Control device and control method for slitter apparatus, and computer program

Abstract

Provided is a control device for a slitter device provided with a plurality of slitter heads (13) having slitter knives (15) and a plurality of moving devices (24) for moving the slitter heads (13) along an axis, the slitter device cutting a corrugated cardboard web traveling on a travel line along a travel direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads (13), wherein the control device comprises: a wear state estimation device (52) for estimating the wear state of each of the slitter knives (15) of the plurality of slitter heads (13); and a movement control device (53) for automatically selecting, on the basis of the estimated wear state of the slitter knives (15), a slitter head (13) for which the slitter knife (15) is less worn from among the plurality of slitter heads (13), and automatically moving the selected slitter head (13) to a cutting position, when a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web (W) using some of the plurality of slitter heads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for a slitter device that is equipped in a corrugating machine for manufacturing a corrugated board and performs creasing processing on a corrugated cardboard web, and a computer program.Background Art

[0002] In the corrugating machine that manufactures the corrugated board, the corrugated cardboard web that is continuously manufactured in a manufacturing line is cut (slit) into a plurality of sections along a traveling direction of the corrugated cardboard web by the slitter device in the vicinity of a final process of the manufacturing line, and creasing processing (scoring) is performed along the traveling direction by a scorer device, as necessary. Normally, slitting and scoring are performed by a slitter scorer device in which the slitter device and the scorer device are combined.

[0003] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a slitter scorer device of a general corrugating machine. In a single facer and a double facer (not illustrated), a strip-shaped corrugated cardboard web W formed by bonding a bottom liner and a top liner to both surfaces of a corrugated medium is provided with creasing lines in a traveling direction A of the corrugated cardboard web in a scorer device 3 disposed on a downstream side of the double facer, and is subsequently cut along the traveling direction A in the slitter device 1. Thereafter, the corrugated board is cut into a predetermined product length unit (normally corresponding to one corrugated board) by a cutting apparatus (not illustrated) on the downstream side, and is placed on a stacking device (not illustrated). In the scorer device 3 illustrated here, two rows of a plurality of scorers 3a arranged in a width direction are provided.

[0004] In addition, the slitter device 1 includes a plurality of (in this example, five) slitter heads 13a to 13e (when the slitter heads are not distinguished from each other, the slitter heads are referred to as a slitter head 13) having a slitter knife 15. In the slitter device 1, the corrugated cardboard web W is cut at a predetermined position in the traveling direction A by all or some of the slitter heads 13. A configuration of the slitter device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion Y in FIG. 11. As illustrated in FIG. 11, frames 10 are erected on both sides of the slitter scorer device. A beam 11a is installed between the frames 10 on a lower surface side of the corrugated cardboard web W in a width direction of the corrugated cardboard web W (a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction A of the corrugated cardboard web W). In addition, a beam 11b is provided parallel to the beam 11a on an upper surface side of the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0005] The slitter device 1 includes the beam 11a on the lower surface side, a guide rail 12a attached to the beam 11a, and a plurality of (five in FIGS. 10 and 11) slitter heads 13 attached to the guide rail 12a to be movable in a machine width direction by a movement unit 24. The slitter knife 15 that is a thin disk-shaped rotary knife is rotatably attached to each slitter head 13.

[0006] The slitter device 1 further includes the beam 11b on the upper surface side, a guide rail 12b attached to the beam 11b, and the same number of receiving rolls 16 as the slitter heads 13 attached to the guide rail 12b to be movable in the machine width direction by the movement unit 14.

[0007] Each web cutting device is configured with the slitter knife 15 below and the receiving roll 16 above. The slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 are movable to predetermined positions in the web width direction and are disposed to form a pair. The corrugated cardboard web W can be cut at a desired position in the web width direction by inserting the corrugated cardboard web W between the slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 of each web cutting device.

[0008] As illustrated in FIG. 12, a receiving table 17 that extends in the traveling direction of the corrugated cardboard web W from above and supports the corrugated cardboard web W from below to guide the traveling of the corrugated cardboard web W is provided above the slitter head 13. The slitter knife 15 is disposed below the receiving table 17, and a knife tip of the slitter knife 15 protrudes upward through a through-hole of the receiving table 17.

[0009] A rotation speed of the slitter knife 15 is set to a speed sufficiently higher than a traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W to perform appropriate cutting. In addition, a rotation speed of the receiving roll 16 is set to a speed that is substantially the same as and slightly higher than the traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W not to reduce the traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0010] The corrugated cardboard web W is cut from below by the slitter knife 15 that is rotationally driven. At this time, the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is rotationally driven at a circumferential speed that is sufficiently higher than the traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W at a contact portion with the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0011] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a groove 16a is provided on an outer periphery of the receiving roll 16 in a circumferential direction, and a proper clearance is secured such that the outer periphery of the receiving roll 16 and the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 do not interfere with each other. In this manner, wear or the like caused by the interference of the slitter knife 15 with the receiving roll 16 can be prevented. Meanwhile, the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 cuts the web during operation, and is worn over time due to polishing or the like.

[0012] Techniques focusing on the wear of the knife tip of the slitter knife are disclosed in PTLs 1 and 2.

[0013] The technique of PTL 1 is to prevent occurrence of meandering in a web to be cut by preventing a difference in circumferential speed from occurring in a plurality of slitter knives arranged side by side due to wear of the slitter knife and a decrease in a diameter of the slitter knife. In this technique, a diameter of the slitter knife is calculated based on the polishing count, and the rotation speed of the slitter knife is controlled such that the circumferential speeds of the plurality of slitter knives coincide with each other based on the calculated diameter.

[0014] In addition, the technique of PTL 2 focuses on a problem in which when the knife tip of the slitter knife is worn, an engagement point between the receiving roll and the slitter knife fluctuates, and the technique is to use a laser beam to grasp a position of the knife tip of the slitter knife and adjust the engagement point to an optimal position.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0015] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 6429734 [PTL 2] Japanese Patent No. 5202060 Summary of InventionTechnical Problem

[0016] Meanwhile, a knife tip of the slitter knife 15 needs to be polished since the knife tip becomes dull when worn. Further, when the wear of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is large, a diameter of the slitter knife 15 is reduced by polishing, and thus the slitter knife 15 needs to be replaced.

[0017] In addition, although the slitter device is equipped with the plurality of slitter heads 13 on the same shaft, the number of so-called sections, which is the number of pieces into which the corrugated cardboard web W sent from the upstream side is cut into by an order, is changed, and depending on the number of sections, the slitter head 13 that is not used occurs.

