentioned plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment further comprises a heating device and a molten plastic transport device, wherein the heating device comprises a heating container with a solid plastic supply port, a pigment paste supply port and a molten plastic discharge port, and the molten plastic transport device comprises a molten plastic transport pipe and pipe insulation material, wherein the pipe insulation material is wrapped around the outside of the molten plastic transport pipe, and the molten plastic transport pipe and the molten plastic discharge port are screw-connected.

[0009] Alternatively, the controller is configured to further control the heating container within the heating device to heat and stir the solid plastic and pigment paste transported from the solid plastic supply port and the pigment paste supply port, and to discharge the stirred molten plastic from the molten plastic discharge port.

[0010] Alternatively, the molten plastic coating apparatus comprises a spray rail and a spray gun, the spray rail being aligned and connected to the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, respectively, the spray gun being suspended above the molten plastic transport apparatus, the spray gun and the molten plastic transport piping being screw-connected, and the controller performing the steps of controlling the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the coated and dried writing instruments, moving the molten plastic-coated writing instruments onto the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and controlling the spray gun to spray molten plastic onto the writing instruments on the spray rail.

[0011] Alternatively, the above molten plastic coating apparatus comprises a dipping container, a lifting hollow disc, and a gripping device, wherein the lifting hollow disc is connected to the bottom of the dipping container via an electric push rod and can move up and down within the dipping container, the dipping container and the molten plastic transport device are screw-connected, the dipping container stores the molten plastic transported from the molten plastic transport device, and the controller controls the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to a writing instrument that has undergone a coating and drying process, and molten plastic The process involves: moving a writing instrument that has been treated with a tick coating onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor; controlling the gripping device to move a writing instrument that has been treated with a coating and drying process on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor onto the immersion container; controlling the lifting and lowering hollow disc inside the immersion container to lift the writing instrument inside the immersion container and separate it from the molten plastic inside the immersion container; and controlling the gripping device to move the writing instrument on the lifting and lowering hollow disc onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0012] Alternatively, the above molten plastic coating apparatus comprises a push-pull device and a wiping device, the wiping device comprises a paint tank, a wiping hole inlet and a wiping hole outlet, the wiping hole inlet and the wiping hole outlet are located at both ends of the paint tank, a rubber packing is placed at the wiping hole outlet, the rubber packing is fitted at the wiping hole outlet, a supply opening is provided above the paint tank, the molten plastic transport device is screw-connected to the supply opening above the paint tank, the paint tank is used to store molten plastic, the length of the wiping device is shorter than the length of the writing instrument, and the control Roller performs the following steps: controlling the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the writing instrument that has undergone the coating drying process, and moving the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor; controlling the push-pull device to push the coated writing instrument on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor into the paint tank through the wiping hole inlet; and controlling the push-pull device to pull the writing instrument out through the wiping hole outlet and move the writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0013] Alternatively, the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment further comprises a defective product removal device communicatively connected to the controller, the defective product removal device comprising a first laser distance measuring sensor, a second laser distance measuring sensor, a laser signal processor, and a robotic arm, wherein the first and second laser distance measuring sensors are mounted on opposite sides of the coated writing instrument conveyor, the first and second laser distance measuring sensors face each other, the distance between the first and second laser distance measuring sensors is a fixed value, the robotic arm is provided on either side of the coated writing instrument conveyor, and the defective product removal device comprises the coating The system is configured to perform the following steps in response to confirmation that a coated writing instrument on the writing instrument conveyor has passed the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor: to perform laser measurement processing on the coated writing instrument on the writing instrument conveyor using the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor to obtain measurement data; to process the measurement data using the laser signal processor to obtain a recognition result of the length of the writing instrument; to transmit the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument to the controller in response to the determination that the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument satisfies the exclusion conditions; and to control the robot arm based on the received recognition result of the length of the writing instrument to perform a grasping operation corresponding to the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument.

[0014] In a second aspect, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments used in the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment described in the first aspect. The above-described plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment comprises a writing instrument transport device, a coating device, a baking device, a cooling device, and a controller. The writing instrument transport device comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor. The coating device comprises a primer coating device and a molten plastic coating device. The method includes controlling the primer coating device to spray primer onto writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor, controlling the baking device to perform a paint drying treatment on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, controlling the molten plastic coating device to perform a molten plastic coating treatment on the painted and dried writing instruments, moving the molten plastic-coated writing instruments onto the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, controlling the cooling device to perform a coating cooling treatment on the writing instruments on the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and controlling the coated writing instrument conveyor to transport the cooled writing instruments.

