IS machine for producing glass containers and method of operating such an IS machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an IS machine (1) for producing glass containers and a method for operating such an IS machine (1). The IS machine comprises a plurality of workstations (2), each comprising a blank mould (3) and a finishing mould (4), and the IS machine comprises a lubricating tool (5) for lubricating at least some of the blank moulds (3) with a lubricant, the lubricating tool (5) comprising a spray head (18) for spraying the lubricant and comprising a robot connection (7), to which the spray head (18) is fastened, by means of which the spray head (18) can be moved between different workstations (2) in the IS machine (1), characterised in that the spray head (18) is reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection (7) by means of a coupling (8). This provides the option of protecting the robot handling the lubricating tool without incurring high repair costs in the event of a collision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an IS machine for producing glass containers, comprising a plurality of workstations, each workstation comprising a blank mould and a finishing mould, and comprising a lubricating tool for lubricating at least some of the blank moulds with a lubricant, the lubricating tool comprising a spray head for spraying the lubricant and comprising a robot connection, the spray head being fastened to the robot connection and being movable between different workstations in the IS machine by means of the robot connection. The invention also relates to a method of operating such an IS machine. Background Art

[0002] IS machines for producing glass containers are well known in the prior art and are usually operated in a blow-blow process. In this process, the glass liquefies at the molten end and flows out of the molten end into the feeder. An elongated glass drop is formed at the head of the feeder by a riser. The glass drop is introduced into the blank mold via a channel through a pivoting funnel mechanism. In this case, the subsequent neck of the glass container to be manufactured points downward. The blank mold base is then placed on the funnel mechanism and the blank mold is closed. Compressed air is blown in from the top so that the glass mass provided by the glass drop completely fills the neck mold mounted on the bottom of the blank mold. This step is called blowing down. Then, the blank mold base and the funnel mechanism are pivoted back, and the blank mold is closed at the top by the blank mold base. The glass is pre-blown into the opening thus formed at the bottom to form a parison by the inflowing compressed air. Then, the blank mold is opened, and the pre-blown workpiece, i.e., the parison, is pivoted 180° by a conveying mechanism into the associated open finishing mold. During this process, the parison is held in the neck mold. The neck is then at the top. The neck mold is then opened and the transfer mechanism pivots back to the starting position in order to receive the next parison in the body mold. At the same time, the finishing mold is closed from the top by the blowing head so that the parison in the finishing mold is finally blown into its final shape by compressed air. The blowing head then pivots back, the finishing mold opens, and the clamp transfers the finished workpiece to the dead plate. Typically, another mechanism next pushes the finished workpiece onto a conveyor belt, which transports the item to the cooling area.

[0003] In terms of providing a uniform product quality that is constant over time, the surface of the blank mold that is in direct contact with the molten glass needs to be lubricated to ensure a uniform distribution of the glass material in the mold cavity when the glass material is introduced into the blank mold, and to ensure that the still mechanically unstable parison is more easily released from the blank mold after forming. For this reason, it is known, for example, from EP3 190 093 A1, to use a lubricating tool to lubricate at least one blank mold with a lubricant, for example in the form of a lubricating robot. In principle, this lubricating robot can be used to lubricate all blank molds. However, this lubricating robot can also only lubricate some blank molds, which means that at least one additional lubricating robot is provided for other blank molds of the IS machine.

[0004] It is also known from practice that the lubrication tool comprises a spray head arranged on a spray head holder for spraying lubricant and comprises a robot connection to which the spray head holder is fastened and by means of which the lubrication tool can be attached to the robot so that the spray head is movable between different stations within the IS machine by means of the robot. The lubrication tool can of course also comprise a plurality of spray heads, which are arranged on the spray head holder. In this case, the spray head holder can be provided with a predetermined breaking point at which the spray head holder breaks in the event of a collision with the mechanism of the station in which the lubrication tool is currently located. In this way, the flow of force is interrupted, meaning that the robot cannot sustain any damage.

