Method for automatically determining consumption data of medium in filling line and device for carrying out method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) in a filling line (1), comprising at least one medium consumption machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52). The consumption data comprises an actual quantity (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) of the medium and a remaining run time (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 50, 56). The method comprises determining an actual quantity (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) of the medium of the at least one machine, transmitting the actual quantity to an external memory in a predetermined format via the edge device, transmitting contextual information (10) about the filling line and the at least one machine to the external memory via the edge device, a consumption monitor including consumption data of the medium is created within the external memory, a remaining runtime of the medium is determined based on an actual amount of medium and contextual information about the filling line and the at least one machine, the consumption monitor is communicated to a display device, the consumption monitor is displayed by the display device, and the display device displays the consumption monitor. And using the consumption data in operating the filling line. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium in a filling line and to a device for carrying out the method according to the independent claims. Background Art

[0002] It is known to display the consumables of a machine in a filling line on the human machine interface of the corresponding machine. A warning signal, for example in the form of a light, may be provided to indicate that the material is about to run out.

[0003] EP2815216 A1 discloses a device for providing a packaging machine with consumables, wherein the device comprises a magazine for the consumables and a detection device for determining the actual amount of the consumables in the magazine. The detection device can be coupled to a display unit, by means of which the actual amount of the consumables in the magazine can be displayed. The display unit can include a warning function, by which a warning signal can be generated when the actual amount falls below a predetermined minimum amount.

[0004] Purpose

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium in a filling line and a device for carrying out the method, which enables a machine- and device-interface display of the consumption data of the medium.

[0006] Solution

[0007] This object is achieved by a method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium in a filling line and a device for carrying out the method according to the independent claims. Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] A method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium in a filling line, comprising at least one medium-consuming machine, wherein the consumption data comprises an actual amount of the medium and a remaining operating time, comprising: determining the actual amount of the medium of the at least one machine, transmitting the actual amount to an external memory in a predetermined format via an edge device, transmitting context information about the filling line and the at least one machine to the external memory via the edge device, creating a consumption monitor comprising the consumption data of the medium in the external memory, determining the remaining operating time of the medium based on the actual amount of the medium and the context information about the filling line and the at least one machine, transmitting the consumption monitor to a display device, displaying the consumption monitor via the display device, and using the consumption data when operating the filling line.

[0009] The actual amount of the medium can be determined based on the fill level in the supply container. This can be provided, for example, in the case of a medium glue which is provided in a glue container for a labelling machine of a filling line.

[0010] The actual amount can be determined by comparing the amount of medium initially provided with the amount of medium already used, for example during production on a filling line. This can be provided, for example, in the case of a medium label.

[0011] The actual amount can be determined by the number of discharged containers in the waste container and / or the filling level of the discharged containers in the waste container and / or by the weight of the waste container with the discharged containers therein compared to the empty waste container.

[0012] Since both the filling line and the medium consuming machine may have an influence on the consumption of the medium, in order to determine the remaining operating time of the medium, not only the actual amount of the medium but also contextual information related to the filling line and the at least one machine is taken into account.

[0013] Consumption data including the actual amount of medium and the remaining operating time can be used during operation so that the medium can be filled (glue, labels, clips, clamps, preforms) or emptied (holding volume, e.g. waste container) in good time before the remaining operating time expires.

[0014] At least one media consuming machine may include a control unit. In the case of multiple media consuming machines, each machine may include a control unit. The control unit may be used to control the machine and may be configured, for example, as a computer having an allocated processor and (internal) memory and appropriate programming.

[0015] The external memory may be arranged outside each control unit of the media consuming machine. Thus, the external memory may not be contained in any control unit. The external memory may be a data memory or include a data memory.

[0016] The external memory can be accessed from outside the filling line and / or the machine. The actual quantity and context information can be further processed in the external memory.

[0017] For example, a consumption monitor including consumption data of the medium is created in an external memory. The external memory may be different from the external memory described above, or the external memory may correspond to the external memory described above. If the external memory is different from the external memory described above, it may also be provided that the external memory may be provided outside each control unit of the medium consumption machine. Therefore, the external memory cannot be included in any control unit.

[0018] The creation of a consumption monitor in the machine controller cannot be envisaged. This is a method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium in a filling line, so it may not be sufficient to take into account at least one medium-consuming machine. In one embodiment, it is provided that the determination of the remaining operating time of the medium is based on the actual amount of the medium and contextual information about the filling line. Thus, in addition to the at least one machine, the entire filling line can also be taken into account. Therefore, the creation of a consumption monitor including consumption data of the medium in an external memory can be provided.

