Yarn processing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel yarn processing apparatus capable of dramatically heightening production management. An information management section (110) of the yarn processing apparatus (100) is capable of acquiring initial amount information related to an initial amount of yarn (Y) contained in a supply yarn package (Ps) before start of yarn (Y) withdrawal, withdrawal unit amount information related to an amount of yarn (Y) withdrawn per unit time from the supply yarn package (Ps), and withdrawal start timing information related to a withdrawal start timing at which yarn (Y) withdrawal from the supply yarn package (Ps) is started. Through operation using these pieces of information, for example, it is possible to accurately predict a timing at which yarn (Y) withdrawal from the supply yarn package (Ps) is completed, or it is possible to constantly infer a degree of progress of yarn (Y) withdrawal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wire processing device. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus (thread processing device) that processes thread unwound from a thread supply roll (referred to as a supply bobbin in Patent Document 1) formed by winding thread on a thread supply bobbin, and winds the thread onto a take-up bobbin to form a roll (take-up roll). The thread processing device is configured to support two thread supply rolls corresponding to one take-up bobbin. In such a thread processing device, when the end of the thread in one of the two thread supply rolls is knotted (connected) to the beginning of the thread in the other, thread can be supplied from the other without interruption after one of the two rolls becomes empty. Specifically, after the thread supply from one of the thread supply rolls ends, the knotted portion (thread connection portion) of the two threads is pulled, thereby starting the unwinding of thread from the other thread supply roll. Thus, the thread supply can be uninterrupted.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-526584

[0004] In the field of thread processing, various improvements have been made to increase productivity and improve product quality. The inventors of this application have conducted intensive research to develop thread processing equipment with new added value that did not exist previously. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a new type of wire processing equipment that can dramatically improve production management.

[0006] The first invention discloses a wire processing apparatus comprising a wire processing machine and an information management unit. The wire processing machine includes: a wire feeding unit comprising one or more wire feeding roll holding units configured to separately supply wires; a processing unit configured to process one or more wires supplied from the wire feeding unit; and a winding unit that winds the one or more wires processed by the processing unit onto winding bobbins to form winding rolls. The information management unit is configured to manage information related to the wire processing machine. The wire processing apparatus is characterized in that the one or more wire feeding rolls... The holding unit is configured to be able to load and unload multiple yarn feed rolls, and is configured to supply yarn without interruption when the end of the yarn contained in a certain yarn feed roll is connected to the beginning of the yarn contained in another yarn feed roll that unwinds yarn after that certain yarn feed roll. The information management unit can obtain initial amount information related to the initial amount of yarn contained in the yarn feed roll before the unwinding of the yarn begins, unwinding unit amount information related to the amount of yarn unwound from the yarn feed roll per unit time, and unwinding start time information related to the unwinding start time when the unwinding of the yarn begins from the yarn feed roll.

[0007] When initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information are obtained, calculations using this information can, for example, accurately predict the timing of the end of unwinding the yarn from the feed roll, or constantly infer the progress of yarn unwinding. Here, for example, the initial quantity information can be obtained when the feed roll is installed in the feed section. The unwinding unit quantity information can be obtained when the operation of the yarn processing equipment is set. For example, by detecting the switching of the feed roll that is unwinding the yarn using sensors, the unwinding start time information can be obtained. Alternatively, if the unwinding start time information of a certain feed roll is known, the unwinding start time information related to the initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information associated with that particular feed roll can be calculated to infer the unwinding start time information associated with the next feed roll to be unwound. This provides a new type of yarn processing equipment that dramatically improves production management. Furthermore, to obtain the initial quantity information, for example, a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the feed roll could be installed in each feed section, but this would increase equipment costs. In this invention, such increased costs can also be avoided.

[0008] The second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the information management unit obtains information on the initial weight and fineness of the filaments contained in the filament feed roll as the initial quantity information, and obtains information on the length of the filaments unwound from the filament feed roll per unit time, i.e., the unwinding speed, as the unwinding unit quantity information.

[0009] In general, the initial weight of the yarn package can be easily obtained in advance through setting or measurement, and therefore can be easily processed as initial quantity information. Similarly, the unwinding speed information can also be easily obtained in advance, and therefore can be easily processed as unwinding unit quantity information. However, the initial weight has a mass dimension, while the unwinding speed has a length dimension. In this case, even if calculations related to time and / or margin are performed based solely on the initial weight, unwinding speed, and unwinding start time, it is impossible to ensure unit consistency. In this respect, in this invention, information on the fineness (weight per unit length) that can be obtained in advance is obtained as initial quantity information. Thus, when performing calculations related to time and / or margin, the units can be easily consistent. In this way, easily obtainable information that allows for unit consistency can be used in various calculations.

[0010] The third invention's wire processing equipment is characterized in that, in the first or second invention described above, the information management unit obtains at least one of the following information by performing calculations using at least the initial quantity information, the unwinding unit quantity information, and the unwinding start time information: predicted unwinding end time information related to the predicted unwinding end time of the wire unwinding from the wire supply roll; remaining time information related to the remaining time at which the wire can be unwound from the wire supply roll at any reference time; and remaining quantity information related to the remaining amount of wire contained in the wire supply roll at the reference time.

[0011] In this invention, it is possible to predict the time at which the unwinding of the yarn from the yarn feed package ends (unwinding end time), to estimate the remaining time, and / or to estimate the remaining amount. The information obtained from such prediction and / or estimation can be effectively used to manage various operations performed before the yarn is unwound from the yarn feed package (e.g., creating a yarn feed package change schedule).

[0012] The fourth invention is characterized in that, in the third invention, the information management unit obtains information on the predicted time when all the feed rolls installed on the specified feed roll holding unit will become empty, based on the remaining time information of all feed rolls installed on the specified feed roll holding unit.

[0013] By utilizing the information obtained from this invention regarding the predicted disappearance time of the source yarn, it is possible to achieve a high degree of control or advanced equipment operation management related to operations such as the replacement of the yarn feed roll.

[0014] The fifth invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention described above, it includes a wire feeding roll conveying device, which is configured to convey a new wire feeding roll to the wire feeding section and perform a wire feeding roll replacement operation to replace an empty wire feeding roll that has been unwound with the new wire feeding roll. The information management unit manages the operation of the wire feeding roll conveying device so that the wire feeding roll replacement operation in the predetermined wire feeding roll holding section is completed before the predicted time when the source wire disappears in the predetermined wire feeding roll holding section.

[0015] In this invention, it is possible to prevent the depletion of the feed roll in the designated feed roll holding section.

[0016] The filament processing equipment of the sixth invention is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the filament supply unit has multiple filament supply roll holding units as one or more filament supply roll holding units, the filament supply roll conveying device is configured to perform the filament supply roll replacement operation on the multiple filament supply roll holding units, and the information management unit manages the operation of the filament supply roll conveying device so that the filament supply roll replacement operation in each of the multiple filament supply roll holding units is completed before the predicted time of disappearance of the source filament in each of the multiple filament supply roll holding units.

[0017] In this invention, the configuration having multiple yarn feed roll holding sections prevents the yarn feed rolls in each yarn feed roll holding section from drying out.

[0018] The filament processing apparatus of the seventh invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention described above, it includes a first output unit configured to output information and a first output control unit configured to control the first output unit. The first output control unit causes the output unit to output information to urge the operator to replace the filament in the filament feeding package holding unit at a replacement report time before the time when the predicted source filament disappears.

[0019] In this invention, the operator can be prompted to change the yarn feed roll at appropriate time intervals. This prevents the yarn feed rolls mounted on the yarn feed roll holding unit from running dry. The first output control unit can be included in the information management unit, or it can be provided separately from the information management unit.

[0020] The filament processing apparatus of the eighth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the third to seventh inventions described above, it comprises: a connection information acquisition unit configured to acquire information relating to whether the terminal portion of the filament contained in the specified filament feed roll is connected to the starting end of the filament contained in the next unwinding filament feed roll of the specified filament feed roll; a second output unit configured to output information; and a second output control unit configured to control the second output unit, wherein, based on the information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit, when the remaining time of the specified filament feed roll is reduced to less than a predetermined time in the state where the starting end and the terminal portion are not connected, the second output control unit causes the second output unit to output information urging the connection operation between the starting end and the terminal portion.

[0021] In this invention, it is possible to prevent operators from forgetting to connect the wires. The first output unit and the second output unit may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit may be the same or different. Furthermore, the second output control unit may be included in the information management unit, or it may be provided separately from the information management unit.

[0022] The filament processing apparatus of the ninth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the third to eighth inventions described above, the information management unit is able to obtain: information on the start time of winding filament into a predetermined winding bobbin; and information related to at least one of the following: a predetermined winding end time of winding filament into the predetermined winding bobbin, a predetermined winding amount wound on the predetermined winding bobbin, and a predetermined winding time for winding filament into the predetermined winding bobbin. When the predicted unwinding end time exists between the winding start time and the predetermined winding end time, if the remaining amount of the filament feed package unwinding filament at the winding start time is less than the predetermined winding amount, or if the remaining time of the filament feed package unwinding filament at the winding start time is less than the predetermined winding time, it is predicted that a filament connection portion formed by connecting the start end and the end end will be mixed into the predetermined winding package formed by winding filament into the predetermined winding bobbin.

[0023] The predictive results achievable through this invention can be used in the management of equipment operations related to the formation of the winding package. For example, the operation of the winding unit can be controlled to avoid the introduction of thread-connecting portions into the winding package. Alternatively, the location of the introduced thread-connecting portions in the winding package can be inferred.

[0024] The filament processing equipment of the 10th invention is characterized in that, in the 9th invention, the information management unit manages the timing of the completion of the winding process of the filament to the specified winding bobbin, based on the timing of the prediction that the filament connection portion will be mixed into the specified winding package.

[0025] In this invention, it is possible to avoid the introduction of thread-connecting portions into the take-up package. Alternatively, by intentionally introducing the thread-connecting portions into the radially outer portion of the take-up package, the thread-connecting portions can be easily removed from the take-up package. As a result, the quality of the take-up package can be stabilized.

[0026] The filament processing apparatus of the 11th invention is characterized in that, in any one of the 3rd to 10th inventions described above, the information management unit is able to obtain filament layer information based on the aforementioned margin information, which filament layer information relates to which part of the filament layer contained in the filament package containing the filament wound to the specified take-up bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the filament being fed to the specified take-up bobbin.

[0027] In this invention, the information on the amount of yarn contained in the take-up package can be used to establish a correlation between the information on the yarn layers contained in the feed package. Such information can be effectively used for quality management of the take-up package, etc. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of the wire processing equipment of this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of wire processing equipment.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a side view of a false twisting machine.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the unfolding of the false twisting processing machine along the path of the silk thread.

[0032] Figure 5 (a) and (b) are graphs showing the relationship between the remaining amount of yarn in the yarn package and time. Figure 5 (c) is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of thread wound into the winding bobbin and time.

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of part (c).

[0034] Figure 7 (a) is a table showing the relationship between individual information of the yarn feed roll and individual information of the roll assembly unit, etc. Figure 7(b) is a table showing the relationship between individual information of the roll assembly section and information at various times.

[0035] Figure 8 (a) is a table representing the relationships between individual information of the wire feed bobbin and various other information. Figure 8 (b) is a table representing the association between individual information of the roll and information at various times.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a graph illustrating the relationship between the amount of yarn wound onto the take-up bobbin and the time, assuming the knotting process has been implemented to prevent contamination.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a modified false twisting processing machine.

