TOOL POSITIONING WHEN MACHINING HOSE PIECES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for processing hose sections.

[0002] Publication EP 1 892 086 A2 discloses a generic system and a generic method for processing hose sections.

[0003] For the production of paper bags, and especially for the production of the bottoms of paper bags, so-called paper bottom layers are widely used today, in which pieces of paper tubing are fitted with a suitable bottom. It is known to use double belt conveyors in paper bottom layers to transport the tubing pieces. Such double belt conveyors consist of two flat belts running against each other, between which the individual tubing pieces are guided and fed to individual processing stations. In this way, the tubing pieces can be transported in an aligned manner along the individual processing devices.

[0004] The correct alignment of the hose sections is of particular importance. This is primarily because the correct processing depends on the positioning of the hose sections within the transport system. For example, a valve label, tag, or similar marking must be attached or applied to the correct position on the passing hose. If hose sections are mispositioned, the product may be damaged by the tools, and / or the attached valve labels, cover sheets, or similar markings may be applied to the product with an incorrect positioning. These incorrectly processed hose sections are generally unusable and must be disposed of, which represents a significant cost factor in large-scale production.

[0005] According to current technology, this problem is solved by conducting regular quality checks on finished bags. During quality control, any deviation from the target position is checked, and if a deviation is detected, the processing stations are repositioned.

[0006] A disadvantage of this method, however, is that quality control can only be carried out on a sample basis. Therefore, it is often only after a number of processed hose sections have been produced that a misposition of hose sections is detected, meaning that a large number of defective hose sections may already have been manufactured. This is particularly disadvantageous for expensive products, as the higher production costs mean that considerable damage has already occurred.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a method and a system for processing hose sections which achieve higher productivity compared to known methods or systems with the same product quality.

[0008] The foregoing problem is solved by a system with the features of the independent system claim and by a method with the features of the independent method claim. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the system according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always includes, or allows for, reciprocal reference.

[0009] According to the invention, a system for processing hose sections is provided, comprising at least one transport device for transporting hose sections, at least one processing station with at least one processing means for processing the hose sections, and at least one positioning element for positioning the processing means relative to the hose sections to be processed. Furthermore, according to the invention, the positioning element is electrically controllable, and the processing means can be positioned relative to the hose sections by the at least one positioning element in order to compensate for mispositioning of hose sections before and / or during processing.

[0010] A key advantage of the invention is that misalignments occurring during the machining process of hose sections can be compensated for before and / or during machining, thus ensuring high product quality without the need for subsequent, costly quality control. Furthermore, this results in significantly fewer incorrectly machined hose sections and therefore a higher yield of correctly machined products. Ultimately, the invention enables higher productivity with the same or even higher product quality.

[0011] This system for processing hose sections is particularly suitable for processing paper hoses. It can also be used for processing plastic hoses, fabric hoses, rubber hoses, and similar materials.

[0012] Within the scope of the invention, electrical controllability is understood to mean control that is at least partially achieved via analog or digital electrical control signals. Thus, electrical controllability within the scope of the invention can also include other control methods, such as pneumatic, magnetic, or mechanical controls.

[0013] In the context of the invention, mispositioning refers in particular to a placement of the hose sections that is not optimal for a machining process or that deviates from an optimal placement.

[0014] It is assumed that during transport of hose sections for processing, especially over longer periods, misalignments of the hose sections to be processed can occur. These misalignments lead to the destruction of the hose sections or to defective products in subsequent processing steps, which in the worst case must be disposed of. Therefore, to ensure high product quality and productive bag manufacturing, such misalignments must be prevented as effectively as possible.

[0015] To achieve the most effective and structurally simple positioning of the system for processing hose sections, the positioning element can be driven by a differential gear and / or an electric motor to position the device relative to the hose sections being processed. Differential gears used can be, in particular, ring gear, bevel gear, spur gear, or helical gear differentials. Furthermore, the positioning of the processing elements for processing the hose sections can be performed incrementally, for example, in equal or varying increments, or continuously.

[0016] The processing means for handling the hose sections can preferably be designed as valve label feeders, cover sheet feeders, bottoming devices, coating devices, embossing devices, carrying strap feeders, bonding devices, printing devices, labeling devices, or the like, and thus serve to feed valve labels, cover sheet feeders, lay bottoms, coat, emboss, feed carrying straps, bond, print, or label. Likewise, other possible processing means or processing stations for handling hose sections are also possible.

