Yarn processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a new yarn processing facility which can greatly advance production management.SOLUTION: An information management part 110 of a yarn processing facility 100 can acquire initial amount information regarding an initial amount of a yarn Y contained in a yarn feeding package Ps before start of unwinding of the yarn Y, unwinding unit amount information regarding the amount of the yarn Y unwound from the yarn feeding package Ps per unit time, and unwinding start time information regarding an unwinding start time when unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn feeding package Ps was started. By the calculation using these pieces of information, it becomes possible, for example, to accurately predict a timing when unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn feeding package Ps ends, and to always estimate progress of the unwinding of the yarn Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a yarn processing facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus (yarn processing equipment) that processes a yarn unwound from a yarn supply package (referred to as a supply bobbin in Patent Document 1) formed by winding a yarn around a yarn supply bobbin, winds the processed yarn onto a take-up bobbin, and forms a wound product (winding package). The yarn processing equipment is configured to support two yarn supply packages corresponding to one take-up bobbin. In such yarn processing equipment, when the end of a yarn contained in one of two yarn supply packages is knotted (connected) to the beginning of a yarn contained in the other, it is possible to supply yarn from the other yarn supply package without interruption after the first yarn supply package becomes empty. Specifically, immediately after the supply of yarn from one yarn supply package is completed, the knotted portion (yarn connection portion) of the two yarns is pulled, causing yarn to begin unwinding from the other yarn supply package. This allows the yarn to be supplied without interruption. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2003-526584 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the field of yarn processing, various improvements have been made to improve productivity and product quality, etc. The inventors of the present application have been conducting intensive research to develop yarn processing equipment that provides unprecedented added value.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a new yarn processing facility that can dramatically improve production management. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A yarn processing equipment according to a first aspect of the present invention is a yarn processing machine including a yarn supplying unit including one or more yarn supply package holding units configured to be able to supply yarns, a processing unit configured to process the one or more yarns supplied from the yarn supplying unit, and a winding unit configured to wind the one or more yarns processed by the processing unit onto winding bobbins to form winding packages, and an information management unit configured to manage information related to the yarn processing machine, wherein each of the one or more yarn supply package holding units is configured to allow a plurality of yarn supply packages to be attached and detached. The information management unit is configured to be able to supply yarn without interruption when the terminal end of a yarn contained in a yarn supply package is connected to the starting end of a yarn contained in another yarn supply package from which yarn is to be unwound after the yarn supply package, and is characterized in that the information management unit is capable of acquiring initial amount information regarding the initial amount of yarn contained in the yarn supply package before unwinding of the yarn begins, unwinding unit amount information regarding the amount of yarn unwound from the yarn supply package per unit time, and unwinding start time information regarding the unwinding start time when unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supply package begins.

[0007] When the initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information are acquired, calculations using this information make it possible to, for example, accurately predict the timing at which unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supply package will end and constantly estimate the progress of yarn unwinding. Here, the initial amount information can be known, for example, when the yarn supply package is attached to the yarn supplying section. The unwinding unit amount information can be known when the yarn processing equipment is set up for operation. The unwinding start time information can be known, for example, by detecting, with a sensor or the like, the change of the yarn supply package from which the yarn is being unwound. Alternatively, when the unwinding start time information for a certain yarn supply package is known, the initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information for that certain yarn supply package can be used to calculate and estimate the unwinding start time information for the yarn supply package from which the yarn will next be unwound. Therefore, a new yarn processing equipment that can dramatically improve production management can be provided. In order to obtain the initial amount information, it is possible to provide a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the yarn supply package for each yarn supply unit, but this would increase the cost of the equipment. The present invention can avoid such an increase in cost.

[0008] The yarn processing equipment of the second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the information management unit acquires information on the initial weight and fineness of the yarn contained in the yarn supply package as the initial amount information, and acquires information on the unwinding speed, which is the length of yarn unwound from the yarn supply package per unit time, as the unwinding unit amount information.

[0009] Generally, information on the initial weight of a yarn supply package can be easily obtained in advance by setting or measuring, and therefore can be easily handled as initial amount information. Similarly, information on the unwinding speed can be easily obtained in advance, and therefore can be easily handled as unwinding unit amount information. However, while the initial weight has the dimension of mass, the unwinding speed has the dimension of length. In this case, even if an attempt is made to perform calculations related to time and / or remaining amount based only on the initial weight, unwinding speed, and unwinding start time, it is not possible to match the units. In this regard, in the present invention, information on fineness (weight per unit length), which can be obtained in advance, is obtained as initial amount information. This makes it possible to easily match the units when calculating time and / or remaining amount. In this way, information that is easy to obtain and whose units can be matched can be used for various calculations.

[0010] The yarn processing equipment of a third invention is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, the information management unit acquires at least one of predicted unwinding end time information regarding a predicted unwinding end time when unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supply package will end, remaining time information regarding the remaining time for unwinding the yarn from the yarn supply package at an arbitrary reference time, and remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of yarn contained in the yarn supply package at the reference time, by calculation using at least the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the unwinding start time information.

[0011] In the present invention, it is possible to predict the time when unwinding of a yarn from a yarn supply package will end (unwinding end time), and to constantly estimate the remaining time and / or the remaining amount. The predicted and / or estimated information can be used to manage various tasks that will be performed until unwinding of a yarn from a yarn supply package is completed (for example, creating a yarn supply package replacement schedule).

[0012] The yarn processing equipment of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in the third invention, the information management unit acquires information on a predicted yarn disappearance time when all of the yarn supply packages attached to a specific yarn supply package holding unit included in the one or more yarn supply package holding units will be empty, based on the remaining time information related to all of the yarn supply packages attached to the specific yarn supply package holding unit.

[0013] By utilizing the information on the predicted yarn disappearance time obtained by the present invention, it is possible to realize advanced control or advanced equipment operation management regarding operations such as replacing yarn supply packages.

[0014] The yarn processing equipment of the fifth invention is the yarn supply package conveying device of the fourth invention, which is configured to convey a new yarn supply package to the yarn supplying section and perform a yarn supply package replacement operation to replace an empty yarn supply package from which the yarn has been unwound with the new yarn supply package, and the information management unit is characterized in that it manages the operation of the yarn supply package conveying device so that the yarn supply package replacement operation at the specified yarn supply package holding section is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for the specified yarn supply package holding section.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a given yarn supply package holding section from running out of yarn supply packages.

[0016] The yarn processing equipment of the sixth invention is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the yarn supplying unit has a plurality of yarn supply package holding units as the one or more yarn supply package holding units, the yarn supply package conveying device is configured to be able to perform the yarn supply package replacement work on the plurality of yarn supply package holding units, and the information management unit manages the operation of the yarn supply package conveying device so that the yarn supply package replacement work in each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units.

[0017] In the present invention, in a configuration in which a plurality of yarn supply package holding sections are provided, it is possible to prevent the yarn supply packages from running out in each yarn supply package holding section.

[0018] The yarn processing equipment of a seventh aspect of the present invention is the yarn processing equipment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, further comprising: a first output unit configured to output information; and a first output control unit configured to control the first output unit, wherein the first output control unit causes the output unit to output information to prompt an operator to replace the yarn supply package in the specified yarn supply package holding unit at a replacement notification time that is a specified time before the predicted yarn disappearance time.

[0019] In the present invention, the operator can be prompted to replace the yarn supply package at an appropriate timing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the yarn supply packages attached to the yarn supply package holding unit from running out. The first output control unit may be included in the information management unit or may be provided separately from the information management unit.

[0020] The yarn processing equipment of the eighth invention, in any of the third to seventh inventions, comprises: a connection information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding whether a terminal end of a yarn included in a predetermined yarn supply package is connected to a starting end of a yarn included in a preliminary yarn supply package from which yarn is unwound after the predetermined yarn supply package; a second output unit configured to output information; and a second output control unit configured to control the second output unit, wherein the second output control unit outputs information to the second output unit to prompt a connecting operation between the starting end and the ending end when the remaining time for the predetermined yarn supply package decreases to or below a predetermined time while the starting end and the ending end are not connected, based on the information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit.

[0021] The present invention can prevent an operator or the like from forgetting to connect a thread. The first output unit and the second output unit may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit may be the same or different. Furthermore, the second output control unit may be included in the information management unit, or may be provided separately from the information management unit.

[0022] The yarn processing equipment of a ninth invention is any of the third to eighth inventions, wherein the information management unit is capable of acquiring information on a winding start time when winding of the yarn onto a predetermined winding bobbin will begin, a planned winding end time when winding of the yarn onto the predetermined winding bobbin will end, a planned winding amount to be wound onto the predetermined winding bobbin, and a planned winding time when winding of the yarn onto the predetermined winding bobbin will be performed; and predicts that a yarn connection portion formed by connecting the starting end and the ending end will be mixed into a predetermined winding package formed by winding the yarn onto the predetermined winding bobbin when the predicted unwinding end time is between the winding start time and the planned winding end time, when the remaining amount of the yarn supplying package from which the yarn is unwound at the winding start time is less than the planned winding amount, or when the remaining time of the yarn supplying package from which the yarn is unwound at the winding start time is shorter than the planned winding time.

[0023] The prediction results obtainable by the present invention can be used to manage equipment operations related to the formation of a winding package. For example, the operation of the winding unit can be controlled to prevent yarn splices from being mixed into the winding package. Alternatively, the position of a yarn splice in the winding package can be estimated.

[0024] The yarn processing equipment of the tenth invention is characterized in that, in the ninth invention, the information management unit manages the timing of completion of the yarn winding process for the specified winding bobbin according to the timing when the yarn connection portion is predicted to be mixed into the specified winding package.

[0025] The present invention can prevent the yarn spliced ​​portion from being mixed into the winding package. Alternatively, by intentionally mixing the yarn spliced ​​portion into the radially outer portion of the winding package, the yarn spliced ​​portion can be easily removed from the winding package. Therefore, the quality of the winding package can be stabilized.

[0026] The yarn processing equipment of the 11th invention is characterized in that, in any of the third to tenth inventions, the information management unit is capable of acquiring yarn layer information, based on the remaining amount information, regarding which portion of the yarn layers contained in the yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the specified winding bobbin constituted the yarn wound onto a specified winding bobbin at the reference time.