[0018] For example, the slitter device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 is equipped with five slitter heads 13, and the slitter heads 13 will be described by being distinguished by reference signs 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e from a left side in the drawing. For example, in a case of four-piece slitting for cutting into four webs, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used for trim processing, and the remaining three slitter heads 13b, 13c, and 13d are used to cut the corrugated cardboard web W into four webs. Therefore, in this case, all the slitter heads 13 are used.

[0019] In contrast, in a case of two-piece slitting or three-piece slitting, three or four slitter heads 13 may be used, and two or one slitter head 13 is not used. In this manner, in a case where a plurality of slitter heads are selectively used, in many cases, a slitter head close to a position in a width direction of a web to be cut is used to shorten an order change time or the like. For example, in a case of two-piece slitting, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used for the trim processing, and the slitter head 13c in the middle is used to cut the corrugated cardboard web W into two webs. Therefore, the two slitter heads 13b and 13d are not used.

[0020] As a result, the wear of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 of the slitter heads 13a, 13c, and 13e is more likely to progress than the wear of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 of the slitter heads 13b and 13d. That is, when an order is greatly biased toward an order with a small number of the sections, the wear of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 varies. As described above, when the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is worn, the knife tip needs to be polished. A diameter of the slitter knife 15 is reduced even by the wear of the knife tip due to the use of the slitter knife 15, but the diameter of the slitter knife 15 is further reduced by polishing. When the diameter of the slitter knife 15 is reduced, the slitter knife 15 needs to be replaced. When there is a variation in wear of the knife tips of the slitter knives 15, a replacement time of the slitter knives 15 deviates, and the slitter knives 15 are replaced each time the replacement time of each slitter knife 15 is reached, which reduces workability. In addition, since the corrugating machine must be stopped when the slitter knife 15 is replaced, productivity is reduced.

[0021] The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a control method for a slitter device, and a computer program capable of suppressing a variation in wear of a knife tip of each slitter knife of a plurality of slitter heads and improving workability of replacing the slitter knife.Solution to Problem

[0022] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control device including: a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control device that automatically selects, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated by the wear state estimation device, and automatically moves the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a control method for a slitter device, for controlling the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control method including: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program of a control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the computer program causing a computer to execute: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a variation in wear of a knife tip of each slitter knife of a plurality of slitter heads, and it is possible to improve workability of replacing the slitter knife.Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a slitter device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit of the slitter device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views of a slitter head of the slitter device according to the embodiment as viewed from a longitudinal direction of the apparatus (a traveling direction of a corrugated cardboard web), FIG. 3A is an overall view, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a main part (an enlarged view of a portion Z in FIG. 3A). FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are side views of the slitter head illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B as seen from an apparatus side, FIG. 4A is an overall view thereof, and FIG. 4B is an extracted view of a main part describing an operation thereof. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a moving aspect of the slitter head or the like of the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a first selection example of the slitter head to be used in a case where some of the slitter head and the like are used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating a second selection example of a slitter or the like to be used in a case where some of the slitter head and the like are used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating a third selection example of the slitter or the like to be used in a case where some of the slitter head and the like are used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating a fourth selection example of the slitter or the like to be used in a case where some of the slitter head and the like are used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a main part of a slitter scorer device having the slitter device according to the background art and the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view (cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 10) of the slitter device illustrated in FIG. 10 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus (the traveling direction of the corrugated cardboard web). FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of the slitter device illustrated in FIG. 11 (enlarged view of a portion Y in FIG. 11). Description of Embodiments

[0027] Hereinafter, as embodiments, a slitter device, a control device for the slitter device, and a control method for the slitter device will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is provided as merely an example, and is not intended to exclude the application of various modifications or techniques that are not specified in the following embodiment. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be modified and implemented in various forms without departing from the concept of the present embodiment. In addition, the configurations can be optionally selected as necessary, or can be combined with each other as appropriate.[1. Configuration][1.1. Configuration of Mechanical Device]

[0028] Hereinafter, a configuration of a mechanical device of a slitter device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 5. A configuration of a mechanical device of a slitter device 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 in the background art section, and is provided in a slitter scorer device that is provided in a corrugating machine and performs creasing line processing and cutting on the corrugated cardboard web W. Therefore, the same configuration as the background art will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, and the description will be simplified. In addition, the same member or the like as the member described in the background art in FIGS. 3A and 3B to FIG. 5 is denoted by the same reference sign.

[0029] A No. 1 unit and a No. 2 unit are prepared in the slitter scorer device, and when one unit is in use, preparation for the other unit can be performed and a slitter knife can be polished.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the frames 10 are erected on both sides of the slitter scorer device. The beam 11a is installed between the frames 10 on a lower surface side of the corrugated cardboard web W in a width direction of the corrugated cardboard web W (a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction A of the corrugated cardboard web W). In addition, the beam 11b is provided parallel to the beam 11a on an upper surface side of the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0031] The slitter device 1 includes the beam 11a on the lower surface side, the guide rail 12a attached to the beam 11a, and the plurality of (five in FIGS. 10 and 11) slitter heads 13 attached to the guide rail 12a to be movable in a machine width direction by the movement unit 24. The slitter knife 15 that is a thin disk-shaped rotary knife is rotatably attached to each slitter head 13.

[0032] The slitter device 1 further includes the beam 11b on the upper surface side, the guide rail 12b attached to the beam 11b, and the same number of receiving rolls 16 as the slitter heads 13 attached to the guide rail 12b to be movable in the machine width direction by the movement unit 14. Each web cutting device is configured with the slitter knife 15 below and the receiving roll 16 above.

[0033] The slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 are movable to predetermined positions in the web width direction and are disposed to form a pair. The corrugated cardboard web W can be cut at a desired position in the web width direction by inserting the corrugated cardboard web W between the slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 of each web cutting device.

[0034] The receiving table 17 that extends in the traveling direction of the corrugated cardboard web W from above and supports the corrugated cardboard web W from below to guide the traveling of the corrugated cardboard web W is provided above the slitter head 13.

[0035] In addition, the groove 16a is provided on an outer periphery of the receiving roll 16 in a circumferential direction, and a proper clearance is secured such that the outer periphery of the receiving roll 16 and a knife tip of the slitter knife 15 do not interfere with each other.

[0036] A rotation speed of the slitter knife 15 is set to a speed sufficiently higher than a traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W to perform appropriate cutting. In addition, a rotation speed of the receiving roll 16 is set to a speed that is substantially the same as and slightly higher than the traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W not to reduce the traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0037] In addition, the corrugated cardboard web W is cut from below by the slitter knife 15 that is rotationally driven. At this time, the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is rotationally driven at a circumferential speed that is sufficiently higher than the traveling speed of the corrugated cardboard web W at a contact portion with the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0038] Hereinafter, the configuration of the mechanical device of the slitter device 1 according to the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B to FIG. 5. In addition, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the receiving roll 16 is not illustrated.