[0019] By sending the consumption monitor to a display device and displaying the consumption monitor via the display device, consumption data may be collected locally, the consumption monitor may be created in external storage, and transmission back to the media consumption machine for displaying the consumption monitor may be performed.

[0020] The context information includes at least one of the following:

[0021] - the time schedule of production orders in the filling line,

[0022] - historical filling line and / or machine performance in production orders,

[0023] - planned filling line and / or machine performance in the production order,

[0024] - Prioritize at least one machine and / or medium in the production order,

[0025] - the time workload for filling / emptying the medium,

[0026] -The type of production order, e.g. the media required and / or the machines used in the filling line.

[0027] The time progress of a production order in a filling line may be relevant to determine whether filling / emptying of medium is still required during this production order or whether the production order has been completed before filling / emptying is required.

[0028] From the historical filling line and / or machine performance in the production order, conclusions can be drawn about the further behavior of the filling line and / or the at least one machine at the same or a different performance.

[0029] The priority of media in a production order may be relevant to determine, for example, which medium is refilled first if two different media are to be refilled to avoid, for example, a stop of a filling line. For example, the priority may specify that labels are filled first, followed by clips.

[0030] The time workload of filling / draining the media may be relevant to determine when within the remaining operating time the filling / draining should begin to avoid running out of media.

[0031] For example, it is clear from the type of production order that the neck label will not be used for this purpose. Therefore, unnecessary filling of the neck label can be avoided.

[0032] The medium may include at least one of the following: a preform, a label, glue, a clip, a clasp, a film, a carton, a tray, a containing volume, such as in a waste container.

[0033] In this case, at least one of the machines may use one medium or a variety of media.

[0034] The consumption monitor can display the consumption data of the medium between the filling line and the machine. The consumption monitor can be accessed from outside the filling line and / or the machine, as it can be created in an external memory.

[0035] The consumption monitor may also include at least one of the following:

[0036] - specify at least one machine,

[0037] - specify the media consumed by the machine,

[0038] - specify the production orders to be executed in the filling line,

[0039] - specify the production orders planned in the filling line,

[0040] - specify whether filling / emptying of the medium is required during the execution of the production order,

[0041] -Specifies the time when the consumption monitor was last updated.

[0042] A further indication of the consumption monitor allows obtaining a clear association between the machine, the medium consumed by the machine (one medium, several different media that may need to be filled or emptied) and the requirement to fill / empty the medium.

[0043] By specifying a production order to be executed in a filling line, conclusions can be drawn about which media are required for this and, for example, how long the production order will last before it ends, assuming the planned filling line and / or machine performance, and if necessary, the planned production order can be started.

[0044] For each medium, the consumption monitor may include a corresponding display area for the consumption data of the medium. In the display area, the machine, the actual amount of the medium (e.g., in percentage) and the remaining operating time (e.g., in minutes) may be specified. If the actual amount is above a minimum value, the color of the relevant display area may be green, or the indication of the actual amount and the remaining operating time may be green. The minimum value may be different for different media. The minimum value may vary depending on the filling line and / or the machine power, but may also be independent of the filling line and / or the machine power. If the actual amount of the medium is below the minimum value, the color of the relevant display area may be orange, or the indication of the actual amount and the remaining operating time may be orange. If the actual amount is zero, the color of the relevant display area may be red, or the indication of the actual amount and the remaining operating time may be red. For example, if the data connection to the machine is interrupted, the color of the relevant display area may be gray.

[0045] The minimum value may be a dynamic minimum value.

[0046] For dynamic minimum, consider at least one of the following:

[0047] - the position of an operator of the filling line or the positions of a plurality of operators of the filling line, wherein, for example, the position of the operator can be determined by a mobile terminal and / or an ID token and / or a tablet and / or a smartwatch respectively assigned to the operator,

[0048] - Number of operators of the filling equipment,

[0049] - the availability of one or more operators of the filling plant,

[0050] - the actual amount of medium is determined in such a way that the remaining operating time for filling or emptying ensures the continuous operation of the filling line,

[0051] - Average time used for filling / emptying.

[0052] For example, if the operator is closer to the corresponding medium-consuming machine, the dynamic minimum value may be smaller. For example, if the operator is farther away from the corresponding medium-consuming machine, the dynamic minimum value may be larger. When the position of the operator changes and he approaches the corresponding machine, a dynamic change from a first minimum value to a smaller second minimum value may occur. When the position of the operator changes and he moves away from the corresponding machine, a dynamic change from a third minimum value to a larger fourth minimum value may occur.

[0053] In this case, closer to the corresponding machine or further away from the corresponding machine can be the distance the operator has to walk in the filling line. In the case of a larger distance to be covered, the dynamic minimum can be greater than in the case of a smaller distance to be covered. In general, the distance to be covered cannot be equal to the distance taken by plane.