[0027] In the present invention, the remaining amount information can be used to associate information about the yarn contained in the winding package with information about the yarn layers of the yarn contained in the supply yarn package, which can be used for quality control of the winding package. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view of a yarn processing facility according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the yarn processing equipment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a false twisting machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a false twisting machine laid out along the yarn path. [Figure 5] Graphs (a) and (b) show the relationship between the remaining amount of yarn contained in the yarn supply package and time, and graph (c) shows the relationship between the amount of yarn wound onto the winding bobbin and time. [Figure 6] FIG. 5(c) is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 7] 10A is a table showing the association between yarn supply package individual information and package mounting unit individual information, and FIG. 10B is a table showing the association between package mounting unit individual information and various time information. [Figure 8]10A is a table showing the association between yarn supplying bobbin individual information and various information, and FIG. 10B is a table showing the association between winding package individual information and various time information. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph of a reference example showing the relationship between the amount of yarn wound onto a winding bobbin and time when processing to prevent the inclusion of knotted portions is performed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a false twisting machine according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] (Outline of yarn processing equipment) Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A schematic of a yarn processing equipment 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic plan view of FIG. 1 and the block diagram of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the yarn processing equipment 100 includes a plurality of false twisting machines 1 (yarn processing machines of the present invention), a management device 101, a creel robot 102 (yarn supply package conveying device of the present invention), and a winding package conveying device 103. The plurality of false twisting machines 1 are arranged, for example, along a predetermined machine frame longitudinal direction. Each false twisting machine 1 is configured to false twist a yarn Y (see FIG. 3, etc.) made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon (polyamide-based fibers). As will be described later, each false twisting machine 1 is configured to process the yarn Y supplied from a yarn supplying unit 2 using a processing unit 3 and wind the yarn Y onto a winding bobbin Bw attached to a winding unit 4 to form a winding package Pw. Each false twisting machine 1 is controlled by a machine frame control device 5, which is a computer device provided in each false twisting machine 1.

[0030] The management device 101 is a host computer for comprehensively managing information (details will be described later) acquired by the multiple machine control devices 5. The management device 101 has a management input unit 101a (e.g., a keyboard), a management output unit 101b (e.g., a display), and a management storage unit 101c (e.g., a hard disk). The management output unit 101b may have a printer (not shown). The management device 101 and the multiple machine control devices 5 together constitute an information management unit 110 of this embodiment. The information management unit 110 is electrically connected to a creel control device 102a provided in the creel robot 102. The information management unit 110 is also electrically connected to a control device (not shown) of the winding package conveying device 103. Details of the information handled by the information management unit 110 will be described later.

[0031] The creel robot 102 is configured to transport yarn supply packages Ps (packages formed by winding yarn Y around yarn supply bobbins Bs) attached to the yarn supplying section 2. The creel robot 102 may be configured to transport multiple yarn supply packages Ps at once. The creel robot 102 is configured to be movable within a factory in which multiple false twisting machines 1 are installed. The creel robot 102 is configured to be able to move back and forth between a yarn supply package stocker (not shown) in which yarn supply packages Ps are stored and each false twisting machine 1. The creel robot 102 is configured to be able to load yarn supply packages Ps stored in the yarn supply package stocker, for example, by an operator. Alternatively, the creel robot 102 may be configured to be able to retrieve yarn supply packages Ps stored in the yarn supply package stocker without manual intervention. The creel robot 102 is configured to be able to attach and detach yarn supply packages Ps to and from the yarn supplying section 2 of each false twisting machine 1. In other words, the creel robot 102 is configured to be able to exchange the supplied yarn package Ps in the yarn supplying section 2. A creel control device 102a that controls the creel robot 102 is electrically connected to the management device 101 (see FIG. 2). The creel control device 102a receives a command signal transmitted from the information management section 110, and controls the creel robot 102 in accordance with the command signal.

[0032] The winding package conveying device 103 is configured to collect the winding package Pw formed in the winding section 4 of each false twisting machine 1. The winding package conveying device 103 may be configured to convey multiple winding packages Pw at once. The winding package conveying device 103 conveys the formed winding package Pw, for example, to a payout port (not shown). A control device (not shown) that controls the winding package conveying device 103 is electrically connected to the management device 101. The winding package conveying device 103 receives a command signal transmitted from the information management unit 110, and collects the formed winding package Pw in accordance with the command signal.

[0033] (Overall configuration of false twisting machine) Next, the overall configuration of the false twisting machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a side view of the false twisting machine 1. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the false twisting machine 1 unfolded along the path (yarn path) of the yarn Y. The direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 3 is the longitudinal direction of the machine base, and the left-to-right direction of the paper is the width direction of the machine base. The direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the machine base is the up-down direction (vertical direction) in which gravity acts. The direction in which the yarn Y runs is the yarn running direction. The false twisting machine 1 includes a yarn supplying unit 2 for supplying multiple yarns Y, a processing unit 3 that processes (false twists) the multiple yarns Y supplied from the yarn supplying unit 2, a winding unit 4 that winds the multiple yarns Y processed by the processing unit 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw, and a machine control device 5.

[0034] The yarn supplying unit 2 has a creel stand 6 that holds multiple yarn supply packages Ps and supplies multiple yarns Y to the processing unit 3. The processing unit 3 is configured to unwind and process the multiple yarns Y from the yarn supplying unit 2. The processing unit 3 is configured to include, in order from the upstream side in the yarn running direction, a first feed roller 11, a twist stop guide 12, a first heating device 13, a cooling device 14, a false twist device 15, a second feed roller 16, a second heating device 17, and a third feed roller 18. These components of the processing unit 3 are provided, for example, on each of multiple spindles 9 (see FIG. 4 ), which will be described later. The winding unit 4 has multiple winding devices 19. Each winding device 19 winds the yarn Y that has been false twisted in the processing unit 3 onto a winding bobbin Bw to form a winding package Pw. The winding section 4 is also provided with a plurality of auto doffers 10 corresponding to the plurality of winding devices 19, respectively, for replacing the formed winding package Pw with a new empty winding bobbin Bw.

[0035] The machine control device 5 controls each component of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. The machine control device 5 is, for example, a general computer device. The machine control device 5 has a machine input unit 5a, a machine output unit 5b, and a machine memory unit 5c. The machine input unit 5a is, for example, a touch panel and / or a keyboard (not shown), and is configured to be operable by an operator. The machine output unit 5b has, for example, a display (not shown), and is configured to be able to output information. The machine output unit 5b may have a printer (not shown). The machine memory unit 5c is configured to store various information for controlling the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. The machine control device 5 controls the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4 based on the various information. Alternatively, the machine control device 5 may indirectly control these components via various control devices (not shown) for controlling the components of the yarn supplying unit 2, the processing unit 3, and the winding unit 4. A management device 101, which is a host computer, is electrically connected to the main control device 5. The management device 101 is capable of using information acquired by the main control device 5 to perform various decisions and / or calculations, which will be described later.

[0036] The false twisting machine 1 has a main frame 7 and a winding table 8 that are spaced apart in the width direction of the machine. The main frame 7 and the winding table 8 are arranged to extend over approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The main frame 7 and the winding table 8 are arranged to face each other in the width direction of the machine. The false twisting machine 1 has a unit called a span, which includes a pair of the main frame 7 and the winding table 8. In one span, various devices are arranged so that multiple yarns Y running side by side in the longitudinal direction of the machine can be false twisted simultaneously. In the false twisting machine 1, these spans are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the drawing, with the center line C of the main frame 7 in the width direction of the machine as the axis of symmetry (the main frame 7 is common to both the left and right spans). In addition, multiple spans are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the machine.

[0037] Furthermore, a group of components through which one yarn Y passes from the yarn supplying section 2 until it reaches the winding section 4 is called a "spindle." In other words, the false twisting machine 1 has the same number of spindles 9 (see FIG. 4) as the number of winding packages Pw that can be formed simultaneously. Roughly speaking, the multiple spindles 9 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the machine. In terms of an inclusive relationship, the false twisting machine 1 has multiple spans, and each span has multiple spindles 9.

[0038] (Yarn feeding section) The configuration of the yarn supplying unit 2 will be described with continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The creel stand 6 of the yarn supplying unit 2 has a plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 (see FIG. 4) provided corresponding to the plurality of spindles 9, respectively. Each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 is configured to attach and detach two yarn supply packages Ps. That is, the yarn supply package holding unit 20 has two package attachment units 21. For convenience of explanation, one of the two package attachment units 21 will be referred to as a first attachment unit 22, and the other will be referred to as a second attachment unit 23. Each of the first attachment unit 22 and the second attachment unit 23 is configured to attach and detach one yarn supply package Ps to and from the package attachment unit 21. The attachment and detachment of the yarn supply package Ps to and from the package attachment unit 21 is performed by the creel robot 102 described above.

[0039] Each yarn supply package holding unit 20 of the yarn supply unit 2 is configured to be able to supply the yarn Y without interruption as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , a first yarn supply package PsA (a certain yarn supply package of the present invention), which is one of the multiple yarn supply packages Ps, is attached to the first attachment unit 22. A second yarn supply package PsB (another yarn supply package of the present invention), which is different from the first yarn supply package PsA, is attached to the second attachment unit 23. The yarn Y is unwound from the first yarn supply package PsA. The terminal end of the yarn Y included in the first yarn supply package PsA and the starting end of the yarn Y included in the second yarn supply package PsB are knotted (connected). This forms a knot portion K (yarn connection portion) between the two yarns Y. In this case, after the first yarn supply package PsA becomes empty, the yarn Y can be supplied without interruption from the second yarn supply package PsB. Specifically, immediately after the supply of the yarn Y from the first yarn supply package PsA is completed and the first yarn supply package PsA becomes empty, the knot portion K is pulled downstream in the yarn running direction (toward the winding device 19), causing the yarn Y to be unwound from the second yarn supply package PsB. In this way, a yarn supply package change occurs, in which the yarn supply package Ps that supplies the yarn Y is changed. This allows the yarn Y to be supplied without interruption. After that, the empty yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply bobbin Bs) is replaced with a new yarn supply package Ps by the creel robot 102.

