Forming machine for forming preforms into containers, and method for operating such a forming machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a forming machine (10) for forming preforms (14) into containers (12, 14) by introducing a pressurized forming fluid into the preforms (14). The forming machine (10) has a rotationally driven forming wheel (110), and multiple forming stations (16) are arranged on the forming wheel (110) so as to be distributed along the circumference thereof. Each forming station (16, 17) has a mold receiving area (144) that holds a multipart outer mold (146) which is releasably secured to the mold receiving area and against the inner contour of which the preforms (14) are expanded, and the mold receiving area (144) has controllable fixing means (150, 151) for holding the outer mold (146), said fixing means (150, 151) being capable of being actuated into a fixed position and a release position. The forming machine (10) has detection means (136) for detecting the rotational position of the forming wheel (110), and preforms (14) are supplied to the forming machine (10) in a transfer region (123). The forming machine (10) additionally has a controller (132) which controls the operation of the forming machine (10) and which is connected to the detection means (136), wherein the controller (132) actuates the forming machine (10) in a first operating mode, a production mode, in order to produce containers from preforms (14), and the controller (132) actuates the forming machine (10) in a second operating mode, a change-over mode, which differs from the first operating mode, in order to replace the multipart outer mold (146) with a different multipart mold. The controller (132) is designed to control the fixing means (150, 151) of a forming station (16, 17) into the release position in the change-over mode when said forming station (16, 17) has reached a specified first position (XI) relative to the transfer region (123) and / or the controller is designed to control the fixing means (150, 151) of the same forming station (17) into the fixed position when said forming station (16, 17) has reached a specified second position (X2) relative to the transfer region (123). The invention additionally relates to a method for operating a forming machine.

Description

[0001] Forming machine for forming preforms into containers and operating method of such a

[0002] The present invention relates to a forming machine for forming preforms into containers by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a forming machine for forming preforms into containers by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms.

[0003] The production of containers by blow molding from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, for example from preforms made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), is known. The preforms are fed to different processing stations within a blow molding machine (DE 43 40 291 A1). Typically, a blow molding machine has a heating device for tempering or thermally conditioning the preforms and a blow molding device with at least one blow molding station, in the area of ​​which the previously temperature-conditioned preform is expanded into a container. The expansion takes place with the aid of a compressed gas (compressed air) as the pressure medium, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded at a molding pressure. The process sequence for this type of preform expansion is explained in DE 43 40 291 A1. The basic structure of a blow molding station is described in DE 42 12 583 A1.Options for tempering preforms are explained in DE 23 52 926 A1. Tempering or thermal conditioning involves heating the preform to a temperature suitable for blow molding and, if necessary, imprinting a temperature profile on the preform. Blow molding containers from preforms with the additional use of a stretching rod is also known.

[0004] According to a typical further processing method, the containers produced by blow molding are fed to a downstream filling device and filled with the intended product or contents. A separate blow molding machine and a separate filling machine are therefore used. It is also known to combine the separate blow molding machine and the separate filling machine into a single machine block, i.e., a combined blow-filling system, with blow molding and filling still taking place on separate machine components and sequentially.

[0005] It has also been proposed to produce containers, particularly in the form of bottles, from thermally conditioned or temperature-controlled preforms and to simultaneously fill them with a liquid filling material which is supplied as a hydraulic pressure medium for expanding the preform or for shaping the container with a forming and filling pressure, so that the respective preform is formed in the container at the same time as it is filled. Such processes, in which the respective container is formed and filled simultaneously, can also be referred to as hydraulic forming processes or hydraulic container forming. Here, too, it is known to support this forming process by using a stretching rod. Here, too, the preform is first temperature-conditioned before the forming and filling process.

[0006] When the containers are formed from the preforms by the filling material itself, i.e. using the filling material as a hydraulic pressure medium, only one machine is required for forming and filling the containers, although this machine is more complex. An example of such a machine is shown in US 7,914,726 B2. Another example is shown in DE 102010 007541 A1. It is also known for such a forming machine to have a rotary-driven forming wheel. The forming wheel is also known as a working wheel. Several forming stations are arranged circumferentially distributed on such a forming wheel. The preforms are fed into the forming stations and then expanded as described above. For this purpose, each of the forming stations has a mold holder which holds a detachably attached, multi-part outer mold against the inner contour of which the preforms are expanded.The inner contour of the outer mold thus determines the contour of the expanded preform. In simple terms, a heated preform is inserted into the outer mold of the forming station. The preform is then formed into a container by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms. By introducing the forming fluid under pressure, the preform expands in the outer mold and presses itself against the outer mold. The inner contour of the outer mold thus determines the shape of the manufactured containers.

[0007] In order to be able to produce different containers with different shapes using the same forming machine, it is known to make the outer mold interchangeable and to insert a desired outer mold for the production process into the mold holder of the forming station. For example, if a first container with a first container shape is to be produced, an outer mold with a first inner contour is installed in the forming station. If a different container with a different shape is to be produced afterwards, the first outer mold is replaced and a new mold, which can be referred to as a change mold, is inserted into the mold holder of the forming station. In other words, components of the forming machine are changed, namely the outer molds of the forming stations. This process is also referred to as converting or setting up the forming machine. Converting or setting up is used to set up the forming machine for different processed goods during production.

[0008] Due to the large number of forming stations, this changeover of the forming machine can take a relatively long time, for example, several hours. The time required to changeover the forming machine is also referred to as the changeover time or conversion time. Since modern forming machines are designed to produce several thousand containers per hour, such long downtimes or changeover times are generally undesirable. It is desirable to keep downtimes and changeover times as short as possible.

[0009] In addition to this fundamental requirement, safety regulations must also be observed during a conversion process on a forming machine. The forming machine, and in particular the forming stations, feature hydraulically pivoting components, for example, which pose a risk of pinching or shearing for the machine operator (male, female, or male) during conversion when a manual mold change is performed. Furthermore, the outer mold is a solid metal block that can tip over or fall during a change. This can either damage the mold holder or parts of the forming station, or in the worst case, cause personal injury if the outer mold detaches from the mold holder in an uncontrolled manner.

