Fixed-amount powder collection device and fixed-amount powder collection method

Abstract

[Problem] To solve the problem of variations in the accuracy of weighing and the problem that excess powder adhering to a suction weighing unit falls at an unintended timing. [Solution] A powder distribution device 1 characterized by comprising: a fixed-amount powder collection device 10 including a suction weighing unit having a weighing chamber 133 partitioned by a filter 131 and a suction port 132 provided at a distal end; a negative pressure generation device 20 for causing negative pressure to act on the weighing chamber 133 via the filter 131; a vibration device 30 including a vibration applicator 31 for applying vibration to a powder tank 101 for storing powder; and a control device for controlling the operation of the negative pressure generation device 20 and the vibration device 30, wherein the control device executes a filling step when the fixed-amount powder collection device 10 reaches a filling position, and, when the filling step is executed, causes the negative pressure generation device 20 to apply negative pressure to the weighing chamber 133 and also vibrates the vibration applicator 31 by means of the vibration device 30 during a set filling time.

Description

Powder Quantitative Sampling Device and Powder Quantitative Sampling Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder quantitative sampling device and a powder quantitative sampling method for inhaling and distributing powder from the tip of an inhalation measuring tool.

[0002] There is known a powder dispensing device called a powder pipette that inhales a desired amount of powder into a chip having a filter and discharges it at a desired position. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a powder dispensing chip having a filter with pores, a nozzle having a tip for detachably holding the chip, a pump, means for connecting the nozzle to the suction side of the pump, means for connecting the nozzle to the discharge side of the pump, and means for switching between the two means.

[0003] When inhaling powder with a powder pipette, there are problems such as excess powder adhering to the outer peripheral portion of the chip, causing a measurement error due to the excess powder, and excess powder falling in an unintended place. Therefore, FIG. 4 of Patent Document 2 discloses, as a prior art, providing a powder dropping table having a hole with a predetermined clearance with respect to the outer periphery of the filling piston to drop the excess powder adhering to the outer periphery, and removing the excess powder adhering below the lower end surface of the filling piston by mass cutting. Also, FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2 discloses a powder dropping table provided with a filter communicating with a vacuum source.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-263421, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-11921

[0005] In a device for inhaling and distributing powder from the tip of an inhalation measuring tool, there is a problem that the bulk density of the inhaled powder is not uniform, resulting in variations in measurement accuracy. Also, there are problems such as excess powder adhering to the side surface of the inhalation measuring tool falling at an unintended timing, causing a measurement error or contamination.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a powder quantitative sampling device and a powder quantitative sampling method that can solve the above problems.

[0007] The powder dispensing device of the present invention comprises the following technical means: [1] A powder quantitative sampling device comprising a suction measuring tool having a metering chamber partitioned by a filter and a suction port provided at its tip; a negative pressure generating device that applies negative pressure to the metering chamber via the filter; a vibration device comprising a vibration applying body that applies vibration to a powder tank for storing the powder; and a control device that controls the operation of the negative pressure generating device, wherein the control device executes a filling process when the powder quantitative sampling device reaches a filling position, and during the execution of the filling process, applies negative pressure to the metering chamber by the negative pressure generating device and vibrates the vibration applying body by the vibration device for a set filling time. [2] The powder dispensing device according to [1], further comprising a robot that holds the powder quantitative sampling device and moves it to a desired position, wherein the control device moves the powder quantitative sampling device to the filling position by the operation of the robot, moves the powder quantitative sampling device to a dispensing position different from the filling position by the operation of the robot, and performs a discharge operation to discharge the powder in the metering chamber. [3] The powder distribution device according to [2], further comprising a positive pressure generating device that applies positive pressure to the weighing chamber, wherein the control device applies positive pressure to the weighing chamber by the positive pressure generating device for a set discharge time when the discharge operation is performed. [4] The powder distribution device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the vibration device is capable of adjusting the amplitude, frequency, timing and / or pattern of the vibration of the vibration-applying body. [5] The powder distribution device according to [2] or [3], wherein the vibration device starts vibrating the vibration-applying body before the powder quantitative sampling device reaches the filling position, raises the powder quantitative sampling device from the filling position by the operation of the robot after the set filling time has elapsed, and then stops vibrating the vibration-applying body. [6] The powder distribution device according to [2], [3] or [5], wherein the vibration device starts vibrating the vibration-applying body before the powder quantitative sampling device reaches the filling position and continues vibrating the vibration-applying body during the discharge operation.[7] The powder dispensing device according to any one of [1] to [6], characterized in that the vibration imparting body is a holding stand that vibrates while holding the powder tank. [8] The powder dispensing device according to any one of [1] to [6], characterized in that the vibration imparting body is an impact member that collides with the powder tank to generate vibration. [9] The powder dispensing device according to [2], [3], [5] or [6], characterized in that the powder quantitative sampling device has a measuring chamber vibration imparting body that imparts vibration to the suction measuring instrument, and the vibration device vibrates the measuring chamber vibration imparting body when the discharge operation is performed.

[10] The powder dispensing device according to [9], characterized in that the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring instrument connecting member to which the suction measuring instrument is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe that connects the suction measuring instrument connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is a vibrator built into the suction measuring instrument connecting member.

[11] The powder distribution device according to [9], wherein the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is an impact member that impacts the suction measuring device connecting member.

[12] The powder distribution device according to any one of [2], [3], [5], [6] and [9] to

[11] , wherein the device further comprises an excess powder removal device having a brush, and the powder adhering to the suction measuring device can be removed by bringing the suction measuring device into contact with the brush by the operation of the robot.

[0008] The powder distribution method of the present invention comprises the following technical means:

[13] A powder distribution method using a powder quantitative sampling device equipped with a suction meter, wherein the suction meter has a metering chamber partitioned by a filter and a suction port provided at its tip, and the method comprises a filling step of filling the metering chamber with powder by applying negative pressure to the metering chamber while the tip of the suction meter is embedded in the powder in the powder tank, and a vibration step of vibrating the powder tank during the filling step.