[0038] Explanation of symbols

[0039] 1. False twisting processing machine (thread processing machine)

[0040] 2. Wire feeding section

[0041] 3. Machining Department

[0042] 4. Winding section

[0043] 5. Machine control unit (first output control unit, second output control unit)

[0044] 5b Unit Output Sections (First Output Section, Second Output Section)

[0045] 20. Yarn feed roll holding section

[0046] 43. Knotted section sensor (connected to information acquisition unit)

[0047] 100 Wire Processing Equipment

[0048] 102. Boll-on Robot (Silk Roll Feeding and Conveying Device)

[0049] 110 Information Management Department (Connecting Information Acquisition Department)

[0050] Bw winding bobbin

[0051] F fineness

[0052] K. Knotted section (thread connection section)

[0053] Ps yarn roll packaging

[0054] Pw roll packaging

[0055] tF Remaining Time

[0056] tr1 Remaining Time

[0057] tr2 Remaining Time

[0058] V Unwinding speed

[0059] WF Initial Weight

[0060] Wr1 Remaining Weight

[0061] Wr2 Remaining Weight

[0062] Y-thread Detailed Implementation

[0063] (An overview of wire processing equipment)

[0064] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. (Refer to...) Figure 1 A rough top view and Figure 2 The block diagram provides a general overview of the wire processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. For example... Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the yarn processing equipment 100 includes multiple false twisting machines 1 (the yarn processing machines of the present invention), a management device 101, a bobbin robot 102 (the yarn feeding and winding conveying device of the present invention), and a winding and winding conveying device 103. The multiple false twisting machines 1 are arranged, for example, along a predetermined length direction of the machine body. Each false twisting machine 1 is configured, for example, to process yarns Y (refer to...) formed from synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon (polyamide-based fibers). Figure 3 (etc.) to perform false twisting. As described below, each false twisting machine 1 is configured such that the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supply unit 2 is processed by the processing unit 3 and wound onto the winding bobbin Bw installed on the winding unit 4 to form a winding package Pw. Each false twisting machine 1 is controlled by a computer device, i.e., a machine control device 5, provided on each false twisting machine 1.

[0065] The management device 101 is a main computer used for unified management of information (details will be described later) obtained by multiple machine control devices 5. The management device 101 includes a management input unit 101a (e.g., a keyboard), a management output unit 101b (e.g., a display), and a management storage unit 101c (e.g., a hard disk). The management output unit 101b may also include a printer (not shown). The management device 101 and the multiple machine control devices 5 are combined to form the information management unit 110 of this embodiment. The information management unit 110 is electrically connected to the tube control device 102a provided on the tube robot 102. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) of the take-up and roll-to-carry device 103. Details regarding the information processed by the information management unit 110 will be described later.

[0066] The bobbin robot 102 is configured to transport feed rolls Ps (rolls formed by winding yarn Y on feed bobbins Bs) installed in the feed section 2. The bobbin robot 102 can also be configured to transport multiple feed rolls Ps at a time. The bobbin robot 102 is configured to move within a factory equipped with multiple false twisting machines 1. For example, the bobbin robot 102 is configured to reciprocate between a feed roll storage unit (not shown) containing feed rolls Ps and each false twisting machine 1. The bobbin robot 102 is configured, for example, to allow an operator to carry the feed rolls Ps stored in the feed roll storage unit. Alternatively, the bobbin robot 102 can also be configured to retrieve the feed rolls Ps stored in the feed roll storage unit without manual intervention. The bobbin robot 102 is configured to load and unload feed rolls Ps relative to the feed section 2 of each false twisting machine 1. In other words, the bobbin robot 102 is configured to be able to change the yarn feed roll Ps in the yarn feed section 2. The bobbin control device 102a, which controls the bobbin robot 102, is electrically connected to the management device 101 (see reference). Figure 2 The cylinder control device 102a receives instruction signals sent from the information management unit 110 and controls the cylinder robot 102 according to the instruction signals.

[0067] The take-up and roll conveyor 103 is configured to recover the rolls Pw formed in the take-up section 4 of each false twisting machine 1. The take-up and roll conveyor 103 may also be configured to transport multiple rolls Pw at a time. The take-up and roll conveyor 103 transports the formed rolls Pw to, for example, a discharge port (not shown). A control device (not shown) that controls the take-up and roll conveyor 103 is electrically connected to the management device 101. The take-up and roll conveyor 103 receives a command signal sent from the information management unit 110 and recovers the formed rolls Pw according to the command signal.

[0068] (The overall structure of a false twisting processing machine)

[0069] Next, refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The overall structure of the false twisting processing machine 1 will be described. Figure 3 This is a side view of the false twisting machine 1. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the unfolding of the false twisting processing machine 1 along the path (thread channel) of the yarn Y. Figure 3The vertical direction of the paper surface is defined as the length direction of the machine body, and the left-right direction of the paper surface is defined as the width direction of the machine body. The direction orthogonal to both the length and width directions of the machine body is defined as the vertical direction (vertical direction) under the influence of gravity. The direction of travel of the yarn Y is defined as the yarn travel direction. The false twisting processing machine 1 includes: a yarn feeding section 2 for feeding multiple yarns Y; a processing section 3 for processing (false twisting) the multiple yarns Y supplied from the yarn feeding section 2; a winding section 4 for winding the multiple yarns Y processed by the processing section 3 into a winding bobbin Bw; and a machine body control device 5.

[0070] The yarn feeding section 2 has a bobbin holder 6 that holds multiple yarn feed packages Ps and supplies multiple yarns Y to the processing section 3. The processing section 3 is configured to process the multiple yarns Y by unwinding them from the yarn feeding section 2. The processing section 3 is configured such that, starting from the upstream side in the yarn travel direction, a first feed roller 11, a twist stop guide 12, a first heating device 13, a cooling device 14, a false twist device 15, a second feed roller 16, a second heating device 17, and a third feed roller 18 are arranged sequentially. These components of the processing section 3 are, for example, provided in the multiple spindles 9 described later (see reference). Figure 4 In each of the winding units, the winding section 4 has multiple winding devices 19. Each winding device 19 winds the yarn Y, which has been false-twisted by the processing section 3, into a winding bobbin Bw to form a winding package Pw. In addition, in the winding section 4, multiple automatic doffing machines 10 are provided corresponding to the multiple winding devices 19 to perform the replacement operation of the formed winding package Pw with a new empty winding bobbin Bw.

[0071] The machine control device 5 controls each component of the wire feeding section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4. The machine control device 5 is, for example, a general computer device. The machine control device 5 includes a machine input section 5a, a machine output section 5b, and a machine storage section 5c. The machine input section 5a is, for example, a touch panel (not shown) and / or a keyboard, configured to be operable by an operator. The machine output section 5b has, for example, a display (not shown), configured to output information. The machine output section 5b may also include a printer (not shown). The machine storage section 5c is configured to store various information for controlling the components of the wire feeding section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4. The machine control device 5 controls the components of the wire feeding section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4 based on this information. Alternatively, the machine control device 5 may indirectly control these components via various control devices (not shown) for controlling the components of the wire feeding section 2, the processing section 3, and the winding section 4. A management device 101, which serves as a main computer, is electrically connected to the machine control device 5. The management device 101 is capable of performing various judgments and / or calculations, as described later, using the information obtained by the machine control device 5.

[0072] The false twisting machine 1 has a main body 7 and a take-up table 8 arranged at intervals in the width direction of the machine body. The main body 7 and the take-up table 8 are configured to extend approximately the same length in the length direction of the machine body. The main body 7 and the take-up table 8 are arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the machine body. The false twisting machine 1 has a unit unit called a span, which includes a set of main bodies 7 and take-up tables 8. In a span, each device is arranged in such a way that multiple yarns Y traveling in a state arranged in the length direction of the machine body can be false twisted simultaneously. The false twisting machine 1 is configured such that the span is symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the paper surface with the center line C of the main body 7 in the width direction of the machine body as the axis of symmetry (the main body 7 is common in the left and right spans). In addition, multiple spans are arranged along the length direction of the machine body.

[0073] Furthermore, the group of constituent elements that a single filament Y passes through from the feeding section 2 to the winding section 4 is called a "spindle". In other words, the false twisting machine 1 has the same number of spindles 9 as the number of winding packages Pw that can be formed simultaneously (see reference). Figure 4 Generally speaking, multiple spindles 9 are arranged along the length of the machine body. As an inclusive relationship, the false twisting machine 1 has multiple spans, and each span has multiple spindles 9.

[0074] (Silk Supply Department)

[0075] Continue to refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The structure of the wire feeding unit 2 will be described. The bobbin holder 6 of the wire feeding unit 2 has multiple wire feeding coil holding parts 20, which are respectively provided corresponding to multiple spindles 9 (see reference). Figure 4 The multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20 are each configured to be able to attach and detach two yarn feed rolls Ps. That is, each yarn feed roll holding unit 20 has two roll mounting parts 21. For ease of explanation, one of the two roll mounting parts 21 is referred to as the first mounting part 22, and the other as the second mounting part 23. The first mounting part 22 and the second mounting part 23 are each configured to be able to attach and detach one yarn feed roll Ps. The attachment and detachment of the yarn feed roll Ps to the roll mounting part 21 is performed by the aforementioned bobbin robot 102.

[0076] Each yarn feed roll holding section 20 of the yarn feed section 2 is configured to supply yarn Y uninterruptedly as follows. For example, as... Figure 4As shown, a first feed roll PsA (a feed roll of the present invention), which is one of a plurality of feed rolls Ps, is mounted on the first mounting part 22. Furthermore, a second feed roll PsB (another feed roll of the present invention), different from the first feed roll PsA, is mounted on the second mounting part 23. The yarn Y is unwound from the first feed roll PsA. Furthermore, the end portion of the yarn Y contained in the first feed roll PsA is knotted (connected) to the beginning portion of the yarn Y contained in the second feed roll PsB. Thus, a knotted portion K (yarn connection portion) is formed between the two yarns Y. In this case, after the first feed roll PsA is emptied, the yarn Y can be supplied from the second feed roll PsB without interruption. Specifically, after the supply of yarn Y from the first yarn feed roll PsA ends and the first yarn feed roll PsA becomes empty, the knotted portion K is pulled downstream in the yarn travel direction (towards the winding device 19), thereby unwinding yarn Y from the second yarn feed roll PsB. Thus, the yarn feed roll Ps that produces the yarn Y is switched. Therefore, the supply of yarn Y is uninterrupted. Then, the empty yarn feed roll Ps (yarn feed tubes Bs) is replaced by a new yarn feed roll Ps by the bobbin robot 102.

[0077] A yarn detection sensor 24 is disposed downstream of the yarn travel direction of the yarn feeding coil holding section 20. The yarn detection sensor 24 is configured to detect which of the first mounting section 22 and the second mounting section 23 is supplying yarn Y. Figure 4 As shown, the thread detection sensor 24 has a first detection unit 25 and a second detection unit 26. The first detection unit 25 is configured to detect whether thread Y is being supplied from the first mounting unit 22. The second detection unit 26 is configured to detect whether thread Y is being supplied from the second mounting unit 23. The first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 are, for example, optical sensors that optically detect thread Y. For more details about the thread detection sensor 24, please refer to, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5873105. Alternatively, the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 may also be contact sensors, for example.

