阅读说明：本技术 喷丸处理装置以及喷丸处理方法 (Shot peening apparatus and shot peening method ) 是由 神山拓哉 于 2020-08-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能够缩短针对多个工件的整体的处理时间的喷丸处理装置以及喷丸处理方法。加工形成有孔的工件的喷丸处理装置具备：在内部形成有供工件搬入的加工室的机箱；对配置于加工室的工件的孔喷射喷射材料的喷射机构；以及在工件的准备位置与机箱之间输送工件的输送装置,输送装置具有能够以旋转轴为中心旋转,使工件移动的输送部设置于其上表面,能够配置多个工件的板状的旋转台,旋转台在规定的旋转位置连接输送部与准备位置以及机箱,在准备位置与旋转台的旋转轴之间,具有用于检查工件的孔的状态的检查区域。(The invention provides a shot peening apparatus and a shot peening method capable of shortening the overall processing time for a plurality of workpieces. A shot-peening apparatus for machining a workpiece having a hole formed therein is provided with: a machine box which is provided with a processing chamber for loading the workpiece; a jetting mechanism for jetting a jetting material to a hole of a workpiece disposed in the processing chamber; and a conveying device for conveying the workpiece between the preparation position of the workpiece and the cabinet, wherein the conveying device is provided with a conveying part which can rotate around a rotating shaft and moves the workpiece, and a plate-shaped rotating table on which a plurality of workpieces can be arranged, the rotating table connects the conveying part with the preparation position and the cabinet at a specified rotating position, and an inspection area for inspecting the state of the hole of the workpiece is arranged between the preparation position and the rotating shaft of the rotating table.)

1. A shot-peening apparatus for machining a workpiece having a hole formed therein, comprising:

a housing in which a processing chamber into which the workpiece is carried is formed;

a spraying mechanism for spraying a spraying material to the hole of the workpiece disposed in the processing chamber; and

a conveying device for conveying the workpiece between the preparation position of the workpiece and the machine box,

the above-mentioned conveyor has: a plate-shaped rotary table provided on an upper surface of which a conveying section for moving the work is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft and on which a plurality of the works are arranged,

the rotary table connects the conveying unit, the preparation position and the casing at a predetermined rotational position,

an inspection area for inspecting a state of the hole of the workpiece is provided between the preparation position and the rotary shaft of the rotary table.

2. A shot-peening apparatus according to claim 1,

the hole is formed in the bottom of the workpiece,

the inspection area is set below the rotary table,

the turntable is provided with a first opening through which a bottom portion of the workpiece can be viewed from below.

3. A shot-peening apparatus according to claim 2,

the conveying part is provided with a first conveying part and a second conveying part,

the first conveying section and the second conveying section are arranged to extend in the same direction,

the first opening is provided between the first conveying section and the second conveying section.

4. A shot-peening apparatus according to claim 3,

the conveying part is provided with a third conveying part and a fourth conveying part,

the third conveying section and the fourth conveying section are arranged to extend in the same direction,

in the rotary table, a second opening through which a bottom portion of the workpiece can be viewed from below is formed between the third conveying section and the fourth conveying section.

5. A shot-peening apparatus according to claim 4,

the casing, the rotary shaft, and the preparation position are arranged linearly,

the first conveying section, the second conveying section, the third conveying section, and the fourth conveying section extend in the same direction,

the first conveying section and the second conveying section, and the third conveying section and the fourth conveying section are disposed so as to be line-symmetric with respect to a radial line passing through the rotation axis and forming a symmetry axis.

6. A shot-peening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the rotary table is supported at a predetermined height corresponding to the preparation position,

further provided with: and an elevating unit configured to elevate the workpiece to the preparation position.

7. A shot-peening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

and performing shot peening on the inner wall of the hole.

8. A shot-peening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the injection mechanism includes:

a pressurizing tank for storing the injection material and connected to a compressed gas supply source;

a mixing unit connected to the compressed gas supply source, for mixing the injection material and the compressed air supplied in a fixed amount from the pressurizing tank; and

and a nozzle connected to the mixing part and spraying the spray material together with compressed air.

