Method for controlling a container treatment system and device comprising a container treatment system and a control device for performing the method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a container treatment system and a device comprising a container treatment system and a control device for carrying out the method. The invention relates to a method for controlling a container handling system, such as a blow molding machine (7), for producing containers from preforms, in which the method comprises: providing a main agent (3) comprising a plurality of sub-agents (4, 5, 6), in which each sub-agent (4, 5, 6) is assigned a container type or a preform, in which each sub-agent (4, 5, 6) is assigned a container type or a preform for each sub-agent (4, 5, 6); 6) providing a set of target parameters for controlling the container processing system and a set of target values for the controlled variables; determining the characteristics of the preform; evaluating the result (2) of the determination and automatically selecting, on the basis of the evaluation, a respective one of the plurality of sub-agents (4, 5, 6); and controlling the container processing system using the respective sub-agents (4, 5, 6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling a container treatment system and to an arrangement comprising a container treatment system and a control device for carrying out the method. Background Art

[0002] It is known to conduct a separate statistical experimental design DoE (Design of Experiment) for each combination of PET preforms and PET containers. In the statistical experimental design, a basis for agent training can be constructed for the corresponding combination of PET preforms and PET containers. The agent can be trained and learn all parameter settings of the blow molding machine and their influence on the corresponding combination of PET preforms and PET containers so that it can use them later. Summary of the invention

[0003] Purpose

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a container treatment system and a device comprising a container treatment system and a control device for carrying out the method, which method and the device enable efficient use of agents for parameter settings of the container treatment system.

[0005] Solution

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for controlling a container treatment system and a device comprising a container treatment system and a control device for carrying out the method. Other objects are achieved by further embodiments.

[0007] According to the method for controlling a container processing system of the present invention, the container processing system is used to make a preform (such as a PET preform or a preform containing fibers) into a container (such as a PET container or a container containing fibers), the method comprising: providing a main agent including a plurality of sub-agents, wherein each sub-agent is assigned a container type or a preform, wherein each sub-agent is provided with a set of target parameter sets and a set of target values ​​of controlled variables for controlling the container processing system; making a determination of the characteristics of the preform; evaluating the result of the determination and automatically selecting a corresponding sub-agent from the plurality of sub-agents based on the evaluation; and using the corresponding sub-agent to control the container processing system.

[0008] The container handling system may be or may include a device for producing preforms (eg an injection molding machine), a heating device for preforms, a stretch blow molding machine, a filling machine and / or other units of a complete production line (eg a washing machine, a labeling machine).

[0009] The preform may be manufactured by a machine for manufacturing preforms, such as an injection molding machine.

[0010] The controlled variables may include characteristic values ​​of the wall thickness, light transmittance and / or the geometry of the container bottom.

[0011] For light transmittance, the transmittance value and / or the degree of transmittance of electromagnetic radiation may be measured. For example, light or infrared radiation may be used.

[0012] The wall thickness may be the wall thickness of the container.

[0013] The subagent can be viewed as a program in artificial intelligence (AI) that can make decisions or perform services based on the results of infrared absorption measurements.

[0014] The subagents may independently control the container handling system. To select the correct subagent, one or more characteristics of the preform and / or container may be used.

[0015] AI can control the heating and blowing process. For example, the subagent can adjust the light transmittance as a measured variable of the manufactured container to a target value by means of a control decision. For control purposes, the pre-blowing time point can be used, for which, for example, the pre-blowing pressure and / or the heating zone setting can also be used.

[0016] By setting up multiple sub-agents in the main agent, the container handling system can be flexibly controlled for different preforms, which can be achieved through the corresponding sub-agents.

[0017] A master agent may be viewed as a plurality of sub-agents, from which a sub-agent may be selected that best suits one or more characteristics of the preform and / or container.

[0018] The container may be a bottle.

[0019] The determination of the property may comprise the determination of a single property of the preform or of a plurality of properties of the preform. When determining a plurality of properties, one type of measurement or different types of measurements may be used. The type of measurement may be an infrared absorption measurement or a camera recording (one or more images or videos).

[0020] The determination of the properties of the preform can be performed using measurements such as infrared absorption measurements. Furthermore, the measurements can be performed with the aid of a camera capable of taking one or more images or a sequence of images (e.g. a video). The determination of the properties of the preform can be performed online or offline.

[0021] By using corresponding subagents to control the container processing system, it is possible to achieve for preforms with determined properties an optimum result for the containers produced from these preforms in the container processing system.

