Penetrant coating device and flaw detection system

Abstract

To provide a penetrant application apparatus which uniformly applies a penetrant to a test body in a flaw detection inspection method, and a flaw detection system which includes the same and can improve efficiency and realize automation of a flaw detection inspection.SOLUTION: A penetrant application apparatus 1 comprises: a rotation device 11 which rotates a rotary base 12 that supports a workpiece 7; at least one first nozzles 131-134 which are arranged on the lateral side of the rotary base and discharge a penetrant toward the center; and at least one second nozzle 14 which is arranged on the lower side of the rotary base and discharges the penetrant toward the upper side. The penetrant application apparatus supports the plurality of pieces of workpiece on the upper side of the rotary base, discharges the penetrant toward the center from at least one first nozzle arranged on the lateral side of the rotary base while rotating the rotary base by the rotation device, discharges the penetrant toward the upper side from at least one second nozzle arranged on the lower side of the rotary base, and can efficiently apply the penetrant to the entire surface of the workpiece including not only the upper surface but also the lower surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a penetrant application device and a flaw detection system including the penetrant application device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a penetrant flaw detection device that applies a fluorescent penetrant solution (simply referred to as a penetrant) to a test piece and irradiates it with a black light or the like to reveal the agent that has entered the flaw and detect the flaw of the test piece. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an automatic penetrant flaw detection method for a steel plate in which a penetrant is applied to the surface of a cleaned steel plate, the surface is cleaned and dried, and then a developer is applied to perform inspection in a state where the flaw is stained. (Prior Art Document) (Patent Document) (Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-98110

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In such a flaw detection inspection method, it is difficult to uniformly apply the penetrant to the test piece, and generally manual application is required. Also, when spraying a cleaning liquid on the test piece coated with the penetrant for cleaning, uneven cleaning occurs, so manual assistance is required. In addition, when transporting the test piece to the penetrant flaw detection device using a trolley crane, a belt conveyor, or the like, the transport speed and accuracy are low. For these reasons, it has been difficult to improve the efficiency and automation of flaw detection inspection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a penetrant application device for applying a penetrant to a work, including a rotating device that rotates a turntable for supporting the work, at least one first nozzle disposed on a side of the turntable and discharging the penetrant toward the center, and at least one second nozzle disposed below the turntable and discharging the penetrant upward.

[0005] In a second aspect of the present invention, a flaw detection system is provided comprising a penetrant coating apparatus according to the first aspect, and a conveying apparatus for loading a workpiece into and / or unloading a workpiece from the penetrant coating apparatus.

[0006] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all of its features. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] The configuration of the flaw detection system according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] The internal configuration of the penetrant coating apparatus is shown with the stand mounted on a rotating platform. [Figure 3A] This shows the configuration of the turntable and nozzle arrangement of the penetrant coating device. [Figure 3B] The configuration of the penetrant coating apparatus is shown in a front view. [Figure 3C] The configuration of the penetrant coating apparatus is shown in a top view. [Figure 3D] This shows the arrangement and height of the first nozzle of the penetrant coating device. [Figure 4] This shows the operating status of the penetrant coating device. [Figure 5] The stand configuration is shown. [Figure 6A] This shows the configuration of a suspension jig supported by a stand. [Figure 6B] This shows the upper part of the suspension jig supported by a stand. [Figure 6C] The lower part of the stand supported on the rotating table and the suspension jig supported on the stand are shown with multiple workpieces supported by the suspension jig. [Figure 7] The internal configuration of the cleaning device is shown with the stand mounted on the rotating platform. [Figure 8A] This shows the configuration of the rotating platform and the arrangement of the nozzles in the cleaning device. [Figure 8B] The configuration of the cleaning device is shown in a front view. [Figure 8C]The configuration of the cleaning device is shown in a top view. [Figure 8D] The arrangement of the nozzles of the cleaning device is shown. [Figure 9] The operating state of the cleaning device is shown. [Figure 10] The internal configuration of this cleaning device is shown with the stand placed on the support table. [Figure 11A] The configuration of the support table of this cleaning device and the arrangement of the nozzles are shown. [Figure 11B] The configuration of this cleaning device is shown in a front view. [Figure 11C] The configuration of this cleaning device is shown in a top view. [Figure 11D] The arrangement of the nozzles of this cleaning device is shown. [Figure 12] The operating state of this cleaning device is shown. [Figure 13A] The schematic configuration of the conveying device is shown in a state where the stand is gripped. [Figure 13B] The functional configuration of the conveying device is shown. [Figure 14] The configuration of the elevator is shown. [Figure 15A] The state where the elevator is set with the stand is shown. [Figure 15B] The state where the stand is set on the elevator is shown. [Figure 15C] The state where the stand is set on the elevator is shown in a front view. [Figure 15D] The state where the stand set on the elevator is clamped is shown. [Figure 15E] The state where the stand set on the elevator is clamped is shown in a front view [Figure 16A] The conveying operation of the stand by the conveying device (the state where the Z - conveying device is moving and the elevator is descending) is shown. [Figure 16B] The conveying operation of the stand by the conveying device (the state where the elevator is positioned beside the stand) is shown. [Figure 16C] The conveying operation of the stand by the conveying device (the state where the Z - conveying device grasps the stand) is shown. [Figure 16D]This shows the transport operation of the stand by the transport device (the elevator gripping the stand is moving and rising). [Figure 16E] This shows the transport operation of the stand by the transport device (the elevator gripping the stand is descending). [Figure 16F] This shows the transport operation of the stand by the transport device (the state in which the elevator releases the stand and moves it away). [Figure 16G] This shows the stand being transported by the transport device (with the Z-transport device retracted). [Figure 17A] This shows an example of the flow of a flaw detection method performed by a flaw detection system. [Figure 17B] Here is another example of the flow of the flaw detection method performed by the flaw detection system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0009] In this specification, the expression "at least one A, B, and C" is synonymous with "A, B, and / C," meaning A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of the flaw detection system 9 according to this embodiment. The flaw detection system 9 is a system for detecting surface defects, such as minute scratches, on a test specimen (also called a workpiece) 7 by penetrant testing. The flaw detection system 9 aims to automate and improve the efficiency of flaw detection inspection and comprises a penetrant coating device 1, a cleaning device 2, a main cleaning device 3, an observation device 4, and a transport device 5.

[0011] Penetrant testing is a method of detecting defects by using capillary action to allow a penetrant to penetrate into minute defects on the surface of a test specimen and observing the defects using the penetrant. Penetrant testing is broadly classified into dyeing penetrant testing, which uses a dyeing penetrant as the penetrant, and fluorescence penetrant testing, which uses a fluorescent penetrant. The testing system 9 according to this embodiment can be used for either dyeing penetrant testing or fluorescence penetrant testing. It performs steps such as pre-cleaning to wash off the penetrant applied to the test specimen, emulsification to allow an emulsifier to blend with the penetrant remaining on the test specimen, and final cleaning to wash away the emulsified penetrant, leaving only the penetrant that has penetrated into the surface defects of the test specimen on the specimen. Surface defects of the test specimen are detected by exposing a colored penetrant on the surface of the test specimen with a developer to make it easily visible and photographing it, or by making a fluorescent penetrant emit light by irradiating it with a black light and photographing it, and then analyzing the captured image.

[0012] Furthermore, in the flaw detection system 9 according to this embodiment, the workpiece 7 is, as an example, a turbine blade of an aircraft jet engine having a length of approximately 200 mm, a width of approximately 50 mm, a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, and a weight of approximately 100 g.

[0013] <Penetrating liquid coating device> Figures 2 and 3A to 3C show the configuration of the penetrant coating apparatus 1. Here, Figure 2 shows the internal configuration of the penetrant coating apparatus 1. A stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 is placed on a turntable 12. However, in order to clarify the apparatus configuration, only two of the stand's six arms are supported by suspension jigs 65, and each suspension jig 65 supports only one workpiece 7. Figure 3A shows the configuration of the turntable 12 and the arrangement of the nozzles of the penetrant coating apparatus 1. Figures 3B and 3C show the configuration of the penetrant coating apparatus 1 in front view and top view, respectively. The penetrant coating apparatus 1 is a device for coating a workpiece 7 with penetrant, and comprises a chamber 10, a rotating device 11, a turntable 12, multiple first nozzles 13, and second nozzles 14. The configuration of the stand 6 will be described later.

[0014] Chamber 10 is a housing in which the penetrant liquid is applied to the workpiece 7, and a rotating device 11, a rotating table 12, a first nozzle 13, and a second nozzle 14 are arranged inside it. Applying the penetrant liquid inside Chamber 10 prevents the penetrant liquid from splashing into the surroundings and allows for easy disposal of the penetrant liquid after use. Chamber 10 includes a lid 103 and transport ports 101 and 102.

[0015] The lid 103 is an openable and closable component located on the top of the chamber 10. It opens when the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 is brought into the chamber 10 and when it is brought out of the chamber 10, and closes when the penetrating liquid coating device 1 is in operation, thereby shielding the inside of the chamber 10 from the surroundings. The structure of the lid 103 is not particularly limited as long as it has an openable and closable structure, and various types of lids can be used, such as hinged lids, sliding lids, and removable tops.

[0016] The transport port 101 is an opening provided on the right side of the chamber 10, through which the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be brought into the chamber 10. A door that can be opened and closed is fixed to the transport port 101. When the penetrant coating device 1 is in operation, the transport port 101 is closed with the door to shield the inside of the chamber 10 from the surroundings, and when the penetrant coating device 1 is stopped, the transport port 101 is opened to form an entry path for the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7.

[0017] The transport port 102 is an opening provided on the left side of the chamber 10, through which the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be transported out of the chamber 10. A door that can be opened and closed is fixed to the transport port 102. When the penetrant coating device 1 is in operation, the transport port 102 is closed with the door to shield the inside of the chamber 10 from the surroundings, and when the penetrant coating device 1 is stopped, the transport port 102 is opened to form an exit path for the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7.