[0015] Alternatively, the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment further comprises a defective product removal device communicatively connected to the controller, the defective product removal device comprising a first laser distance measuring sensor, a second laser distance measuring sensor, a laser signal processor, and a robotic arm, wherein the first and second laser distance measuring sensors are mounted on opposite sides of the coated writing instrument conveyor, the first and second laser distance measuring sensors face each other, the distance between the first and second laser distance measuring sensors is a fixed value, and the robotic arm is provided on either side of the coated writing instrument conveyor. The above method further includes, upon confirmation that the writing instrument on the coated writing instrument conveyor has passed the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor, applying laser measurement processing to the writing instrument on the coated writing instrument conveyor using the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor to obtain measurement data; processing the measurement data with the laser signal processor to obtain a recognition result of the length of the writing instrument; transmitting the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument to the controller upon determination that the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument satisfies the exclusion conditions; and controlling the robot arm based on the received recognition result of the length of the writing instrument to perform a grasping operation corresponding to the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument.

[0016] Alternatively, the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment may include a marking spray device, the marking spray device comprising a writing instrument holder and a marking spray tool. The method includes controlling the writing instrument holder to grasp and secure the writing instrument on the coated writing instrument conveyor, controlling the marking spray device to perform a marking spray operation on the secured writing instrument, and controlling the writing instrument holder to perform a release operation after the marking spray operation has been performed.

[0017] Alternatively, the above-mentioned defective product removal device further comprises a camera and a rolling device, the camera mounted directly above the coated writing instrument conveyor, the rolling device mounted on the coated writing instrument conveyor directly below the camera, and the writing instruments on the coated writing instrument conveyor are rotated by an angle of 150 degrees each time. The above method involves controlling the rolling device to rotate the writing instruments three times in sequence, controlling the camera to photograph the writing instruments after each rotation to obtain a group of writing instrument images, cutting out the writing instrument region from each writing instrument image in the group of writing instrument images to obtain a group of cut-out region images, applying a planar projection process to each cut-out region image in the group of cut-out region images to obtain a group of writing instrument projection images, matching two writing instrument projection images in the group of writing instrument projection images to obtain matching information, and applying a stitching process to the writing instrument projection images in the group of writing instrument projection images based on the matching information to obtain writing instrument projection images This further includes obtaining a stitching image of the writing instrument, confirming based on the stitching image of the writing instrument whether the marks on the writing instrument are distorted or missing and whether the coating of the writing instrument is missing, determining that the writing instrument passes the visual inspection based on the confirmation that the marks on the writing instrument are not distorted or missing and that the coating of the writing instrument is missing, and determining that the writing instrument does not pass the visual inspection based on the confirmation that the marks on the writing instrument are distorted or missing and that the coating of the writing instrument is missing.

