Method and installation for producing a film or sheet from a slabstock foam, and method and system for retrofitting an installation for film or sheet production

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a film (2) or sheet from a slabstock material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), in which at least the following regions are provided, as seen in a production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet: a cutting region (I) for cutting the film (2) or sheet, wherein the film (2) or sheet is cut out, in a slitting-open manner, by means of a cutting unit (10) from the slabstock material, which is continuously fed to the cutting region (I); also a passing-on region (II), adjoining the cutting region (I) and having a driven passing-on roller (20) for conveying the film (2) or sheet out of the cutting region (I); and also a secondary region (III'), adjoining the passing-on region (II) and intended for further processing the film (2) or sheet, in particular a winding region (III) for winding the film (2) or sheet into a coil (4). In this case, there is a cutting-region stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (I) upstream of the passing-on roller (20), and there is a secondary stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II) upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for film or sheet production, and to a method for retrofitting an installation (1) for film or sheet production, and to a system for retrofitting an installation for film or sheet production.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a film or sheet from a block material according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for producing a film or sheet from a block material according to the preamble of claim 9. The invention further relates to a method for retrofitting a system for producing a film or sheet from a block material according to the preamble of claim 14. Finally, the invention also relates to a system for retrofitting a system for producing a film or sheet from a block material according to the preamble of claim 15.

[0002] Equipment and corresponding methods for operating such equipment, which are used to produce films or sheets from a generally soft block material, are generally known from the prior art. For example, a machine for splitting foams is known from DE 10 2011 014 707. However, the present invention enables an improvement with regard to the automation of the known equipment and methods.

[0003] This will be explained below using the example of film production from a foam block. In such film production, as is generally known from the prior art, a foam block, which is typically a single, continuous block – usually glued together – is continuously guided, for example, in a rotating machine. Alternatively, an unglued block can also be used in a machine. During its rotation, the block material passes a cutting unit, such as a cutting wedge or a knife bar, which cuts or splits off the top layer of the foam block. This separated top layer represents the product in the form of the foam film and can be wound into a coil of foam film in the downstream process.In the aforementioned alternative example of an unglued block, the resulting coil length of the cut film is then only a maximum of the total block length of the block material, since multiple passes are not made consecutively to cut it into a continuous film, as with a glued block. Particularly with larger cut thicknesses, i.e., resulting thicknesses of the cut film, from about 20 mm upwards, unglued block material is also used more frequently. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the application of winding a cut film into a coil. It is also conceivable that a different block material, other than foam, is cut, or that the cut material is not wound into a coil but processed further in another way.It is conceivable that the cut film is removed from the system for further processing, or that the cut material is directly cut into smaller elements which—depending on their thickness—are more accurately described as sheets than films. In this context, the patent application refers to a sheet in two ways: firstly, as the end product of material that has been cut from the block material, first according to thickness, and then according to the length of the individual sheet elements, resulting in a single sheet. Secondly, however, the broad term "sheet" also refers to a material web that is simply cut somewhat thicker than a typical film, or even a cut material web made of a somewhat harder or stiffer material.Accordingly, the term "plate" is broadly understood to initially refer to the continuous web of material cut from the block material, which has not yet been cut to the length of a single plate element. Thus, a plate existing as such a web of material can, in principle, be wound into a coil or roll in a subsequent process step and then cut into individual plate elements in later steps, for example on other equipment.

[0004] In known state-of-the-art systems and processes for producing a film from a foam block, the foam block material is fed at a constant feed rate to a cutting area for film cutting. A cutting unit splits the material block on its surface to the desired thickness. This creates the foam film of the desired thickness, which must be removed from the cutting area. On the one hand, the continuous feed of the circulating foam block helps to advance the foam film further in the production direction and push it out of the cutting area. On the other hand, a conveying area is provided downstream of the cutting area in the production direction, which may include a driven conveying roller.This conveying roller can therefore be used to transport the cut film from the cutting area located upstream in the process.

[0005] Following the conveying area in the production direction, a further secondary area is typically provided. This secondary area is generally used for further processing the cut and conveyed film. For example, this secondary area could be a winding area where the film is wound into a coil, i.e., a coiled roll of film.

[0006] Both the equipment for manufacturing foam films and the corresponding state-of-the-art manufacturing processes present a challenge with regard to adjusting the numerous process parameters that control production. Various process parameters, such as the drive parameters of the circulating foam material (e.g., the feed rate) or the drive parameters of the driven roller controlling the winding process (e.g., the feed rate or drive torque), must be adjusted. Each of these process parameters influences the manufactured film and its quality, as well as the quality of the wound coil of foam film. Specific requirements for the film to be produced include a uniform thickness and consistent quality. Furthermore, the material web of the foam film should be free of cracks.Furthermore, the properties of the film, once cut into a material web, should not be negatively affected by subsequent process steps, such as removing the film from the cutting area or winding the film into a coil in the winding area.

[0007] To meet these requirements, current technology regularly necessitates the operation of the systems by experienced operators. The cut material web is often inspected manually or visually by experienced operators, and if defects are found, individual process parameters are adjusted by the operator. This has the disadvantage that the continuous process—ideally uninterrupted until the block material to be cut is completely consumed and replaced—requires constant monitoring by experienced operators. This leads to high personnel costs and, consequently, high production costs.Furthermore, the manufacturing processes and equipment are more prone to errors, as the varying levels of experience among the operators often result in the film no longer exhibiting the same consistent quality after a shift change from a more experienced to a less experienced employee, due to a lack of adequate adjustment. Previous attempts to automate the process have failed because they still rely too heavily on the adjustments of an experienced operator. In particular, current approaches require constant manual adjustments to accommodate varying thicknesses of the cut film.

[0008] One object of the present invention is therefore to remedy this situation and avoid the described disadvantages. Specifically, one object of the invention is to make the known method for producing a film or sheet from a block of material more cost-effective and less prone to defects. Another object is to make the known system for producing a film or sheet from a block of material more cost-effective and less prone to defects. Furthermore, another object of the invention is to provide a method for retrofitting known systems for producing a film or sheet from a block of material, thereby reducing operating costs and making the production process less prone to defects.Finally, one task is to provide a system for retrofitting a plant for the production of a film or sheet from a block material, with which the plants can be improved in terms of operating costs and susceptibility to failure.

[0009] The problem is solved with respect to the manufacturing process by a process having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. With respect to the plant, the problem is solved by a plant for manufacturing a film or sheet from a block material having the features of the characterizing part of claim 9. With respect to the process for retrofitting a plant, the problem is solved by a process having the features of the characterizing part of claim 14. With respect to the system, the problem is solved by a system for retrofitting a plant for manufacturing a film or sheet from a block material having the features of the characterizing part of claim 15.