[0010] To prevent the outer mold from accidentally coming loose during a changeover, it is common practice to secure the outer mold parts in the mold holder of the forming station with detachable holding devices or controllable fixing devices. Releasing these devices to secure the outer mold is done manually by the machine operator. This is laborious and contributes to delaying the changeover process.

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to address one of the above-mentioned problems, to improve the general state of the art, or to provide an alternative to what is previously known. In particular, a solution is to be provided that can reduce the changeover time of the forming machine while simultaneously ensuring safe changeover of the forming machine.

[0012] This object is achieved by a forming machine according to claim 1. According to the invention, the forming machine is designed for forming preforms into containers by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms.

[0013] The forming machine can be designed for this purpose, for example, as is generally known from the prior art, for example as a blow molding machine in which the preforms are formed using a gas or directly with a filling material. The forming machine is therefore set up to form the preforms into a container. The forming is carried out using a forming fluid. A forming fluid is a fluid that is used to form the preform, for example a gas or filling material, as is known, for example, from the prior art. This fluid is introduced into the preform under pressure in order to expand the preform. A forming machine is therefore understood to be a machine in which the forming and filling of the produced containers takes place simultaneously in one production step, also called hydraulic forming, or a machine in which the forming and filling of the produced containers takes place in two separate production steps, for examplea blow molding machine with a downstream filling machine. The preforms are also known as preforms or PET blanks. The preforms can be made of various thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polypropylene (PP), or the like. The preforms have, for example, a closure thread and a mouth section. The containers into which the preforms are formed are, for example, bottles, canisters, or the like.

[0014] The forming machine has a rotationally driven forming wheel, i.e., a forming wheel that can be set in rotation by a drive device. The drive device is, for example, a controllable electric motor that is driven by a control device of the forming machine. It goes without saying that the forming wheel is rotatably mounted for this purpose.

[0015] Several forming stations are arranged circumferentially distributed on the rotatable forming wheel. Each forming station holds a preform, in particular a thermally preconditioned preform. This preform can be introduced into the forming station, for example, using a transfer wheel. A plurality of forming stations are therefore arranged on the forming wheel, for example 16 forming stations. To hold the preforms, each forming station has a mold holder which holds a detachably attached, multi-part outer mold, against whose inner contour the preforms are expanded. The mold holder thus forms a receptacle and holder for the outer mold. It is therefore proposed that one preform is introduced into a multi-part outer mold of a forming station and expanded therein.By introducing the forming fluid under pressure, the preform expands in the outer mold and presses itself against the inner contour of the outer mold, which is held in the mold holder. It goes without saying that the outer mold is closed when the preform is expanded, and the outer mold is open when the preform is automatically inserted into the outer mold in a transfer area. The mold holder is opened and closed in the transfer area, i.e. the area on the forming wheel where the preforms are introduced into the forming stations, e.g. by means of a cam control, e.g. cam rollers coupled to the forming station run along an external control cam.

[0016] The outer mold, for example, is an aluminum mold consisting of three parts: two side shells and a base part. The outer mold can also be referred to as a multi-part mold. The side shell is also synonymously referred to as the side part. The base part is also synonymously referred to as the base mold.

[0017] The outer mold is releasably secured in the mold holder and is secured in the mold holder, for example, with a fixing device and / or a holding device. For example, the fixing device is a zero-clamping system and the holding device is a rod gripper.

[0018] The mold holder has a controllable fixing means for holding the outer mold. The fixing means is therefore a means provided for fixing the outer mold in the mold holder of the forming station. The fixing means is designed to be controllable and can be moved into a fixing position and a release position by means of control. The control device therefore controls the fixing means in such a way that the release position or the fixing position is established. The fixing position is a position of the fixing means in which the outer mold is fixed in the mold holder by the fixing means. The fixing position can also be understood as a locked or unlocked position. In the fixing position, the outer mold cannot be separated from the mold holder. The release position is a position of the fixing means in which the outer mold is no longer held fixed in the mold holder by the fixing means.The release position can also be interpreted as an unlocked or released position. In the release position, the outer mold can be separated from the mold holder. The controllable clamping device can generally be pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, and / or mechanically driven. For example, the clamping device could be a zero-clamping system.

[0019] In addition, the forming machine has a detection device for detecting the rotational position of the forming wheel. The detection device is therefore a device that detects the rotational position of the forming wheel using a sensor. The detection device can also be considered a position sensor and is, for example, a rotary encoder or rotary encoder device.

[0020] In addition, preforms are fed into the forming machine in a transfer area. The preforms are fed, for example, using a transfer wheel that receives thermally preconditioned preforms from a heating device. The area where the preforms are introduced into or removed from the forming station or outer mold during normal operation is called the transfer area. Normal operation is also referred to as production mode.

[0021] The forming machine also has a control device that controls the operation of the forming machine and to which the detection means is connected. The control device is configured, for example, with a bus system and a master controller and additionally or alternatively has control devices for controlling a heating device, for controlling a drive device of the forming wheel, for controlling safety components of the forming wheel, or for controlling components of the forming wheel, or the like. This control device can also be synonymously referred to as an electronic control device.

[0022] The control device controls the forming machine in a first operating mode, a production mode, for the production of containers from preforms. The control device is thus configured to control the forming machine or its controllable components in the production mode. The production mode can also be understood as standard operation, normal operation, production operation, or ongoing operation. In the production mode, the forming machine is configured to produce the containers, and containers are produced with the forming machine and discharged at an output line.

[0023] The electronic control device also controls the forming machine in a second operating mode, a changeover mode, which is different from the first operating mode and allows the multi-part outer mold to be exchanged for a different multi-part mold. The control device is therefore also designed to control the forming machine or its controllable components in the changeover mode. The changeover mode can also be understood as service operation, changeover operation, or interrupted operation. In the changeover mode, the forming machine is converted for the production of containers, and no containers are produced by the forming machine and output at an output line. In the changeover mode, the multi-part outer mold is exchanged for a different multi-part mold.

