Drill inspection and sorting method and apparatus
US4869813A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1987 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/939
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Apparatus for inspecting and sorting drills oriented in the same direction in a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly feeds the drills, one at a time, and places them in a predetermined ready location. A camera, part of the inspection assembly, mounted directly over the predetermined ready location, takes preliminary measurements and alerts the system controller that a drill is available for a high resolution second inspection for wear and then for sorting. A robot assembly then picks up the drill from the ready location and orients it in front of two high resolution cameras, also part of the inspection assembly, for a visual inspection for wear. A control assembly then analyzes the results of the inspection and determines the drill size and whether or not it needs to be re-ground. The robot assembly then sorts the drill into an appropriate predetermined bin within a bin assembly as a function of size and wear. The process is then repeated. The hopper assembly is reloaded when it is empty and the bins are emptied when full. The disclosure also includes the method of inspecting and sorting drills as carried out by the apparatus as described above.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.