production machine

Abstract

Production machine (100) with various sections (1, 1', 1'') with components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') arranged in the sections (1, 1', 1''), with detection means (3) with which a connection of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') to the production machine (100), a location of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') within the various sections (1, 1', 1'') of the production machine (100) and / or an identity of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') can be automatically detected, wherein the detection means (3) comprise an electronic circuit (3a) which is operatively connected to an optical re-input device (4) which, with the aid of the detection means (3), is designed to display the connection, the location and / or the identity of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2'''). wherein the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') are adhesive application valves (2a), pumps and / or hot melt devices.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a production machine with different sections and with components arranged in the sections.

[0002] Such a production machine is already known, for example, from EP 1 001 878 B1.

[0003] The ever-increasing demands for production flexibility and product quality control mean that more and more components are being connected to a production machine. The operator runs the risk of losing track of whether and where a component is integrated into the production machine. This confusion can, for example, lead to an operator accidentally activating the wrong adhesive application valve, because they assumed it was located at a specific point in the production machine. In the simplest case, this can cause the production machine to become massively contaminated, leading to downtime and extensive cleaning effort. Or the operator could assign the wrong adhesive sample to an adhesive application valve. This can lead to massive customer complaints and the return of entire production runs, since the faulty adhesive application is not always immediately detectable after the adhesive layers have been joined.In addition to the economic loss, there is also a loss of reputation. Incorrectly controlling an adhesive application valve may also have safety implications. For example, if an adhesive application valve is controlled while a person is in the danger zone, the high pressure of the escaping adhesive jet can cause skin injuries or loss of eyesight. With hot melt adhesive application valves, there is also the risk of scalding from the hot melt.

[0004] US 2007 07 89 80 A1 describes a control system constructed over a network, in which a system configuration can be changed quickly. The control system comprises a plurality of system component nodes, each of which has a communication section and, when connected to the network, a unique global address. Attribute information about these nodes and information about the location of the installation are transmitted to the network. Furthermore, management nodes are provided to monitor the system component nodes.

[0005] US 2009 / 0292996 A1 relates generally to a process control system and more particularly to a system and method for accessing and displaying health information for a field device of a process control system

[0006] DE 199 38 490 A1 deals with the task of improving the diagnostic capabilities of a system and solves this by allowing a system diagram to be compiled by selecting the relevant component.

[0007] The invention aims to create a production machine that is improved with regard to the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] This object is achieved by the production machine set out in claim 1.

[0009] The production machine according to the invention has various sections. It is preferably divided into different sections. The production machine has components arranged in the sections. Identification and / or localization means are provided that automatically detect the identity of the components connected to the production machine. The identification and / or localization means comprise an electronic circuit. The identification and / or localization means are operatively connected to an optical display device. The optical display device is suitable for displaying the identity and / or localization of the components using the identification and / or localization means.

[0010] In this way, an operator can always know whether a component is connected and where it is located on the production machine. This creates a prerequisite for facilitating control of the production machine. The optical display device preferably provides a visual display of the components, which more preferably indicates the identity and / or location of the components.

[0011] In one embodiment, the identity of the components determines the type of component, for example, that the component is an application valve. In a preferred embodiment, the identity of the component is linked to a unique identification of the component, for example, the application valve located second in the production machine in the direction of product flow.

[0012] The identification and / or localization means are also referred to in this document as detection means. The electronic circuit may comprise an integrated circuit or be formed thereby. The production machine advantageously comprises a data processing system, and the electronic circuit is preferably part of this system and can advantageously also be referred to as hardware. The production machine advantageously comprises a routine or a program, preferably software, that interacts with the electronic circuit. A routine or a program, preferably software, is advantageously provided to provide the optical display.