[0010] Essential to the invention is the realization that the disadvantages described in the prior art can be avoided by selectively and automatically monitoring the stress on the material web in different sections using machine technology, and then controlling the global process parameters based on this monitoring. While this does involve an intervention in the existing process of known film and sheet production plants, resulting in increased effort, it makes the overall process more stable due to the resulting more uniform quality of the manufactured films and sheets. The present invention enables automatic control of the process parameters that determine the film and sheet production process, thereby reducing operating costs through lower personnel costs and increasing process reliability due to the less frequent occurrence of thickness and quality variations in the product.The parameters are automatically recorded by the machine itself. This recording process is independent of operation by an experienced technician. Furthermore, the automatic recording is essentially independent of the film material and thickness. Therefore, after changing the material of the cut film or even the thickness by a few millimeters, a machine operator does not need to adjust the parameter recording individually. The automatic recording process continues to run automatically.

[0011] In the proposed method for producing a film or sheet from a block material, which may in particular be a method for producing a film or sheet from a foam block, at least the following areas are provided in one production direction of the film or sheet: a cutting area for cutting the film or sheet, a forwarding area adjoining the cutting area, and a secondary area adjoining the forwarding area for further processing the film or sheet, which may in particular be a winding area for winding the film into a coil.

[0012] As proposed, in the cutting area, the film or sheet is split from the block material, which is continuously fed into the cutting area, by means of a cutting unit. The cutting unit can be, in particular, a cutter bar or a cutting wedge. Accordingly, cutting the film or sheet in the cutting area means that the block material is split in a thickness direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. This does not mean that the block material or the film split from it is cut into individual elements with respect to their length as viewed in the conveying direction.

[0013] As proposed, a driven conveying roller is provided in the conveying area to transport the film or sheet out of the cutting area. The driven conveying roller can, in particular, have an outer contact surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction, so that the influence of the process occurring upstream of the conveying roller on the subprocess downstream of the driven conveying roller can be significantly reduced. The driven conveying roller achieves a separation between the upstream cutting process (relative to the production direction) and the secondary process, for example, the downward winding process. In particular, a coefficient of friction of at least 0.4, preferably greater than 0.5, more preferably greater than 1.0, and most preferably greater than 2.0, can be provided.The driven conveying roller can have a surface coating to increase the coefficient of friction. Preferably, the driven conveying roller is designed as a rubber-coated roller, thus achieving the desired high coefficient of friction.

[0014] The proposed cutting zone can be understood, in particular, as extending from the cutting unit to the driven feed roller, viewed in the production direction of the film or sheet. It is therefore essentially the area where a thinner web of material, for example in the form of a film, is first separated from the block material, and this film is advanced to the driven feed roller essentially unaffected. Within the cutting zone, a cutting zone tension exists in the film or sheet upstream of the feed roller.

[0015] The proposed transfer area can be understood, in particular, as extending, in the production direction of the film or sheet, from the driven transfer roller to a subsequent drive unit of the following secondary area, for example, to a driven winding roller (winding belt) in a winding area. The proposed secondary area, in turn, can be understood, in particular, as adjoining the transfer area in the production direction of the film or sheet and extending, for example, from a driven winding roller (winding belt). In the transfer area, a secondary tension exists in the film or sheet upstream of the secondary area.In particular, the cutting area voltage and the secondary voltage in the film or plate differ from each other, due to the separation of the process by the driven transfer roller arranged in between.

[0016] The proposed method for producing the film or sheet from the block material is characterized in that the process is at least partially controlled such that: a) in the cutting area at least one parameter representing the cutting area voltage is automatically detected, and / or b) in the forwarding area at least one parameter representing the winding area voltage is automatically detected.

[0017] In this way, the manufacturing process can advantageously proceed reliably, even if no experienced machine operator is monitoring the process. It is advantageous to avoid the need for an operator to draw conclusions about the tension values ​​in the film through personal visual or even manual inspection of the material web sliced ​​from the material block and transported through the machine.

[0018] The proposed method for producing the film or sheet from the block material is further characterized in that, based on at least one of the parameters recorded in step a) or b), i.e., based on the parameter(s) representing the cutting area stress and / or the secondary stress, at least one of the following process parameters is controlled: a drive parameter of the block material, a drive parameter of the driven conveying roller, and / or a drive parameter in the secondary area for moving the film or plate for further processing of the film or plate.

[0019] In this way, the automatically recorded stress values, i.e., the prevailing stress on the material web in the individual areas, are effectively used to control the film or sheet production process. For example, if excessive stress is detected on a cut film, a drive parameter of the central driven feed roller can be reduced, thus preventing the cut film from being pulled out of the cutting area as much. This efficiently avoids negative effects such as thickness variations in the film sliced ​​from the block material.

[0020] The present invention recognizes that various drive parameters can be automatically controlled. For example, the manufacturing process can be controlled via the feed rate of the block material supplied to the cutting area. Furthermore, the drive torque or, more preferably, the peripheral speed of the driven conveying roller can be controlled as drive parameters of the driven conveying roller. The peripheral speed of the driven conveying roller allows for particularly easy control of the feed rate of the material web in the conveying area, and thus the resulting load on the material web can be adjusted. Drive parameters of the secondary area, such as the winding area, can also be used for control when the film is wound into a coil in the secondary area.The drive torque is also a factor, but the circumferential speed of a driven winding roller or a driven winding belt is particularly preferred for controlling the winding of the film or sheet into a coil.

[0021] A driven roller is essentially one that is actively driven by a drive unit. This means that a drive torque is applied, causing the driven roller to rotate and generating a generally constant peripheral speed across its outer surface. The film is then conveyed along this outer surface as a web of material. In this respect, driven rollers differ from passive rollers, which serve only to deflect or passively convey the web of material.

[0022] According to the invention, the automated control of the various process parameters can be achieved by automatically regulating and controlling only a single one of the exemplary process parameters mentioned, or preferably by automatically regulating several of the process parameters. The present invention recognizes the advantages of actively intervening in the usual manufacturing process and automatically detecting the prevailing tension in the material web or parameters representing this tension. This additional machine or measurement effort offers the advantage that overall operating costs can be successfully reduced when the detected parameters are used to control the process parameters that govern the manufacturing process.For this purpose, drive parameters such as the peripheral speed of the driven feed roller in the feed area are set as a function of the automatically detected parameter representing the cutting area voltage. This advantageously reduces the need for experienced machine operators to monitor the manufacturing process.

