Quality control storage device

• US 5,808,265 A
• Filed: 01/14/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dimitrios G. Cecil
• Original Assignee: Dimitrios G. Cecil
• Inventors: Cecil, Dimitrios G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Clifford C.
• Application Number:
  US08/783,560
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 219/109, 219/110, 198/341, 209/546, 209/548
• US Class Current: 219/109
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/253 the measured parameter being a displacement or a position
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/36 Auxiliary equipment B23K11/31 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles

Abstract

Control systems and methods for inspecting at least one of a plurality of parts using an inspection station are disclosed. A comparator coupled to the inspection station compares a test signal responsive to a measured parameter of a part in the inspection station to a reference signal to determine if the part matches a predetermined profile. The comparator then provides a fault signal which disables the inspection station upon determining that a part matches the predetermined profile. The profile matching part is then removed from the inspection station and stored in a storage device. The storage device then provides a confirmation signal to the comparator indicating that the profile matching part has been stored in the storage device. The comparator then enables the inspection station upon receipt of the confirmation signal. The control systems and methods of the present invention may be incorporated in a production line adapted to index at least one of the plurality of parts into and then out of the inspection station.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting at least one of a plurality of parts using an inspection station having an associated storage device, the method comprising:

testing a part in the inspection station to determine if the part matches a predetermined profile;

providing a fault signal which disables the inspection station upon the determination that a part matches the predetermined profile;

removing the profile matching part from the inspection station;

storing the profile matching part in the storage device; and

providing a confirmation signal which enables the inspection station when the profile matching part is removed from the inspection station and stored in the storage device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

marking the profile matching part with an identification code.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

storing the identification code to verify that the profile matching part has been stored in the storage device.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a notification signal for an operator to remove the profile matching part from the inspection station and store said part in the storage device.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating an alarm if the inspection station is disabled more than a predetermined time period.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

unlocking the storage device in response to the fault signal to allow the profile matching part to be stored in the storage device; and

locking the storage device in response to the confirmation signal to prevent access to the storage device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the predetermined profile is indicative of a defective part.

8. A method for sequentially inspecting parts using a production line having an inspection station and an associated storage device, wherein the production line is adapted to index at least one of a plurality of parts into and then out of the inspection station, the method comprising:

generating a test signal responsive to a measured parameter of a part in the inspection station;

comparing the test signal to a reference signal to determine if the part matches a predetermined profile;

providing a fault signal which disables the indexing of the production line upon the determination that a part matches the predetermined profile;

removing the profile matching part from the inspection station;

storing the profile matching part in the storage device; and

providing a confirmation signal which enables the indexing of the production line when the profile matching part is removed from the inspection station and stored in the storage device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

marking the profile matching part with an identification code.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

storing the identification code to verify that the profile matching part has been stored in the storage device.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

generating a notification signal for an operator to remove the profile matching part from the inspection station and store said part in the storage device.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

unlocking the storage device in response to the fault signal to allow the profile matching part to be stored in the storage device; and

locking the storage device in response to the confirmation signal to prevent access to the storage device.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein:

the predetermined profile is indicative of a defective part.

14. A system for inspecting parts using an inspection station adapted to generate a data signal responsive to a monitored part characteristic, the system comprising:

a storage device for storing parts, the storage device being operable to generate a confirmation signal when a part is stored therein; and

a comparator coupled to the inspection station and the storage device, the comparator being operable to compare the data signal to a reference signal to determine if a part in the inspection station matches a predetermined profile, the comparator being further operable to provide a fault signal for disabling the inspection station upon determining that a part matches the predetermined profile until receipt of the confirmation signal from the storage device indicating that the profile matching part has been removed from the inspection station and stored in the storage device whereupon the comparator enables the inspection station.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a programmable logic controller (PLC) coupled to the inspection station and cooperating with the comparator to disable said station.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the comparator is a computer.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

a marker cooperating with the computer to mark the profile matching part with an identification code.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein:

the computer stores the identification code to verify that the profile matching part has been stored in the storage device.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the computer provides a notification signal to an operator to remove the part from the inspection station and store said part in the storage device upon determining that said part matches the predetermined profile.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the storage device comprises a door being movable between a closed position for denying entry into the storage device and an opened position for allowing storage of parts in the storage device.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein:

the storage device further comprises a first lock assembly responsive to the computer for unlocking the door upon receiving the fault signal and for locking the door in the closed position after the computer has received the confirmation signal from the storage device.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein:

the storage device further comprises a part removal door for allowing the removal of parts therefrom, the part removal door having a second lock assembly responsive to the computer for locking and unlocking the part removal door, wherein the second lock assembly unlocks the part removal door in response to an authorized user code entered into the computer.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the comparator compares the data signal to a reference signal to determine if a part is defective.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a compactor associated with the storage device for destroying defective parts.

25. A system for sequentially inspecting parts using a production line having an inspection station, wherein the production line is adapted when driven by a production line drive to index at least one of a plurality of parts into and then out of the inspection station, the system comprising:

a storage device for storing parts, the storage device being operable to generate a confirmation signal when a part is stored therein;

a test sensor for generating a test sensor signal responsive to a measured parameter of a part in the inspection station; and

a comparator coupled to the production line drive, the storage device, and the test sensor, the comparator being operable to compare the test sensor signal to a reference signal to determine if a part in the inspection station matches a predetermined profile, the comparator being further operable to provide a fault signal to the production line drive for disabling the indexing of the production line upon determining that a part matches the predetermined profile until receipt of the confirmation signal from the storage device indicating that the profile matching part has been removed from the inspection station and placed in the storage device whereupon the comparator enables the indexing of the production line.