[0022] The results of the determination of the characteristics of the preform may include at least one of the following:

[0023] - the composition of the preform, e.g. the proportion of recycled material and / or the proportion of new material,

[0024] - the geometry of the preform,

[0025] a code on the preform, for example the code is provided on the preform in the injection mould used to produce the preform,

[0026] - a barcode on the preform, from which it is possible to deduce, for example, the batch from which the preform comes,

[0027] - the manufacturer of the preform,

[0028] - the infrared absorption level of the preform,

[0029] - moisture content of the preform,

[0030] - the quality of the preform,

[0031] - Temperature at different locations on the preform.

[0032] For example, infrared absorption measurements may be used to determine the composition of a preform as a property.

[0033] The geometry and / or the code and / or the barcode can be determined by a camera. The manufacturer of the preform can be read from a process database in which the manufacturer of the preform can be stored.

[0034] The determination of the properties of the preforms can be carried out in a feed device for the preforms and / or before heating the preforms. The feed device can include downwardly inclined guide grooves for the preforms. For example, the determination of the properties of the preforms can be carried out in a feed star device in front of the furnace, for example in a sawtooth star device.

[0035] Alternatively, the determination of the properties of the preforms can take place in the machine for producing the preforms, for example in an injection molding machine, or between the machine for producing the preforms and a stretch blow molding machine.

[0036] The container type can be determined by at least one of the following:

[0037] - volumetric dimensions of the container,

[0038] - the weight of the container,

[0039] - the composition of the container, e.g. the proportion of recycled material and / or the proportion of new material,

[0040] - the geometry of the container,

[0041] - a closure arranged on the container,

[0042] - by filling the product into the container,

[0043] - By means of a label placed on the container.

[0044] The infrared absorption measurement of the preform can be performed with the aid of an infrared absorption value sensor. Additionally, the moisture content of the preform can be measured with the aid of infrared technology.

[0045] At least two of the sub-agents may be constructed based on statistical experimental design DoE (Design of Experiment), respectively.

[0046] Additional sub-agents may be constructed and added to the plurality of sub-agents by combining at least two of the statistical experimental designs.

[0047] By combining different statistical experimental designs, it can be achieved that only new statistical experimental designs need to be performed for unknown aspects of new container types. For example, the master agent or the subagent can be used in an artificial intelligence (AI) that controls not only a stretch blow molding process but also a manufacturing process of preforms in a machine for manufacturing preforms. The machine for manufacturing preforms can include an injection molding machine and the manufacturing process can be an injection molding process.

[0048] The target parameter set may include at least one of the following:

[0049] - Pre-blow molding start time,

[0050] - the blowing pressure or the time dependence of the blowing pressure,

[0051] - the stretching time of the stretching process of the preform using the stretching rod,

[0052] - The temperature curve of the oven,

[0053] - Curves for given target values ​​of wall thickness and / or light transmittance.

[0054] The oven may be or may include an IR oven (infrared oven), a microwave oven or a laser oven.The oven may be used to heat the preform.

[0055] Target parameters for the oven that may be included in the target parameter set may include:

[0056] - IR emitter power (in IR oven),

[0057] - cooling in the oven (in IR ovens),

[0058] - Position of sliding elements (in microwave ovens).

[0059] Furthermore, an apparatus is provided, which comprises a container handling system and a control device for carrying out a method as described above or below.

[0060] The device may further comprise a feed device for the preforms. The feed device may comprise a downwardly inclined guide trough for the preforms.

[0061] The device may also include an infrared absorption value sensor. With the aid of the infrared absorption value sensor, the properties of the preform can be determined.

[0062] The infrared absorption value sensor can be arranged in the feeding device.

[0063] The device can also include a camera. The camera can be used to determine the properties of the preform.

[0064] The device may also include a moisture content sensor.

[0065] The moisture content sensor can be arranged in the feed device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] For better understanding and explanation, the accompanying drawings exemplarily show various aspects and / or embodiments of the present invention. Among them:

[0067] Figure 1 A block diagram of a method for controlling a blow-moulding machine (7) for forming preforms into containers is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Figure 1 The block diagram shows a method for controlling a container treatment system, which is designed here by way of example as a blow moulding machine 7 for forming preforms into containers.

[0069] In order to determine the characteristics of the preforms to be delivered to the blow molding machine 7 for manufacturing containers, an infrared absorption value sensor 1 and a camera 8 are provided. The camera 8 can take one or more images or image sequences (e.g., videos) of the preforms or at least a portion thereof. Here, the characteristics can be determined by the infrared absorption value sensor 1 or the camera 8. When determining multiple characteristics, the infrared absorption value sensor 1 and / or the camera 8 can be used. The manufacturer of the preform can also be determined, for example, by reading out corresponding data from a process database 9 (in which the manufacturer of the preforms can be stored).