[0017] Furthermore, particularly within the context of a compact processing station for processing hose sections that can be easily integrated into existing systems, it is conceivable that the positioning element is fixedly arranged, especially directly on the processing station and / or the processing means for processing hose sections. In the context of the invention, a direct arrangement is understood to mean a firmly attached, especially contacting, arrangement.

[0018] To enable the most flexible positioning possible of the processing tool for machining hose sections, it can further be provided that the processing tool is positioned at least along and / or about two different axes, and in particular along and / or about three different axes, wherein the processing tool is preferably movable both rotationally and translationally. For positioning and describing the movement, both Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates can be used and, if necessary, converted accordingly. Positioning along three different axes also allows, in particular, adjustments for different hose diameters or thicknesses.

[0019] For particularly efficient and flexible processing of hose sections, it can be further specified that more than one processing element is provided for processing the hose sections within a processing station. In this case, the individual processing elements can include separate positioning elements, so that, in a design with multiple processing elements within a processing station, independent positioning of the processing elements within the station is also possible. Such a design offers, in particular, a highly flexible way of compensating for mispositioning.

[0020] Furthermore, particularly within the context of an automated operation of the system according to the invention, it is provided that the system comprises a detection unit for acquiring data to determine the actual positioning of hose sections, a processing unit for determining any deviation of an actual positioning from a target positioning of hose sections, and a control unit for controlling a positioning element in order to compensate for any deviation of an actual positioning from a target positioning before and / or during the processing of mispositioned hose sections. Preferably, the individual system components are interconnected by means of communication and control lines to facilitate simple and rapid communication and control.

[0021] To ensure particularly flexible, straightforward, and efficient communication and control of the individual system units, the individual system components can preferably communicate or be controlled wirelessly on a server or cloud basis and / or via the internet. For energy-efficient operation, the system can also be designed as a learning unit, adapting parameters based on collected data and experience, thus adjusting its operation.

[0022] Preferably, the detection unit may also include at least one sensor for acquiring data by means of which the positioning of hose sections can be determined. The sensor may, for example, be a camera, an infrared sensor, a light barrier, or the like.

[0023] In a particularly simple and fail-safe variant of the system according to the invention, the detection unit may further be provided with more than one sensor, the sensors preferably being arranged at different positions within the system. Preferably, the arranged sensors are designed and positioned such that they enable precise position detection. With a view to a particularly meaningful determination of the position of hose sections, the invention may also provide that the data from the detection unit are acquired based on various sensors and, before determining a position, are averaged and / or weighted and / or subjected to other statistical data evaluation methods.

[0024] With a view to achieving the most flexible and efficient processing sequence for machining hose sections, it can also be advantageously provided that more than one machining station is used for machining hose sections, wherein the machining means of each machining station can preferably be positioned relative to the hose sections by a separate positioning element. Alternatively, in a compact and energy-efficient arrangement, the machining means of several machining stations can also be positioned relative to the hose sections by one and the same positioning element.

[0025] Furthermore, it can be provided that mispositioning of hose sections is compensated for, in particular, by the interaction of the transport device and the positioning means for positioning the processing elements. The transport device can, in particular, be a double belt conveyor over which the hose sections to be processed are transported during processing. Within such an arrangement, in addition to positioning the processing elements for processing the hose sections, positioning of the hose sections themselves can also be achieved. Positioning of the hose sections themselves within transport via a double belt conveyor can, for example, be accomplished by deliberately varying the transport speed of the transport elements of a transport device.Furthermore, a mispositioning of hose sections can be detected, for example, via sensor-detectable indices arranged within the transport means of a double belt conveyor, whereupon a positioning command can be sent to the device for processing hose sections, which then performs a positioning to compensate for the detected mispositioning.

[0026] With regard to a flexible processing system, it may be further provided that the system includes at least one feed unit for feeding individual hose sections and / or at least one discharge unit for removing hose sections processed within the system. In the context of a particularly fail-safe system, additional control and / or alignment units for checking and / or aligning the processed hose sections may be arranged on the feed and / or discharge unit. For a particularly effective alignment method, the feed unit may be arranged within the transport device, allowing positioning not only via the positionable processing elements but also via the feed unit itself.