[0018] Furthermore, the doors provided at the transport openings 101 and 102 are not limited in structure as long as they are able to be opened and closed, and various types of doors can be used, such as hinged doors, sliding doors, or removable walls. In addition, the transport openings 101 and 102 may form the unloading and loading routes of the stand 6, respectively.

[0019] The rotating device 11 is a device that rotates the turntable 12, and is positioned in the center of the bottom surface of the chamber 10, and rotates the turntable 12 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions when viewed from above. The rotating device 11 has a rotating shaft 111, a drive device 112, an encoder 113, and a control unit 114.

[0020] The rotating shaft 111 is a cylindrical shaft that transmits the driving force from the drive device 112 to the turntable 12, causing it to rotate. Its tip extends vertically to form the central part of the turntable 12.

[0021] The drive unit 112 is an electric motor that rotates the rotating shaft 111, and rotates the rotating shaft 111 at a speed instructed by the control unit 114.

[0022] The encoder 113 is a device that detects the rotation of the turntable 12. For example, it uses a light source such as an LED to illuminate a slit disc (not shown) provided on the body of the turntable 111, and uses a photodetector (not shown) to detect the light passing through slits arranged circumferentially on the slit disc, thereby detecting the rotation of the turntable 111. The detection result is transmitted to the control unit 114.

[0023] In this embodiment, the rotation of the turntable 12 was detected using an encoder 113, but the means for rotational drive and detection are not limited to this. For example, a rotary actuator may be used in the drive device 112 to rotate the turn axis 111 at a constant angle, or a servo motor may be used in the drive device 112 to rotate the turn axis 111 while detecting the rotation with the servo motor.

[0024] The control unit 114 is a computer device that rotates the turntable 12 clockwise or counterclockwise by controlling the drive unit 112 based on the detection result of the encoder 113, and activates its control function by starting a dedicated program. The control unit 114 may also rotate the turntable 12 in response to an external instruction.

[0025] The rotating device 11 with the above configuration rotates the turntable 12 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the first nozzle 13 and the second nozzle 14 discharge the penetrating liquid towards multiple workpieces 7 supported on the turntable 12 via the stand 6, thereby allowing the penetrating liquid to be applied evenly to the entire surface of each workpiece 7.

[0026] The turntable 12 is a component that supports and rotates the workpiece 7. In the penetrating liquid coating apparatus 1 of this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which multiple workpieces 7 are supported above the turntable 12 using a stand 6, which will be described later. The turntable 12 has a frame 121, a support surface 122, and eight ribs 123. These components can be formed using SUS304 as an example. The turntable 12 is connected to the upper end of the rotation shaft 111 of the rotating device 11 and installed above the rotating device 11.

[0027] The frame 121 is a cylindrical member that supports the stand 6 by fitting its bottom 63 into its interior. The frame 121 allows the stand 6 to be positioned horizontally on the rotating base 12. The shape of the frame 121 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but can be appropriately changed to match the shape of the bottom 63, as long as it is a shape and size that can accommodate and support the bottom 63 of the stand 6.

[0028] The support surface 122 is an annular member that supports the bottom 63 of the stand 6 on it, and extends inward from the lower end of the frame 121 and is integrally formed with the frame 121. The support surface 122 may be formed in a mesh shape, so that the penetrating liquid discharged upward from the second nozzle 14 located below the turntable 12 passes through the support surface 122, thereby allowing the penetrating liquid to be applied to the lower surface of the workpiece supported above the turntable 12.

[0029] The eight ribs 123 are components that connect the frame 121 to the rotating shaft 111 of the rotating device 11. The eight ribs 123 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotating shaft 111 and extend from the lower surface of the frame 121 and the support surface 122 toward the center. This forms eight openings 124 surrounded by the frame 121 and the eight ribs 123, through which the penetrating liquid can pass through the turntable 12, and the penetrating liquid discharged upward from the second nozzle 14 below the turntable 12 can be applied to the lower surface of the workpiece 7 supported above the turntable 12.

[0030] In this embodiment, the number of ribs 123 is set to eight, but any number other than eight is acceptable as long as the frame 121 can be fixed to the rotating shaft 111 and an opening 124 can be formed between them. Furthermore, the shape of the ribs 123 can be any shape as long as the permeate can pass through the rotating table 12 via the opening 124 formed between them.

[0031] Multiple first nozzles 13 are arranged around the rotating table 12 and discharge the penetrating liquid toward the center. By discharging the penetrating liquid toward multiple workpieces 7 supported above the rotating table 12 using multiple first nozzles 13, the penetrating liquid can be efficiently applied to multiple workpieces 7.

[0032] The multiple first nozzles 13 include four first nozzles 131-134 positioned in the front left, back left, back right, and front right corners of the chamber 10, respectively. A pair of first nozzles 131, 133 and a pair of first nozzles 132, 134 face each other across the turntable 12. By positioning at least one pair of first nozzles 13 facing each other, the penetrating liquid can be applied to the workpiece 7 supported above the turntable 12 from both sides.

[0033] Figure 3D shows the arrangement and height of multiple first nozzles positioned towards the front when viewed from the left side, front, right side, and rear of the chamber 10. A pair of first nozzles 131 and 133 are positioned higher than a pair of first nozzles 132 and 134. In this way, by positioning at least two of the multiple first nozzles 13 at different heights, the penetrating liquid can be applied to each of the multiple workpieces 7 supported in a vertical line above the turntable 12 using the first nozzles 13 positioned at higher and the first nozzles 13 positioned at lower levels.

[0034] Here, for example, with respect to the first nozzle 131, the height difference between it and the adjacent first nozzles 132 and 134 is greater than the height difference between it and the first nozzle 133 that is opposite it across the turntable 12. In this way, by making the height difference between one first nozzle 13 and at least one adjacent first nozzle 13 greater than the height difference between it and the first nozzle 13 that is opposite it across the turntable 12, that is, by arranging the first nozzles with larger height differences close together, interference between the spray of penetrant liquid from one first nozzle and the spray of penetrant liquid from the adjacent first nozzle is suppressed, and the penetrant liquid can be efficiently applied to the workpiece 7.

[0035] The second nozzle 14 is positioned below the turntable 12 and is a nozzle that discharges the penetrating liquid upward. In this embodiment, one second nozzle 14 is positioned below the turntable 12 to the left of the rotation axis 111. Alternatively, multiple second nozzles 14 may be arranged at equal intervals around the rotation axis 111 below the turntable 12. By using the second nozzle 14, the penetrating liquid can be applied to the lower surfaces of multiple workpieces 7 supported above the turntable 12.

[0036] A two-fluid nozzle can be used in at least one of the first nozzles 131-134 and the second nozzle 14. A two-fluid nozzle is a nozzle that mixes a high-speed airflow, such as compressed air, with a liquid, atomizing the liquid and ejecting it. This allows the penetrating liquid to be evenly sprayed onto the workpiece 7 as a fine mist.

[0037] Figure 4 shows the operating state of the penetrant coating apparatus 1. Multiple workpieces 7 are supported above the turntable 12 using a stand 6, which will be described later. The penetrant coating apparatus 1 rotates the turntable 12 with a rotating device 11, causing the multiple workpieces 7 supported above it to rotate, for example, counterclockwise. At the same time, the penetrant is discharged from a first nozzle 13 located on the side of the turntable 12 toward the center, and from a second nozzle 14 located below the turntable 12 toward the upward. The penetrant coating apparatus 1 can also reverse the rotation direction of the turntable 12 to rotate the multiple workpieces 7 clockwise, while simultaneously discharging the penetrant from the first nozzle 13 toward the center and from the second nozzle 14 toward the upward. This allows the penetrant to be efficiently applied to the entire surface of each of the multiple workpieces 7.

[0038] The penetrant coating apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a rotating device 11 that rotates a turntable 12 supporting a workpiece 7, at least one first nozzle 13 positioned to the side of the turntable 12 and discharging penetrant towards the center, and at least one second nozzle 14 positioned below the turntable 12 and discharging penetrant upward. This allows for the efficient coating of the penetrant to the entire surface of the workpiece 7, including not only the top surface but also the bottom surface, by supporting multiple workpieces 7 above the turntable 12, rotating the turntable 12 with the rotating device 11, discharging penetrant towards the center from at least one first nozzle 13 positioned to the side of the turntable 12, and discharging penetrant upward from at least one second nozzle 14 positioned below the turntable 12.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the configuration of a stand 6 that supports multiple workpieces 7. The stand 6 aims to provide a stand that can stably transport multiple workpieces 7, and includes a shaft 61, a base 63, an upper part 64, and a suspension jig 65. The stand 6 can be formed using, for example, SUS304, except for the flange 611 which will be described later.

[0040] The shaft 61 is a rod-shaped member that extends vertically and forms the central axis of the stand 6, with a flange 611 provided at its upper end. The flange 611 is formed to protrude radially from the upper end of the shaft 61, and an inverted conical tapered surface 6111 that narrows towards the shaft is formed on its lower side. As will be described later, when the stand 6 is gripped by the conveying device 5, the flange 611 is compressed from above and below by the lifting device 511, and at that time the tapered surface 6111 assists in positioning in the horizontal direction.

[0041] The bottom portion 63 is a structural part provided at the lower end of the shaft 61 that can be placed on the turntable 12 of the penetrant coating device 1, the turntable 22 of the cleaning device 2 (see Figure 7), or the support base 32 of the cleaning device 3 (see Figure 10), and has a frame 631, a plurality of ribs 632, and a plurality of positioning ribs 633.

[0042] The frame 631 is a cylindrical member that can be fitted into the frame 121 of the turntable 12 of the penetrant coating device 1, and is fixed to the lower end of the shaft 61 by a plurality of ribs 632, which will be described later. The shape and size of the frame 631 are not particularly limited as long as it can be fitted into the frame 121, and for example it may be a rectangular tube shape in which the radius of the circumscribed circle is equal to the radius of the frame 631.

