Flipper apparatus and object inspection method using same

A flipper apparatus configured to be positioned as part of a conveyor belt inspection line and configured for operation with a camera device to inspect an object, the flipper apparatus comprising on XYZ orthogonal coordinates:

• a Y-axis flipper unit configured to hold the object in a Y-axis direction and rotate the object about a Y-axis;
• an X-axis flipper unit configured to hold the object in an X-axis direction and rotate the object about an X-axis;
• and
• a Z-axis elevation unit supporting the Y-axis flipper unit and the X-axis flipper unit and configured to move the Y-axis flipper unit and the X-axis flipper unit up and down in a Z-axis direction,
• wherein the flipper apparatus is configured to receive the object from the conveyor belt for inspection;
• wherein the flipper apparatus is configured to manipulate the object, the manipulation enabling improved inspection of multiple object surfaces through improved positioning and alignment relative to the camera device;
• wherein the Y-axis flipper unit includes:
• a Y-axis flipper base supported on the Z-axis elevation unit;
• a pair of body frames supported on the Y-axis flipper base, and configured to operate to narrow or widen a space between the pair of body frames in the Y-axis direction;
• and
• a pair of Y-axis holders supported on the pair of body frames, respectively, the pair of Y-axis holders being configured to hold the object between the pair of Y-axis holders and rotate about the Y-axis with respect to the pair of body frames so as to rotate the object about the Y-axis with respect to the pair of body frames, and
• wherein the X-axis flipper unit includes:
• an X-axis flipper base supported on the Z-axis elevation unit;
• a pair of side frames supported on the X-axis flipper base, the pair of side frames being configured to operate to narrow or widen a space between the pair of side frames in the X-axis direction;
• and
• a pair of X-axis holders supported on the pair of side frames, respectively, the pair of X-axis holders being configured to hold the object between the pair of X-axis holders and rotate about the X-axis with respect to the pair of side frames so as to rotate the object about the X-axis with respect to the pair of side frames, and
• wherein each of the pair of Y-axis holders includes:
• a support grip part protruding in the Y-axis direction to be engaged with one end of the object in the Z-axis direction;
• and
• an auxiliary grip part configured to be movable in the Y-axis direction with respect to the support grip part, and configured to move in the Y-axis direction to be engaged with or disengaged from the other end of the object in the Z-axis direction.