[0013] The optical display device advantageously comprises a screen. The screen is advantageously equipped as an operating screen. It further preferably comprises a touchscreen and very particularly preferably a multi-touchscreen. The screen advantageously allows operation by a user touching the screen with a finger and then moving the finger across the screen. The operating screen preferably allows operation via drag and drop. This means that a display can be touched with a finger, moved, and released again at a different location on the screen by ending the touch. The moved display is then positioned at a different location on the screen. In one embodiment, the possibility of positioning is limited to certain screen areas.

[0014] These can be called containers and can contain certain ads.

[0015] The terms “facility” and “device” are used synonymously in this publication.

[0016] The optical display of the components advantageously comprises or is formed by a component symbol. In the context of this document, the term "component symbol" refers to a representative image of a component. The optical display device advantageously shows several component symbols. Preferably, the optical display device shows a representative component symbol for each type of component, so that it is advantageously possible to recognize at a glance which component is involved. In the case of adhesive application valves, for example, a distinction can be made between dot and line valves, and / or between cold and hot melt valves. In the case of sensors, a distinction can be made, for example, between sensors for mixing control and sensors for adhesive monitoring.

[0017] The machine advantageously includes transport means by which the products to be manufactured can be transported through the various stages. During production, a product to be manufactured therefore advantageously passes through the various stages in a predetermined sequence.

[0018] The production machine preferably includes a control system. This control system can be used to control the components of the production machine.

[0019] The production machine is advantageously modular in design, i.e., it has features that allow its specific shape to be quickly changed depending on the product to be manufactured. These features can include standardized mechanical and / or electrical connections between the sections and / or connections between the sections to a control system.

[0020] To change the specific design of the packaging machine, the type and / or number of sections and / or the type and number of components of a section can preferably be changed.

[0021] The production machine advantageously includes a folding box gluing machine.

[0022] The production machine may also include a folding machine for folding printed sheets.

[0023] The sections can include processing stations or be formed by them. One or more processing steps can take place at each processing station. The sections can also be sections. The sections can also simply be a conceptual division, for example, by an operator. The production machine can include section markings.

[0024] The production machine advantageously includes one or more of the following components: - Adhesive application elements, preferably adhesive application valves - Sensors, for example edge or code sensors, - Cameras, for example for monitoring components of a printed image - Ejector - Pump - Hot melt devices.

[0025] Regardless of its specific design, the production machine has at least one or more of the components mentioned.

[0026] The ejectors can remove defective products from the production stream of the production machine.

[0027] The sensors can record quality characteristics of the product, e.g., a folding box or corrugated board blank or a printed product, evaluate the measurement results, and transmit the evaluation results to the control system. These can therefore be so-called intelligent or smart sensors, in which the evaluation of the recorded data, for example, a comparison with a target value, takes place entirely within the sensor. The sensor can then, for example, only report the error status back to the control system. In another embodiment, the sensor or camera transmits all measurement or image data to the control system, and the data is evaluated within the control system.

[0028] In the embodiment in which the production machine comprises a folding box gluing machine, this is preferably used to produce folding boxes, advantageously from blanks. The sections can be formed by processing stations through which the product to be manufactured, preferably the blanks or boxes, advantageously pass one after the other. The first processing station can be a so-called feeder, in which the blanks can be pulled one after the other from a stack, preferably at high speed. A so-called pre-breaker can be provided as a further processing station, which advantageously folds the folding flaps back and forth before adhesive is applied, so that the corresponding longitudinal creasing lines are made flexible by bending them by 180°. A so-called folding station can be provided as a further processing station.At the beginning of the conveyor, an application unit for adhesive, usually glue, preferably hot melt, is advantageously arranged. The adhesive application unit advantageously comprises an application valve. The blanks provided with an adhesive strip are preferably folded by 180° in the folding station to create an adhesive bond. A so-called transfer station can be provided as a further processing station, in which the boxes can be counted, marked, and, if defective, removed. Some processing stations, in particular a folding and transfer station, can be provided multiple times. A turning station can be provided, in which the folding boxes are rotated about their own axis to then be fed to further processing steps.Each processing station advantageously has means for adapting to the respective task by varying the type and number of components arranged in the processing station. Therefore, all or individual processing stations advantageously have a plurality of interfaces for quickly connecting components. These interfaces can be component slots.