[0043] The multiple ribs 632 are members that connect the frame 631 to the shaft 61, extending outward from the lower end of the shaft 61 and connecting to the inner surface of the frame 631. In this embodiment, as an example, three ribs 632 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction relative to the shaft 61.

[0044] The multiple positioning ribs 633 are members that position the lower part of the suspension jig 65 in the horizontal direction, and each has two rods 6331 and two connecting members 6332. The two rods 6331 extend radially from the shaft 61 and are fixed to the upper end of the frame 631 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The two connecting members 6332 are fixed radially spaced apart from each other on the upper surfaces of the two rods 6331, limiting the gap between the two rods 6331 and forming an opening 6333 between them. The number of positioning ribs 633 is the same as the number of arms 641, and they are provided at the same positions as the arms 641 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 61.

[0045] The upper part 64 is the upper structural part of the stand 6 that suspends and supports the suspension jig 65 supporting multiple workpieces 7, and has multiple arms 641 and connecting members 642.

[0046] The multiple arms 641 are structures that extend radially from the body of the shaft 61 to suspend and support the suspension jig 65. In this embodiment, six arms 641 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft 61. Each of the multiple arms 641 has two rods 6411. The two rods (an example of side parts) 6411 extend radially from the shaft 61 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Their ends are formed thicker than the body.

[0047] The connecting member 642 consists of two ring-shaped members arranged concentrically, connecting the six arms to each other and also connecting the two rods 6411 of each arm. The two rods 6411 and the outer connecting member 642 form a slit 6412 at the tip of the two rods 6411 into which the locking members 6521 and 6522 of the suspension jig 65 can be inserted. In addition, the two rods 6411 and the outer and inner connecting members 642 form an opening 6413 between them into which the tip of the locking member 6521 of the suspension jig 65 can be inserted.

[0048] Furthermore, the upper part 64 may be replaced with, for example, a disc having multiple slits extending from the outer edge towards the center and multiple openings radially adjacent thereto, as long as it includes a slit 6412 extending from the outside toward the shaft 61 into which the locking members 6521 and 6522 of the suspension jig 65 described later can be inserted, and an opening 6413 radially adjacent thereto through which the tip of the locking member 6521 passes.

[0049] In this way, by providing multiple arms 641 in the circumferential direction to suspend and support the suspension jig 65, and by suspending multiple suspension jigs 65 in the circumferential direction of the shaft body, which support the multiple arms 641 arranged in the height direction, many workpieces 7 can be supported on the stand 6.

[0050] Figures 6A to 6C show the configuration of the suspension jig 65. Here, Figure 6A shows the configuration of the suspension jig 65 in front view and side view, Figure 6B shows the upper part of the suspension jig 65 supported by the stand 6, and Figure 6C shows the lower part of the suspension jig 65 supported by the stand 6 with multiple workpieces 7 supported by the suspension jig 65. The suspension jig 65 is a structure that supports multiple workpieces 7 in the height direction and is detachably suspended and supported by one of the multiple arms 641, and comprises a frame 655, multiple support members 6511, a first locking member 6521, a second locking member 6522, and an insertion member 6531.

[0051] The frame 655 is rectangular in front view and has two side edges 651, an upper edge 652, and a lower edge 653. The two side edges 651 are rod-shaped members that are spaced apart laterally and extend vertically, with the upper ends of the two side edges 651 bending toward the side to which the support member 6511 is fixed. The upper edge 652 is a rod-shaped member that connects the upper ends of the two spaced side edges 651 laterally. The lower edge 653 is a rod-shaped member that connects the lower ends of the two spaced side edges 651 laterally.

[0052] The frame 655 may also include connecting sides 654 that connect the intermediate portions of the two side edges 651. The connecting sides 654 may, for example, be a rod-shaped member that connects the bent portions of the two side edges 651 in the lateral direction, or a rod-shaped member that connects the lower central portions of the two side edges 651 in the lateral direction. This reinforces the frame 655 so that it can support multiple workpieces 7.

[0053] The support member 6511 is a member that supports the workpiece 7. The support member 6511 has a roughly U-shape, with one side fixed to the side edge 651 and its end curving away from the side edge 651, and the other side curving away from the side edge 651 and its end curving towards the side edge 651 at a lower position than the end of the one side. Here, the upper ends of the two side edges 651 are bent toward the side to which the support member 6511 is fixed, so that in a side view, the center of the support member 6511 almost coincides with the center of the suspension jig. As a result, when multiple workpieces 7 are supported on the suspension jig 65 by the support member 6511, their centers of gravity are located at the center of the suspension jig 65, and the suspension jig 65 can be stably suspended vertically from the arm 641.

[0054] Due to the shape of the support member 6511, the end of the workpiece 7 can be inserted into the U-shaped interior between the two ends of the support member 6511, thereby supporting the workpiece on the suspension jig as shown in Figures 6B and 6C. At this time, the other end of the support member 6511 covers the top of the workpiece, and the other end further covers the top of that, preventing the workpiece from detaching from the support member 6511. In addition, the workpiece 7 can be easily removed from the suspension jig 65 by pulling out the end of the workpiece 7 through the two ends of the support member 6511.

[0055] Here, multiple support members 6511 are fixed to each of the two sides 651 at the same position in the height direction (for example, six). By supporting the ends of the workpieces 7 with the support members 6511 fixed to each of the two sides 651, multiple workpieces 7 can be supported by the suspension jig 65.

[0056] Thus, the suspension jig 65 includes two sides 651 that are spaced apart laterally and a plurality of support members 6511 fixed to each of the two sides 651. This allows the ends of the workpieces 7 to be supported by the plurality of support members 6511 fixed to each of the two sides 651, thereby supporting a plurality of workpieces 7 between the two sides 651.

[0057] The first locking member 6521 is a member for locking onto the upper part 64 of the stand 6 and suspending the suspension jig 65 from the arm 641. The first locking member 6521 has a hook at its tip, and its base end is fixed to the left of the center of the upper edge 652. As shown in Figure 6B, the first locking member 6521 is inserted into the slit 6412 at the tip of the arm 641 and positioned between the two rods 6411, and locks onto the connecting member 642 that connects them.

[0058] The second locking member 6522, together with the first locking member 6521, is a member for suspending the suspension jig 65 from the arm 641 by locking to the upper part 64 of the stand 6. The second locking member 6522 is formed in a T-shape and has an enlarged or widened end, with its base end fixed to the center of the upper side 652. As shown in Figure 6B, the second locking member 6522 is inserted into the slit 6412 at the tip of the arm 641 and locks its end between the two rods 6411, on the tip side of the connecting member 642.

[0059] As described above, by locking the two locking members, the first locking member 6521 and the second locking member 6522, which are positioned on either side of each other, to the connecting member 642 and the tip of the arm 641, respectively, the suspension jig 65 can be detachably suspended from the stand 6. Furthermore, the upper part of the suspension jig 65 can be positioned in the radial and circumferential directions, and its rotation can be suppressed, allowing it to be suspended and supported by the arm 641.

[0060] The insertion member 6531 is a member provided on the lower edge 653, protruding downward. As shown in Figure 6C, the lower part of the suspension jig 65 is positioned radially and circumferentially by inserting the insertion member 6531 into the opening 6333 formed between the two rods 6331 and the two connecting members 6332 at the bottom 63 of the stand 6. This prevents the suspension jig 65 from rotating and allows it to be stably suspended from the stand 6.

[0061] The stand 6 according to this embodiment comprises a shaft 61, a base 63 provided at the lower end of the shaft 61 and capable of being placed on a turntable 12, 22 or support base 32, and at least one arm 641 extending outward from the body of the shaft 61 to suspend and support multiple workpieces 7. With the stand 6 configured in this way, multiple workpieces 7 are supported in the height direction on the suspension jig 65, suspended and supported in a line around the shaft 61, and the base 63 is placed on the turntable 12, 22 or support base 32, making it possible to support many workpieces 7 in both the circumferential and height directions on the turntable 12, 22 or support base 32. This makes it possible to perform processes such as applying penetrating liquid to multiple workpieces 7 at once, or discharging cleaning liquid to clean them.

[0062] Furthermore, the stand 6 includes at least one suspension jig 65 that supports multiple workpieces 7 in the height direction and detachably suspends them from at least one arm 641, so that multiple workpieces 7 can be suspended and supported from the stand 6 by at least one suspension jig 65.

[0063] <Cleaning equipment> Figures 7 and 8A to 8D show the configuration of the cleaning device 2. Here, Figure 7 shows the internal configuration of the cleaning device 2. A stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 is placed on a turntable 22. However, in order to clarify the device configuration, only two of the six arms 641 of the stand are supported by suspension jigs 65, and each suspension jig 65 supports only one workpiece 7. Figure 8A shows the configuration of the turntable 22 and the arrangement of the nozzles of the cleaning device 2. Figures 8B and 8C show the configuration of the cleaning device 2 in a front view and a top view, respectively. The cleaning device 2 is a device that sprays a cleaning liquid such as water onto workpieces 7 coated with penetrating liquid to wash away the penetrating liquid remaining on the surface, and comprises a chamber 20, a rotating device 21, a turntable 22, a first nozzle 23, and a second nozzle 24.

[0064] The chamber 20 is a housing in which the workpiece 7 is cleaned, and a rotating device 21, a rotating table 22, a first nozzle 23, and a second nozzle 24 are arranged inside it. By performing the cleaning inside the chamber 20, the cleaning liquid is prevented from splashing into the surrounding area, and the cleaning liquid after use can be easily disposed of. The chamber 20 includes a lid 203 and transport ports 201 and 202.

[0065] The lid 203 is an openable and closable component located on the top of the chamber 20. It opens when the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 is brought into the chamber 20 and when it is brought out of the chamber 20, and closes when the cleaning device 2 is in operation, thereby shielding the inside of the chamber 20 from the surroundings. The structure of the lid 203 is not particularly limited as long as it has an openable and closable structure, and various types of lids can be used, such as hinged lids, sliding lids, and removable tops.

