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

Abstract

To provide a control device and method for a slitter apparatus, capable of enhancing workability of replacement of slitter knives.SOLUTION: The control device for a slitter apparatus comprises: 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 apparatus is configured to cut a corrugated cardboard web traveling on a travel line along a travel direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads 13. The control device further comprises: a wear state estimation device (52) for estimating a 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 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.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In a corrugating machine for producing cardboard sheets, a cardboard web continuously produced on a production line is cut (slit) along the running direction of the cardboard web by a slitter device near the final process of the production line to produce a number of pieces, and if necessary, a scorer device performs scoring along the running direction. Usually, slitting and scoring are performed by a slitter-scorer device that is a combination of a slitter device and a scorer device.

[0003] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a slitter scorer device of a general corrugating machine. A band-shaped corrugated fiberboard web W formed by bonding a front liner and a back liner to both sides of a stepped core by a single facer and a double facer (not shown) is scored in the corrugated fiberboard web running direction A by a scorer device 3 arranged downstream of the double facer, and then cut along the running direction A by a slitter device 1. After that, the corrugated fiberboard web is cut into a predetermined product length unit (usually equivalent to one corrugated fiberboard sheet) by a cutter device (not shown) on the downstream side to become a corrugated fiberboard sheet, which is placed on a stacking device (not shown). The scorer device 3 shown here has two rows of scorers 3a arranged in the width direction.

[0004] The slitter device 1 also includes a plurality of (five in this example) slitter heads 13a-13e (when the slitter heads are not distinguished from one another, they are referred to as slitter heads 13) each having a slitter knife 15. In this slitter device 1, the corrugated cardboard web W is cut at a predetermined position along the running direction A by all or some of the slitter heads 13. The 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 the arrow XX in Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of part Y in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 11, frames 10 are erected on both sides of the slitter scorer device. Between the two frames 10, a beam 11a is erected on the lower surface side of the corrugated cardboard web W in the width direction of the corrugated cardboard web W (perpendicular to the running direction A of the corrugated cardboard web W). Also, a beam 11b is provided on the upper surface side of the corrugated cardboard web W in parallel with the beam 11a.

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

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

[0007] Each web cutting device is made up of a lower slitter knife 15 and an upper receiving roll 16. The slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 are each movable to a predetermined position in the web width direction and are arranged in pairs. By sandwiching the corrugated board web W between the slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 of each web cutting device, the corrugated board web W can be cut at a desired position in the web width direction.

[0008] 12, a receiving table 17 is provided above the slitter head 13, which extends in the traveling direction of the corrugated cardboard web W and supports the corrugated cardboard web W from below to guide the travel of the corrugated cardboard web W. The slitter knife 15 is disposed below the receiving table 17, and the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 passes through a through hole of the receiving table 17 and protrudes upward.

[0009] In order to perform good cutting, the rotation speed of the slitter knife 15 is set to a speed sufficiently higher than the running speed of the corrugated board web W. In addition, the rotation speed of the receiving roll 16 is set to a speed approximately equal to and slightly higher than the running speed of the corrugated board web W so as not to reduce the running speed of the corrugated board web W.

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

[0011] 12, a groove 16a is provided in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the backing roll 16, and an appropriate clearance is ensured so that the outer periphery of the backing roll 16 and the blade edge of the slitter knife 15 do not interfere with each other. This makes it possible to prevent wear and the like caused by interference between the slitter knife 15 and the backing roll 16. However, the blade edge of the slitter knife 15 wears over time as it cuts the web during operation and as a result of grinding and the like.

[0012] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques that focus on wear at the cutting edge of such slitter knives. The technology of Patent Document 1 aims to prevent the occurrence of meandering in the web to be cut due to differences in peripheral speeds between multiple slitter knives arranged side by side caused by the slitter knives becoming worn and their diameter becoming smaller. This technology calculates the diameter of the slitter knife based on the number of times it has been ground, and controls the rotation speed of the slitter knife so that the peripheral speeds of the multiple slitter knives match each other based on the calculated diameter.

[0013] In addition, the technology of Patent Document 2 focuses on the problem that when the cutting edge of the slitter knife wears, the meshing point between the receiving roll and the slitter knife shifts, and uses a laser beam to grasp the position of the cutting edge of the slitter knife, making it possible to adjust the meshing point to an optimal position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6429734 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5202060 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] Incidentally, the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 becomes dull as it wears, and therefore needs to be sharpened. Furthermore, when the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 becomes worn too much, the diameter of the slitter knife 15 becomes smaller as a result of the sharpening, and therefore the slitter knife 15 needs to be replaced. In addition, the slitter device is equipped with multiple slitter heads 13 on the same axis, but the number of webs into which the cardboard web W sent from the upstream side is cut changes depending on the order, and depending on the number of webs, some slitter heads 13 will not be used.

[0016] For example, the slitter device 1 shown in Figures 10 and 11 is equipped with five slitter heads 13, and these slitter heads 13 will be described by distinguishing them from each other by assigning the reference numbers 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e from the left side of the figure. For example, in the case of a four-piece cut into four webs, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used for trimming, and the remaining three slitter heads 13b, 13c, and 13d are used to cut the corrugated board web W into four webs. Therefore, in this case, all of the slitter heads 13 are used.

[0017] In contrast, when producing two or three pieces, three or four slitter heads 13 are sufficient, and two or one slitter head 13 is not used. When multiple slitter heads are selectively used in this way, in many cases, the slitter head closest to the web width direction position to be cut is used, for example, to minimize the time for order change. For example, when producing two pieces, as shown in Figure 10, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used for trimming, and the central slitter head 13c is used to cut the corrugated board web W into two webs. Therefore, the two slitter heads 13b and 13d are not used.

[0018] As a result, wear on the cutting edges of slitter knives 15 of slitter heads 13a, 13c, and 13e is more likely to progress than wear on the cutting edges of slitter knives 15 of slitter heads 13b and 13d. In other words, if there is a large bias toward orders with fewer sheets, wear on the cutting edges of slitter knives 15 will vary. As described above, when the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 wears, the cutting edge needs to be sharpened. Although the diameter of the slitter knife 15 also becomes smaller when the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 is worn due to use, the diameter of the slitter knife 15 becomes even smaller when the cutting edge is sharpened. When the diameter of the slitter knife 15 continues to decrease, the slitter knife 15 needs to be replaced. If there is variation in the wear of the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15, the timing of replacing the slitter knife 15 will vary, and when it is time to replace each slitter knife 15, the slitter knife 15 will need to be replaced each time, which reduces workability. In addition, the corrugating machine needs to be stopped to replace the slitter knife 15, which reduces productivity.

