Cable processing machine control system, cable processing machine system and method for monitoring and controlling cable processing machines

Abstract

A cable processing machine control system (5) is proposed, comprising: - middleware (40), wherein the middleware (40) is configured for data exchange with data intermediaries (16, 26) of several cable processing machines (10, 20), and - a portable communication device (70), wherein the portable communication device (70) is configured for data exchange with the middleware (40) and is configured such that, when a user (72) of the cable processing machine control system (5) has logged into the portable communication device (70), depending on a role assigned to the user (72) by the middleware (40), the user (72) on the portable communication device (70) receives different information about the cable processing machines (10, 20) assigned to the user's (72) assigned role.20) are displayed and / or -- different action options for controlling the cable processing machines (10, 20) assigned to the user's (72) assigned role are made available to the user (72) on the portable communication device (70).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable processing machine control system, a cable processing machine system and a method for monitoring and controlling cable processing machines.

[0002] Cable processing machines control a multitude of actuators and / or collect data from sensors. Operator input is also recorded. This data is often only available at the specific cable processing machine, for example, on a monitor. An operator or user of the cable processing machine system is typically responsible for multiple machines. The operator or user monitors their assigned cable processing machines and, if necessary, replaces or replenishes the material being processed by the machine.

[0003] The operator is often only permitted to acknowledge, accept, or ignore certain error messages from the cable processing machines; that is, not all error messages. Certain error messages may only be acknowledged by a supervisor who, for example, oversees multiple operators or has a higher hierarchical level. This is because the supervisor has more experience, knowledge, and training regarding which error messages from the (respective) cable processing machine can be ignored and which must not.If an operator detects an error message on one of the cable processing machines assigned to him, the operator must find his supervisor (whom he may not know), inform him about the error, the cable processing machine in question and the cable processing process taking place on that machine, and the supervisor must then go to the cable processing machine to acknowledge or accept the error.

[0004] This is extremely time-consuming, and the operator must know who their supervisor is. Furthermore, the operator must constantly move between the cable processing machines to access the information on the monitors of the machines assigned to them. Additionally, the operator must painstakingly search for the materials and / or cable processing tools required for their assigned machines, as they do not know their location.

[0005] There may be a need for a cable processing machine control system or a cable processing machine system or a method for monitoring and controlling cable processing machines, in which information regarding a cable processing machine is technically easily accessible or made technically accessible to a user of the cable processing machine (e.g. an operator and / or a supervisor) regardless of location, and / or in which a user of the cable processing machine can technically easily control the cable processing machine regardless of location.

[0006] Such a need can be met by a cable processing machine control system according to claim 1, a cable processing machine system according to claim 7, or a method for monitoring and controlling cable processing machines according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a cable processing machine control system is proposed, comprising: - middleware, wherein the middleware is configured for data exchange with data intermediaries of several cable processing machines, and - a portable communication device, wherein the portable communication device is configured for data exchange with the middleware and is configured such that, when a user of the cable processing machine control system has logged into the portable communication device,Depending on the user role assigned by the middleware, different information about the cable processing machines assigned to the user's role will be displayed on the portable communication device, and / or different action options for controlling the cable processing machines assigned to the user's role will be provided to the user on the portable communication device.