[0040] A yarn detection sensor 24 is disposed downstream of the yarn supply package holding unit 20 in the yarn running direction. The yarn detection sensor 24 is configured to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first attachment unit 22 or the second attachment unit 23. As shown in FIG. 4 , the yarn detection sensor 24 has a first detection unit 25 and a second detection unit 26. The first detection unit 25 is configured to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the first attachment unit 22. The second detection unit 26 is configured to detect whether the yarn Y is supplied from the second attachment unit 23. The first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 are, for example, optical sensors that optically detect the yarn Y. For more details about the yarn detection sensor 24, see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5873105. Alternatively, the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 may be, for example, contact-type sensors.

[0041] (Processing department) The configuration of the processing unit 3 will be described with continued reference to Figures 3 and 4. In the following, only a portion of the processing unit 3 that corresponds to one weight 9 will be described.

[0042] The first feed roller 11 is configured to unwind the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps attached to the yarn supplying section 2 and feed the yarn Y to the first heating device 13. The first feed roller 11 is disposed upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed roller 11 is substantially equal to the unwinding speed V (see FIG. 4) at which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps.

[0043] The twist stop guide 12 is configured to prevent the twist imparted to the yarn Y by the false twist device 15 from propagating upstream in the yarn running direction of the twist stop guide 12. The twist stop guide 12 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the first feed roller 11 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the first heating device 13.

[0044] The first heating device 13 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the first feed roller 11. The first heating device 13 is disposed downstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn running direction and upstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn running direction. In this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the first heating device 13 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but this is not limiting. The first heating device 13 may also be configured to be able to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0045] The cooling device 14 is configured to cool the yarn Y heated by the first heating device 13. The cooling device 14 is disposed downstream in the yarn running direction of the first heating device 13 and upstream in the yarn running direction of the false twist device 15. In this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the cooling device 14 is configured to cool one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The cooling device 14 may be configured to be able to cool multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0046] The false twist device 15 is configured to impart a twist to the yarn Y. The false twist device 15 is, for example, but not limited to, a so-called disk friction type false twist device. The false twist device 15 is disposed downstream of the cooling device 14 in the yarn running direction and upstream of the second feed roller 16 in the yarn running direction.

[0047] The second feed roller 16 is configured to feed the yarn Y processed by the false twist device 15 to the second heating device 17. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed roller 16 is faster than the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the first feed roller 11. As a result, the yarn Y is stretched between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16.

[0048] The second heating device 17 is configured to heat the yarn Y fed from the second feed roller 16. The second heating device 17 extends in the vertical direction. For simplicity of explanation, the second heating device 17 is configured to heat one yarn Y, but is not limited to this. The second heating device 17 may also be configured to be able to heat multiple yarns Y simultaneously.

[0049] The third feed roller 18 is configured to feed the yarn Y heated by the second heating device 17 to the winding device 19. The conveying speed of the yarn Y by the third feed roller 18 is slower than the conveying speed of the yarn Y by the second feed roller 16. The yarn Y is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18.

[0050] In the processing unit 3 configured as described above, the yarn Y drawn between the first feed roller 11 and the second feed roller 16 is twisted by the false twist device 15. The twist formed by the false twist device 15 propagates to the twist stop guide 12 but does not propagate upstream of the twist stop guide 12 in the yarn traveling direction. The yarn Y, which has been drawn and twisted, is heated and heat-set by the first heating device 13 and then cooled by the cooling device 14. The yarn Y is untwisted downstream from the false twist device 15, but the heat-set maintains the wavy false-twisted state of each filament. Furthermore, the yarn Y false-twisted by the false twist device 15 is relaxed between the second feed roller 16 and the third feed roller 18, heat-set by the second heating device 17, and then guided downstream in the yarn traveling direction. Finally, the yarn Y fed from the third feed roller 18 is wound onto a winding bobbin Bw by the winding device 19. This forms a winding package Pw.

[0051] (winding section) The configuration of the winding unit 4 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The winding unit 4 has a plurality of winding devices 19 that wind the yarn Y onto winding bobbins Bw, and a plurality of auto doffers 10 (see Figure 3) provided corresponding to each winding device 19. Each of the plurality of winding devices 19 corresponds to a plurality of spindles 9 (see Figure 4). Each winding device 19 has, for example, a fulcrum guide 31, a traverse device 32, a cradle 33, and a winding roller 34. The fulcrum guide 31 is a guide that serves as a fulcrum when the yarn Y is traversed. The traverse device 32 is configured to be able to traverse the yarn Y using, for example, a traverse guide 35 attached to an endless belt that is reciprocally driven by a motor. The cradle 33 is configured to be able to rotatably support the winding bobbin Bw (winding package Pw). The winding roller 34 is configured to rotate the winding package Pw and apply contact pressure to the surface of the winding package Pw. The winding roller 34 is, for example, driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) while in contact with the surface of the winding package Pw. As a result, the winding package Pw is driven to rotate by frictional force, and contact pressure is applied to the surface of the winding package Pw, thereby shaping the winding package Pw. Note that instead of driving the winding roller 34 to rotate, the winding package Pw may be directly driven to rotate by a motor (not shown).

[0052] The auto doffer 10 is configured to remove the winding package Pw from the winding device 19 and attach an empty winding bobbin Bw to the winding device 19. In other words, the auto doffer 10 is configured to be able to exchange the formed winding package Pw for an empty winding bobbin Bw in the winding section 4. The auto doffer 10 also has a cutter (not shown) that can cut the yarn Y near the winding package Pw. The running yarn Y is cut by the cutter, thereby completing the formation of the winding package Pw. Here, even after the yarn Y is cut by the cutter, the yarn Y continues to be supplied to the winding device 19. The auto doffer 10 has a suction (not shown) that can suck, capture, and hold the running yarn Y supplied to the winding device 19 after the winding package Pw is completed and until the yarn Y starts to be wound onto the next winding bobbin Bw. The portion of the yarn Y that has been sucked by suction is removed by suction until the yarn Y is wound onto the next winding bobbin Bw onto which the yarn Y will be wound. The auto doffer 10 also has a stocker 10a configured to temporarily store the winding package Pw removed from the corresponding winding device 19. The stocker 10a faces, for example, the space formed between the creel stand 6 and the winding table 8. The winding package Pw stored in the stocker 10a is collected by the above-mentioned winding package conveying device 103. For more details on the structure of the auto doffer 10, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-212521.

[0053] In the winding section 4 configured as described above, the yarn Y fed from the third feed roller 18 is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw by each winding device 19 to form a winding package Pw (winding process). The yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10, completing the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw. Almost simultaneously, the yarn Y supplied to the winding device 19 is sucked and held by suction, and the auto doffer 10 removes the winding package Pw from the cradle 33. Immediately thereafter, the auto doffer 10 mounts a new, empty winding bobbin Bw onto the cradle 33. That is, after a certain winding package Pw is formed, the auto doffer 10 replaces the winding package Pw (winding bobbin Bw) with a new winding bobbin Bw (winding bobbin replacement work). This makes it possible to start winding the yarn Y onto a new winding bobbin Bw.

[0054] The present inventors came up with the following idea to achieve dramatically more advanced production management than ever before. That is, the present inventors came up with the idea of ​​providing a means for knowing, at any time, the time (remaining time) during which the yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps and / or the remaining amount (remaining yarn amount) of the yarn Y after a portion of the yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps. Knowing such information enables more advanced management of the operation of the yarn processing equipment 100 and / or more advanced management of the quality of the winding package Pw. However, no means for knowing the remaining time and / or amount at any time accurately and inexpensively has been established. For example, a method in which an operator visually estimates the remaining amount of the yarn Y results in variations in the estimated amount. This makes it difficult to accurately estimate the remaining time. However, for example, providing a weight sensor that can directly and constantly measure the weight of the yarn supply package Ps requires an increased number of weight sensors as the number of package attachment units 21 increases. This results in a problem of increased manufacturing costs.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to enable accurate acquisition of information relating to the remaining time and / or remaining amount at any timing, the information management unit 110 acquires the information described below. As a specific example, the information management unit 110 acquires and manages various information relating to events shown in the graphs of Figures 5(a) to 5(c). Note that, unless otherwise specified, the following description will be limited to a specific weight 9.

[0056] (Example of an event) Before specifically describing the information acquired by the information management unit 110, to help understand the following description, the events illustrated in the graphs of Figures 5(a) to 5(c) and the time at which each event occurred will be described as a premise. The information management unit 110 acquires information relating to at least some of the events shown in the graphs of Figures 5(a) to 5(c) (details will be described later).

[0057] FIG. 5(a) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, yarn supply packages Ps1 and Ps3) attached to the first attachment unit 22 and time (horizontal axis). FIG. 5(b) is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, yarn supply packages Ps2 and Ps4) attached to the second attachment unit 23 and time (horizontal axis). FIG. 5(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the amount (vertical axis) of the yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbin Bw (specifically, winding bobbins Bw1, Bw2, Bw3, Bw4, Bw5, and Bw6) and time (horizontal axis). In all of the graphs in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the origin is time t0, when the yarn Y starts to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the weight (initial weight) of each yarn supply package Ps before any yarn Y has been unwound from each yarn supply package Ps is WF. In reality, however, in a previous process in which multiple yarn supply packages Ps are formed, the formation of the yarn supply package Ps may be terminated midway due to circumstances such as yarn breakage. Therefore, it should be noted that the initial weights of multiple yarn supply packages Ps are not necessarily the same.

[0058] First, at time t0, the yarn supply package Ps1 is loaded into the first loading unit 22. The yarn supply package Ps2 is loaded into the second loading unit 23. The remaining weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 is W0 (less than the initial weight WF). The remaining weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 is the initial weight WF. The end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 and the beginning of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 are knotted together, forming a knot K.

[0059] At time t0 (time ts1), the auto doffer 10 completes the attachment of the winding bobbin Bw1 to the cradle 33, and the winding of the yarn onto the winding bobbin Bw1 begins. That is, time ts1 is the winding start time when the yarn Y begins to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. At this time, the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1. As time passes, the remaining amount (remaining weight) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 decreases, and the winding amount (winding weight) of the yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1 increases. At time te1, the yarn Y is cut by the cutter of the auto doffer 10, and the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw1 ends. That is, time te1 is the winding end time when the winding of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw1 ends (the formation of the winding package Pw1 ends). The remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps1 at this time is W1. Only the yarn Y supplied from the yarn supply package Ps1 is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw1. The cutting of the yarn Y by the cutter, the suction capture of the yarn Y by suction (i.e., the start of suction removal of the yarn Y), and the removal of the winding bobbin Bw1 (winding package Pw1) from the cradle 33 are performed almost simultaneously. Next, at time ts2 immediately after time te1, the auto doffer 10 completes the attachment of the winding bobbin Bw2 to the cradle 33, and starts winding the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 (the winding bobbin replacement operation is completed). There is a slight time lag tL (see FIG. 6) between the winding end time (time te1) for the winding bobbin Bw1 and the winding start time (time ts2) for the winding bobbin Bw2 onto which the yarn Y is wound next after the winding bobbin Bw1.