[0024] In addition, in the conversion mode, the control device is designed to control the fixing means of a forming station into the release position when this forming station reaches a predetermined first position relative to the transfer area, and / or to control the fixing means of the same forming station into the fixing position when this forming station reaches a predetermined second position relative to the transfer area. It is therefore proposed that the electronic control device unlock the fixing means that holds the outer mold in the mold holder when the forming station reaches the first position and / or lock the fixing means when the forming station has reached the second position. The first and second positions can also be understood as rotational angle positions. For example, if the transfer area is set as 0° as the reference point, the first position can be set as 250° and the second rotational position as 290°.If a forming station arranged on the forming wheel now reaches the first position, the control device controls the fixing means so that the release position of the fixing means is set. If the same forming station subsequently reaches the second position, the control device controls the fixing means so that the fixing position of the fixing means is set. Since the forming stations are arranged circumferentially on the forming wheel, the individual positions of the forming stations on the forming wheel are known. If, for example, 16 forming stations are arranged on the forming wheel, the forming stations can be arranged circumferentially distributed on the forming wheel in 24-degree increments. Since the physical position of the forming stations is known, the current location of each forming station can be deduced from the detected angular position of the forming wheel.The first and second positions can thus be stored in the control device as threshold values ​​for the rotational position of the forming wheel in order to automatically control the fixing means. For example, a lock-up table or a program code can be stored in the control device, which, when a predetermined rotational position of the forming wheel is reached, controls a predetermined forming station and its fixing means. The control device is thus configured to automatically control the fixing means of the forming stations' mold holders.

[0025] An advantageous automated release of the controllable fixing means in changeover mode is therefore proposed when the respective forming station has reached a predetermined position. When the mold holder is opened, the fixing means are therefore already released and a machine operator can remove the outer mold held by the fixing means from the mold holder with little effort during changeover. This shortens the changeover time because the fixing means do not have to be released manually or by user input at an input interface. Preferably, the first position and the second position define a release area that extends in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel from the first position to the second position, wherein the fixing means are in the release position in the release area. A predetermined local area is therefore proposed that exists between the first position and the second position.In this local area, the fixing agents that hold the outer mold in the mold holder are loosened and released. The release area can also be considered a fixed angular area.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing means are in the fixing position outside the release area. It is therefore proposed that the fixing means be loosened only within the release area and tightened outside the release area.

[0027] Preferably, the release area is an area located outside the transfer area. It is therefore proposed that the transfer area and the release area be spatially separated or located at different locations. The release area can, for example, be located next to the transfer area or opposite the transfer area.

[0028] The outer mold preferably has at least one side shell and the fixing means has at least one controllable clamping element for mechanically clamping the side shell in the mold holder. The clamping element has a clamped state and a relaxed state. The control device is designed to switch between the clamped and the relaxed state of the clamping element. A first fixing means is therefore proposed which is designed to firmly or loosely fix the side shell or side shells in the mold holder. The clamping element can be a pneumatically operated clamping element, for example. The relaxed state can also be understood as a released, free or unlocked state. The clamped state can also be understood as an unreleased, clamped or locked state. The clamping element is therefore an element or a device which is used to mechanically clamp the side shell in oron the mold holder. The clamping element is preferably part of the mold holder and is designed to positively hold the side shell of the outer mold. The clamping element can be referred to synonymously as a controllable side shell lock or mold shell lock.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the outer mold has at least one base part, and the fixing means has at least one controllable locking means for fixing the base part in the mold receptacle. The at least one locking means has a tensioned state and a relaxed state. The control device is configured to switch between the tensioned and relaxed state of the locking means. A second fixing means is therefore proposed, which is configured to fix the base part firmly or loosely in the mold receptacle. The locking means can, for example, be designed with a hydraulic cylinder that firmly clamps the base part by rotating or moving the cylinder, or it can be designed with a pneumatic clamping element or the like. The relaxed state can also be understood as a released, free, or unlocked state.The clamped state can also be understood as an unclamped, clamped, or locked state. The locking means is therefore a means or device designed to secure the base part in or to the mold holder. It fixes the base part in the mold holder. The locking means can be synonymously referred to as a controllable base lock. The locking means for fixing can be mechanically, electrically, or hydraulically driven, or designed to mechanically fix the base part in the mold holder.

[0030] The controllable clamping element is preferably a pneumatic zero-clamping system that is part of the mold holder and is designed to clamp a clamping bolt of the side part. It is therefore proposed that the side shell have a clamping bolt, which can also be understood as a pin. This pin is received by the zero-clamping system. The zero-clamping system is pneumatically operated and can, for example, be controlled into the clamped or unclamped state using an air pressure regulator with the control device that is designed to control a compressed air supply to the zero-clamping system. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the zero-clamping system is in the clamped state when no pneumatic pressure is applied to the zero-clamping system. If pneumatic pressure is applied to the zero-clamping system, the unclamped state is set.This feature of the zero clamping system is advantageous, which can be described as normally closing, since the outer shape is held securely in the event of a pressure loss on the machine.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, the controllable clamping element is an electrical clamping device that is part of the mold holder and is designed to electrically clamp the side part. It is therefore proposed that a clamping device be used that is electrically controlled and can be electrically controlled into the release position and / or the locking position. Preferably, the electrical clamping device is a controllable electric coil. If, for example, a current is applied to the electric coil, the electric coil creates a magnetic field that clamps the side part.

[0032] The controllable locking means is preferably designed with a hydraulic cylinder. The locking means is configured to secure the base part in the mold holder by moving or rotating the hydraulic cylinder. For this purpose, the base part preferably has a cylinder holder for the hydraulic cylinder. When the cylinder is inserted into the holder, the base part is locked in the mold holder.

[0033] The mold holder preferably has at least one holding means which is designed to hold the outer mold or a part of the outer mold in the release position. The holding means is therefore a means which is designed to hold the outer mold or a part thereof, i.e. the side parts and the base part. The holding means serves for holding and is preferably not controllable. For example, it is provided that the two side parts are each held in the mold holder with a holding means, and a further holding means is provided to hold the base part. The holding means(s) serve the purpose of holding the parts of the outer mold, i.e. the side parts and the base parts, in place, even after the fixing means have been released and are in the release position.It was recognized that the base part and the side parts could detach from the mold holder after the retaining devices were released, resulting in gaps forming between the mold holder and the outer mold. These gaps pose a potential trapping hazard. The use of the retaining devices reduces this trapping hazard, as the retaining devices releasably hold the parts of the outer mold. In addition, these retaining devices prevent uncontrolled falling when the blow molding station is opened.