[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the slitter device 1, the corrugated cardboard web W is cut along the traveling direction A of the corrugated cardboard web W at a predetermined position in a width direction of the corrugated cardboard web W. For this reason, in the slitter device 1, a knife drive shaft 22 and a movement unit positioning shaft 23 are installed in the width direction of the corrugated cardboard web W below a traveling line PL of the corrugated cardboard web W between the frames 10 erected on both sides of the apparatus.

[0040] The plurality of (five in the drawing) slitter heads 13 and a plurality of (five in the drawing) movement units 24 are attached to the knife drive shaft 22 and the movement unit positioning shaft 23 to be movable in the machine width direction. Therefore, each slitter head 13 can be individually moved in each machine width direction, and the receiving roll 16 corresponding to each slitter head 13 can also be individually moved in each machine width direction by the movement unit 14 (see FIG. 5).

[0041] In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4A, each slitter head 13 is rotatably attached to the knife drive shaft 22 and is connected to a female screw portion 29 via a coupling rod 28.

[0042] A servomotor 31 is attached to an outer surface of the movement unit 24, and a male screw portion 33 is attached to a tip portion of a piston rod 32 of the servomotor 31. The male screw portion 33 is screwed to the female screw portion 29, and the male screw portion 33 and the female screw portion 29 are relatively moved by the operation of the servomotor 31. In this manner, the slitter knife 15 is configured to be able to approach or separate from the receiving roll 16 around the knife drive shaft 22 by moving the female screw portion 29 in an up-down direction.

[0043] In this manner, the slitter head 13 is rotatable with respect to the knife drive shaft 22. For this reason, for example, in a case where a knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is to be polished, the slitter knife 15 is set at a polishing position by moving the slitter head 13 in a direction in which the slitter knife 15 is separated from the receiving roll 16 around the knife drive shaft 22, and the knife tip can be polished by a polishing device 30 fixed to the slitter head 13. In FIG. 3A, for convenience, only one (left end in the drawing) polishing device 30 of the slitter heads 13 is illustrated, but the polishing device 30 is equipped in each slitter head 13.

[0044] Here, the polishing device 30 will be described.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the polishing device 30 includes a base portion 30a fixed to the slitter head 13, a grinding wheel roller supporting portion 30c attached to the base portion 30a to be capable of being lifted and lowered via an air cylinder 30b, and grinding wheel rollers 30d and 30e rotatably supported by the grinding wheel roller supporting portion 30c. The grinding wheel rollers 30d and 30e are formed in a disk shape and are disposed with a phase difference in rotation direction (see an arrow R in FIG. 4A) of the slitter knife 15.

[0046] In this example, the grinding wheel roller 30d on a downstream side (left side in FIGS. 4A and 4B) in the rotation direction of the slitter knife 15 is inclined such that a grinding surface 30f is inclined to match an angle of a knife tip to polish one surface side (a back side of the drawing plane in FIGS. 4A and 4B and a left side in FIG. 3B) of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 (see FIG. 3B). In addition, the grinding wheel roller 30e on the upstream side (right side in FIGS. 4A and 4B) in the rotation direction of the slitter knife 15 is inclined such that the grinding surface 30g is inclined to match an angle of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 to polish the other surface side (front side of the drawing plane in FIGS. 4A and 4B, right side in FIG. 3B) of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 (see FIG. 3B).

[0047] When polishing work is not performed by the polishing device 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the air cylinder 30b is controlled to contract, and the grinding wheel roller supporting portion 30c and the grinding wheel rollers 30d and 30e retract downward.

[0048] When the polishing work is performed by the polishing device 30, the air cylinder 30b is controlled to be extended, and the slitter knife 15 is lowered to the polishing position below the cutting position. Therefore, the grinding surface 30f of the grinding wheel roller 30d and the grinding surface 30g of the grinding wheel roller 30e are disposed to interpose the knife tip of the slitter knives 15 (see FIG. 3B), and come into contact with knife tip surfaces of the corresponding slitter knives 15, respectively. In this state, the slitter knife 15 is rotated, so that each of the grinding wheel rollers 30d and 30e rotates while following the slitter knife 15 (meanwhile, at a lower speed than the slitter knife 15 on the contact surface), and polishes the knife tip surfaces of the slitter knife 15.

[0049] A time of polishing the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 will be described later.

[0050] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, a laser irradiation device (irradiation unit) 41 is disposed at one side frame 10 with the traveling line PL of the corrugated cardboard web W interposed therebetween, and a light receiving device (light receiving unit) 42 is disposed at the other side frame 10 of the traveling line PL. Instead of the light receiving device 42, a mirror may be provided, and a laser beam L emitted by the irradiation device 41 may be reflected by the mirror, and the reflected wave may be received by the light receiving unit built in the irradiation device 41.

[0051] In the present embodiment, an engagement position between the receiving roll 16 and the slitter knife 15 can be positioned by using the laser beam L, and this will be described. A point a illustrated in FIG. 4A is a contact point position of an outer peripheral surface of the receiving roll 16 with respect to the corrugated cardboard web W, which is optimal to engage the slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 at the point a to ensure a cutting quality. Hereinafter, the point a will be referred to as an engagement point a. In addition, the laser beam L is emitted to pass through the engagement point a.

[0052] During the operation of the corrugating machine, the corrugated cardboard web W travels at the point a, and thus positioning work is performed when the corrugated cardboard web W is not traveling before and after the start of the operation. In addition, during the positioning work, the receiving roll 16 is moved upward in a direction of an arrow c from a position of a two-dot chain line and is lifted to a position indicated by a reference sign 16' to prevent the receiving roll 16 from blocking the laser beam L. In addition, a rotation center of the receiving roll 16 is indicated by O 2 in FIG. 4A.

[0053] Next, the servomotor 31 is operated to lift the slitter head 13. Then, when an arc-shaped outer edge 15a of the slitter knife 15 reaches a laser beam position and blocks the laser beam L, the position is detected by the light receiving device 42, and the slitter knife 15 is fixed at the position. Since the position is an optimal engagement point, the fixed position of the slitter knife 15 is stored in a storage device (not illustrated).

[0054] In a case where height positions (lifting and lowering positions) of a plurality of slitter knives 15 are adjusted, the positioned slitter knife 15 blocks the laser beam L. Therefore, the slitter head 13 that supports the positioned slitter knife 15 is temporarily lowered. Then, the other slitter head 13 is lifted, and the height of the slitter knife 15 mounted on the slitter head 13 is adjusted.