[0078] (Processing Department)

[0079] Continue to refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The structure of the machining section 3 will be explained. Hereinafter, only the portion of the machining section 3 corresponding to one spindle 9 will be described.

[0080] The first feed roller 11 is configured to unwind the yarn Y from the feed package Ps installed in the feed section 2 and feed it to the first heating device 13. The first feed roller 11 is positioned upstream of the anti-twist guide 12 in the yarn travel direction. The feed speed of the first feed roller 11 to the yarn Y is related to the unwinding speed V of the yarn Y unwound from the feed package Ps (refer to...). Figure 4 They are roughly equal.

[0081] The anti-twist guide 12 is configured to prevent the twist applied to the yarn Y by the false twist device 15 from propagating to the upstream side of the yarn travel direction of the anti-twist guide 12. The anti-twist guide 12 is located downstream of the first feed roller 11 in the yarn travel direction and upstream of the first heating device 13 in the yarn travel direction.

[0082] The first heating device 13 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the first feed roller 11. The first heating device 13 is located downstream of the anti-twist guide 12 in the yarn travel direction and upstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn travel direction. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the first heating device 13 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but it is not limited to this. The first heating device 13 may also be configured to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0083] The cooling device 14 is configured to cool the yarn Y heated by the first heating device 13. The cooling device 14 is located downstream of the first heating device 13 in the yarn travel direction and upstream of the false twisting device 15 in the yarn travel direction. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the cooling device 14 is configured to cool one yarn Y, but it is not limited to this. The cooling device 14 may also be configured to cool multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0084] The false twisting device 15 is configured to apply twist to the yarn Y. The false twisting device 15 is, for example, a so-called friction disc type false twisting device, but is not limited thereto. The false twisting device 15 is located downstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn travel direction and upstream of the second feed roller 16 in the yarn travel direction.

[0085] The second feed roller 16 is configured to feed the yarn Y, processed by the false twisting device 15, to the second heating device 17. The feed speed of the second feed roller 16 on the yarn Y is faster than that of the first feed roller 11 on the yarn Y. As a result, the yarn Y is stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16.

[0086] The second heating device 17 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the second feed roller 16. The second heating device 17 extends in the vertical direction. For the sake of simplicity, the second heating device 17 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but it is not limited to this. The second heating device 17 may also be configured to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0087] The third feed roller 18 is configured to feed the yarn Y, heated by the second heating device 17, to the winding device 19. The feed speed of the yarn Y by the third feed roller 18 is slower than that by the second feed roller 16. The yarn Y is slack between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18.

[0088] In the processing section 3 configured as described above, the yarn Y stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16 is twisted by the false twisting device 15. The twist formed by the false twisting device 15 propagates to the anti-twist guide 12, but does not propagate upstream of the yarn travel direction of the anti-twist guide 12. The yarn Y, which is twisted while being stretched, is heat-set by the first heating device 13 and then cooled by the cooling device 14. Downstream of the false twisting device 15, the yarn Y is untwisted, but the state in which each filament is falsely twisted into a wavy shape by the heat setting is maintained. Furthermore, the yarn Y, which has been falsely twisted by the false twisting device 15, is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18 and heat-set by the second heating device 17, and then guided downstream in the yarn travel direction. Finally, the yarn Y fed from the third feed roller 18 is wound into the winding bobbin Bw by the winding device 19. This results in the formation of the take-up package Pw.

[0089] (Cake-up Section)

[0090] Reference Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The structure of the take-up unit 4 will be described. The take-up unit 4 has multiple take-up devices 19 that take the yarn Y into the take-up bobbin Bw, and multiple automatic doffing machines 10 (see reference) provided corresponding to each take-up device 19. Figure 3 Multiple winding devices 19 are each paired with multiple spindles 9 (see reference). Figure 4 Each take-up device 19 includes, for example, a pivot guide 31, a traverse device 32, a cradle 33, and a take-up roller 34. The pivot guide 31 is a guide that serves as the pivot point when the yarn Y is traversed. The traverse device 32 is configured, for example, to traverse the yarn Y via a traverse guide 35 mounted on an annular belt reciprocatingly driven by a motor. The cradle 33 is configured to support the take-up bobbin Bw (take-up package Pw) for free rotation. The take-up roller 34 is configured to rotate the take-up package Pw and apply contact pressure to the surface of the take-up package Pw. The take-up roller 34 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), for example, while in contact with the surface of the take-up package Pw. As a result, the take-up package Pw is driven to rotate by friction, and the shape of the take-up package Pw is adjusted by the application of contact pressure to its surface. Alternatively, instead of the take-up roller 34 being driven by rotation, the take-up package Pw can be driven by a motor that is not shown.

[0091] The automatic doffing machine 10 is configured to remove the take-up package Pw from the take-up device 19 and install an empty take-up bobbin Bw into the take-up device 19. In other words, the automatic doffing machine 10 is configured to replace the formed take-up package Pw with an empty take-up bobbin Bw in the take-up section 4. Furthermore, the automatic doffing machine 10 has a cutter (not shown) near the take-up package Pw, capable of cutting the yarn Y. The formation of the take-up package Pw ends when the traveling yarn Y is cut by the cutter. Even after the cutter cuts the yarn, the yarn Y continues to be supplied to the take-up device 19. The automatic doffing machine 10 has a suction device (not shown) that, from the end of the formation of the take-up package Pw until the start of winding the yarn Y into the next take-up bobbin Bw, can attract and hold the traveling yarn Y supplied to the take-up device 19. Before the yarn Y is hooked onto the next take-up bobbin Bw, the portion of yarn Y attracted by the suction device is removed. Furthermore, the automatic doffing machine 10 has a storage section 10a configured to temporarily store the take-up package Pw removed from the corresponding take-up device 19. The storage section 10a faces, for example, the space formed between the bobbin 6 and the take-up table 8. The take-up package Pw stored in the storage section 10a is retrieved by the aforementioned take-up package conveying device 103. For more detailed information regarding the structure of the automatic doffing machine 10, please refer, for example, to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-212521.

[0092] In the take-up section 4 configured as described above, the yarn Y fed from the third feed roller 18 is taken up by each take-up device 19 onto a take-up bobbin Bw, forming a take-up package Pw (take-up process). The take-up process of the yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw ends when the yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the automatic doffing machine 10. Almost simultaneously, the yarn Y supplied to the take-up device 19 is attracted and held by the suction device, and the take-up package Pw is removed from the cradle 33 by the automatic doffing machine 10. Thereafter, a new empty take-up bobbin Bw is installed on the cradle 33 by the automatic doffing machine 10. That is, after a take-up package Pw is formed, the take-up package Pw (take-up bobbin Bw) is replaced with a new take-up bobbin Bw by the automatic doffing machine 10 (take-up bobbin replacement operation). Thus, the take-up of the yarn Y can begin on the new take-up bobbin Bw.

[0093] However, in order to achieve a leap forward in production management compared to the past, the inventors of this application conceived of the following idea: That is, the inventors of this application envisioned a mechanism capable of knowing at any given time the remaining time (remaining time) is when yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps and / or the remaining amount of yarn Y after a portion of yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps (yarn balance). By knowing such information, a higher level of management related to the operation of the yarn processing equipment 100 and / or a higher level of management of the quality of the wound package Pw can be achieved. Furthermore, a mechanism capable of accurately and cost-effectively knowing the aforementioned remaining time and / or balance at any given time did not exist previously. For example, in methods where the operator infers the remaining amount of yarn Y through visual observation, the inference amount is prone to error. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately infer the remaining time. Even so, for example, if a weight sensor capable of directly and continuously measuring the weight of the yarn supply package Ps is provided, the more the number of package mounting sections 21 increases, the more weight sensors are required. Therefore, this results in increased manufacturing costs.

[0094] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to accurately obtain information related to the remaining time and / or margin at any given time, the information management unit 110 obtains the information described below. Specifically, the information management unit 110 obtains information related to... Figure 5 Various information related to the phenomena shown in the graphs (a) to (c) will be obtained and managed. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the following explanation will be limited to the designated spindle 9.

[0095] (Specific examples of the phenomenon)

[0096] Before providing a detailed explanation of the information obtained by the Information Management Department 110, as a prerequisite for understanding the following explanation, it is necessary to first... Figure 5 The phenomena illustrated in graphs (a) to (c) and the times at which each phenomenon occurs are explained. Information Management Department 110 obtained and... Figure 5 At least some of the relevant information about the phenomena shown in the graphs (a) to (c) (details will be described later).

[0097] Figure 5 (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn feed rolls Ps (specifically, yarn feed rolls Ps1 and Ps3) installed in the first mounting section 22 and time (horizontal axis). Figure 5 (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply rolls Ps (specifically, yarn supply rolls Ps2 and Ps4) installed in the second mounting section 23 and time (horizontal axis). Figure 5(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbins Bw (specifically, winding bobbins Bw1, Bw2, Bw3, Bw4, Bw5, and Bw6) and time (horizontal axis). Regardless of... Figure 5 In which of the curves (a) to (c) is the origin the moment t0 at which the yarn Y begins to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1? Furthermore, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the weight (initial weight) of each yarn feed roll Ps in a state where it has not unwound from the yarn Y even once is WF. In reality, in the preceding processes of forming multiple yarn feed rolls Ps, the formation of the yarn feed rolls Ps may sometimes be interrupted due to yarn breakage or other reasons. Therefore, it is important to note that the initial weights of multiple yarn feed rolls Ps may not all be the same.

[0098] First, at time t0, a feed roll Ps1 is mounted on the first mounting section 22. A feed roll Ps2 is mounted on the second mounting section 23. The remaining weight of the yarn Y contained in the feed roll Ps1 is W0 (less than the initial weight WF). The remaining weight of the yarn Y contained in the feed roll Ps2 is the initial weight WF. Furthermore, the end portion of the yarn Y contained in the feed roll Ps1 and the beginning portion of the yarn Y contained in the feed roll Ps2 are knotted together, forming a knotted portion K.

[0099] At time t0 (time ts1), the automatic doffing machine 10 completes the installation of the take-up bobbin Bw1 onto the cradle 33 and begins winding the yarn onto the take-up bobbin Bw1. That is, time ts1 is the start time of winding the yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw1. At this time, the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1. As time passes, the remaining amount (remaining weight) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 decreases, and the amount of yarn Y wound onto the take-up bobbin Bw1 (wound weight) increases. At time te1, the yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the automatic doffing machine 10, thereby ending the winding process of the yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw1. That is, time te1 is the end time of winding the yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw1 (end of formation of the take-up package Pw1). At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps1 is W1. Only the yarn Y supplied from the yarn package Ps1 is wound onto the take-up bobbin Bw1. The cutting of yarn Y by the cutter, the attraction and capture of yarn Y by the suction device (i.e., the start of the attraction removal of yarn Y), and the removal of the take-up bobbin Bw1 (take-up package Pw1) from the cradle 33 occur almost simultaneously. Next, at time ts2 after time te1, the automatic doffing machine 10 completes the installation of the take-up bobbin Bw2 onto the cradle 33 and begins the winding of yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw2 (take-up bobbin replacement operation completed). There is a slight time delay tL (refer to time tL) between the end of the winding of the take-up bobbin Bw1 (time te1) and the start of the winding of the take-up bobbin Bw2 (time ts2) after the take-up bobbin Bw1. Figure 6 ).