[14] The powder distribution method according to

[13] , comprising a filling position movement step of moving the powder quantitative sampling device and the powder tank relative to each other to embed the tip of the suction meter in the powder in the powder tank, a distribution position movement step of moving the powder quantitative sampling device to a distribution position after the filling step, and a discharge step of discharging the powder filled in the metering chamber at the distribution position.

[15] The powder distribution method according to

[13] or

[14] , characterized in that the vibration step involves vibrating a vibration-applying body installed below the powder tank.

[16] The powder distribution method according to

[13] or

[14] , characterized in that the vibration step involves generating vibration by an impact member that impacts the powder tank.

[17] The powder distribution method according to

[14] , characterized in that the distribution position movement step includes a first movement step of moving the suction measuring device upward and a second movement step of moving the suction measuring device to the distribution position, the vibration of the powder tank is continued during the first movement step, and the vibration of the powder tank is stopped during the second movement step.

[18] The powder distribution method according to

[14] or

[17] , characterized in that the distribution position movement step includes an excess powder removal step of removing excess powder adhering to the suction measuring device with a brush.

[19] The powder distribution method according to

[14] ,

[17] , or

[18] , characterized in that vibration is applied to the measuring chamber by a measuring chamber vibrator in the discharge step.

[20] The powder distribution method according to

[19] , characterized in that the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibrator is a vibrator built into the suction measuring device connecting member.

[21] The powder distribution method according to

[19] , wherein the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is a collision member that collides with the suction measuring device connecting member.

[22] The powder distribution method according to any one of

[14] and

[17] to

[21] , wherein in the discharge step, positive pressure is applied to the measuring chamber through the filter.

[23] The powder distribution method according to any one of

[14] and

[17] to

[22] , wherein the movement in the filling position movement step and the distribution position movement step is performed by a robot.

[24] The powder distribution method according to any one of

[13] to

[23] , wherein in the filling step, the suction measuring device is vibrated via the vibration of the powder in the powder tank, thereby filling the measuring chamber with powder at a higher density than when the suction measuring device is not vibrated.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem of variations in weighing accuracy when quantitatively sampling powders. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of excess powder adhering to the side of the suction weighing device.

[0010] This is a projection view showing a powder quantitative sampling device according to the first embodiment. This is a transparent side view of the main part of a vibrator according to the first embodiment. This is a transparent side view of the main part illustrating the filling process according to the first embodiment. This is a transparent side view of the main part showing the state after the filling process of Figure 3a has been completed and the chip has been raised. This is a transparent side view of the main part illustrating the filling process after several filling processes have been performed since the filling process of Figure 3a. This is a transparent side view of the main part showing the state after the filling process of Figure 4a has been completed and the chip has been raised. This is a transparent side view of the main part showing the chip during the filling process of a comparative example. This is a transparent side view of the main part showing the state after the filling process of the comparative example of Figure 5a has been completed and the chip has been raised. This is a transparent side view of the main part illustrating the filling process after several filling processes have been performed since the filling process of the comparative example of Figure 5a. This is a transparent side view of the main part showing the state after the filling process of the comparative example of Figure 6a has been completed and the chip has been raised. This is a transparent side view of the main part of a comparative example illustrating excess powder adhering to the outer surface of the chip. This is a schematic diagram of a comparative example showing the density unevenness of powder that may occur when vibration is not applied to the powder tank. This table shows the timing of the suction operation by the negative pressure generating device and the vibration operation by the vibration device in Examples 1 to 5. This is a projection view of a powder distribution device equipped with a powder quantitative sampling device according to the first embodiment. This is a projection view of a powder distribution device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. This is a transparent side view of the main part of the vibration device according to the second embodiment. This is a projection view of a powder quantitative sampling device according to the third embodiment. This is a projection view of a powder quantitative sampling device according to a modified example of the third embodiment. This is a projection view of a powder distribution device according to the third embodiment. This is a projection view of a powder distribution device according to the fourth embodiment. This is a projection view of a powder distribution device according to the fifth embodiment.

[0011] The following describes examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention. <First Embodiment Example> The powder dispensing device 1 according to the first embodiment example consists of a powder quantitative sampling device 10, a negative pressure generating device 20, and a vibrating device 30. Figure 1 is a partially transparent projection view of the powder quantitative sampling device 10. The powder quantitative sampling device 10 mainly consists of a main body 11 and a nozzle 12, and is also called a powder pipette. In this embodiment example, the main body 11 is connected to the negative pressure generating device 20 by a negative pressure supply pipe 21, and negative pressure can be applied to the nozzle 12. The negative pressure generating device 20 generates negative pressure in the negative pressure supply pipe 21 by releasing pressurized air to the outside air via an ejector. The nozzle 12 is provided at the end of the main body 11 opposite to the side to which the negative pressure supply pipe 21 is connected. Note that, unlike the illustrated example, a configuration in which the negative pressure generating device is provided inside the main body 11 may also be adopted.

[0012] A tip 13 is detachably attached to the nozzle 12. The tip 13 has a filter 131 disposed inside, an intake port 132 provided at its tip, and a measuring chamber 133 provided between the filter 131 and the intake port 132. The filter 131 divides the space inside the tip 13 into the measuring chamber 133 and the space on the nozzle 12 side. The capacity of the measuring chamber 133 can be set by adjusting the position of the filter 131 inside the tip 13. The filter 131 has a large number of pores that allow gas to pass through but not powder.

[0013] The tip 13 can be a commercially available, known tip, for example, a disposable type made of resin material can be used. The shape of the tip 13 is not limited to the cylindrical shape exemplified, and any shape of tip, including a tapered shape, can be used. The tip is not limited to resin, but may be made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, glass, or paper. In this specification, the tip 13 may be referred to as the suction measuring device, and the main body 11 may be referred to as the suction measuring device connecting member.

[0014] When drawing powder into the weighing chamber 133 of the tip 13, the main body 11 is moved above the powder tank 101 by a relative mobile robot (not shown) or manually, and then the main body 11 is lowered by a relative mobile robot (not shown) or manually so that the tip of the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102. The filling process using the powder quantitative sampling device 10 will be described below.