[0019] This invention was devised with an eye on such problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a control device, control method, and computer program for a slitter device that can suppress the variation in wear on the cutting edges of each slitter knife of multiple slitter heads, thereby improving the ease of replacing slitter knives. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] The control device of the slitter device in this case is a control device for a slitter device that has a plurality of slitter heads each having circular slitter knives and movable on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and controls a slitter device that uses some or all of the plurality of slitter heads to cut a cardboard web that runs continuously on a running line along the running direction, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a wear condition estimation device that estimates the wear condition of the slitter knives of each of the plurality of slitter heads, and a movement control device that, when an order change is made and a new order is a partial use order in which some of the plurality of slitter heads are used to cut the cardboard web, automatically selects a slitter head from the plurality of slitter heads whose slitter knives have relatively less wear based on the wear condition of the slitter knives estimated by the wear condition estimation device, and controls the moving device to automatically move it to a cutting position according to the new order.

[0021] The control method for a slitter device of this case is a method for controlling a slitter device that has a plurality of slitter heads each having circular slitter knives and movable on the same axis, and a moving device for moving the slitter heads on the axis, and that uses some or all of the plurality of slitter heads to cut a cardboard web that runs continuously on a running line along the running direction, and is characterized in that it comprises a wear condition estimation step of estimating the wear condition of the slitter knives of each of the plurality of slitter heads, and a movement control step of automatically selecting, at the time of an order change, a slitter head whose slitter knives are relatively less worn based on the wear condition of the slitter knives estimated in the wear condition estimation step, when a new order is a partial use order in which some of the plurality of slitter heads are used to cut the cardboard web, and controlling the moving device to automatically move it to a cutting position according to the new order.

[0022] The computer program of the present invention is a computer program for a control device that controls a slitter device that has a plurality of slitter heads each having circular slitter knives and movable on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and that uses some or all of the plurality of slitter heads to cut a cardboard web that runs continuously on a running line in the running direction, and is characterized in that the control device executes a wear condition estimation step of estimating the wear condition of the slitter knives of each of the plurality of slitter heads, and a movement control step of automatically selecting, at the time of an order change, a slitter head whose slitter knives are relatively less worn based on the wear condition of the slitter knives estimated in the wear condition estimation step, when a new order is a partial use order in which some of the plurality of slitter heads are used to cut the cardboard web, and controlling the moving device to automatically move it to a cutting position according to the new order. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the variation in wear of the blade edges of the slitter knives of a plurality of slitter heads, and it is possible to improve the ease of replacing the slitter knives. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration part of the slitter device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the slitter device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] This is a front view of the slitter head of the slitter device of the embodiment, as seen from the longitudinal direction of the device (the traveling direction of the cardboard web), where (a) is an overall view and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part (enlarged view of part Z in Figure 3(a)). [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are side views of the slitter head shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the side of the device, where (a) is an overall view thereof and (b) is an extracted view of a main part for explaining the operation thereof. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a manner in which a slitter head and the like of the slitter device according to the embodiment move. [Figure 6] 3 is a schematic plan view showing a first selection example of a slitter head to be used when a portion of the slitter head, etc. is used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a schematic plan view showing a second selection example of a slitter etc. to be used when a part of a slitter head etc. is used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic plan view showing a third selection example of a slitter etc. to be used when a part of a slitter head etc. is used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a schematic plan view showing a fourth selection example of a slitter etc. to be used when a part of a slitter head etc. is used in the slitter device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a main part of a slitter-scorer device having a slitter device according to the background art and an embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a front view (sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 10) of the slitter device shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from the device longitudinal direction (the traveling direction of the cardboard web). [Figure 12] 12 is an enlarged view of a main part of the slitter device shown in FIG. 11 (an enlarged view of a part Y in FIG. 11). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, a slitter device and a control device for a slitter device, as well as a control method for a slitter device, will be described as embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude the application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly stated in the following embodiments. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, they can be selected as necessary, or can be combined as appropriate.

[0026] [1. Configuration] [1.1. Configuration of the Machinery] Hereinafter, the configuration of the mechanical device of the slitter device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. The configuration of the mechanical device of the slitter device 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12 in the Background section, and is provided in a slitter scorer device that is provided in a corrugating machine and performs scoring and cutting of a corrugated board web W. Therefore, the same configuration as in the Background section will be described using Figs. 10 to 12, and the description will be simplified. Also, in Figs. 3 to 5, the same members as those described in the Background section are given the same reference numerals.

[0027] The slitter scorer device is equipped with two units, No. 1 unit and No. 2 unit, so that while one unit is in use, preparation work for the other unit can be carried out or the slitter knives can be sharpened.

[0028] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, frames 10 are erected on both sides of the slitter-scorer device. Between the two frames 10, a beam 11a is erected on the underside of the corrugated cardboard web W in the width direction of the corrugated cardboard web W (perpendicular to the running direction A of the corrugated cardboard web W). In addition, on the upper side of the corrugated cardboard web W, a beam 11b is provided in parallel with the beam 11a.

[0029] The slitter device 1 includes a beam 11a on the lower surface side, a guide rail 12a attached to the beam 11a, and a plurality of slitter heads 13 (five in Figs. 10 and 11) attached to the guide rail 12a so as to be movable in the machine width direction by a moving device 24. A slitter knife 15, which is a thin, disc-shaped rotary knife, is rotatably attached to each slitter head 13.

[0030] The slitter device 1 further includes a 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 so as to be movable in the machine width direction by a moving device 14. Each web cutting device is made up of a lower slitter knife 15 and an upper receiving roll 16.

[0031] The slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 are each movable to a predetermined position in the web width direction and are arranged in pairs. By sandwiching the corrugated board web W between the slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 of each web cutting device, the corrugated board web W can be cut at a desired position in the web width direction.

[0032] A receiving table 17 is provided above the slitter head 13, which extends in the traveling direction of the corrugated board web W and supports the corrugated board web W from below to guide the running of the corrugated board web W. In addition, a groove 16a is provided in the outer periphery of the backing roll 16 in the circumferential direction, and an appropriate clearance is ensured so that the outer periphery of the backing roll 16 and the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 do not interfere with each other.

[0033] The rotation speed of the slitter knife 15 is set to a speed sufficiently higher than the running speed of the corrugated board web W in order to perform good cutting. The rotation speed of the receiving roll 16 is set to a speed approximately equal to and slightly higher than the running speed of the corrugated board web W in order not to reduce the running speed of the corrugated board web W.

[0034] The corrugated cardboard web W is cut from below by the rotationally driven slitter knife 15. At this time, the blade tip of the slitter knife 15 is rotationally driven at a peripheral speed sufficiently higher than the running speed of the corrugated cardboard web W at the contact portion with the corrugated cardboard web W.

[0035] The mechanical configuration of the slitter device 1 according to this embodiment will be further described below with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Note that in Figure 3, the backing roll 16 is omitted. 3 and 4, the slitter device 1 cuts the cardboard web W at a predetermined position in the width direction of the cardboard web W along the running direction A of the cardboard web W. To this end, the slitter device 1 has a knife drive shaft 22 and a moving device positioning shaft 23 installed in the width direction of the cardboard web W below the running line PL of the cardboard web W between frames 10 erected on both sides of the device.