[0018] Alternatively, obtaining matching information by matching two writing instrument projection images at a time within the above group of writing instrument projection images may include the steps of selecting two writing instrument projection images that do not match each other from the above group of writing instrument projection images as the target writing instrument projection image and the reference writing instrument projection image, respectively, and performing the following matching substep using the target writing instrument projection image and the reference writing instrument projection image: selecting a grid region from the edge of the target writing instrument projection image as a square target grid region; sequentially selecting grid regions from the reference writing instrument projection image as reference grid regions, and obtaining a set of reference grid regions in which there are no gaps or overlaps between each reference grid region. Steps include: determining the average value of each color in each reference grid region in the target grid region and the set of reference grid regions; selecting a reference grid region from the set of reference grid regions that minimizes the sum of the squares of the average values ​​of each color and the average values ​​of the colors in the target grid region as the reference grid for initial matching; determining the sum of the squares of the average values ​​of the colors in the initial matching reference grid region and the average values ​​of the colors in the target grid region as the reference average value; and, depending on whether the reference average value is less than or equal to a preset threshold, adding the center point coordinates of the initial matching reference grid region and the target grid region as a matching coordinate pair to the matching information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] Each of the embodiments of this disclosure has the following advantages. Plastic-coated writing instruments manufactured by the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment of some embodiments of this disclosure can improve user comfort and safety during use. Specifically, the reason why wooden writing instruments are uncomfortable to use and have low safety during use is that they are hard, can easily cause calluses on the fingers with prolonged use, and the outer coating of the writing instrument is very easy to peel off, which could cause health problems if a child accidentally swallows it. Based on this, some embodiments of the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment of the present disclosure comprises a writing instrument transport device, a coating device, a baking device, a cooling device, and a controller, wherein the writing instrument transport device comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor, wherein the uncoated writing instrument conveyor and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected, and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor and the coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected. The coating device comprises a primer coating device and a molten plastic coating device, wherein the primer coating device is located above the uncoated writing instrument conveyor, and the molten plastic coating device is located between the baking device and the cooling device. The baking device is configured to dry the primer-coated writing instruments, and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor passes through the baking device. The cooling device is configured to cool the writing instruments that have been coated with molten plastic, and the conveyor of molten plastic-coated writing instruments passes through the cooling device. The writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device, and the cooling device are communicatively connected to the controller, which is configured to perform the following steps: controlling the primer coating device to spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor; and controlling the baking device to perform a paint drying process on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor.Therefore, a primer is sprayed onto the unprocessed writing instrument to facilitate the adhesion of molten plastic to the surface of the writing instrument later. The molten plastic coating apparatus is controlled to apply a molten plastic coating to the painted and dried writing instrument, and the molten plastic coated writing instrument is moved onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. The cooling apparatus is controlled to apply a coating cooling treatment to the writing instrument on the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. Therefore, the molten plastic coating on the surface of the writing instrument can be cooled and solidified by the cooling treatment. The coated writing instrument conveyor is controlled to transport the cooled writing instrument. Therefore, by adding a layer of plastic to the surface of the unprocessed writing instrument and injection molding it, the outside of the writing instrument can be completely covered. Because the plastic itself is soft, not only is the feel when held improved, but its environmentally friendly and non-toxic properties further improve the user's comfort and safety.

[0020] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent by referring to the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals indicate only the same or similar elements. Please understand that the drawings are schematic and members and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing facility according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a plastic-coated writing instrument according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the drawings show some embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0023] Note that for convenience of explanation, it should be noted that only the parts related to the invention are shown in the drawings. When there is no contradiction, the embodiments and features in the embodiments in the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0024] It should be noted that concepts such as "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different devices, modules, or units, and are not used to limit the order or interdependence of the functions executed by these devices, modules, or units.

[0025] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the modifiers "one" and "a plurality" mentioned in the present disclosure are exemplary rather than restrictive, and should be understood as "one or more than two" unless clearly indicated in the context.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the names of messages or information exchanged between multiple devices are used only for illustrative purposes and are not used to limit the scope of these messages or information.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] >Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing facility according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 shows an uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3, a coated writing instrument conveyor 4, a primer coating device 5, a molten plastic coating device 6, a baking device 7, and a cooling device 8.

[0029] In some embodiments, the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment may comprise a writing instrument transport device, a coating device, a baking device 7, a cooling device 8, and a controller. The writing instrument transport device can be used to transport writing instruments. The writing instrument transport device may comprise an uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3, and a coated writing instrument conveyor 4. The coating device may be a device for applying a coating to the surface of the writing instrument. The coating device may comprise a primer coating device 5 and a molten plastic coating device 6. For example, both the primer coating device 5 and the molten plastic coating device 6 may be spray guns. The baking device 7 may be a device for drying the primer on the surface of the writing instrument. For example, the baking device 7 may be an oven. The cooling device 8 may be a device for cooling and solidifying the molten plastic on the surface of the writing instrument. For example, the cooling device 8 may be an air-cooled chiller. The controller may be a device for controlling the other devices and equipment. For example, the above controller could be a single-chip microcontroller.

[0030] In some embodiments, the writing instrument conveying device comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3, and a coated writing instrument conveyor 4. The uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1 and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2 are aligned and connected. The molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3 and the coated writing instrument conveyor 4 are aligned and connected.

[0031] In some embodiments, the coating apparatus comprises a primer coating apparatus 5 and a molten plastic coating apparatus 6. The primer coating apparatus 5 is installed above the uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1. The molten plastic coating apparatus 6 is located between the baking apparatus 7 and the cooling apparatus 8.