[0034] More preferably, the at least one holding means is a rod gripper with a threaded pin or a magnetic holder or a mechanical holding means. A rod gripper is advantageous because the pin is not only used to hold the outer mold in the mold receptacle, but can also be used as a positioning aid when inserting an interchangeable mold. The magnetic holder is a holder that is designed with a magnet. The magnetic holder is designed to magnetically attract the base part or the side parts with a force. In this way, the base part or the side parts are held with a permanent force. The magnetic holder is particularly preferably designed to be controllable with a controllable electric coil and the control device is designed to control the electric coil. More preferably, the control device is designed to control a holding force of the electric coil.A mechanical holding device is a holding device that works with a holding mechanism, wherein the holding mechanism is preferably controllable.

[0035] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a rod gripper with an adjustable threaded pin is proposed as a first holding means for stationary holding a side part in the mold receptacle, and / or a magnetic holder is proposed as a second holding means for stationary holding the base part in the mold receptacle. A rod gripper with an adjustable threaded pin is advantageous because the length of the rod gripper can be adjusted. Furthermore, a rod gripper is advantageous for the side parts because the pins serve as a positioning aid. It goes without saying that the side part(s) have a corresponding pin receptacle for the rod gripper. A magnetic holder is particularly advantageous for the base mold because it simply prevents vertical movement of the base part. The magnetic holder can also be referred to as a magnetic gripper or magnetic fixation.Preferably, the detection means is a rotary encoder device configured with a rotary encoder to determine the rotational position of the forming wheel. The rotary encoder is arranged, for example, on a rotational axis of a drive device of the forming wheel.

[0036] Preferably, the first position and the second position are stored in a memory unit, and the control device is configured to control the fixing means of the forming station based on the stored positions. It is therefore proposed that the first and second positions be stored in the memory unit in a programmed manner, and that the control device automatically moves the fixing means into the release position or the fixing position by controlling them based on the stored positions. The memory unit is preferably part of the electronic control device. Preferably, the first and second positions are stored in the memory unit in a changeable manner and can be changed via an input interface of the forming machine.

[0037] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control device is configured to compare the rotational position of the forming wheel detected by the detection means with the first stored position and / or with the second stored position in order to control the fixing means of the forming station based on the comparison. It is therefore proposed that the first and / or second position is stored in the control device in data technology for comparison with the detected rotational position of the forming wheel and that the detection means determines the current rotational position of the forming wheel. If the rotational position of the forming wheel measured by the detection means reaches the stored first and / or second rotational position, control of the fixing means is triggered. The stored positions can therefore be understood as threshold values ​​for a predetermined rotational position or rotational orientation of the forming wheel, which are stored in the control unit.It is therefore preferably proposed that the control device controls the fixing means into the release position when the rotational position of the forming wheel, as detected by the detection means, reaches the first stored position, and that the control device controls the fixing means into the fixing position when the rotational position of the forming wheel, as detected by the detection means, reaches the second stored position. Preferably, the first position is defined by a release sensor coupled to the control device. In a preferred embodiment, the release sensor is arranged in a region of the first position. In addition, the release sensor is preferably configured to detect when the first position of a forming station arranged on the forming wheel has been reached.

[0038] More preferably, the release sensor is an optical sensor that detects when the first position of the forming station has been reached by detecting a marking arranged on the forming station or by detecting an interruption of a light beam. It is therefore proposed that the control of the fixing means into the release position be triggered, for example, by a light barrier device or by a scanning device that detects a marking arranged on the forming station. If, for example, a forming station triggers the light barrier device, the electronic control device controls the fixing means of this forming station into the release position. If a marking arranged on the forming station is detected by the scanning device, the control device controls the fixing means of this forming station into the release position. The marking is, for example, a scannable code, such as a barcode or QR code or the like.

[0039] Further preferably, the release sensor is a magnetic sensor that detects when the first position of the forming station has been reached by a change in a detected magnetic field. The magnetic sensor can, for example, be configured with a magnetic contact switch.

[0040] The second position is preferably defined by a locking sensor coupled to the control device. In a preferred embodiment, the locking sensor is arranged in a region of the second position. In addition, the locking sensor is preferably designed to detect when the second position of a forming station arranged on the forming wheel is reached. More preferably, the locking sensor is an optical sensor which detects when the second position of the forming station is reached by detecting a marking arranged on the forming station or by detecting an interruption of a light beam. It is therefore proposed that the control of the fixing means into the fixing position is triggered, for example, by a light barrier device or by a scanning device which detects a marking arranged on the forming station.For example, if a forming station triggers the light barrier device, the electronic control unit moves the fixing devices of that forming station into the fixing position. If a marking located on the forming station is detected by the scanning device, the control unit moves the fixing devices of that forming station into the fixing position. The marking can be, for example, a scannable code, such as a barcode or QR code.

[0041] Further preferably, the locking sensor is a magnetic sensor that detects when the first position of the forming station has been reached by a change in a detected magnetic field. The magnetic sensor can, for example, be configured with a magnetic contact switch.

[0042] Preferably, the electronic control device is also designed to control the rotationally driven orbital movement of the forming wheel in the conversion mode based on the rotational position detected by the detection means. It is therefore proposed that the control device be data-linked to the detection means and that the control device controls the rotation of the forming wheel. The control of the rotation of the forming wheel can be automated or semi-automated depending on a user input, for example by a user continuing to rotate the forming wheel using a two-handed motor. Additionally or alternatively, it is proposed that the control device is also designed to control the forming wheel into idle mode in the conversion mode. Idle mode is an operation or operating state of the forming wheel in which the forming wheel is designed to be manually rotatable, for example when all brakes are released.It is therefore provided that the control device puts the drive device of the forming machine into idle mode and that the rotating forming wheel is rotated manually.