[0055] Since a position of the rotation center O 1 of the slitter knife 15 is correlated with a lifting and lowering position of the slitter head 13, the position of the rotation center O 1 of the slitter knife 15 can be grasped from the lifting and lowering position of the slitter head 13. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the position of the rotation center O 1 of the slitter knife 15 at a time of positioning the engagement point between the receiving roll 16 and the slitter knife 15 from the lifting and lowering position of the slitter head 13 (slitter knife 15) at that time.

[0056] Therefore, a distance between the position O 1 of the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 and the engagement point a at this time can also be obtained. In this manner, a distance (knife radius) of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 from the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 can be actually measured from a light receiving state of the laser beam L, and a wear state of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 can be grasped from the knife radius. In this case, the radius of the slitter knife 15 before wear is preset.

[0057] In addition, the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 corresponds to the movement amount (rotation amount of the servomotor 31) of the slitter head 13 by the servomotor 31 to be described later. Therefore, a knife radius measurement device 90 is configured with the laser irradiation device 41 and the light receiving device 42 and means (for example, a rotation amount output unit of the servomotor 31 to be described later) for grasping the lifting and lowering position of the slitter head 13 (slitter knife 15) when the engagement point is positioned.

[0058] Meanwhile, the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 cuts the web during operation, and is worn over time due to polishing or the like. When the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is worn, polishing is required. Further, when the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is significantly worn, the slitter knife 15 needs to be replaced.

[0059] In particular, in the slitter device, the slitter head 13 that is not used occurs, depending on the number of so-called sections. When some of the plurality of slitter heads 13 are used and the rest is not used, wear of the knife tips of the slitter knives 15 varies.

[0060] In the slitter device, a control device 100 for the slitter device is provided to suppress the variation in wear of the knife tips of the slitter knives 15.[1.2. Configuration of Control Device]

[0061] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device for the slitter device according to the present embodiment.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control device includes a panel computer 50 including a touch panel display (display unit) 51, and a machine control Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 60 that is operated by a control signal from the panel computer 50 to control the slitter head 13 or the like.

[0063] In addition, a control target of each slitter head 13 includes an inverter motor 71 that rotationally drives a shaft of the slitter knife 15 and the servomotor 72 that constitutes the movement unit 24 that moves the slitter knife 15 in an axial direction. An encoder 71a that detects the rotation of the inverter motor 71 is attached to the inverter motor 71, and the operation is controlled through an inverter amplifier 73. An encoder 72a that detects the rotation of the servomotor 72 is attached to the servomotor 72, and the operation is controlled through a servo amplifier 74.

[0064] Although one slitter head 13 is described in detail in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of slitter heads 13 is configured in the same manner.

[0065] The panel computer 50 is connected to a production management device 80, receives order information, such as the number of sections or a web width to be cut, from the production management device 80, converts the received order information into machine positioning data of the slitter scorer (data relating to the position of the slitter head 13 or the head of the scorer in the web width direction), and transmits the machine positioning data to the machine control PLC 60. In addition, display data, which is machine operation information, is received from the machine control PLC 60, and the display data is displayed on the touch panel display 51.

[0066] Details of the panel computer 50 will be described later.

[0067] The machine control PLC 60 receives slitter scorer operation position data and the like from the panel computer 50, and performs a process of switching the operation between the No. 1 unit and the No. 2 unit according to an order change signal, controls the operation and the operation stop of the slitter scorer 13, performs the operation positioning control, and controls the shaft drive of the slitter scorer 13. In addition, operation information such as a sheet presence sensor signal, an operation speed signal, and a slitter operation position information is input to the machine control PLC 60. The operation information is output to the panel computer 50, and machine operation information in the operation information is used as display data in the panel computer 50.

[0068] The rotation of the inverter motor 71 is controlled through the inverter amplifier 73 to perform the shaft drive of the slitter scorer 13. The rotation speed of the slitter knife 15 is controlled by the rotation control of the inverter motor 71. Meanwhile, during the cutting operation of the slitter knife 15, the rotation speed is controlled to a rotation speed suitable for the cutting operation, and during the polishing of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15, the rotation speed is controlled to a rotation speed suitable for the polishing of the knife tip.

[0069] Here, the panel computer 50 will be further described.

[0070] The panel computer 50 includes a wear state estimation unit (wear state estimation device) 52 that estimates a wear state of each slitter knife 15 of the plurality of slitter heads 13, a movement control unit (movement control device) 53 that selects a specific slitter head 13 from among the plurality of slitter heads 13 as a target to be used and moves the selected slitter head 13 to a cutting position in a case where a new order is to cut the corrugated cardboard web W by using some of the plurality of slitter heads 13 (this type of order is referred to as a "partial use order"), and a guide unit (guide device) 54 that displays the specific slitter head 13 on the touch panel display 51 and guides an operator to select and use the slitter head when a manual selection mode (to be described later) is set.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the panel computer 50 is provided with the wear state estimation unit 52 as a wear state estimation device, the movement control unit 53 as a movement control device, and the guide unit 54 as a guide device. However, the wear state estimation device, the movement control device, and the guide device may be provided as individual devices (hardware), respectively.

[0072] In a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the movement control unit 53 can automatically select the slitter head 13 of which wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads 13 based on the wear state of the slitter knife 15 estimated by the wear state estimation unit 52, and control the movement unit 24 to automatically move the slitter head 13 to a predetermined cutting position corresponding to the new order.

[0073] The movement control unit 53 of the present embodiment includes an automatic and manual selection switch 55 that sets any one of an automatic selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is automatically selected and a manual selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is manually selected by an operator when using some of the plurality of slitter heads 13, and an automatic type selection switch 56 that sets any one of a plurality of automatic selection modes in selecting of the automatic selection mode. In the present embodiment, the automatic and manual selection switch 55 and the automatic type selection switch 56 are displayed on the touch panel display 51 of the panel computer 50, and the operator can perform a touch operation while looking at the touch panel display 51.

[0074] In a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the plurality of automatic selection modes include a wear state equalization mode in which a slitter head that is relatively less worn among the plurality of slitter heads 13 is automatically selected and automatically moved to a predetermined cutting position, and the wear states of the plurality of slitter heads 13 are equalized, and a movement distance priority mode in which the slitter head 13 closest to a cutting position among the plurality of slitter heads 13 is automatically selected and automatically moved to the predetermined cutting position.