[0029] In the embodiment in which the production machine comprises a folding machine, in particular for folding printed sheets, a folding station, a collating station, and a station for applicating dispensed products are advantageously provided as processing stations. Instead of a folder-gluer or a folding machine for folding printed sheets, the production machine can comprise any machine for further processing paper or cardboard blanks for the purpose of producing packaging, a printed product, a sack or bag, and similar products.

[0030] The detection means advantageously comprise component identification means. These advantageously comprise a communication device on the components, preferably a communication device on the electronic circuit, and preferably an operative connection between these communication devices.

[0031] The electronic circuit of the detection device can specifically query the components, for example, through data communication or signal exchange, and thus determine which components are connected. This can be achieved, for example, by a component, such as an intelligent sensor, automatically sending a signal to the electronic circuit of the detection device when the production machine is started, thus identifying itself, or by the electronic circuit of the detection device requesting the component, such as a sensor, to identify itself when the production machine is started.

[0032] The communication devices advantageously include devices for communication and for processing the signals to be sent and / or received.

[0033] The components are advantageously operatively connected to the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit advantageously checks the connection or terminal and, if a component is connected, preferably determines the type of component and advantageously causes a component symbol to be displayed on the optical playback device. The query for the connected components can occur cyclically, during initialization, or can be triggered by a user input on the optical playback device. The components advantageously comprise data carriers that can contain production data and a component identifier. The data carriers are preferably operatively connected to the communication means of the components. The data carrier can, for example, comprise a memory chip. A connected component can be identified via this data carrier.

[0034] The detection means advantageously comprise means for automatically detecting the sections. In one embodiment, the automatic detection of the sections includes detecting the section type, for example folding station or insert. In a preferred embodiment, the automatic detection of the sections includes the unique identification of each section, for example the folding station arranged first in the product flow direction. Advantageously, the automatic detection of the sections includes their location, for example their location relative to one another. Thus, it is preferable not only to detect which type of processing station or which processing stations are present, but preferably also how these are arranged relative to one another, in particular in the product flow direction.

[0035] The means for automatically detecting the sections advantageously comprise distributors assigned to the sections. The distributors can each include a connection box. The distributors can also be referred to as station distributors. The components can advantageously be connected to the distributors.

[0036] The means for automatically detecting the sections advantageously comprise distributor identification inputs of the electronic circuit, to which the associated distributors are operatively connected. The distributors can thus be connected to the electronic circuit via distributor identification inputs. The electronic circuit advantageously automatically assigns a distributor connected to a specific distributor identification input to a specific section. The distributor identification inputs are advantageously configurable, meaning their assignment is advantageously changeable. The distributors can be identified by routing the connecting cables from the distributors to the electronic circuit to specific, preferably configurable, inputs of the electronic circuit, preferably distributor identification inputs.

[0037] In one embodiment, the means for automatically detecting the sections comprise a communication device on the distributors, as well as preferably a communication device on the electronic circuit, and preferably an operative connection between these communication devices. The distributors can then either send a signal or data to the electronic circuit of the detection means, or they can be interrogated by it.

[0038] The optical display device advantageously creates a visual display of the sections. This display advantageously includes or is formed by a section symbol. In this document, the term "section symbol" refers to a representative image of a section. The optical display device advantageously displays several section symbols.

[0039] The detection means advantageously comprise means for automatically locating the components. These means for automatically locating the components advantageously comprise the distributors assigned to the sections, to which the components arranged in the respective section are preferably connected.

[0040] Preferably, each section of the production machine is assigned a distributor. All components of the processing station at which it is located are preferably connected to each distributor. The distributor can have an evaluation unit that checks which components are connected to the distributor. Since the distributor is assigned to a section, the detection means can locate the components. Advantageously, the optical display device provides a visual display of the located components. The optical display device can, for example, display a symbol for each component that is assigned to the symbol of the section at which the component is located.