[0005] Therefore, in the event of a collision, the nozzle holder can be mechanically damaged, which requires replacement of the nozzle holder and possibly also of the nozzle holder and its nozzle, which thus means downtime of the corresponding station or even of the entire IS machine. This results in costs for replacement of the nozzle holder and possibly also costs for replacement of the nozzle and the corresponding assembly time.

[0006] US2011 / 0296874A1 discloses a method for producing an insulating glass product by means of an IS machine and a robot movable along the blank mold side thereof, the robot being adapted to replace one or more blank molds in sections and carrying an electromagnet, and replacing the blank mold comprises closing two half shells of the blank mold by applying pressure, operating the electromagnet, reducing the pressure, and then releasing the blank mold. In addition, the robot is adapted to carry a plurality of tools with different functions. Summary of the invention

[0007] Starting from this, the problem addressed by the present invention is to provide an option for protecting a robot for handling a lubrication tool so that in the event of a collision between the spray head and the equipment of the IS machine, long assembly times are not required.

[0008] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred developments are found in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the present invention, an IS machine for producing glass containers is therefore provided, comprising a plurality of workstations, each workstation comprising a blank mold and a finishing mold, and the IS machine comprising a lubricating tool for lubricating at least some of the blank molds with a lubricant, the lubricating tool comprising a spray head for spraying the lubricant and comprising a robot connection part, the spray head being fastened to the robot connection part and being movable between different workstations within the IS machine by means of the robot connection part, characterized in that the spray head is reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection part by means of a coupling part.

[0010] Therefore, the key point of the present invention is that no predetermined breaking point is provided to prevent damage to the robot in the event of a collision. Instead, the present invention provides a coupling between the spray head and the robot connection, which opens in the event of a collision so that the spray head is separated from the robot connection and therefore no more force can be transmitted to the robot connection and therefore not to the robot. The coupling is designed so that the spray head is reversibly detachable from the robot connection, which means that the spray head can be fastened to the robot connection again via the coupling (i.e. by closing the coupling). Therefore, the coupling can be reversibly closed and opened, which means that the coupling does not suffer any damage when it is opened and can therefore be closed again without maintenance.

[0011] The spray head can be fastened directly to the robot connection part by means of a coupling. Preferably, however, the spray head is arranged on a spray head holder and the spray head holder is fastened to the robot connection part by means of a coupling. In this case, the spray head is thus fastened to the robot connection part indirectly, i.e. via the spray head holder.

[0012] In principle, different couplings can be used for the present invention, by means of which the spray head is reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling is a magnetic coupling. The strength of the magnets used for such a magnetic coupling can be used to set the force that needs to be applied to the spray head to separate it from the robot connection.

[0013] According to another preferred improvement of the present invention, it is provided that the coupling is a safety coupling, which includes a mechanism for reversibly separating the spray head from the robot connection when a force exceeding a predetermined force value is applied to the spray head. For example, such a safety coupling can be constructed according to the ball-catch principle. In such a case, the spray head is connected to the robot connection in a form-fitting manner by means of a ball or a roller. The coupling hub is designed as a ball cage and is used as a container for the flange ring, the dividing plate including the disc spring and the adjusting nut. The ball or roller is pressed into the countersunk hole of the flange ring with a set spring force. In the event of overloading, the flange ring rotates relative to the retaining hub, the ball is pushed out of the spherical recess, and the spray head is separated from the robot connection.

[0014] According to the invention, it is provided that the robot connection is provided with a sensor, by means of which it is possible to detect whether the connection is open or closed. In such a case, the sensor is connected to a switching device, with which the operation of the station can be terminated or a robot action can be initiated, so that, for example, the robot retracts from the station when the connection is determined to be open by the sensor. In this way, damage to the spray head and the robot in the station (otherwise the robot continues to operate) can be offset. This configuration also makes it possible, for example, for a person to manually fasten the spray head to the robot connection again, so that the station can then continue to operate. In this respect and in this context, it is preferred that the switching device is designed and constructed so that the operation of the station in which the spray head is currently located is allowed again when the sensor determines that the connection is closed again. However, in this case, the station and / or the robot are preferably not automatically put back into operation, but only after the user's approval.