[0023] In principle, the thickness of the cut film or sheet, separated from the block material, can range from 0.8 mm to 200.0 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the cut film is between 1.5 mm and 30.0 mm. A foam, in particular flexible polyurethane (PUR) foam, is preferably used as the material for the block material. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide harder porous / foamed materials as block material and cut them into films or sheets. For example, polyethylene (PE) or various rubber-like materials can also be used as block material.

[0024] Preferably, the feed rate of the block material, i.e., for example, the circulating foam block, can be between 50 m / min and 350 m / min, particularly preferably about 120 m / min.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the process is controlled such that the cutting area stress is significantly lower than the secondary stress in the film or sheet. Preferably, the ratio of cutting area stress to secondary stress can be 0.75 or less, more preferably 0.5 or less, and most preferably 0.25 or less. In this context, one can also speak of a substantially stress-free state of the film or material web in the cutting area compared to the conveying area. This advantageously ensures that the material web sags in the cutting area between the cutting unit and the conveying roller, i.e., adjacent to the cutting wedge or knife bar. In this way, it is successfully prevented that the subsequent components of the system pull too hard on the cut film or sheet and thus compromise the uniform cutting thickness of the film or sheet.In general, this negatively impacts the consistent quality of the product. Furthermore, it successfully prevents material constriction, which can be caused, for example, by excessive tension in the cut film and thus lead to an undesirable reduction in film width or irregularities in the film width.

[0026] In principle, the present invention advantageously makes it possible to precisely control and adjust both voltage ranges, i.e., the cutting area voltage and the secondary voltage. It is also conceivable that the ratio of cutting area voltage to secondary voltage is 1:1. It is particularly advantageous if the cutting area voltage remains essentially constant. In contrast, the secondary voltage, which is typically higher, may vary somewhat more depending on the secondary process.

[0027] A first preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 2) is characterized in that a sag of the film or plate in the production direction of the film or plate, seen behind the cutting unit and in front of the driven conveying roller, is automatically detected as a parameter representing the cutting area tension.

[0028] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 4) is characterized in that a sag of the film or plate in the production direction of the film or plate, seen behind the driven conveying roller and in front of the secondary area, in particular the winding area, is automatically detected as a parameter representing the secondary tension.

[0029] The sag of the film provides a particularly easy-to-visually perceived, qualitative measure of the cutting area stress or secondary stress, especially whether it is too high and the corresponding process parameters should be adjusted to reduce the stress.

[0030] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 3) is characterized in that a web tension in the film or plate is automatically detected as a parameter representing the cutting area tension by means of a load cell unit seen in the production direction of the film or plate behind the cutting unit and in front of the driven conveying roller.

[0031] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 5) is characterized in that a web tension in the film or plate, representing the secondary tension, is automatically detected by means of a load cell unit in the production direction of the film or plate behind the driven transfer roller and in front of the secondary area, in particular the winding area.

[0032] A load cell can precisely and numerically measure the parameter to be recorded, in the form of the cutting area stress or secondary stress. The load cell preferably measures only the stress prevailing in the material web, i.e., in the cut film or sheet. This advantageously allows for precise conclusions and accurate control and adjustment of the manufacturing process.

[0033] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 6) is characterized in that the sag of the film or plate is automatically detected by means of an optical measuring device. The sag is preferably detected by means of a laser, and more preferably by measuring on the surface of the film or plate. Lateral measurement is possible in principle, but measurement is preferably taken from above onto the material web, so that the available space can be advantageously utilized with regard to the installation of the measuring device.

[0034] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or sheet is characterized in that the thickness of the film or sheet is automatically measured in the cutting area. Preferably, the thickness of the film or sheet is automatically measured using an optical measuring device, more preferably a laser, and further preferably by measuring on the surface of the film or sheet. Lateral measurement is possible in principle, but measurement from above onto the material web is preferred, so that the available space for installing the measuring device can be used advantageously. Measuring the thickness of the cut film provides an additional parameter that can be advantageously used to assess the quality of the produced film during the ongoing process. In this way, a uniform quality of the produced film can be ensured.

[0035] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 7) is characterized in that the aforementioned process parameters are controlled such that: the drive parameter of the driven transfer roller depends on the automatically detected sag of the film or plate in the cutting area, and / or the drive parameter in the secondary area depends on the web tension in the film or plate in the transfer area, which is automatically detected by the load cell unit.

[0036] In particular, the peripheral speed of the driven conveying roller and / or the peripheral speed of a driven winding roller can be advantageously set directly depending on the detected sag of the film or plate in the cutting area or on the numerically detected web tension in the conveying area.

[0037] It is particularly advantageous if the peripheral speed of the driven feed roller is in the range of 98% to 110%, especially 101% to 105%, of the feed speed of the block material. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the feed speed in the secondary section, or more specifically, the peripheral speed of the driven winding roller, is in the range of 95% to 115%, especially 103% to 107%, of the feed speed of the block material. In this way, simple control of the overall process in the forward production direction is possible. The manufacturing process runs stably and ensures a uniform quality of the produced film.

[0038] Another preferred embodiment of the method for producing the film or plate (claim 8) is characterized in that the aforementioned process parameters are controlled such that: the drive parameter of the driven transfer roller depends on the web tension in the film or plate in the cutting area, which is automatically detected by the load cell unit, and / or the drive parameter in the secondary area depends on the automatically detected sag of the film or plate in the transfer area.

[0039] In particular, the peripheral speed of the driven conveying roller and / or the peripheral speed of a driven winding roller can advantageously be set directly depending on the numerically detected web tension in the film or plate in the cutting area or on the detected sag of the film or plate in the conveying area.

[0040] According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a system for producing a film or sheet from a block material is proposed (claim 9). This system may, in particular, be a system for producing a film or sheet from a foam block. Furthermore, the system is preferably configured to carry out a previously described manufacturing process. The proposed system comprises, in one production direction of the film or sheet, at least the following areas: a cutting area for cutting the film or sheet, wherein a cutting unit for splitting the film or sheet from the block material which is continuously fed to the cutting area during production is provided in the cutting area, a conveying area adjoining the cutting area with a driven conveying roller for conveying the film or sheet out of the cutting area, and a secondary area adjoining the conveying area for further processing the film or sheet, in particular a winding area for winding the film or sheet into a coil.