[0015] Figure 2 is a transparent side view of the main part of the vibration device 30 according to the first embodiment. The vibration device 30 of this embodiment consists of a vibration imparting body 31 and a vibration control device 32. In this embodiment, the powder tank 101 for storing the powder 102 is placed on the vibration imparting body 31. The vibration imparting body 31 vibrates the powder tank 101 in the horizontal direction, for example. In the illustrated example, the powder tank 101 is a cylindrical container, but the shape of the powder tank 101 is not limited to the cylindrical shape exemplified, and any shape of powder tank, including bottles and bags, can be used.

[0016] The vibration-generating body 31 includes a vibration table 31a on which the powder tank 101 is placed. The vibration-generating body 31 can be configured as an electric type device that generates vibration by passing an electric current through a coil, or an unbalanced mass type device that generates vibration by rotating an eccentric weight attached to a motor using centrifugal force.

[0017] The vibration control device 32 comprises a processing unit (not shown), a storage device (not shown) storing a vibration control program, and an operating unit located on the front of the housing, and is connected to the vibration-applying body 31 by a signal cable. By executing the vibration control program using the processing unit of the vibration control device 32, it is possible to control the amplitude, frequency, timing, pattern, and direction of vibration applied to the powder tank 101. Alternatively, the functions of the vibration control device 32 may be incorporated into the robot control device 2 or negative pressure control device described later, thus eliminating the need for a physical vibration control device housed in a housing.

[0018] The vibration imparting body 31 can impart vibrations with large amplitudes (e.g., 0.5 mm to 5 mm) similar to sine waves, triangular waves, and square waves, and by adjusting it according to the characteristics of the powder (e.g., specific gravity, size, shape), it is possible to suppress powder scattering and segregation. It can also be applied to various powder containers with different shapes, sizes, and materials (e.g., metal trays, test tubes, paper bags).

[0019] In the first embodiment, vibration is applied from below the powder tank 101, but vibration may be applied from a different direction, for example, through a lid provided on the side or top. Furthermore, the vibration direction may be controlled mechanically, such as by switching the installation direction of the vibration-applying body 31, rather than by software control using an operation signal from the vibration control device 32. In addition, circular motion, such as the vibration generated by an unbalanced mass type device, may be generated in the powder tank 101.

[0020] <Filling Process of the First Embodiment> Figure 3a is a transparent side view of the main part showing the chip 13 during the filling process of the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the powder tank 101 contains powder 102 such as a sample to a depth D ２ It is stored up to this point. Tip 13 is located in the filling position, and tip 134 is at depth D １ Only the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102. When negative pressure is applied to the weighing chamber 133 via the filter 131 with the tip 134 of the tip 13 embedded in the powder 102, the powder 102 flows into the weighing chamber 133 from the suction port 132 of the tip 13, and the powder 102 is filtered out by the filter 131, causing the powder 102 to accumulate in the weighing chamber 133. In the filling process, negative pressure is continuously applied to the weighing chamber 133 for a set filling time, thereby performing a suction operation to fill the weighing chamber 133 with an amount of powder 102 that fills the chamber. The vibration control device 32 can be set to any set filling time.

[0021] During the filling process, it is important that the suction port 132 remains constantly embedded in the powder 102 in order to stably draw the powder into the weighing chamber 133. For this reason, it is preferable to apply vibration to the powder tank 101 with the vibrator 31 during the filling process to uniformly level the powder 102 in the powder tank. In this embodiment, the vibration control device 32 was set to a set filling time of more than 50% of the total time of the filling process. Furthermore, if vibration is continuously applied to the powder 102 during the filling process, the vibration is also transmitted to the chips 13 embedded in the powder 102, which can increase the bulk density of the powder drawn into the weighing chamber 133. Moreover, it is preferable to draw the powder 102 into the weighing chamber 133 while vibrating the powder 102, as this allows the powder 102 to be drawn into the weighing chamber 133 in a state where coagulation has been broken down and fluidity has improved.

[0022] Figure 3b is a transparent side view of the main part showing the tip 13 raised after the filling process in Figure 3a has been completed. When the set filling time has elapsed and the filling of the powder 102 into the weighing chamber 133 is complete, the tip 13 is raised from the filling position and separated from the powder 102 (first movement step). When the tip 13 is removed from the powder 102, a depression may be formed on the surface of the powder 102, but for the next filling process, the powder surface 102a is made uniformly level by applying vibration with the vibrating body 31. The raised tip 13 and the powder quantitative sampling device 10 are moved to the distribution position (second movement step). The distribution position is, for example, above the dispensing container. Negative pressure is applied to the weighing chamber 133 during the first and second movement steps. At the distribution position, the application of negative pressure to the weighing chamber 133 is stopped, and a discharge operation (discharge step) is performed in which the powder in the weighing chamber 133 is discharged. By repeatedly performing the filling and dispensing processes, the same amount of powder can be quantitatively dispensed into multiple dispensing containers.

[0023] Figure 4a is a transparent side view of the main part illustrating the filling process after several filling processes have been carried out since the filling process in Figure 3a. As shown in the figure, the powder 102 in the powder tank 101 has been dispensed several times since the state in Figure 3a, so the powder 102 has reached a depth D ４ It has decreased to this extent. Accordingly, the depth to which the tip 134 of the chip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 at the filling position is also reduced to depth D.３ The amount of powder supplied to the suction port 132 decreases. When the depth to which the chip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 becomes shallower, the depressions formed on the surface of the powder 102 prevent the suction port 132 from remaining embedded in the powder 102 in the powder tank 101, and the amount of powder supplied to the suction port 132 tends to become insufficient. However, in this embodiment, by applying vibration with the vibrating body 31 during the filling process to level the powder surface 102a, it is possible to continue supplying a sufficient amount of powder to the suction port 132 even when the depth to which the chip 13 is embedded becomes shallower.