[0100] At time ta1, after time ts2, the feed roll Ps1 installed in the first mounting section 22 becomes empty. That is, time ta1 is the unwinding end time when the yarn Y ends to be unwound from the feed roll Ps1. At the same time as the feed roll Ps1 becomes empty, at time tb1 (=time ta1), the knotted portion K formed by the knotting of the yarn Y contained in the feed roll Ps1 and the yarn Y contained in the feed roll Ps2 is pulled towards the winding device 19. As a result, the yarn Y is unwound from the feed roll Ps2 installed in the second mounting section 23 for the first time. That is, time tb1 is the unwinding start time from the first unwinding of the yarn Y from the feed roll Ps2 (the yarn Y begins to unwind). Then, at time te2, the winding process of the yarn Y to the winding bobbin Bw2 (the formation of the winding roll Pw2) ends. At this time, the remaining weight of the feed roll Ps2 is W2. Both the yarn Y unwound from the feed package Ps1 and the yarn Y unwound from the feed package Ps2 are wound onto the take-up bobbin Bw2. Furthermore, the take-up package Pw2 includes a knotted portion K. Then, at time ts3, the winding process of yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw3 begins. At time te3, when the winding process of yarn Y onto the take-up bobbin Bw3 (the formation of the take-up package Pw3) ends, the remaining weight of the feed package Ps2 is W3. Only the yarn Y unwound from the feed package Ps2 is wound onto the take-up bobbin Bw3.

[0101] Furthermore, at time ta2, after time ta1 and before the yarn feed roll Ps2 becomes empty, the bobbin robot 102 removes the yarn feed roll Ps1 from the first mounting section 22 and installs the yarn feed roll Ps3 onto the first mounting section 22 (yarn feed roll replacement operation). At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn feed roll Ps3 is WF. Then, at an appropriate timing, the end portion of the yarn Y contained in the yarn feed roll Ps2 and the beginning portion of the yarn Y contained in the yarn feed roll Ps3 are knotted together to form a knotted portion K. For ease of explanation, after the yarn feed roll replacement operation performed by the bobbin robot 102, the knotting operation (connection operation) is performed by an operator. The operator can perform the knotting operation manually. Alternatively, the operator can perform the knotting operation by operating, for example, a portable knotting device (not shown). Alternatively, the bobbin robot 102 may also have an automatic knotting device (not shown) capable of performing the knotting operation. Therefore, the knotting operation can be performed by the tube robot 102 without manual intervention.

[0102] The following phenomena are briefly explained. The phenomena related to the winding section 4 are as follows: From time ts4 to time te4, yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw4 (forming a winding package Pw4). From time ts5 to time te5, yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw5 (forming a winding package Pw5). From time ts6 to time te6, yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw6 (forming a winding package Pw6). Furthermore, the phenomena related to the yarn supply section 2 are as follows: At time tb2 (=time ta3) between time ts4 and time te4, the yarn supply package Ps2 becomes empty, and yarn Y begins to unwind from the yarn supply package Ps3. Then, at time tb3, the yarn supply package Ps2 is replaced by the yarn supply package Ps4. At time ta4 (=time tb4) between time ts6 and time te6, the wire feed roll Ps3 becomes empty and begins to unwind the wire Y from the wire feed roll Ps4.

[0103] (Summary of basic information obtained by the Information Management Department)

[0104] Based on the above phenomena, firstly, a summary of the basic information obtained by the Information Management Unit 110 for various judgments and / or calculations will be explained. The Information Management Unit 110 obtains as basic information the initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information for each feed roll Ps (the specific acquisition method will be described later). The initial quantity information relates to the initial quantity (initial weight or initial length) of the filament Y contained in the feed roll Ps before the filament Y begins to be unwound. The unwinding unit quantity information relates to the amount of filament Y unwound from the feed roll Ps per unit time. The unwinding start time information is the time (unwinding start time) at which the feed roll Ps, which is currently unwinding the filament Y, begins to unwind the filament Y. This information is used to obtain information such as the predicted unwinding end time, remaining time, remaining quantity, and the predicted source filament disappearance time (details will be described later) for various management related to the filament processing equipment 100.

[0105] (Required Information)

[0106] Next, the information required by the information management unit 110 to actually obtain basic information (initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information) will be explained. More specifically, information related to the feed roll Ps that is mounted and dismounted relative to the roll mounting unit 21, information pre-input to the machine control device 5, and information obtained by the machine control device 5 during the winding process will be explained. Furthermore, the information related to the take-up roll Pw formed by the take-up device 19 will also be explained below. The information related to the take-up roll Pw, along with information predicting the unwinding end time, remaining time, remaining quantity, and the predicted time when the source yarn disappears, is used for various management related to the yarn processing equipment 100.

[0107] (Information related to the yarn feeder delivered by the bobbin robot)

[0108] The information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the yarn feed rolls Ps delivered by the bobbin robot 102 and the information associated with them as follows: First, before or during loading of a fully loaded yarn feed roll Ps stored in the yarn feed roll storage unit onto the bobbin robot 102 by the operator, the individual information of the yarn feed roll corresponding to that yarn feed roll Ps is input by the operator to the bobbin control device 102a. For example, the operator can use an ID reader (not shown) electrically connected to the bobbin control device 102a to read the ID tag on each yarn feed roll Ps, thereby inputting the individual information of the yarn feed roll. Alternatively, the operator can operate the bobbin control device 102a based on visually identifiable information displayed on each yarn feed roll Ps, thereby inputting the individual information of the yarn feed roll. Alternatively, an ID reader (not shown) can be installed on the bobbin robot 102, and the bobbin robot 102 uses the ID reader to read the aforementioned ID tags.

[0109] Here, the information recorded in the ID tag or displayed in the yarn feed package Ps includes information on the initial weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn feed package Ps (the weight of the yarn Y before it is unwound from the yarn feed package Ps) and information on the fineness of the yarn Y (weight per unit length). In this embodiment, the fineness information is also included in the initial weight information. Hereinafter, the weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn feed package Ps will be simply referred to as the weight of the yarn feed package Ps. The bobbin control device 102a stores the individual information of the yarn feed package, the initial weight information of each yarn feed package Ps, and the fineness information of the yarn Y of each yarn feed package Ps in a correlated manner (see reference). Figure 7 (a) As described above, for ease of explanation, the initial weight of each feed roll Ps is WF. The unit of weight for the feed roll Ps is, for example, kg. Furthermore, the fineness of the yarn Y in each feed roll Ps is F. The unit of fineness is, for example, dtex (decibels). Decibels is the weight (g) of 10,000 meters of yarn Y.

[0110] Information management unit 110 receives individual information of the yarn supply roll Ps from the roll control device 102a when the bobbin robot 102 installs the yarn supply roll Ps onto the roll mounting unit 21 (see reference). Figure 7(a) Then, the information management unit 110 establishes an association between the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps and the individual information of the package mounting unit 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps is installed. The individual information of the package mounting unit 21 is related to which of the multiple spindles 9 the package mounting unit 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps is installed belongs, and which of the first mounting unit 22 and the second mounting unit 23 the package mounting unit 21 is. In this way, the information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps delivered by the bobbin robot 102 in association with the operation of the bobbin robot 102.

[0111] The machine control device 5 acquires yarn feed roll installation time information related to the yarn feed roll installation time of the yarn feed roll Ps when it is installed in the roll mounting section 21. The yarn feed roll installation time is, for example, the aforementioned times ta2 and tb3. The machine control device 5 establishes and stores the individual information of the yarn feed roll Ps, the individual information of the roll mounting section 21, and the yarn feed roll installation time information in a linked manner for each yarn feed roll Ps (see reference). Figure 7 (a)

[0112] After a new yarn feed roll Ps is installed on one of the roll mounting sections 21, the operator knots the beginning of the yarn Y contained in that yarn feed roll Ps with the end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn feed roll Ps installed on the other roll mounting section 21, forming a knotted portion K. The operator then positions the knotted portion K in a predetermined position. Furthermore, the operator inputs information indicating that the knotted portion K is positioned in the predetermined position into the machine control device 5. Based on the input information, the machine control device 5 stores the information indicating that the knotted portion K is positioned in the predetermined position.

[0113] (Information related to roll packaging)

[0114] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the winding package Pw as follows: First, the machine control device 5 stores the moment when a certain winding bobbin Bw is installed on the winding device 19 as the start time of winding the yarn Y into that bobbin Bw. Furthermore, when the winding process of the yarn Y into that certain winding bobbin Bw ends (the formation of the winding package Pw ends), the machine control device 5 assigns individual information (winding package individual information) to that winding package Pw. Specifically, the machine control device 5 obtains, for example, information about the machine part number (identification number of the false twisting machine 1) and the identification number of the spindle 9 as the individual information of the winding package Pw. Then, the machine control device 5 stores this individual information, the aforementioned winding start time, and the time when the winding process ends (winding end time) in a linked manner. The machine control device 5 may also obtain a prescribed management number in a linked manner as the winding package individual information and assign it to each winding package Pw. For example... Figure 8 As shown in (b), when "Pw1" to "Pw6" are used as management numbers (individual information for the winding package), the management number is associated with the winding start time and winding end time (the machine part number and the identification number of spindle 9 are omitted from the illustration). Furthermore, the machine control device 5 prints this information on a label not shown. This label can be affixed to the winding tube Bw by the operator.

[0115] Furthermore, as another mechanism for obtaining individual information about the take-up package, an ID tag (not shown) can be pre-attached to an empty take-up bobbin Bw. This allows individual take-up package information to be pre-applied to the take-up bobbin Bw before take-up processing. The automatic doffing machine 10 can also have an ID reader (not shown). For example, when the automatic doffing machine 10 installs a take-up bobbin Bw onto the take-up device 19, or when it removes a take-up package Pw from the take-up device 19, the ID reader can read the ID tag attached to that take-up bobbin Bw, thereby sending the individual information of that take-up bobbin Bw to the machine control device 5. Alternatively, instead of the automatic doffing machine 10, an operator can read the ID tag using an ID reader (not shown). Alternatively, instead of reading the ID tag using an ID reader, an operator can manually input the individual information of the take-up bobbin Bw into the machine control device 5.

[0116] (Information pre-entered into the machine's control system)

[0117] Next, the information pre-input to the machine control device 5 before the winding process will be explained. As information related to the processing unit 3, the operator pre-inputs various processing conditions to the machine control device 5. As an example, the operator inputs the rotational speeds of the first feed roller 11, the second feed roller 16, and the third feed roller 18 to the machine control device 5 (illustrations omitted). The rotational speeds of these rollers are proportional to the feed speed of the yarn Y being conveyed downstream in the yarn travel direction. In particular, the rotational speed of the first feed roller 11 is proportional to the unwinding speed V of the yarn Y as it unwinds from the feed package Ps (refer to...). Figure 4 The unwinding speed V is proportional to the speed of the first feed roller 11. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the unwinding speed V is kept approximately constant. The unit of unwinding speed is, for example, m / min. The machine control device 5 obtains the unwinding speed V information based, for example, on the rotational speed information of the first feed roller 11.