9. A shot peening method for machining a workpiece having a hole formed therein, the shot peening method comprising the steps of:

disposing the first workpiece at a preparation position;

a step of rotating a plate-shaped rotating table on which a conveying section having a first end and a second end and provided rotatably about a rotating shaft is provided on an upper surface thereof, and connecting the preparation position and the first end of the conveying section;

moving the first workpiece from the preparation position to a conveying section of the rotary table;

a step of connecting a machine casing having a processing chamber to the first end of the transport unit and connecting the preparation position to the second end of the transport unit by rotating the rotary table on which the first workpiece is disposed;

moving the first workpiece from the rotary table to the processing chamber;

disposing the second workpiece at the preparation position;

moving the second workpiece from the preparation position to the rotary table;

moving the first workpiece after being machined to the rotary table;

rotating the rotary table on which the first and second workpieces are disposed, the rotary table connecting the housing and the second end of the transport unit, and the preparation position and the first end of the transport unit; and

and a step of moving the second workpiece from the rotary table to the processing chamber and inspecting the processed first workpiece on the rotary table.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shot peening apparatus and a shot peening method.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses an apparatus for applying compressive residual stress by shot peening an inner wall of a hole formed in a workpiece.

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2013/175660

However, it is conceivable to machine a workpiece having a hole by using the apparatus described in patent document 1 or the like. In order to ensure the quality of the workpiece, it is considered to inspect the quality of the machining of the workpiece. For example, it is conceivable that the inspection step is performed after the machining step of the workpiece, and the machining step of the next workpiece is started after the inspection step. However, since the direction in which the inner wall of the hole formed in the workpiece can be recognized is limited, the inspection process may take time. As the inspection process takes longer, the start of the machining process for the next workpiece is delayed, and as a result, the processing time for the entire plurality of workpieces may increase.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a shot peening apparatus and a shot peening method capable of shortening the overall processing time for a plurality of workpieces.

An apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a shot peening apparatus for machining a workpiece having a hole formed therein. The device includes a housing, an injection mechanism, and a conveying device. The housing has a processing chamber formed therein for carrying in a workpiece. The ejection mechanism ejects an ejection material to a hole of a workpiece disposed in the processing chamber. The conveying device conveys the workpiece between the preparation position of the workpiece and the chassis. The conveying device has a plate-shaped rotating table. The rotary table is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft, and a conveying unit for moving a workpiece is provided on an upper surface thereof, so that a plurality of workpieces can be arranged. The rotary table connects the transport unit, the preparation position, and the casing at a predetermined rotational position. The device has an inspection area for inspecting the state of the hole of the workpiece between the preparation position and the rotary shaft of the rotary table.

According to the shot-peening apparatus of one aspect of the present invention, the workpiece before being machined is conveyed from the preparation position to the machine box by the conveying device. The conveying unit provided in the rotary table is connected to the preparation position and the cabinet in accordance with the rotation of the rotary table. When the rotary table is at the predetermined rotational position, the workpiece before machining can be moved from the preparation position to the rotary table, and the workpiece after machining can be moved from the housing to the rotary table. When the rotary table is at the predetermined rotational position, the workpiece before machining can be moved from the transport unit to the housing, and the workpiece after machining is disposed in the inspection area between the preparation position and the rotational axis of the rotary table. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus can overlap a workpiece machining process and a workpiece inspection process after machining. Therefore, the shot-peening apparatus can shorten the overall processing time for a plurality of workpieces as compared with a shot-peening apparatus using a linear conveyance path.

In one embodiment, the hole may be formed in the bottom portion of the workpiece, the inspection area may be set below the turntable, or the turntable may be formed with a first opening through which the bottom portion of the workpiece can be viewed from below. In this case, the state of the hole formed in the bottom portion of the workpiece is inspected through the first opening by an inspection area provided below the turntable. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus can inspect the state of the hole formed at the bottom of the workpiece without changing the attitude or the like of the workpiece.

In one embodiment, the conveying unit may include a first conveying unit and a second conveying unit, the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit may be disposed to extend in the same direction, and the first opening may be provided between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit. In this case, the shot peening apparatus can convey the workpiece across the first opening. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus can inspect the state of the hole formed at the bottom of the workpiece through the first opening without changing the posture or the like of the workpiece.

In one embodiment, the conveying unit may include a third conveying unit and a fourth conveying unit, and the third conveying unit and the fourth conveying unit may be arranged to extend in the same direction, or a second opening through which the bottom portion of the workpiece can be viewed from below may be formed in the rotary table between the third conveying unit and the fourth conveying unit. In this case, the shot peening apparatus can convey the workpiece across the second opening. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus can inspect the state of the hole formed at the bottom of the workpiece via the second opening without changing the posture or the like of the workpiece.