[0032] In some embodiments, the baking apparatus 7 is configured to dry the primer-coated writing instruments, and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2 passes through the baking apparatus 7.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cooling device 8 is configured to cool the writing instrument coated with molten plastic, and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3 passes through the cooling device 8.

[0034] In some embodiments, the writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device 7, and the cooling device 8 are communicateably connected to the controller. Here, the specific method of communication connection between the writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device 7, the cooling device 8, and the controller is not limited. Examples of such specific methods include wireless connection methods and wired connection methods. Examples of wireless connection methods include, but are not limited to, 3G / 4G connection, WiFi connection, Bluetooth® connection, WiMAX connection, Zigbee connection, UWB (ultra wideband) connection, and other wireless connection methods that are currently known or may be developed in the future.

[0035] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to perform the following steps.

[0036] Step 1: The controller controls the primer coating device 5 to spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1. When in operation, the primer coating device 5 can spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1. After passing through the primer coating device 5, the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor 1 enter the primer coated writing instrument conveyor 2 directly.

[0037] Step 2: The baking device 7 is controlled to apply a paint drying treatment to the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2. During this process, the writing instruments pass directly through the baking device 7 via the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2, thereby completing the priming treatment.

[0038] Step 3: The molten plastic coating apparatus 6 is controlled to apply a molten plastic coating to the painted and dried writing instruments, and the molten plastic coated writing instruments are moved onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor 3. In practice, the molten plastic coating apparatus 6 may be a spray gun. The molten plastic coating apparatus 6 can spray molten plastic onto the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2. After passing through the molten plastic coating apparatus 6, the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor 2 enter the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor 3 directly.

[0039] Step 4: The cooling device 8 is controlled to perform a coating cooling process on the writing instruments on the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3. During this process, the writing instruments remain on the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor 3 and pass through the cooling device 8 to complete the cooling process.

[0040] Step 5: Control the coated writing instrument conveyor 4 to transport the cooled writing instruments.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a flowchart 200 of a method for manufacturing a plastic-coated writing instrument according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method for manufacturing a plastic-coated writing instrument includes the following steps.

[0042] Step 201: Control the primer application device to spray primer onto the uncoated writing instruments on the writing instrument conveyor.

[0043] In some embodiments, the execution unit for the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing method (the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment shown in Figure 1) can control the primer coating device to spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor. The writing instrument conveyor may comprise an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor. The uncoated writing instrument conveyor and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor may be aligned and connected. The molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor and the coated writing instrument conveyor may be aligned and connected. The coating device may comprise a primer coating device and a molten plastic coating device. The primer coating device may be located above the uncoated writing instrument conveyor. The molten plastic coating device may be located between the baking device and the cooling device. The baking device may be configured to dry the primer-coated writing instruments. The primer-coated writing instrument conveyor may pass through the baking device. The cooling device may be configured to cool writing instruments coated with molten plastic. The conveyor of molten plastic-coated writing instruments may pass through the cooling device. The writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device, and the cooling device can be communicated to the controller.

[0044] Examples of writing instruments include, but are not limited to, pencils, water brushes, ballpoint pens, direct-ink water-based ballpoint pens, and fountain pens.

[0045] During implementation, the primer coating device can spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor. After passing through the primer coating device, the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor enter the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor directly.

[0046] Step 202: Control the baking device to apply a paint drying treatment to the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0047] In some embodiments, the execution unit can control the baking apparatus to perform a paint drying process on the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor. During execution, the writing instruments complete the priming process by passing directly through the baking apparatus via the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0048] Step 203: Control the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the painted and dried writing instruments, and move the molten plastic coated writing instruments onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0049] In some embodiments, the execution unit controls the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to a painted and dried writing instrument, and moves the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. In implementation, the molten plastic coating apparatus may be a spray gun. The molten plastic coating apparatus can spray molten plastic onto the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor. After passing through the molten plastic coating apparatus 6, the writing instruments enter the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor directly.

[0050] Step 204: Control the cooling device to perform a coating cooling process on the molten plastic-coated writing instruments on the writing instrument conveyor.