[0036] A plurality of (five in the figure) slitter heads 13 and moving devices 24 are attached to the knife drive shaft 22 and the moving device positioning shaft 23 so as to be movable in the machine width direction. This allows each slitter head 13 to move individually in the machine width direction, and the receiving rolls 16 corresponding to each slitter head 13 can also be moved individually in the machine width direction by the moving devices 14 (see FIG. 5).

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3( a ) and 4 ( a ), each slitter head 13 is rotatably attached to a knife drive shaft 22 and is connected to a female screw portion 29 via a connecting rod 28 . A servo motor 31 is attached to the outer surface of the moving device 24, and a male threaded portion 33 is attached to the tip of a piston rod 32 of the servo motor 31. The male threaded portion 33 is screwed into the female threaded portion 29, and the male threaded portion 33 and the female threaded portion 29 move relatively to each other when the servo motor 31 is operated. As a result, the female threaded portion 29 moves up and down, so that the slitter knife 15 can approach or move away from the receiving roll 16 around the knife drive shaft 22.

[0038] In this way, the slitter head 13 is rotatable about the knife drive shaft 22. Therefore, for example, when sharpening the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15, the slitter head 13 is moved about the knife drive shaft 22 in a direction in which the slitter knife 15 moves away from the receiving roll 16, set at the sharpening position, and sharpening can be performed by the sharpening device 30 fixed to the slitter head 13. Note that, for convenience, only the sharpening device 30 of one slitter head 13 (the leftmost one in the figure) is shown in Fig. 3(a), but each slitter head 13 is equipped with a sharpening device 30.

[0039] Here, the polishing apparatus 30 will be described. 3(a), (b) and 4(a), (b), the polishing device 30 includes a base 30a fixed to the slitter head 13, a grindstone roller support 30c attached to the base 30a via an air cylinder 30b so as to be movable up and down, and grindstone rollers 30d, 30e rotatably supported by the grindstone roller support 30c. The grindstone rollers 30d, 30e are formed in a disk shape and are arranged with a phase shift in the rotation direction of the slitter knife 15 (see arrow R in FIG. 4(a)).

[0040] In this example, grindstone roller 30d on the downstream side in the rotation direction of slitter knife 15 (left side in Fig. 4) has grindstone surface 30f inclined to match the angle of the cutting edge to grind one side of the cutting edge of slitter knife 15 (back side of the paper in Fig. 4, left side in Fig. 3(b)) (see Fig. 3(b)). Also, grindstone roller 30e on the upstream side in the rotation direction of slitter knife 15 (right side in Fig. 4) has grindstone surface 30g inclined to match the angle of the cutting edge to grind the other side of the cutting edge of slitter knife 15 (front side of the paper in Fig. 4, right side in Fig. 3(b)) (see Fig. 3(b)). When the grinding operation is not being performed by the grinding device 30, as shown in Figs. 3(a) and 4(a), the air cylinder 30b is controlled to contract, and the grindstone roller support portion 30c and the grindstone rollers 30d and 30e are retracted downward.

[0041] When grinding operation is performed by the grinding device 30, the air cylinder 30b is controlled to extend, and the slitter knife 15 is lowered to a grinding position below the cutting position. As a result, the grinding surface 30f of the grindstone roller 30d and the grinding surface 30g of the grindstone roller 30e are arranged to sandwich the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 (see FIG. 3(b)), and each comes into contact with the cutting edge surface of the corresponding slitter knife 15. In this state, by rotating the slitter knife 15, the grindstone rollers 30d and 30e grind the cutting edge surface of the slitter knife 15 while rotating together with the slitter knife 15 (however, the contact surface is slower than that of the slitter knife 15). The timing for sharpening the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 will be described later.

[0042] 3(a), a laser irradiating device (irradiation section) 41 is disposed on one side of the frame 10 across the running line PL of the cardboard web W, and a light receiving device (light receiving section) 42 is disposed on the frame 10 on the other side of the running line PL. Note that instead of the light receiving device 42, a reflecting mirror may be provided, and the laser beam L irradiated by the irradiating device 41 may be reflected by the reflecting mirror, and the reflected wave may be received by a light receiving section built into the irradiating device 41.

[0043] In this embodiment, the meshing position between the receiving roll 16 and the slitter knife 15 can be determined by using a laser beam L, which will be described below. Point a shown in Fig. 4(a) is the contact position of the outer circumferential surface of the receiving roll 16 with the corrugated board web W, and meshing the slitter knife 15 and the receiving roll 16 at this point a is optimal for ensuring cutting quality. Hereinafter, this point a will be referred to as meshing point a. Also, the laser beam L is irradiated so as to pass through meshing point a.

[0044] During operation of the corrugating machine, the corrugated board web W runs through point a, so this positioning work is performed before and after the start of operation when the corrugated board web W is not running. During this positioning work, the backing roll 16 is moved upward in the direction of arrow c from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line to the position indicated by the symbol 16' so that the backing roll 16 does not block the laser beam L. In FIG. 4, the center of rotation of the backing roll 16 is indicated by O2.

[0045] Next, the servo motor 31 is operated to raise the slitter head 13. When the arcuate outer edge 15a of the slitter knife 15 reaches the laser beam position and interrupts the laser beam L, this is detected by the light receiving device 42, and the slitter knife 15 is fixed at that position. Since this position is the optimum meshing point, the fixed position of the slitter knife 15 is stored in a storage device (not shown).

[0046] When adjusting the height positions (lifted positions) of multiple slitter knives 15, the slitter head 13 supporting the positioned slitter knives 15 is temporarily lowered since the positioned slitter knives 15 block the laser beam L. Then, another slitter head 13 is raised and the height of the slitter knives 15 attached to that slitter head 13 is adjusted.

[0047] Since the position of the center of rotation O1 of slitter knife 15 correlates with the raised and lowered position of slitter head 13, the position of center of rotation O1 of slitter knife 15 can be determined from the raised and lowered position of slitter head 13. Therefore, the position of center of rotation O1 of slitter knife 15 at that time can be obtained from the raised and lowered position of slitter head 13 (slitter knife 15) when the meshing point between receiving roll 16 and slitter knife 15 is positioned.

[0048] Therefore, the distance between the position O1 of the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 and the meshing point a at this time can also be obtained. In this way, the distance (knife radius) of the blade edge of the slitter knife 15 from the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 can be actually measured from the state of reception of the laser beam L, and the wear state of the blade edge of the slitter knife 15 can be grasped from the knife radius. In this case, the radius of the slitter knife 15 before it becomes worn is set in advance.