[0054] The method may include calculating a minimum value / dynamic minimum value. For example, the calculation of the minimum value may be performed in one of the external memories mentioned above.

[0055] The display can be performed by a central control station (e.g., a dashboard) and / or by a mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone, a laptop, and / or a tablet). The central control station can be arranged in the workshop where the filling line is located. The mobile terminal can be operated by an operator, whose duties can involve one or more machines on the filling line. Additionally or alternatively, the consumption monitor can be displayed on the HMI (Human Machine Interface) of a machine that can be located in the filling line. For example, a display on the HMI of a machine within the scope of the operator's duties may be advantageous. Thus, when the operator is within the operating and / or visual range of the HMI of one of the machines, the consumption monitor displayed to the operator on his mobile terminal can be displayed additionally or alternatively on the HMI. The display of the corresponding consumption monitor on the HMI can be initiated manually or automatically. Manually, for example, by manual intervention of the operator on the mobile terminal (by issuing a command to transfer / mirror the consumption monitor to the HMI); automatically, for example, by the operator approaching the HMI, wherein the approach can be identified by knowing the operator's position in the workshop. For example, the position in the workshop can be determined by GPS data, sensors and / or cameras.

[0056] When the actual amount and / or the remaining operating time falls below the corresponding minimum value, a notification can be sent to a mobile terminal (e.g. a smartphone, a laptop and / or a tablet). An operator located outside the filling line and / or outside the workshop where the filling line is located can be informed of the required filling / emptying of the medium. The properties that have been described above in connection with the minimum value and the dynamic minimum value can apply to the corresponding minimum value. For example, the corresponding minimum value can be a dynamic minimum value.

[0057] The notification may include operating instructions for filling / emptying the medium. The operating instructions may include information about the time workload of filling / emptying and / or information about how to perform the filling / emptying.

[0058] A consumption monitor may be created for a selection of the at least one machine based on the responsibility data. For example, if an operator is responsible for only one of the at least one machine, it is sufficient to enable the operator to access consumption monitors related only to that particular machine.

[0059] The responsibility data may include the responsibility of the operator. The operator may be responsible for one or more of the at least one machine of the filling line.

[0060] The responsibility data can be determined based on the identity of the operator with the aid of the detection data of the real-time clock. The data detected by the real-time clock can be accessed or accessible.

[0061] An apparatus for performing a method as described above or further described below is provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] For better understanding and description, the accompanying drawings exemplarily show aspects and / or embodiments of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 1 A block diagram for explaining a portion of the method is shown, and

[0064] Figure 2 An illustrative consumption monitor is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Figure 1 A block diagram for explaining a part of the method as described above is shown. As an example, a filling line 1 comprises three medium consuming machines 2, 4, 7. The first machine 2 consumes a first medium 3, the second machine 4 consumes a second medium 5 and a third medium 6, and the third machine 7 consumes a fourth medium 8 and a fifth medium 9. The actual amount 26 of the various media 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 can be determined. For the first medium, a first actual amount 27 can be obtained, for the second medium 5, a second actual amount 28 can be obtained, for the third medium 6, a third actual amount 29 can be obtained, for the fourth medium 8, a fourth actual amount 30 can be obtained, and for the fifth medium 9, a fifth actual amount 31 can be obtained.

[0066] The remaining operating time of the medium 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 can be determined based on the respective actual quantities 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 of the medium 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 and the context information 10 relating to the filling line 1 and the machines 2 , 4 , 7 .

[0067] The context information 10 may include current data 11 and planned data 12 of the filling line 1 , current data 13 and planned data 14 of the first machine 2 , current data 15 and planned data 16 of the second machine 4 and current data 17 and planned data 18 of the third machine 7 .

[0068] Furthermore, the context information 10 may comprise historical data 19 of the filling line 1 , historical data 20 of the first machine 2 , historical data of the second machine 4 and historical data of the third machine 7 .

[0069] Furthermore, the context information 10 may include priority data 23 relating to the first machine 2 , priority data 24 relating to the second machine 4 , and priority data 25 relating to the third machine 7 .

[0070] The remaining operating time 32 of the medium can be determined based on the respective actual quantities 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 of the medium 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and the context information 10 about the filling line 1 and the machines 2, 4, 7. For the first medium 3, a first remaining operating time 33 can be obtained, for the second medium 5, a second remaining operating time 34 can be obtained, for the third medium 6, a third remaining operating time 35 can be obtained, for the fourth medium 8, a fourth remaining operating time 36 can be obtained, and for the fifth medium 9, a fifth remaining operating time 37 can be obtained.