[0024] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as will be described later, the depth to which the chip 13 is embedded can be made shallower compared to the comparative example (Figure 5a), so it is possible to reduce the amount of excess powder 103 adhering to the outer surface of the chip 13. Note that as the number of times the filling process is performed increases, the powder surface 102a will sink down, so the filling position of the chip 13 may be lowered little by little.

[0025] Figure 4b is a transparent side view of the main part showing the chip 13 raised after the filling process in Figure 4a has been completed. When the set filling time has elapsed and the filling of the powder 102 into the weighing chamber 133 is complete, the chip 13 is raised from the filling position and separated from the powder 102 (first movement step). When the chip 13 is removed from the powder 102, a depression may be formed on the surface of the powder 102, but in this embodiment, the powder surface 102a is made uniformly level by applying vibration with the vibrating body 31. The raised chip 13 and the powder quantitative sampling device 10 are moved to the distribution position (second movement step). At the distribution position, the application of negative pressure to the weighing chamber 133 is stopped, and a discharge operation (discharge step) is performed in which the powder in the weighing chamber 133 is discharged.

[0026] As described above, in the filling process of the first embodiment, vibration is applied to the powder tank 101 during the filling process, causing the area around the tip 134 of the tip 13 to be constantly embedded in the powder 102, thereby enabling a constant supply of a sufficient amount of powder near the intake port 132. Furthermore, after the completion of the filling process, vibration is applied to the powder tank 101 to level out any depressions that occur in the powder 102 due to the removal of the tip 13, making the powder surface 102a flat before proceeding to the next filling process.

[0027] <Filling process of comparative example> Figure 5a is a transparent side view of the main part showing the chip 13 during the filling process of the comparative example. As shown in the figure, in the comparative example, the powder tank 101 is not placed on the vibrating body 31. In the comparative example, since vibration is not applied to the powder tank 101 during the filling process, when the powder 102 is sucked in from the suction port 132, a mortar-shaped depression 102b is formed on the powder surface 102a.

[0028] Figure 5b is a transparent side view of the main part showing the tip 13 of the comparative example in Figure 5a in the raised position after the filling process. When the set filling time has elapsed and the filling of the powder 102 into the weighing chamber 133 is complete, the tip 13 is raised and separated from the powder 102. In the comparative example, since no vibration is applied to the powder tank 101, when the tip 13 is removed from the powder 102, a cylindrical depression 102c is formed on the powder surface 102a, and even after time has passed, the powder surface 102a does not become completely flat. If the next filling process is performed with depressions (102b, 102c) on the powder surface 102a, the amount of powder supplied around the tip 134 becomes insufficient, resulting in insufficient filling of the weighing chamber 133.

[0029] Figure 6a is a transparent side view of the main part illustrating the filling process after several filling processes have been performed since the filling process of the comparative example in Figure 5a. As shown in the figure, the amount of powder 102 in the powder tank 101 has decreased after several fillings from the state in Figure 5a. Consequently, the depth to which the tip 134 of the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 at the filling position also decreases. In addition, the mortar-shaped depression 102b has become larger and has reached the suction port 132, so there is a part around the tip 134 of the tip 13 where there is no powder. In this state, the amount of powder supplied to the suction port 132 is insufficient, so sufficient filling cannot be performed even if suction is performed. Therefore, after the set filling time has elapsed, a part 133a filled with powder and a part 133b that is not filled with powder are formed in the weighing chamber 133.

[0030] Figure 6b is a transparent side view of the main part showing the chip 13 in the comparative example of Figure 6a after it has been raised after the filling process. After the set filling time has elapsed, the chip 13 is raised from the filling position and separated from the powder 102. In the comparative example, since no vibration is applied to the powder tank 101, when the chip 13 is removed from the powder 102, the depression 102b formed on the powder surface 102a remains, and the powder surface 102a does not become completely flat even after time has passed. If the next filling process is performed with the depression 102b on the powder surface 102a, the problem arises that the filling of the weighing chamber 133 will be insufficient.

[0031] As in the comparative example, when performing the filling process without applying vibration to the powder tank 101, it is necessary that a sufficient amount of powder 102 fills the area around the intake port 132 of the tip 13. Assuming that a depression is formed on the powder surface 102a, it is necessary to put a sufficient amount of powder 102 into the powder tank 101 and to ensure a sufficient depth for the tip 134 of the tip 13 to be embedded in the powder 102. However, increasing the amount of embedding of the tip 134 of the tip 13 leads to the problem of an increase in the amount of excess powder 103 adhering to the outer surface of the tip 13. Furthermore, in order to ensure a sufficient depth for embedding the tip 134 of the tip 13 into the powder 102, the powder tank 101 must be filled with more powder 102 than that depth, and this amount becomes the dead volume of powder 102 in the powder tank 101, which poses problems in terms of cost and environmental impact.

[0032] <Reducing Excess Powder> Figure 7 is a transparent side view of a key part of a comparative example showing the state in which excess powder 103 adheres when the tip 13 is raised after the filling process is completed. Even when the powder filling process of powder 102 is performed with the powder surface 102a in the powder tank 101 being flat, excess powder 103 may adhere to the outer surface of the tip 13. Excess powder 103 adhering to the outer surface of the tip 13 may fall at an unintended time, causing weighing errors or contamination of unintended areas with powder. To reduce the excess powder 103 adhering to the outer surface of the tip 13, it is effective to reduce the amount of powder 102 embedded in the tip 134 of the tip 13.

[0033] According to this embodiment, by applying vibration to the powder 102 in the powder tank 101, the area around the suction port 132 of the tip 13 can always be filled with powder 102 during the filling process. Therefore, compared to the comparative example, the amount of the tip 134 of the tip 13 embedded in the powder 102 can be reduced, making it possible to reduce the amount of excess powder 103 adhering to the outer surface of the tip 13.