[0118] As information related to the winding unit 4, the operator pre-inputs information such as the target weight (predetermined winding amount) of the yarn Y to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw to the machine control device 5. The information input by the operator may include, for example, the required time (predetermined winding time) from the start to the end of the winding process. Alternatively, the predetermined winding time may be calculated by the machine control device 5 based on the input predetermined winding amount and other information. Then, the machine control device 5 predicts that the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw will end at a predetermined winding end time after the predetermined winding time from the winding start time associated with that particular winding bobbin Bw. Alternatively, for example, the winding unit 4 may also have a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting parameters (such as the diameter of the winding package) related to the amount of yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbin Bw. In this case, the machine control device 5 can derive the timing of the winding end based on the sensor's detection results.

[0119] (Information obtained by the machine control device during the winding process)

[0120] Next, the information obtained by the machine control device 5 during the winding process of the yarn Y-direction take-up bobbin Bw will be explained. This information is used to obtain the unwinding start time information and unwinding end time information, which will be described later, by combining it with the information input to the machine control device 5 as described above.

[0121] Based on the detection results of the yarn detection sensor 24, the machine control device 5 determines whether a yarn feed roll switch has occurred, whereby the yarn feed roll Ps is switched. For example, in reference... Figure 5In cases (a) and (b), the phenomenon of the yarn feed roll Ps1 becoming empty and the yarn Y being unwound from the yarn feed roll Ps2 for the first time is called a yarn feed roll switching. When the state of the yarn detection sensor 24 changes from the state where yarn Y is detected by one of the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 to the state where yarn Y is detected by the other of the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26, the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn feed roll switching has occurred. The machine control device 5 acquires and stores the information when it determines that a yarn feed roll switching has occurred. Figure 7 The following information is shown in Table (b). The machine control device 5 stores individual information (either of the first mounting section 22 and the second mounting section 23) of the winding mounting section 21 that begins supplying yarn Y when a yarn supply winding switch occurs, in association with the time when the yarn supply winding switch occurs. Regarding the winding mounting section 21 that begins supplying yarn Y, the time when the yarn supply winding switch occurs is treated as the unwinding start time. Furthermore, the machine control device 5 stores individual information of the winding mounting section 21 where the supply of yarn Y ends when a yarn supply winding switch occurs, in association with the time when the yarn supply winding switch occurs. Regarding the winding mounting section 21 where the supply of yarn Y ends, the time when the yarn supply winding switch occurs is treated as the unwinding end time. Additionally, when the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply winding switch has occurred, it stores information indicating that the knotting portion K has moved from a predetermined position.

[0122] The machine control device 5 uses information about the installation time of the yarn feed roll and information about the time when the yarn feed roll switching occurred to obtain unwinding start time information according to the following steps. Specifically, when obtaining the unwinding start time information of the yarn feed roll Ps3, the machine control device 5 obtains individual information about the roll mounting section 21 (first mounting section 22) on which the yarn feed roll Ps3 is mounted, as well as information about the yarn feed roll installation time (time ta2). Next, the machine control device 5 obtains the earliest unwinding start time (time ta3) of the yarn feed roll Ps mounted on the first mounting section 22 that is later than time ta2. (See reference...) Figure 5 The information from (a) and (b) is used as the unwinding start time of the yarn feed package Ps3. Furthermore, the machine control device 5 acquires the unwinding end time (time ta4) associated with this unwinding start time, and uses it as the unwinding end time of the yarn feed package Ps3. Thus, the individual information of the yarn feed package Ps3, the unwinding start time information, and the unwinding end time information are acquired in a linked manner (see references). Figure 8 (a)). The information is not limited to the yarn feed roll Ps3, but can also be obtained for each yarn feed roll Ps.

[0123] As described above, the information management department 110 obtains initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information, etc., based on each yarn feed roll Ps as basic information (see reference). Figure 8 (a)

[0124] (Remaining capacity information, remaining time information, and predicted end time of unwinding)

[0125] The method for obtaining information based on the aforementioned basic information (initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information) will be described. The information management unit 110 obtains at least one of the following by calculating the initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information: remaining quantity information, remaining time information, and predicted unwinding end time information. This information is used by the information management unit 110 to manage the operation of the wire processing equipment 100 (details of the management will be described later).

[0126] The remaining amount is the amount of yarn Y contained in each yarn supply roll Ps installed in each roll mounting section 21 at any reference time. The remaining time is the length of time that yarn Y can be unwound from each yarn supply roll Ps installed in each roll mounting section 21 at any reference time. The predicted unwinding end time is the predicted time when the unwinding of yarn Y from the yarn supply roll Ps that is currently being unwound is complete. That is, the information management unit 110 can predict the time when the unwinding of yarn Y from each yarn supply roll Ps is complete before obtaining information about the actual unwinding end time related to each yarn supply roll Ps.

[0127] (Balance information)

[0128] First, an example of how to obtain the margin information for each yarn feed roll Ps at the reference time will be explained. For example, the current time at which the margin information is obtained is treated as the reference time. The current time is time t1 (refer to...). Figure 5 In case (b), the information management unit 110 determines, based on the detection result of the thread detection sensor 24, that the thread Y is being unwound from the thread feed roll Ps (specifically, the thread feed roll Ps2) installed on the second mounting unit 23. Here, the thread feed roll Ps2 corresponds to the specified thread feed roll of the present invention.

[0129] And, as Figure 8 As shown in (a), the information management unit 110 establishes and obtains information related to the initial weight WF, fineness F, unwinding speed V of the yarn Y, and unwinding start time (time tb1) for the yarn feed package Ps2. The unwinding speed V related to the yarn feed package Ps2 corresponds to the unwinding unit quantity information of the present invention. The unwinding unit quantity information is stored in the machine control device 5, for example, as an operation setting of the yarn processing equipment 100.

[0130] The remaining weight (remaining weight) of the wire feed roll Ps2 at time t1 is set as Wr1 (refer to...). Figure 5 In (b)), the value of the remaining weight Wr1 is calculated based on the following formula. Furthermore, A is a coefficient used to set the unit of the calculation result of the formula within the curly braces to kg. Also, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed here that the unwinding of the yarn Y is continuous from time tb1 (the start time of unwinding) to time t1 (the reference time) (i.e., the winding process is uninterrupted).

[0131] Wr1=WF-{A×V×F×(t1-tb1)}

[0132] In the above formula, WF is included in the initial quantity information of the present invention. V×F is the weight of the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 per unit time. t1-tb1 is the cumulative value (cumulative time) of the time (cumulative time information) for unwinding the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps2 before time t1. Thus, the information management unit 110 uses the initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, unwinding start time information, and reference time information to obtain the remaining weight information (balance information) of the yarn supply package Ps2 (specified yarn supply package) at time t1 (reference time). In addition, the information management unit 110 also calculates the balance for the yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply package Ps1) installed in the package mounting section 21 (first mounting section 22) on the other side. At time t1, there is an empty yarn supply package Ps1 remaining in the first mounting section 22. The unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps1 (not shown) is much earlier than the unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps2. When the margin of the yarn feed roll Ps2 is calculated in the same way, the margin of the yarn feed roll Ps1 at time t1 becomes less than zero. Thus, when the calculated margin is less than zero, the information management unit 110 sets the margin of the yarn feed roll Ps1 at time t1 to zero.

[0133] Furthermore, for example, at the current time, which is time t2 (refer to...) Figure 5 In (b)), the remaining weight Wr2 at time t2 can also be calculated in the same way. At time t2, a new feed roll Ps3 is installed on the first mounting section 22. Furthermore, at time t2, the yarn Y has not yet been unwound from the feed roll Ps3. Therefore, the remaining weight of the feed roll Ps3 at time t2 is WF.

[0134] Furthermore, the unit of the remaining amount is not necessarily weight. As remaining amount information, for example, information on the remaining length of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps can also be obtained. Alternatively, information on the percentage of the remaining weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps can also be obtained (i.e., the ratio of the remaining weight to the initial weight).

[0135] (Remaining time information)

[0136] The method for obtaining the remaining time information is explained. At time t1, when the remaining time for supplying yarn Y from the yarn supply roll Ps2 is set as tr1, the value of the remaining time tr1 (remaining time information) is calculated using Wr1 based on the following formula.

[0137] tr1 = Wr1 / (A × V × F)

[0138] Alternatively, tr1 can be calculated without using Wr1 based on the following formula.

[0139] tr1=[WF-{A×V×F×(t1-tb1)}] / (A×V×F)

[0140] Furthermore, at time t1, the remaining time for supplying yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps1 is zero. This is because, as mentioned above, at time t1, the remaining amount of yarn in the yarn supply package Ps1 is zero. The information management unit 110 uses the remaining time information to obtain the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn, which will be described later.

[0141] Furthermore, for example, when the remaining time of the yarn feed roll Ps2 at time t2 is set to tr2 (refer to...) Figure 5 (b) can be used to calculate the remaining time tr2 based on the remaining weight Wr2 using the same method. Furthermore, at time t2, the yarn Y has not yet been unwound from the yarn feed roll Ps3. Therefore, when the remaining time of the yarn feed roll Ps3 at time t2 is set to tF, the initial weight WF (refer to...) can be used. Figure 5 (b) is used to calculate the remaining time tF.

[0142] (Predicted end time of unwinding)

[0143] The information management unit 110 is capable of predicting the end time of unwinding from the feed yarn package PsY, which is currently unwinding from the feed yarn Y at a reference time. For example, at time t1, the feed yarn Y is being unwound from the feed yarn package Ps2. The information management unit 110 obtains information about the time t1 plus the remaining time tr1 as the predicted unwinding end time information. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may calculate the predicted unwinding end time using basic information based on a prescribed formula, instead of using the remaining time information. The predicted unwinding end time is approximately equal to the actual unwinding end time associated with the feed yarn package Ps2 (the aforementioned time tb2). Furthermore, this predicted unwinding end time is approximately equal to the actual unwinding start time (the aforementioned ta3) of the predetermined feed yarn package Ps3, the next unwinding yarn Y after the feed yarn package Ps2. Therefore, the information management unit 110, knowing the unwinding start time of a certain feed yarn package Ps, can also deduce (predict) the unwinding start time of the next unwinding yarn Y feed yarn package Ps of that certain package Ps. For example, the information management unit 110 can also use the initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information related to feed yarn package Ps2 to calculate and obtain the unwinding start time information related to feed yarn package Ps3.

[0144] (Information Management Department's management of the operation of wire processing equipment)

[0145] Next, the specific operation management of the wire processing equipment 100 by the information management department 110 will be explained. As an example, the processing from the start of winding the wire Y into a certain take-up bobbin Bw to the end of winding will be explained. First, a general overview will be given. As an example, the process involving the take-up bobbin Bw2 (see reference...) will be described. Figure 5 (c) Related Explanation. At the winding start time (time ts2) related to the winding bobbin Bw2, yarn Y is supplied from the yarn supply roll Ps1 installed in the first mounting section 22. Furthermore, a yarn supply roll Ps2 is installed in the second mounting section 23. The end portion of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply roll Ps1 is knotted with the beginning portion of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply roll Ps2, thereby forming a knotted portion K. The knotted portion K is positioned in a predetermined position. Furthermore, information indicating that the knotted portion K is positioned in a predetermined position is pre-input by the operator to the machine control device 5.

[0146] At time ts2, the winding process of the yarn Y towards the winding bobbin Bw2 begins. Approximately simultaneously with the start of the winding process, the information management unit 110 obtains the remaining amount (remaining weight W1) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps1 at time ts2 (winding start time). (Refer to...) Figure 5 The information of (a) is recorded, for example, in the body storage section 5c.