In one embodiment, the casing, the rotary shaft, and the preparation position may be arranged linearly, the first conveying unit, the second conveying unit, the third conveying unit, and the fourth conveying unit may extend in the same direction, and the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, and the third conveying unit and the fourth conveying unit may be arranged line-symmetrically about a line passing through a radial direction of the rotary shaft and forming a symmetry axis. In this case, when the first and second conveyance units are connected to the preparation position, the third and fourth conveyance units are connected to the casing. When the turntable is rotated by 180 degrees, the first and second conveying units are connected to the casing, and the third and fourth conveying units are connected to the preparation position. In this way, the conveying unit can be connected to both the housing and the preparation position every 180 degrees of rotation, and therefore, the workpiece can be moved between the rotary table and the preparation position and between the rotary table and the housing every 180 degrees of rotation. This further improves the work efficiency, and therefore the shot peening apparatus can further shorten the overall processing time for a plurality of workpieces.

In one embodiment, the rotary table may be supported at a predetermined height corresponding to the preparation position, and the shot peening apparatus may further include an elevating section that elevates the workpiece to the preparation position. In this case, the shot-peening apparatus can automate the arrangement of the workpiece to the preparation position.

In one embodiment, the shot peening apparatus may perform shot peening on the inner wall of the hole. In this case, the shot peening apparatus can apply compressive residual stress to the inner wall of the hole.

In one embodiment, the injection mechanism may include: a pressurizing tank for storing the injection material and connected to a compressed gas supply source; a mixing unit connected to a compressed gas supply source for mixing the injection material and the compressed air supplied in a fixed amount from the pressurizing tank; and a nozzle connected to the mixing part and jetting the jetting material together with the compressed air. In this case, the shot peening device can jet the shot material together with the compressed air.

Another method of the present invention is a shot peening method for processing a workpiece having a hole formed therein. The method comprises the following steps: disposing the first workpiece at a preparation position; a step of connecting the preparation position and the first end of the conveying part by rotating a plate-shaped rotating table, which is provided on the upper surface of the conveying part and is provided with the first end and the second end and can rotate around a rotating shaft; moving the first workpiece from the preparation position to a conveying section of the rotary table; a step of rotating the rotary table on which the first workpiece is disposed, connecting a machine box having a processing chamber to a first end of the conveying section, and connecting the preparation position to a second end of the conveying section; moving the first workpiece from the rotary table to the processing chamber; disposing the second workpiece at the preparation position; moving the second workpiece from the preparation position to the rotary table; moving the first workpiece after machining to a rotary table; rotating a rotary table on which the first and second workpieces are disposed, the rotary table connecting the machine casing and the second end of the conveying unit and connecting the preparation position and the first end of the conveying unit; and a step of moving the second workpiece from the rotary table to the processing chamber and inspecting the processed first workpiece on the rotary table.

According to the shot peening method of the other aspect of the present invention, the first workpiece is disposed on the rotary table, and is conveyed to a position facing the casing by the rotation of the rotary table. The first workpiece is carried into the housing and processed. The second workpiece is disposed on the turntable. The first workpiece after being processed is again disposed on the rotary table. The rotary table on which the first and second workpieces are arranged after being processed is rotated, whereby the first workpiece after being processed is arranged in the inspection area, and the second workpiece is conveyed to a position facing the housing. In this way, the shot peening method can bring the second workpiece into the machine box when the first workpiece is positioned in the inspection region. Therefore, the shot peening method can overlap the machining step of the workpiece with the inspection step of the machined workpiece. Therefore, the shot peening method can shorten the overall processing time for a plurality of workpieces as compared with a shot peening method using a linear conveyance path.

According to the present invention, the entire processing time for a plurality of workpieces can be shortened.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an example of a shot-peening apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the shot-peening apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line III-III of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of a workpiece.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the tray.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the tray.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the shot peening method according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of movement of a workpiece by the shot peening method according to the embodiment.

Description of reference numerals

1 … shot peening apparatus, 10 … cabinet, 20 … blasting mechanism, 23 … pressure tank, 24 … mixing section, 25 … nozzle, 40 … conveying device, 41 … rotary table, 41a … first opening, 41B … second opening, 43 … conveying section, 43a … first end, 43a … first conveying section, 43B … second end, 43B … second conveying section, 43d … third conveying section, 43e … fourth conveying section, 45 … elevating section, F1 to F3 … inner wall, H1 … ready position, G1 to G3 … holes, L … straight line, M … rotary shaft, R … processing chamber, W … workpiece, W1 … first workpiece, W2 … second workpiece.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. In the present specification, the "vertical direction" is illustrated in the drawings as long as it is not specifically described, but the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in the drawings are also described. Here, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in the line of sight of fig. 1 mean a horizontal direction (X direction, Y direction) and a vertical direction (Z direction) with respect to the paper surface.