[0034] <Powder Density Unevenness> Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a comparative example showing powder density unevenness that may occur when vibration is not applied to the powder tank 101. As shown in the figure, the powder 102 filling the powder tank 101 may have voids 102d where there is no powder, loose bulk density areas 102e filled with low density, hard bulk density areas 102f filled with high density, bridges 102g, and agglomerations 102h. Here, a "bridge" is a structure that forms a bridge between adjacent powder particles due to frictional force, etc., and obstructs flow, while "aggregation" is an aggregate that forms as a large clump due to attractive force between adjacent powder particles. Bridges and agglomerations greatly hinder the flow of powder, causing a decrease in weighing accuracy, and voids are also more likely to occur because bridges and agglomerations obstruct flow. The presence of loose bulk density areas 102e and hard bulk density areas 102f also causes a decrease in weighing accuracy. Furthermore, if the powder 102 near the intake port 132 forms bridges 102g or aggregates 102h, it can obstruct the flow into the weighing chamber 133, resulting in insufficient filling. Vibrating the powder tank 101 is an effective means of eliminating such density variations in the powder 102.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by vibrating the chips 13 embedded in the powder 102 along with the powder 102 in the powder tank 101, it is possible to fill the weighing chamber 133 with powder at high density and without density unevenness. More specifically, in addition to sucking in powder with density unevenness eliminated, at the filling position, the vibration applied to the powder tank 101 is transmitted to the powder in the weighing chamber 133 of the chips 13 via the powder 102 in the powder tank, making it possible to fill the powder at high density and without density unevenness compared to when the chips 13 are not vibrated. Even when dispensing operations are repeatedly performed by the powder dispensing device 1 described later, if the filling process is performed while vibrating the chips 13 as in this embodiment, the amount of powder filled into the weighing chamber 133 remains stable over a long period of time.

[0036] <Timing of Suction and Vibration Operations> Figure 9 is a table showing the timing of the suction operation by the negative pressure generator 20 and the vibration operation by the vibration device 30 in Examples 1 to 5. In the same figure, for each of Examples 1 to 5, the ON / OFF states of the suction operation and vibration operation are shown when the relative position of the tip is at the "upper position before filling," the "filling position," and the "upper position after filling." The "filling position" is the position where the tip 134 of the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102, as illustrated in Figures 3a and 4a above. The "upper position before filling" is the position before the tip 13 is lowered straight down to the filling position, and the "upper position after filling" is the position after the filling process is completed and the tip 13 is raised straight up from the filling position.

[0037] In all of Examples 1 to 5, at the filling position, the "suction operation" by the negative pressure generator 20 and the "vibration operation" by the vibration device 30 are in the ON state, so even if the embedding depth of the tip 134 of the tip 13 is shallower than in the comparative example, the powder can be stably filled into the weighing chamber 133. Each example differs in that (1) the suction operation is started (ON state) at the upper position before filling, (2) the vibration operation is started (ON state) at the upper position before filling, and (3) the vibration operation continues (ON state) at the upper position after filling. After the filling process, it is necessary to hold the powder filled in the weighing chamber 133, so in all of Examples 1 to 5, the suction operation at the upper position after filling is in the ON state.

[0038] In Example 1, the suction and vibration functions are ON at both the upper position before filling and the upper position after filling. In Example 2, the suction and vibration functions are ON at the upper position before filling, and at the upper position after filling, the suction function is ON and the vibration function is OFF. In Example 3, the suction function is ON and the vibration function is OFF at the upper position before filling, and both the suction and vibration functions are ON at the upper position after filling. In Example 4, the suction function is OFF and the vibration function is ON at the upper position before filling, and at the upper position after filling, the suction function is ON and the vibration function is OFF. In Example 5, the suction and vibration functions are OFF at the upper position before filling, and both the suction and vibration functions are ON at the upper position after filling. These differences have the technical significance described below.

[0039] (1) Significance of starting the suction operation (turning it ON) in the upper position before filling Since the powder 102 is drawn into the weighing chamber 133 from the suction port 132 of the tip 13 even while the tip 13 is being lowered, the load when pushing the tip 134 of the tip 13 into the powder 102 (the force with which the tip 13 pushes the powder 102 and its reaction) can be reduced, thereby reducing the risk of wear on the tip 13 and the powder 102. In addition, since the powder 102 that enters the weighing chamber 133 during the lowering operation of the tip 13 is fluidized by the airflow, it is possible to improve the uniformity of the powder filling into the weighing chamber 133. Furthermore, since the negative pressure generator 20 is operated before the filling process begins, the suction force at the start of the filling process can be stabilized.

[0040] (2) Significance of starting the vibration operation (being in the ON state) at the upper position before filling Since the powder 102 in the powder tank 101 is vibrated even while the tip 13 is being lowered, the load when pushing the tip 134 of the tip 13 into the powder 102 can be reduced, thereby reducing the risk of wear on the tip 13 and the powder 102. In addition, since the powder 102 that enters the weighing chamber 133 during the lowering operation of the tip 13 is fluidized by the vibration, it is possible to improve the uniformity of filling the weighing chamber 133 with powder. Furthermore, even if the powder surface 102a is not flat due to a previous filling process, the vibration can make the powder surface 102a flat.

[0041] (3) Significance of the vibration operation continuing (being in the ON state) even in the upper position after filling: When the vibration of the powder 102 is transmitted to the tip 13 during the upward movement of the tip 13, the effect of suppressing the adhesion of excess powder to the outer surface and tip 134 of the tip 13 can be obtained. In addition, even if the powder surface 102a is no longer flat due to the previous filling process, the vibration can make the powder surface 102a flat again.

[0042] The timing of the suction operation by the negative pressure generating device 20 and the vibration operation by the vibration device 30 shown in FIG. 9 may be automatically controlled by the robot control device 2 described later, or a negative pressure control device (negative pressure controller) for controlling the negative pressure generating device 20 may be provided for automatic or manual control.

[0043] <Powder Dispensing Device> FIG. 10 is a projection view of a powder dispensing device 1 equipped with the powder metering and sampling device 10 of the first embodiment. The powder dispensing device 1 is configured to include a powder metering and sampling device 10, a vibration device 30, and a desktop robot (201 to 204).