[0147] During the winding process, the information management unit 110 continuously updates the aforementioned remaining amount information, remaining time information, and predicted unwinding end time information. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 continuously updates the predicted source thread disappearance time information, which will be described later. The information management unit 110 also performs judgments related to the mixing of the knotted portion K, the reduction of the remaining thread amount, and the forgetting to knot. The specific methods for updating each piece of information and the details of each judgment will be described later.

[0148] Furthermore, in this example, a feed package switch occurs during the take-up process. That is, during the take-up process, the state of unwinding yarn Y from feed package Ps1 is switched to the state of unwinding yarn Y from feed package Ps2 (see reference). Figure 5 (a) to (c)). As described above, the information management unit 110 determines whether a yarn feed roll switch has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24. In this example, the yarn feed roll Ps1 corresponds to the specified yarn feed roll of the present invention. Furthermore, the yarn feed roll Ps2 corresponds to the preliminary yarn feed roll of the present invention.

[0149] At the end of the winding process (time ts2), the information management unit 110 obtains the remaining weight information of the yarn supply package Ps2, which supplied yarn Y up to the winding end time. Finally, the information management unit 110 records, for example, the information on the yarn layer supplied from the yarn supply packages Ps1 and Ps2 to the winding bobbin Bw2 (yarn layer information) in the machine storage unit 5c. Specifically, the yarn layer information can also be weight information. That is, in this example, for the winding bobbin Bw2, a portion of the remaining weight of yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1, which is 0 to W1, is supplied (see reference). Figure 5 (a) to (c)). Furthermore, for the winding bobbin Bw2, a portion of the remaining weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps2, ranging from W2 to WF, is supplied (see reference). Figure 5 (a) to (c)). Thus, the information management unit 110 can obtain yarn layer information based on the remaining information, which yarn layer information is related to which part of the yarn layer contained in the yarn supply package Ps that supplies yarn Y to the specified winding bobbin Bw, and which yarn Y is wound onto the specified winding bobbin Bw. In this case, the winding start time and winding end time are equivalent to the reference time of the present invention.

[0150] (Updates to various information)

[0151] Next, the updating of the above-mentioned information will be explained. During the take-up process, the information management unit 110 continuously updates the cumulative value (cumulative time) of the time it takes to unwind yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps. In this case, the time at which this update is performed corresponds to the reference time of this invention. Regarding which yarn supply package Ps from which yarn Y is unwound at the reference time (i.e., which yarn supply package Ps is the specified yarn supply package), this is determined continuously based on the reference time and the unwinding start time information associated with each yarn supply package Ps. Furthermore, the cumulative time is also updated during the take-up bobbin replacement operation performed by the automatic doffing machine 10. This is because, as described above, yarn Y is also supplied to the take-up device 19 side (i.e., yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps) during the take-up bobbin replacement operation.

[0152] After updating the cumulative time as described above, the Information Management Unit 110 calculates (updates) the remaining amount, remaining time, predicted unwinding end time, and predicted source yarn disappearance time based on the basic information and the updated cumulative time. More specifically, the Information Management Unit 110 calculates the remaining amount and remaining time information of the feed rolls Ps installed by the two roll mounting units 21. The Information Management Unit 110 calculates the predicted unwinding end time of the feed roll Ps that is currently unwinding yarn Y.

[0153] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 calculates the predicted time of the disappearance of the source yarn. The predicted time of the disappearance of the source yarn is the predicted time when all the multiple supply yarn packages Ps installed in a certain supply yarn package holding unit 20 (the specified supply yarn package holding unit 20) become empty. Regardless of whether the yarn Y contained in the two supply yarn packages Ps installed in the supply yarn package holding unit 20 are knotted, the predicted time of the disappearance of the source yarn is obtained by adding the remaining time of the two supply yarn packages Ps to a reference time. That is, the predicted time of the disappearance of the source yarn of the specified supply yarn package holding unit 20 is obtained based on the remaining time information of all supply yarn packages Ps installed in the specified supply yarn package holding unit 20. For example, at time t1, the remaining time for unwinding yarn Y from supply yarn package Ps1 installed in the first mounting unit 22 is zero. At time t1, the remaining time for unwinding yarn Y from supply yarn package Ps2 installed in the second mounting unit 23 is the aforementioned tr1. The information management unit 110 can obtain the information of the time obtained by adding the remaining time tr1 to the time t1, and use it as the information of the time when the prediction source filament disappears at the time t1.

[0154] Furthermore, for example, at time t2, the remaining time of the feed roll Ps3 installed in the first mounting section 22 is tF. At time t2, the remaining time of the feed roll Ps2 installed in the second mounting section 23 is tr2. The information management unit 110 can obtain the time information obtained by adding the remaining time tF and the remaining time tr2 to time t2, and use it as the predicted source yarn disappearance time information for time t2.

[0155] (Judgment related to the mixing of knotted parts)

[0156] Next, the determination related to the mixing of knotted portion K into the take-up bobbin Bw on which yarn Y is being wound will be explained, as well as the processing following the determination. The information management unit 110 determines whether it can predict whether knotted portion K will be mixed into the take-up package Pw formed on the take-up bobbin Bw where the take-up process is underway. More specifically, it performs any of the following three processing steps. For example, if there is a predicted unwinding end time between the take-up start time and the predetermined take-up end time, it is predicted that knotted portion K will be mixed into the take-up package Pw. Or, if the remaining amount of the feed package Ps on which yarn Y is being unwound at the take-up start time of the take-up bobbin Bw is less than the predetermined take-up amount, it is predicted that knotted portion K will be mixed into the take-up package Pw. Or, if the remaining time of the feed package Ps on which yarn Y is being unwound at the take-up start time is less than the predetermined take-up time, it is predicted that knotted portion K will be mixed into the take-up package Pw. If it is predicted that a knotted portion K will be mixed into the winding package Pw, the information management unit 110 determines whether the current time has reached the predicted unwinding end time. "Reaching" can mean "the predicted unwinding end time will arrive after a predetermined time from the current time". Alternatively, "reaching" can also mean "the predicted unwinding end time has now arrived". Alternatively, the information management unit 110 can also determine whether a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24, thereby determining whether the current time has reached the predicted unwinding end time.

[0157] The information management unit 110 (machine control device 5) performs a process (prevention of mixing in knotted portion K, hereinafter referred to as the prevention of mixing in) when it determines that the current time has reached the predicted unwinding end time, thereby preventing knotted portion K from mixing into the take-up package Pw. The machine control device 5 first cuts the yarn Y with the cutter of the automatic doffing machine 10 close to the predicted time when knotted portion K will reach the take-up device 19 (a predetermined time before that time). This ends the take-up process to the take-up bobbin Bw installed on the take-up device 19. Almost simultaneously with cutting the yarn Y, the yarn Y traveling (supplying to the take-up device 19) is attracted and held by the suction device of the automatic doffing machine 10 as described above. Therefore, during the period when the automatic doffing machine 10 performs the take-up bobbin replacement operation (the time period during which the aforementioned time delay occurs), the portion of the yarn Y including the knotted portion K can be removed by the suction device. That is, the knotted portion K can be removed without being wound onto the take-up spool Bw. In this way, the timing of the end of the winding process can be managed based on the predicted timing of the knotted portion K being mixed in. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the knotted portion K from being mixed into the take-up package Pw. As a reference example, assuming that the take-up spool Bw4 is subjected to a process to prevent mixing in, such as... Figure 9 As shown in the graph, the winding process of the yarn in the Y direction of the winding bobbin Bw4 ends in a shorter time than usual. More specifically, when the winding bobbin Bw4 is subjected to an anti-mixing treatment, the winding end time of the winding bobbin Bw4 (refer to...) Figure 9 The time te4a) is different from the time te4 mentioned above (refer to). Figure 5 (c) is advanced. Furthermore, the winding start time in the next winding bobbin Bw5 (refer to...) Figure 9 The time ts5a) is also longer than the above ts5 (refer to) Figure 5(c)) earlier. Alternatively, assuming that even if a knotted portion K is unintentionally mixed into the take-up package Pw, if a process to avoid mixing in is performed, the knotted portion K is included in the outermost or nearby yarn layer (i.e., the outer layer) in the radial direction of the take-up package Pw. Therefore, the knotted portion K mixed into the take-up package Pw can be easily removed. Furthermore, if a process to avoid mixing in is performed, when the take-up bobbin replacement operation is completed before the knotted portion K to be attracted and removed is attracted and removed by the automatic doffing machine 10, the following problem may occur. That is, in the radial direction of the take-up package Pw formed by winding yarn Y into the next take-up bobbin Bw, a knotted portion K may be mixed into the innermost or nearby yarn layer (i.e., the inner layer). In this case, it is difficult to remove the knotted portion K from the take-up package Pw. Therefore, the information management unit 110 can also cut the yarn Y with the cutter of the automatic doffing machine 10 at the same time as the predicted moment when the knotted part K arrives at the take-up device 19, or just after that moment (after a predetermined time). That is, the formation of the take-up package Pw can also be completed at a time when the knotted part K is intentionally mixed into the outer layer of the package being formed.

[0158] (Judgment of decreasing margin)

[0159] Next, the determination of a decrease in the remaining amount of yarn Y in the yarn feed roll Ps, and the subsequent processing, will be explained. This determination is used to cause the bobbin robot 102 to perform a replacement operation on the yarn feed roll Ps. The information management unit 110 determines whether the roll replacement instruction time has arrived, which is a predetermined time (e.g., the first time) before the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn by the yarn feed roll holding unit 20 of a certain spindle 9. If the information management unit 110 determines that the roll replacement instruction time has arrived, it inputs a command signal to cause the bobbin robot 102 to perform a yarn feed roll replacement operation.

[0160] Through such judgment and processing, the bobbin robot 102 can perform the yarn feed roll replacement operation at the required time. This processing is particularly effective in configurations where the yarn feed unit 2 has multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20, and / or the yarn processing equipment 100 has multiple false twisting machines 1 (i.e., multiple yarn feed units 2). That is, the information management unit 110 manages the operation of the bobbin robot 102 based on information about the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn in the multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20. More specifically, the information management unit 110 manages the operation of the bobbin robot 102 so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation in each of the multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20 is completed before the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn in each of the multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20. The information management unit 110 creates a schedule for replenishing the yarn feed rolls Ps and controls the operation of the bobbin robot 102 according to the schedule. When creating the schedule, the information management department 110 considers various conditions such as the type and number of the required yarn feed rolls Ps, the replenishment location, and the movement route of the bobbin robot 102 to determine the roll replacement instruction time. This allows for the timely replacement of each yarn feed roll in the yarn feed holding section 20.

[0161] Alternatively, the information management unit 110 can also perform the yarn feed roll replacement operation after waiting for the preferred time to perform the yarn feed roll replacement operation. For example, if the roll mounting sections 21 are configured in a way that intentionally narrows the distance between them in order to reduce the size of the equipment, the yarn feed rolls Ps will interfere with each other when two new yarn feed rolls Ps are installed on the roll mounting sections 21 at the same time. In this configuration, another yarn feed roll Ps can only be installed on the other side of the two roll mounting sections 21 after a certain amount of yarn Y has been unwound from one of the yarn feed rolls Ps. In this configuration, by performing the above control, it is possible to wait for the instruction to perform the yarn feed roll replacement operation before it becomes possible to install a new yarn feed roll Ps.