[0041] In the cutting area upstream of the conveying roller, a cutting area stress exists in the film or sheet, and in the conveying area upstream of the secondary area, in particular the winding area, a secondary stress exists in the film or sheet. The proposed system is characterized by the fact that at least one of the following detection units is provided: a) a cutting area detection unit in the cutting area for automatically detecting a parameter representing the cutting area voltage, and / or b) a forwarding area detection unit in the forwarding area for automatically detecting a parameter representing the secondary voltage.

[0042] Furthermore, the proposed system is characterized in that a control unit is provided for regulating at least one of the following process parameters based on at least one of the parameters recorded according to a) or b): a drive parameter of the block material, a drive parameter of the driven conveying roller, and / or a drive parameter in the secondary area for moving the film or plate for further processing of the film or plate.

[0043] According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a method for retrofitting a system for producing a film or sheet from a block material, in particular from a foam block, is proposed (claim 14). Preferably, the retrofitted system can be a system described above. In any case, the system, viewed in one production direction of the film or sheet, has at least the following areas: a cutting area for cutting the film or sheet, wherein a cutting unit for splitting the film or sheet from the block material which is continuously fed to the cutting area during production is provided in the cutting area, a conveying area adjoining the cutting area with a driven conveying roller for conveying the film or sheet out of the cutting area, and a secondary area adjoining the conveying area for further processing the film or sheet, in particular a winding area for winding the film or sheet into a coil.

[0044] In the cutting area upstream of the conveying roller, a cutting area stress exists in the film or sheet, and in the conveying area upstream of the secondary area, in particular the winding area, a secondary stress exists in the film or sheet. The proposed retrofit method is characterized by equipping the system with at least one of the following detection units: a) with a cutting area detection unit in the cutting area for automatically detecting a parameter representing the cutting area voltage, and / or b) with a forwarding area detection unit in the forwarding area for automatically detecting a parameter representing the secondary voltage.

[0045] Furthermore, the proposed retrofit procedure is characterized by the fact that: the system is equipped with a control unit in such a way, or an existing control unit is retrofitted in such a way, that at least one of the following process parameters in the plant can be controlled on the basis of at least one of the parameters recorded according to a) or b): a drive parameter of the block material, a drive parameter of the driven conveying roller, and / or a drive parameter in the secondary area for moving the film or plate for further processing of the film or plate.

[0046] According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a system for retrofitting a plant for producing a film or sheet from a block material is also proposed (claim 15). This can, in particular, be a system for retrofitting a plant for producing a film or sheet from a foam block. The proposed system is configured to carry out a previously described retrofitting method. The proposed system is characterized by at least one of the following detection units: a) a cutting area detection unit for automatically detecting a parameter representing the cutting area voltage in the cutting area, and / or b) a forwarding area detection unit for automatically detecting a parameter representing the secondary voltage in the forwarding area.

[0047] Furthermore, the system is characterized by: a control unit that is set up in this way, or a communication unit that is set up to communicate with an existing control unit of the plant, that at least one of the following process parameters in the plant can be controlled on the basis of at least one of the parameters recorded according to a) or b): a drive parameter of the block material, a drive parameter of the driven conveying roller, and / or a drive parameter in the secondary area for moving the film or plate for further processing of the film or plate.

[0048] With regard to individual technical features as well as the resulting advantages of the proposed plant for producing the film or sheet, the proposed method for retrofitting a plant for producing a film or sheet, and the proposed system for retrofitting a plant for producing a film or sheet, reference can be made to the preceding detailed descriptions of the proposed method for producing a film or sheet from a block material. The individual technical aspects are transferable in a technically meaningful manner – even across categories – between the different claims and preferred embodiments.

[0049] The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments, namely claims 11 to 13 relating to the proposed system for producing the film or plate.

[0050] Another embodiment of a method for retrofitting a system for producing a film or plate from a block material is characterized in that the cutting area detection unit and / or the forwarding area detection unit for automatically detecting a sag of the film or plate is set up as an optical measuring device, preferably as a laser, and more preferably that the optical measuring device is set up to measure on the surface of the film or plate.

[0051] Another embodiment of a retrofit method is characterized in that the cutting area detection unit and / or the forwarding area detection unit is set up as a load cell unit for automatically detecting web tension in the film or plate.

[0052] Another embodiment of a retrofit method is characterized in that a film thickness sensor is further provided in the cutting area, which is designed as an optical measuring device, preferably as a laser, for automatically detecting the thickness of the film or plate, and more preferably that the film thickness sensor is set up to measure on the surface of the film or plate.

[0053] Another embodiment of a retrofit method is characterized in that the control of the aforementioned process parameters is set such that: the drive parameter of the driven transfer roller depends on the automatically detected sag of the film or plate in the cutting area, and / or the drive parameter in the secondary area depends on the web tension in the film or plate in the transfer area, which is automatically detected by the load cell unit.

[0054] Another embodiment of a retrofit method is characterized in that the control of the aforementioned process parameters is set such that: the drive parameter of the driven transfer roller depends on the web tension in the film or plate in the cutting area, which is automatically detected by the load cell unit, and / or the drive parameter in the secondary area depends on the automatically detected sag of the film or plate in the transfer area.

[0055] Another embodiment of a system for retrofitting a plant for producing a film or sheet from a block material is characterized in that the cutting area detection unit and / or the forwarding area detection unit for automatically detecting a sag of the film or sheet is designed as an optical measuring device, preferably as a laser.

[0056] Another embodiment of a system is characterized in that the cutting area detection unit and / or the forwarding area detection unit is designed as a load cell unit for automatically detecting web tension in the film or plate.

[0057] Another embodiment of a system is characterized in that a film thickness sensor for automatically detecting the thickness of the film or plate is provided as an optical measuring device, preferably as a laser, and more preferably that the film thickness sensor is set up to measure on the surface of the film or plate.

[0058] Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. The drawing, which depicts only one exemplary embodiment, shows... Fig. 1 shows a complete system for producing a film from a foam block, Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial view of a proposed system for producing a film from a foam block according to a first embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a schematic partial view of a proposed system for producing a film from a foam block according to a further embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a schematic partial view of a proposed system for producing a film from a foam block according to a further embodiment, Fig. 5 shows a schematic partial view of a proposed system for producing a film from a foam block according to a further embodiment, and Fig. 6 shows a schematic partial view of a proposed system for producing a film from a foam block according to a further embodiment.