[0044] The powder metering and sampling device 10 is mounted on the Z-direction driving device 204 so that the extending direction of the nozzle 12 is in the vertical direction, and positioning in the Z direction (vertical direction) 213 is possible. The Z-direction driving device 204 is disposed on the side surface of the dispensing head 205 mounted on the portal-shaped Y-direction driving device 202, and positioning in the Y direction 212 is possible. On the gantry 201 provided with the columns of the Y-direction driving device 202, a vibration imparting body 31 of the vibration device 30 and a work stage 203 for holding the dispensing container 206 are arranged. The powder tank 101 to be the work object of the powder metering and sampling device 10 is arranged on the vibration imparting body 31. The work stage 203 can be positioned in the X direction 211 by an X-direction driving device (not shown). The work stage 203 includes container holding portions arranged in a 4×4 matrix, and can move relative to the powder metering and sampling device 10 in three axial directions.

[0045] The operations of the powder metering and sampling device 10, the negative pressure generating device 20, and the relative direction driving devices (202, 204) are controlled by the robot control device 2 shown in FIG. 10. The robot control device 2 is a computer equipped with a processing device and a storage device, and a dispensing control program for controlling the operations of the powder metering and sampling device 10 and the XYZ direction driving devices (202, 204) is stored in the storage device. For example, when the dispensing control program is executed, an operation of sucking and metering the powder from the powder tank 101 and dispensing it into 16 dispensing containers 206 is executed, and the same amount of powder is quantitatively dispensed into all 16 dispensing containers 206. Here, it is preferable that the filling position when sucking the powder in the powder tank 101 into the metering chamber has the same XY coordinates in all 16 filling steps. Regarding the Z coordinate, since the height of the powder surface 102a in the powder tank 101 decreases as the dispensing process is repeated, the Z coordinate of the filling position may be automatically controlled to decrease according to the number of dispensing times. At this time, the powder surface 102a of the powder tank 101 is vibrated by the vibration applying body 31 to be in a flat state. The timing of the vibration operation by the vibration applying body 31 can apply any of the above-described Embodiments 1 to 5. In addition, the dispensing operation may be performed a plurality of times for each dispensing container 206. For example, when the dispensing operation is performed twice for each dispensing container 206, the filling process and the discharging process are each 32 times.

[0046] A length measuring device such as a laser displacement meter or an ultrasonic distance meter may be provided in the Z-direction driving device 204. This is because in the dispensing operation by the powder metering and sampling device 10, the depth at which the tip 134 of the chip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 in the powder tank 101 is important, and the metering accuracy can be improved by keeping the embedding depth constant.

[0047] Figure 11 is a projection view of a modified powder dispensing device 1a according to the first embodiment. The modified powder dispensing device 1a differs from the powder dispensing device 1 shown in Figure 10 only in that a laser length measuring device 220 is arranged on the Z-direction drive device 204a alongside the powder quantitative sampling device 10. The laser length measuring device 220 feeds back height information of the powder surface 102a to the robot control device 2 before entering the filling process, and the robot control device 2 controls the Z-direction drive device 204a, making it possible to maintain a constant amount of embedment of the tip 134 of the tip 13 in each dispensing operation. The laser length measuring device 220 can, of course, also be combined with the second to fifth embodiments described later.

[0048] According to the powder dispensing device 1 of the first embodiment described above, even when performing repeated dispensing operations, the powder surface 102a of the powder tank 101 can be kept flat. Therefore, there is no need to embed the tip 13 deeper than necessary in the powder, and thus it is possible to reduce the amount of excess powder adhering to the side surface of the tip 13.

[0049] 《Second Embodiment Example》 Figure 12 is a transparent side view of the main part of the vibration device 30a according to the second embodiment example. The vibration device 30a of this embodiment example is composed of vibration imparting members (33-35) and a vibration control device 32. The vibration imparting member of the second embodiment example differs from the vibration imparting member 31 of the first embodiment example in that it is composed of an impact member 33, a vibrating rod 34, and a base 35. In this embodiment example, the powder tank 101 for storing the powder 102 is placed on a flat surface such as a desk, and the vibration imparting members (33-35) are placed to the side thereof.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vibration imparter induces damped vibration in the powder tank 101 by striking it from the side with the impact member 33. By striking it continuously, it is possible to create irregular movement through a combination of impact vibrations of the powder tank 101 caused by the impact of the impact member 33 and high-frequency vibrations (e.g., 100 Hz to 5 kHz) due to the damped vibrations. By controlling the weight ratio of the impact member 33 to the powder tank 101 and powder 102, the impact speed of the impact member 33 to the powder tank 101, the impact frequency, the impact position, and the impact direction, it can be applied to powders with various characteristics (e.g., specific gravity, size, shape). The material of the powder tank 101 is preferably a hard material such as a glass bottle or a metal tray so that the impact vibration is transmitted from the impact position to a wide area of ​​the powder tank 101 without damping. The vibration control device 32 and the vibration rod 34 are electrically connected, and when a vibration signal is transmitted from the vibration control device 32, the vibration rod 34 starts to vibrate. In the second embodiment, the impact member 33 is impacted from the side of the powder tank 101, but it may be impacted from a different direction, for example, through a lid provided on the bottom or top surface, or a combination thereof.

[0051] The vibration device 30a of the second embodiment described above also produces the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, since the vibration device 30a of the second embodiment does not require the powder tank 101 to be placed on the vibration-applying body (33-35), it can be applied to powder tanks of any shape. In addition, the function of the vibration control device 32 may be incorporated into the robot control device 2 or negative pressure control device described above, thereby eliminating the need for a vibration control device housed in a physical enclosure.

[0052] <Third Embodiment Example> The powder quantitative sampling device 10a of the third embodiment example shown in Figure 13 differs from the powder quantitative sampling device 10 of the first embodiment example in that the main body 11 incorporates a weighing chamber vibration imparting body 41. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment example will be explained in detail, and common parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment example and will not be explained.