[0066] The transport port 201 is an opening provided on the right side of the chamber 20, through which the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be brought into the chamber 20. A door that can be opened and closed is fixed to the transport port 201. When the washing device 2 is in operation, the transport port 201 is closed with the door to shield the inside of the chamber 20 from the surroundings, and when the washing device 2 is stopped, the transport port 201 is opened to form an entry path for the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7.

[0067] The transport port 202 is an opening provided on the left side of the chamber 20, through which the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be transported out of the chamber 20. A door that can be opened and closed is fixed to the transport port 202. When the washing device 2 is in operation, the transport port 202 is closed with the door to shield the inside of the chamber 20 from the surroundings, and when the washing device 2 is stopped, the transport port 202 is opened to form an exit path for the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7.

[0068] Furthermore, the doors provided at the transport openings 201 and 202 are not limited in structure as long as they can be opened and closed, and various types of doors can be used, such as hinged doors, sliding doors, and removable walls. In addition, the transport openings 201 and 202 may form the unloading and loading routes of the stand 6, respectively.

[0069] The rotating device 21 is a device that rotates the turntable 22 and is positioned in the center of the bottom surface of the chamber 20, rotating the turntable 22 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions when viewed from above. The rotating device 21 has a rotating shaft 211, a drive device, an encoder, and a control unit (not shown). These are configured in the same way as those in the rotating device 11 described above. By rotating the turntable 22 clockwise or counterclockwise with the rotating device 21 and discharging the cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 23 and the second nozzle 24 toward a plurality of workpieces 7 supported on the turntable 22 via the stand 6, the penetrating liquid can be evenly washed off from the entire surface of each workpiece 7.

[0070] The turntable 22 is a component that supports and rotates the workpiece 7. In the cleaning device 2 of this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which multiple workpieces 7 are supported on the turntable 22 using the stand 6 described above. The turntable 22 has a frame 221 and ribs 223. These components can be made using, for example, SUS304. The turntable 22 is connected to the upper end of the rotation shaft 211 of the rotating device 21 and installed above the rotating device 21.

[0071] The frame 221 is a rectangular tube-shaped member on which the bottom 63 of the stand 6 is placed. The shape of the frame 221 is not limited to a rectangular tube shape, but can be appropriately changed to match the shape of the bottom 63, as long as it is the shape and size that can support the stand 6. The frame 221 has three positioning members 2211 that are erected upward from the side or top surface.

[0072] The three positioning members 2211 are plate-shaped members that support the base 63 of the stand 6 by fitting it into the space enclosed by them. The positioning members 2211 allow the stand 6 to be positioned horizontally on the rotating base 22. In this embodiment, the number of positioning members 2211 is set to three, but any number that can accommodate and support the base 63 of the stand 6 is acceptable and can be changed as appropriate.

[0073] The rib 223 is a component that connects the frame 221 to the rotation shaft 211 of the rotating device 21. The rib 223 is fixed at both ends to a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the frame 221, and its center is fixed to the upper end of the rotation shaft of the rotating device 21. This creates two openings 224 surrounded by the frame 221 and the rib 223, through which the cleaning fluid can pass through the turntable 22, and the cleaning fluid discharged upward from the second nozzle 24 below the turntable 22 can clean the lower surface of the workpiece 7 supported above the turntable 22.

[0074] In this embodiment, one rib 223 is provided, but multiple ribs 223 may be arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 211, as long as the frame 221 can be fixed to the rotation axis 211 of the rotating device 21 and an opening 224 can be formed between them. Furthermore, the shape of the ribs 223 can be any shape as long as the cleaning fluid can pass through the rotating table 22 through the opening 224 formed between them.

[0075] Multiple first nozzles 23 are arranged around the rotating table 22 and discharge cleaning fluid toward the center. By discharging cleaning fluid toward multiple workpieces 7 supported above the rotating table 22 using multiple first nozzles 23, penetrating fluid can be efficiently washed away from multiple workpieces 7.

[0076] The multiple first nozzles 23 include eight nozzles 231-238 positioned in the front left, center left, back left, back center, back right, center right, front right, and front center corners of the chamber 20, respectively. Pairs of first nozzles 231 and 235, 232 and 236, 233 and 237, and 234 and 238 face each other across the turntable 22. By positioning at least one pair of first nozzles 23 facing each other, cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto the workpiece 7 supported above the turntable 22 from both sides, washing away any penetrating fluid.

[0077] Figure 8D shows the arrangement and heights of multiple first nozzles 23 positioned towards the front when viewed from the left side, front, right side, and rear of the chamber 20. First nozzles 234, 235, 237, 233, and 231 are positioned in order of increasing height, while first nozzles 232, 236, and 238 are positioned at the lowest height. In this way, by arranging multiple first nozzles 23 at different heights, cleaning fluid can be discharged towards each of the multiple workpieces 7 that are positioned in the height direction by the suspension jig 65 using multiple first nozzles 23 positioned at different heights.

[0078] Here, the height differences between the opposing pairs of first nozzles 234 and 238, the pair of first nozzles 235 and 231, and the pair of first nozzles 237 and 233 are all different. In this way, by setting opposing first nozzles 23 at different heights and varying the height differences between each pair of first nozzles 23, and by setting some of the multiple first nozzles 23 at different heights, cleaning fluid can be discharged toward each of the multiple workpieces 7 supported in a line in the height direction above the rotating table 22.

[0079] Furthermore, the first nozzles 232 and 236 are positioned below the transport path that transports the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 from the inlet path formed by the transport opening 201 to the outlet path formed by the transport opening 202. By positioning the first nozzles 232 and 236 below the transport path of the workpiece 7 in this way, the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be transported without interfering with the nozzles.

[0080] The second nozzle 24 is positioned below the turntable 22 and discharges cleaning fluid upward. In this embodiment, four second nozzles 24 are arranged below the turntable 22 around the rotation axis 211. In this way, by positioning at least one of the second nozzles 24 around the rotation axis of the turntable 22, cleaning fluid can be discharged towards multiple workpieces 7 supported above the turntable 22 using multiple second nozzles 24 positioned below the turntable 22 around the rotation axis 211.

[0081] A rotating nozzle can be used in at least one of the first nozzles 231-238 and the second nozzles 241-244. The rotating nozzle is a nozzle that sprays liquid while rotating 360 degrees parallel to the wall surface of the chamber 20 (i.e., in the azimuth direction) and 180 degrees in the angle of attack direction. This suppresses the spraying of the cleaning liquid onto the wall surface of the chamber 20 and allows the cleaning liquid to be efficiently sprayed onto the workpiece 7 towards the inside of the chamber 20.

[0082] Figure 9 shows the operating state of the cleaning device 2. Multiple workpieces 7 are supported above the turntable 22 using the stand 6 described above. The cleaning device 2 rotates the turntable 22 with the rotating device 21, causing the multiple workpieces 7 supported above it to rotate, for example, counterclockwise. At the same time, it sprays cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 23 located on the side of the turntable 22 toward the center, and from the second nozzle 24 located below the turntable 22 toward the top. The cleaning device 2 also reverses the rotation direction of the turntable 22, causing the multiple workpieces 7 to rotate clockwise, while simultaneously spraying cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 23 toward the center and from the second nozzle 24 toward the top. This allows the penetrating liquid remaining on the surface of each of the multiple workpieces 7 to be washed away.

[0083] The cleaning apparatus 2 according to this embodiment includes a rotating device 21 that rotates a turntable 22 supporting a workpiece 7, at least one first nozzle 23 positioned to the side of the turntable 22 and discharging cleaning liquid toward the center, and at least one second nozzle 24 positioned below the turntable 22 and discharging cleaning liquid toward the upward. This allows for the support of multiple workpieces 7 above the turntable 22, and while the turntable 22 is rotated by the rotating device 21, cleaning liquid is discharged toward the center from at least one first nozzle 23 positioned to the side of the turntable 22, and penetrating liquid is discharged toward the upward from at least one second nozzle 24 positioned below the turntable 22, thereby enabling the penetrating liquid to be washed off from the entire surface of the workpiece 7, including not only the top surface but also the bottom surface.

[0084] <This cleaning device> Figures 10 and 11A to 11D show the configuration of the cleaning device 3. Here, Figure 10 shows the internal configuration of the cleaning device 3. A stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 is placed on a support base 32. However, in order to clarify the device configuration, only two of the stand's six arms are supported by suspension jigs 65, and each suspension jig 65 supports only one workpiece 7. Figure 11A shows the configuration of the support base 32 and the arrangement of the nozzles of the cleaning device 3. Figures 11B and 11C show the configuration of the cleaning device 3 in front view and top view, respectively. The cleaning device 3 is a device that sprays a cleaning solution such as water onto a workpiece 7 in which the penetrating liquid on the surface has been washed off by the cleaning device 2 and the penetrating liquid remaining in surface defects has been emulsified, in order to further wash off the penetrating liquid. It comprises a chamber 30, a support base 32, a first nozzle 33, and a second nozzle 34.

[0085] Furthermore, this cleaning device 3 further cleans the workpiece 7 from which the penetrant has already been washed off by cleaning device 2. Since it is possible to sufficiently remove the penetrant without rotating the workpiece 7, the turntable and rotating device can be omitted. However, in cases where it is difficult to sufficiently remove the penetrant, cleaning device 3 may also be equipped with a turntable and rotating device similar to those in cleaning device 2.

[0086] The chamber 30 is a housing in which the workpiece 7 is cleaned, and a support base 32, a first nozzle 33, and a second nozzle 34 are arranged inside it. By performing the cleaning inside the chamber 30, the cleaning solution is prevented from splashing into the surrounding area, and the cleaning solution can be easily disposed of after use. The chamber 30 includes a lid 303 and transport ports 301 and 302.