[0049] Furthermore, the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 corresponds to the amount of movement of the slitter head 13 by the servo motor 31 described below (amount of rotation of the servo motor 31). Therefore, a knife radius measuring device 90 is composed of the laser irradiation device 41, the light receiving device 42, and a means for grasping the elevation position of the slitter head 13 (slitter knife 15) when the meshing point is positioned (for example, a rotation amount output unit of the servo motor 31 described below).

[0050] Incidentally, the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 wears over time as a result of cutting the web during operation and as a result of grinding, etc. When the cutting edge becomes worn, it needs to be ground. Furthermore, when the wear on the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 becomes excessive, the slitter knife 15 needs to be replaced. In particular, depending on the number of sheets produced in a slitter device, some slitter heads 13 are unused. When some of the multiple slitter heads 13 are used and the rest are not, wear on the cutting edges of the slitter knives 15 varies. In this slitter device, in order to suppress variations in wear of the blade edges of the slitter knives 15, a control device 100 for the slitter device is provided.

[0051] [1.2. Control device configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device for a slitter device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device includes a panel computer 50 equipped with a touch panel display (display unit) 51, and a machine control PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 60 that operates based on control signals from the panel computer 50 and controls the slitter head 13, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, the controlled objects of each slitter head 13 include an inverter motor 71 that rotates and drives the shaft of the slitter knife 15, and a servo motor 72 that constitutes a moving device 24 that moves the slitter knife 15 in the axial direction. An encoder 71a that detects the rotation of the inverter motor 71 is attached to the inverter motor 71, and its operation is controlled through an inverter amplifier 73. An encoder 72a that detects the rotation of the servo motor 72 is attached to the servo motor 72, and its operation is controlled through a servo amplifier 74. Although FIG. 1 shows one slitter head 13 in detail, each of the multiple slitter heads 13 has the same configuration.

[0053] The panel computer 50 is connected to the production management device 80, and receives order information such as the number of sheets to be cut and the width of the web to be cut from the production management device 80, converts the received order information into machine positioning data for the slitter-scorer (data related to the positions of the slitter head 13 and the scorer head in the web width direction) and transmits the machine positioning data to the machine control PLC 60. The panel computer 50 also receives display data, which is machine operation information, from the machine control PLC 60, and displays this display data on the touch panel display 51. The panel computer 50 will be described in detail later.

[0054] The machine control PLC 60 receives slitter-scorer operation position data and the like from the panel computer 50, and performs processing to switch operation between the No. 1 unit and the No. 2 unit in response to an order change signal, controls operation and stop of the slitter-scorer 13, controls operation positioning, 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 slitter operation position information is input to the machine control PLC 60. This operation information is output to the panel computer 50, and the machine operation information among the operation information is used by the panel computer 50 as display data.

[0055] The shaft drive of the slitter scorer 13 is performed by controlling the rotation of the inverter motor 71 through an inverter amplifier 73. The rotation speed of the slitter knife 15 is controlled by controlling the rotation of the inverter motor 71, and during a cutting operation of the slitter knife 15, the rotation speed is controlled to a value suitable for the cutting operation, and when the blade edge of the slitter knife 15 is sharpened, the rotation speed is controlled to a value suitable for sharpening the blade edge.

[0056] The panel computer 50 will now be further described. The panel computer 50 is equipped with a wear condition estimation unit (wear condition estimation device) 52 that estimates the wear condition of each slitter knife 15 of the multiple slitter heads 13, a movement control unit (movement control device) 53 that can select a specific slitter head 13 from the multiple slitter heads 13 as the one to be used and move the selected slitter head 13 to the cutting position when a new order requires some of the multiple slitter heads 13 to be used to cut the cardboard web W (such an order is called a "partial use order"), and a guide unit (guidance device) 54 that displays the specific slitter head 13 on the touch panel display 51 and guides the operator to select and use this slitter head when in the manual selection mode described below.

[0057] In this embodiment, the panel computer 50 is provided with a wear condition estimation unit 52 as a wear condition estimation device, a movement control unit 53 as a movement control device, and a guidance unit 54 as a guidance device, but the wear condition estimation device, the movement control device, and the guidance device may each be provided as separate devices (hardware).

[0058] When an order is changed and the new order is a partial use order, the movement control unit 53 automatically selects, from the multiple slitter heads 13, the slitter head 13 whose slitter knives 15 are relatively less worn based on the wear state of the slitter knives 15 estimated by the wear state estimation unit 52, and controls the movement device 24 to automatically move it to a specified cutting position according to the new order.

[0059] The movement control unit 53 of this embodiment is equipped with an automatic / manual selection switch 55 for setting either an automatic selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is automatically selected when some of the multiple slitter heads 13 are used, or a manual selection mode in which the operator manually selects the slitter head 13 to be used, and an automatic type selection switch 56 for setting one of the multiple automatic selection modes when the automatic selection mode is selected. In this embodiment, the automatic / manual selection switch 55 and the automatic type selection switch 56 are displayed on the touch panel display 51 of the panel computer 50, so that the operator can perform touch operations while looking at the touch panel display 51.

[0060] The multiple automatic selection modes are a wear condition equalization mode in which, when an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order, the slitter head with relatively less wear is automatically selected from the multiple slitter heads 13 and automatically moved to the designated cutting position, thereby equalizing the wear condition of the multiple slitter heads 13, and a movement distance priority mode in which the slitter head 13 closest to the cutting position is automatically selected from the multiple slitter heads 13 and automatically moved to the designated cutting position.

[0061] In other words, when either the wear condition equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode is selected by the automatic type selection switch 56, the movement control unit 53 implements the wear condition equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode depending on the selection state of the automatic type selection switch 56. In this embodiment, the movement control unit 53 is provided with an operation restriction unit 53a which allows selection of either the wear condition equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode by the automatic type selection switch 56 until the wear condition of the slitter knives reaches a predetermined wear condition set in advance, and which restricts the selection of the movement distance priority mode by the automatic type selection switch 56 after the wear condition reaches the predetermined wear condition.

[0062] When an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order in which some of the multiple slitter heads 13 are used to cut the cardboard web W, the guidance unit 54 provides guidance to select and use the slitter head 13 of the multiple slitter heads 13 whose slitter knives 15 are relatively less worn, based on the wear conditions of each slitter knife 15 estimated by the wear condition estimation unit 52. The content of this guidance will be described later.

[0063] The wear state estimation unit 52 can use various estimation methods to estimate the wear state of each slitter knife 15. Here, first to fifth estimation methods that can be executed by the wear state estimation unit 52 will be described. Among these, the first to third estimation methods estimate the wear state of the slitter knife 15 based on the usage history of the slitter knife 15. In the fourth and fifth estimation methods, the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 or a parameter corresponding thereto is actually measured, and the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated based on this.

[0064] The panel computer 50 is equipped with a usage history storage unit 52a that stores the usage history of the slitter knives 15 of each slitter head 13. This usage history storage unit 52a stores the cutting length (usage distance) Ls of the cardboard web W by each slitter knife 15 and the number of times Np the blade tip of the slitter knife 15 has been sharpened.