[0008] One advantage of this is that the user of the cable processing machine (e.g., the operator, a supervisor, etc.) can typically access information and data about the cable processing machines (error messages, the current cable processing process, the cable processing tool installed in the machine, the fill level of a collection tray, the efficiency of the cable processing machine, etc.) or data about the next person in the hierarchy (e.g., who the supervisor is for an operator) regardless of location. This means that the user of the cable processing machine control system usually does not have to move from one cable processing machine to another to read and collect information from multiple machines. This information and data can normally be displayed on a portable communication device regardless of location.Aggregated data and data calculated from primary data received by the middleware can typically be displayed easily and regardless of location on the portable communication device. Furthermore, the user is generally only shown data from the cable processing machines assigned to them or their role. The information displayed or accessible on the portable communication device can typically depend on the user's role. For example, a factory manager responsible for all cable processing machines in a plant usually does not need to be informed about individual error messages from a single machine, nor does this information need to be displayed to them. In contrast, this information is typically very important for the operator assigned to that specific cable processing machine and is displayed to them on their portable communication device.Furthermore, it is generally possible for cable processing machines to be easily controlled and data exchanged with them, regardless of location. This typically makes it possible, for example, to acknowledge error messages from a cable processing machine remotely. Thus, if an error occurs on a cable processing machine that the operator assigned to it is not authorized to acknowledge themselves, the supervisor can usually be instructed to acknowledge the error message without the operator needing to know or search for the supervisor, and without the supervisor having to physically go to the machine. Changes to the cable processing process being carried out by the machine can also be made remotely.These parameters are typically location-independent. The available action options for controlling the cable processing machine, which can be operated via the portable communication device, generally depend on the role assigned to the user. For example, a supervisor typically has more action options for controlling the cable processing machine on "their" portable communication device than an operator, since the supervisor (who has higher training, more experience, and / or more knowledge) has more access rights to the respective cable processing machine or in / via the middleware than the operator. This generally increases the efficiency of the cable processing machines and reduces the duration of downtime. This typically lowers costs.

[0009] In particular, communication and data exchange between the portable communication device and the middleware, as well as between the middleware and the cable processing machines, can take place within an internal network (e.g., an intranet), i.e., not via the internet. This ensures that the exchanged information and data are generally protected against unauthorized access.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cable processing machine system is proposed, comprising: - several cable processing machines, each cable processing machine having a data intermediary, wherein the respective data intermediary exchanges data with sensors and / or actuators of the cable processing machine on one side and middleware on another side, and - a cable processing machine control system as described in the third preceding paragraph and one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable processing machine control system exchanges data with the cable processing machines and / or controls the cable processing machines.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for monitoring and controlling cable processing machines is proposed, comprising the following steps: logging a user into a portable communication device, wherein the portable communication device is configured for data exchange with middleware, the middleware being configured for data exchange with data intermediaries of several cable processing machines; determining a user role by the middleware and assigning the role to the user; assigning cable processing machines to the user depending on their role;and displaying information from the cable processing machines assigned to the user on the portable communication device, wherein the displayed information depends on the role assigned to the user, and / or displaying action options for controlling the cable processing machines assigned to the assigned role on the portable communication device, as well as controlling the cable processing machines according to the action option selected by the user.

[0012] One advantage of this method is that it allows the user of the cable processing machine (e.g., the operator, a supervisor, etc.) to easily access information and data about the machine (error messages, the current processing operation, the processing tool in the machine, the fill level of a collection tray, the machine's efficiency, etc.) or data about the next person in the hierarchy (e.g., who the supervisor is for an operator), regardless of location. This means that the user of the cable processing machine control system typically does not need to move from machine to machine to read and collect information from multiple machines. This information and data are displayed on a portable communication device, regardless of location.Aggregated data and data calculated from primary data received by the middleware can typically be displayed easily and regardless of location on the portable communication device. Furthermore, users are typically only shown data from the cable processing machines assigned to them or their specific role. The information displayed or accessible on the portable communication device can generally depend on the user's role. For example, a factory manager responsible for all cable processing machines in a plant typically does not need to be informed about individual error messages from a single machine, nor does this information need to be displayed to them. In contrast, this information is usually very important for the operator assigned to that particular cable processing machine and is displayed to them on their portable communication device.Furthermore, it is typically possible for cable processing machines to be easily controlled and data exchanged with them, regardless of location. This generally makes it possible, for example, to acknowledge error messages from a cable processing machine remotely. Thus, if an error occurs on a cable processing machine that the operator assigned to it is not authorized to acknowledge themselves, the supervisor can be instructed to acknowledge the error message without the operator needing to know or search for the supervisor, and without the supervisor having to physically go to the machine. Changes to the cable processing process being carried out by the machine can also be made remotely.These parameters are typically location-independent. The available action options for controlling the cable processing machine, which can be operated via the portable communication device, typically depend on the role assigned to the user. For example, a supervisor usually has more action options for controlling the cable processing machine on "their" portable communication device than an operator, since the supervisor (who has higher training, more experience, and / or more knowledge) has more access rights to the respective cable processing machine or in / via the middleware than the operator. Thus, this method typically increases the efficiency of the cable processing machines and reduces the duration of downtime.This usually reduces costs.