[0027] The invention also relates to a paper bottom layer comprising a system for processing hose sections. Furthermore, a paper bag manufacturing and processing plant, in particular for the production and / or processing of valve bags for the transport of bulk goods, comprising a system for processing hose sections, in particular a paper bottom layer, is claimed.

[0028] Furthermore, a method for processing hose sections with the features of the independent method claim is also protected here. This method for processing hose sections comprises the steps of detecting a misposition of a hose section to be processed, controlling a positioning element based on the detected misposition, and compensating for the detected misposition by positioning a processing means relative to the mispositioned hose section using a positioning element based on the detected misposition. Thus, the method according to the invention offers the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the system according to the invention.

[0029] With a view to efficient implementation of the method in question, it is provided that the method also includes the acquisition of data for determining the actual position of hose sections by means of a detection unit. The acquisition of data for determining the actual position of hose sections can be carried out, in particular, using various sensors which, according to the embodiments of the inventive system for processing hose sections, are preferably arranged at different positions within the system in question.

[0030] The inventive method provides that a deviation of the actual position from the target position of the hose sections is determined by a processing unit based on the acquired data and / or that a control unit subsequently compensates for any deviation of the actual position from the target position before and / or during the processing of mispositioned hose sections. Compensation can be achieved, in particular, by the control unit sending a signal to a positioning element, depending on the deviation determined by the processing unit. This positioning element then positions one or more processing elements for processing hose sections accordingly.

[0031] Since compensating for mispositioned hose sections is not always advantageous, or even worthwhile (for example, if only one hose section is marginally mispositioned), it may be advantageous to provide that compensation for a detected misposition of hose sections depends on at least one of the following parameters: the degree of deviation of the actual position from a target position, the effort required for compensation, the total number of processing steps, the current processing step, the required quality standard, the cost of the product, or the current transport speed of the hose sections.

[0032] As part of a particularly flexible and precise method for compensating for a detected misposition, it can also be provided that, in addition to compensating for a detected misposition by positioning a processing tool for processing hose sections relative to the mispositioned hose sections, the hose sections themselves are also positioned. This can be achieved, as described above, for example, by adjusting the speed of the transport elements of a transport device or by means of an additional displacement device, such as a feeding unit.

[0033] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0034] The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the production of bags, comprising several processing stations according to the invention for processing hose sections according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the production of bags, comprising several processing stations according to the invention for processing hose sections according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the production of bags, comprising several processing stations according to the invention for processing hose sections according to a third embodiment, Fig. 4 a system for transporting hose sections, comprising several processing stations according to the invention for processing hose sections according to a first embodiment, Fig. 5 a system for transporting hose sections, comprising several processing stations according to the invention for processing hose sections according to a second embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the production of bags 10' comprising several processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 according to a first embodiment. Here, individual hose sections 10 made from a hose are transported one after the other via a transport device 40 (not shown in detail here) and successively fed to individual processing stations 2 for processing the hose sections 10.

[0036] In the individual processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10, various processing steps are carried out to form a finished bag 10' from the hose sections 10. In the first of, for example, six adjacent processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10, the hose end is pulled on so that the open bottom now lies in a plane. In the second processing station 2 for processing hose sections 10, a first valve plug 5 is inserted into the open bottom of the hose section 10. In the third device 2, another valve plug 5' can then be inserted into the respective hose section 10. In the subsequent processing station 2, areas of the bottom are coated with adhesive or the like.In the next processing station 2 for processing hose sections 10, the bottoms of the hose sections 10 are attached and the adhesive-coated layers are glued together. In the final processing station 2, a bottom cover sheet 7 is then applied to the glued bottom of the now finished bag 10'.

[0037] During processing, the individual hose sections 10 are transported via a transport device 40 along the various processing stations 2. Each processing station 2 has processing means 4 for processing the hose sections 10 and positioning elements 6 for positioning the processing means 4 relative to the hose sections 10 being processed. The processing means 4 can be configured as valve label feeders, cover sheet feeders, bottoming devices, coating devices, embossing devices, carrying strap feeders, bonding devices, printing devices, or the like, and thus serve to feed valve labels, feed cover sheets, lay bottoms, coat, emboss, feed carrying straps, bond, print, or label.The positioning elements 6 are elements which, for example, are driven by means of a differential gear and / or an electric motor and can position the processing means 4 relative to the hose pieces 10 in order to compensate for any mispositioning of the transported hose pieces 10.