[0059] In Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a system 1 for producing a film 2 from a block material, in this case a foam block 3 made of soft polyurethane (PUR) foam. Such a system 1 is essentially known from the prior art. The foam block 3 is conveyed continuously through the system 1 at a constant feed rate v1 of approximately 120 m / min. In the view shown... Fig. 1The foam block 3 is conveyed to the right in the lower level of the system 1, deflected by 180° at the right end of the system 1, and conveyed back to the left at the top of the system 1 before being deflected again by 180° at the left edge of the system 1 back to the lower level of the system 1. The foam block 1 is thus conveyed continuously around the system 1, essentially until it is used up and a sufficient amount of film 2 has been produced. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. As already explained, films can also be cut from a foam block that is not continuous, i.e., not glued together. It is also conceivable that a foam block is conveyed in reverse past a cutting unit for cutting the film. This can be the case, for example, with foam blocks that are typically 10 m to 60 m long.In such a case, there would be no need to deflect the foam block 3 through a multi-level system 1. The length of the corresponding cut film is then limited to the length of the foam block. The cut film can still be wound into a coil or processed further in other ways, for example, laid down as a stack of sheets.

[0060] The manufactured film 2 is wound into a coil 4 in a secondary process. The cutting of film 2 from the foam block 3 and the winding of film 2 into coil 4 take place in the cutting and winding process, which occurs in sub-area A, located in Fig. 1 is marked with the dotted box. The present invention improves the manufacturing process of film 2 and the entire system 1 in a special way in this sub-area A. Therefore, in the illustrations according to Figs. 2 to 6The focus is on this sub-area A, and the following description is essentially limited to this sub-area. The present invention is explained by way of example with reference to the figures, illustrating on the one hand the method for producing film 2 and on the other hand the apparatus 1 for its production. Furthermore, the proposed method for retrofitting a film production apparatus, with which an existing apparatus can be advantageously retrofitted, as well as the proposed system for retrofitting a film production apparatus, with which the retrofitting method can be carried out, are also clearly illustrated with reference to the figures.

[0061] Therefore, this also applies to the Figs. 1 to 6Reference symbols used identically indicate the same technical characteristics, so reference can be made to the preceding description. Explanations of technical characteristics based on Annex 1 or the system can be applied analogously to the proposed procedures and vice versa.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the proposed Annex 1 or the proposed manufacturing process, focusing on the previously described Fig. 1 Cutting and winding process marked with the dotted box (sub-area A in Fig. 1 ). Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 They show corresponding further embodiments. Also the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 These concern further proposed embodiments, whereby only a smaller sub-area is shown, specifically without showing the subsequent secondary process, which in the exemplary embodiments of the Figs. 2 to 4 about the winding process.

[0063] In Fig. 2, as well as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 Viewed in a production direction P of the film 2, a cutting area I for cutting the film 2 from the foam block 3 is shown, followed by a transfer area II and finally a secondary area III', which is located in the Figs. 2 to 4 The illustrated embodiments refer to a winding area III.

[0064] The foam block 3 is fed to the cutting area I at a feed rate of v 1. The foam block 3 then strikes the cutting unit 10, which in this case is designed as a cutting wedge 11. The cutting wedge 11 could also be a cutter bar.

[0065] The cutting wedge 11 splits off a layer of the material from the surface of the foam block 3, so that as a result the film 2 is cut out of the foam block 3 by means of the cutting unit 10.

[0066] In the cutting area I, the thickness of the cut film 2 can also be automatically detected, which is not shown here. This can be done, for example, by using an optical measuring device, such as a laser, by measuring on the surface of the film. For this purpose, a film thickness sensor, such as a laser measuring system, can be provided in the area of ​​the cutting unit 10. Advantageously, this optical measuring device can be arranged above the cut film 2 and thus perform the measurement from above, since in this way the available installation space in the entire system 1 can be ideally utilized (cf. Fig. 1The measured thickness of film 2 can serve as an additional automatically recorded control parameter to regularly or continuously check the quality of the manufactured film.

[0067] The cut film 2 is conveyed further through the cutting area I, which extends to a conveying roller 20 located downstream in the production direction P. The conveying roller 20 is a driven roller, as indicated by the curved arrow (v 2 ). The driven conveying roller 20 is powered by its own drive unit. A drive torque is applied, which ultimately sets the driven conveying roller 20 into rotation at the circumferential speed v 2. The circumferential speed v 2 therefore represents a drive parameter a 2 of the driven conveying roller 20. The drive torque is another drive parameter a 2. The drive parameter a 2 ultimately has a significant influence on the sequence of the film 2 manufacturing process and, consequently, on the quality of the manufactured film 2.

[0068] The driven conveying roller 20 serves to convey the film 2 out of cutting area I. In this respect, the driven conveying roller 20 also represents the starting point of conveying area II. The driven conveying roller 20 is a rubber-coated roller, which therefore has a contact surface with the conveyed film 2 with an increased coefficient of friction. In this way, a good separation of the sub-processes can advantageously take place, namely between cutting area I and conveying area II.

[0069] From an upstream perspective, the feed rate v1, as the drive parameter a1 of the foam block 3, significantly determines the manufacturing process of the film 2. The film 2, cut in cutting area I, is continuously advanced in the production direction P by the foam block 3, which is advanced at the feed rate v1. Because the driven conveying roller 20, designed as a rubberized roller, has a contact surface with a high coefficient of friction, the drive parameter a2 can be set to the drive parameter a1, or more specifically, the circumferential speed v2 to the feed rate v1, in a desired optimal ratio. In this way, the subprocess taking place downstream of the driven conveying roller 20, i.e., from conveying area II and especially in the subsequent winding area III (or generally secondary area III'), does not affect the process.The effect on the sub-process in cutting area I is minimal. This allows the film 2 to hang almost tension-free in cutting area I, which is particularly advantageous. Consequently, the driven conveying roller 20 does not exert as much force on the film 2 in cutting area I, where the film 2 is being separated from the block material. As a result, distortions of the cutting result, such as thinning of the film 2 cut to the desired thickness or unwanted tearing of the film 2, are successfully avoided.

[0070] Alternatively to the ones in the Figs. 2 to 4 In the illustrated embodiments, the driven conveying roller 20 can also be part of a roller pair that also includes an auxiliary roller 21. This is shown in the further embodiments described in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6The film 2 can then be transported along a longer, circulating conveyor belt 22 and thus conveyed out of the cutting area I. Optionally, the conveyor belt 22 can also have a contact surface with an increased coefficient of friction to optimize the separation of the cutting area I from the subsequent areas (transfer area II, secondary area III').

[0071] Secondary area III' is basically set up for further processing of slide 2. Specifically, in the Figs. 2 to 4 In the illustrated embodiments, the secondary section III' is designed as a winding section III for winding the film 2 to the coil 4. The winding unit can be designed as a center winder or as a surface winder.