[0041] The advantage for the operator is that they can see at a glance which components are installed in which section and which components are not yet installed or assigned. This significantly reduces the risk of operating errors due to accidentally selecting components. The operator can see at a glance whether they need to connect further components, for example if the number of components on the configuration page is not sufficient. They can also see at a glance whether signal connections to the components are defective or whether a component is not connected correctly. In this case, this component is advantageously not displayed on the screen. The location of the components preferably means their assignment to the sections.As production machines become ever longer and more complex, knowing whether a component is connected and where it is located on the production machine also has the advantage of allowing the operator to know where the respective component is currently located. If a conversion to a different location becomes necessary, the operator can conveniently go to the specific installation location on the machine, remove the component, and then reinstall it at a different location on the production machine. This reduces the search effort, and conversion can therefore be completed more quickly. The optical display device preferably shows the sections, or more precisely, their symbols, preferably with automatically assigned components.

[0042] In one embodiment, the production machine has tools for manually detecting the sections. In this embodiment, means for automatically detecting the sections can be dispensed with. These tools preferably comprise the optical display device displaying various sections from which the operator can select the sections that the production machine actually has at the corresponding time. These sections can advantageously be put into the correct order by the operator, i.e., into the order in which they are actually arranged in the production machine, advantageously with respect to the product flow direction. In this embodiment, tools are therefore provided for manually creating a digital image of the sections.In other words, to make their work easier and to simplify the allocation of the individual installed components, the operator can create a schematic image of the production machine on the optical display device from a pool of symbols that represent the typical sections, such as processing stations. To do this, the operator can drag and drop the symbols of the individual processing stations from a symbol container in the desired sequence of processing steps in the production machine into a workspace that represents the production machine - preferably using drag and drop. The operator preferably also has the option of defining or importing their own symbols. If necessary, they can advantageously label these sections, such as stations, or store notes on the individual sections, for example in a recallable memo field.

[0043] Advantageously, the selected sections are automatically arranged in the correct order along the production flow. They can also be rearranged by the operator – preferably via drag and drop. This allows the operator to create a schematic representation of the production machine, which can then be easily adapted for future expansions or changes.

[0044] The acquisition means, in conjunction with the optical display device, advantageously enable the creation of a schematic representation of the production machine. This step is typically performed once during the initial setup of the system.

[0045] In one embodiment, the production machine has means for manually locating the components, which further preferably include the ability of the operator to manually assign the displays of the automatically detected components on the optical display device—preferably via drag and drop—to the sections also displayed on the optical display device. Advantageously, the component symbols are thus assignable to the section symbols. The component symbols can advantageously be dragged and dropped onto the individual sections by the operator. In this embodiment, means for automatically locating the components can be dispensed with.

[0046] The controller advantageously has operating elements or is operatively connected to operating elements. In one embodiment, the operating elements comprise the display of the components and / or the sections. The displays of the components and / or the sections can serve as operating elements. The operator can therefore, for example, tap a symbol of a section or a symbol of a component on the optical display device, which shows the sections of the production machine in the correct order and shows the components of the production machine assigned to the respective sections. This can, for example, open an operating screen that allows the selected component to be controlled - for example by tapping the displayed operating elements again. The controller can be the main controller of the production machine. The electronic circuit can be part of this controller.

[0047] The effective connection of all the communication devices mentioned can be wired or wireless.

[0048] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a production machine according to the invention, Fig. 2 an optical reproduction device of a second embodiment of a production machine according to the invention.

[0049] The production machine designated as a whole with 100 is, in the exemplary embodiments shown, a folding box gluing machine designated as a whole with 200.

[0050] It has three sections 1, 1', 1''. Each section is formed by a processing station 1a, 1a', 1a''.