[0065] First, the first estimation method will be described. In the first estimation method, the wear state of each slitter knife 15 is estimated from the number of times Np that each slitter knife 15 has been sharpened, which is stored in the usage history storage unit 52a. Since the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 recedes due to grinding, it is considered that the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 decreases according to the number of grinding times Np. Therefore, when the first estimation method is used, the wear state estimation unit 52 sets the wear amount Gw, which is a parameter that quantifies the wear state of the slitter knife 15, to a higher value as the number of grinding times Np increases. 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 (1)

[0066] Next, the second estimation method will be described. In the second estimation method, the wear state of each slitter knife 15 is estimated from the usage distance Ls of each slitter knife 15 stored in the usage history storage unit 52a. Since the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 wears with use, it is considered that the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 decreases according to the distance Ls of use. Therefore, when 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 usage distance Ls becomes longer. 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 (2)

[0067] Next, the third estimation method will be described. In the third estimation method, the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated from a combination of the number of times Np that each slitter knife 15 has been sharpened and the distance of use Ls, which are stored in the usage history storage unit 52a. As described above, the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 recedes due to grinding, so the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 decreases according to the number of grinding times Np, and since the slitter knife 15 wears with use, it is thought that the knife radius of the slitter knife 15 decreases according to the distance of use Ls.

[0068] 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 by multiplying the usage distance Ls (for example, 20,000 m is used as one unit) by a preset coefficient k1, multiplying the number of grinding times Np by a preset coefficient k2, and adding these values ​​together, as follows: Gw=k1×Ls / 20000+k2×Np...(3) For example, based on the dependency of the above wear amount Gw on the usage distance Ls and the number of grinding times Np (20% for the usage distance Ls and 80% for the number of grinding times Np), if the usage distance (cumulative value) Ls is 65,000 m and the number of grinding times Np is 3, the wear amount Gw is calculated as follows. Gw=0.2×65000 / 20000+0.8×3=3.05

[0069] In addition, in the fourth estimation method, the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated from the elevation position of the slitter head 13 (slitter knife 15). When the slitter knife 15 is used, the meshing point is adjusted as described above. The smaller the radius of the slitter knife due to wear, the greater the amount of upward movement of the slitter knife 15 until the meshing point (slitter knife operating position) is reached. Therefore, the position of the slitter knife 15 in the upward and downward direction during operation (upward and downward position) correlates with the radius of the slitter knife 15. Also, the upward and downward position of the slitter knife 15 during operation correlates with how much the servo motor 31 has moved the slitter knife 15, that is, the amount of rotation of the servo motor 31. Therefore, the upward and downward position of the slitter knife 15 during operation (current upward and downward position) can be calculated from the amount of rotation of the servo motor 31, and the wear state of the slitter knife 15 can be estimated from the upward and downward position of the slitter knife 15.

[0070] In the fifth estimation method, the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated from the diameter of the slitter knife 15 (knife radius). In other words, in the fifth estimation method, a laser beam L transmitting / receiving device consisting of the aforementioned irradiation unit 41 and receiving unit 42 is used to actually measure the knife radius from the reception state of the laser beam L as the center of rotation of the slitter knife 13 moves.

[0071] As described above, the meshing position between the receiving roll 16 and the slitter knife 15 is positioned to an appropriate meshing point a by utilizing the laser beam L while raising the slitter head 13. This positioning brings the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 to the meshing point a, so that the distance between the position of the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 at this time and the meshing point a can be obtained, and further the distance from the rotation center of the slitter knife 15 to the cutting edge of the slitter knife 15 (knife radius) can be obtained.

[0072] In this embodiment, the wear state of each slitter knife 15 is estimated using two estimation methods, the third estimation method and the fifth estimation method, among the above estimation methods, and the wear states obtained by the two estimation methods are equalized to select a slitter head 13 with relatively less wear of the slitter knives 15. However, the use of the estimation methods is not limited to this, and only one of the estimation methods may be used, or a plurality of estimation methods may be used in appropriate combination.

[0073] Therefore, the panel computer 50 uses a pre-stored computer program to estimate the wear condition of each slitter knife 15 of each slitter head 13 through the wear condition estimation unit 52 (wear condition estimation step), and at the time of an order change, if the new order is a partial use order, the movement control unit 53 automatically selects from the multiple slitter heads 13 the slitter head 13 whose slitter knives 15 have relatively little wear based on the estimated wear condition of the slitter knives 15, and automatically moves the selected slitter head 13 to a cutting position according to the new order (movement control step).

[0074] Here, the guide unit 54 will be described. The guide unit 54 displays the slitter head 13 recommended for selection on the touch panel display 51 to guide the selection. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the number of times the slitter knives 15 of each slitter head 13a to 13e are sharpened, the cutting length (usage distance) Ls of the corrugated paper web W by each slitter knife 15, the current slitter lift position, the knife radius, and the recommended use order of each slitter head 13a to 13e are displayed. The recommended use order of each slitter head 13a to 13e is ranked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 from the least worn based on the wear state of the slitter knives 15, and this is displayed. Note that in FIG. 2, examples of specific numerical values ​​are shown for the number of times the slitter knives 15 are sharpened, the distance used, and the knife radius of each slitter knife 15, but as for the current slitter lift position, the reference position differs depending on the product of the slitter device, and the numerical values ​​also change accordingly, so specific numerical examples are omitted here.

[0075] Therefore, the panel computer 50 uses a pre-stored computer program to estimate the wear condition of each slitter knife 15 of each slitter head 13 through the wear condition estimation unit 52 (wear condition estimation step), and when an order is changed and a new order is a partial use order, the guidance unit 54 provides guidance to automatically select, from the multiple slitter heads 13, a slitter head 13 with relatively less wear on the slitter knives 15 based on the estimated wear condition of the slitter knives 15 (guidance step).

[0076] [2. Actions and Effects] Since the control device for the slitter device according to this embodiment is configured as described above, it can implement the following control method and obtain the following actions and effects.

[0077] When an order is changed, if the new order is a partial use order, the system is equipped with a movement control device that automatically selects from the multiple slitter heads 13 the slitter head with the slitter knives 15 with relatively little wear based on the wear state of the slitter knives 15, and controls the movement device 24 to automatically move it to a cutting position according to the new order.Therefore, the system can implement a control method for the slitter device, for example, as follows.

[0078] First, a wear state estimation step is performed in which the wear state of each of the slitter knives 15 of the multiple slitter heads 13 is estimated using the wear state estimation unit 52 . Next, at the time of order change, if the new order is a partial use order, a movement control step is performed in which a slitter head having relatively less wear on the slitter knives 15 is automatically selected from the multiple slitter heads 13 based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step, and the movement device 24 is controlled to automatically move the slitter head to a cutting position according to the new order.