[0072] In this case, winding section III has a driven winding roller 30, as indicated by the curved arrow (v3). The winding roller 30 is driven and provides the circumferential speed v3 as a further drive parameter a3 in secondary section III' or winding section III, whereby the circumferential speed v3 primarily controls the winding process. In general, the secondary process is controlled by the drive parameter a3 in secondary section III', which serves both to move the film 2 and to process the film 2 further.

[0073] As an alternative to winding the film 2 into the coil 4, other secondary processes are also possible, for example, cutting the continuous film 2 into individual film elements or sheets. It is also conceivable to remove the film 2 from the entire system 1, for example, by removing it laterally perpendicular to the direction of the feed rate v 1 (see...). Fig. 1 ). In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 Therefore, exemplary embodiments are shown in which the slide 2 is shown broken off at the end of the forwarding area II to indicate that various subsequent secondary processes and thus secondary areas III' are possible.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiments according to Figs. 2 to 4 In addition to the driven winding roller 30, an auxiliary roller 31 is also provided. It is also possible that a winding belt with a driven winding roller is used to carry out the winding process.

[0075] The winding area III generally starts in the production direction P with the driven winding roller 30. In general, the secondary area III' always has a unit providing a drive parameter a 3, so that, with respect to the secondary area III', this secondary area III' begins in the production direction P of the film 2 with the arrangement of the unit that applies the drive parameter a 3 to the film 2.

[0076] The present invention ensures consistent quality of the manufactured film 2. Operating costs can be reduced through the automation of the manufacturing process and, in particular, the automation of quality control. For the quality of the manufactured film 2, it is crucial that the film's thickness remains constant and that no thickness variations occur or cracks develop in the cut film 2 due to subsequent processing steps, such as the transport of the film 2 through the system and ultimately its winding into a coil 4.

[0077] The web tension present in the material web in the form of the cut film 2 is of crucial importance. The cutting area tension, which corresponds to the web tension in cutting area I, is particularly important. It must not be too high in order to successfully prevent, for example, cracks in film 2.

[0078] As proposed, the manufacturing process can therefore be controlled by automatically recording at least one parameter representing the cutting area voltage in the cutting area I (process step a)).

[0079] Furthermore, the web tension in transmission area II is crucial for winding film 2 into coil 4; this web tension is generally referred to as the secondary tension. Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned control of the manufacturing process (process step a)), the process can therefore also be controlled by automatically detecting at least one parameter representing the secondary tension in transmission area II (process step b)).

[0080] For this purpose, a cutting area detection unit 12 is provided in the cutting area I for the automatic detection of a parameter representing the cutting area voltage.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2 The cutting area detection unit 12 is configured for automatically detecting the sag of the film 2 in the production direction P of the film 2, as viewed behind the cutting unit 10 and in front of the driven conveying roller 20. This sag of the film 2 in the cutting area I serves as the parameter representing the cutting area tension. The same applies in this respect to the embodiments according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 .

[0082] The cutting area detection unit 12 according to Fig. 2 (as well as according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The optical measuring device 13, for example a laser, is designed as an optical measuring device 13. The optical measuring device 13 detects the sag of the film 2 in the cutting area I from above onto the surface of the film 2 as a qualitative measure of the web tension acting on the film 2 in this area.

[0083] Similarly, a forwarding area detection unit 23 is also provided in forwarding area II for the automatic detection of a parameter representing the secondary voltage.

[0084] The forwarding area detection unit 23 can also be configured to automatically detect sagging of the film 2 in the production direction P of the film 2 behind the driven forwarding roller 20 and in front of the secondary area III' or winding area III, as exemplified in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0085] Fig. 4The transmission area detection unit 23 is designed as an optical measuring device 24, for example as a laser. The optical measuring device 24 can also detect the sag of the film in the transmission area II by measuring on the surface of the film 2 as a representative qualitative measure of the secondary stress.

[0086] The automatic determination of the sag of the film 2 can be easily carried out by the optical measuring devices 13 or 24, since the sag of the film 2 is ultimately represented by the current vertical position of the film 2.

[0087] The optical measuring devices 13 and 24 are advantageously arranged above the film 2 and perform an optical measurement from above onto the surface of the film 2, so that the installation space available in the entire system 1 (cf. Fig. 1 ) is effectively utilized.

[0088] Alternative measurement units can also be used to detect the parameters representing the cutting area voltage or secondary voltage. For example, load cell units can be advantageously used to more accurately determine the corresponding web tension value numerically.

[0089] In Fig. 2 The forwarding area detection unit 23 is designed as such a load cell unit 25. This also applies to the embodiments in Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 .

[0090] In Fig. 3 The cutting area detection unit 12 is again designed as such a load cell unit 14 (likewise in Fig. 6 ). This is in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 6 In addition to the load cell unit 14 in the cutting area I, a deflection roller 15 is also provided, which is arranged in front of the load cell unit 14 when viewed in the production direction P.

[0091] The load cell units 14 in cutting area I allow for the precise measurement of the prevailing cutting area stresses. The load cell units 25 in transmission area II, in turn, allow for the precise measurement of the secondary stresses.

[0092] Whether through the precise determination of the prevailing cutting area stress or secondary stress, or through indirect qualitative measurement by recording the sag of the film 2, these measured values ​​can advantageously serve as control variables for the overall process in the proposed system 1.

[0093] Both values ​​can be measured, i.e., both a parameter representing the cutting area voltage and additionally a parameter representing the secondary voltage, whereby to achieve the advantages of the invention it is not absolutely necessary to measure both values, but one of the two values ​​may suffice.

[0094] The measured values ​​then serve as a control variable for the entire manufacturing process of film 2. Thus, based on at least one or even both measured values ​​(parameters representing cutting area voltage and secondary voltage), at least one of the drive parameters a 1 , a 2 , a 3 is controlled as a process parameter.

[0095] Specifically, with regard to the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2It is particularly advantageous if the aforementioned process parameters are controlled such that the drive parameter a2 of the driven feed roller 20 depends on the automatically detected sag of the film 2 in the cutting area I. Advantageously, the peripheral speed v2 of the driven feed roller 20 can also depend on the detected sag. This dependency can be implemented directly. For example, the peripheral speed v2 can be increased when an increase in the detected sag of the film 3 is measured, i.e., when the film 2 sags relative to its vertical position in the cutting area I. Conversely, the control is advantageously implemented such that when the sag decreases, i.e., when the film 2 rises relative to its vertical position, the peripheral speed v2 is reduced.