[ Structure of work ]

Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of a workpiece. As shown in fig. 4, the workpiece W is a three-dimensional object, and a hole is formed toward the inside. In the example of fig. 4, three holes G1 to G3 are formed in the outer surface of the workpiece W. The number of holes is not limited to three, and may be one or more. The workpiece is formed of metal. An example of the workpiece is a cylinder head, a cylinder block, a crankshaft, a mold, or the like of an engine. Examples of the holes are cooling holes such as water cooling holes, holes for pressing pins, and insertion holes for a depth thermometer. The inner diameter of the hole is about 4 to 15mm as an example, and the length (depth) of the hole is about 50 to 400mm as an example. In the present embodiment, the water-cooling holes provided in the casting die are subjected to shot blasting.

The shot peening is, for example, a shot blasting process of cutting a surface, a shot peening process of applying a compressive residual stress, or the like. The machining is not limited to the above specific example, and may include any suitable machining that can be applied to the side wall of the hole. In the present embodiment, shot peening is performed as shot peening.

[ Structure of shot peening apparatus ]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an example of a shot-peening apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the shot-peening apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line III-III of fig. 2. The shot peening apparatus 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3 is an apparatus for machining a workpiece having a hole formed therein.

The shot peening apparatus 1 includes a cabinet 10, a blasting mechanism 20, a dust collector 30, a conveying device 40, and a control unit 60.

The housing 10 has a processing chamber R (see fig. 3) formed therein into which the workpiece W is loaded. The cabinet 10 is a box as an example. A shutter 10a for opening and closing the casing 10 is provided on a side surface of the casing 10. The shutter 10a opens and closes, for example, the upper left and right portions of the side surface of the housing 10. The gate 10a is opened to open the enclosure 10 when the workpiece W is carried into the processing chamber R or when the workpiece W is carried out of the processing chamber R. The shutter 10a is closed to seal the housing 10 when the workpiece W is processed. The shutter 10a is driven by a driving device not shown. In the processing chamber R, a table 10b (see fig. 3) that movably supports the workpiece W is supported at a predetermined height position. The table 10b is a roller conveyor as an example.

The spray mechanism 20 sprays a spray material to a hole of the workpiece W disposed in the processing chamber R. An example of the blasting material is abrasive grains such as shot blasting (steel balls). The ejection mechanism 20 can be any type of device such as a gravity type (suction type) device, a direct pressure type (pressure type) device, or a centrifugal type device. The shot-peening apparatus of the present embodiment uses a direct-pressure type blasting mechanism as an example.

The injection mechanism 20 includes a pressure tank 23, a mixing section 24, and a nozzle 25. The pressurizing tank 23 stores the injection material and is connected to a compressed gas supply source (not shown). The inside of the pressurizing tank 23 is pressurized by compressed air supplied from a compressed gas supply source. As an example, the mixing section 24 is disposed below the pressure tank 23. The mixing unit 24 is connected to a compressed gas supply source (not shown) and mixes the injection material quantitatively supplied from the pressure tank 23 with compressed air. The nozzle 25 is disposed in the processing chamber R. The nozzle 25 is connected to the mixing section 24 and ejects the spray material together with the compressed air. The position and the ejection direction of the nozzle 25 are controlled by a robot 26 (see fig. 2 and 3). The nozzle 25 is held by a robot 26 and inserted into a hole of the workpiece W.

The blasting mechanism 20 may be provided with a mechanism for reusing the blasting material used in the processing. A hopper 27 is disposed below the processing chamber R. The blasting material sprayed by the nozzle 25 drops together with the dust toward the lower portion of the processing chamber R, and is stored in the hopper 27. The conduit 28 is connected to the hopper 27. The duct 28 is connected to a cyclone 21 for classification with air. The dust and the blasting agent received in the hopper 27 are supplied to the cyclone 21 through the duct 28, and classified into dust and usable blasting agent. The cyclone 21 is connected to a pressure tank 23. The usable blasting material is supplied to the pressure tank 23 and reused as the blasting material to be blasted to the workpiece W.