[0075] That is, when any one of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode is selected by the automatic type selection switch 56, the movement control unit 53 performs the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode according to the selection state of the automatic type selection switch 56.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the movement control unit 53 is provided with an operation restriction unit 53a that allows the selection of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode by the automatic type selection switch 56 until the wear state of the slitter knife reaches a preset predetermined wear state, and restricts the selection of the movement distance priority mode by the automatic type selection switch 56 after the wear state reaches the predetermined wear state.

[0077] In a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web W by using some of the plurality of slitter heads 13, the guide unit 54 guides to select and use the slitter head 13 of which wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads 13, based on the wear state of each slitter knife 15 estimated by the wear state estimation unit 52. A content of this guide will be described later.

[0078] The wear state estimation unit 52 can estimate the wear state of each of the slitter knives 15 by various estimation methods. Here, five of first to fifth estimation methods that can be executed by the wear state estimation unit 52 will be described.

[0079] Among these, in the first to third estimation methods, the wear state of the slitter knife is estimated based on a use history of the slitter knife 15. In addition, in the fourth and fifth estimation methods, a knife radius of the slitter knife 15 or the amount of parameter corresponding thereto is actually measured, and the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated based on the measurement.

[0080] The panel computer 50 is provided with a use history storage unit 52a that stores the use history of the slitter knife 15 of each slitter head 13. The use history storage unit 52a stores a cutting length (use distance) Ls of the corrugated cardboard web W by each slitter knife 15 and a polishing count Np for a knife tip of the slitter knife 15.

[0081] First, the first estimation method will be described.

[0082] In the first estimation method, a wear state of each slitter knife 15 is estimated from the polishing count Np of each slitter knife 15 stored in the use history storage unit 52a.

[0083] A knife tip of the slitter knife 15 retracts due to polishing. Therefore, it is considered that a knife radius of the slitter knife 15 is decreased according to the polishing count Np.

[0084] Therefore, in a case where the first estimation method is used, the wear state estimation unit 52 sets a wear amount Gw, which is a parameter obtained by quantifying the wear state of the slitter knife 15, to a higher value as the polishing count Np is increased. In this case, the wear amount Gw of the slitter knife 15 can be quantified, for example, as follows using a preset coefficient k. Gw = k × Np

[0085] Next, the second estimation method will be described.

[0086] In the second estimation method, a wear state of each slitter knife 15 is estimated from the use distance Ls of each slitter knife 15 stored in the use history storage unit 52a.

[0087] A knife tip of the slitter knife 15 is worn by use, and thus it is considered that a knife radius of the slitter knife 15 is decreased according to the use distance Ls.

[0088] Therefore, in a case where the second estimation method is used, the wear state estimation unit 52 sets the wear amount Gw of the slitter knife 15 to a higher value as the use distance Ls is increased. In this case, the wear amount Gw of the slitter knife 15 can be quantified, for example, as follows using a preset coefficient kk. Gw = kk × Ls

[0089] Next, the third estimation method will be described.

[0090] In the third estimation method, a wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated from a combination of the polishing count Np and the use distance Ls of each slitter knife 15 stored in the use history storage unit 52a.

[0091] As described above, a knife tip of the slitter knife 15 retracts due to polishing. Therefore, a knife radius of the slitter knife 15 is decreased according to the polishing count Np, and the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 is worn due to use. Therefore, it is considered that the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 is decreased according to the use distance Ls.

[0092] In this case, the wear amount Gw of the slitter knife 15 can be quantified as follows. Here, the wear amount Gw of the slitter knife 15 is quantified as follows from a value obtained by multiplying the use distance Ls (for example, 20,000 m as one unit) by a preset coefficient k1, multiplying the polishing count Np by a preset coefficient k2, and adding the results. Gw = k 1 × Ls / 20000 + k 2 × Np

[0093] For example, when the use distance (cumulative value) Ls is 65,000 m and the polishing count Np is 3 based on a dependence ratio (2 / 10 for the use distance Ls and 8 / 10 for the polishing count Np) on the use distance Ls and the polishing count Np of the wear amount Gw, the wear amount Gw is calculated as follows. Gw = 0.2 × 65000 / 20000 + 0.8 × 3 = 3.05

[0094] In addition, in the fourth estimation method, a wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated from a lifting and lowering position of the slitter head 13 (slitter knife 15).

[0095] When the slitter knife 15 is used, an engagement point is adjusted as described above. As the slitter knife is worn and a radius becomes smaller, the amount of lifting movement of the slitter knife 15 is increased until the engagement point (slitter knife operation position) is reached. Therefore, a position (lifting and lowering position) of the slitter knife 15 in the lifting and lowering direction during the operation and the radius of the slitter knife 15 are correlated with each other. In addition, the lifting and lowering position of the slitter knife 15 during the operation is correlated with how much the servomotor 31 moves the slitter knife 15, that is, with the rotation amount of the servomotor 31. Therefore, that is, the lifting and lowering position (current lifting and lowering position) of the slitter knife 15 during operation can be calculated from the rotation amount of the servomotor 31, and the wear state of the slitter knife 15 can be estimated from the lifting and lowering position of the slitter knife 15.

[0096] In the fifth estimation method, a wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated from a diameter (knife radius) of the slitter knife 15.

[0097] That is, in the fifth estimation method, the knife radius is actually measured from a reception state of the laser beam L, which changes with movement of a rotation center of the slitter knife 13 by using a transmission and reception device of the laser beam L including the irradiation unit 41 and the reception unit 42 described above.

[0098] As described above, the engagement position between the receiving roll 16 and the slitter knife 15 is positioned at the appropriate engagement point a by using the laser beam L while the slitter head 13 is lifted. With this positioning, the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 reaches the engagement point a, and thus, the distance between the position of the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 at this time and the engagement point a can be obtained, and further, the distance (knife radius) of the knife tip of the slitter knife 15 from the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 can be obtained.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the wear state of each of the slitter knives 15 is estimated by the two estimation methods of the third estimation method and the fifth estimation method among the estimation methods described above, and the wear states obtained by the two estimation methods are equalized to select the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small. However, the use of the estimation method is not limited thereto, and only one estimation method may be used, or a plurality of estimation methods may be combined as appropriate and used.

[0100] Therefore, in the panel computer 50, the wear state estimation unit 52 estimates the wear state of each slitter knife 15 of each slitter head 13 through a computer program stored in advance (wear state estimation step), and in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the movement control unit 53 automatically selects, among the plurality of slitter heads 13, the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small, based on the estimated wear state of the slitter knife 15, and automatically moves the selected slitter head 13 to the cutting position corresponding to the new order (movement control step).