[0060] At time ta1, which is later than time ts2, the yarn supply package Ps1 attached to the first attachment unit 22 becomes empty. That is, time ta1 is the unwinding end time when the yarn Y has been completely unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1. At the same time that the yarn supply package Ps1 becomes empty, at time tb1 (= time ta1), the knot K formed by knotting the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps1 and the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps2 is pulled toward the winding device 19. As a result, the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 attached to the second attachment unit 23. That is, time tb1 is the unwinding start time when the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 (when the yarn Y begins to be unwound). Thereafter, at time te2, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 (forming the winding package Pw2) ends. At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps2 is W2. Both the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1 and the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 are wound onto the winding bobbin Bw2. The winding package Pw2 includes a knot K. Thereafter, at time ts3, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw3 starts. When the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw3 (formation of the winding package Pw3) is completed at time te3, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps2 is W3. Only the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw3.

[0061] Furthermore, at time ta2, which is after time ta1 and before the yarn supply package Ps2 becomes empty, the creel robot 102 removes the yarn supply package Ps1 from the first fitting unit 22 and attaches the yarn supply package Ps3 to the first fitting unit 22 (yarn supply package replacement operation). At this time, the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps3 is WF. Thereafter, at an appropriate timing, the end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 and the beginning of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps3 are knotted together to form a knot K. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed here that the operator performs the knotting operation (connecting operation) immediately after the yarn supply package replacement operation by the creel robot 102. The operator may perform the knotting operation manually. Alternatively, the operator may perform the knotting operation by operating, for example, a portable knotting device (not shown). Alternatively, the creel robot 102 may have an automatic knotting device (not shown) capable of performing the knotting operation. This allows the knot tying work to be performed by the creel robot 102 rather than by hand.

[0062] Subsequent events will be briefly described. Events related to the winding unit 4 are as follows: From time ts4 to time te4, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw4 (the winding package Pw4 is formed). From time ts5 to time te5, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw5 (the winding package Pw5 is formed). From time ts6 to time te6, the yarn Y is wound onto the winding bobbin Bw6 (the winding package Pw6 is formed). Furthermore, events related to the yarn supplying unit 2 are as follows: At time tb2 (= time ta3) between time ts4 and time te4, the yarn supply package Ps2 becomes empty, and the yarn Y begins to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps3. Thereafter, at time tb3, the yarn supply package Ps2 is replaced with the yarn supply package Ps4. At time ta4 (=time tb4) between time ts6 and time te6, the yarn supply package Ps3 becomes empty, and the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps4.

[0063] (Outline of basic information acquired by the Information Management Department) Taking the above into consideration, we will first provide an overview of the basic information acquired by the information management unit 110 for various decisions and / or calculations. The information management unit 110 acquires, as basic information, initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information for each yarn supply package Ps (specific acquisition methods will be described later). The initial amount information is information about the initial amount (initial weight or initial length) of yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps before the yarn Y starts to be unwound. The unwinding unit amount information is information about the amount of yarn Y unwound per unit time from the yarn supply package Ps. The unwinding start time information is information about the time when the yarn Y starts to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps in which the yarn Y is being unwound (unwinding start time). These pieces of information are used to enable acquisition of information on the predicted unwinding end time, remaining time, remaining amount, and predicted yarn disappearance time (details will be described later) for various management operations related to the yarn processing equipment 100.

[0064] (Required information) Next, information necessary for the information management unit 110 to actually acquire basic information (initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information) will be described. More specifically, information related to the supply yarn package Ps attached to or detached from the package mounting unit 21, information input in advance to the machine control device 5, and information acquired by the machine control device 5 during the winding process will be described. Information related to the winding package Pw formed by the winding device 19 will also be described below. The information related to the winding package Pw, together with information related to the predicted unwinding end time, remaining time, remaining amount, and predicted yarn disappearance time, is used to perform various management operations related to the yarn processing equipment 100.

[0065] (Information about yarn package transported by creel robot) The information management unit 110 manages the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps transported by the creel robot 102 and information associated therewith as follows. First, before or when an operator loads a full yarn supply package Ps stored in a yarn supply package stocker onto the creel robot 102, the operator inputs the yarn supply package individual information corresponding to the yarn supply package Ps into the creel control device 102a. For example, the operator may input the yarn supply package individual information by reading an ID tag attached to each yarn supply package Ps using an ID reader (not shown) electrically connected to the creel control device 102a. Alternatively, the operator may input the yarn supply package individual information by operating the creel control device 102a based on visible information displayed on each yarn supply package Ps. Alternatively, the creel robot 102 may be provided with an ID reader (not shown), and the creel robot 102 may read the ID tag using the ID reader.

[0066] Here, the information recorded on the ID tag or displayed on the yarn supply package Ps includes information on the initial weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps (the weight of the yarn Y before it is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps) and information on the fineness of the yarn Y (weight per unit length). In this embodiment, the fineness information is also included in the initial amount information. Hereinafter, the weight of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps is simply referred to as the weight of the yarn supply package Ps. The creel control device 102a associates yarn supply package individual information, information on the initial weight of each yarn supply package Ps, and information on the fineness of the yarn Y in each yarn supply package Ps with each yarn supply package Ps and stores them (see FIG. 7(a)). As described above, for convenience of explanation, the initial weight of each yarn supply package Ps is WF. The unit of the weight of the yarn supply package Ps is, for example, kg. The unit of the fineness of the yarn Y in each yarn supply package Ps is F. The unit of the fineness is, for example, dtex. Decitex is the weight (g) of yarn Y per 10,000 meters.

[0067] When the creel robot 102 mounts a yarn supply package Ps on the package mounting unit 21, the information management unit 110 receives individual information about the yarn supply package Ps (see FIG. 7(a)) from the creel control device 102a. Then, the information management unit 110 associates the individual information about the yarn supply package Ps with individual information about the package mounting unit 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps is mounted. The individual information about the package mounting unit 21 is information about which of the multiple spindles 9 the package mounting unit 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps is mounted belongs, and whether the package mounting unit 21 is the first mounting unit 22 or the second mounting unit 23. In this way, the information management unit 110 manages the individual information about the yarn supply package Ps transported by the creel robot 102 in association with the operation of the creel robot 102.

[0068] When a new yarn supply package Ps is loaded on the package loading unit 21, the machine control device 5 acquires yarn supply package loading time information relating to the yarn supply package loading time when the yarn supply package Ps is loaded on the package loading unit 21. The yarn supply package loading time is, for example, the above-mentioned times ta2 and tb3. The machine control device 5 stores the yarn supply package individual information, the package loading unit 21 individual information, and the yarn supply package loading time information in association with each other for each yarn supply package Ps (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0069] After a new yarn supply package Ps is loaded into one of the package loading units 21, the operator knots the leading end of the yarn Y included in the new yarn supply package Ps with the trailing end of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps loaded into the other package loading unit 21 to form a knot K. The operator then places the knot K at a predetermined position. Furthermore, the operator inputs information indicating that the knot K has been placed at the predetermined position to the machine control device 5. Based on the input information, the machine control device 5 stores information indicating that the knot K has been placed at the predetermined position.

[0070] (Information about the winding package) The information management unit 110 also manages the individual information of the winding package Pw, for example, as follows. First, the machine control device 5 stores the time when a certain winding bobbin Bw is attached to the winding device 19 as the winding start time when winding of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw begins. Furthermore, the machine control device 5 assigns individual information (winding package individual information) to the winding package Pw when the winding process of the yarn Y onto the certain winding bobbin Bw is completed (when formation of the winding package Pw is completed). Specifically, the machine control device 5 acquires, for example, information on the machine number (the identification number of the false twisting machine 1) and information on the identification number of the spindle 9 as the individual information of the winding package Pw. Then, the machine control device 5 associates this individual information with the winding start time and the time when the winding process is completed (winding end time). The machine control device 5 may acquire a predetermined control number as winding package individual information in association with this information and assign it to each winding package Pw. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(b), if the above-mentioned "Pw1" to "Pw6" are used as control numbers (winding package individual information), the control numbers are associated with the winding start time and the winding end time (note that the machine number and the identification number of the spindle 9 are not shown). Furthermore, the machine control device 5 prints this information on a label (not shown). The label can be attached to the winding bobbin Bw by an operator.

[0071] As another means for acquiring the winding package individual information, for example, an ID tag (not shown) may be attached to an empty winding bobbin Bw in advance. This allows the winding package individual information to be assigned to the winding bobbin Bw before the winding process. Furthermore, the auto doffer 10 may have an ID reader (not shown). For example, when the auto doffer 10 loads a certain winding bobbin Bw onto the winding device 19 or removes a winding package Pw from the winding device 19, the ID reader may read the ID tag attached to the certain winding bobbin Bw, thereby transmitting the individual information of the certain winding bobbin Bw to the machine control device 5. Alternatively, instead of the auto doffer 10, an operator may read the ID tag using an ID reader (not shown). Alternatively, instead of reading the ID tag using an ID reader, the operator may manually input the individual information of the winding bobbin Bw into the machine control device 5.

[0072] (Information pre-entered into the machine control device) Next, information input in advance to the machine control device 5 before the winding process is performed will be described. As information related to the processing unit 3, the operator inputs various processing conditions in advance to the machine control device 5. As an example, the operator inputs information about the rotation speeds of the first feed roller 11, the second feed roller 16, and the third feed roller 18 to the machine control device 5 (not shown). The rotation speeds of these rollers are proportional to the yarn feed speed at which the yarn Y is fed downstream in the yarn running direction. In particular, the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11 is proportional to the unwinding speed V (see FIG. 4) at which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the unwinding speed V is approximately constant. The unit of the unwinding speed is, for example, m / min. The machine control device 5 acquires information about the unwinding speed V based on information about the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11, for example.