[0087] The lid 303 is an openable and closable component located on the top of the chamber 30. It opens when the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 is brought into the chamber 30 and when it is brought out of the chamber 30, and closes when the cleaning device 3 is in operation, thereby shielding the inside of the chamber 30 from the surroundings. The structure of the lid 303 is not particularly limited as long as it has an openable and closable structure, and various types of lids can be used, such as hinged lids, sliding lids, and removable tops.

[0088] The transport port 301 is an opening provided on the right side of the chamber 30, through which the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be brought into the chamber 30. A door that can be opened and closed is fixed to the transport port 301. When the cleaning device 3 is in operation, the transport port 301 is closed with the door to shield the inside of the chamber 30 from the surroundings, and when the cleaning device 3 is stopped, the transport port 301 is opened to form an entry path for the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7.

[0089] The transport port 302 is an opening provided on the left side of the chamber 30, through which the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be transported out of the chamber 30. A door that can be opened and closed is fixed to the transport port 302. When the cleaning device 3 is in operation, the transport port 302 is closed with the door to shield the inside of the chamber 30 from the surroundings, and when the cleaning device 3 is stopped, the transport port 302 is opened to form an exit path for the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7.

[0090] Furthermore, the doors provided at the transport openings 301 and 302 are not limited in structure as long as they are able to be opened and closed, and various types of doors can be used, such as hinged doors, sliding doors, or removable walls. In addition, the transport openings 301 and 302 may form the unloading and loading routes of the stand 6, respectively.

[0091] The support base 32 is a member that supports the workpiece 7. In this washing device 3 of this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which multiple workpieces 7 are supported on the support base 32 using a stand 6. The support base 32 has a frame 321, a reinforcing member 322, and legs 323.

[0092] The frame 321 is a rectangular tube-shaped member on which the bottom 63 of the stand 6 is placed. The shape of the frame 321 is not limited to a rectangular tube shape, but can be appropriately changed to match the shape of the bottom 63, as long as it is a shape and size that can support the stand 6.

[0093] The reinforcing member 322 is a member that reinforces the frame 321. The reinforcing member 322 is fixed at both ends to a pair of opposing sides of the frame 321, so as to pass straight through the center of the frame 321. This creates two openings 324 surrounded by the frame 321 and the reinforcing member 322, through which the cleaning liquid can pass through the support base 32, and the cleaning liquid discharged upward from the second nozzle 34 below the support base 32 can clean the lower surface of the workpiece 7 supported above the support base 32.

[0094] In this embodiment, a single reinforcing member 322 is provided that passes through the center of the frame 321. However, multiple reinforcing members 322 may be arranged as long as they can reinforce the frame 321 and form an opening 224 between them. Furthermore, the shape of the reinforcing members 322 can be any shape as long as the cleaning fluid can pass through the support base 32 through the opening 324 formed between them.

[0095] The legs 323 are members that support the frame 321 on the bottom surface of the chamber 30. The legs 323 are formed in an L-shape when viewed from the side, with their upper ends fixed to the inner surfaces of the four corners of the frame 321 and their lower ends fixed to the bottom surface. In this embodiment, four legs 323 are provided to support the four corners of the frame 321, but more may be provided.

[0096] Multiple first nozzles 33 are arranged around the support base 32 and discharge cleaning liquid toward the center. By discharging cleaning liquid towards multiple workpieces 7 supported above the support base 32 using multiple first nozzles 33, penetrating liquid can be efficiently washed off the multiple workpieces 7.

[0097] The multiple first nozzles 33 include eight first nozzles 331 to 338, respectively, positioned in the front left, center left, back left, back center, back right, center right, front right, and front center corners of the chamber 30. Pairs of first nozzles 331 and 335, 332 and 336, 333 and 337, and 334 and 338 face each other across the support base 32. By positioning at least one pair of first nozzles 33 facing each other, cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto the workpiece 7 supported above the support base 32 from both sides, washing away any penetrating fluid.

[0098] Figure 11D shows the arrangement and heights of multiple first nozzles 33 positioned towards the front when viewed from the left side, front, right side, and rear of the chamber 30. The first nozzles 331, 333, 335, and 337 at the four corners of the chamber 30 are positioned at a higher position, while the other first nozzles 332, 334, 336, and 338 are positioned at a lower position. By arranging the multiple first nozzles 33 at different heights in this way, cleaning fluid can be discharged towards each of the multiple workpieces 7 arranged in the height direction by the suspension jig 65, particularly by using the first nozzles 33 positioned at a higher position and the first nozzles 33 positioned at a lower position.

[0099] Here, the first nozzles 332 and 336 are located below the transport path that transports the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 from the inlet path formed by the transport opening 301 to the outlet path formed by the transport opening 302. By positioning the first nozzles 332 and 336 below the transport path of the workpiece 7 in this way, the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 can be transported without interfering with the nozzles.

[0100] The second nozzle 34 is positioned below the support base 32 and discharges cleaning fluid upward. In this embodiment, four second nozzles 34 (341-344) are positioned below the support base 32. In this way, by positioning at least one of the second nozzles 24 below the support base 32, cleaning fluid can be discharged towards multiple workpieces 7 supported above the support base 32 using the multiple second nozzles 34 positioned below the support base 32.

[0101] A rotating nozzle can be used in at least one of the first nozzles 331-338 and the second nozzles 341-344. The rotating nozzle is a nozzle that sprays liquid while rotating 360 degrees parallel to the wall surface of the chamber 30 (i.e., in the azimuth direction) and 180 degrees in the angle of attack direction. This suppresses the spraying of the cleaning liquid onto the wall surface of the chamber 30 and allows the cleaning liquid to be efficiently sprayed onto the workpiece 7 towards the inside of the chamber 30.

[0102] Figure 12 shows the operating state of the cleaning device 3. Multiple workpieces 7 are supported above the support base 32 using the stand 6 described above. The cleaning device 3 sprays cleaning liquid from a first nozzle 33 located on the side of the support base 32 toward the center, and also sprays cleaning liquid upward from a second nozzle 34 located below the support base 32. This allows the penetrating liquid remaining on the surface of each of the multiple workpieces 7 to be washed away.

[0103] The cleaning apparatus 3 according to this embodiment includes a support base 32 for supporting workpieces 7, at least one first nozzle 33 positioned to the side of the support base 32 and discharging cleaning liquid toward the center, and at least one second nozzle 34 positioned below the support base 32 and discharging cleaning liquid toward the upward. This allows for the support of multiple workpieces 7 above the support base 32, the discharge of cleaning liquid toward the center from at least one first nozzle 33 positioned to the side of the support base 32, and the discharge of penetrating liquid toward the upward from at least one second nozzle 34 positioned below the support base 32, thereby enabling the washing away of penetrating liquid from the entire surface of the workpiece 7, including not only the top surface but also the bottom surface.

[0104] <Observation device> Observation device 4 is a device for drying and observing a workpiece 7 after the application and washing of the penetrant, in order to detect surface defects in the workpiece 7. Here, drying is performed in observation device 4, but it may also be performed in the washing device 3 or in a separate dedicated device. In the case of the fluorescence penetrant test method, observation device 4 stores the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 in a dark room, illuminates the workpiece 7 using a black light that emits near-ultraviolet light with a wavelength of, for example, 315 to 400 nm, and photographs the workpiece 7 with a camera through an optical filter that cuts out noise light. Here, the penetrant that has penetrated the surface defects of the workpiece fluoresces when illuminated with a black light. In the case of the staining flaw detection test method, observation device 4 stores the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 in a dark room, illuminates the workpiece 7 using a white strobe, and photographs the workpiece 7 with a camera through an optical filter that cuts out noise light. Here, by illuminating the workpiece 7 with a white strobe, the staining of the penetrant that has penetrated the surface defects of the workpiece is displayed. The observation device 4 detects surface defects in the workpiece 7 by analyzing images captured by a camera using an image processing device (not shown).

[0105] <Conveying device> Figures 13A and 13B show the schematic and functional configurations of the conveying device 5, respectively. In this configuration, the conveying device 5 grips the stand 6. The conveying device 5 is a device that conveys the workpiece 7 using the stand 6, and comprises a Z-conveying device 51, an X-conveying device 52, a position detector 53, and a controller 54. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction, and one direction perpendicular to it is defined as the X-axis direction.

[0106] The Z-transport device 51 is a device that transports workpieces 7 in the Z-axis direction using a stand 6. More specifically, it transports a stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 onto the turntable 12 of the penetrant coating device 1, the turntable 22 of the washing device 2, the support base 32 of the washing device, and the support base in the darkroom of the observation device 4. After the completion of operations such as coating, washing, and observation, it grips the stand 6 and moves it away from each device. By gripping the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 and transporting it in the Z-axis direction, the Z-transport device 51 makes it possible to transport many workpieces 7 at once. The Z-transport device 51 includes a motor 511 and a lifting mechanism 512.

[0107] Motor 511 is a device that raises and lowers the elevator 512. As an example, motor 511 employs a ball screw-driven servo motor. A ball screw extending in the vertical direction is rotatably fixed to the X-transport device (described later), and motor 511 is fixed to one of the X-transport device 52 and elevator 512, while a nut that engages with the ball screw is fixed to the other. By operating motor 511 and rotating the ball screw, elevator 512 rises and falls along the ball screw. The mechanism of motor 511 is not particularly limited as long as it can achieve Z-direction transport, and by using a ball screw-driven servo motor, the stand 6 can be accurately placed on the turntable 12, etc.

[0108] Figure 14 shows the configuration of the elevator 512. The elevator 512 is a device that grips and raises a stand 6 that supports multiple workpieces 7, and has a frame 5124, a fork member 5121, a clamping member 5122, and a motor 5123.