[0013] Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention can be considered, among other things and without limiting the invention, as being based on the ideas and findings described below.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine control system is designed such that the user is assigned a role based on a role database and / or a role shift table. The advantage of this is that the role can usually be assigned to the user in a technically straightforward manner.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine control system is designed such that the cable processing machines are assigned to the reels based on a reel database and / or a reel shift table. An advantage of this is that the cable processing machines can typically be assigned to the reels in a technically simple manner.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the portable communication device comprises a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smartwatch, and / or glasses with an optical display. An advantage of this is that the portable communication device is generally inexpensive. Furthermore, standardized portable communication devices can typically be used.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine control system is designed to detect the positions of cable processing tools and / or materials for the cable processing machines and to display these positions on a portable communication device. The advantage of this is that cable processing tools and / or materials can typically be located quickly and easily with the cable processing machine control system, thus enabling rapid tool and / or material changes. This generally reduces the downtime of the cable processing machines and therefore typically lowers costs.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine control system is designed such that the middleware exchanges data with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) unit and / or a manufacturing management (MMS) system. The advantage of this is that the cable processing machine control system can typically be operated with particular efficiency.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the cable processing machine system is designed such that the middleware exchanges data with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) unit and / or a manufacturing management (MMS) system. The advantage of this is that the cable processing machine system can generally be operated with particularly high efficiency.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the role is assigned to the user based on a role database and / or a role layer table. An advantage of this method is that the role can typically be assigned to the user in a technically straightforward manner.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the information displayed to the user on the portable communication device is received by the middleware from the cable processing machines and sent by the middleware to the portable communication device, provided that the corresponding cable processing machine is assigned the role of the respective user of the portable communication device. This typically allows the user to exchange data with the cable processing machines in a technically straightforward manner without the portable communication device directly exchanging data with the cable processing machines. Thus, the communication between the cable processing machines and the middleware, and between the middleware and the portable communication device, can typically be modified independently.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the middleware exchanges data with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) unit and / or a manufacturing management system (MMS). An advantage of this method is that the cable processing machine system can generally be operated with particularly high efficiency.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the positions of cable processing tools and / or materials for the cable processing machines are detected and displayed on the portable communication device. An advantage of this method is that cable processing tools and / or materials can typically be located quickly and easily within the cable processing machine control system, thus enabling rapid tool and / or material changes. This generally reduces the downtime of the cable processing machines and therefore typically lowers costs.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the method, the cable processing machines are assigned to the reel based on a reel database and / or a reel shift table. An advantage of this method is that the reel is typically assigned to the user in a technically simple manner.

[0025] It should be noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be suitably combined, adapted, or exchanged to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0026] The following describes embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, whereby neither the drawing nor the description is to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the cable processing machine system according to the invention comprising several cable processing machines and a cable processing machine control system.

[0027] The figure is schematic only and not to scale. Identical reference symbols within the figure denote identical or equivalent features.

[0028] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the cable processing machine system 1 according to the invention comprising several cable processing machines 10, 20 and a cable processing machine control system 5.

[0029] The cable processing machine control system 5 includes a portable communication device 70 (so-called wearable) and a middleware 40 (also called intermediate system).