[0073] As information related to the winding unit 4, the operator inputs information related to the target weight (planned winding amount) of the yarn Y to be wound onto the winding bobbin Bw and the like into the main control device 5 in advance. The information input by the operator may include, for example, the time required from the start of the winding process to the end of the winding process (planned winding time). Alternatively, the main control device 5 may calculate the planned winding time based on the input information such as the planned winding amount. The main control device 5 then predicts that the winding process of the yarn Y onto a certain winding bobbin Bw will end at the planned winding end time, which is the time after the planned winding time from the winding start time for that winding bobbin Bw. Alternatively, for example, the winding unit 4 may have a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting parameters related to the amount of yarn Y wound onto the winding bobbin Bw (such as the diameter of the winding package). In this case, the main control device 5 may derive the timing of the winding end based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0074] (Information acquired by the machine control device during winding processing) Next, information acquired by the machine control device 5 during the process of winding the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw will be described. This information is used to acquire unwinding start time information and unwinding end time information, which will be described later, by combining this information with the above information input to the machine control device 5.

[0075] The machine control device 5 determines whether a yarn supply package switch, in which the yarn supply package Ps supplying the yarn Y is switched, has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24. For example, referring to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), a yarn supply package switch occurs when the yarn supply package Ps1 becomes empty and the yarn Y is first unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2. When the state of the yarn detection sensor 24 switches from a state in which the yarn Y is detected by one of the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26 to a state in which the yarn Y is detected by the other of the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26, the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred. When the machine control device 5 determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred, it acquires and stores the following information shown in the table of FIG. 7(b). The machine control device 5 stores the individual information of the package mounting unit 21 that started supplying the yarn Y when the yarn package switching occurred (either the first mounting unit 22 or the second mounting unit 23) in association with the time when the yarn package switching occurred. For the package mounting unit 21 that started supplying the yarn Y, the time when the yarn package switching occurred is treated as the unwinding start time. The machine control device 5 also stores the individual information of the package mounting unit 21 that finished supplying the yarn Y when the yarn package switching occurred in association with the time when the yarn package switching occurred. For the package mounting unit 21 that finished supplying the yarn Y, the time when the yarn package switching occurred is treated as the unwinding end time. When the machine control device 5 determines that the yarn package switching occurred, it stores information indicating that the knot portion K has moved from a predetermined position.

[0076] The machine control device 5 acquires unwinding start time information using information on the yarn supply package mounting time and information on the time when the yarn supply package was switched, in the following procedure. As a specific example, when acquiring the unwinding start time information for the yarn supply package Ps3, the machine control device 5 acquires individual information (first mounting unit 22) of the package mounting unit 21 to which the yarn supply package Ps3 is mounted and information on the yarn supply package mounting time (time ta2). Next, the machine control device 5 acquires information on the earliest unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps mounted in the first mounting unit 22 that is later than time ta2 (time ta3; see FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)), as the unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps3. In addition, the machine control device 5 acquires information on the unwinding end time (time ta4) associated with the unwinding start time as the unwinding end time of the yarn supply package Ps3. In this way, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps3, the unwinding start time information, and the unwinding end time information are acquired in association with each other (see FIG. 8(a)). The above information is not limited to the yarn supply package Ps3, but can be acquired for each yarn supply package Ps.

[0077] In this manner, the information management unit 110 acquires the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, the unwinding start time information, and the like as basic information for each yarn supply package Ps (see FIG. 8(a)).

[0078] (Remaining amount information, remaining time information, and predicted unwinding end time information) A method for acquiring information based on the above-mentioned basic information (initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information) will be described. The information management unit 110 acquires at least one of remaining amount information, remaining time information, and predicted unwinding end time information by calculation using the initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information. This information is used by the information management unit 110 to manage the operation of the yarn processing equipment 100 (the details of management will be described later).

[0079] The remaining amount is the remaining amount of yarn Y contained in each yarn supply package Ps attached to each package attachment unit 21 at any reference time. The remaining time is the length of time that the yarn Y can be unwound from each yarn supply package Ps attached to each package attachment unit 21 at any reference time. The predicted unwinding end time is the predicted time that the yarn Y will finish unwinding from the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is being unwound. In other words, the information management unit 110 can predict the time that the yarn Y will finish unwinding from each yarn supply package Ps before obtaining information on the actual unwinding end time for each yarn supply package Ps.

[0080] (Remaining amount information) First, an example of a method for acquiring remaining amount information of each yarn supply package Ps at a reference time will be described. For example, the current time at which the remaining amount information is acquired is treated as the reference time. When the current time is time t1 (see FIG. 5(b)), the information management unit 110 determines, based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24, that the yarn Y is being unwound from the yarn supply package Ps (specifically, the yarn supply package Ps2) attached to the second attachment unit 23. Here, the yarn supply package Ps2 corresponds to the predetermined yarn supply package of the present invention.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the information management unit 110 acquires, for the yarn supply package Ps2, information on the initial weight WF, information on the fineness F, information on the unwinding speed V at which the yarn Y is unwound, and information on the unwinding start time (time tb1), in association with each other. The information on the unwinding speed V for the yarn supply package Ps2 corresponds to the unwinding unit amount information of the present invention. The unwinding unit amount information is stored in the machine control device 5, for example, as an operation setting of the yarn processing equipment 100.

[0082] When the remaining amount (remaining weight) of the yarn supply package Ps2 at time t1 is Wr1 (see FIG. 5(b)), the value of the remaining weight Wr1 is calculated based on the following formula. Note that A is a coefficient for converting the calculation result based on the formula in curly brackets into kg. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed here that the yarn Y is continuously unwound (i.e., the winding process is not interrupted) from time tb1 (unwinding start time) to time t1 (reference time).

[0083] Wr1=WF-{A×V×F×(t1-tb1)}

[0084] In the above formula, WF is included in the initial amount information of the present invention. V×F is the weight of the yarn Y unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 per unit time. t1-tb1 is information (integrated time information) of the integrated value (integrated time) of the time during which the yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 up to time t1. In this way, the information management unit 110 acquires information (remaining amount information) on the remaining weight of the yarn supply package Ps2 (predetermined yarn supply package) at time t1 (reference time) using the initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, unwinding start time information, and reference time information. The information management unit 110 also calculates the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps (yarn supply package Ps1) attached to the other package attachment unit 21 (first attachment unit 22). At time t1, an empty yarn supply package Ps1 remains in the first attachment unit 22. The unwinding start time (not shown) of the yarn supply package Ps1 is much earlier than the unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps2. When the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps1 at time t1 is calculated in the same way as the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps2, it is less than zero. When the calculation result of the remaining amount is equal to or less than zero, the information management unit 110 sets the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps1 at time t1 to zero.

[0085] For example, when the current time is time t2 (see FIG. 5(b)), the value of the remaining weight Wr2 at time t2 can be calculated in the same manner. At time t2, a new yarn supply package Ps3 is loaded into the first loading unit 22. At time t2, the yarn Y has not yet been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps3. Therefore, the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps3 at time t2 is WF.

[0086] The unit of the remaining amount does not necessarily have to be weight. For example, information on the remaining length of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps may be acquired as the remaining amount information. Alternatively, information on the percentage of the remaining weight of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps (i.e., information on the ratio of the remaining weight to the initial weight) may be acquired.

[0087] (Remaining time information) A method for acquiring the remaining time information will be described. When the remaining time during which the yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps2 at time t1 is tr1, the value of the remaining time tr1 is calculated using Wr1 based on the following formula (remaining time information):

[0088] tr1=Wr1 / (A×V×F)

[0089] Alternatively, tr1 may be calculated without using Wr1 based on the following formula:

[0090] tr1=[WF-{A×V×F×(t1-tb1)}] / (A×V×F)

[0091] Furthermore, at time t1, the remaining time for which the yarn Y can be supplied from the yarn supply package Ps1 is zero. This is because, as described above, the remaining amount of the yarn Y for the yarn supply package Ps1 is zero at time t1. The information management unit 110 can use the remaining time information to obtain predicted yarn disappearance time information, which will be described later.

[0092] Furthermore, for example, when the remaining time for the yarn supply package Ps2 at time t2 is denoted by tr2 (see FIG. 5(b)), the value of the remaining time tr2 can be calculated in a similar manner based on the remaining weight Wr2. Furthermore, at time t2, the yarn Y has not yet been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps3. Therefore, when the remaining time for the yarn supply package Ps3 at time t2 is denoted by tF, the remaining time tF can be calculated using the initial weight WF (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0093] (Predicted unwinding end time information) The information management unit 110 can predict the time when the yarn Y will finish unwinding from the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the reference time. For example, at time t1, the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2. The information management unit 110 acquires information on the time obtained by adding the remaining time tr1 to time t1 as predicted unwinding end time information. Alternatively, instead of calculating the predicted unwinding end time using the remaining time information, the information management unit 110 may calculate the predicted unwinding end time based on a predetermined formula using basic information. The predicted unwinding end time is approximately equal to the actual unwinding end time for the yarn supply package Ps2 (time tb2 described above). Note that this predicted unwinding end time is approximately equal to the actual unwinding start time (ta3 described above) for the yarn supply package Ps3 from which the yarn Y is scheduled to be unwound next after the yarn supply package Ps2. Therefore, when the unwinding start time of a certain yarn supply package Ps is known, the information management unit 110 can also estimate (predict) the unwinding start time of the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y will be unwound next after the certain package Ps. For example, the information management unit 110 may obtain the unwinding start time information for the yarn supply package Ps3 by calculation using the initial amount information, unwinding unit amount information, and unwinding start time information for the yarn supply package Ps2.

[0094] (Operation management of yarn processing equipment by the Information Management Department) Next, specific operation management of the yarn processing equipment 100 by the information management unit 110 will be described. As an example, a process performed from the start of winding the yarn Y onto a certain winding bobbin Bw to the end of winding will be described. First, an overview will be provided. As an example, a description will be given of the winding bobbin Bw2 (see FIG. 5(c)). At the winding start time (time ts2) for the winding bobbin Bw2, the yarn Y is supplied from the yarn supply package Ps1 attached to the first attachment unit 22. In addition, the yarn supply package Ps2 is attached to the second attachment unit 23. The end end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 and the beginning end of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 are knotted together to form a knot K. The knot K is located at a predetermined position. In addition, information indicating that the knot K has been located at the predetermined position has been input in advance to the machine control device 5 by an operator.