[0101] Here, the guide unit 54 will be described. The guide unit 54 displays the slitter head 13 that recommends selection on the touch panel display 51 to guide the selection. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the polishing count of the slitter knife 15 of each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e, the cutting length (the use distance) Ls of the corrugated cardboard web W by each of the slitter knives 15, a current lifting and lowering slitter position, the knife radius, and a recommended use order of each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e are displayed. The recommended use order of each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e is ranked from 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in order of less wear, based on the wear state of the slitter knife 15, and is displayed. In FIG. 2, the polishing count, the use distance, and the knife radius of each slitter knife 15 are illustrated as examples of specific numerical values. Meanwhile, a reference position of the current lifting and lowering slitter position differs depending on a product of the slitter device, and the numerical values are also changed accordingly. Therefore, the examples of the specific numerical values are omitted here.

[0102] Therefore, in the panel computer 50, a computer program stored in advance causes the wear state estimation unit 52 to estimate the wear state of each slitter knife 15 of each slitter head 13 (wear state estimation step), and in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the computer program causes the guide unit 54 to guide automatically selecting the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads 13, based on the estimated wear state of the slitter knife 15 (guide step).[2. Actions and Effects]

[0103] Since the control device for a slitter device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, the following control method can be performed, and the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0104] In a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the movement control device is provided that can automatically select, among the plurality of slitter heads 13, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small based on the wear state of the slitter knife 15, and control the movement unit 24 to automatically move to the cutting position corresponding to the new order. Therefore, for example, the following control method of the slitter device can be implemented.

[0105] First, a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each slitter knife 15 of the plurality of slitter heads 13 is performed by using the wear state estimation unit 52.

[0106] Next, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, a movement control step of automatically selecting a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads 13, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit 24 is performed.

[0107] As in the control device of the slitter device of the present embodiment, the movement control unit 53 that can automatically select the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small, and automatically move the slitter head 13 to the cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit 24 is provided, so that the above control can be performed. Therefore, since a variation in wear of the knife tips of the slitter knives 15 of the plurality of slitter heads 13 can be suppressed, each slitter knife 15 can be replaced at the same time for the plurality of slitter heads 13, and workability of replacing the slitter knives 15 can be improved.

[0108] In addition, when the knife wear state is equalized, it is also possible to expect effects such as stabilization of sheet production operation and suppression of sheet meandering.

[0109] The movement control device 53 is configured to be capable of executing, in a case of the partial use order, a wear state equalization mode in which the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position to equalize the wear states of the plurality of slitter heads, and a movement distance priority mode in which the slitter head 13 closest to the cutting position is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position, and includes the automatic type selection switch 56 that can select the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode, and thus the operator can select a desired mode.

[0110] For example, when the set is desired to be performed quickly, the movement distance priority mode is selected, and when not, the wear state equalization mode is selected, and thus it is possible to achieve both the efficiency of the order change work and the improvement of the workability of replacing the slitter knife 15 due to the suppression of the variation in wear of the knife tip of each slitter knife 15.

[0111] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a selection example (first selection example) of the slitter head 13 or the like (also including the receiving roll 16) in a case where the movement distance priority mode is selected in a case of two-piece slitting. In this example, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used for cutting of edges on both sides, and the slitter head 13c at a center closest to a cutting position is used for cutting for dividing into two webs.

[0112] FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic plan views illustrating selection examples (a second selection example and a third selection example) of the slitter head 13 and the like (including the receiving roll 16) in a case where the wear state equalization mode is selected in a case of two-piece slitting. In this example, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used for cutting of edges on both sides, and the slitter head 13b or the slitter head 13d with less wear is used for cutting for dividing into two webs.

[0113] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating a selection example (fourth selection example) of the slitter head 13 or the like (including the receiving roll 16) in a case where the wear state equalization mode is selected in a case of two-piece slitting. In this example, the slitter heads 13b and 13d having less wear are used to cut the edges on both sides, avoiding the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides having more wear. Meanwhile, it is not possible to avoid using the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides in this manner unless the conditions such as a structure of the slitter device and the web width of the corrugated cardboard web W to be processed are appropriate.

[0114] When the operation restriction unit 53a is attached to the movement control unit 53 to allow the selection of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode until the wear state of the slitter knife reaches a preset predetermined wear state and to restrict the selection of the movement distance priority mode after the wear state reaches the predetermined wear state, a variation in wear of the knife tip of each slitter knife 15 can be suppressed while achieving a certain degree of efficiency in order change work, and the workability of the replacement of the slitter knife 15 can be improved.

[0115] In addition, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the guide unit 54 is provided to guide selecting and using a slitter head of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads 13 based on the wear state of the slitter knife 15. Therefore, for example, the following slitter device control method can be implemented.

[0116] First, a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each slitter knife 15 of the plurality of slitter heads 13 is performed by using the wear state estimation unit 52.

[0117] Next, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, a guide step of guiding to select and use the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads 13 based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step is performed.

[0118] In the guide step, specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the recommended use order of each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e is displayed. Therefore, in a case where the operator selects the manual selection mode using the automatic and manual selection switch 55, the operator can select the slitter head 13 to be used from each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e with reference to the guide information.

[0119] Therefore, since a variation in wear of the knife tips of the slitter knives 15 of the plurality of slitter heads 13 can be suppressed, each slitter knife 15 can be replaced at the same time for the plurality of slitter heads 13, and workability of replacing the slitter knives 15 can be improved.[3. Others]

[0120] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications can be made within a scope which does not depart from the concept of the present invention.

[0121] For example, in the above embodiment, the wear state equalization mode in which the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position to equalize the wear states of the plurality of slitter heads, and the movement distance priority mode in which the slitter head 13 closest to the cutting position is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position are provided and configured to be selected. However, in addition to this, or instead of this, the following control modes may be configured.

[0122] For example, automatic selection control which is a compromise of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode is considered. In this automatic selection control, the plurality of slitter heads 13 are grouped according to wear states of the slitter knives 15. Then, a case is assumed where a new order is a partial use order and there are a plurality of slitter heads 13 included in a group in which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is the smallest among the plurality of slitter heads 13 that can be used at a cutting position of the new order.

[0123] In this case, in the automatic selection control, the slitter head 13 closest to the cutting position of the new order among the slitter heads 13 included in the group with the smallest wear is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position. In such automatic selection control, the slitter head 13 different from in the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode may be selected.

[0124] According to the automatic selection control, it is possible to equalize the wear of the slitter knife 15 while suppressing the movement amount of the slitter head 13 in response to a new order, that is, while shortening the time required for order replacement.