[0109] The frame 5124 is a member that holds the fork member 5121 and the motor 5123. For example, the frame 5124 is formed in an inverted L shape in a side view, with its upper end connected to the top surface and one end of the upper surface to which the motor 5123 is fixed, and its lower end having a side to which the fork member 5121 is fixed. The top surface and the side may be joined using fixing members to form the frame 5124, or they may be integrally molded to form the frame 5124.

[0110] The fork member 5121 is a member that locks onto the flange 611 of the stand 6. The fork member 5121 has a notch 5125 that opens to one side (in this example, in the +X direction) into which the shaft 61 of the stand 6 can be inserted. Here, the tip (+X end) of the fork member 5121 is tapered so that the opening of the notch 5125 widens from the inside to the outside. In addition, a portion of the two edges that define the notch 5125 forms an arc when viewed from above, and the upper ends of each of the two edges that form the arc form a tapered surface 5126 that slopes inward toward the inside of the notch 5125. The slope of the tapered surface 5126 is approximately equal to the slope of the tapered surface 6111 on the underside of the flange 611 of the stand 6.

[0111] The clamping member 5122 is a member that clamps the flange 611, which is provided at the upper end of the shaft 61 of the stand 6, between itself and the fork member 5121. As an example, the clamping member 5122 is a disc that is larger than the upper surface of the flange 611.

[0112] Motor 5123 is an electric motor fixed to the top surface of frame 5124 and drives the clamping member 5122 in the vertical direction. Motor 5123 is operated under the control of controller 54 of the conveying device 5.

[0113] The X-transport device 52 is a device that holds the Z-transport device 51 and transports it in the X-axis direction. The X-transport device 52 is, for example, a belt-driven servo motor and has a belt (not shown) that extends in a loop in the X-axis direction and a motor 521 that rotates the belt. The Z-transport device 51 is fixed to a part of the belt so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The motor 521 is operated under the control of the controller of the transport device 5. The X-transport device 52 transports the Z-transport device 51, which holds the stand 6, to each device such as the penetrant coating device 1, the washing device 2, the main washing device 3, and the observation device 4, and also transports it out of each device.

[0114] The position detector 53 includes an X detector 532 and a Z detector 531. The X detector 532 detects the position of the Z transport device 51, which is transported by the X transport device 52, in the X-axis direction (i.e., the X position). The Z detector 531 detects the position of the elevator 512, which is raised and lowered by the Z transport device 51, in the Z-axis direction (i.e., the Z position). As the X detector 532 and Z detector 531, for example, sensors that detect the amount of rotation of the belt of the X transport device 52 and the amount of rotation of the ball screw of the Z transport device 51, and convert the respective detection results into the X position of the Z transport device 51 and the Z position of the elevator 512 can be used. The position detection results from the position detector 53 are transmitted to the controller 54.

[0115] The controller 54 is a device that controls the Z-transport device 51 and the X-transport device 52, and its control function is activated when a computer device starts a dedicated program. The controller 54 moves the Z-transport device 51 in the X-axis direction by controlling the X-transport device 52 (motor) based on the detection result of the X-position of the Z-transport device 51, and moves the elevator 512 in the Z-axis direction by controlling the Z-transport device 51 (motor 5123) based on the detection result of the Z-position of the elevator 512. In addition, the controller 54 controls the motor 5123 of the elevator 512 to drive the clamping member 5111 in the vertical direction, thereby clamping the flange 611 of the stand 6 between the clamping member 5111 and the fork member 5121.

[0116] Figures 15A to 15E show the operation of the elevator 512 gripping the stand 6 that supports the workpiece 7 when it is to be removed from the device.

[0117] First, the controller 54 controls the Z-transport device 51 and the X-transport device 52 to move the elevator 512 to the side of the upper end of the shaft 61 of the stand 6, as shown in Figure 15A. As a result, the notch 5125 of the fork member 5121 faces the shaft 61 of the stand 6.

[0118] Next, the controller 54 controls the X-transport device 52 to move the elevator 512 (supported by the Z-transport device 51) in the +X direction. As a result, the shaft 61 of the stand 6 is inserted into the notch 5125 of the fork member 5121, as shown in Figure 15B.

[0119] Next, the controller 54 controls the Z-transport device 51 to raise the elevator 512. Here, the lower side of the flange 611 forms an inverted conical tapered surface 6111, and the two edges of the fork member 5121 that demarcates the notch 5125 form an arc, with the upper ends of each forming a tapered surface 6111. As shown in Figure 15C, the lower surface of the flange 611 slides on the tapered surfaces 6111 of the two edges, positioning the shaft 61 at the center of the notch 5125.

[0120] Next, the controller 54 controls the motor 5123 of the elevator 512 to drive the clamping member 5122 downward. As a result, as shown in Figures 15D and 15E, the flange 611 of the shaft 61 is clamped vertically by the fork member 5121 and the clamping member 5111, and the stand 6 is gripped by the elevator 512.

[0121] Next, the controller 54 controls the Z-transport device 51 and the X-transport device 52 to further raise the elevator 512 and move the Z-transport device 51, which supports it, in the X-axis direction. This allows the stand 6 that supports the workpiece 7 to be transported stably.

[0122] When the stand 6 supporting the workpiece 7 is brought into the apparatus, the controller 54 first controls the Z-transport device 51 and the X-transport device 52 to bring the stand 6, which is gripped by the elevator 512, into, for example, the penetrating liquid coating apparatus 1 and position it on the turntable 12.

[0123] Next, the controller 54 controls the Z-transport device 51 to lower the elevator 512, and inserts the bottom 63 of the stand 6, which is gripped by the elevator, into the frame 121 of the turntable 12.

[0124] Next, the controller 54 controls the motor 5123 of the elevator 512 to drive the clamping member 5122 upward. This releases the flange 611 of the shaft 61 from the elevator 512.

[0125] Finally, the controller 54 controls the Z-transport device 51 and the X-transport device 52 to retract the elevator 512 from the penetrating liquid coating device 1. Note that when the stand 6, which is gripped by the elevator 512, is to be moved into another device, the same procedure can be followed to place the stand 6 on a support base or the like within the device.

[0126] In this way, the transport device 5 drives the stand 6 that supports multiple workpieces 7 in the Z-axis direction by the Z-transport device 51 and in the X-axis direction by the X-transport device 52, thereby realizing the transport of the stand 6 by a combination of transport in two directions, the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the positioning accuracy of the workpieces 7 being transported is improved by the shape of the flange 611 and fork member 5121 of the stand 6.

[0127] Figures 16A to 16G show the transport operation of a stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 by the transport device 5. As an example, the transport device 5 transports the stand 6, which is placed on the turntable 12 of the penetrant coating device 1, to the turntable 22 of the washing device 2.

[0128] During the transport operation, the controller 54 of the transport device 5 constantly uses the position detector 53 to detect the X position of the Z transport device 51, which is transported by the X transport device 52, and the Z position of the elevator 512, which is raised and lowered by the Z transport device 51. Based on these detection results, the controller 54 controls the X transport device 52 to transport the Z transport device 51 in the X-axis direction and controls the Z transport device 51 to raise and lower the elevator 512.

[0129] First, as shown in Figure 16A, the controller 54 controls the X-transport device 52 to move the Z-transport device 51 toward the penetrant coating device 1 in the +X direction, while simultaneously controlling the Z-transport device 51 to move the elevator 512 toward the turntable 12 in the -Z direction. As a result, the elevator 512 moves toward the upper end of the stand 6 which is placed on the turntable 12 of the penetrant coating device 1.

[0130] Next, as shown in Figure 16B, the controller 54 moves the Z-transport device 51 to the side of the center of the turntable 12 and lowers the elevator 512 so that its notch 5125 is below the flange 611 of the stand 6 which is placed on the turntable 12. As a result, the elevator 512 is positioned to the side of the upper end (i.e., the flange 611) of the stand 6, and the notch 5125 of the fork member 5121 of the elevator 512 faces the shaft 61 of the stand 6 (see Figure 15A).

[0131] In this state, the controller 54 further moves the Z-transport device 51 in the +X direction. As a result, the shaft 61 of the stand 6 is inserted into the notch 5125 of the fork member 5121 (see Figures 15B and 15C). Next, the controller 54 raises the lifter 512 to lock the flange 611 of the stand 6 with the fork member 5121, and drives the clamping member 5122 downward to clamp the flange 611 vertically with the fork member 5121 and the clamping member 5111 (see Figures 15D and 15E). As a result, the stand 6 is gripped by the Z-transport device 51 (lifter 512) as shown in Figure 16C.

[0132] Next, as shown in Figure 16C, the controller 54 raises the elevator 512. This causes the bottom 63 of the stand 6, which is fitted into the frame 121 of the turntable 12, to be pulled out from the frame 121.

[0133] Next, as shown in Figure 16D, the Z-transport device 51 is moved in the +X direction and the elevator 512 is raised. As a result, the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 is removed from the penetrant coating device 1 and transported towards the washing device 2.

[0134] Next, as shown in Figure 16E, the controller 54 moves the stand 6 into the cleaning device 2 and positions it on the turntable 22, and then lowers the elevator 512. As a result, as shown in Figure 16F, the bottom 63 of the stand 6 is fitted between the three positioning members 2211 of the turntable 22, and the stand 6 is placed on the turntable 22.

[0135] Next, the controller 54 drives the clamping member 5122 upward to release the clamping of the flange 611 by the fork member 5121 and the clamping member 5122, thereby releasing the stand 6.

[0136] Next, as shown in Figure 16F, the controller 54 moves the Z-transport device 51 in the -X direction. This causes the elevator 511 to move away from the flange 611 of the stand 6, completing the placement of the stand 6 onto the turntable 22.

[0137] Finally, as shown in Figure 16G, the controller 54 raises the elevator 512 while moving the Z-transport device 51 in the -X direction. This causes the elevator 512 to move away from the cleaning device 2.

