Capsule Marking with Seam Detection and Selective Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule marking devices face difficulties in performing high-visibility marking when a seam on the capsule surface overlaps the marking region, leading to potential marking defects.
Innovation Solution
A capsule marking device that includes a conveying unit, imaging units, and a control unit to selectively separate capsules with seams larger than a predetermined size from the conveyance path, and form marking patterns without overlapping seams, using CO2 laser marking and imaging units with polarizing plates for optimal illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If marking is performed on capsules with seams in the marking region, then productivity is maintained, but marking visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of seam positions using imaging units before the marking process. The control unit identifies capsules with seams in the marking region and separates them in advance, ensuring that only suitable capsules proceed to marking. This preliminary action prevents marking visibility issues while maintaining productivity by avoiding rework and defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating unit extracts and removes capsules with seams in the marking region from the main conveyance path. By taking out these problematic capsules before marking, the system ensures that only capsules with clear marking regions undergo the marking process, thereby guaranteeing marking visibility without compromising overall productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If capsules with seams are separated from the conveyance path, then marking visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging units serve multiple functions: they detect capsule positions, identify seam locations, and provide data for both separation control and marking control. By making the imaging system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate detection systems for separation and marking, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high marking visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit integrates the functions of separation control and marking control into a single centralized system. By merging the control logic for the separating unit and the marking unit, the patent reduces the number of independent control systems needed, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving high marking visibility through coordinated separation and marking operations.
3Measurement precision
If imaging units with polarizing plates are used, then seam detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizing plates utilize optical polarization effects to enhance the contrast and visibility of seams on capsule surfaces. By manipulating light polarization, the imaging system can detect seams with higher precision without requiring complex mechanical or electronic modification systems. This optical approach improves measurement precision while adding minimal structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and high-visibility marking by avoiding seams, ensuring clear and precise marking patterns on capsules.
Implementation Method 1
The marking unit performs marking by emitting CO 2 laser light
Implementation Method 2
The marking unit performs marking by emitting CO 2 laser light
Implementation Method 3
a first polarizing plate that is disposed between the ring light and the conveyance path; and a second polarizing plate that is disposed between the camera and the conveyance path, and has a polarizing axis orthogonal to a polarizing axis of the first polarizing plate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6(b)
AI summary
A capsule marking device 1 includes: a conveying unit 2 that conveys a capsule C along a conveyance path 2a; a first imaging unit 30 that captures an image of the capsule C being conveyed, to obtain first imaging data; a marking unit 40 that performs marking on the capsule C being conveyed; and a control unit that sets a marking region on the capsule C on the basis of the first imaging data, and forms a marking pattern in the marking region by controlling the operation of the marking unit 40. The capsule marking device 1 further includes a separating unit 60 that selectively separates the capsule C being conveyed from the conveyance path 2a, and the control unit controls the operation of the separating unit 60 to separate the capsule C having a seam with a size equal to or larger than a predetermined reference size in the marking region in the first imaging data without forming a marking pattern.