[0015] Operating the spray head usually requires the provision of lubricant and atomizing air. In addition, the spraying function of the spray head can be controlled by an air supply, which means that it also requires the supply of control air. In this regard, according to a preferred improvement of the present invention, the spray head holder supporting the spray head is provided with a control air line, a lubricant line and / or an atomizing air line, and at least one of these lines extends at least partially inside the spray head holder, to which the spray head is fastened. By integrating such lines inside the spray head holder, hose lines are no longer required outside in most parts of the spray head holder, so that the hose lines are not exposed to the high temperatures around the IS machine. Therefore, premature aging of such hose lines, which are usually made of non-temperature-resistant plastic materials, due to temperature effects is no longer a problem. In addition, in the event of a collision, such hose lines may tear or the hose connector may break, which may cause compressed air or lubricant to leak in an uncontrolled manner. Furthermore, according to a preferred improvement of the present invention, it is provided that all pipelines extend completely inside the spray head holder, and each pipeline is provided with a connector adjacent to the coupling, and a hose is attached to each connector and connected at its other end to the robot connector in order to supply control air, lubricant or atomizing air to the spray head.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for operating an IS machine for producing glass containers, wherein the IS machine comprises a plurality of workstations, each of which comprises a blank mold and a finishing mold, the IS machine comprises a lubricating tool for lubricating at least some of the blank molds with a lubricant, the lubricating tool comprises a spray head for spraying the lubricant and comprises a robot connection part, the spray head being reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection part by means of a coupling part, the method comprising the following method steps:

[0017] Move the spray head between the different stations in the IS machine and lubricate the associated blank molds,

[0018] Detects whether the connection is closed or open, and

[0019] When it is determined that the coupling is open, the operation of the station where the spray head is currently located is terminated and / or the robot action is started.

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention result analogously to the above-described preferred developments of the IS machine according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail based on preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates an IS machine according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0023] Figure 2 A lubrication tool according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the coupling is a magnetic coupling,

[0024] Figure 3 A lubrication tool according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the coupling is a safety coupling,

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An enlarged schematic diagram of the lubrication tool, and

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Magnified view of the magnetic coupling of the lubrication tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 1 An IS machine 1 for producing glass containers according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. The IS machine 1 is provided with a plurality of stations 2, each station comprising a blank mold 3 and a finishing mold 4. For simplicity, Figure 1 Only three workstations 2 are shown, and the remaining workstations are represented by dots.

[0028] In terms of providing a uniform product quality that is constant over time, the surface of the blank mold 3 that is in direct contact with the molten glass needs to be lubricated in order to ensure a uniform distribution of the glass material in the mold cavity when the glass material is introduced into the relevant blank mold 3 and to make it easier to release the parison that is still mechanically unstable after forming from the relevant blank mold 3. To this end, the IS machine 1 comprises a lubrication tool 5 that can be manipulated by a robot 19 to lubricate the blank mold 3 with a lubricant. For this purpose, the lubrication tool 5 is provided with three spray heads 18 and a robot connection 7, the spray heads 18 being arranged on a spray head holder 6 for spraying the lubricant, the spray head holder 6 being fastened to the robot connection 7 and in such a way that the lubrication tool is connected to the robot 19. As Figure 1 As shown by the horizontal double-headed arrow in the figure, the lubrication tool 5 is moved between different stations 2 in the IS machine 1 together with its robot connector 7 and the nozzle 18 by means of the robot 19, so that the blank molds 3 at different stations 2 can be continuously lubricated.

[0029] The spray head 18 must then be reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection 7 by means of the coupling 8 in order to prevent any damage to the lubrication tool 5 or the robot 19 in the event of a collision with the mechanism at the station 2. Therefore, a coupling 8 is used which opens in the event of a collision so that the spray head 18 is separated from the robot connection 7. Due to this separation, no more forces can be transmitted to the robot connection 7. The coupling 8 is designed so that the spray head holder 6 can be reversibly detached from the robot connection 7. Therefore, the spray head holder 6 can also be fastened again to the robot connection 7 via the coupling 8, i.e. by closing the coupling 8. Therefore, when the coupling 8 is open, the coupling 8 does not suffer any damage, so it can be closed again without maintenance.