[0051] In some embodiments, the execution unit can control the cooling device to perform a coating cooling process on the molten plastic-coated writing instruments on the conveyor belt. During execution, the writing instruments pass through the cooling device while remaining on the conveyor belt to complete the cooling process.

[0052] Step 205: Control the coated writing instrument conveyor to transport the cooled writing instruments.

[0053] In some embodiments, the execution unit can control the coated writing instrument conveyor to transport the cooled writing instruments.

[0054] Alternatively, the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment further comprises a defective product removal device. The defective product removal device is communicatively connected to the controller. The defective product removal device may comprise a first laser distance sensor, a second laser distance sensor, a laser signal processor, and a robotic arm. The first and second laser distance sensors are mounted on opposite sides of the coated writing instrument conveyor, respectively. The first and second laser distance sensors face each other. The distance between the first and second laser distance sensors is a fixed value. The robotic arm is provided on either side of the coated writing instrument conveyor. In practice, the fixed value is slightly greater than the width of the coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0055] Alternatively, the execution body described above can also perform the following steps.

[0056] Step 1: When it is confirmed that the coated writing instrument on the conveyor has passed the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor, the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor perform laser measurement on the coated writing instrument on the conveyor to obtain measurement data.

[0057] As an example, the above measurement data includes the time difference between the transmission and reception of the first laser distance measurement sensor signal, and the time difference between the transmission and reception of the second laser distance measurement sensor signal.

[0058] Step 2: The above measurement data is processed by the laser signal processor to obtain the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument.

[0059] As an example, the quotient obtained by dividing the time difference between the transmission and reception of the first laser distance measurement sensor signal and the time difference between the transmission and reception of the second laser distance measurement sensor signal by 2 is calculated to obtain the first quotient value and the second quotient value. The product of the first quotient value and the second quotient value with the speed of light is determined as the first distance value and the second distance value, respectively. The length value of the writing instrument is obtained by subtracting the first distance value and the second distance value from the above fixed value. The length value of the writing instrument can be used as the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument.

[0060] Step 3: If it is determined that the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument satisfies the exclusion condition, the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument is transmitted to the controller. The exclusion condition may be that the value of the length of the writing instrument in the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument is smaller than the value of the length of the target writing instrument.

[0061] Step 4: Based on the received recognition result of the writing instrument length, the robot arm is controlled to perform a grasping motion corresponding to the recognition result of the writing instrument length.

[0062] The step of measuring the length of the writing instrument is one of the inventive points of the embodiments of this disclosure, and solves the second technical problem mentioned in the background art: "Currently, when manufacturing writing instruments, defective writing instruments are often removed from the production line through manual visual inspection, but this method is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors." The factor causing the above technical problem is that currently, when manufacturing writing instruments, defective writing instruments are often removed from the production line through manual visual inspection. If the above factor is solved, it will be possible to improve the efficiency of removing defective writing instruments. To achieve this effect, the present disclosure introduces a first laser distance measuring sensor and a second laser distance measuring sensor positioned opposite each other on both sides of a conveyor, and uses the laser distance measuring principle to measure the distance between the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor and the writing instrument as the writing instrument passes between the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor. Then, the length of the writing instrument is determined based on a fixed distance value between the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor. This makes it possible to remove writing instruments that do not meet the length requirements from among the coated writing instruments. This significantly improves efficiency compared to manual removal methods.

[0063] Alternatively, the above-described plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment further comprises a marking spray device. The marking spray device may comprise a writing instrument holder and a marking spray device. The above-described execution body can also perform the following steps.

[0064] Step 1: Control the writing instrument holder described above to grasp and secure the writing instrument on the coated writing instrument conveyor.

[0065] Step 2: Control the marking spray device described above to perform a marking spray action on a fixed writing instrument.

[0066] Step 3: Control the writing instrument holder described above to perform the mark spraying action, and then perform the release action.

[0067] Alternatively, the defective product removal device further comprises a camera and a rolling device. The camera can be mounted directly above the coated writing instrument conveyor. The rolling device can be mounted on the coated writing instrument conveyor directly below the camera. The rolling device rotates the writing instruments on the coated writing instrument conveyor by an angle of 150 degrees each time. This ensures that there is overlap between the images of the writing instruments captured by the camera, making it easier to match and stitch the images later.

[0068] Alternatively, the execution body described above can also perform the following steps.