[0079] The above control can be implemented by providing a movement control unit 53 that can automatically select a slitter head 13 with relatively little wear on the slitter knives 15 and control the movement device 24 to automatically move it to a cutting position according to a new order, as in the control device of the slitter device of this embodiment. This makes it possible to suppress variations in wear on the blade edges of the slitter knives 15 of the multiple slitter heads 13, so that the slitter knives 15 for the multiple slitter heads 13 can be replaced simultaneously, improving the ease of replacing the slitter knives 15. Furthermore, if the knife wear state is made uniform, it is expected that the sheet production operation will be stabilized and the sheet meandering will be suppressed.

[0080] The movement control device 53 is configured to be able to implement a wear condition equalization mode in which, in the case of a partial use order, the slitter head 13 with relatively little wear on the slitter knives 15 is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position to equalize the wear conditions of the multiple 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 is equipped with an automatic type selection switch 56 that can select between the wear condition equalization mode and the movement distance priority mode, allowing the operator to select the mode of their choice.

[0081] For example, if quick setting is required, the travel distance priority mode can be selected, and if not, the wear condition equalization mode can be selected, thereby achieving both efficient order change operations and improved ease of replacing the slitter knives 15 by suppressing variations in wear on the cutting edges of each slitter knife 15.

[0082] 6 is a schematic plan view showing a selection example (first selection example) of the slitter head 13 etc. (including the receiving roll 16) when the travel distance priority mode is selected for double production. In this example, the slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used to cut the edges on both sides, and the central slitter head 13c, which is closest to the cutting position, is used to cut the web to divide it into two webs.

[0083] 7 and 8 are schematic plan views showing selection examples (second and third selection examples) of slitter head 13 and the like (including receiving roll 16) when the wear equalization mode is selected for double cutting. In this example, slitter heads 13a and 13e on both sides are used to cut the edges on both sides, and slitter head 13b or slitter head 13d, which has less wear, is used to cut the web into two webs.

[0084] 9 is a schematic plan view showing a selection example (fourth selection example) of the slitter heads 13, etc. (including the receiving roll 16) when the wear equalization mode is selected for the two-piece cutting. In this example, the slitter heads 13b, 13d, which are less worn, are used to cut the edges on both sides, avoiding the slitter heads 13a, 13e on both sides, which are more worn. However, avoiding the use of the slitter heads 13a, 13e on both sides in this way is only possible if the structure of the slitter device and conditions such as the web width of the corrugated cardboard web W to be processed are suitable.

[0085] If the movement control unit 53 is equipped with an operation restriction unit 53a that allows the selection of wear condition equalization mode and travel distance priority mode until the wear condition of the slitter knives reaches a predetermined specified wear condition, and restricts the selection of travel distance priority mode after the wear condition reaches the specified wear condition, it is possible to suppress variations in wear on the cutting edges of each slitter knife 15 while achieving a certain level of efficiency in order change operations, thereby improving the ease of replacing the slitter knives 15.

[0086] In addition, when an order is changed and a new order is a partial use order, a guidance section 54 is provided that guides the user to select and use a slitter head among the multiple slitter heads 13 whose slitter knives 15 are relatively less worn, based on the wear state of the slitter knives 15. Therefore, for example, a control method for a slitter device as described below can be implemented.

[0087] First, a wear state estimation step is performed in which the wear state of each of the slitter knives 15 of the multiple slitter heads 13 is estimated using the wear state estimation unit 52 . Next, when an order change occurs and the new order is a partial use order, a guidance step is carried out to guide the user to select and use the slitter head 13 having the slitter knives 15 with relatively little wear from among the multiple slitter heads 13, based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step.

[0088] Specifically, in the guidance step, the recommended usage order of each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e is displayed as shown in Fig. 2. As a result, when the operator selects the manual selection mode with the automatic / manual selection switch 55, the operator can refer to this guidance information to select the slitter head 13 to be used from each of the slitter heads 13a to 13e. This reduces the variation in wear on the cutting edges of each slitter knife 15 of multiple slitter heads 13, allowing the slitter knives 15 for multiple slitter heads 13 to be replaced simultaneously, improving the ease of replacing the slitter knives 15.

[0089] [3.Other] Although an 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 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0090] For example, in the above embodiment, a wear condition equalization mode is provided in which a slitter head 13 with relatively little wear on the slitter knives 15 is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position to equalize the wear conditions of multiple slitter heads, and a movement distance priority mode is provided in which the slitter head 13 closest to the cutting position is automatically selected and automatically moved to the cutting position, and these are configured to be selected, but in addition to this, or instead of this, the control mode may be configured as follows.

[0091] For example, automatic selection control that combines the wear leveling mode and the travel distance priority mode is conceivable. In this automatic selection control, multiple slitter heads 13 are grouped according to the wear state of the slitter knives 15. It is assumed that the new order is a partial use order, and among the multiple slitter heads 13 that can be used at the cutting position of the new order, there are multiple slitter heads 13 that belong to the group with the least wear of the slitter knives 15.

[0092] In this case, the automatic selection control automatically selects the slitter head 13 that is closest to the cutting position for the new order from among the slitter heads 13 in the group with the least wear, and automatically moves it to the cutting position. In such automatic selection control, there are cases where a slitter head 13 different from that in the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode is selected. Such automatic selection control makes it possible to reduce the amount of movement of the slitter head 13 in response to a new order, i.e., to shorten the time required for changing orders, while at the same time equalizing the wear on the slitter knives 15.

[0093] In addition, the following configuration is also possible as an automatic selection control that combines the wear equalization mode and the travel distance priority mode. This control is intended for cases where there are successive orders with a small number of cardboard sheets to be manufactured (so-called short orders). When short orders are consecutive, the preparation time for changing orders becomes shorter, and depending on the slitter head 13 used, there is a possibility that the movement of the slitter head 13 will not be in time for the order change. Therefore, this automatic selection control selects the slitter head 13 with the least wear on the slitter knives 15 while ensuring that the movement of the slitter head 13 is in time for the order change.

[0094] In the case of a corrugating machine with two slitter scorers, for example, if three consecutive orders are classified as the old order, the current order, and the new order, the first machine will be producing the current order while the second machine will be preparing for the new order. In this case, the production time of the current order will be the order change preparation time for the new order. Also, the required movement time for each slitter head 13 to move to the cutting position for the new order can be calculated according to the distance between the current position of each slitter head 13 and the cutting position for the new order.

[0095] In this automatic selection control, the preparation time for changing the order for a new order is calculated from the manufacturing time for the current order. At the same time, candidates for the slitter heads 13 to be used for each cutting position of the new order are selected from the positions of the slitter heads 13 in the current order and the cutting positions of the new order. If the new order is a partial use order, there are multiple slitter heads 13 that can be used for a cutting position of the new order, and these are selected as candidates for the slitter heads 13 to be used at that cutting position.