[0138] The transport device 5 according to this embodiment includes a Z-transport device that holds the workpiece 7 and transports it in the Z-axis direction, and an X-transport device that transports the Z-transport device to and / or out of each device, such as a penetrant coating device, a washing device, a main washing device, and an observation device, i.e., transports it in the X-axis direction between devices. With this, the X-transport device 52 transports the Z-transport device 51, which holds the workpiece 7 via the stand 6, in the X-axis direction, thereby transporting the workpiece 7 to, for example, the penetrant coating device 1 and positioning it on the turntable 12. The Z-transport device 51 then transports the held workpiece 7 in the Z-axis direction, releases it, and places it on the turntable 12. Furthermore, the Z-transport device 51 holds the workpiece 7 placed on the turntable 12 and transports it in the Z-axis direction, and the X-transport device 52 transports the Z-transport device 51, which holds the workpiece 7, in the X-axis direction, thereby transporting the workpiece 7 out of the penetrant coating device 1. In other words, the conveying device 5, which combines a Z-transport device 51 that conveys the workpiece 7 in the Z-axis direction and an X-transport device 52 that conveys it in the X-axis direction, can convey the workpiece 7 to the target position at high speed and position it with high precision.

[0139] Figure 17A shows an example of the flow of the flaw detection method performed by the flaw detection system 9 according to this embodiment.

[0140] Prior to operating the flaw detection system 9, the user supports multiple (six in this example) workpieces 7 to be inspected using suspension jigs 65, and then suspends the six suspension jigs 65, each supporting one of the six workpieces 7, from the arms 641 of the stand 6. This assembles the stand 6 that supports multiple (36 in this example) workpieces 7. The assembly of the stand 6 is described using Figures 5 to 7.

[0141] Next, the conveying device 5 transports the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 to the penetrating liquid coating device 1, and places the stand 6 on the turntable 12. The transport of the stand 6 by the conveying device 5 is as described with reference to Figures 16A to 16G.

[0142] Next, in step S11, the penetrant coating device 1 applies the penetrant to multiple workpieces 7 supported by the stand 6. The application of the penetrant by the penetrant coating device 1 is as described with reference to Figure 4.

[0143] Next, the conveying device 5 removes the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 from the penetrating liquid coating device 1, and transports it to the washing device 2 where it is placed on the turntable 22.

[0144] Next, in step S12, the cleaning device 2 pre-cleans the multiple workpieces 7 supported by the stand 6 to remove any penetrating liquid adhering to their surfaces. The pre-cleaning by the cleaning device 2 is explained with reference to Figure 9.

[0145] Next, in step S13, an emulsifier is applied to multiple workpieces 7 that have undergone preliminary cleaning, emulsifying any remaining penetrating liquid on the surface of the workpieces 7 that could not be removed by the preliminary cleaning.

[0146] Next, the conveying device 5 removes the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 from the washing device 2, and loads it into the main washing device 3, where it is placed on the support base 32.

[0147] Next, in step S14, the cleaning device 3 performs a final cleaning of the multiple workpieces 7 whose surface permeate has been emulsified, further removing the permeate. The final cleaning by the cleaning device 3 is explained with reference to Figure 12.

[0148] Next, the transport device 5 removes the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 from the cleaning device 3, transports it to the observation device 4, and places it on its support base.

[0149] Next, in step S15, the multiple workpieces 7 are dried in the observation device 4 to remove the cleaning solution from the workpieces 7. Drying is performed, for example, by blowing hot air.

[0150] Next, in step S16, a developer is applied to multiple workpieces 7 within the observation device 4 to make it easier to visualize the penetrant liquid that has penetrated into the interior of surface defects.

[0151] Next, in step S17, the observation device 4 illuminates multiple workpieces 7 with a black light, captures images, and performs image processing to detect surface defects in the workpieces 7. The detection of surface defects in the workpieces 7 by the observation device 4 is as described above.

[0152] Figure 17B shows another example of the flow of the flaw detection method performed by the flaw detection system 9 according to this embodiment. This flow is for the case where a water-soluble penetrant is used as the penetrant applied to multiple workpieces 7. In this case, the preliminary cleaning (step S12) and emulsification (step S13) in the aforementioned flaw detection method flow can be omitted. The details of penetrant application (step S11), main cleaning (step S14), drying (step S15), development (step S16), and detection of surface defects (step S17) are as described above.

[0153] Finally, the transport device 5 removes the stand 6 supporting multiple workpieces 7 from the observation device 4 and transports it to the storage area.

[0154] The flaw detection system 9 according to this embodiment includes a penetrant application device 1 for applying a penetrant to a workpiece 7, a cleaning device 2 and a main cleaning device 3 for spraying a cleaning solution onto the workpiece for cleaning, and a transport device 5 for transporting the workpiece 7 between these devices and / or transporting it. The penetrant application device 1 can uniformly apply the penetrant to the workpiece 7, the cleaning device 2 and the main cleaning device 3 can efficiently clean the workpiece 7, and the transport device 5 can transport multiple workpieces 7 at high speed and with high precision, enabling efficient and automated flaw detection inspection.

[0155] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0156] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order.

[0157] According to this specification, the configurations described in the following sections are also disclosed. <Penetrating liquid coating device> (Item 1) A penetrant coating apparatus for coating a workpiece, comprising: a rotating device for rotating a turntable that supports the workpiece; at least one first nozzle positioned to the side of the turntable and discharging the penetrant toward the center; and at least one second nozzle positioned below the turntable and discharging the penetrant toward upward. (Item 2) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 1, wherein the rotating table has an opening through which the penetrant can pass. (Item 3) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the rotating platform comprises a cylindrical frame and a plurality of ribs connecting the frame to the rotating shaft of the rotating device. (Item 4) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the workpiece is supported by a plurality of stands that can be placed on the rotating table. (Item 5) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 4, wherein the stand includes at least one detachable suspension jig for supporting a plurality of workpieces in the height direction and suspending them above the turntable. (Item 6) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 5, wherein the suspension jigs are suspended in multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the rotating table by the stand. (Item 7) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 5 or 6, wherein the suspension jig includes two sides spaced apart laterally and a plurality of support members fixed to each of the two sides, and a plurality of workpieces are each supported by the plurality of support members on the two sides. (Item 8) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 5 to 7, wherein the suspension jig has a first locking member that locks onto the upper part of the stand. (Item 9) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 8, wherein the upper part of the stand has at least one arm having two side portions extending radially from a central axis and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a connecting portion connecting the body portions of the two side portions, and the first locking member of the suspension jig is located between the two side portions and locks into the connecting portion. (Item 10) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 8 or 9, wherein the suspension jig further has a second locking member that locks between the two sides and to each of the two sides, located on the tip side of the connecting portion. (Item 11) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 5 to 10, wherein the suspension jig has an insertable member that can be inserted into the bottom of the stand. (Item 12) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 4 to 11, wherein the rotating base has a cylindrical frame and an annular support surface protruding inward from the lower end of the frame, and the bottom of the stand is fitted into the frame and supported on the support surface. (Item 13) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes at least two first nozzles arranged at different heights. (Item 14) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes at least four first nozzles arranged around the turntable, and the at least four first nozzles have a small height difference between at least one adjacent first nozzle and a first nozzle facing it across the turntable. (Item 15) The rotating device is a penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 13, which rotates the turntable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. (Item 16) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is a two-fluid nozzle. (Item 17) A flaw detection system comprising a penetrant coating apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 16, and a conveying apparatus for loading a workpiece into the penetrant coating apparatus and / or unloading a workpiece from the penetrant coating apparatus.

[0158] <Cleaning equipment> (Item 18) A cleaning device for cleaning a workpiece, comprising: a rotating device for rotating a turntable that supports the workpiece; at least one first nozzle positioned to the side of the turntable and discharging cleaning fluid toward the center; and at least one second nozzle positioned below the turntable and discharging cleaning fluid toward the upward. (Item 19) The cleaning apparatus according to Item 18, wherein the rotating table has an opening through which the cleaning fluid can pass. (Item 20) The cleaning apparatus according to Item 18 or 19, wherein the rotating platform comprises a rectangular tubular frame and a plurality of ribs connecting the frame to the rotating shaft of the rotating device. (Item 21) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 18 to 20, wherein the workpiece is supported by a plurality of stands that can be placed on the turntable, in at least one of the rotational direction and the height direction of the turntable. (Item 22) The washing apparatus according to Item 21, wherein the rotating platform has at least three positioning members erected on its upper surface, and the bottom of the stand is positioned inside the at least three positioning members and supported on the rotating platform. (Item 23) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 18 to 22, wherein the at least one second nozzle includes a plurality of second nozzles arranged around the axis of rotation of the turntable. (Item 24) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 18 to 23, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes a plurality of first nozzles arranged at different heights. (Item 25) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 18 to 24, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes a plurality of first nozzles arranged around the rotating base. (Item 26) The cleaning apparatus according to Item 25, wherein the plurality of first nozzles include at least one first nozzle positioned on the workpiece transport path at a position lower than the path. (Item 27) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 18 to 26, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is a rotating nozzle. <This cleaning device> (Item 28) A cleaning device for cleaning a workpiece, comprising: a support base for supporting the workpiece; at least one first nozzle positioned to the side of the support base and discharging cleaning fluid toward the center; and at least one second nozzle positioned below the support base and discharging cleaning fluid toward the upward. (Item 29) The cleaning apparatus according to item 28, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is a rotating nozzle. (Item 30) The cleaning apparatus according to item 28 or 29, wherein the support base has an opening through which the cleaning fluid can pass. (Item 31) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the workpiece is supported by a plurality of stands that can be placed on the support base, in at least one of the rotational direction and the height direction of the support base. (Item 32) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 28 to 31, wherein the at least one second nozzle includes a plurality of second nozzles located below the support base. (Item 33) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 28 to 32, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes a plurality of first nozzles arranged at different heights. (Item 34) The cleaning apparatus according to any one of items 28 to 33, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes a plurality of first nozzles arranged around the support base. (Item 35) The cleaning apparatus according to Item 34, wherein the plurality of first nozzles include at least one first nozzle positioned on the workpiece transport path at a position lower than the path. (Item 36) A flaw detection system comprising a cleaning device described in any one of items 28 to 35, and a conveying device for loading workpieces into and / or unloading workpieces from the cleaning device.