[0030] The portable communication device 70 can be, for example, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, a smartwatch, and / or glasses with an optical display. The portable communication device 70 is worn by a user 72 or by the users of the cable processing machine control system 5. The portable communication device 70 can, in particular, include a touchscreen display.

[0031] The portable communication device 70 can process the information or data received from the middleware 40 or calculate further data from the primary data.

[0032] The number of portable communication devices 70 is at least equal to the number of simultaneous users 72 of the cable processing machine control system 5. This means that each user 72 has their own portable communication device 70, which they carry with them, during their working time or shift.

[0033] Middleware 40 is the interface between the portable communication device 70 and the cable processing machines 10, 20. Middleware 40 receives and collects the data or information from the cable processing machines 10, 20. Fig. 1 Two cable processing machines, 10 and 20, are shown. However, the number can be higher or significantly higher. Specifically, the number of cable processing machines, 10 and 20, could be approximately 10, 50, or 100. The middleware, 40, can be or comprise hardware and / or software.

[0034] The middleware 40 has several processing units, each comprising functionality 43-47, which runs on the respective processing unit. The processing units can each comprise or be one or more instances of software or hardware.

[0035] Middleware 40 assigns a role to user 72 when they log in to or via their portable communication device 70. Different roles are assigned to different cable processing machines 10 and 20. Each role is typically assigned a certain number (e.g., 10 or 20) of these machines. Different roles have different access rights to the cable processing machines 10 and 20, or to a portion thereof. This means that some roles may only perform certain operations or actions (e.g., acknowledging only specific types of error messages), while other roles may perform all types of operations or actions (e.g., acknowledging all types of error messages) on the cable processing machine 10 or 20. The available actions for each role are displayed on the portable communication device 70 and can be viewed or accessed.Furthermore, some roles may only have access rights for the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them. By selecting an action option, a corresponding control command is sent via the portable communication device 70 and the middleware 40 to the data intermediary 16, 26 of the respective cable processing machine 10, 20. There, the control command is then executed or implemented.

[0036] Roles could be assigned according to a shift schedule, shift table, or shift database. The shift table or shift database specifies which cable processing machines 10, 20 are assigned to a particular person or role at a particular time, and what access rights that person has to those machines at that time.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the shift plan, shift table or shift database, different cable processing machines 10, 20 can be assigned to the different roles.

[0038] In particular, there can be so-called operators and so-called supervisors as roles. The operators operate the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them, i.e., they feed materials to the cable processing machines 10, 20, transport products away, and / or change cable processing tools used by the cable processing machines 10, 20. Operators have only limited access rights and / or action options for controlling the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them. Supervisors are hierarchically superior to the operators. Several operators are assigned to one supervisor. Supervisors have more access rights and / or action options, or even full access rights and / or action options, with regard to the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them or to the operators subordinate to them. In particular, supervisors can acknowledge error messages that operators cannot.may.

[0039] There may also be other roles, such as setup technician (who is authorized to change certain settings of the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to him), administrator (who is authorized to change any kind of settings of all cable processing machines 10, 20), etc.

[0040] The possible actions include, among others, acknowledging error messages, resetting the state of the cable processing machine 10, 20, changing parameters of the cable processing process of the cable processing machine 10, 20, starting or stopping the cable processing machine 10, 20 and / or switching between several cable processing tools that are present in the cable processing machine 10, 20.

[0041] The information about the cable processing machine 10, 20 may include, among other things, the cable processing process currently being carried out by the respective cable processing machine 10, 20, error messages from the respective cable processing machine 10, 20, how long the respective cable processing machine 10, 20 needs to complete the currently carried out cable processing process, the efficiency of the respective cable processing machine 10, 20, the operator, supervisor and / or administrator responsible for the respective cable processing machine 10, 20, the position of the respective cable processing machine 10, 20, the cable processing tool currently being used by the respective cable processing machine 10, 20, the fill level of a receiving / filling tray for finished products of the respective cable processing machine 10, 20 and / or the fill level of materials to be processed by the respective cable processing machine 10, 20.