[0043] As a further aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for operating a forming machine for forming preforms into containers by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms. The forming machine has a rotationally driven forming wheel, with several forming stations arranged circumferentially distributed on the forming wheel, each forming station having a mold holder that holds a detachably attached, multi-part outer mold, against the inner contour of which the preforms are expanded. The mold holder has controllable fixing means for holding the outer mold, the fixing means being controllably movable into a fixing position and a release position, and preforms being fed to the forming machine in a transfer area. The method comprises the following steps:

[0044] Detecting a rotational position of the forming wheel with a detection means for detecting a rotational position of the forming wheel;

[0045] Controlling the forming machine in a conversion mode with a control device, wherein the control of the forming machine in the conversion mode comprises the steps

[0046] (i) Controlling the fixing means of a forming station into the release position when this forming station reaches a predetermined first position relative to the transfer area and / or

[0047] (ii) controlling the fixing means of the same forming station into the fixing position when this forming station reaches a predetermined second position relative to the transfer area.

[0048] A forming machine is thus proposed, as described above or described below. The proposed operating method of the forming machine in conversion mode thus comprises the steps of determining the rotational position or rotation of the forming wheel using a detection means for the rotational position of the forming wheel, and moving the fixing means into the release position or the fixing position upon reaching a first and second predetermined rotational position of the forming wheel relative to the transfer area. The fixing means are thus released between these two positions in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel, so that the outer mold can be removed from the mold holder between the two positions.

[0049] Preferably, the first position and the second position define a release region which extends in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel from the first position to the second position, and wherein the fixing means in the release region are in the release position, in particular as previously described for the forming machine.

[0050] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fixing means are located outside the release area in the fixing position, wherein the release area is an area that lies outside the transfer area, in particular as previously described for the forming machine.

[0051] Preferably, the electronic control device is configured to control at least one controllable clamping element for mechanically clamping a side part of the outer mold, and / or to control a controllable locking system for mechanically clamping a bottom part of the outer mold in order to adjust the release position or the fixing position of the outer mold, in particular as previously described for the forming machine.

[0052] Preferably, the forming machine is designed to carry out the method according to one of the above or following embodiments.

[0053] The method preferably comprises the additional step of controlling the rotationally driven orbital movement of the forming wheel based on the rotational position detected by the detection means and / or controlling the forming wheel into idle mode. It is therefore proposed that the control device be connected to the detection means for data purposes and that the control device controls the rotation of the forming wheel. The control of the rotationally driven orbital movement of the forming wheel is preferably carried out using the control device, as described above. The control of the rotation of the forming wheel can be automated or semi-automated depending on a user input, for example by a user continuing to rotate the forming wheel using a two-handed control. Idle mode is an operation or operating state of the forming wheel in which the forming wheel is designed to be manually rotatable, i.e., for example, when all brakes are released.

[0054] The previously described advantages, explanations and definitions of the above forming machine apply analogously to the previously described process and vice versa.

[0055] The present invention will now be explained in more detail below by way of example using embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components:

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a forming machine in one embodiment.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a forming machine in an embodiment according to the invention.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a closed forming station of a forming machine in one embodiment.

[0059] Fig. 4 shows schematically an outer mold held in a mold holder.

[0060] Fig. 5A shows a side part and a mold holder with holding means and zero clamping system in an embodiment in an unjoined state.

[0061] Fig. 5B shows a side part and a mold holder with holding means and zero-clamping system in a joined state in one embodiment. Fig. 6 schematically shows an open forming station with a mold holder in one embodiment.

[0062] Fig. 7 shows schematically a control device in one embodiment.

[0063] The structure of a forming machine 10, known in principle from the prior art, is illustrated in Figure 1. The illustration shows the preferred embodiment of such a forming machine 10 in the form of a rotary machine with a rotating forming wheel 110 carrying several forming stations 16, which can also be referred to as a working wheel. For simplicity of the drawing, only four forming stations 16 are shown, which are arranged circumferentially distributed on the rotatable forming wheel 110. From a feed device 112, schematically illustrated preforms 14, which are also referred to as preforms, are continuously fed to a heating device 116 using a transfer wheel 114.In the area of ​​the heating device 116, also referred to as a furnace, in which the preforms 14 are transported along a heating section and thermally conditioned, the preforms 14 can be transported, depending on the application, with their mouth sections 22 pointing vertically upwards or vertically downwards. The heating device 116 is equipped, for example, with heating devices 118 arranged along a transport device 120 to form the heating section and which heat the preforms 14.

[0064] After sufficient temperature conditioning, the preforms 14 are transferred from a transfer wheel 122 to a forming wheel 110 that is arranged to rotate, i.e., to rotate about a vertical machine axis MA, or to forming stations 16 that are arranged circumferentially distributed on the forming wheel 110. The transfer of the preforms 14 to the forming stations 16 takes place while the forming stations 16 are open. A drive device 134 serves as the drive for the forming wheel 110.

[0065] The area where the preforms 14 are fed into the forming wheel or into the forming stations 16 is referred to as the transfer area 123. The forming wheel 110 is equipped with a plurality of such forming stations 16, in whose area both the preforms 14 are formed into the schematically illustrated containers 12 and the containers 12 are filled with the intended filling material. The forming of each container 12 takes place simultaneously with the filling, with the filling material serving as the pressure medium during the forming process. In blow molding machines, however, filling does not take place on this forming wheel 110, but rather at a later time on a filling wheel with filling stations.

[0066] After forming and filling, the finished formed and filled containers 12 are removed from the forming wheel 110 by a removal wheel 124, transported further, and fed to an output line 126. In production mode, which can also be considered production operation, the forming wheel 110 rotates continuously at a desired rotational speed. During one rotation, a preform 14 is inserted into a forming station 16, the preform 14 is expanded into a container 12, including filling with a filling material and, if necessary, stretching, if a stretching rod is provided, and the container 12 is removed from the forming station 16.

[0067] According to the embodiment in Figure 1, it is further provided that closure caps 130, shown schematically, are fed to the forming wheel 110 via an input device 128. This makes it possible to close the containers 12 on the forming wheel 110 and to handle the fully formed, filled, and closed containers 12 using the removal wheel 124.

[0068] Various thermoplastic materials can be used for the preforms 14. Examples include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polypropylene (PP). The dimensions and weight of the preforms 14 are adapted to the size, weight, and / or design of the containers 12 to be produced.

[0069] Handling of the preforms 14 and / or the containers 12 is preferably carried out using pliers and / or the mouth section 22 with clamping or plug-in mandrels that apply a holding force at least partially from the inside or outside. Such handling means are also well known in the art.