[0159] <Conveying device> (Item 37) A conveying device for transporting a workpiece, comprising: a Z-transporting device that holds the workpiece and transports it in the Z-axis direction; and an X-transporting device that transports the Z-transporting device to and / or from a penetrating liquid coating device that applies a penetrating liquid to the workpiece in the X-axis direction. (Item 38) The conveying device according to Item 37, wherein the Z-transporting device includes a lifting device that grips and raises a stand that supports a plurality of workpieces. (Item 39) The conveying device according to Item 38, wherein a flange is provided at the upper end of the shaft (central axis) of the stand, and the lifting device comprises a fork member into which the shaft of the stand can be inserted, and a clamping member that clamps the flange between itself and the fork member. (Item 40) The conveying device according to Item 39, wherein the flange has a tapered surface on its lower side that narrows toward the shaft. (Item 41) The conveying device according to Item 39 or 40, wherein the stand comprises a shaft, a bottom provided at the lower end of the shaft and capable of being placed on a support base within the penetrant coating device, and at least one arm extending outward from the body of the shaft and supporting a plurality of workpieces. (Item 42) The conveying device according to Item 41, wherein the stand includes at least one suspension fixture for supporting a plurality of workpieces in the height direction and suspending them from the at least one arm. (Item 43) The conveying device according to Item 42, wherein the arms are provided in multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft body, and the suspension jigs are suspended in multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft body by the arms of the stand. (Item 44) The conveying device according to Item 42 or 43, wherein the suspension jig includes two sides spaced apart laterally and a plurality of support members fixed to each of the two sides, and a plurality of workpieces are each supported by the plurality of support members on the two sides. (Item 45) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 42 to 44, wherein the suspension jig has a first locking member that locks onto the upper part of the stand. (Item 46) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 45, wherein the upper part of the stand has at least one arm having two side portions extending radially from a central axis and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a connecting portion connecting the body portions of the two side portions, and the first locking member of the suspension jig is located between the two side portions and locks into the connecting portion. (Item 47) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 45 or 46, wherein the suspension jig further has a second locking member located on the tip side of the connecting portion, which locks between the two sides and to each of the two sides. (Item 48) The conveying device according to any one of items 42 to 47, wherein the suspension jig has an insertable member that can be inserted into the bottom of the stand. (Item 49) A flaw detection system comprising a transport device described in any one of items 37 to 48, and a penetrant application device for applying a penetrant to the workpiece.

[0160] <stand> (Item 50) A stand for supporting multiple workpieces, comprising: a shaft; a base provided at the lower end of the shaft and capable of being placed on a support base; and at least one arm extending outward from the body of the shaft and suspending and supporting multiple workpieces. (Item 51) The stand according to Item 50, wherein the stand includes at least one suspension fixture for supporting a plurality of workpieces in the height direction and suspending them from the at least one arm. (Item 52) The stand according to Item 51, wherein the arms are provided in multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft, and the suspension fixtures are suspended in multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft by the arms of the stand. (Item 53) The stand according to Item 51 or 52, wherein the suspension fixture includes two sides spaced apart laterally and a plurality of support members fixed to each of the two sides. (Item 54) The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of items 51 to 53, wherein the suspension jig has a first locking member that locks onto the upper part of the stand. (Item 55) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 54, wherein the upper part of the stand includes at least one arm having two sides extending radially from a central axis and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a connecting portion connecting the body portions of the two sides, and the first locking member of the suspension jig is located between the two sides and locks into the connecting portion. (Item 56) The penetrant coating apparatus according to Item 55, wherein the suspension jig further has a second locking member located on the tip side of the connecting portion, which locks between the two sides and to each of the two sides. (Item 57) The stand according to any one of items 51 to 56, wherein the suspension jig has an insertable member that can be inserted into the bottom of the stand. (Item 58) The stand according to any one of items 50 to 57, wherein a flange is provided at the upper end of the shaft, and the flange has a tapered surface on its lower side that narrows toward the shaft. (Item 59) The stand according to any one of items 50 to 58, wherein the bottom portion comprises a plurality of ribs extending outward from the lower end of the shaft and a frame fixed by the plurality of ribs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0161] 1... Penetrant coating device, 10... Chamber, 101, 102... Conveyor port, 103... Cover, 11... Rotating device, 111... Rotating shaft, 112... Drive device, 113... Encoder, 114... Control unit, 12... Turntable, 121... Frame, 122... Support surface, 123... Rib, 124... Opening, 13... First nozzle, 14... Second nozzle, 2... Washing device, 20... Chamber, 201, 202... Conveyor port, 203... Cover, 21 ...rotating device, 211...rotating shaft, 22...rotating base, 221...frame, 222...positioning member, 223...rib, 224...opening, 23...first nozzle, 24...second nozzle, 3...main washing device, 30...chamber, 301, 302...transport opening, 303...lid, 32...support base, 321...frame, 322...reinforcement member, 323...leg, 324...opening, 33...first nozzle, 34...second nozzle, 4...observation device, 5...transport 51... Z-transport device, 511... motor, 512... lifting device, 5121... fork member, 5122... clamping member, 5123... motor, 5124... frame, 5125... notch, 52... X-transport device, 521... motor, 53... position detector, 54... controller, 6... stand, 61... shaft, 611... flange, 6111... tapered surface, 63... bottom, 631... frame, 632... rib, 63 3...Positioning rib, 6331...Rod body, 6332...Connecting member, 64...Upper part, 641...Arm, 6411...Rod body, 6412...Slit, 6413...Opening, 642...Connecting member, 65...Suspension jig, 651...Side edge, 6511...Support member, 652...Upper edge, 6521, 6522...Locking member, 653...Lower edge, 6531...Insertion member, 654...Connecting edge, 655...Frame body, 7...Workpiece, 9...Flaw detection system.

Claims

1. A penetrant coating apparatus for applying a penetrant to a workpiece, A rotating device that rotates a turntable supporting a workpiece, wherein the turntable has an opening through which a permeable liquid can pass, The rotating platform is positioned to the side of the rotating platform and dispenses permeable liquid toward the center, and A second nozzle is positioned below the rotating platform and discharges the permeate upward through the opening of the rotating platform, A penetrant coating apparatus equipped with a penetrant solution.

2. The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating platform comprises a cylindrical frame and a plurality of ribs connecting the frame to the rotating shaft of the rotating device.

3. The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the workpieces are supported by a plurality of stands that can be placed on the rotating table.

4. The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stand includes at least one detachable suspension jig for supporting a plurality of workpieces in the height direction and suspending them above the rotating table.

5. The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the suspension jigs are suspended in multiple locations in the circumferential direction of the rotating table by the stand.

6. The suspension jig includes two sides spaced apart in the lateral direction, and a plurality of support members fixed to each of the two sides, The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein multiple workpieces are each supported by the multiple support members on the two sides.

7. The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the suspension jig has a first locking member that locks onto the upper part of the stand.

8. The upper part of the stand has at least one arm having two side parts extending radially from the central axis and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a connecting part connecting the body portions of the two side parts. The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first locking member of the suspension jig is located between the two sides and locks into the connecting portion.

9. The penetrant coating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the suspension jig further has a second locking member located on the tip side of the connecting portion, which locks between the two side portions and to each of the two side portions.

10. The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the suspension jig has an insertion member that can be inserted into the bottom of the stand.

11. The aforementioned rotating platform has a cylindrical frame and an annular support surface that protrudes inward from the lower end of the frame, The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the bottom of the stand is fitted into the frame and supported on the support surface.

12. The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes at least two first nozzles arranged at different heights.

13. The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes at least four first nozzles arranged around the rotating table, and the at least four first nozzles have a small height difference between at least one adjacent first nozzle and a first nozzle facing it across the rotating table.

14. The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the rotating device rotates the turntable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

15. The penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is a two-fluid nozzle.

16. A penetrant coating apparatus for coating a workpiece with a penetrant, A rotating device that rotates a turntable that supports the workpiece, The rotating platform is positioned to the side of the rotating platform and dispenses permeable liquid toward the center, and A second nozzle is positioned below the rotating platform and discharges the permeable liquid upward, Equipped with, The workpieces are supported by multiple stands that can be placed on the rotating table, Penetrant coating apparatus, wherein the stand includes at least one detachable suspension jig for supporting multiple workpieces in the height direction and suspending them above the rotating table.

17. A penetrant coating apparatus for coating a workpiece with a penetrant, A rotating device that rotates a turntable that supports the workpiece, The rotating platform is positioned to the side of the rotating platform and dispenses permeable liquid toward the center, and A second nozzle is positioned below the rotating platform and discharges the permeable liquid upward, Equipped with, The workpieces are supported by multiple stands that can be placed on the rotating table, The aforementioned rotating platform has a cylindrical frame and an annular support surface that protrudes inward from the lower end of the frame, A penetrating liquid coating device in which the bottom of the stand is fitted into the frame and supported on the support surface.

18. A penetrant coating apparatus for coating a workpiece with a penetrant, A rotating device that rotates a turntable that supports the workpiece, The rotating platform is positioned to the side of the rotating platform and dispenses permeable liquid toward the center, and A second nozzle is positioned below the rotating platform and discharges the permeable liquid upward, Equipped with, Penetrant coating apparatus, wherein the at least one first nozzle includes at least four first nozzles arranged around the rotating table, and the at least four first nozzles have a small height difference between at least one adjacent first nozzle and a first nozzle facing it across the rotating table.

19. A penetrant coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, A conveying device for loading workpieces into and / or unloading workpieces from the penetrating liquid coating device, A flaw detection system equipped with the following features.

Images