[0042] The middleware 40 can also communicate with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) unit 50 (e.g., SAP R / 3) and / or a manufacturing management system (MMS) 55, and exchange data. The ERP unit 50 or the MMS 55 can partially or fully control the cable processing machines 10 and 20.

[0043] Each of the cable processing machines 10, 20 comprises a data intermediary 16, 26, a database 17, 27, one or more sensors and / or actuators 13-15, 23-25, control software 12, 22, and a user interface 11, 21. The data intermediary 16, 26 communicates with the other elements of the cable processing machine 10, 20 and with the middleware 40 and exchanges data with the middleware 40. The control software 12, 22 controls the processes within the cable processing machine 10, 20.

[0044] Database 17, 27 can also be a shared database for several cable processing machines 10, 20 or a shared database for all cable processing machines 10, 20. Database 17, 27 can store process parameters, previously completed jobs or orders of the cable processing machine 10, 20, quality feedback data, data on the status of the cable processing machines 10, 20, etc.

[0045] The sensors or actuators 13-15, 23-25 ​​measure certain states of the cable processing machine 10, 20 or carry out certain mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or electromechanical processes in the cable processing machine 10, 20.

[0046] It is also possible that input from the operator of cable processing machine system 1, or their interaction with the cable processing machine system 1 or a part thereof, is interpreted as, or treated as, a sensor or actuator of the cable processing machine system 1. In particular, input from the operator of cable processing machine system 1 can be interpreted by the middleware as data from a sensor and / or an actuator. Certain actions of an operator of cable processing machine system 1 can be detected.

[0047] The operator can, for example, input data or values ​​into the cable processing machine system 1 via a machine interface, which are interpreted by the cable processing machine system 1 as data or values ​​from a sensor and / or an actuator, or treated as such.

[0048] It is also conceivable that the operators of the cable processing machine system 1 include one or more robots. Inputs from the robot can be interpreted as data by a sensor and / or an actuator of the cable processing machine system 1, and thus processed accordingly. In addition to the robot, one or more people can simultaneously operate the cable processing machine system 1.

[0049] The operators of the cable processing machine system 1 each have special skills or individual abilities and individual or specific access rights to the cable processing machine system 1 or parts thereof or the cable processing machines 10, 20.

[0050] The user interface 11, 21 is used to communicate with the user 72. The user interface 11, 21 can include, for example, a keyboard, a computer mouse and a monitor.

[0051] The data intermediary 16, 26 exchanges data with the middleware 40. The data intermediary 16, 26 (also called broker or information broker) provides an interface between the individual elements of the respective cable processing machine 10, 20 on the one hand and the middleware 40 on the other. The data intermediary 16, 26 can comprise or be hardware and / or software.

[0052] The data connections between the data intermediaries 16, 26 of the cable processing machines 10, 20 and the middleware 40 can each be wired or wireless. The data connection between the middleware 40 and the portable communication device 70 is wireless.

[0053] The cable processing machine 10, 20 can be, in particular, a crimping machine. The cable processing tool can be a crimping tool. The materials can include, for example, cables, cable elements and / or contact strips or similar items.

[0054] The cable processing machine control system 5 can track the positions of materials, cable processing tools, etc. This can be done, for example, using RFID chips. If a material or cable processing tool is needed at a cable processing machine 10, 20, the user 72 can quickly find out the location of the material or cable processing tool via their portable communication device 70, or have this information displayed on their portable communication device 70. The route to the location can also be displayed on the portable communication device 70. Furthermore, the person currently responsible for the material or cable processing tool can be informed via the portable communication device 70 that, and if so, which material or cable processing tool will be picked up soon.

[0055] The cable processing machine control system 5, for example, simplifies material logistics, particularly material and identification support. This is explained below using a first example.