[0070] The forming machine 10 is equipped with measuring sensors for the purpose of its control or regulation.

[0071] Figure 1 also shows an exemplary path of the preforms 14 through the forming machine 10 with arrows. In addition, an arrow is shown in the forming wheel, illustrating the direction of rotation of the forming wheel.

[0072] Figure 2 shows a forming machine 10 in an embodiment according to the invention, wherein only a part of the forming machine 10 is shown in Figure 2, namely the feed of the preforms and the forming wheel.

[0073] The forming machine 10 is configured for forming preforms 14 into containers 12 by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms, the containers not being shown in Figure 2. The forming machine 10 has a rotationally driven forming wheel 110, which is preferably driven by a drive device 134, for example, an electric motor. A plurality of forming stations 16, 17 are arranged circumferentially distributed on the forming wheel 110. To simplify the illustration, only five forming stations 16, 17 are highlighted with a rectangle or shown schematically in Figure 2. Each forming station 16, 17 has a mold holder 144, which is shown enlarged, for example, in Figures 3 or 6. The mold holder 144 holds a multi-part outer mold 146 detachably attached thereto. The outer mold 146 is shown, for example, in Figure 4.The preforms 14 can be expanded against the inner contour of the outer mold, as Figure 4 illustrates, for example.

[0074] The mold holder 144 has controllable fixing means 150 for holding the outer mold 146, which are shown in more detail in Figures 4, 5A, and 6, for example. The fixing means 150 can be moved into a fixing position and a release position by means of control, namely by means of the control device 132. The forming machine 10 also has a detection means 136 for detecting a rotational position of the forming wheel 110. In addition, the preforms 14 are fed to the forming wheel in a transfer area 123. The forming machine 10 also has an electronic control device 132, which controls the operation of the forming machine 10 and to which the detection means 136 is connected. The signaling connection of the control device 132 to the detection means 136 and to the drive device 134 is illustrated in Figure 2 with a double arrow.

[0075] The control device 132 controls the forming machine 10 in a production mode for the manufacture of containers from preforms, and the control device 132 controls the forming machine 10 in a conversion mode for exchanging the multi-part outer mold 146 for another multi-part mold. The control device 132 is shown in more detail in Figure 7, for example. The control device 132 is thus configured to control the forming machine 10 in both the conversion mode and the production mode.

[0076] The control device 132 is designed to control the rotationally driven orbital movement of the forming wheel 110 in the conversion mode based on the rotational position detected by the detection means 136 and to control the fixing means 150 of a forming station 16, 17 into the release position when this forming station 16 reaches a predetermined first position x1 relative to the transfer area 123. In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the forming stations with fixing means in the release position are illustrated by way of example with the reference numeral 17.

[0077] The electronic control device 132 is additionally or alternatively configured to control the rotationally driven orbital movement of the forming wheel 110 in the conversion mode based on the rotational position detected by the detection means 136 and to control the fixing means 150 of the same forming station 17 into the fixing position when this forming station 17 reaches a predetermined second position x2 relative to the transfer area 123. The first and second positions are therefore different.Figure 2 thus shows that the first position x1 and the second position x2 define a release region 152 which extends in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel 110 from the first position x1 to the second position x2, wherein the fixing means 150 are located in the release region 152 in the release position and preferably the fixing means 150 are located outside the release region 152 in the fixing position, and wherein the release region 152 is a region which lies outside the transfer region 123.

[0078] In order to illustrate the arrangement of the transfer area 123 with respect to the release area 152, Figure 2 shows the components of the forming machine 10 previously described in relation to Figure 1, namely the feed device 112, the transfer wheel 114, the heating device 116, the transfer wheel 122 and the transfer area 123.

[0079] The proposed forming device 10 thus provides a possibility for faster changeover, since, for example, the machine operator 158 does not have to manually or semi-automatically unlock the fixing means 150 holding the outer mold in the release area 158. The changeover can be carried out, for example, by the machine operator 158 manually changing outer molds 146 provided in a mold magazine 156. Figure 2 shows only one side part 160 of an outer mold 146 in the mold magazine 156 at a time. Such a changeover occurs, for example, when an automated gripper device 154 is undergoing maintenance or is defective, which is illustrated by a hammer symbol in Figure 2, or when such a gripper device is not present at all.

[0080] Figure 3 illustrates a forming station 16 arranged on a forming wheel 110. The forming station 16 shown has a mold holder 144, which is shown in a closed state in Figure 3. The mold holder 144 is designed to be mechanically pivotable with an opening and closing system. A mold holder 144 in the open state is shown, for example, in Figure 6. The mold holder 144 accommodates an outer mold 146, which is shown in more detail in Figure 4, for example. The mold holder is opened manually, for example, preferably manually via a lever mechanism.

[0081] Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an outer mold 146 held in a mold receptacle 144, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. The outer mold 146 is formed from a first and second side part 160 and a base part 162. The preform 14, which is arranged within the outer mold 146 and is illustrated by a dashed line, is expanded into a container 12 using a nozzle device 164. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a stretching rod 166 is also used, the mode of operation of which is generally known. The stretching rod 166 and nozzle device 164 are shown only as examples. The preform 14 is expanded against the inner contour of the outer mold 146 to produce the container 14. The expansion of the preform 14 into the container 12 is effected by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preform 14. The preform 14 is thermally preconditioned as described in the prior art.The mold holder 144 positively receives the outer mold 146. Furthermore, the two side parts 160 positively receive the base part 162. When the side parts 160 and the base part 162 are joined, the inner contour of the outer mold 146 corresponds to the shape of the container 12 to be produced.

[0082] The outer mold 146 has two side parts 160, and a controllable fixing means 150 is provided for each side part. In the embodiment shown, the fixing means 150 is designed as a controllable clamping element for mechanically clamping the side shell 160 in the mold holder 144, namely as a zero-clamping system. The controllable fixing means 150 or the zero-clamping system has a clamped state and a relaxed state. The control device 132 is configured to switch between the clamped and relaxed states of the zero-clamping system. This is represented by the arrow in Figure 2. For illustrative purposes, only one arrow is drawn on the fixing means 150; the opposite fixing means 150 is also controllable.The controllable clamping element is therefore a pneumatic zero-clamping system that is part of the mold holder 144 and that is designed to clamp a clamping bolt 178 of the side part, which is not shown in Figure 4. The clamping bolt 178 is shown, for example, in Figure 5A.