[0125] In addition, the following configuration is also conceivable as automatic selection control which is a compromise of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode. This control is based on a case where an order (so-called short order) for a small number of corrugated boards to be manufactured occurs continuously.

[0126] In a case where short orders are continuous, an order replacement preparation time is shortened. Therefore, depending on the slitter head 13 to be used, there is a possibility that the movement of the slitter head 13 may not be completed in time for the order change time. Therefore, in the automatic selection control, the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is less is selected after the movement of the slitter head 13 is made to be in time for the order change time.

[0127] In a case of a corrugating machine having two slitter scorers, for example, when three continuous orders are distinguished as an old order, a current order, and a new order in order, the second machine prepares the new order when the first machine is manufacturing the current order. In this case, a manufacturing time of the current order is the order replacement preparation time for the new order. In addition, the required movement time for the movement of each slitter head 13 to the new order cutting position can be calculated according to a distance between the current position of each slitter head 13 and the new order cutting position.

[0128] In the automatic selection control, the order replacement preparation time of the new order is obtained from the manufacturing time of the current order. On the other hand, a candidate of the slitter head 13 to be used for each of the new order cutting positions is selected from the position of each slitter head 13 in the current order and the new order cutting position. In a case where the new order is a partial use order, a plurality of slitter heads 13 that can be used are present at the cutting position of the new order, and these are selected as candidates for the slitter heads 13 to be used at the cutting position.

[0129] Further, based on the distance between the position of each selected slitter head 13 in the current order and the cutting position, the required movement time for moving each slitter head 13 to the cutting position of the new order is calculated. Then, the required movement time of each slitter head 13 is compared with the order replacement preparation time of the new order, and the slitter head 13 of which required movement time is within the order replacement preparation time of the new order is selected.

[0130] As a result, in a case where there are a plurality of slitter heads 13 in which the required movement time is within the order replacement preparation time of the new order, the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is the smallest or the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small is automatically selected from the plurality of slitter heads 13, and is automatically moved to the cutting position. In the automatic selection control, there is a case where the slitter head 13 different from in the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode is selected.

[0131] In this manner, according to the automatic selection control, the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small is used without the manufacturing being stagnant at the time of an order replacement and while suppressing the occurrence of waste paper. Therefore, the wear of the slitter knife 15 can be equalized.

[0132] In a case where there is no slitter head 13 having a required movement time within the order replacement preparation time of the new order, the slitter head 13 having the shortest required movement time is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position. Therefore, a decrease in manufacturing efficiency and the occurrence of waste paper can be suppressed.

[0133] In addition, for example, in the embodiment described above, the estimation methods of the first to fifth methods are described as the estimation methods for estimating the wear state of the slitter knife 15. However, the estimation methods are not limited thereto.

[0134] For example, the wear state of the slitter knife 15 can also be estimated from a use time of the slitter knife 15 (sixth estimation method). The sixth estimation method is based on the fact that the longer the use time of the slitter knife 15 is, the more the slitter knife 15 is worn. Although the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is not strictly estimated, the wear state of the slitter knife 15 can be estimated from the use time of the slitter knife 15.

[0135] In addition, for example, in the embodiment described above, the automatic and manual selection switch 55 is provided, and in a case where some of the plurality of slitter heads 13 are used, any one of the automatic selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is automatically selected and the manual selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is manually selected can be set. However, the switch 55 may be omitted, and only one of the automatic selection and the manual selection may be performed. In a case where only the manual selection is performed, the automatic type selection switch 56 is naturally omitted.

[0136] In addition, in the embodiment described above, the wear state of each of the slitter knives 15 is estimated by the two estimation methods, and the wear states obtained by the two estimation methods are equalized to select the slitter head 13 of which the wear of the slitter knife 15 is relatively small. Meanwhile, the wear state of the slitter knife 15 may be estimated by using any one of the six methods described above alone, and the wear state of the slitter knife 15 may be estimated by combining the six methods described above as appropriate.

[0137] Even in a case where the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated by using the first to third methods, the specific wear amount is not limited to the setting of the wear amount in the embodiment described above.

[0138] Even in a case where the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated by using the fifth method, the method of actually measuring the knife radius is not limited to the method of the embodiment described above.

[0139] In addition, in the embodiment described above, the guide unit 54 displays the slitter head 13 that is recommended to be selected on the touch panel display 51 and guides the selection. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the selection may be guided by voice.[4. Additional Notes]

[0140] The following additional notes will be further disclosed with respect to the embodiments described above.(Additional Note 1)

[0141] A control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control device including: a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control device that automatically selects, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated by the wear state estimation device, and automatically moves the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit. (Additional Note 2)

[0142] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 1, in which the movement control device is configured to execute, in a case where the new order is the partial use order, a wear state equalization mode in which the slitter head of which the wear of the slitter knife is relatively small is automatically selected among the plurality of slitter heads, the selected slitter head is automatically moved to the cutting position, and wear states of the plurality of slitter heads are equalized, and a movement distance priority mode in which a slitter head closest to the cutting position is automatically selected among the plurality of slitter heads and the selected slitter head is automatically moved to the cutting position.(Additional Note 3)

[0143] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 2, further including: a selection switch configured to select the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode, in which the movement control device executes the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode according to a selection state of the selection switch. (Additional Note 4)

[0144] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 3, in which the movement control device is provided with an operation restriction unit that allows selection of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode by the selection switch until the wear state of the slitter knife reaches a preset predetermined wear state, and restricts selection of the movement distance priority mode by the selection switch after the wear state reaches the predetermined wear state.(Additional Note 5)

[0145] The control device for a slitter device according to any one of Additional Notes 1 to 4, in which the movement control device is provided with an automatic and manual selection switch that sets, in a case where some of the plurality of slitter heads are to be used, any one of an automatic selection mode in which a slitter head to be used is automatically selected and a manual selection mode in which the slitter head to be used is manually selected by an operator.(Additional Note 6)

[0146] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 5, further including: a guide device that guides, when the manual selection mode is selected, an operator to select and use the slitter head of which the wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated by the wear state estimation device.(Additional Note 7)

[0147] A control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control device including: a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a guide device that guides, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, an operator to select and use a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated by the wear state estimation device. (Additional Note 8)

[0148] The control device for a slitter device according to any one of Additional Notes 1 to 7, further including: a display device that displays the wear state of the slitter knife.(Additional Note 9)

[0149] The control device for a slitter device according to any one of Additional Notes 1 to 8, in which the wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife, based on a use history of the slitter knife.(Additional Note 10)

[0150] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 9, in which the use history of the slitter knife includes a polishing count of the slitter knife, and the wear state estimation device sets a wear amount of the slitter knife to a higher value as the polishing count is increased. (Additional Note 11)