[0069] Step 1: Control the rolling device described above to rotate the writing instrument three times in sequence.

[0070] Step 2: Control the camera described above to photograph the writing instrument after each rotation, and obtain a set of images of the writing instrument.

[0071] Step 3: Cut out the writing instrument region from each writing instrument image in the above group of writing instrument images to obtain a group of images of the cut-out regions.

[0072] Step 4: Apply a planar projection process to each of the cropped region images within the above cropped region image group to obtain a group of writing instrument projection images. A planar projection process can be applied to each of the cropped region images within the above cropped region image group using perspective transformation or affine transformation methods.

[0073] Step 5: Match two writing instrument projection images from the above group of writing instrument projection images to obtain matching information.

[0074] Step 6: Based on the matching information above, stitching is performed on the writing instrument projection images within the group of writing instrument projection images to obtain a writing instrument stitched image.

[0075] Step 7: Based on the above image of the writing instrument stitching, check that the marks on the writing instrument are not distorted or missing, and that the coating on the writing instrument is not chipped.

[0076] Step 8: The writing instrument is determined to have passed the visual inspection based on the confirmation that the marks on the writing instrument are not distorted or chipped and that the coating on the writing instrument is not chipped.

[0077] Step 9: If the mark on the writing instrument is distorted or missing, or if the coating on the writing instrument is missing, the writing instrument is determined to have failed the visual inspection.

[0078] Alternatively, the execution body may also perform the following steps to obtain matching information by matching two writing instrument projection images at a time within the group of writing instrument projection images.

[0079] Step 1: From the group of writing instrument projection images described above, select two writing instrument projection images that do not match each other as the target writing instrument projection image and the reference writing instrument projection image, respectively, and then perform the following matching substep using the target writing instrument projection image and the reference writing instrument projection image.

[0080] Matching substep 1: Select the grid region from the edge of the target writing instrument projection image above as the target grid region. The shape of the target grid region may be a square.

[0081] Matching substep 2: From the above reference writing instrument projection image, grid regions are sequentially selected as reference grid regions to obtain a set of reference grid regions. There are no gaps or overlaps between each reference grid region in the above set of reference grid regions.

[0082] Matching substep 3: Determine the average value of each color within each reference grid region in the target grid region and the set of reference grid regions described above.

[0083] Matching substep 4: From the above set of reference grid regions, select the reference grid region that minimizes the sum of the squares of the average values ​​of each color and the average values ​​of the colors in the above target grid region, and use that as the reference grid for the initial matching.

[0084] Matching substep 5: Determine the reference mean as the sum of the squares of the average color of the reference grid region and the average color of the target grid region from the initial matching described above.

[0085] Matching substep 6: In accordance with the confirmation that the above reference mean value is below a predetermined threshold, the center point coordinates of the reference grid region and the target grid region of the initial matching are added to the matching information as a matching coordinate pair.

[0086] The above steps, as one of the inventive points of the embodiments of this disclosure, solve the second technical problem mentioned in the background art: "Currently, when manufacturing writing instruments, defective writing instruments are often removed from the production line through manual visual inspection, but this method is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors." The factor causing the above technical problem is that currently, when manufacturing writing instruments, defective writing instruments are often removed from the production line through manual visual inspection. If the above factor is solved, it will be possible to improve the efficiency of removing defective writing instruments. To achieve this effect, this disclosure introduces a camera and a rolling device. The rolling device is used to rotate the writing instruments on the conveyor belt, and the camera is controlled to photograph the writing instruments after each rotation to obtain a set of writing instrument images. Then, the writing instrument images in the set of writing instrument images are cropped, projected, matched, and stitched to obtain a planar unfolded view of the writing instrument surface. This allows for the detection of stitching images of writing instruments, enabling accurate verification of whether the marks on the writing instruments are distorted or missing, and whether the coating of the writing instruments is chipped, thereby eliminating defective writing instruments. [Industrial applicability]