[0083] The fixing means 150, 151 are activated and released depending on the rotational position detected by the detection means 136 when the first and second positions x1 and x2 stored in the memory unit 174 are reached. The first position and the second position are thus stored in a memory unit 172, and the control device 132 is configured to control the fixing means 150, 151 of the forming station 16, 17 based on the stored positions.

[0084] The outer mold 146 also has a base part 162, which can be moved into the release position or the locking position by a controllable locking means 151. In the embodiment shown, the locking means 151 is designed as a controllable locking means for mechanically fixing the base part in the mold holder 144, namely as a controllable locking means with a hydraulic cylinder 170. The controllable locking means 151 or the locking means has a tensioned state and a relaxed state. The control device 132 is configured to switch between the tensioned and relaxed states of the locking means. This is represented by the arrow in Figure 2. The base part 162 has a cylinder receptacle 172 and is configured to receive the rotatable hydraulic cylinder 170. The rotatability of the hydraulic cylinder is illustrated by an arrow in Figure 4.The hydraulic cylinder 170 of the controllable locking means can be inserted into this cylinder receptacle 172 in order to mechanically clamp or fix the base part 162 in the mold receptacle 144. The controllable fixing means 151 or the locking means is thus formed with a hydraulic cylinder 170, and the locking means is configured to fix the base part 162 in the mold receptacle 144 by moving or rotating the hydraulic cylinder 170.

[0085] In addition, Figure 4 illustrates that the mold holder has at least one holding means 168, 169 which is designed to hold the outer mold 146 or a part of the outer mold in the release position, namely the two side parts 160 and the base part 162. For example, the holding means 168 is designed as a rod gripper with a threaded pin and the holding means 169 as a magnetic holder.

[0086] Figure 5A shows a side part 160 and a portion of the mold holder 144 in an unjoined state in one embodiment. The side part 160 has two receptacles 176 for the holding means 168, which are designed, for example, as receptacles for two bar grippers. Furthermore, the side part 160 has a clamping bolt 178, which is configured to be received by the controllable fixing means 132, which is designed, for example, as a zero-clamping clamping system. The mold holder 144 has two holding means 168 in the form of bar grippers on a side facing the outer mold shells.

[0087] Figure 5B shows a side part 160 and a part of the mold holder 144 in a joined state in an embodiment as shown in Figure 5A. Figure 5B illustrates that the side part 160 is positively received by the mold holder 144 and that the side part 160 is held by the mold holder with the fixing means 150 and the holding means 168.

[0088] Figure 6 shows a mold holder 144 in an open state. The side part 160 is inserted into or removed from the mold holder 144, which has a controllable fixing element 150 in the form of a zero-clamping system and two holding means 168 for holding the outer mold 146 and the side element 160, respectively. The mold holder shown is part of a forming station 16, 17, as shown, for example, in Figures 2 or 3.

[0089] Figure 7 shows the schematic representation of a possible modular control architecture of an electronic control device 400 for a forming machine 10. The letter A denotes a master control. Letter B denotes a control device for the control or regulation of a heating device. Letter C denotes a control for a drive of the forming machine, for example the drive device 134 of the working wheel 110. Letter D denotes safety devices, such as emergency stop switches, etc. Letter E denotes a control device for the forming process, for example for the possible drive of a stretching rod, or for switching valves for switching a forming fluid on or off, etc. Letter F denotes a control device for forming stations and / or for fixing means for the outer mold.Control-relevant data can be displayed on a display 401, and the master controller supplies the display 401 with the values ​​to be displayed via a data line 405. The display 401 can also function as an input unit, and values ​​entered via this input unit can be transferred to the master controller A via the connecting line 405. The additional data lines 402, 403, and 404 and data line 405 can be implemented, for example, as a data bus and are used, for example, to transmit data between the master controller A and the other control modules or between the control modules themselves.

[0090] Accordingly, a quick-change system for a forming machine is proposed that allows the changeover of an outer mold in a forming station to be carried out more quickly than previously possible. Furthermore, the quick-change system ensures operational reliability when changing the outer mold.

[0091] List of reference symbols

[0092] 10 Forming machine 12 Container 14 Preforms 16, 17 Forming stations 22 Mouth section 110 Forming wheel 112 Feeding device 114 Transfer wheel 116 Heating device 118 Heating devices 120 Transport device 122 Transfer wheel 123 Transfer area 124 Removal wheel 126 Output section 128 Input device 130 Closure caps 132 Control device 134 Drive device 136 Detection means 138 First position 140 Second position 142 Release area 144 Mold holder 146 Outer mold 150, 151 Fixing means 152 Release area 154 Gripper device 156 Mold magazine 158 Machine operator 160 Side shell part 162 Bottom part 164 Nozzle device 166 Stretch rod 168, 169 Holding means 170 Hydraulic cylinder 172 Cylinder holder 174 Storage unit 176 Holder for holding device 178 Clamping bolt x1 first position x2 second position

Claims

Claims 1. Forming machine (10) for forming preforms (14) into containers (12) by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms, wherein the forming machine has a rotary-driven forming wheel (110), wherein several forming stations (16, 17) are arranged circumferentially distributed on the forming wheel, wherein each forming station has a mold holder (144) which holds a detachably attached, multi-part outer mold (146), against whose inner contour the preforms are expanded, wherein the mold holder (144) has controllable fixing means (150, 151) for holding the outer mold, wherein the fixing means can be brought into a fixing position and into a release position by means of control, and wherein the forming machine has a detection means (136) for detecting a rotational position of the forming wheel (110),and wherein preforms are fed to the forming machine in a transfer area (123) and wherein the forming machine also has a control device (132) which controls the operation of the forming machine and to which the detection means (136) is connected, wherein the control device (132) controls the forming machine in a first operating mode, a production mode, for the manufacture of containers from preforms, and wherein the control device (132) controls the forming machine in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode, a changeover mode, for changing the multi-part outer shape for another multi-part shape, wherein the control device (132) is configured in the changeover mode, (i) to control the fixing means (150, 151) of a forming station (16, 17) into the release position when this forming station reaches a predetermined first position (x1) relative to the transfer area (123) and / or (ii) to control the fixing means (150, 151) of the same forming station into the fixing position when that forming station reaches a predetermined second position (x2) relative to the transfer area (123).