[0095] At time ts2, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw2 starts. Almost simultaneously with the start of the winding process, the information management unit 110 acquires information on the remaining amount (remaining weight W1; see FIG. 5(a)) of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 at time ts2 (winding start time), and records the information in, for example, the machine storage unit 5c.

[0096] During the winding process, the information management unit 110 updates the remaining amount information, remaining time information, and predicted unwinding end time information as needed. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 updates the predicted yarn disappearance time information, which will be described later, as needed. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 makes a judgment regarding the inclusion of a knot portion K, a judgment regarding a decrease in the remaining yarn amount, and a judgment regarding a forgotten knot. The specific method for updating each piece of information and the details of each judgment will be described later.

[0097] In this example, a yarn supply package switch occurs during the winding process. That is, during the winding process, a state in which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1 switches to a state in which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 (see FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c)). As described above, the information management unit 110 determines whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24. In this example, the yarn supply package Ps1 corresponds to the predetermined yarn supply package of the present invention. Furthermore, the yarn supply package Ps2 corresponds to the preliminary yarn supply package of the present invention.

[0098] When the winding process is completed (time ts2), the information management unit 110 acquires remaining amount information at the winding end time for the yarn supply package Ps2, to which the yarn Y has been supplied up to the winding end time. Finally, the information management unit 110 records information about the yarn layers supplied from the yarn supply packages Ps1 and Ps2 to the winding bobbin Bw2 (yarn layer information) in, for example, the machine storage unit 5c. Specifically, the yarn layer information may be weight information. That is, in this example, a portion of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps1 with a remaining weight of 0 to W1 was supplied to the winding bobbin Bw2 (see FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c)). Also, a portion of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps2 with a remaining weight of W2 to WF was supplied to the winding bobbin Bw2 (see FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c)). In this way, the information management unit 110 can acquire, based on the remaining amount information, yarn layer information relating to which portion of the yarn layers contained in the yarn supply package Ps that supplies the yarn Y to the specified winding bobbin Bw constitutes the yarn Y to be wound onto the specified winding bobbin Bw. In this case, the winding start time and the winding end time correspond to the reference times of the present invention.

[0099] (Updates to various information) Next, the updating of the various pieces of information described above will be explained. During the winding process, the information management unit 110 constantly updates the cumulative value (cumulative time) of the time during which the yarn Y is unwound from the yarn supply package Ps supplying the yarn Y. In this case, the time at which the update is performed corresponds to the reference time of the present invention. Which yarn supply package Ps the yarn Y is being unwound from at the reference time (i.e., which yarn supply package Ps is the specified yarn supply package) is constantly determined based on the reference time and the unwinding start time information for each yarn supply package Ps. Note that the cumulative time is also updated while the auto doffer 10 is performing a winding bobbin replacement operation. This is because, as described above, the yarn Y is being supplied to the winding device 19 (i.e., the yarn Y is being unwound from the yarn supply package Ps) even while the winding bobbin replacement operation is being performed.

[0100] After the integrated time is updated, the information management unit 110 calculates (updates) the remaining amount, remaining time, predicted unwinding end time, and predicted yarn disappearance time based on the basic information and the updated integrated time. More specifically, the information management unit 110 calculates remaining amount information and remaining time information for both yarn supply packages Ps mounted on the two package mounting units 21. The information management unit 110 calculates the predicted unwinding end time for the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound.

[0101] The information management unit 110 also calculates a predicted yarn disappearance time. The predicted yarn disappearance time is the time when all of the yarn supply packages Ps attached to a certain yarn supply package holding unit 20 (a specified yarn supply package holding unit 20) are predicted to be empty. The predicted yarn disappearance time is obtained by adding the remaining times for both yarn supply packages Ps attached to the yarn supply package holding unit 20 to a reference time, regardless of whether the yarn Y contained in the two yarn supply packages Ps is knotted. That is, the predicted yarn disappearance time for a specified yarn supply package holding unit 20 is obtained based on the remaining time information for all yarn supply packages Ps attached to the specified yarn supply package holding unit 20. For example, at time t1, the remaining time available for the yarn Y to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps1 attached to the first attachment unit 22 is zero. At time t1, the remaining time available for the yarn Y to be unwound from the yarn supply package Ps2 attached to the second attachment unit 23 is the aforementioned tr1. The information management unit 110 can acquire information on the time obtained by adding the remaining time tr1 to the time t1 as predicted yarn disappearance time information predicted at the time t1.

[0102] For example, at time t2, the remaining time for the yarn supply package Ps3 attached to the first attachment unit 22 is tF. At time t2, the remaining time for the yarn supply package Ps2 attached to the second attachment unit 23 is tr2. The information management unit 110 can acquire time information obtained by adding the remaining time tF and the remaining time tr2 to time t2 as predicted yarn disappearance time information at time t2.

[0103] (Determination of nodule contamination) Next, a determination regarding the inclusion of a knot K in the winding bobbin Bw onto which the yarn Y is being wound, and processing after the determination, will be described. The information management unit 110 determines whether a knot K is predicted to be included in the winding package Pw to be formed on the winding bobbin Bw during the winding process. More specifically, one of the following three types of processing is executed. For example, if the predicted unwinding end time is between the winding start time and the scheduled winding end time, a knot K is predicted to be included in the winding package Pw. Alternatively, if the remaining amount of the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the winding start time for the winding bobbin Bw is less than the scheduled winding amount, a knot K is predicted to be included in the winding package Pw. Alternatively, if the remaining time of the yarn supply package Ps from which the yarn Y is unwound at the winding start time is shorter than the scheduled winding time, a knot K is predicted to be included in the winding package Pw. When it is predicted that a knot portion K will be mixed into the winding package Pw, the information management unit 110 determines whether the current time will reach the predicted unwinding end time. "Reach" may mean that "the predicted unwinding end time is scheduled to arrive a predetermined time after the current time." Alternatively, "Reach" may mean that "the predicted unwinding end time has actually arrived." Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may determine whether the current time will reach the predicted unwinding end time by determining whether a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24 described above.

[0104] When the information management unit 110 (machine control device 5) determines that the current time will reach the predicted unwinding end time, it can prevent the knot portion K from being mixed into the winding package Pw by executing, for example, the following process (processing to prevent the knot portion K from being mixed in; hereinafter, simply referred to as the mixing prevention process). The machine control device 5 first causes the cutter of the auto doffer 10 to cut the yarn Y just before the time when the knot portion K is predicted to arrive at the winding device 19 (a predetermined time before that time). This completes the winding process onto the winding bobbin Bw attached to the winding device 19. Almost simultaneously with the cutting of the yarn Y, the running yarn Y (supplied toward the winding device 19) is sucked and held by the suction of the auto doffer 10, as described above. This makes it possible to suck and remove the portion of the yarn Y including the knot portion K by suction while the auto doffer 10 is replacing the winding bobbin (during the time lag described above). That is, the knot K can be removed without being wound onto the winding bobbin Bw. In this way, the timing of the end of the winding process can be managed according to the timing at which the knot K is predicted to be mixed in. This makes it possible to prevent the knot K from being mixed into the winding package Pw. As a reference example, if the mixing prevention process is performed on the winding bobbin Bw4, the winding process of the yarn Y onto the winding bobbin Bw4 will be completed in a shorter time than usual, as shown in the graph in FIG. 9. More specifically, if the mixing prevention process is performed on the winding bobbin Bw4, the winding end time for the winding bobbin Bw4 (see time te4a in FIG. 9) will be earlier than the above-mentioned time te4 (see FIG. 5(c)). Furthermore, the winding start time for the next winding bobbin Bw5 (see time ts5a in FIG. 9) will also be earlier than the above-mentioned time ts5 (see FIG. 5(c)). Alternatively, even if a knot K is unintentionally mixed into the winding package Pw, if the mixing prevention process is performed, the knot K will be included in the outermost yarn layer in the radial direction of the winding package Pw or in the yarn layer nearby (i.e., the outer layer). Therefore, the knot K mixed into the winding package Pw can be easily removed. Note that if the mixing prevention process is performed and the winding bobbin replacement work is completed before the knot K to be removed by suction is removed by the auto doffer 10, the following problem may occur.That is, there is a risk that the knot K will be mixed into the innermost or nearby yarn layer (i.e., inner layer) in the radial direction of the winding package Pw formed by winding the yarn Y onto the next winding bobbin Bw. In such a case, it becomes difficult to remove the knot K from the winding package Pw. Therefore, the information management unit 110 may cause the cutter of the auto doffer 10 to cut the yarn Y simultaneously with or immediately after (a predetermined time after) the time when the knot K is predicted to reach the winding device 19. That is, the formation of the winding package Pw may be terminated at a timing such that the knot K is intentionally mixed into the outer layer of the winding package Pw being formed.

[0105] (Determining the decrease in remaining amount) Next, a description will be given of the determination of the decrease in the remaining amount of yarn Y in the yarn supply package Ps and the processing after the determination. The determination is made to have the creel robot 102 perform the work of replacing the yarn supply package Ps. The information management unit 110 determines whether the package replacement instruction time has arrived, which is a predetermined time (e.g., the first hour) before the predicted yarn disappearance time for the yarn supply package holder 20 of a certain spindle 9. If the information management unit 110 determines that the package replacement instruction time has arrived, it outputs a command signal to have the creel robot 102 perform the work of replacing the yarn supply package.

[0106] By such determination and processing, the creel robot 102 can be caused to perform a yarn supply package replacement operation when the yarn supply package replacement operation is required. Such processing is particularly effective in a configuration in which the yarn supply unit 2 has multiple yarn supply package holding units 20 and / or in a configuration in which the yarn processing equipment 100 has multiple false twisting machines 1 (i.e., multiple yarn supply units 2). That is, the information management unit 110 manages the operation of the creel robot 102 based on information on the predicted yarn disappearance times for the multiple yarn supply package holding units 20. More specifically, the information management unit 110 manages the operation of the creel robot 102 so that the yarn supply package replacement operation for each of the multiple yarn supply package holding units 20 is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for each of the multiple yarn supply package holding units 20. The information management unit 110 creates a schedule for replenishing the yarn supply package Ps and controls the operation of the creel robot 102 according to the schedule. When creating the schedule, the information management unit 110 determines the package change instruction time taking into consideration various conditions such as the type and number of yarn supply packages Ps that need to be replenished, the replenishment location, and the movement line of the creel robot 102. This allows the yarn supply package change work to be performed at appropriate timing for each yarn supply package holder 20.