[0162] (Judgment of forgetting to tie a knot)

[0163] Next, the determination of forgetting to tie a knot and the subsequent processing will be explained. Forgetting to tie a knot (forgetting to connect) refers to the following situation: after the operator newly installs the yarn feed roll Ps into the yarn feed roll holding part 20, the operator ignores the new yarn feed roll Ps by not performing a knotting operation. This determination is used to prompt the operator to perform a knotting operation. In the winding process of a certain spindle 9, if it is determined that no knot portion K has been formed in the spindle 9, the information management unit 110 further determines whether the remaining time of the yarn feed roll Ps (the specified yarn feed roll) that is unwinding the yarn Y in the spindle 9 is less than or equal to a specified time (e.g., the second time). When the information management unit 110 determines that the remaining time is less than or equal to the specified time, the machine control device 5 controls the machine output unit 5b to output information indicating that a knot portion K needs to be formed. If it is determined that a knotted portion K has formed in the spindle 9, or if it is determined that the remaining time is not less than the specified time, the aforementioned control of the machine output unit 5b is not performed. The information management unit 110 corresponds to the connection information acquisition unit of the present invention. The machine control device 5 corresponds to the second output control unit of the present invention. The machine output unit 5b corresponds to the second output unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the output of the aforementioned information can also be performed through the management output unit 101b of the management device 101. In this case, the management device 101 corresponds to the second output control unit of the present invention, and the management output unit 101b corresponds to the second output unit of the present invention.

[0164] As described above, the information management unit 110 can accurately and easily obtain initial quantity information, unwinding unit quantity information, and unwinding start time information. By using calculations based on this information, for example, the timing of the end of unwinding of yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps can be accurately predicted, or the progress of unwinding of yarn Y can be constantly estimated. Therefore, a new type of yarn processing equipment 100 can be provided, offering a leap forward in production management. Furthermore, even when it is impossible to directly measure the remaining amount of yarn Y after a portion of yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps, information related to the management of the yarn processing equipment can be accurately obtained at any given time.

[0165] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 obtains information on the initial weight and fineness of the yarn Y contained in each yarn package Ps as initial quantity information, and obtains information on the unwinding speed as unwinding unit quantity information. This allows for easy consistency of units in calculations related to time and / or allowance. Thus, easily obtainable information with consistent units can be used in various calculations.

[0166] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 can predict the end time of unwinding, estimate the remaining time, and / or estimate the remaining amount. Such prediction and / or estimation information can help manage various operations performed from the end of unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn feed package Ps (e.g., the creation of a change schedule for the yarn feed package Ps).

[0167] Furthermore, the Information Management Unit 110 obtains information on the predicted time when the source yarn disappears when all the source yarns Ps installed in the prescribed yarn feed package holding unit 20 become empty, based on the remaining time information of all the source yarn packages Ps installed in the prescribed yarn feed package holding unit 20. By utilizing the information on the predicted time when the source yarn disappears, advanced control or advanced equipment operation management related to operations such as changing the source yarn packages Ps can be achieved.

[0168] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 manages the operation of the bobbin robot 102 so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation of each of the multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20 is completed before the predicted time of yarn feed roll disappearance. Thus, in the configuration with multiple yarn feed roll holding units 20, the depletion of the yarn feed roll Ps of each yarn feed roll holding unit 20 can be prevented.

[0169] Furthermore, based on information obtained from the information management unit 110, the machine control device 5 outputs information from the machine output unit 5b to prompt the knotting operation when the remaining time of the specified yarn feed roll Ps decreases below a predetermined time in the absence of knotting operations. This prevents operators from forgetting to knot the yarn.

[0170] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 predicts that knotted portions K will be mixed into the specified take-up package Pw. This prediction result can be used to manage the operation of equipment related to the formation of the take-up package Pw. For example, the operation of the take-up unit 4 can be controlled to avoid the introduction of knotted portions K into the take-up package Pw.

[0171] Furthermore, the Information Management Department 110 manages the end time of the winding process for the specified winding bobbin Bw based on the predicted timing of the introduction of knotted portion K into the specified winding package Pw. This prevents the introduction of knotted portion K into the winding package Pw. Alternatively, by intentionally introducing thread-connecting portions into the radially outer portion of the winding package, these thread-connecting portions can be easily removed from the winding package. This stabilizes the quality of the winding package Pw.

[0172] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 can obtain yarn layer information based on the remaining quantity information. This yarn layer information relates to which part of the yarn layer contained in the feed package Ps that supplies yarn Y to the specified take-up bobbin Bw is formed by the yarn Y wound on the specified take-up bobbin Bw. Thus, it is possible to establish a correlation between the information of the yarn Y contained in the take-up package Pw and the yarn layer information of the yarn Y contained in the feed package Ps. Such information is helpful for quality management of the take-up package Pw, etc.

[0173] Next, a modified example obtained by altering the above-described embodiment will be described. However, for parts having the same structure as the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals will be applied and their descriptions will be appropriately omitted.

[0174] (1) In the above embodiment, the determination of whether a yarn feed roll switching occurs is based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24 having the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26, but is not limited to this. For example, Figure 10 As shown, the yarn feeding section 2a of the false twisting machine 1a can also have a switching detection section 41 in each spindle 9a with a different configuration from the yarn detection sensor 24. The switching detection section 41 can, for example, include a supply sensor 42 (the supply detection section of the present invention) and a knotting portion sensor 43 (the connection portion detection section of the present invention). The supply sensor 42 is configured to detect whether yarn Y is being supplied from the first mounting section 22 (one aspect of the present invention). The knotting portion sensor 43 is configured to detect knotting portions K positioned at a predetermined position in a stationary manner. In this configuration, when the knotting portion K moves from the predetermined position and is no longer detected by the knotting portion sensor 43, it can be determined that a yarn feeding roll switching has occurred. Furthermore, it is possible to determine which yarn Y is being supplied from the first mounting section 22 or the second mounting section 23 during the yarn feeding roll switching based on the detection result of the supply sensor 42. Thus, even when using the detection results of the knotted portion K, it is possible to reliably determine which of the first mounting portion 22 and the second mounting portion 23 is supplying the thread Y. Furthermore, the knotted portion sensor 43 can also be configured to detect the moving knotted portion K. In this modified example, the knotted portion sensor 43 corresponds to the connection information acquisition unit of the present invention.

[0175] (2) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 determines whether a yarn feed roll change has occurred based on the detection results of the yarn detection sensor 24 or the switching detection unit 41, but is not limited to this. For example, the information management unit 110 may also determine whether a yarn feed roll change has occurred by predicting the unwinding end time.

[0176] (3) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 obtains the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information based on the information of the yarn feed roll installation time and the information of the time when the yarn feed roll switching occurs. That is, the information management unit 110 establishes an association between the yarn feed spool installation time and the unwinding start time. However, it is not limited to this. The information management unit 110 may also establish an association between the individual information of the roll installation unit 21 that starts supplying yarn Y, the individual information of the yarn feed roll Ps installed in the roll installation unit 21, and the time when the yarn feed roll switching occurs. In this case, the unwinding start time information can also be obtained. In this case, the information management unit 110 may not necessarily obtain the information of the yarn feed roll installation time. That is, the information management unit 110 may also obtain the information by establishing an association between the individual information of the yarn feed roll Ps and the individual information of the roll installation unit 21 when the yarn feed roll Ps is installed in the yarn feed roll holding unit 20.

[0177] (4) In the embodiments described above, the yarn feed package replacement operation is performed by the bobbin robot 102. Furthermore, the take-up bobbin replacement operation is performed by the automatic doffing machine 10. However, this is not a limitation. The yarn feed package replacement operation can also be performed by an operator. Required information such as the individual information of the yarn feed package Ps and the initial weight of the yarn feed package Ps can also be input by the operator, for example, into the machine control device 5. Furthermore, when the yarn feed package replacement operation is performed by an operator, the information management unit 110 can output an instruction signal to prompt the operator to perform the yarn feed package replacement operation, instead of the instruction signal for instructing the bobbin robot 102 to perform the yarn feed package replacement operation. In this case, the above-mentioned package replacement instruction time corresponds to the replacement report time of the present invention. Therefore, the operator can be prompted to perform the yarn feed package replacement operation at an appropriate timing. This prevents the yarn feed packages Ps installed in the yarn feed package holding unit 20 from running out. Furthermore, the output unit 5b can be controlled by the machine body control device 5 provided in the false twisting machine 1, which has a yarn feed package holding part 20 for yarn feed package changing operations, thereby performing the above-mentioned output. In this case, the machine body control device 5 is equivalent to the first output control unit of the present invention, and the machine body output unit 5b is equivalent to the first output unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the above-mentioned output can also be performed by the management output unit 101b of the management device 101. In this case, the management device 101 is equivalent to the first output control unit of the present invention, and the management output unit 101b is equivalent to the first output unit of the present invention. The first output unit and the second output unit of the present invention may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit of the present invention may be the same or different. Furthermore, the first output control unit and the second output control unit of the present invention may be included in the information management unit 110 as described above, or they may be provided separately from the information management unit 110. In addition, the loading and unloading operations of the take-up bobbin Bw can also be performed by the take-up package conveying device 103 or by an operator. Information such as individual roll information can also be input by the operator, for example, into the machine control device 5. Furthermore, when a roll change operation is performed via the roll transport device 103, the information management unit 110 outputs a command signal to instruct the roll transport device 103 to perform the roll change operation. Additionally, when the roll change operation is performed by the operator, the information management unit 110 can also output a signal to prompt the operator to perform the roll change operation. This output can also be performed by the machine output unit 5b of the machine control device 5. The output control unit for prompting the roll change operation can be the same as or different from the first or second output control unit described above.

[0178] (5) In the embodiments described above, when the information management unit 110 predicts that a knotted portion K has been mixed into a certain take-up package Pw, it terminates the take-up process when the predicted unwinding end time is reached at the current time. However, it is not limited to this. Other examples will be described below. When the information management unit 110 makes a judgment related to the mixing of the knotted portion K, it performs the following processing. The information management unit 110 determines whether a yarn feed package switch has occurred based on the detection results of the yarn detection sensor 24 or the switching detection unit 41. When the information management unit 110 determines that a yarn feed package switch has occurred, it may only record the time when the yarn feed package switch occurred. Furthermore, in this case, since the take-up process continues, the knotted portion K is mixed into the take-up package Pw. The information management unit 110 may also determine the mixing position of the knotted portion K by calculating the take-up amount at the time when the yarn feed package switch occurred.

[0179] (6) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 obtains information on the initial weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps as initial quantity information, but is not limited thereto. For example, the information management unit 110 may also obtain information on the initial length of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps as initial quantity information. In this case, the information management unit 110 may also calculate information on the remaining length of the yarn Y contained in the yarn package Ps as surplus information. Furthermore, in this case, the information management unit 110 may not necessarily obtain information on the fineness of the yarn Y. That is, in this case, even without using the fineness information of the yarn Y, surplus information and remaining time information can be obtained by using only the initial quantity information (initial length), unwinding unit quantity information (unwinding speed), unwinding start time information, and reference time information.

[0180] (7) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 obtains both the remaining information and the remaining time information, but is not limited to this. The information management unit 110 may also obtain only one of the remaining information and the remaining time information. That is, the information management unit 110 only needs to obtain at least one of the remaining information and the remaining time information. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 uses the remaining information and / or the remaining time information to perform various judgments and / or calculations, but is not limited to this. The information management unit 110 may also only obtain the remaining information and / or the remaining time information.