2. Forming machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first position (x1) and the second position (x2) define a release area (152) which extends in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel (110) from the first position to the second position, and wherein the fixing means (150, 151) are located in the release area in the release position and preferably the fixing means (150, 151) are located outside the release area (123) in the fixing position, and wherein the release area (152) is an area which lies outside the transfer area (123).

3. Forming machine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer mold (146) has at least one side shell (160) and the fixing means (150, 151) has at least one controllable clamping element (150) for mechanically clamping the side shell (160) in the mold receptacle (144), and the clamping element has a clamped state and a relaxed state, and the control device (132) is configured to switch between the clamped and relaxed state of the clamping element, and / or the outer mold (146) has at least one bottom part (162) and the fixing means (150, 151) has at least one controllable locking means (151) for fixing the bottom part (162) in the mold receptacle (144), and the at least one locking means (151) has a clamped state and a relaxed state, and the control device (132) is configured to switch between the clamped and relaxed state of the clamping element. and to switch to the relaxed state of the locking mechanism.

4. Forming machine (10) according to claim 3, wherein the controllable clamping element is a pneumatic zero clamping system which is part of the mold holder and which is configured for clamping a clamping bolt (178) of the side part (160) and / or wherein the controllable clamping element is an electric clamping device which is part of the mold holder and which is configured for electrically clamping the side part (160), preferably the electric clamping device is a controllable electric coil.

5. Forming machine (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the controllable locking means is designed with a hydraulic cylinder (170), and the locking means is configured to fix the bottom part (162) in the mold holder (144) by means of moving or rotating the hydraulic cylinder.

6. Forming machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mold holder (144) has at least one holding means (168) which is configured to hold the outer mold (146) or a part of the outer mold (160, 162) in the release position.

7. Forming machine (10) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one holding means (168) is a rod gripper with threaded pin and / or a magnetic holder and / or a mechanical holding means.

8. Forming machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection means (136) is a rotary encoder device which is equipped with a rotary encoder for detecting the rotational position of the forming wheel (110).

9. Forming machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first position (x1) and / or the second position (x2) is stored in a storage unit (174) and the control device (132) is configured to control the fixing means (150) of the forming station (16, 17) on the basis of the stored positions, in particular the control device is configured to compare the rotational position of the forming wheel detected by the sensing means with the first stored position (x1) and / or with the second stored position (x2) in order to control the fixing means (150) of the forming station (16, 17) on the basis of the comparison.

10. Forming machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first position (x1) is determined by a release sensor coupled to the control device (132), wherein preferably the release sensor is configured to detect when the first position (x1) of a forming wheel mounted on the forming wheel has been reached. to detect the ordered forming station, and wherein the release sensor is preferably arranged in a region of the first position (x1), wherein the release sensor is preferably an optical sensor that detects that the first position (x1) of the forming station has been reached by detecting a marking arranged on the forming station or by detecting an interruption of a light beam, and / or the release sensor is preferably a magnetic sensor that detects that the first position (x1) of the forming station has been reached by a change in a detected magnetic field;and / or the second position (x2) is determined by a locking sensor coupled to the control device (132), wherein preferably the locking sensor is arranged in a region of the second position (x2) and the locking sensor is configured to detect the reaching of the second position (x2) of a forming station arranged on the forming wheel, wherein the locking sensor is preferably an optical sensor that detects the reaching of the first position (x1) of the forming station by detecting a marking arranged on the forming station or by detecting an interruption of a light beam, and / or the locking sensor is preferably a magnetic sensor that detects the reaching of the first position (x1) of the forming station by a change in a detected magnetic field.

11. Forming machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (132) is further configured to control the rotary-driven circular motion of the forming wheel (110) in the changeover mode based on the rotational position detected by the sensing means (136), wherein preferably the control of the rotation of the forming wheel is automated and / or semi-automated depending on a user input; and / or the control device (132) is further configured to control the forming wheel into an idle operation in the changeover mode.

12. Method for operating a forming machine (10) for forming preforms (14) in containers (12) by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preforms, wherein the forming machine (10) has a rotary-driven forming wheel (110), wherein several forming stations (16, 17) are arranged circumferentially distributed on the forming wheel, wherein each forming station has a mold holder (144) which holds a detachably attached, multi-part outer mold (146), against whose inner contour the preforms (14) are expanded, wherein the mold holder (144) has controllable fixing means (150, 151) for holding the outer mold (146), wherein the fixing means can be brought into a fixing position and into a release position by means of control, and wherein preforms are fed to the forming machine in a transfer area (123), comprising the steps: Detecting a rotational position of the forming wheel (110) with a detection means (136) for detecting a rotational position of the forming wheel; Controlling the forming machine in a changeover mode with a control device (132), wherein controlling the forming machine in the changeover mode comprises the steps (i) Actuating the fixing means (150, 151) of a forming station (16, 17) into the release position when this forming station reaches a predetermined first position (x1) relative to the transfer area and / or (ii) Controlling the fixing means (150, 151) of the same forming station into the fixing position when this forming station reaches a predetermined second position (x2) relative to the transfer area.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the first position (x1) and the second position (x1) define a release area (152) which extends in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel (110) from the first position to the second position, and wherein the fixing means (150, 151) are located in the release area in the release position and preferably the fixing means (150, 151) are located outside the release area in the fixing position, and wherein the release area (152) is an area which lies outside the transfer area (123).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control device (132) is configured to actuate at least one controllable clamping element for mechanically clamping a side part (160) of the outer form (146), and / or to actuate a controllable locking system for mechanically clamping a bottom part (162) of the outer form (146) in order to set the release position or the locking position of the outer form.

15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the forming machine (10) is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the additional step: Controlling the rotary-driven circular motion of the converter wheel (110) based on the rotary position detected by the detection means (136) and / or controlling the converter wheel into an idle operation.

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