[0087] Each of the embodiments of this disclosure has the following advantages. Plastic-coated writing instruments manufactured by the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment of some embodiments of this disclosure can improve user comfort and safety during use. Specifically, the reason why wooden writing instruments are uncomfortable to use and have low safety during use is that they are hard, can easily cause calluses on the fingers with prolonged use, and the outer coating of the writing instrument is very easy to peel off, which could cause health problems if a child accidentally swallows it. Based on this, some embodiments of the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing equipment of the present disclosure comprises a writing instrument transport device, a coating device, a baking device, a cooling device, and a controller, wherein the writing instrument transport device comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor, wherein the uncoated writing instrument conveyor and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected, and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor and the coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected. The coating device comprises a primer coating device and a molten plastic coating device, wherein the primer coating device is located above the uncoated writing instrument conveyor, and the molten plastic coating device is located between the baking device and the cooling device. The baking device is configured to dry the primer-coated writing instruments, and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor passes through the baking device. The cooling device is configured to cool the writing instruments that have been coated with molten plastic, and the conveyor of molten plastic-coated writing instruments passes through the cooling device. The writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device, and the cooling device are communicatively connected to the controller, which is configured to perform the following steps: controlling the primer coating device to spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor; and controlling the baking device to perform a paint drying process on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor.Therefore, a primer is sprayed onto the unprocessed writing instrument to facilitate the adhesion of molten plastic to the surface of the writing instrument later. The molten plastic coating apparatus is controlled to apply a molten plastic coating to the painted and dried writing instrument, and the molten plastic coated writing instrument is moved onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. The cooling apparatus is controlled to apply a coating cooling treatment to the writing instrument on the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. Therefore, the molten plastic coating on the surface of the writing instrument can be cooled and solidified by the cooling treatment. The coated writing instrument conveyor is controlled to transport the cooled writing instrument. Therefore, by adding a layer of plastic to the surface of the unprocessed writing instrument and injection molding it, the outside of the writing instrument can be completely covered. Because the plastic itself is soft, not only is the feel when held improved, but its environmentally friendly and non-toxic properties further improve the user's comfort and safety.

[0088] The foregoing is merely to illustrate some preferred embodiments and technical principles used in this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the invention relating to the embodiments of this disclosure is not limited to technical means consisting of specific combinations of the technical features described above, but also covers other technical means formed by any combination of the technical features described above or equivalent features, without departing from the technical spirit of the invention described above. For example, the features described above may be replaced (but not limited to) by technical features having similar functions as disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure to form technical means.

Claims

1. A manufacturing apparatus for plastic-coated writing instruments, comprising a writing instrument transport device, a coating device, a baking device, a cooling device, and a controller, The writing instrument conveying device comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor, wherein the uncoated writing instrument conveyor and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected, and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor and the coated writing instrument conveyor are aligned and connected. The coating apparatus comprises a primer coating apparatus and a molten plastic coating apparatus, the primer coating apparatus is provided above the uncoated writing instrument conveyor, and the molten plastic coating apparatus is located between the baking apparatus and the cooling apparatus. The baking apparatus is configured to dry the writing instruments that have been coated with primer, and the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor passes through the baking apparatus. The cooling device is configured to cool writing instruments coated with molten plastic, and the conveyor of molten plastic-coated writing instruments passes through the cooling device. The writing instrument transport device, the coating device, the baking device, and the cooling device are communicated to the controller. The aforementioned controller, The steps include controlling the primer coating apparatus to spray primer onto the writing instruments on the uncoated writing instrument conveyor, A step of controlling the baking apparatus to perform a paint drying process on the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, The steps include controlling the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the writing instrument that has undergone paint drying treatment, and moving the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. The steps of controlling the cooling device to perform a coating cooling treatment on the writing instruments on the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and The system is configured to control the coated writing instrument conveyor to perform the step of transporting the cooled writing instruments. Manufacturing equipment for plastic-coated writing instruments.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments according to claim 1, further comprising a heating device and a molten plastic transport device, wherein the heating device comprises a heating container having a solid plastic supply port, a pigment paste supply port and a molten plastic discharge port, and the molten plastic transport device comprises a molten plastic transport pipe and a pipe insulation material, wherein the pipe insulation material is wrapped around the outside of the molten plastic transport pipe, and the molten plastic transport pipe and the molten plastic discharge port are screw-connected.

3. The aforementioned controller further, The plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, configured to control the heating container in the heating device to heat and stir the solid plastic and pigment paste transported from the solid plastic supply port and the pigment paste supply port, and to discharge the stirred molten plastic from the molten plastic discharge port.