[0096] Furthermore, with regard to the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2It is particularly advantageous if the aforementioned process parameters are controlled such that the drive parameter a 3 in the secondary area III' depends on the web tension in the film 2 in the transmission area II, which is automatically detected by the load cell unit 25. Advantageously, the peripheral speed v 3 of the driven winding roller 30 can depend on the detected secondary tension, i.e., the web tension in the film 2 in the transmission area II. This dependency can be implemented directly, especially since the web tension is numerically detected via the load cell unit 25. For example, the peripheral speed v 3 can be increased when an increase in the secondary tension value is measured. Conversely, the control is advantageously implemented such that the peripheral speed v 3 is increased when the secondary tension value decreases.

[0097] In this way, a uniform quality of the cut film 2 is ensured, particularly without thickness variations or tears, as well as a wound coil 4 of the desired quality. Therefore, time-consuming, continuous monitoring, whether by visual inspection or manual check of the material web, which requires experienced machine operators, is no longer necessary.

[0098] It is particularly advantageous if the unit arranged after the cutting unit 10 in the production direction P of the film 2, such as the driven conveying roller 20 or the deflecting roller 15, is offset upwards with respect to its vertical position relative to the cutting unit 10, as can be seen in all illustrated embodiments ( Figs. 2 to 6 ).

[0099] Furthermore, when optically detecting the sag of film 2 in the forwarding area II, as in Fig. 4As shown, it is advantageous if, viewed in the production direction P, a deflection roller 26 is provided downstream of the driven conveying roller 20, which is offset downwards in particular with respect to the vertical position compared to the driven conveying roller 20.

[0100] In general, it is particularly advantageous that the roller adjoining the driven conveying roller 20 in the production direction P is offset downwards with respect to its vertical position, thus achieving a greater wrap around the driven conveying roller 20 by the film 2. Increased wrap results in increased friction, leading to better separation of the two areas, namely the cutting area I and the conveying area II. The entire manufacturing process of the film 2 is thus advantageously more decoupled with regard to the different sub-processes of cutting and the subsequent secondary process, so that the sub-processes have less influence on each other.

[0101] Furthermore, it is advantageous that, viewed in the production direction P, a load cell unit, be it load cell unit 14 in Fig. 3 or Fig. 6and / or the load cell unit 25 in Fig. 2 , 3 , 5 or 6, a roller is arranged which is offset upwards with respect to the vertical position. As in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the driven transfer roller 20 is arranged above the load cell unit 25 with respect to its vertical position. Fig. 3 The deflection roller 15 is arranged above the load cell unit 14 with respect to the vertical position, as is the driven transfer roller 20 with respect to the vertical position above the load cell unit 25. Fig. 5 , as well as in Fig. 6 The auxiliary roller 21 is arranged above the load cell unit 25 with respect to its vertical position. Furthermore, in Fig. 6The deflection roller 15 is positioned vertically above the load cell unit 14. This results in increased wrapping of the respective load cell unit 14 or 25 by the film 2. This leads to increased force transmission between the film 2 and the respective wrapped roller of the load cell unit 14 or 25, which in turn results in more sensitive detection of web tension by the load cell unit 14 or 25. The control and, in particular, the regulation of the entire manufacturing process of the film 2 can thus be significantly improved.

[0102] Should the secondary process in the secondary area III' be characterized by a roller which transports the film 2 further, as in the exemplary embodiments shown above. Fig. 2 , 4 and 4If the winding section III has a driven winding roller 30, then it is particularly advantageous if the (middle) driven transfer roller 20 is offset upwards with respect to its vertical position relative to a connecting line running between this roller of the secondary section III' and the cutting unit 10. As in Fig. 2 , 3 and 4 As can be seen, the driven forwarding roller 20 is arranged in a vertical position above the connecting line between the cutting unit 10 and the driven winding roller 30.

[0103] This can be particularly advantageous if further units arranged between the driven feed roller 20 and the rear roller of secondary section III', such as the driven winding roller 30, are to be omitted. It may be desirable or necessary to create a bypass to circumvent these further units of feed section II, in order to guide the film 2 directly from the driven feed roller 20 to secondary section III' or winding section III. The proposed system 1 is flexible in that it can be adapted to such a case. Reference symbol list

[0104] 1 Plant for producing a film or sheet from a block of material I Cutting area II Redirect area III Changing area 2 film III' Secondary area 3 foam block 4 Coil A Cutting and winding process 10 Cutting unit P Production direction of slide 2 11 Cutting wedge 12 Cutting area detection unit v 1 Feed rate of the foam block 3 13 optical measuring device 14 Load cell unit v 2 Circumferential speed of the driven forwarding roller 20 15 Deflection roller 20 driven forwarding roller v 3 Peripheral speed of the driven winding roller 30 21 Auxiliary roller 22 conveyor belt a 1 Drive parameters of the foam block 3 23 Forwarding area recording unit 23 a 2 Drive parameters of the driven forwarding roller 20 24 optical measuring device 25 Load cell unit a 3 Drive parameters in the secondary area III' 26 Deflection roller 30 driven winding roller 31 Auxiliary roller

Claims

1. A method for producing a film (2) or sheet from a block material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), in which at least the following regions are provided, as seen in a production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet: - a cutting region (I) for cutting the film (2) or sheet, wherein the film (2) or sheet is cut out, in a splitting-open manner, by means of a cutting unit (10) from the block material, which is continuously fed to the cutting region (I), - a passing-on region (II) adjoining the cutting region (I) and having a driven passing-on roller (20) for conveying the film (2) or sheet out of the cutting region (I), and - a secondary region (III') adjoining the passing-on region (II) and intended for further processing the film (2) or sheet, in particular winding region (III) for winding the film (2) or sheet into a coil (4), wherein there is a cutting-region stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (I) upstream of the passing-on roller (20) and there is a secondary stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II) upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), characterized in that the method is at least partially controlled in such a manner that: a) at least one parameter representing the cutting-region stress is automatically detected in the cutting region (I), and / or b) at least one parameter representing the secondary stress is automatically detected in the passing-on region (II), and in that at least one of the following process parameters is regulated on the basis of at least one of the parameters detected in step a) or b): - a drive parameter (a1) of the block material, - a drive parameter (a2) of the driven passing-on roller (20), and / or - a drive parameter (a3) in the secondary region (III') for moving the film (2) or sheet for further processing of the film (2) or sheet.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as a parameter representing the cutting-region stress, a sag of the film (2) or sheet is automatically detected downstream of the cutting unit (10) and upstream of the driven passing-on roller (20), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a parameter representing the cutting-region stress, a web stress in the film (2) or sheet is automatically detected by means of a load cell unit (14) downstream of the cutting unit (10) and upstream of the driven passing-on roller (20), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a parameter representing the secondary stress, a sag of the film (2) or sheet is automatically detected downstream of the driven passing-on roller (20) and upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a parameter representing the secondary stress, a web stress in the film (2) or sheet is automatically detected by means of a load cell unit (25) downstream of the driven passing-on roller (20) and upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sag of the film (2) or sheet is automatically detected by means of an optical measuring device (13; 24), preferably by means of a laser, more preferably by measuring to the surface of the film (2) or sheet.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mentioned process parameters are regulated in such a manner that: - the drive parameter (a2) of the driven passing-on roller (20) depends on the automatically detected sag of the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (I), and / or - the drive parameter (a3) in the secondary region (III') depends on the web stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II), which is automatically detected by means of the load cell unit (25).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mentioned process parameters are regulated in such a manner that: - the drive parameter (a2) of the driven passing-on roller (20) depends on the web stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (I), which is automatically detected by means of the load cell unit (14), and / or - the drive parameter (a3) in the secondary region (III') depends on the automatically detected sag of the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II).