[0030] There are various options for those couplings that can be reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot coupling 7. One of these options is that the coupling 8 is a magnetic coupling. In this case, magnetic force can be used to set the force that needs to be applied to the spray heads 18 to separate them from the robot coupling 7. Figure 2 Shown are those spray heads 18 which are fastened to a spray head holder 6 and to a robot connection 7 of a lubrication tool 5 via a coupling 8 designed as a magnetic coupling. Figure 5 1 is an enlarged view of the coupling 8 designed as a magnetic coupling. The figure shows that the nozzle holder 6 is provided with a magnet 13 at its end closest to the robot connection 7, and the magnet 13 is fastened to the nozzle holder 6 by a screw 14. The magnet 13 is connected to the nozzle holder 6 by a screw 14. Figure 5 1 and 12, but in the same way fastened to a counterpart 17 arranged on the robot connection 7. In order to ensure that the spray head holder 6 is correctly oriented relative to the robot connection 7, the end region interacting with the counterpart 17 is provided with a rib 15 which engages in a groove 16 on the counterpart 17 when the coupling 8 is closed.

[0031] The nozzle holder 6 is provided with a control air pipeline, a lubricant pipeline and an atomizing air pipeline, all of which extend inside the nozzle holder 6, so that Figure 2 Not visible in Figure 2 As shown, these lines are each provided with a first connection 10 connected to the nozzle holder adjacent to the coupling 8. During operation of the lubricating tool 5, a hose is attached to each first connection 10 connected to the nozzle holder and is connected at its other end to the robot connection 7 in order to receive control air, lubricant or atomizing air. For this purpose, a second connection 11 connected to the robot connection is also provided on the robot connection 7. For the sake of clarity, these hoses are shown in FIG. Figure 2These hoses mean that if the spray head holder 6 is separated from the robot connection 7, the spray head holder 6 does not fall into the station 2 where the lubrication tool 5 is currently located, but is held by the hoses. The spray head holder 6 can then be manually mounted back on the robot connection 7 and the station 2 can continue to be operated.

[0032] Figure 3 An alternative construction of the coupling 8 is shown. The figure shows that the coupling 8 is designed as a safety coupling, which includes a mechanism for reversibly removing the nozzle holder 6 from the robot connection 7 when a force exceeding a predetermined force value is applied to the nozzle holder 6. Such a safety coupling can be constructed according to the ball-catch principle, for example. In this case, the nozzle holder 6 is connected to the robot connection 7 in a form-fitting manner by means of balls or rollers. The coupling hub is designed as a ball cage and serves as a container for the flange ring, the indexing plate including the disc spring and the adjusting nut. The ball or roller is pressed into the countersunk hole of the flange ring with a set spring force. In the event of overloading, the flange ring rotates relative to the retaining hub, the ball is pushed out of the spherical recess, and the nozzle holder 6 is separated from the robot connection 7. In addition, Figure 3 The structure of the components shown is similar to Figure 2 The structure shown corresponds to .

[0033] An important point about the lubrication tool 5 described in the present example is that the lubrication tool 5 is provided with a sensor 12 by means of which it can be detected whether the coupling 8 is open or closed. Figure 4 This is shown schematically in the figure Figure 1 1. The sensor 12 can be designed as a capacitive sensor, for example. The sensor 12 is connected to the switch device 9, also as Figure 1 As shown, the switch device can be used to terminate the operation of the workstation 2 in which the spray head holder 6 including the spray head 18 is currently located when the coupling 8 is determined to be open by the sensor 12. The switch device 9 is also designed and constructed so that when the sensor 12 determines that the coupling 8 is closed again, for example by the spray head holder 6 having been manually mounted back on the robot connection 7, the operation of the workstation 2 in which the spray head holder 6 including the spray head 18 is currently located is allowed again. However, in this case, the workstation 2 is not automatically returned to operation, but only after this has been approved by the user.