[0151] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 9, in which the use history of the slitter knife includes a use distance of the slitter knife, and the wear state estimation device sets a wear amount of the slitter knife to a higher value as the use distance is increased. (Additional Note 12)

[0152] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 9, in which the use history of the slitter knife includes a use distance of the slitter knife and a polishing count of the slitter knife, and the wear state estimation device sets a wear amount of the slitter knife to a higher value as the use distance is increased and as the polishing count is increased. (Additional Note 13)

[0153] The control device for a slitter device according to any one of Additional Notes 1 to 8, in which the wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife, based on a lifting and lowering position of the slitter knife when the slitter knife is adjusted to a predetermined lifting and lowering position corresponding to the wear state.(Additional Note 14)

[0154] The control device for a slitter device according to any one of Additional Notes 1 or 8, further including: a knife radius measurement device that actually measures a knife radius which is a distance from a rotation center to a knife tip of the slitter knife, in which the wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife, based on the knife radius measured by the knife radius measurement device. (Additional Note 15)

[0155] The control device for a slitter device according to Additional Note 14, in which the knife radius measurement device includes an irradiation unit that irradiates the slitter knife with a laser beam in parallel with a rotation shaft of the slitter knife and a reception unit that receives the laser beam irradiated from the irradiation unit, and the knife radius is actually measured from a reception state of the laser beam by the reception unit, which changes with movement of a rotation center of the slitter knife.(Additional Note 16)

[0156] A control method for a slitter device, for controlling the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control method including: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit. (Additional Note 17)

[0157] A control method for a slitter device, for controlling the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control method including: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a guide step of guiding, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, to select and use a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step. (Additional Note 18)

[0158] A computer program of a control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the computer program causing a computer to execute: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit. Reference Signs List

[0159] 1: slitter device 3: scorer device 10: frame 11a, 11b: beam 12a, 12b: guide rail 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e: slitter head 14, 24: movement unit 15: slitter knife 16: receiving roll 16a: groove 17: receiving table 22: knife drive shaft 23: movement unit positioning shaft 28: coupling rod 29: female screw portion 30: polishing device 30a: base portion 30b: air cylinder 30c: grinding wheel roller supporting portion 30d, 30e: grinding wheel roller 30f, 30g: grinding surface 31: servomotor 32: piston rod 33: male screw portion 41: laser irradiation device (irradiation unit) 42: light receiving device (light receiving unit) 50: panel computer 51: touch panel display (display unit) 52: wear state estimation unit (wear state estimation device) 53: movement control unit (movement control device) 54: guide unit (guide device) 60: machine control PLC 71: inverter motor 71a: encoder 72: servomotor 72a: encoder 73: inverter amplifier 74: servo amplifier 80: production management device 90: knife radius measurement device 100: control device for slitter device A: traveling direction of corrugated cardboard web O 1 : rotation center of slitter knife O 2 : center of receiving roll PL: traveling line W: corrugated cardboard web

Claims

1. A control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control device comprising: a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control device that automatically selects, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated by the wear state estimation device, and automatically moves the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit.

2. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 1, wherein the movement control device is configured to execute, in a case where the new order is the partial use order, a wear state equalization mode in which the slitter head of which the wear of the slitter knife is relatively small is automatically selected among the plurality of slitter heads, the selected slitter head is automatically moved to the cutting position, and wear states of the plurality of slitter heads are equalized, and a movement distance priority mode in which a slitter head closest to the cutting position is automatically selected among the plurality of slitter heads and the selected slitter head is automatically moved to the cutting position.

3. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 2, further comprising: a selection switch configured to select the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode, wherein the movement control device executes the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode according to a selection state of the selection switch.

4. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 3, wherein the movement control device is provided with an operation restriction unit that allows selection of the wear state equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode by the selection switch until the wear state of the slitter knife reaches a preset predetermined wear state, and restricts selection of the movement distance priority mode by the selection switch after the wear state reaches the predetermined wear state.

5. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 1, wherein the movement control device is provided with an automatic and manual selection switch that sets, in a case where some of the plurality of slitter heads are to be used, any one of an automatic selection mode in which a slitter head to be used is automatically selected and a manual selection mode in which the slitter head to be used is manually selected by an operator.

6. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 5, further comprising: a guide device that guides, when the manual selection mode is selected, an operator to select and use the slitter head of which the wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated by the wear state estimation device.

7. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 1 or 6, further comprising: a display device that displays the wear state of the slitter knife.

8. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 1 or 6, wherein the wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife, based on a use history of the slitter knife.

9. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 8, wherein the use history of the slitter knife includes a polishing count of the slitter knife, and the wear state estimation device sets a wear amount of the slitter knife to a higher value as the polishing count is increased.

10. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 8, wherein the use history of the slitter knife includes a use distance of the slitter knife, and the wear state estimation device sets a wear amount of the slitter knife to a higher value as the use distance is increased.

11. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 8, wherein the use history of the slitter knife includes a use distance of the slitter knife and a polishing count of the slitter knife, and the wear state estimation device sets a wear amount of the slitter knife to a higher value as the use distance is increased and as the polishing count is increased.

12. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 1 or 6, wherein the wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife, based on a lifting and lowering position of the slitter knife when the slitter knife is adjusted to a predetermined lifting and lowering position corresponding to the wear state.

13. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 1 or 6, further comprising: a knife radius measurement device that actually measures a knife radius which is a distance from a rotation center to a knife tip of the slitter knife, wherein the wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife, based on the knife radius measured by the knife radius measurement device.

14. The control device for a slitter device according to Claim 13, wherein the knife radius measurement device includes an irradiation unit that irradiates the slitter knife with a laser beam in parallel with a rotation shaft of the slitter knife and a reception unit that receives the laser beam irradiated from the irradiation unit, and the knife radius is actually measured from a reception state of the laser beam by the reception unit, which changes with movement of a rotation center of the slitter knife.

15. A control method for a slitter device, for controlling the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the control method comprising: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit.

16. A computer program of a control device for a slitter device, which controls the slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads having a circular slitter knife and being movable on the same shaft and a plurality of movement units that move the slitter head on the shaft, and that cuts a corrugated cardboard web, which continuously travels on a traveling line, by using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads along a traveling direction, the computer program causing a computer to execute: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of the slitter knife of each of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, in a case where an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order to cut the corrugated cardboard web by using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head of which wear of the slitter knife is relatively small among the plurality of slitter heads, based on the wear state of the slitter knife estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the selected slitter head to a cutting position corresponding to the new order by controlling the movement unit.

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