[0107] Alternatively, the information management unit 110 can wait until a timing when it is preferable to perform the yarn supply package replacement operation, and then perform the yarn supply package replacement operation. For example, if the package installation units 21 are arranged so that the distance between them is intentionally narrow in order to compact the equipment, the yarn supply packages Ps may interfere with each other if two new yarn supply packages Ps are simultaneously installed in the package installation units 21. In this configuration, a certain yarn supply package Ps is installed in one of the two package installation units 21, and only after a certain amount of yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps, can another yarn supply package Ps be installed in the other of the two package installation units 21. In this configuration, by performing the above control, it is possible to wait for an instruction to perform the yarn supply package replacement operation until a new yarn supply package Ps can be installed.

[0108] (Determining whether a node has been forgotten) Next, the determination of whether a knot has been missed and the processing performed after the determination will be described. A knot has been missed (connection has been missed) refers to a situation in which the operator loads a new yarn supply package Ps into the yarn supply package holder 20, and then leaves the new yarn supply package Ps without performing a knotting operation. This determination is made to prompt the operator to perform a knotting operation. When the information management unit 110 determines that a knot portion K has not been formed on a certain spindle 9 during a winding process on the spindle 9, the information management unit 110 further determines whether the remaining time for the yarn supply package Ps (predetermined yarn supply package) from which the yarn Y is unwound on the spindle 9 is equal to or less than a predetermined time (e.g., a second time). When the information management unit 110 determines that the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined time, the machine control device 5 controls the machine output unit 5b to output information indicating that a knot portion K needs to be formed. If it is determined that a knot portion K has formed in the spindle 9, or if it is determined that the remaining time is not equal to or less than the predetermined time, the above control is not performed on the machine output unit 5b. The information management unit 110 corresponds to the connection information acquisition unit of the present invention. The machine control device 5 corresponds to the second output control unit of the present invention. The machine output unit 5b corresponds to the second output unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the output of the above information may be performed by the management output unit 101b of the management device 101. In this case, the management device 101 corresponds to the second output control unit of the present invention, and the management output unit 101b corresponds to the second output unit of the present invention.

[0109] As described above, the information management unit 110 accurately and easily acquires the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the unwinding start time information. Calculations using this information make it possible, for example, to accurately predict the timing at which unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps will end and to constantly estimate the progress of unwinding of the yarn Y. Therefore, a new yarn processing equipment 100 can be provided that can dramatically improve production management. Furthermore, even if the remaining amount of the yarn Y after a portion of the yarn Y has been unwound from the yarn supply package Ps is not directly measured, information related to management of the yarn processing equipment can be accurately acquired at any timing.

[0110] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 acquires information on the initial weight and fineness of the yarn Y contained in each yarn supply package Ps as initial amount information, and acquires information on the unwinding speed as unwinding unit amount information. This makes it possible to easily match units when calculating time and / or remaining amount. In this way, information that is easy to acquire and whose units can be matched can be used for various calculations.

[0111] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 can predict the unwinding end time, constantly estimate the remaining time, and constantly estimate the remaining amount. The predicted and / or estimated information can be used to manage various tasks that are performed until the unwinding of the yarn Y from the yarn supply package Ps is completed (for example, creating a schedule for replacing the yarn supply package Ps).

[0112] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 acquires information on the predicted yarn disappearance time when all yarn supply packages Ps attached to a predetermined yarn supply package holding unit 20 will be empty, based on the remaining time information related to all yarn supply packages Ps attached to a predetermined yarn supply package holding unit 20. By using the information on the predicted yarn disappearance time, it is possible to realize advanced control or advanced equipment operation management for work such as replacing yarn supply packages Ps.

[0113] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 manages the operation of the creel robot 102 so that the yarn supply package replacement work in each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20. Therefore, in a configuration in which a plurality of yarn supply package holding units 20 are provided, it is possible to prevent the yarn supply packages Ps from running out in each yarn supply package holding unit 20.

[0114] Furthermore, when the remaining time for a given yarn package Ps is reduced to or below a given time while no knotting operation is being performed, the machine control device 5 controls the machine output unit 5b to output information for prompting the operator to perform the knotting operation, based on the information acquired by the information management unit 110. This prevents the operator from forgetting to perform the knotting operation.

[0115] The information management unit 110 also predicts that a knot K will be mixed into a predetermined winding package Pw. Such a prediction result can be used to manage the equipment operation related to the formation of the winding package Pw. For example, the operation of the winding unit 4 can be controlled so as to prevent the knot K from being mixed into the winding package Pw.

[0116] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 manages the timing of the end of the winding process for a given winding bobbin Bw according to the timing at which a knotted portion K is predicted to be mixed into a given winding package Pw. This makes it possible to prevent the knotted portion K from being mixed into the winding package Pw. Alternatively, by intentionally mixing a yarn spliced ​​portion into the radially outer portion of the winding package, the yarn spliced ​​portion can be easily removed from the winding package. This makes it possible to stabilize the quality of the winding package Pw.

[0117] Furthermore, the information management unit 110 can acquire yarn layer information, based on the remaining amount information, regarding which portion of the yarn layers contained in the yarn supply package Ps that supplies the yarn Y to the winding bobbin Bw constitutes the yarn Y to be wound around the specified winding bobbin Bw. This allows the information on the yarn Y contained in the winding package Pw to be associated with the yarn layer information of the yarn Y contained in the yarn supply package Ps. Such information can be used for quality control of the winding package Pw, etc.

[0118] Next, a modified example of the embodiment will be described, with the same reference numerals being used to designate components having the same configuration as the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0119] (1) In the above embodiment, whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred is determined based on the detection results of the yarn detection sensor 24 having the first detection unit 25 and the second detection unit 26. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the yarn supplying unit 2a of the false twisting machine 1a may have, in each spindle 9a, a switch detection unit 41 having a configuration different from that of the yarn detection sensor 24. The switch detection unit 41 may have, for example, a supply sensor 42 (the supply detection unit of the present invention) and a node sensor 43 (the joint detection unit of the present invention). The supply sensor 42 is configured to detect whether or not the yarn Y is being supplied from the first attachment unit 22 (one of the present invention). The node sensor 43 is configured to detect a node K that is stationary at a predetermined position. In this configuration, when the node K moves from the predetermined position and is no longer detected by the node sensor 43, it can be determined that a yarn supply package switch has occurred. Furthermore, whether the yarn Y is being supplied from the first attachment unit 22 or the second attachment unit 23 when switching the yarn supply package can be determined based on the detection result by the supply sensor 42. In this way, even when the detection result of the node portion K is used, it is possible to reliably determine whether the yarn Y is being supplied from the first attachment unit 22 or the second attachment unit 23. Note that the node portion sensor 43 may be configured to be able to detect a moving node portion K. In this modified example, the node portion sensor 43 corresponds to the connection information acquisition unit of the present invention.

[0120] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the information management unit 110 determines whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24 or the switch detection unit 41. However, this is not limiting. The information management unit 110 may determine whether or not a yarn supply package switch has occurred by using, for example, a predicted unwinding end time.

[0121] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the information management unit 110 acquires the unwinding start time information and the unwinding end time information based on the information on the yarn supply package attachment time and the information on the time when the yarn supply package switch occurred. That is, the information management unit 110 associates the yarn supply bobbin attachment time with the unwinding start time. However, this is not limited to this. The information management unit 110 may associate the individual information of the package attachment unit 21 that started supplying the yarn Y when the yarn supply package switch occurred, the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps attached to the package attachment unit 21, and the time when the yarn supply package switch occurred. This may acquire the unwinding start time information. In this case, the information management unit 110 does not necessarily acquire the information on the yarn supply package attachment time. That is, the information management unit 110 may simply associate and acquire the individual information of the yarn supply package Ps and the individual information of the package attachment unit 21 when the yarn supply package Ps is attached to the yarn supply package holding unit 20.

[0122] (4) In the above-described embodiments, the yarn supply package replacement operation is performed by the creel robot 102. The winding bobbin replacement operation is performed by the auto doffer 10. However, this is not limited to this. The yarn supply package replacement operation may be performed by an operator. Necessary information, such as individual information about the yarn supply package Ps and the initial weight of the yarn supply package Ps, may be input by the operator to, for example, the machine control device 5. When the yarn supply package replacement operation is performed by an operator, the information management unit 110 may output a command signal to prompt the operator to replace the yarn supply package, instead of outputting a command signal to cause the creel robot 102 to replace the yarn supply package. In this case, the package replacement instruction time corresponds to the replacement notification time of the present invention. This allows the operator to be prompted to replace the yarn supply package at an appropriate timing. This prevents the yarn supply packages Ps attached to the yarn package holder 20 from running out. The output may be performed by the machine control device 5 provided in the false twisting machine 1 having the yarn supply package holding unit 20 where the yarn supply package replacement operation is to be performed, by controlling the machine output unit 5b. In this case, the machine control device 5 corresponds to the first output control unit of the present invention, and the machine output unit 5b corresponds to the first output unit of the present invention. Alternatively, the output may be performed by the management output unit 101b of the management device 101. In this case, the management device 101 corresponds to the first output control unit of the present invention, and the management output unit 101b corresponds to the first output unit of the present invention. The first output unit and the second output unit of the present invention may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit of the present invention may be the same or different. The first output control unit and the second output control unit of the present invention may be included in the information management unit 110 as described above, or may be provided separately from the information management unit 110. The operation of attaching and detaching the winding bobbin Bw may be performed by the winding package transport device 103 or an operator. Necessary information such as winding package individual information may be input by an operator to the machine control device 5, for example.Furthermore, when the winding bobbin replacement work is performed by the winding package conveying device 103, the information management unit 110 outputs a command signal to cause the winding package conveying device 103 to perform the winding bobbin replacement work. Furthermore, when the winding bobbin replacement work is performed by an operator, the information management unit 110 may perform an output to prompt the operator to perform the winding bobbin replacement work. This output may also be performed by the machine output unit 5b of the machine control device 5. The output control unit for prompting the operator to perform the winding bobbin replacement work may be the same as the first output control unit or the second output control unit described above, or may be a different unit.