[0051] The arrow P symbolizes the product flow direction. It is defined by means of transport, more precisely a transport device 6, by means of which the products to be manufactured can be transported through the various sections. The product flow direction runs in Fig. 1 from left to right. The first processing station is a so-called inserter 1b. The second processing station is a folding station 1c, which is preceded by an adhesive application device, which in the illustrated embodiment includes an adhesive application valve 2a. The third processing station is a collecting and pressing station 1d.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the folding box gluing machine 200 has four components 2, 2', 2'', 2'''. A peeling device 2b is assigned to the first processing station 1a as component 2. The folding station has two components 2', 2'', namely an adhesive application valve 2a and a folding device 2c. The collecting and pressing station has a collecting and pressing device 2d as a component. A stack of blanks 11 to be processed is indicated in the feeder 1b. An imbricated stream of processed blanks 11 is indicated in the collecting and pressing station 1d. The production machine 100 comprises a controller 7. Using this controller, the application valve 2a, for example, can be controlled.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiments, the optical display device 4 is formed by a screen 4a. This provides a display 13, 13', 13'' of the sections, more precisely, it displays section symbols. Furthermore, the screen provides a display 12, 12', 12'', 12''' of the components, more precisely, it displays component symbols.

[0054] In the first embodiment, each processing station 1a, 1a', 1a'' is assigned exactly one distributor 8, 8', 8''. The components of the respective processing station are connected to the distributor. In both embodiments shown, the production machine 100 has detection means 3. These comprise an electronic circuit 3a. The electronic circuit 3a of the detection means 3 is part of the control system 7 of the production machine 100.

[0055] The detection means 3 comprise component identification means 3b for automatically detecting the identity of the components 2, 2', 2'', 2''' connected to the production machine 100. These include communication devices 2e, 2e', 2e'', 2e''' on the components, communication devices 5 on the electronic circuit for component identification, and an active connection 15. In the example shown, the latter is an electrical connection between these communication devices. With the aid of these communication devices and the electrical connection, the controller 7 can specifically query which components are connected via data communication. In this way, it automatically detects the identity of the components connected to the production machine.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the detection means 3 are also capable of automatically detecting the connected sections 1, 1', 1'' by means 3c for automatically detecting the sections. For this purpose, the detection means 3, more precisely the electronic circuit 3a, has distributor identification inputs 9, 9', 9''. It therefore has inputs that are each assigned to a specific processing station. For this purpose, the electronic circuit and / or software of the electronic circuit 3a can be designed such that when a distributor 8'' is connected to the Fig. 1, the distributor identification input 9 shown at the top is always treated as a distributor of a collecting and pressing station 1d. In the illustrated embodiment, each distributor 8, 8', 8'' has an evaluation unit that checks which components 2, 2', 2'', 2''' are connected to it.

[0057] In the first embodiment shown, the production machine 100 comprises means 10 for automatically assigning the components 2, 2', 2'', 2''' to the sections. These means comprise connecting the components via the distributors 8, 8', 8'' arranged at the sections. Since the distributors are assigned to a section 1, 1', 1'', the detection means 3 can assign the components 2, 2', 2'', 2''' to the individual sections. The optical display device 4 clearly indicates the positioning of the individual components 2, 2', 2'', 2''' in the production machine 100 without requiring manual configuration by the operator.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the section symbols are automatically displayed in the correct order.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the component symbols are shown in the automatically determined correct assignment to the section symbols.

[0060] Instead of detecting the sections using the distributor identification inputs, both the distributors and the electronic circuit can each comprise communication devices that are operatively connected to each other.

[0061] Fig. Figure 1 also shows that the electronic circuit 3a has additional distributor identification inputs 9''', which are not occupied in the shown configuration of the production machine 100. Should a production change require additional processing stations, these additional inputs can be used.