The cyclone 21 is connected to a dust collector 30 via a duct 31. The dust collector 30 is a device for removing dust by suction. The dust separated by the cyclone 21 is sucked by the dust collector 30 through the duct 31. The processing chamber R is connected to the dust collector 30 via a duct 32. The dust in the processing chamber R is sucked by the dust collector 30 through the duct 32.

The conveying device 40 conveys the workpiece W between the preparation position H1 of the workpiece W and the casing 10. The preparation position H1 is a position where the workpiece W to be processed is placed, and is at the same height as the table 10b housed in the processing chamber R. The preparation position H1 may be a position to which the processed workpiece W is returned. The conveying device 40 includes a plate-shaped rotary table 41 on which a plurality of workpieces W can be arranged. The turntable 41 has a disk shape, for example. The rotary table 41 is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis M (see fig. 1) extending in the Z direction. The rotary table 41 is rotated by a rotary motor 42. The turntable 41 is disposed between the preparation position H1 and the casing 10. For example, the turntable 41 is arranged such that the rotation axis M, the casing 10, and the preparation position H1 are linearly arranged. The rotary table 41 is supported at a predetermined height corresponding to the preparation position H1. For example, the rotary table 41 is supported at the same height as the standby position H1.

The rotary table 41 has a conveying section 43 (see fig. 1) for moving the workpiece W provided on the upper surface thereof. The rotary table 41 connects the transport unit 43, the preparation position H1, and the enclosure 10 at a predetermined rotational position. When the first end 43A (see fig. 2) of the conveying unit 43 is connected to the ready position H1, the second end 43B (see fig. 2) of the conveying unit 43 is connected to the enclosure 10. This allows the workpiece W to be moved between the rotary table 41 and the preparation position H1 and the workpiece W to be moved between the rotary table 41 and the enclosure 10 in parallel. In the example of fig. 2, since the rotation axis M, the casing 10, and the ready position H1 are arranged linearly, when the first end 43A of the transport unit 43 is connected to the casing 10, the second end 43B of the transport unit 43 is connected to the ready position H1. In this way, the turntable 41 can reconnect the transport unit 43 to the standby position H1 and the enclosure 10 by only half rotation. That is, in the present embodiment, the predetermined rotational position is a multiple of 180 degrees. An example of the conveying section 43 is a roller conveyor.

The rotary table 41 has a plurality of works W (two works W in the present embodiment) arranged at predetermined rotational positions. Therefore, the conveying unit 43 can be separated into the respective works W. For example, the conveying unit 43 is divided into two parts with reference to a straight line L (see fig. 2) passing through the radial direction of the rotation axis M.

The conveying unit 43 includes a first conveying unit 43a and a second conveying unit 43b for the first workpiece. The first conveying section 43a and the second conveying section 43b are disposed to extend in the same direction. The first conveying section 43a and the second conveying section 43b are provided in parallel and separated from each other. A first opening 41a through which the bottom of the workpiece W can be viewed from below is formed between the first conveying portion 43a and the second conveying portion 43b of the rotary table 41. The first opening 41a is formed to penetrate the turntable 41 and functions as a window in an inspection described later. The conveying section 43 may include a first auxiliary conveying section 43c on the outer side in the radial direction of the first opening 41a in the rotating table 41. The first auxiliary conveying portion 43c assists the movement of the workpiece W.

The conveying section 43 includes a third conveying section 43d and a fourth conveying section 43e for the second workpiece. The third conveying section 43d and the fourth conveying section 43e are disposed to extend in the same direction. The third conveying section 43d and the fourth conveying section 43e are provided in parallel and separated from each other. A second opening 41b through which the bottom portion of the workpiece W can be viewed from below is formed between the third conveying portion 43d and the fourth conveying portion 43e of the rotary table 41. The second opening 41b is formed to penetrate the turntable 41 and functions as a window in an inspection described later. The conveying section 43 may include a second auxiliary conveying section 43f on the turntable 41 radially outward of the second opening 41 b. The second auxiliary conveying portion 43f assists the movement of the workpiece W.

The first conveying section 43a, the second conveying section 43b, the third conveying section 43d, and the fourth conveying section 43e may extend in the same direction. The first conveying section 43a and the second conveying section 43b, and the third conveying section 43d and the fourth conveying section 43e may be arranged in line symmetry with respect to a line L passing through the radial direction of the rotation axis M and forming a symmetry axis. Accordingly, the feeding unit 43 can be connected to the preparation position H1 and the enclosure 10 every 180 degrees of rotation of the turntable 41.