[0034] This enables the following method for operating the IS machine 1:

[0035] In order to lubricate the blank mold 3 at the station 2, the spray head 18 is moved back and forth between the different stations 2 within the IS machine 1. In the process, it is detected whether the coupling 8 is closed or open. If the spray head holder 6 is subsequently separated from the robot connection 7 due to a collision of the spray head 18 with the mechanism of the station 2, this is detected by the sensor 12. If this happens, the operation of the station 2 where the lubrication tool 5 is currently located is automatically terminated. The spray head holder 6 is separated, which ensures that the IS machine 1 or the robot 19 is not further damaged due to the detachment of the spray head holder 6. A message is output, for example by the robot 19, and the spray head holder 6 can be manually mounted back on the robot connection 7.

[0036] Reference numerals list

[0037] 1 IS Machine

[0038] 2 stations

[0039] 3. Blank mold

[0040] 4 Finishing mold

[0041] 5. Lubrication tools

[0042] 6 Nozzle holder

[0043] 7 Robot connector

[0044] 8 Connectors

[0045] 9 Switchgear

[0046] 10 A first connecting piece connected to the nozzle holder

[0047] 11 A second connecting piece connected to the robot connecting piece

[0048] 12 Sensors

[0049] 13 Magnet

[0050] 14 Screws

[0051] 15 ribs

[0052] 16 grooves

[0053] 17 Matching parts

[0054] 18 Nozzles

[0055] 19 Robot

Claims

1. An IS machine (1) for producing glass containers, comprising a plurality of workstations (2), each of which comprises a blank mold (3) and a finishing mold (4), and the IS machine comprises a lubricating tool (5) for lubricating at least some of the blank molds (3) with a lubricant, the lubricating tool (5) comprising a spray head (18) for spraying the lubricant and a robot connection (7), the spray head (18) being fastened to the robot connection (7), the spray head (18) being movable between different workstations (2) in the IS machine (1) by means of the robot connection (7), the spray head (18) being reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection (7) by means of a coupling (8), characterized in that: The robot connection (7) is provided with a sensor (12), by means of which it is possible to detect whether the connection is open or closed, and The sensor (12) is connected to a switch device (9), which can be used to terminate the operation of the workstation (2) where the spray head (18) is currently located, and / or to start the robot action with the help of the switch device when it is determined by the sensor (12) that the connecting piece (8) is open.

2. The IS machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting piece (8) is a magnetic connecting piece.

3. The IS machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The coupling (8) is a safety coupling comprising a mechanism for reversibly separating the spray head (18) from the robot coupling (7) when a force exceeding a predetermined force value is applied to the spray head (18).

4. The IS machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The switch device (9) is designed and constructed such that, when the sensor (12) determines that the coupling (8) is closed again, operation of the workstation (2) in which the spray head (18) is currently located is allowed again.

5. The IS machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The robot connection (7) is provided with control air lines, lubricant lines and atomizing air lines, and at least one of these lines extends at least partially inside a spray head holder (6) to which the spray head is fastened.

6. The IS machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The control air line, lubricant line and atomizing air line all extend completely inside the spray head holder (6), and each of the control air line, lubricant line and atomizing air line is provided with a first connector (10) connected to the spray head holder adjacent to the coupling (8), and a hose is attached to each first connector (10) connected to the spray head holder and is connected at its other end to a second connector (11) connected to the robot connector so as to supply control air, lubricant or atomizing air to the spray head (18).

7. A method for operating an IS machine (1) for producing glass containers, wherein the IS machine comprises a plurality of workstations (2), each workstation comprising a blank mold (3) and a finishing mold (4), and the IS machine comprises a lubricating tool (5) for lubricating at least some of the blank molds (3) with a lubricant, the lubricating tool (5) comprising a spray head (18) for spraying the lubricant and a robot connection (7), the spray head (18) being fastened to the robot connection (7), the spray head (18) being reversibly and detachably fastened to the robot connection (7) by means of a coupling (8), the robot connection (7) being provided with a sensor (12), the method comprising the following steps: moving the spray head (18) between the different stations (2) in the IS machine (1) and lubricating the associated blank molds (3), The sensor (12) detects whether the coupling (8) is closed or open, and When it is determined that the connection piece (8) is open, the operation of the workstation (2) where the spray head (18) is currently located is terminated and / or the robot action is started.

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