[0056] The users 72 of the cable processing machines 10, 20 each have a portable communication device 70 (wearable) which they carry with them at all times during their working hours. This device allows them to access location-independent information about the materials required for the upcoming job. At the start of their shift, the operator logs in to their portable communication device 70. Their role ("operator") and the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them or their role are determined using a role database and / or a shift schedule. This can be done, in particular, using middleware 40. Thus, their role and the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them are fixed.

[0057] The operator receives a notification via his portable communication device 70 that he is to change the cable for the upcoming job or process on the cable processing machine 10, 20, along with the identification number of the cable to be changed. While changing the cable, the operator's portable communication device 70 displays which cable drum is the correct one (if a selection of drums is available), as he is not standing in front of the control screen of the cable processing machine 10, 20 at that time. Even if he has to retrieve the corresponding cable himself from the "cable storage," his portable communication device 70 displays which of several cables is the correct one.

[0058] If a material supplier role is defined, they also log in to a portable communication device 70 at the beginning of their shift or working time. This defines their role and the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them. When a cable change is required at the aforementioned cable processing machine 10, 20, the material supplier is notified on their portable communication device 70, or via their portable communication device 70, which of their assigned cable processing machines 10, 20 requires a material change. The material supplier can then provide the correct material to the corresponding cable processing machine 10, 20. The material supplier can either deliver the material(s) to the corresponding cable processing machine(s) 10, 20 or provide the material(s) themselves.The materials are made available to the operator, who then collects the material(s). This simplifies and speeds up the exchange of materials on cable processing machines 10 and 20.

[0059] The cable processing machine control system 5, for example, simplifies and speeds up the changing of a cable processing tool on a cable processing machine 10, 20. This is explained below using a second example.

[0060] For the next job on cable processing machine 10, 20, the operator needs a different cable processing tool than the one currently loaded or in use on the machine. At the start of their shift, the operator logs in to their wearable communication device 70. Middleware 40 assigns them a role based on their login credentials, using a shift schedule, shift database, or similar system. This role is assigned to several cable processing machines 10, 20, which are thus also assigned to the user 72, i.e., the operator. Therefore, their role and the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to them are defined.

[0061] When loading a new order, the operator sees on both the display of cable processing machine 10, 20 and on his wearable communication device 70 that he needs a different contact roll and crimping tool than those available in cable processing machine 10, 20 for the new order. Middleware 40 knows which cable processing tool is to be used and where it is currently located (e.g., in the warehouse, on the shelf next to cable processing machine 10, 20, or on the cable processing machine 10, 20 next door). This allows the operator to retrieve this information about the location of the required cable processing tool via his wearable communication device 70, or it is actively displayed to him. If the cable processing tool is in the warehouse, the warehouse employee (who also logs in to his wearable communication device 70 and thus defines his role) is notified.(is specified) is again indicated or informed via his portable communication device 70 that he must hand over the cable processing tool to the operator. If the cable processing tool is located on another cable processing machine 10, 20, the operator of that cable processing machine 10, 20 is informed by a notification on his portable communication device 70 that his cable processing tool will be picked up and used by another operator. Thus, the exchange or change of the cable processing tool can be simplified and accelerated.

[0062] For example, the cable processing machine control system 5 simplifies and speeds up the acknowledgment of error messages from cable processing machines 10 and 20. This is explained below using a third example.

[0063] At the start of their shift, both the operator and the shift supervisor log in to their respective portable communication devices 70. This determines the role and the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to each operator and supervisor. During their shift, the operator receives all error messages from their assigned cable processing machines 10, 20 on their portable communication device 70, including information on which machine the error is occurring (possibly with corresponding audible and / or tactile alerts, such as a vibration alarm). This is particularly important if the operator is not directly in front of the screen of the corresponding cable processing machine 10, 20 displaying the error, but also if two of their assigned cable processing machines 10, 20 each have an error.Thus, the operator knows what to do using the portable communication device 70 without first having to walk around the cable processing machine 10, 20 to read the error on the screen of the cable processing machine 10, 20. The supervisor, on the other hand, does not see the "normal" or non-important errors of the cable processing machine 10, 20 assigned to him on his portable communication device 70, as these are not normally of interest to him.