The rotating table 41 may be provided with a first stopper 44a at the center thereof, which corresponds to the first conveying portion 43a and the second conveying portion 43 b. The rotating table 41 may be provided with a second stopper 44b at the center thereof, corresponding to the third conveying section 43d and the fourth conveying section 43 e. Thereby, the workpiece W can be stopped on the rotary table 41. The first stopper 44a and the second stopper 44b may be provided with pins for fixing the workpiece W.

The shot peening apparatus 1 has an inspection region for inspecting the state of the hole of the workpiece W between the preparation position H1 and the rotation axis M of the turntable 41 (region D3 in fig. 1). The inspection area is a position where an operator, a robot, or the like visually observes or uses an inspection apparatus, and is set above or below the turntable 41. The first inspection area D1 is set above the turntable 41, and the state of the hole formed in the upper surface or the side surface of the workpiece W is inspected using the first inspection apparatus N1. The second inspection area D2 is set below the rotary table 41, and the state of the hole formed in the bottom of the workpiece W is inspected using the second inspection apparatus N2. The first inspection device N1 and the second inspection device N2 are devices having a sensor function, and appropriate devices can be prepared for inspection such as inspection of residual stress, color, roughness, and sand residue.

The shot peening apparatus 1 may further include a lifting unit 45 for lifting and lowering the workpiece W at the preparation position H1. The elevating unit 45 has a fifth conveying unit 45a in which the workpiece W can be disposed. The lifting unit 45 moves the fifth conveying unit 45a to the height of the preparation position H1 by a driving source not shown. This enables the workpiece W to be automatically prepared.

The respective configurations of the shot-peening apparatus 1 are collectively controlled by the control unit 60. The control unit 60 includes, for example, a display unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is a general computer having a CPU, a storage unit, and the like. The control unit 60 executes conveyance, machining, inspection, and the like of the workpiece W using a preset program.

[ tray for conveyance ]

The workpiece W may be placed on the tray 50 and conveyed. Since the rotary table 41 has an opening, the work W may not be conveyed due to its width. By using the tray 50, even workpieces W of various widths can be handled. In this case, an opening is also formed in the tray 50 in order to inspect a hole formed in the bottom of the workpiece W. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the tray. Fig. 5 (a) is a plan view, and fig. 5 (B) is a side view. The tray 50 shown in fig. 5 has a fixing portion 50b for positioning the workpiece W, and an opening 50a formed in a region surrounded by the fixing portion 50 b. The tray 50 is formed with a hole 50c for engaging with a pin of the first stopper 44a or the second stopper 44b provided on the turntable. The pins engage with the holes 50c, thereby preventing the workpiece from falling due to the centrifugal force of the rotary table 41. The size of the opening 50a and the position of the fixing portion 50b can be changed as appropriate depending on the workpiece W. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the tray. Fig. 6 (a) is a plan view, and fig. 6 (B) is a side view. The tray 51 shown in fig. 6 has an opening 51a slightly larger than the opening 50a, and a fixing portion 51b arranged in accordance with the shape of the opening 51 a. A hole 51c is formed in the tray 51 in the same manner as the hole 50 c.

[ shot peening method ]

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the shot peening method according to the embodiment. The flowchart shown in fig. 7 represents the processing of the second workpiece W2 processed next after including the first workpiece W1 from the preparation of the first workpiece W1 to the end of the inspection. In the following, an example in which the control unit 60 executes the flowchart will be described, but a part or all of the steps may be performed manually. Further, a flowchart will be described with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of movement of a workpiece by the shot peening method according to the embodiment.

First, as a first workpiece preparation step (S10), the controller 60 prepares the first workpiece W1 at the preparation position H1. For example, the control unit 60 causes the other conveying unit to dispose the first workpiece W1 on the fifth conveying unit 45a of the lifting unit 45. The control unit 60 causes the lifting unit 45 to lift the fifth conveying unit 45a so that the fifth conveying unit 45a becomes the height of the preparation position H1.

Next, as a conveying section connecting step (S12), the controller 60 connects the preparation position H1 and the first end 43A of the conveying section 43. The controller 60 rotates the rotary table 41 to a predetermined rotational position, and connects the conveying unit 43 of the rotary table 41 to the fifth conveying unit 45a at the preparation position H1. When the rotary table 41 is already at the predetermined rotational position, the conveying section connecting step (S12) can be omitted.