[0096] Furthermore, the required movement time required for each slitter head 13 to move to the cutting position for the new order is calculated based on the distance between the position of each selected slitter head 13 in the current order and the cutting position. Then, the required movement time of each slitter head 13 is compared with the order change preparation time for the new order, and slitter heads 13 whose required movement time is within the order change preparation time for the new order are selected.

[0097] As a result, if there are multiple slitter heads 13 whose required movement time is within the order change preparation time for a new order, the slitter head 13 with the least wear on the slitter knives 15, or the slitter head 13 with relatively little wear on the slitter knives 15, is automatically selected and moved to the cutting position. Naturally, even with this automatic selection control, there are cases where a slitter head 13 different from that selected in the wear condition equalization mode or movement distance priority mode is selected.

[0098] In this way, according to this automatic selection control, production does not stop when changing orders, and the occurrence of paper waste is reduced, while a slitter head 13 with relatively little wear on the slitter knives 15 is used, thereby making it possible to even out the wear on the slitter knives 15. If there is no slitter head 13 whose required movement time is within the preparation time for changing the order for a new order, the slitter head 13 whose required movement time is the shortest is automatically selected and moved to the cutting position. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in production efficiency and the occurrence of paper waste.

[0099] Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the first to fifth estimation methods are described as methods for estimating the wear state of the slitter knife 15, but the estimation methods are not limited to these. For example, the wear state of slitter knife 15 can also be estimated from the usage time of slitter knife 15 (sixth estimation method). This sixth estimation method focuses on the fact that the longer the usage time of slitter knife 15, the more the wear of slitter knife 15 progresses, and it is possible to estimate the wear state of slitter knife 15 from the usage time of slitter knife 15, although not precisely.

[0100] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, automatic / manual selection switch 55 is provided so that when some of the multiple slitter heads 13 are used, either an automatic selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is automatically selected, or a manual selection mode in which the slitter head 13 to be used is manually selected, but this switch 55 may be omitted so that only either automatic selection or manual selection is performed. When only manual selection is performed, the automatic type selection switch 56 is naturally omitted as well.

[0101] In addition, in the above embodiment, the wear state of each slitter knife 15 is estimated using two estimation methods, and the wear states obtained by the two estimation methods are equalized to select the slitter head 13 with relatively less wear on the slitter knives 15. However, the wear state of the slitter knives 15 may be estimated using any of the above-mentioned six methods alone, or these may be combined appropriately to estimate the wear state of the slitter knives 15.

[0102] Even when the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated using the first to third methods, the specific setting of the wear amount is not limited to that in the above embodiment. When the wear state of the slitter knife 15 is estimated using the fifth method, the method for actually measuring the knife radius is not limited to that in the above embodiment.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the guide unit 54 guides the user to select the slitter head 13 recommended for selection on the touch panel display 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may be guided to select the slitter head by voice.

[0104] [4. Notes] Regarding the above embodiment, the following supplementary notes are further disclosed.

[0105] (Appendix 1) A control device for a slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and that controls the slitter device to cut a cardboard web that is continuously traveling on a traveling line along a traveling direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads, a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control device that automatically selects, when an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order in which the cardboard web is cut using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear from among the plurality of slitter heads based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated by the wear state estimation device, and controls the movement device to automatically move the slitter head to a cutting position according to the new order. A control device for a slitter device.

[0106] (Appendix 2) The movement control device is configured to be able to implement a wear condition equalization mode in which, when the new order is a partial use order, a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear is automatically selected from among the plurality of slitter heads and automatically moved to the cutting position to equalize the wear conditions of the plurality of slitter heads, and a movement distance priority mode in which a slitter head closest to the cutting position is automatically selected from among the plurality of slitter heads and automatically moved to the cutting position. A control device for a slitter device as described in Appendix 1.

[0107] (Appendix 3) a selection switch for selecting the wear leveling mode and the movement distance priority mode; The movement control device executes the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode according to the selection state of the selection switch. 3. A control device for a slitter device according to claim 2.

[0108] (Appendix 4) The movement control device is provided with an operation restriction unit that allows the 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 the selection of the movement distance priority mode by the selection switch after the wear state reaches the preset wear state. 4. A control device for a slitter device according to claim 3.

[0109] (Appendix 5) The movement control device includes an automatic / manual selection switch that sets either an automatic selection mode in which a slitter head to be used is automatically selected when some of the plurality of slitter heads are used, or a manual selection mode in which an operator manually selects the slitter head to be used. 5. A control device for a slitter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0110] (Appendix 6) and a guide device that guides an operator to select and use a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear from among the plurality of slitter heads based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated by the wear state estimation device when the manual selection mode is selected. 6. A control device for a slitter device as described in appendix 5.

[0111] (Appendix 7) A control device for a slitter device that has a circular slitter knife, has a plurality of slitter heads that can move on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and controls a slitter device that cuts a cardboard web that runs continuously on a running line along a running direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads, a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a guide device that guides an operator to select and use a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear from among the plurality of slitter heads based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated by the wear state estimation device when a new order is a partial use order in which the cardboard web is cut using some of the plurality of slitter heads during an order change. A control device for a slitter device.

[0112] (Appendix 8) A display device is provided to display the wear state of the slitter knife. 8. A control device for a slitter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0113] (Appendix 9) The wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife based on a usage history of the slitter knife. 9. A control device for a slitter device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0114] (Appendix 10) The usage history of the slitter knife includes the number of times the slitter knife has been sharpened, The wear state estimating device is configured to estimate a wear amount of the slitter knife to be a higher value as the number of times of grinding increases. 10. A control device for a slitter device as described in appendix 9.

[0115] (Appendix 11) The usage history of the slitter knife includes a usage distance of the slitter knife, The wear state estimating device estimates that the wear amount of the slitter knife is higher as the distance of use is longer. 10. A control device for a slitter device as described in appendix 9.

[0116] (Appendix 12) The usage history of the slitter knife includes a distance that the slitter knife has been used and a number of times that the slitter knife has been sharpened, The wear state estimating device determines that the wear amount of the slitter knife is higher as the distance of use is longer and the number of times of grinding is greater. 10. A control device for a slitter device as described in appendix 9.

[0117] (Appendix 13) The wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife based on the elevation position of the slitter knife when the slitter knife is adjusted to a predetermined elevation position according to the wear state. 9. A control device for a slitter device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0118] (Appendix 14) A knife radius measuring device is provided for measuring a knife radius, which is a distance from a rotation center of the slitter knife to a blade tip, 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. 9. A control device for a slitter device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0119] (Appendix 15) The knife radius measuring device includes an irradiation unit that irradiates a laser beam parallel to the rotation axis of the slitter knife, and a receiving unit that receives the laser beam irradiated from the irradiation unit, and measures the knife radius from the reception state of the laser beam by the receiving unit in accordance with the movement of the rotation center of the slitter knife. 15. A control device for a slitter device as described in appendix 14.