[0064] However, if a cable processing machine 10, 20 exhibits a fault that cannot be acknowledged, confirmed, or rectified by the operator, but only by the supervisor (otherwise the operator or the cable processing machine 10, 20 cannot continue working), this fault message is displayed to the supervisor on their portable communication device 70, including the corresponding cable processing machine 10, 20 and the operator to whom this cable processing machine 10, 20 is currently assigned. The operator also sees this fault displayed on their portable communication device 70, along with the additional information of which supervisor is responsible. The supervisor can then promptly go to the corresponding cable processing machine 10, 20, log in if necessary, and confirm or rectify the fault so that the operator of the corresponding cable processing machine 10, 20 can resume work.The cable processing machine 10, 20 can continue operating. Acknowledgment of the error in the cable processing machine 10, 20 via the portable communication device 70 is also possible remotely. Consequently, acknowledging error messages is accelerated and simplified. This leads to shorter interruptions in the operation of the cable processing machines 10, 20.

[0065] For example, the cable processing machine control system 5 can be used to quickly correct or eliminate poor performance or inefficiency of a cable processing machine 10, 20. This will be explained below using a fourth example.

[0066] At the start of their shift, both the operator and the shift supervisor log in to their respective portable communication devices 70. This determines the role and the cable processing machines 10, 20 assigned to both the operator and the supervisor.

[0067] During the shift, the supervisor observes which of the cable processing machines 10, 20 under his supervision are not operating optimally, whether due to suboptimal process parameters or too many process errors. He also observes when a cable processing machine 10, 20 takes a long time to set up a job and begin production. In cases of poor process parameters, he can suggest to the cable processing machine 10, 20 or its operator that they produce using more optimal process parameters.

[0068] The operator, in turn, receives a notification on his portable communication device 70 that the supervisor has made a suggestion for optimizing an assigned cable processing machine 10, 20, and can accept or reject the suggestion. If there are too many process errors or the setup time is too long, the supervisor personally goes to the cable processing machine 10, 20 and tries to resolve the problem on-site. In this way, inefficiencies in a cable processing machine 10, 20 can be quickly rectified. This reduces the production time and the manufacturing costs of the cables being processed.

[0069] The applications or software running on the portable communication device 70 encompass all common technologies (native applications, containers such as Docker / LXC / LXD, and web applications, etc.). The same applies to the software on the intermediate system or middleware 40.

[0070] The software on the portable communication device 70 and / or the software on the intermediate system or middleware 40 can be installed / configured, delivered, or deployed in various ways on the portable communication device 70 and / or on the middleware. This can be done locally and / or via remote maintenance.

[0071] Different roles receive different information displayed on their portable communication device 70. For example, the operator sees or can access the OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) figures for the cable processing machines 10 and 20 assigned to them. The setup technician sees or can access the OEE figures for the cable processing machines 10 and 20 assigned to them, as well as the operators assigned to each machine. The factory manager sees the OEE figures for all cable processing machines 10 and 20 on their portable communication device 70, but without knowing which operators are assigned to each machine.

[0072] It is conceivable that several Middleware 40 instances exist side by side. These multiple Middleware 40 instances are unaware of the existence of other Middleware 40 instances. The portable communication device 70 communicates with and exchanges data with all existing Middleware 40 instances.

[0073] Authentication (e.g. a password or two-way authentication) may be required for each login of the various users 72 of the cable processing machine system 1 or the cable processing machine control system 5.