[0053] The powder quantitative sampling device 10a has a weighing chamber vibrator 41 built into the main body 11, and by vibrating the main body 11, the nozzle 12 and tip 13 can be vibrated. The weighing chamber vibrator 41 is electrically connected to a nozzle vibration control device (not shown) and is a vibrator that can apply a desired pattern of vibration to the main body 11 at a desired timing. The powder quantitative sampling device 10a of this embodiment can be used in combination with the vibration device 30 of the first embodiment and the vibration device 30a of the second embodiment. In the filling process in which the tip 13 is embedded in the powder 102 and the powder 102 is sucked into the weighing chamber 133, the effect of the vibration operation of the vibration device 30 or vibration device 30a can be enhanced by vibrating the weighing chamber vibrator 41. In particular, by applying vibration to the weighing chamber 133 with the weighing chamber vibrator 41, it is possible to fill the weighing chamber 133 with powder at a higher density compared to when the weighing chamber 133 is not vibrated.

[0054] Furthermore, by vibrating the weighing chamber vibrator 41 when raising the chip 13 from the filling position, excess powder 103 adhering to the outer surface of the chip 13 can be dropped into the powder tank 101 (excess powder removal process). In addition, when performing a discharge operation (discharge process) to discharge the powder from the weighing chamber 133 at the distribution position, vibrating the weighing chamber vibrator 41 makes it possible to reduce the amount of powder that remains in the weighing chamber 133 without being discharged.

[0055] In the example shown in Figure 13, a configuration in which the weighing chamber vibration imparting body 41 is built into the main body 11 is illustrated, but a configuration in which vibration is applied to the main body 11 from the outside may also be adopted. Figure 14 is a projection view of a modified example of the third embodiment of the powder quantitative sampling device 10. The modified example of the third embodiment of the powder quantitative sampling device 10 has the same configuration as the first embodiment, but the modified example of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it further includes a vibration imparting body 41a that applies vibration to the main body 11. The vibration imparting body 41a can be configured, for example, by connecting the impact member 33 of the vibration device 30a shown in Figure 12 to a vibrating rod via an extension member.

[0056] Figure 15 is a projection view of a powder distribution device 1b equipped with a powder quantitative sampling device 10a. The powder distribution device 1b is composed of a powder quantitative sampling device 10, a vibrator 30, and a desktop robot (201-204). The operation of the powder quantitative sampling device 10a, the negative pressure generator 20, and the relative direction drive devices (202, 204) is controlled by the robot control device 2, as in the first embodiment. The robot control device 2 can be given the function of a nozzle vibration control device that controls the vibration operation of the weighing chamber vibrator 41. In the filling process, the powder distribution device 1b can enhance the effect of the vibration operation of the vibrator 31 by vibrating the weighing chamber vibrator 41.

[0057] 《Fourth Embodiment Example》 The powder distribution device 1c of the fourth embodiment example shown in Figure 16 differs from the powder distribution device 1 of the first embodiment example in that it is equipped with a positive pressure generator 50. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment example will be explained in detail, and common parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment example and will not be explained.

[0058] The negative pressure generator 20a is connected to the switching valve 60 via the negative pressure supply pipe 21a. The positive pressure generator 50 is connected to the switching valve 60 via the positive pressure supply pipe 51. The switching valve 60 is connected to the main body 11 of the powder quantitative sampling device 10 via the pressure supply pipe 61. The switching valve 60 has a first position for supplying negative pressure air to the main body 11 and a second position for supplying positive pressure air to the main body 11. The robot control device 2 is electrically connected to the switching valve 60 and automatically controls the timing of supplying positive pressure air or negative pressure air to the main body 11 of the powder quantitative sampling device 10. Alternatively, the timing of applying negative pressure and positive pressure to the weighing chamber 133 may be controlled by controlling the ON / OFF timing of the negative pressure generator 20a and the positive pressure generator 50, without providing the switching valve 60. In this case, the negative pressure supply pipe 21a extending from the negative pressure generator 20a and the positive pressure supply pipe 51 extending from the positive pressure generator 50 may be directly connected to the main body 11 of the powder quantitative sampling device 10.

[0059] The powder quantitative sampling device 10 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. When a suction operation is performed at the filling position, the switching valve 60 is set to the first position, and negative pressure is applied to the metering chamber 133 via the main body 11 and nozzle 12 for the set filling time. When a discharge operation (discharge process) is performed at the distribution position, the switching valve 60 is set to the second position, and positive pressure is applied to the metering chamber 133 via the main body 11 and nozzle 12 for the set discharge time. In the fourth embodiment, pressurized air is supplied to the metering chamber 133 during the discharge operation, making it possible to increase the discharge speed and reduce residual powder in the metering chamber 133. It should be noted that the positive pressure generator 50 and the switching valve 60 can also be applied in combination with the third embodiment shown in Figure 13 and the modified example shown in Figure 14 described above.

[0060] 《Fifth Embodiment Example》 The powder dispensing device 1d of the fifth embodiment example shown in Figure 17 differs from the powder dispensing device 1 of the first embodiment example in that it is equipped with a powder removal brush 70. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment example will be explained in detail, and common parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment example and will not be explained.

[0061] The powder removal brush 70 consists of a first brush 71, a second brush 72, and a support 73. The bristles of the first brush 71 and the second brush 72 are arranged so that their tips face each other, with a gap between them. After the filling process is completed, the excess powder 103 adhering to the tip 13 can be removed by bringing the side surface of the tip 13 into contact with the bristles of the first brush 71 and the second brush 72 (excess powder removal process). Since the powder sucked into the weighing chamber 133 may become electrostatically charged, it is preferable that some or all of the bristles of the powder removal brush 70 be made of conductive material bristles that have an antistatic effect, thereby suppressing the residue of excess powder 103 on the side surface of the tip 13 by eliminating static electricity.

[0062] The powder dispensing device 1d of the fifth embodiment can remove excess powder adhering to the chip 13 more effectively because, in addition to reducing excess powder adhering to the chip 13 by the vibrating body 31, the powder removal brush 70 can also remove excess powder adhering to the chip 13. The powder removal brush 70 can be applied in combination with any of the above embodiments 2 to 4.