Next, as a first workpiece moving step (S14), the controller 60 moves the first workpiece W1 from the preparation position H1 to the conveying unit 43 of the rotary table 41. The controller 60 drives the fifth conveyor 45a, the first conveyor 43a, and the second conveyor 43b to move the first workpiece W1 from the preparation position H1 to the conveyor 43 of the rotary table 41. The first workpiece W1 abuts against the first stopper 44a and is thus positioned. When the tray 50 is used, the hole 50c is engaged with and fixed to the pin of the first stopper 44 a.

Next, as a conveying section connecting step (S16), the controller 60 rotates the rotary table 41 to connect the casing 10 and the first end 43A of the conveying section 43 and to connect the preparatory position H1 and the second end 43B of the conveying section 43. The controller 60 rotates the rotary table 41 to move the first workpiece W1 to a position facing the enclosure 10. For example, as shown in fig. 8 (a) and 8 (B), the first workpiece W1 is moved to a position facing the enclosure 10 by the rotation of the rotary table 41 by 180 degrees. At this time, the table 10b in the housing 10 is connected to the first conveying unit 43a and the second conveying unit 43b of the conveying unit 43. The fifth conveying unit 45a in the preparation position H1 is connected to the third conveying unit 43d and the fourth conveying unit 43e of the conveying unit 43.

Next, as a first workpiece moving step (S18), the controller 60 moves the first workpiece W1 from the rotary table 41 to the processing chamber R. The controller 60 drives the first conveying unit 43a, the second conveying unit 43b, and the table 10b to move the first workpiece W1 from the rotary table 41 to the processing chamber R. The control unit 60 machines a hole formed in the first workpiece W1 in the machining chamber R.

The preparation step (S20) for the second workpiece and the movement step (S22) for the second workpiece may be started simultaneously with the movement step (S18) for the first workpiece, and may be ended before the start of the later-described conveyor connection step (S24). Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, the first workpiece moving step (S18), the second workpiece preparing step (S20), the second workpiece moving step (S22), and the first workpiece moving step (S24) will be described in this order, but the order of execution is not limited to this.

As a second workpiece preparation process (S20), the controller 60 prepares the second workpiece W2 at the preparation position H1. For example, the control unit 60 causes the other conveying unit to dispose the second workpiece W2 on the fifth conveying unit 45a of the lifting unit 45. The control unit 60 causes the lifting unit 45 to lift the fifth conveying unit 45a so that the fifth conveying unit 45a becomes the height of the preparation position H1.

As the second workpiece moving step (S22), the controller 60 moves the second workpiece W2 from the preparation position H1 to the conveying unit 43 of the rotary table 41. The controller 60 drives the fifth conveyor 45a, the third conveyor 43d, and the fourth conveyor 43e to move the second workpiece W2 from the preparation position H1 to the conveyor 43 of the rotary table 41. The second workpiece W2 abuts against the second stopper 44b and is thus positioned. When the tray 50 is used, the hole 50c is engaged with and fixed to the pin of the second stopper 44 b. As shown in fig. 8 (B) and 8 (C), the first workpiece W1 is machined in the machine box 10, and the second workpiece W2 is disposed on the rotary table.

As the first workpiece moving step (S24), the controller 60 moves the first workpiece W1 from the processing chamber R to the conveying section 43 of the rotary table 41. The controller 60 drives the table 10b, the first conveying section 43a, and the second conveying section 43b to move the first workpiece W1 from the processing chamber R to the conveying section 43 of the rotary table 41. The first workpiece W1 abuts against the first stopper 44a and is thus positioned. As shown in fig. 8 (C) and 8 (D), the first workpiece W1 is moved from the casing 10 to the rotary table 41.

When the first workpiece moving step (S18), the second workpiece preparing step (S20), the second workpiece moving step (S22), and the first workpiece moving step (S24) are completed, the conveying section connecting step (S26) is performed.

In the conveying section connecting step (S26), the controller 60 rotates the rotary table 41 to connect the casing 10 and the second end 43B of the conveying section 43 and to connect the ready position H1 and the first end 43A of the conveying section 43. The controller 60 rotates the rotary table 41 to move the first workpiece W1 to a position facing the preparation position H1 and to move the second workpiece W2 to a position facing the enclosure 10. Thereby, the first workpiece W1 is located in the inspection region. For example, as shown in fig. 8 (E) and 8 (F), by the rotation of the rotary table 41 by 180 degrees, the first workpiece W1 is moved to a position facing the preparation position H1, and the second workpiece W2 is moved to a position facing the enclosure 10. At this time, the table 10b in the housing 10 is connected to the third conveying unit 43d and the fourth conveying unit 43e of the conveying unit 43. The fifth conveying section 45a in the preparation position H1 is connected to the first conveying section 43a and the second conveying section 43b of the conveying section 43.