[0074] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "encompassing," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps from other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. Cable processing machine control system (5) comprising: - middleware (40), wherein the middleware (40) is configured for data exchange with data intermediaries (16, 26) of several cable processing machines (10, 20), and - a portable communication device (70), wherein the portable communication device (70) is configured for data exchange with the middleware (40) and is configured such that when a user (72) of the cable processing machine control system (5) has logged in to the portable communication device (70), depending on a role assigned to the user (72) by the middleware (40), the user (72) on the portable communication device (70) receives different information about the cable processing machines (10, 20) assigned to the user's (72) assigned role.20) are displayed and / or -- different action options for controlling the cable processing machines (10, 20) assigned to the user's (72) assigned role are made available to the user (72) on the portable communication device (70).

2. Cable processing machine control system (5) according to claim 1, wherein the cable processing machine control system (5) is configured such that the role is assigned to the user (72) depending on a role database and / or a role shift table.

3. Cable processing machine control system (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable processing machine control system (5) is configured such that the cable processing machines (10, 20) are assigned to the reel depending on a reel database and / or a reel shift table.

4. Cable processing machine control system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the portable communication device (70) comprises a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smartwatch and / or glasses with an optical display.

5. Cable processing machine control system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable processing machine control system (5) is configured such that positions of cable processing tools for the cable processing machines (10, 20) and / or positions of materials for the cable processing machines (10, 20) are detected and the positions of the cable processing tools and / or materials are displayed on the portable communication device (70).

6. Cable processing machine control system (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable processing machine control system (5) is configured such that the middleware (40) exchanges data with an enterprise resource planning unit (50) and / or a manufacturing management system (55).

7. Cable processing machine system (1) comprising - several cable processing machines (10, 20), wherein each cable processing machine (10, 20) has a data intermediary (16, 26), wherein the respective data intermediary (16, 26) exchanges data with sensors and / or actuators (13-15, 23-25) of the cable processing machine (10, 20) on one side and middleware (40) on another side, and - a cable processing machine control system (5) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cable processing machine control system (5) exchanges data with the cable processing machines (10, 20) and / or controls the cable processing machines (10, 20).

8. Cable processing machine system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cable processing machine system (1) is configured such that the middleware (40) exchanges data with an enterprise resource planning unit (50) and / or a manufacturing management system (55).

9. Method for monitoring and controlling cable processing machines (10, 20), the method comprising the following steps: logging a user (72) into a portable communication device (70), wherein the portable communication device (70) is configured to exchange data with middleware (40), the middleware (40) being configured to exchange data with data intermediaries (16, 26) of several cable processing machines (10, 20); determining a role of the user (72) by the middleware (40) and assigning the role to the user (72); assigning cable processing machines (10, 20) to the user (72) depending on his role;and displaying information from the cable processing machines (10, 20) assigned to the user (72) on the portable communication device (70), wherein the information displayed depends on the role assigned to the user (72), and / or displaying action options for controlling the cable processing machines (10, 20) assigned to the assigned role on the portable communication device (70), as well as controlling the cable processing machines (10, 20) according to the action option selected by the user (72).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the role is assigned to the user (72) depending on a role database and / or a role layer table.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the information displayed to the user (72) on the portable communication device (70) is received by the middleware (40) from the cable processing machines (10, 20) and sent by the middleware (40) to the portable communication device (70), provided that the corresponding cable processing machine (10, 20) is assigned to the role of the respective user (72) of the portable communication device (70).

12. Method according to one of claims 9-11, wherein the middleware (40) exchanges data with an enterprise resource planning unit (50) and / or a manufacturing management system (55).

13. Method according to one of claims 9-12, wherein positions of cable processing tools and / or materials for the cable processing machines (10, 20) are detected and the positions of the cable processing tools and / or materials are displayed on the portable communication device (70).

14. Method according to one of claims 9-13, wherein the cable processing machines (10, 20) of the reel are assigned depending on a reel database and / or a reel shift table.