[0123] (5) In the above-described embodiment, when it is predicted that a knot K will be mixed into a certain winding package Pw, the information management unit 110 ends the winding process when the current time reaches the predicted unwinding end time. However, this is not limited to this. Another example will be described below. When determining whether a knot K has been mixed into the winding package Pw, the information management unit 110 performs the following process. The information management unit 110 determines whether a yarn supply package switch has occurred based on the detection result of the yarn detection sensor 24 or the switch detection unit 41. When it determines that a yarn supply package switch has occurred, the information management unit 110 may simply record the time when the yarn supply package switch occurred. In this case, since the winding process continues, a knot K will be mixed into the winding package Pw. The information management unit 110 may identify the location of the knot K by calculating the winding amount at the time when the yarn supply package switch occurred.

[0124] (6) In the above-described embodiments, the information management unit 110 acquires information about the initial weight of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps as the initial amount information. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the information management unit 110 may acquire information about the initial length of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps as the initial amount information. In this case, the information management unit 110 may calculate information about the remaining length of the yarn Y included in the yarn supply package Ps as the remaining amount information. In addition, in this case, the information management unit 110 does not necessarily acquire information about the fineness of the yarn Y. That is, in this case, even if information about the fineness of the yarn Y is not used, the remaining amount information and remaining time information can be acquired by using at least the initial amount information (initial length), unwinding unit amount information (unwinding speed), unwinding start time information, and reference time information.

[0125] (7) In the above embodiments, the information management unit 110 acquires both remaining amount information and remaining time information, but this is not limited thereto. The information management unit 110 may acquire only one of remaining amount information and remaining time information. In other words, it is sufficient for the information management unit 110 to acquire at least one of remaining amount information and remaining time information. Furthermore, the information management unit 110 performs various judgments and / or calculations using remaining amount information and / or remaining time information, but this is not limited thereto. The information management unit 110 may simply acquire remaining amount information and / or remaining time information.

[0126] (8) In the above-described embodiment, the information management unit 110 acquires information about the unwinding speed V based on information about the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11. However, this is not limited to this. As another example, the machine control device 5 may store information about the rotation speed of the second feed roller 16 and information about the ratio between the rotation speed of the first feed roller 11 and the rotation speed of the second feed roller 16. The information management unit 110 may acquire information about the unwinding speed based on this information. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may acquire information about the weight of the yarn Y unwound per unit time from the yarn supply package Ps as unwinding unit amount information, instead of information about the unwinding speed. Such information may be input in advance to the machine control device 5 by, for example, an operator.

[0127] (9) In the above-described embodiment, the information management unit 110 has a plurality of machine control devices 5 and management devices 101, but this is not limited to this. That is, the information management unit 110 may include a computer device (not shown) other than the machine control devices 5 and management devices 101. Alternatively, the information management unit 110 may have only the machine control devices 5 or the management devices 101. That is, only one of the machine control devices 5 or the management devices 101 may acquire the necessary information.

[0128] (10) In the above-described embodiments, the information management unit 110 acquires initial quantity information of yarn supply packages Ps in association with individual information of the yarn supply packages Ps. However, this is not limited to this. For example, each machine control device 5 of the information management unit 110 may be configured to store in advance initial quantity information common to all yarn supply packages Ps of all spindles 9 of the corresponding false twisting machine 1. This allows remaining quantity information, etc. to be managed by a simple program, assuming that the initial weights of all yarn supply packages Ps are approximately the same. Alternatively, for example, multiple spindles 9 may be divided into multiple groups. The machine control device 5 may be configured to allow initial quantity information for each of the multiple groups to be set.

[0129] (11) In the above embodiment, the yarn processing equipment 100 includes multiple false twisting machines 1, but this is not limiting. The yarn processing equipment 100 may include only one false twisting machine 1. Furthermore, the management device 101 may not be provided. In this case, the false twisting machine 1 also corresponds to the yarn processing equipment of the present invention. Furthermore, the false twisting machine 1 includes multiple spindles 9, but this is not limiting. That is, the false twisting machine 1 may include only one spindle 9. In other words, the yarn supplying unit 2 may include only one yarn supply package holding unit 20. Even in this case, the information management unit 110 may manage the operation of the creel robot 102 so that the yarn supply package replacement work in the yarn supply package holding unit 20 is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for that yarn supply package holding unit 20 (the specified yarn supply package holding unit of the present invention). This prevents the yarn supply package Ps from running out in that yarn supply package holding unit 20.

[0130] (12) The present invention may be applied to another yarn processing equipment equipped with a yarn processing machine, instead of the yarn processing equipment 100 equipped with the false twisting machine 1. For example, the present invention may be applied to yarn processing equipment equipped with an air processing machine (yarn processing machine) described in JP 2002-088605 A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1. False twisting machine (yarn processing machine) 2 Yarn feeding section 3 Processing section 4 Winding section 5 Machine control device (first output control unit, second output control unit) 5b Machine output section (1st output section, 2nd output section) 20 yarn supply package holder 43 Nodal sensor (connection information acquisition unit) 100 Yarn processing equipment 102 Creel robot (yarn package transport device) 110 Information management unit (connection information acquisition unit) Bw Winding bobbin F fineness K knot part (thread connection part) Ps yarn supply package Pw Winding package tF Remaining time tr1 remaining time tr2 remaining time V Unwinding speed WF initial weight Wr1 remaining weight Wr2 remaining weight Y thread

Claims

1. a yarn processing machine including a yarn supplying unit including one or more yarn supply package holding units configured to be able to supply yarns, respectively; a processing unit configured to process the one or more yarns supplied from the yarn supplying unit; and a winding unit that winds the one or more yarns processed by the processing unit onto winding bobbins to form winding packages; an information management unit configured to manage information about the yarn processing machine, Each of the one or more yarn supply package holders includes: The yarn supplying device is configured so that a plurality of yarn supply packages can be attached and detached, and is configured so that when a terminal end of a yarn contained in a certain yarn supplying package is connected to a starting end of a yarn contained in another yarn supplying package from which a yarn is unwound next to the certain yarn supplying package, the yarn can be supplied without interruption, The information management unit initial amount information regarding an initial amount of yarn contained in the yarn supply package before yarn unwinding begins; unwinding unit amount information relating to the amount of yarn unwound from the yarn supply package per unit time; and unwinding start time information relating to the time when unwinding of a yarn is started from a yarn supply package.

2. The information management unit As the initial amount information, information on the initial weight and fineness of the yarn contained in the yarn supply package is acquired, and 2. The yarn processing facility according to claim 1, wherein information on an unwinding speed, which is the length of yarn unwound from a yarn supply package per unit time, is acquired as the unwinding unit amount information.

3. The information management unit By calculation using at least the initial amount information, the unwinding unit amount information, and the unwinding start time information, Predicted unwinding end time information regarding a predicted unwinding end time when unwinding of the yarn from the yarn supply package is completed; remaining time information regarding the remaining time during which a yarn can be unwound from the yarn supply package at an arbitrary reference time; 3. The yarn processing facility according to claim 1, wherein at least one of remaining amount information relating to the remaining amount of yarn contained in the yarn supply package at the reference time is acquired.

4. The information management unit The yarn processing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that information on a predicted yarn disappearance time when all of the yarn supply packages attached to a predetermined yarn supply package holding section will become empty is acquired based on the remaining time information related to all of the yarn supply packages attached to a predetermined yarn supply package holding section included in the one or more yarn supply package holding sections.

5. a yarn supply package conveying device configured to convey a new yarn supply package to the yarn supplying section and perform a yarn supply package exchange operation of exchanging an empty yarn supply package from which a yarn has been unwound with the new yarn supply package, 5. The yarn processing facility according to claim 4, wherein the information management unit manages the operation of the yarn supply package conveying device so that the yarn supply package replacement work at the specified yarn supply package holding unit is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for the specified yarn supply package holding unit.

6. the yarn supplying section has a plurality of yarn supply package holding sections as the one or more yarn supply package holding sections, the yarn supply package conveying device is configured to be able to perform the yarn supply package replacement operation on the plurality of yarn supply package holding units, The information management unit 6. The yarn processing facility according to claim 5, wherein the operation of the yarn supply package conveying device is controlled so that the yarn supply package replacement work in each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units is completed by the predicted yarn disappearance time for each of the plurality of yarn supply package holding units.

7. a first output unit configured to be able to output information; a first output control unit configured to control the first output unit; 5. The yarn processing equipment according to claim 4, wherein the first output control unit outputs information to the first output unit to prompt an operator to replace the yarn supply package in the predetermined yarn supply package holding unit at a replacement notification time that is a predetermined time before the predicted yarn disappearance time.

8. a connection information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding whether a terminal end of a yarn included in a predetermined yarn supply package is connected to a starting end of a yarn included in a preliminary yarn supply package from which a yarn is unwound next to the predetermined yarn supply package; a second output unit configured to be able to output information; a second output control unit configured to control the second output unit; The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that, when the remaining time for the specified yarn supply package decreases to or below a specified time in a state where the starting end and the ending end are not connected, based on the information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit, the second output control unit outputs information to the second output unit to prompt the user to connect the starting end and the ending end.

9. The information management unit Information on the winding start time when winding of the yarn onto a predetermined winding bobbin starts; and information relating to at least one of a planned winding end time when winding of the yarn onto the predetermined winding bobbin will end, a planned winding amount to be wound onto the predetermined winding bobbin, and a planned winding time during which winding of the yarn onto the predetermined winding bobbin will be performed, 9. The yarn processing facility according to claim 3, wherein the facility predicts that a yarn connection portion formed by connecting the starting end and the ending end will be mixed into a predetermined winding package formed by winding the yarn onto the predetermined winding bobbin when the predicted unwinding end time is between the winding start time and the scheduled winding end time, when the remaining amount of the yarn supply package from which the yarn is unwound at the winding start time is less than the scheduled winding amount, or when the remaining time of the yarn supply package from which the yarn is unwound at the winding start time is shorter than the scheduled winding time.

10. The yarn processing equipment according to claim 9, wherein the information management unit manages the timing of completion of the yarn winding process on the predetermined winding bobbin according to a timing when the yarn spliced ​​portion is predicted to be mixed into the predetermined winding package.

11. The yarn processing equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the information management unit is capable of acquiring yarn layer information, based on the remaining amount information, regarding which portion of the yarn layers formed on a yarn supply package that supplies yarn to the specified winding bobbin constituted the yarn to be wound onto a specified winding bobbin at the reference time.

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