[0181] (8) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 obtains the unwinding speed V information based on the rotational speed information of the first feed roller 11, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the machine control device 5 may also store the rotational speed information of the second feed roller 16, and the ratio information of the rotational speed of the first feed roller 11 to the rotational speed of the second feed roller 16. The information management unit 110 may also obtain the unwinding speed information based on this information. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may obtain the weight of the unwound yarn Y from the feed roll Ps per unit time instead of the unwinding speed information, as unwinding unit quantity information. Such information may also be input to the machine control device 5 in advance by the operator, for example.

[0182] (9) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 has multiple machine control devices 5 and management devices 101, but is not limited thereto. That is, the information management unit 110 may also include a computer device (not shown) other than the machine control devices 5 and management devices 101. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may have only machine control devices 5 or management devices 101. That is, it is also possible for only either the machine control device 5 or the management device 101 to obtain the required information.

[0183] (10) In the embodiments described above, the information management unit 110 obtains the initial quantity information of the yarn feed packages Ps in association with the individual information of the yarn feed packages Ps. However, this is not a limitation. For example, each machine control device 5 of the information management unit 110 may be configured to pre-store the initial quantity information common to all yarn feed packages Ps of all spindles 9 of the corresponding false twisting machine 1. Thus, assuming that the initial weight of all yarn feed packages Ps is approximately the same, the remaining quantity information can be managed through a simple procedure. Alternatively, for example, the multiple spindles 9 may be divided into multiple groups. The machine control device 5 may also be configured to set the initial quantity information associated with each of the multiple groups.

[0184] (11) In the embodiments described above, the yarn processing equipment 100 includes multiple false twisting machines 1, but is not limited to this. The yarn processing equipment 100 may also include only one false twisting machine 1. Furthermore, the management device 101 may not be provided. In this case, the false twisting machine 1 is also equivalent to the yarn processing equipment of the present invention. Furthermore, the false twisting machine 1 has multiple spindles 9, but is not limited to this. That is, the number of spindles 9 in the false twisting machine 1 may also be one. In other words, the number of yarn feed roll holding parts 20 in the yarn feed section 2 may also be one. In this case, the information management unit 110 may also manage the operation of the bobbin robot 102 so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation of the yarn feed roll holding part 20 is completed before the predicted source yarn disappearance time of the yarn feed roll holding part 20 (the yarn feed roll holding part specified in the present invention). As a result, the depletion of the yarn feed roll Ps of the yarn feed roll holding part 20 can be prevented.

[0185] (12) The present invention can also be applied to other wire processing equipment equipped with a wire processing machine, instead of the wire processing equipment 100 equipped with the false twisting machine 1. For example, the present invention can also be applied to the wire processing equipment equipped with an airflow processing machine (wire processing machine) as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-088605.

Claims

1. A wire processing apparatus comprising a wire processing machine and an information management unit, wherein the wire processing machine includes: a wire feeding section including one or more wire feeding package holding sections configured to separately supply wires; a processing section configured to process one or more wires supplied from the wire feeding section; and a winding section configured to wind the one or more wires processed by the processing section into winding bobbins to form winding packages; and the information management unit configured to manage information related to the wire processing machine, characterized in that... The aforementioned one or more yarn feed roll holding parts are configured to allow for the assembly and disassembly of multiple yarn feed rolls, and are configured to ensure uninterrupted yarn supply when the end portion of the yarn contained in any one yarn feed roll is connected to the beginning portion of the yarn contained in another yarn feed roll that unwinds yarn after that one yarn feed roll. The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining initial quantity information related to the initial quantity of yarn contained in the yarn feed roll before the unwinding of the yarn begins, unwinding unit quantity information related to the quantity of yarn unwound from the yarn feed roll per unit time, and unwinding start time information related to the unwinding start time when the unwinding of the yarn begins from the yarn feed roll. The aforementioned information management department obtains at least one of the following information through calculations using at least the aforementioned initial quantity information, the aforementioned unwinding unit quantity information, and the aforementioned unwinding start time information: Predicted unwinding end time information related to the predicted unwinding end time of the yarn from the yarn feed package; Remaining time information related to the remaining time at which the yarn can be unwound from the yarn feed package at any reference time; and Balance information related to the amount of yarn contained in the yarn package at the aforementioned reference time.

2. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned Information Management Department is, As the aforementioned initial quantity information, information on the initial weight and fineness of the yarn contained in the yarn package is obtained, and As the unwinding unit quantity information mentioned above, information on the length of the yarn unwound from the yarn supply roll per unit time, i.e., the unwinding speed, is obtained.

3. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management unit obtains information on the predicted time when the source yarn disappears when all the aforementioned yarn feed rolls installed on the specified yarn feed roll holding unit become empty, based on the aforementioned remaining time information of all the yarn feed rolls installed on the specified yarn feed roll holding unit.

4. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management unit obtains information on the predicted time when the source yarn disappears when all the aforementioned yarn feed rolls installed on the specified yarn feed roll holding unit become empty, based on the aforementioned remaining time information of all the yarn feed rolls installed on the specified yarn feed roll holding unit.

5. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The device includes a yarn feed roll conveying system configured to feed new yarn feed rolls to the yarn feed unit and perform a yarn feed roll replacement operation, exchanging an empty yarn feed roll (after unwinding the yarn) with the new yarn feed roll. The aforementioned information management unit manages the operation of the aforementioned yarn feed roll conveying device so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation in the aforementioned specified yarn feed roll holding unit is completed before the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn in the aforementioned specified yarn feed roll holding unit.

6. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The device includes a yarn feed roll conveying system configured to feed new yarn feed rolls to the yarn feed unit and perform a yarn feed roll replacement operation, exchanging an empty yarn feed roll (after unwinding the yarn) with the new yarn feed roll. The aforementioned information management unit manages the operation of the aforementioned yarn feed roll conveying device so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation in the aforementioned specified yarn feed roll holding unit is completed before the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn in the aforementioned specified yarn feed roll holding unit.

7. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The aforementioned yarn feeding section, as one or more yarn feeding package holding sections, may have multiple yarn feeding package holding sections. The aforementioned yarn feed roll conveying device is configured to perform the aforementioned yarn feed roll replacement operation on the aforementioned plurality of yarn feed roll holding sections. The aforementioned information management unit manages the operation of the aforementioned yarn feed roll conveying device so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation in each of the aforementioned multiple yarn feed roll holding units is completed before the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn in each of the aforementioned multiple yarn feed roll holding units.

8. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The aforementioned yarn feeding section, as one or more yarn feeding package holding sections, may have multiple yarn feeding package holding sections. The aforementioned yarn feed roll conveying device is configured to perform the aforementioned yarn feed roll replacement operation on the aforementioned plurality of yarn feed roll holding sections. The aforementioned information management unit manages the operation of the aforementioned yarn feed roll conveying device so that the yarn feed roll replacement operation in each of the aforementioned multiple yarn feed roll holding units is completed before the predicted time of disappearance of the source yarn in each of the aforementioned multiple yarn feed roll holding units.

9. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, have: A first output unit configured to output information; and The first output control unit is configured to control the aforementioned first output unit. The first output control unit outputs information to urge the operator to replace the feed roll in the feed roll holding unit at a replacement report time before the time when the predicted source yarn disappears.

10. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, have: A first output unit configured to output information; and The first output control unit is configured to control the aforementioned first output unit. The first output control unit outputs information to urge the operator to replace the feed roll in the feed roll holding unit at a replacement report time before the time when the predicted source yarn disappears.

11. The wire processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, have: The connection information acquisition unit is configured to acquire information related to whether the end portion of the filament contained in the specified filament roll is connected to the beginning end of the filament contained in the pre-unwinding filament roll of the specified filament roll. A second output unit configured to output information; and The second output control unit is configured to control the aforementioned second output unit. The second output control unit outputs information to urge the connection operation between the starting end and the terminal end when the remaining time of the specified yarn feed roll is reduced to less than a specified time, based on the information obtained by the connection information acquisition unit.

12. The wire processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is able to obtain: Information on the start time of winding the yarn into the designated winding bobbin; and Information relating to at least one of the following: a predetermined winding end time for the completion of winding the yarn into the aforementioned specified winding bobbin; a predetermined winding amount wound onto the aforementioned specified winding bobbin; and a predetermined winding time for winding the yarn into the aforementioned specified winding bobbin. When the predicted unwinding end time exists between the above-mentioned winding start time and the above-mentioned predetermined winding end time, if the remaining amount of the unwinding yarn in the feed package at the above-mentioned winding start time is less than the above-mentioned predetermined winding amount, or if the remaining time of the unwinding yarn in the feed package at the above-mentioned winding start time is shorter than the above-mentioned predetermined winding time, it is predicted that the yarn connection portion formed by connecting the starting end and the ending end will be mixed into the prescribed winding package formed by winding the yarn on the above-mentioned prescribed winding bobbin.

13. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is able to obtain: Information on the start time of winding the yarn into the designated winding bobbin; and Information relating to at least one of the following: a predetermined winding end time for the completion of winding the yarn into the aforementioned specified winding bobbin; a predetermined winding amount wound onto the aforementioned specified winding bobbin; and a predetermined winding time for winding the yarn into the aforementioned specified winding bobbin. When the predicted unwinding end time exists between the above-mentioned winding start time and the above-mentioned predetermined winding end time, if the remaining amount of the unwinding yarn in the feed package at the above-mentioned winding start time is less than the above-mentioned predetermined winding amount, or if the remaining time of the unwinding yarn in the feed package at the above-mentioned winding start time is shorter than the above-mentioned predetermined winding time, it is predicted that the yarn connection portion formed by connecting the starting end and the ending end will be mixed into the prescribed winding package formed by winding the yarn on the above-mentioned prescribed winding bobbin.

14. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department manages the timing of the completion of the winding process of the aforementioned winding bobbin based on the timing of the prediction that the aforementioned thread connection portion will be mixed into the aforementioned winding package.

15. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department manages the timing of the completion of the winding process of the aforementioned winding bobbin based on the timing of the prediction that the aforementioned thread connection portion will be mixed into the aforementioned winding package.

16. The wire processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining yarn layer information based on the aforementioned margin information. This yarn layer information pertains to which part of the yarn layer formed on the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the aforementioned specified winding bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the yarn layer.

17. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining yarn layer information based on the aforementioned margin information. This yarn layer information pertains to which part of the yarn layer formed on the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the aforementioned specified winding bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the yarn layer.

18. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining yarn layer information based on the aforementioned margin information. This yarn layer information pertains to which part of the yarn layer formed on the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the aforementioned specified winding bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the yarn layer.

19. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining yarn layer information based on the aforementioned margin information. This yarn layer information pertains to which part of the yarn layer formed on the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the aforementioned specified winding bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the yarn layer.

20. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining yarn layer information based on the aforementioned margin information. This yarn layer information pertains to which part of the yarn layer formed on the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the aforementioned specified winding bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the yarn layer.

21. The wire processing equipment as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The aforementioned information management department is capable of obtaining yarn layer information based on the aforementioned margin information. This yarn layer information pertains to which part of the yarn layer formed on the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the aforementioned specified winding bobbin at the aforementioned reference time constitutes the yarn layer.

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