9. An installation (1) for producing a film (2) or sheet from a block material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), preferably for carrying out a method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the installation (1) has at least the following regions as seen in a production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet: - a cutting region (I) for cutting the film (2) or sheet, wherein a cutting unit (10) is provided in the cutting region (I) for cutting out, in splitting-open manner, the film (2) or sheet from the block material which is continuously fed to the cutting region (I) during production, - a passing-on region (II) adjoining the cutting region (I) and having a driven passing-on roller (20) for conveying the film (2) or sheet out of the cutting region (I), and - a secondary region (III') adjoining the passing-on region (II) and intended for further processing the film (2) or sheet, in particular winding region (III) for winding the film (2) or sheet into a coil (4), wherein there is a cutting-region stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (I) upstream of the passing-on roller (20) and there is a secondary stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II) upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), characterized in that at least one of the following detection units is provided: a) a cutting region detection unit (12) in the cutting region (I) for automatically detecting a parameter representing the cutting-region stress, and / or b) a passing-on region detection unit (23) in the passing-on region (II) for automatically detecting a parameter representing the secondary stress, and in that a control unit is provided for regulating at least one of the following process parameters on the basis of at least one of the parameters detected according to a) or b): - a drive parameter (a1) of the block material, - a drive parameter (a2) of the driven passing-on roller (20), and / or - a drive parameter (a3) in the secondary region (III') for moving the film (2) or sheet for further processing of the film (2) or sheet.

10. The installation (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the cutting region detection unit (12) is configured for automatically detecting a sag of the film (2) or sheet or sheet downstream of the cutting unit (10) and upstream of the driven passing-on roller (20), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2), and / or in that the passing-on region detection unit (23) is configured for automatically detecting a sag of the film (2) or sheet downstream of the driven passing-on roller (20) and upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet.

11. The installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting region detection unit (12) is designed as a load cell unit (14) for automatically detecting a web stress in the film (2) or sheet downstream of the cutting unit (10) and upstream of the driven passing-on roller (20), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet, and / or in that the passing-on region detection unit (23) is designed as a load cell unit (25) for automatically detecting a web stress in the film (2) or sheet downstream of the driven passing-on roller (20) and upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), as seen in the production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet.

12. The installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting region detection unit (12) and / or the passing-on region detection unit (23) for automatically detecting the sag of the film (2) or sheet is designed as an optical measuring device (13; 24), preferably as a laser, more preferably in that the optical measuring device (13; 24) is arranged for measuring to the surface of the film (2) or sheet.

13. The installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, furthermore, a film thickness sensor is provided in the cutting region (I), which is designed as an optical measuring device, preferably as a laser, for automatically detecting the thickness of the film (2) or sheet, more preferably in that the film thickness sensor is arranged for measuring to the surface of the film (2) or sheet.

14. A method for retrofitting an installation (1) for producing a film (2) or sheet from a block material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), wherein the installation (1) has at least the following regions as seen in a production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet: - a cutting region (I) for cutting the film (2) or sheet, wherein a cutting unit (10) is provided in the cutting region (I) for cutting out, in a splitting-open manner, the film (2) or sheet from the block material which is continuously fed to the cutting region (I) during production, - a passing-on region (II) adjoining the cutting region (I) and having a driven passing-on roller (20) for conveying the film (2) or sheet out of the cutting region (I), and - a secondary region (III') adjoining the passing-on region (II) and intended for further processing the film (2) or sheet, in particular winding region (III) for winding the film (2) or sheet into a coil (4), wherein there is a cutting-region stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (I) upstream of the passing-on roller (20) and there is a secondary stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II) upstream of the secondary region (III'), in particular winding region (III), characterized in that the installation (1) is equipped with at least one of the following detection units: a) with a cutting-region detection unit (12) in the cutting region (I) for automatically detecting a parameter representing the cutting-region stress, and / or b) with a passing-on region detection unit (23) in the passing-on region (II) for automatically detecting a parameter representing the secondary stress, and in that: - the installation (1) is equipped with a control unit in such a manner, or - an existing control unit is retrofitted in such a manner that at least one of the following process parameters in the installation (1) can be regulated on the basis of at least one of the parameters detected according to a) or b): - a drive parameter (a1) of the block material, - a drive parameter (a2) of the driven passing-on roller (20), and / or - a drive parameter (a3) in the secondary region (III') for moving the film (2) or sheet for further processing of the film (2) or sheet.

15. A system for retrofitting an installation (1) according to the preamble of claim 9 for producing a film (2) or sheet from a block material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by: at least one of the following detection units: a) a cutting-region detection unit (12) for automatically detecting a parameter representing the cutting-region stress in the cutting region (I), and / or b) a passing-on region detection unit (23) for automatically detecting a parameter representing the secondary stress in the passing-on region (II), and characterized by: - a control unit, configured in such a manner, or - a communication unit configured to communicate with an existing control unit of the installation (1) in such a manner that at least one of the following process parameters in the installation (1) can be regulated on the basis of at least one of the parameters detected according to a) or b): - a drive parameter (a1) of the block material, - a drive parameter (a2) of the driven passing-on roller (20), and / or - a drive parameter (a3) in the secondary region (III') for moving the film (2) or sheet for further processing of the film (2) or sheet.

Images