4. The molten plastic coating apparatus comprises a spray rail and a spray gun, the spray rail being aligned and connected to the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor and the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, the spray gun being suspended above the molten plastic transport apparatus, and the spray gun being screw-connected to the molten plastic transport piping. The controller controls the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the writing instrument that has undergone the coating and drying process, and moves the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. The steps involve controlling the spray gun to spray molten plastic onto the writing instrument on the spray rail. The apparatus for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments according to claim 3.

5. The molten plastic coating apparatus comprises a dipping container, a lifting hollow disc, and a gripping device, wherein the lifting hollow disc is connected to the bottom of the dipping container via an electric push rod and can move up and down within the dipping container, the dipping container and the molten plastic transport device are screw-connected, and the dipping container stores the molten plastic transported from the molten plastic transport device. The aforementioned controller, The steps include controlling the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the writing instrument that has undergone the coating and drying process, and moving the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. A step of controlling the gripping device to move the writing instruments that have undergone the coating drying process on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor to the immersion container, The steps include controlling the raising and lowering hollow disc in the immersion container to lift the writing instrument from the immersion container and separate it from the molten plastic in the immersion container, The step of controlling the gripping device to move the writing instrument on the lifting hollow disc onto the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor is performed. The apparatus for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments according to claim 3.

6. The molten plastic coating apparatus comprises a push-pull device and a wiping device, the wiping device comprises a paint tank, a wiping hole inlet and a wiping hole outlet, the wiping hole inlet and the wiping hole outlet are located at both ends of the paint tank, a rubber packing is placed at the wiping hole outlet, the rubber packing is fitted at the wiping hole outlet, a supply opening is provided above the paint tank, the molten plastic transport device is screw-connected to the supply opening above the paint tank, the paint tank is used to store molten plastic, and the length of the wiping device is shorter than the length of a writing instrument. The aforementioned controller, The steps include controlling the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the writing instrument that has undergone the coating and drying process, and moving the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor. A step of controlling the push-pull device to push the writing instrument that has undergone coating drying treatment on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor into the paint tank through the wiping hole inlet, The push-pull device is controlled to pull the writing instrument out of the wiping hole outlet and to move the writing instrument onto the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor. The apparatus for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments according to claim 3.

7. The system further comprises a defective product removal device that is communicably connected to the controller, the defective product removal device comprising a first laser distance measuring sensor, a second laser distance measuring sensor, a laser signal processor, and a robot arm, the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor being mounted on both sides of the coated writing instrument conveyor, the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor facing each other, the distance between the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor being a fixed value, and the robot arm being provided on either side of the coated writing instrument conveyor. The aforementioned defective product removal device is In response to confirmation that the coated writing instrument on the writing instrument conveyor has passed the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor, the first laser distance measuring sensor and the second laser distance measuring sensor perform a laser measurement process on the coated writing instrument on the writing instrument conveyor to obtain measurement data. The step of processing the measurement data with the laser signal processor to obtain a recognition result of the length of the writing instrument, In response to the determination that the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument satisfies the exclusion conditions, the steps include: transmitting the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument to the controller; The system is configured to perform a step in which the robot arm is controlled based on the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument received, to perform a grasping operation corresponding to the recognition result of the length of the writing instrument. The apparatus for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments according to claim 6.

8. A method for manufacturing a plastic-coated writing instrument used in a plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plastic-coated writing instrument manufacturing apparatus comprises a writing instrument transport device, a coating device, a baking device, a cooling device, and a controller, the writing instrument transport device comprises an uncoated writing instrument conveyor, a primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, a molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and a coated writing instrument conveyor, the coating device comprises a primer coating device and a molten plastic coating device, and the method is as follows: Controlling the primer coating apparatus to spray primer onto the uncoated writing instruments on the writing instrument conveyor, Controlling the baking apparatus to perform a paint drying process on the writing instruments on the primer-coated writing instrument conveyor, Controlling the molten plastic coating apparatus to apply a molten plastic coating to the writing instrument that has undergone paint drying treatment, and moving the molten plastic coated writing instrument onto the molten plastic coated writing instrument conveyor, Controlling the cooling device to apply a coating cooling treatment to the writing instruments on the molten plastic-coated writing instrument conveyor, and This includes controlling the coated writing instrument conveyor to transport the cooled writing instruments, A method for manufacturing plastic-coated writing instruments.

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