[0070] Thus, a characteristic of the preform can be determined, wherein a plurality of characteristics can also be determined. The result 2 of the characteristic determination is evaluated so that the corresponding subagent 4, 5, 6 can be automatically selected based on the characteristic. With the aid of the infrared absorption value sensor 1, characteristics such as the composition of the preform, for example the proportion of recycled material and / or the proportion of new material, can be determined. With the aid of the camera 8, characteristics such as the geometry of the preform, a code on the preform (for example, the code is provided on the preform in the injection mold for producing the preform), and / or a barcode on the preform (for example, the batch from which the preform comes can be inferred from the barcode) can be determined.

[0071] In order to be able to select the corresponding subagent 4, 5, 6, i.e. the subagent 4, 5, 6 that is closest to the characteristic, the determination result is fed to the main agent 3, which includes a plurality of subagents 4, 5, 6. As indicated by the dots, the main agent 3 may also include more subagents than the three subagents 4, 5, 6 shown. Each subagent 4, 5, 6 is assigned a container type, wherein a target parameter set for controlling the blow molding machine 7 is provided for each subagent 4, 5, 6. The container type may be indicated by the volume size of the container, the weight of the container, the composition of the container (e.g. the proportion of recycled material and / or the proportion of new material), the geometry of the container, the closure arranged on the container, by the product to be filled into the container and / or by a label to be placed on the container. The container type can be determined based on the result 2. The result 2 and the characteristics of the preform may be needed in order to select a suitable target parameter set for controlling the blow molding machine 7, which target parameter set may be stored in one of the subagents 4, 5, 6. The characteristics of the container may determine the correct subagent just like the characteristics of the preform. Therefore, the sum of the characteristics of the preform and the container can determine the correct sub-agent.

[0072] exist Figure 1 , the first subagent 4 is automatically selected based on the results; this is indicated by the thicker line in the box representing the first subagent 4.

[0073] The first subagent 4 is used to control the blow molding machine 7. The target parameter set of the first subagent 4 may include the pre-blowing start time and / or the blowing pressure or the time dependency of the blowing pressure and / or the stretching time point of the stretching process of the preform using a stretch rod. This target parameter set is then used to make the preform into a container in the blow molding machine 7. Thus, a target parameter set suitable for the preform is used to obtain the desired container as the final product after manufacturing in the blow molding machine 7.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a container processing system, such as a blow molding machine (7), for forming preforms, such as PET preforms or preforms containing fibers, into containers, such as PET containers or containers containing fibers, wherein the method comprises: - providing a master agent (3) comprising a plurality of subagents (4, 5, 6), wherein each of said subagents (4, 5, 6) is assigned a container type or a preform, wherein a set of target parameter sets and a set of target values ​​of controlled variables for controlling said container handling system is provided for each of said subagents (4, 5, 6), - carrying out determination of properties of the preform, for example by measurements such as infrared absorption measurements, - evaluating a result of said determination (2) and automatically selecting a corresponding subagent (4, 5, 6) of said plurality of subagents (4, 5, 6) based on said evaluation, - using said corresponding subagent (4, 5, 6) to control said container handling system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the result (2) of the property determination of the preform comprises at least one of the following: - the composition of the preform, for example the proportion of recycled material and / or the proportion of new material, - the geometry of the preform, a code on the preform, for example the code is provided on the preform in the injection mould used to manufacture the preform, a barcode on the preform, from which, for example, the batch from which the preform comes can be deduced, - the manufacturer of the preform, - the infrared absorption level of the preform, - the moisture content of the preform, - the quality of the preform, - The temperature at different locations on the preform.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination of the properties of the preforms is carried out in a feed device for the preforms and / or before heating the preforms.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container type is determined by at least one of the following: - the volumetric dimensions of the container, - the weight of the container, - the composition of the container, for example the proportion of recycled material and / or the proportion of new material, - the geometry of the container, - a closure arranged on the container, - by filling the product into said container, - by a label placed on said container.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the infrared absorption measurement of the preform is performed by means of an infrared absorption value sensor (1).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two of the sub-agents (4, 5, 6) are constructed based on statistical experimental design (DoE), respectively.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the additional sub-agents (4, 5, 6) are constructed and added to the plurality of sub-agents (4, 5, 6) by a combination of at least two of the statistical experimental designs.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the target parameter set comprises at least one of the following: - Pre-blow molding start time, - the blowing pressure or the time dependency of said blowing pressure, - the stretching time of the stretching process of the preform using the stretching rod, - The temperature curve of the oven, - Curves for given target values ​​of wall thickness and / or light transmittance.

9. An apparatus comprising a container handling system, for example a blow moulding machine (7), and a control device for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising a feed device for the preforms.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising an infrared absorption value sensor (1).

12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the infrared absorption value sensor (1) is arranged in the feeding device.

13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising a camera.

14. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising a moisture content sensor.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the moisture content sensor is arranged in the feeding device.

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