[0038] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the production of bags 10', comprising several processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 in the second embodiment are configured such that more than one, and in this case, in particular two, processing means 4 for processing the hose sections 10 are arranged within a processing station 2. The processing means 4 arranged within the same processing station 2 for processing hose sections 10 can preferably be positioned by individual, separate positioning elements 6, so that independent positioning of the individual processing means 4 is also possible.

[0039] Fig.3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the production of bags 10', comprising several processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 according to a third embodiment. According to this third embodiment, the individual processing stations 2 not only partially have more than one processing means 4 for processing the hose sections 10, but are also, at least partially, arranged on one and the same positioning means 6, so that several processing means 4 can be positioned by one and the same positioning means 6 relative to the hose sections 10 to be processed.In this case, the processing elements 4 of the first three processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 can be positioned relative to the hose sections 10 to be processed via a first positioning element 6, while subsequently the processing elements of the fourth and fifth processing stations 2 can be positioned relative to the hose sections 10 to be processed via a second positioning element 6 – and the processing station 4 of the last processing station 2 can be positioned relative to the hose sections 10 to be processed via a separate positioning element 6. Positioning by means of the positioning elements 6 takes place at least along and / or about two different axes, in particular along and / or about three different axes, so that maximum flexibility is available with regard to compensating for mispositioning of hose sections 10.

[0040] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a system 1 for transporting hose sections 10, comprising several processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 according to a first embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, the adjacent processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10, shown within the dashed box A, are depicted separately in a top view. In reality, the processing stations 2 are arranged between the conveyor belts 16 of the transport device 40, rotated 90° clockwise around axis B in the transport direction, so that the hose sections 10 can be processed by the processing stations 2 or the processing means 4 within the processing stations 2 while being transported by the transport device 40.

[0041] A rotary feeder 20 conveys the individual hose sections 10, arranged on a stack 24, from a storage unit 22 to a first feeding unit 44. From the first feeding unit 44, the hose sections 10 then enter the transport device 40, where they are guided through the transport device 40 by means of transport means 16 and fed to the individual devices 2 for processing hose sections 10. Within the individual processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10, the components in the Fig. 1-3 The processing steps shown and explained in the description take place. After processing, the finished 10' bags are finally fed to the discharge device 46.

[0042] For the detection of mispositioning of the individual hose sections 10 according to the invention and for the prevention of processing errors by the processing stations 2, the present system 1 further comprises a detection unit 30. The detection unit 30 includes, for example, two sensors 30', which in the simplest case are in the form of light barriers, cameras, or the like. The sensors 30' acquire data to determine the actual position of the transported hose sections 10. The data acquired by the sensor 30'(s) are then fed to a processing unit 32, which determines any deviation of the acquired actual position from a target position of the hose sections 10.Depending on the specific deviations of an actual position from a target position, the positioning elements 6 of the adjacent processing stations 2 for processing hose sections 10 are controlled by a control unit 34 in order to compensate for the corresponding deviation of an actual position from a target position before and / or during the processing of mispositioned hose sections 10. Advantageously, the components arranged within the system 1, in particular the detection unit 30, the sensors 30', the processing unit 32, the control unit 34, and also the positioning elements 6 of the processing stations 2, are interconnected via a communication and control line 36, thus ensuring smooth communication and control between the system components.Within the framework of a particularly simple, flexible and easily integrated design, the individual components of the system in question can also be wirelessly connected to each other via Bluetooth, NFC, WLAN or the like.

[0043] In the manner described above, it is particularly possible to detect mispositioning of hose sections 10 transported within a transport device 40 at an early stage and to compensate for it before and / or during processing of the hose sections 10 within a processing station 2. In this way, high product quality can be ensured even without downstream and costly quality checks.