Next, as a second workpiece moving step (S28), the controller 60 moves the second workpiece W2 from the rotary table 41 to the processing chamber R. The controller 60 drives the third conveying unit 43d, the fourth conveying unit 43e, and the table 10b to move the second workpiece W2 from the rotary table 41 to the processing chamber R. The controller 60 machines a hole formed in the second workpiece W2 in the machining chamber R.

The inspection process (S30) of the first workpiece can be started simultaneously with the movement process (S28) of the second workpiece. As the inspection process of the first workpiece (S30), the controller 60 causes the first inspection machine N1 or the second inspection machine N2 to inspect the first workpiece W1.

Next, as a first workpiece moving step (S32), the controller 60 moves the first workpiece W1 from the conveying unit 43 of the rotary table 41 to the standby position H1. The controller 60 drives the fifth conveyor 45a, the first conveyor 43a, and the second conveyor 43b to move the first workpiece W1 from the conveyor 43 of the rotary table 41 to the preparation position H1. At this time, the preparation position is a discharge position of the workpiece. The first workpiece W1 is lowered by the lifter 45 and discharged. When the first workpiece moving step (S32) ends, the flowchart shown in fig. 7 ends. The work W is processed sequentially. Therefore, as shown in fig. 8 (F) and 8 (G), after the first workpiece W1 is ejected, the third workpiece W3 is disposed. The subsequent processing is repeated similarly from fig. 8 (C).

[ summary of embodiments ]

According to the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method, the workpiece W before being machined is conveyed by the conveying apparatus 40 from the preparation position H1 to the enclosure 10. The transport unit 43 provided in the rotary table 41 is connected to the preparation position H1 and the enclosure 10 in accordance with the rotation of the rotary table 41. When the rotary table 41 is at the predetermined rotational position, the workpiece W before machining can be moved from the preparation position H1 to the rotary table 41, and the workpiece W after machining can be moved from the casing 10 to the rotary table 41. When the rotary table 41 is at the predetermined rotational position, the workpiece W before processing can be moved from the conveying unit 43 to the housing 10, and the workpiece W after processing is disposed in the inspection region (the first inspection region D1 and the second inspection region D2) between the preparation position H1 and the rotation axis M of the rotary table 41. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method can overlap the process of machining the workpiece W with the process of inspecting the machined workpiece W. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method can shorten the overall processing time for the plurality of workpieces W as compared with a shot peening apparatus using a linear conveyance path.

According to the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method, the state of the hole formed in the bottom of the workpiece W is inspected through the first opening 41a or the second opening 41b by the second inspection area D2 provided below the rotary table 41. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method can inspect the state of the hole formed in the bottom of the workpiece W without changing the posture or the like of the workpiece W.

According to the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method, the workpiece can be conveyed so as to straddle the first opening 41a and the second opening 41 b. Therefore, the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method can inspect the state of the hole formed in the bottom portion of the workpiece W through the first opening 41a or the second opening 41b without changing the posture or the like of the workpiece W.

Since the conveying unit 43 can be connected to both the housing 10 and the preparation position H1 every 180 degrees of rotation, the shot-peening apparatus 1 and the shot-peening method can move the workpiece W between the rotary table 41 and the preparation position H1 and between the rotary table 41 and the housing 10 every 180 degrees of rotation. This further improves the work efficiency, and therefore the shot peening apparatus 1 and the shot peening method can further shorten the overall processing time for the plurality of workpieces W.

The present embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented by being variously modified in a range not departing from the gist thereof.

For example, the conveying unit 43 may be a roller conveyor of a free roller or a conveyor belt. In the case of using a roller conveyor with free rollers as the conveying section 43, the operator can convey the workpiece by hand work, or the roller conveyor with free rollers can be provided with a pusher or the like to automate the conveyance of the workpiece. The inspection area may be set to only the second inspection area D2. In the case where a plurality of processing chambers R are provided or a plurality of preparation positions H1 are provided, the transport unit may be provided so as to connect a part or all of them at a predetermined rotational position. Further, since the inspection step can be performed when the workpiece W is located in the inspection region, the inspection step may be performed on the workpiece W before processing, for example.

The first inspection machine N1 and the second inspection machine N2 may further inspect the residues of machining unevenness, burrs, and the like.