[0062] Fig. Figure 2 shows the screen 4a of a second embodiment at the beginning of a setup process. In the embodiment of the Fig. 2 the screen is shown, the production machine 100 has, unlike the one shown in Fig. 1, no means 3c for automatically detecting the sections and no means 3d for automatically locating the components. Only the components 2, 2', 2'', 2''' that are connected are automatically detected. Therefore, in order to create a representative image of the production machine 100, the operator must first determine which sections the production machine has and in which order. The production machine 100 (not shown) of this second embodiment has component identification means 3b for automatically identifying the components, which, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 shown embodiment. The screen 4a creates a display 12, 12', 12'', 12''' of these automatically identified components (in Fig. 2 bottom left). More precisely, it shows representative symbols of the automatically identified components. The screen 4a has three containers C1, C2, C3, in which it is possible to influence a symbol with the finger. The displays 12, 12', 12'', 12''' of the automatically detected components are initially arranged in a symbol container C2. In a further symbol container C1, the screen 4a shows a supply of displays 13, 13', 13'', 13''' of typical sections of the production machine 100. These are also representative symbols. The operator can first select the correct, i.e. actually connected, displays 13, 13', 13'' from the supply of section displays and arrange them in the correct order in the further container C3 of the optical display device 4. In the supply of displays of typical sections of the production machine 100, as shown in Fig. 2, for example, also contain a display 13''' of a transfer station, which is not required in the current configuration of the exemplary production machine 100. He can then manually arrange the manually selected displays 13, 13', 13'' in the correct order in another container C3. He can then manually assign the displays of the automatically identified components to the displays of the sections. The operator has then created a schematic representation of the production machine in at least a predominantly manual manner.

[0063] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, this happened automatically.

[0064] The displays 12, 12', 12'', 12''' of the components can serve as control elements 14, 14', 14'', 14'''.

Claims

[1] Production machine (100) with various sections (1, 1', 1'') with components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') arranged in the sections (1, 1', 1''), with detection means (3) with which a connection of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') to the production machine (100), a location of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') within the various sections (1, 1', 1'') of the production machine (100) and / or an identity of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') can be automatically detected, wherein the detection means (3) comprise an electronic circuit (3a) which is operatively connected to an optical re-input device (4) which, with the aid of the detection means (3), is able to display the connection, the location and / or the identity of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2'''), wherein the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') are adhesive application valves (2a), pumps and / or hot melt devices. [2] Production machine (100) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') comprise a data carrier on which production data and a component identification are contained. [3] Production machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic circuit (3a) is designed to query the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') by data communication or via signal exchange in order to determine the connected components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') in the production machine (100). [4] Production machine (100) according to claim 3, characterized by that the query of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') takes place cyclically, during the initialization of the production machine (100) or after detection of a user input on the optical playback device (4). [5] Production machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') have detection means (3) for automatically detecting the identity of the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') component identification means (3b) which comprise a communication device (2e, 2e', 2e'', 2e''') on the components, a communication device (17) on the electronic circuit (3a) and an operative connection (15) of these communication devices. [6] Production machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a representative image of the component (2, 2', 2'', 2''') detected by means of the detection means (3) in the production machine (100) can be displayed with the optical reproduction device (4). [7] Production machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection means (3) comprise means (3c) for automatically detecting the sections (1, 1', 1''). [8] Production machine (100) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the means (3c) for automatically detecting the sections (1, 1', 1'') comprise distributors (8, 8', 8'') assigned to the sections (1, 1', 1''). [9] Production machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection means (3) have means (3d) for automatically locating the components (2, 2', 2'', 2'''), which comprise distributors (8, 8', 8'') assigned to the sections (1, 1', 1''), to which the components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') arranged in the respective section (1, 1', 1'') are connected. [10] Production machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the optical display device (4) displays various sections (1, 1', 1'') and the production machine (100) has aids for manually locating the components (2, 2', 2'', 2'''), which comprise that the display (12, 12', 12'', 12''') of the automatically detected components (2, 2', 2'', 2''') on the optical display device (4) can be manually assigned by the operator - preferably by drag and drop - to the displayed sections (1, 1', 1'').

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