[0044] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a system 1 for transporting hose sections 10, comprising several processing stations 2 according to the invention for processing hose sections 10 according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the one in Figure 2, the system 1 is designed to transport hose sections 10. Fig. 4 The illustrated system 1 for transporting hose sections 10 according to a first embodiment has the system according to Fig. 5 An additional adjustment device in the form of a further feed unit 44 is arranged within the transport device 40. The further feed unit is also suitable for positioning the hose sections and is connected to the sensors of the system 1, so that this arrangement offers a particularly effective way of aligning the hose sections 10, since positioning can be carried out not only by means of the positionable processing means 4, but also by means of the feed unit 44. Reference symbol list

[0045] 1 System for processing hose sections 2 Device for processing hose sections 4 Processing equipment 5 Valve label 5' Valve label 6 Positioning element 7 Bottom cover sheet 10 Hose section 10' Finished bag 12 Drive unit 16 Transport device 18 Deflection rollers 20 Rotary feeder 22 Deposit unit 24 Stack of hose sections 26 Feeding unit 28 Discharge unit 30 Detection unit 30' Sensor 32 Processing unit 34 Control unit 36 ​​Communication and control line 40 Transport device 44 First feeding unit 46 Discharge device

Claims

1. System (1) for processing lengths of tubing (10), comprising a transport device (40) for transporting lengths of tubing (10), at least one processing station (2), with at least one processing means (4) for processing the lengths of tubing (10), and at least one positioning element (6) for positioning the processing means (4) relative to the lengths of tubing (10) to be processed, characterised in that the positioning element (6) is electrically controllable and the processing means (4) is positionable relative to the lengths of tubing (10) by the at least one positioning element (6) in order to compensate for a malpositioning of lengths of tubing (10) before and / or during the processing of the malpositioned lengths of tubing (10), wherein a detection unit (30) for recording data for determining an actual positioning of lengths of tubing (10), a processing unit (32) for determining a deviation of an actual positioning from a target positioning of lengths of tubing (10) and a controller (34) for controlling a positioning element (6) are provided in order to compensate for a deviation of an actual positioning from a target positioning before and / or during the processing of malpositioned lengths of tubing (10).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the positioning element (6) can be driven by means of a differential gear and / or by means of an electric motor in order to position the processing means (4) relative to the lengths of tubing (10).

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the processing means (4) is formed as a valve label feed means and / or as a cover sheet label feed means and / or as a bottoming means and / or as a coating means and / or as an embossing means and / or as a carrier belt feed means and / or as a bonding means and / or as a printing means and / or as a labelling means.

4. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the positioning element (6) is arranged fixedly, in particular directly on the processing station (2) and / or the processing means (4).

5. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the processing means (4) can be positioned at least along and / or about two different axes, in particular along and / or about three different axes, and / or more than one processing means (4) is provided for processing the lengths of tubing (10) within a processing station (2).

6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that more than one processing station (2) is provided for processing lengths of tubing (10) and / or compensation for malpositioning of lengths of tubing (10) is achieved in particular by interaction between a positioning element (6) and the transport device (40).

7. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the system has a feed unit (44) for feeding singulated lengths of tubing (10) and / or a discharge unit (46) for discharging lengths of tubing (10), in particular processed lengths of tubing (10).

8. Paper bottomer, comprising a system (1) for processing lengths of tubing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Paper bag manufacturing and processing plant, comprising a system (1) for processing lengths of tubing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in particular comprising a paper bottomer in accordance with claim 8.

10. Method for processing lengths of tubing (10), in particular for operating a system (1) according to claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: - recognising a malpositioning of a length of tubing (10) to be processed, - controlling a positioning element (6) on the basis of the recognised malpositioning, - compensating for the recognised malpositioning by positioning a processing means (4) relative to the malpositioned length of tubing (10) by means of the positioning element (6) on the basis of the recognised malpositioning, - wherein provision is made for recording data for determining an actual positioning of lengths of tubing (10) by means of a detection unit (30) and determining a deviation of an actual positioning from a target positioning of lengths of tubing (10) by means of a processing unit (32) and compensating for a deviation of an actual positioning from a target positioning before and / or during the processing of malpositioned lengths of tubing by means of a controller.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that a compensation for a recognised malpositioning of lengths of tubing (10) is carried out depending on at least one of the following parameters: - amount of the deviation of the actual position from a target position, - expenditure for the compensation, - total number of processing steps, - current processing step, - required quality standard, - cost of the product, - transport speed of the lengths of tubing.

12. Method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that in addition to a compensation for a recognised malpositioning by a positioning of the processing means (4) relative to the malpositioned lengths of tubing, a positioning of the lengths of tubing themselves is also provided.