[0120] (Appendix 16) A method for controlling a slitter device, comprising: a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis; and a moving device for moving the slitter heads on the axis; the slitter device uses some or all of the plurality of slitter heads to cut a cardboard web that is continuously traveling on a traveling line along the traveling direction, a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, from among the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head whose slitter knives are relatively less worn based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step when the new order is a partial use order in which the cardboard web is cut using some of the plurality of slitter heads at the time of order change, and automatically moving the slitter head to a cutting position according to the new order by controlling the moving device. A method for controlling a slitter apparatus.

[0121] (Appendix 17) A method for controlling a slitter device, comprising: a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis; and a moving device for moving the slitter heads on the axis; the slitter device uses some or all of the plurality of slitter heads to cut a cardboard web that is continuously traveling on a traveling line along the traveling direction, a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a guidance step of, when an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order in which the cardboard web is cut using some of the plurality of slitter heads, providing guidance to select and use a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear from among the plurality of slitter heads based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step. A method for controlling a slitter apparatus.

[0122] (Appendix 18) A computer program for a control device that controls a slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and cuts a corrugated cardboard web that runs continuously on a running line along the running direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads, a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads in the control device; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, from among the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head whose slitter knives are relatively less worn based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the moving device to a cutting position according to the new order, when the new order is a partial use order in which some of the plurality of slitter heads are used to cut the cardboard web. A computer program comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 Slitting device 3. Scorer device 10 Frames 11a,11b Beam 12a, 12b Guide rails 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e Slitter head 14,24 Mobile devices 15 Slitting knife 16 Receiving roll 16a Groove 17 Receiving stand 22 Knife drive shaft 23. Moving device positioning axis 28 Connecting rod 29 Female thread 30 Polishing equipment 30a base 30b Air cylinder 30c Grindstone roller support 30d, 30e Grindstone roller 30f,30g grinding surface 31 Servo motor 32 Piston rod 33 Male thread 41 Laser irradiation device (irradiation section) 42 Light receiving device (light receiving section) 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 Guidance section (guiding device) 60 Machine Control PLC 71 Inverter motor 71a Encoder 72 Servo motor 72a Encoder 73 Inverter Amplifier 74 Servo Amplifier 80 Production control device 90 Knife radius measuring device 100 Slitter device control device A: Corrugated web running direction O1 slitter blade knife center O2 receiving roll center PL Driving Line W Corrugated Web

Claims

1. A control device for a slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and that controls the slitter device to cut a cardboard web that is continuously traveling on a traveling line along a traveling direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads, a wear state estimation device that estimates a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control device that automatically selects, when an order change occurs and a new order is a partial use order in which the cardboard web is cut using some of the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear from among the plurality of slitter heads based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated by the wear state estimation device, and controls the movement device to automatically move the slitter head to a cutting position according to the new order. A control device for a slitter device.

2. The movement control device is configured to be able to implement a wear condition equalization mode in which, when the new order is a partial use order, a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear is automatically selected from among the plurality of slitter heads and automatically moved to the cutting position to equalize the wear conditions of the plurality of slitter heads, and a movement distance priority mode in which a slitter head closest to the cutting position is automatically selected from among the plurality of slitter heads and automatically moved to the cutting position. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 1 .

3. a selection switch for selecting the wear leveling mode and the movement distance priority mode; The movement control device executes the wear state equalization mode or the movement distance priority mode according to the selection state of the selection switch. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 2 .

4. The movement control device is provided with an operation restriction unit that allows the 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 the selection of the movement distance priority mode by the selection switch after the wear state reaches the preset wear state. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 3 .

5. The movement control device includes an automatic / manual selection switch that sets either an automatic selection mode in which a slitter head to be used is automatically selected when some of the plurality of slitter heads are used, or a manual selection mode in which an operator manually selects the slitter head to be used. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 1 .

6. and a guide device that guides an operator to select and use a slitter head having a slitter knife with relatively little wear from among the plurality of slitter heads based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated by the wear state estimation device when the manual selection mode is selected. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 5 .

7. A display device is provided to display the wear state of the slitter knife. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 1 or 6.

8. The wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife based on a usage history of the slitter knife. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 1 or 6.

9. The usage history of the slitter knife includes the number of times the slitter knife has been sharpened, The wear state estimating device is configured to estimate a wear amount of the slitter knife to be a higher value as the number of times of grinding increases. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 8.

10. The usage history of the slitter knife includes a usage distance of the slitter knife, The wear state estimating device estimates that the wear amount of the slitter knife is higher as the distance of use is longer. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 8.

11. The usage history of the slitter knife includes a distance that the slitter knife has been used and a number of times that the slitter knife has been sharpened, The wear state estimating device determines that the wear amount of the slitter knife is higher as the distance of use is longer and the number of times of grinding is greater. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 8.

12. The wear state estimation device estimates the wear state of the slitter knife based on the elevation position of the slitter knife when the slitter knife is adjusted to a predetermined elevation position according to the wear state. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 1 or 6.

13. A knife radius measuring device is provided for measuring a knife radius, which is a distance from a rotation center of the slitter knife to a blade tip, 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. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 1 or 6.

14. The knife radius measuring device includes an irradiation unit that irradiates a laser beam parallel to the rotation axis of the slitter knife, and a receiving unit that receives the laser beam irradiated from the irradiation unit, and measures the knife radius from the reception state of the laser beam by the receiving unit in accordance with the movement of the rotation center of the slitter knife. The control device for a slitter device according to claim 13.

15. A method for controlling a slitter device, comprising: a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis; and a moving device for moving the slitter heads on the axis; the slitter device uses some or all of the plurality of slitter heads to cut a cardboard web that is continuously traveling on a traveling line along the traveling direction, a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, from among the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head whose slitter knives are relatively less worn based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step when the new order is a partial use order in which the cardboard web is cut using some of the plurality of slitter heads at the time of order change, and automatically moving the slitter head to a cutting position according to the new order by controlling the moving device. A method for controlling a slitter apparatus.

16. A computer program for a control device that controls a slitter device that includes a plurality of slitter heads each having a circular slitter knife and movable on the same axis, and a moving device that moves the slitter heads on the axis, and cuts a corrugated cardboard web that runs continuously on a running line along the running direction using some or all of the plurality of slitter heads, The control device includes: a wear state estimation step of estimating a wear state of each of the slitter knives of the plurality of slitter heads; and a movement control step of automatically selecting, from among the plurality of slitter heads, a slitter head whose slitter knives are relatively less worn based on the wear state of the slitter knives estimated in the wear state estimation step, and automatically moving the moving device to a cutting position according to the new order, when the new order is a partial use order in which some of the plurality of slitter heads are used to cut the cardboard web. A computer program comprising:

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