[0071] Figure 2 A schematic consumption monitor 38 is shown. It should be understood that the illustrations and / or texts given here are only exemplary and that other arrangements and configurations are also conceivable. In this respect, the consumption values ​​etc. shown are also only exemplary and do not limit the invention. In a first sub-area 39, the medium to be optionally filled is indicated, and in a second sub-area 40, the medium to be optionally emptied is indicated.

[0072] The first machine 41 consumes the first medium 42. Its actual amount is indicated as a value 43 of 48% and also as a range 44. The remaining operating time 45 is shown as 55:39 minutes. The actual amount is above the minimum value, so no marking is done as a filling is required.

[0073] The second machine 46 consumes the second medium 47. Its actual amount is indicated as a value 48 of 13% and also as a range 49. The remaining operating time 50 is shown as 20:54 minutes. The actual amount is below the minimum value, so there is a mark 51, here by a double underline of the value 48, because refilling is required. However, it can be seen from the first indication 60 of the consumption monitor 38 that production ends after 20 minutes, and from the second indication 61, it can be seen that refilling is not required. The remaining operating time 50 of the second medium 47 is greater than the duration until the end of production.

[0074] The third machine 52 consumes the third medium 53. Its actual amount is indicated as a value 54 of 86% and also as a range 55. The actual amount here represents, for example, the filling level of the waste container. The remaining operating time 56 is shown as 15:00 minutes. Due to the need for emptying, there is a mark 57, here by double underlining of the value 54.

[0075] The consumption monitor 38 gives a third indication 58 about the current production and a fourth indication 59 about the planned production, here giving by way of example the type of bottle.

Claims

1. A method for automatically determining consumption data of a medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) in a filling line (1), the method comprising at least one medium consumption machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52), wherein: The consumption data comprises an actual amount (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) of the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) and a remaining operating time (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 50, 56), wherein the method comprises: - determining an actual amount (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) of a medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) of said at least one machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52), - transmitting said actual quantity (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) to an external memory in a predetermined format via an edge device, - transferring context information (10) about the filling line and the at least one machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52) to the external memory via the edge device, - creating in an external memory a consumption monitor comprising said consumption data of said medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53), - determining a remaining operating time (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 50, 56) of the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) based on the actual amount (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) of the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) and the context information (10) about the filling line and the at least one machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52), - transmitting said consumption monitor to a display device, - displaying said consumption monitor via said display device, and - using the consumption data when operating the filling line (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The context information includes at least one of the following: - the time progress of the production orders in said filling line, - historical filling line and / or machine performance in said production order, - the planned filling line and / or machine performance in said production order, - giving priority to said at least one machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52) and / or said medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) in said production order, - the time workload for filling / emptying the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53), - The type of production order, such as the required medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) and / or the machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52) used in the filling line.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) includes at least one of the following: - preforms, -Label, -glue, - Clips, - snaps, -film, - Carton, -tray, - A holding volume, for example in a waste container.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The consumption monitor also includes at least one of the following: - specifying said at least one machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52), - specifying the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) consumed by said machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52), - specify the production orders to be executed in said filling line, - specify the production orders planned in said filling line, - specify whether filling / emptying of the medium is required during the execution of the production order (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53), -Specifies the time when the consumption monitor was last updated.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The consumption monitor for each medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53) comprises a corresponding display area for the consumption data of the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The display is performed via a central control station (eg a dashboard) and / or via a mobile terminal (eg a smartphone, a laptop and / or a tablet).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: When the actual amount (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) and / or the remaining operating time (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 50, 56) is lower than a corresponding minimum value, a notification is sent to a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone, a laptop and / or a tablet).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The notification includes operating instructions for filling / emptying the medium (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 42, 47, 53).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The minimum value is a dynamic minimum value.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: For the dynamic minimum, at least one of the following is considered: - the position of an operator of said filling line or the positions of a plurality of operators of said filling line, In this case, for example, the location of the operator can be determined by a mobile terminal and / or an ID token and / or a tablet and / or a smart watch respectively assigned to the operator, - Number of operators of the filling equipment, - the availability of one or more operators of the filling plant, - the actual amount of the medium is determined in such a way that the remaining operating time for filling or emptying ensures continuous operation of the filling line, - Average time used for filling / emptying.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising calculating the minimum value or the dynamic minimum value, wherein: For example, the calculation takes place in an external memory.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The creation of the consumption monitor for selecting the at least one machine (2, 4, 7, 41, 46, 52) is based on responsibility data.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The responsibility data includes the responsibility of the operator.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: Determining the responsibility data based on the identity of the operator is based on detection data of a real-time clock.

15. An apparatus for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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