[0063] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments, and such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064] For example, the powder quantitative sampling device of the present invention can be mounted on a floor-mounted robot, or it may be configured to dispense powder into a dispensing container while it is moving or paused using a workpiece transport device (for example, a belt conveyor) provided separately from the robot.

[0065] 1: Powder dispenser 10: Powder quantitative sampling device 11: Main body (of the powder quantitative sampling device) 12: Nozzle 13: Tip (suction measuring device) 20: Negative pressure generator 21: Negative pressure supply pipe 30: Vibration device 31: Vibration imparting body 32: Vibration control device 33: Impact member 34: Vibration rod 35: Base 41: Measuring chamber vibration imparting body 50: Positive pressure generator 51: Positive pressure supply pipe 60: Switching valve 61: Pressure supply pipe 70: Powder removal brush 101: Powder tank 102: Powder 131: Filter 132: Inlet 133: Measuring chamber 134: Tip of the tip 201: Stand 202: Y-direction drive device 203: Work stage 204: Z-direction drive device 205: Dispensing head 206: Dispensing container

Claims

1. A powder dispensing device comprising: a powder quantitative sampling device equipped with a suction measuring tool having a metering chamber partitioned by a filter and a suction port provided at its tip; a negative pressure generating device that applies negative pressure to the metering chamber via the filter; a vibration device equipped with a vibration imparting body that imparts vibration to a powder tank for storing powder; and a control device that controls the operation of the negative pressure generating device, wherein the control device executes a filling process when the powder quantitative sampling device reaches a filling position, and during the execution of the filling process, applies negative pressure to the metering chamber by the negative pressure generating device and vibrates the vibration imparting body by the vibration device for a set filling time.

2. The powder distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising a robot that holds the powder quantitative sampling device and moves it to a desired position, wherein the control device moves the powder quantitative sampling device to the filling position by the operation of the robot, and performs a discharge operation to move the powder quantitative sampling device to a distribution position different from the filling position by the operation of the robot and discharge the powder in the weighing chamber.

3. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a positive pressure generating device for applying positive pressure to the weighing chamber, wherein the control device applies positive pressure to the weighing chamber by the positive pressure generating device for a set discharge time when the discharge operation is performed.

4. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration device is capable of adjusting the amplitude, frequency, timing, and / or pattern of the vibration of the vibration-applying body.

5. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the vibration device starts vibrating the vibration-applying body before the powder quantitative sampling device reaches the filling position, raises the powder quantitative sampling device from the filling position by the operation of the robot after the set filling time has elapsed, and then stops vibrating the vibration-applying body.

6. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the vibration device starts vibrating the vibration-applying body before the powder quantitative sampling device reaches the filling position, and continues vibrating the vibration-applying body during the discharge operation.

7. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration imparting body is a holding stand that vibrates the powder tank while holding it.

8. The powder distribution apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration imparting member is an impact member that collides with the powder tank to generate vibration.

9. The powder dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the powder quantitative sampling apparatus has a measuring chamber vibrator that applies vibration to the suction measuring instrument, and the vibrator vibrates the measuring chamber vibrator when the discharge operation is performed.

10. The powder dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is a vibrator built into the suction measuring device connecting member.

11. The powder distribution device according to claim 9, wherein the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is an impact member that collides with the suction measuring device connecting member.

12. The powder distribution device according to claim 2, further comprising an excess powder removal device having a brush, wherein the suction measuring device can be brought into contact with the brush by the operation of the robot, thereby enabling the removal of the powder adhering to the suction measuring device.

13. A powder distribution method using a powder quantitative sampling device equipped with a suction meter, wherein the suction meter has a metering chamber partitioned by a filter and a suction port provided at its tip, and the method comprises a filling step of filling the metering chamber with powder by applying negative pressure to the metering chamber while the tip of the suction meter is embedded in the powder in the powder tank, and a vibration step of vibrating the powder tank during the filling step.

14. The powder distribution method according to 13, comprising: a filling position movement step of moving the powder quantitative sampling device and the powder tank relative to each other to bury the tip of the suction measuring device in the powder in the powder tank; a distribution position movement step of moving the powder quantitative sampling device to a distribution position after the filling step; and a discharge step of discharging the powder filled in the measuring chamber at the distribution position.

15. The powder distribution method according to claim 13, characterized in that a vibration-applying body installed below the powder tank is vibrated during the vibration process.

16. The powder distribution method according to claim 13, characterized in that vibration is generated by an impact member that collides with the powder tank during the vibration process.

17. The powder distribution method according to 14, wherein the distribution position movement step comprises a first movement step of moving the suction measuring device upward and a second movement step of moving the suction measuring device to the distribution position, wherein the vibration of the powder tank is continued during the first movement step and the vibration of the powder tank is stopped during the second movement step.

18. The powder distribution method according to claim 14, characterized in that the distribution position movement step includes an excess powder removal step of removing excess powder adhering to the suction measuring device with a brush.

19. The powder distribution method according to claim 14, characterized in that vibration is applied to the weighing chamber by a weighing chamber vibrator in the dispensing step.

20. The powder distribution method according to 19, wherein the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is a vibrator built into the suction measuring device connecting member.

21. The powder distribution method according to 19, wherein the powder quantitative sampling device comprises a suction measuring device connecting member to which the suction measuring device is connected, and a negative pressure supply pipe connecting the suction measuring device connecting member and the negative pressure generating device, and the measuring chamber vibration imparting body is an impact member that collides with the suction measuring device connecting member.

22. The powder distribution method according to claim 14, characterized in that, in the discharge step, positive pressure is applied to the metering chamber through the filter.

23. The powder distribution method according to claim 14, characterized in that the movement in the filling position movement step and the distribution position movement step is performed by a robot.

24. The powder distribution method according to any one of 13 to 23, characterized in that, in the filling step, the suction measuring device is vibrated via the vibration of the powder in the powder tank, thereby filling the measuring chamber with powder at a higher density compared to when the suction measuring device is not vibrated.

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