Method for producing bobbins and exchanging empty tubes with bobbins in a modular roving frame, modular roving frame suitable for implementing such a method

Abstract

A method for producing bobbins (10) and exchanging empty tubes (17) with bobbins (10) in a modular roving frame (100) comprising at least a first and a second production unit and an exchanger, provides for controlling a first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) and a second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1'), so that, in response to the detection of a time discrepancy (ΔT1) between a first desired production period (T1d) and a first production period (T1), the method provides for changing the first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) and / or the second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1') to determine a relative production speed change (Δv12) between the first production unit (1) and the second production unit (1'). An electronic control unit (50) for controlling a modular roving frame (100) is configured to carry out the method. Furthermore, a modular roving frame is configured to perform the aforesaid method.

Description

"METHOD FOR PRODUCING BOBBINS AND EXCHANGING EMPTY TUBESWITH BOBBINS IN A MODULAR ROVING FRAME, MODULAR ROVING FRAME SUITABLE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD" DESCRIPTION

[0001] The object of the present invention is a method for producing bobbins and exchanging empty tubes with bobbins in a modular roving frame, a modular roving frame suitable for actuating this method, and an electronic control unit for controlling such a modular roving frame .

[0002] As is known, bobbins formed on a roving frame, consisting of a tube whereupon the roving is drawn at the frame, are transported to the spinning frame . To be found at the spinning frame, hanging from a creel, are the bobbins that are being processed wherefrom the rovings to be processed originate . When bobbins that are being processed are exhausted, they are replaced with bobbins from the roving frame .

[0003] The exhausted bobbins comprise the tube which is completely devoid of any roving (defined as an "empty tube" ) or else by the tube provided with some residual roving windings (defined as a "dirty tube" ) . Dirty tubes (and at times also those that are empty) are cleaned in a special device, usually called a "cleaner" , that eliminates the residual roving, thereby obtaining clean tubes . Empty tubes originating from the cleaner and thosewithdrawn from the spinning frame are moved to the roving frame and are there replaced with bobbins that have formed in the meantime ; the empty tubes may thus be reused for the formation of new bobbins .

[0004] The Applicant has devised an integrated device that locally implements the withdrawal of empty or dirty tubes and bobbins , the cleaning of the dirty tubes and replacement of the bobbins with empty tubes . Such integrated device together with the related processing method are shown in the international Application WO 2016 / 083944 .

[0005] Notwithstanding the elevated degree of automation that such an integrated device makes it possible to obtain, the trend is to further increase the execution speed of such operations , above all because of the tendency of roving frames and spinning frames to include an ever-increasing number of rovings .

[0006] The object of the present invention is that of making a system that is capable of further reducing the overall execution times of the transport , withdrawal, exchange and releasing of the bobbins .

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to ensure adequate control of the withdrawing, exchanging and releasing operations of the bobbins in order to reduce any possible production downtime or other types ofinefficiencies .

[0008] Such object is achieved by a method for producing bobbins and exchanging empty tubes with bobbins in a modular roving frame, by a modular roving frame suitable for implementing such method, i . e . , comprising several production modules , and an electronic control unit for controlling such a modular roving frame in accordance with the respective independent claims attached .

[0009] The respectively dependent claims describe embodiment variants of the device and of the execution of the method .

[0010] According to a further aspect , the object of the present invention is a frame side transport system capable of simultaneously serving several production modules of the modular roving frame .

[0011] The features and the advantages of the method, the modular roving frame, the electronic unit and the transport system will be apparent from the following description, made by way of an indicative and nonlimiting example with reference to the following figures , wherein :- Figure 1 shows a modular roving frame for a spinning line according to the present invention, comprising two production units connected by a connection unit , in a frame side lateral view;Figure 2 shows the modular roving frame of Figure 1 in a frame side view;- Figure 3 depicts a detail of the modular roving frame of Figure 1 , in particular of the dof fer;- Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the diagram of the exchange system, the frame side modular roving frame transport system and the spinning frame side transport system;- Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show, schematically, some exemplary embodiments of the single rail that serves both of the production units ;- Figure 6 shows a functional diagram of the single rail according to the present invention which collaborates with the connection unit exchanger in order to serve both of the production units ;- Figure 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the diagram of the exchange system, the frame side modular roving frame transport system and the spinning frame side transport system .- Figure 8 shows a time graph of an example of a sequence of operations of a production module of a modular roving frame 100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the vertical dashed lines indicate the time intervals in which the production cycles occur of the single production unit that are ideally repeated overt ime ;- Figure 9 shows a time graph of an example of a sequence of operations of a production unit of a modular roving frame 100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, both in an ideal case (above ) , and in a real case (below) , according to a first exemplary embodiment , wherein the first production unit takes more time than expected to produce a group of bobbins than the ideal case, for example 103 minutes instead of 97 minutes ;- Figure 10 shows a time graph of an example of a sequence of operations of a production unit of a modular roving frame 100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, both in an ideal case (top) and in a real case (bottom) , according to a second exemplary embodiment , wherein the first production unit takes longer than expected to produce a group of bobbins than the ideal case, as in Figure 9, but the lost time is subsequently recovered by suitably varying the production speeds ;- Figure 11 shows a time graph of an example of a sequence of operations of a production unit of a modular roving frame 100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, both in an ideal case (top) and in a real case (bottom) , wherein the first production unit takes much longer than expected to produce a group ofbobbins than the ideal case for example 130 minutes instead of 97 minutes and wherein the lost time is not recovered by varying the production speeds between the units , but a production speed on the second production unit of zero is maintained ( i . e . , the second production unit ) and waits for a time interval T2a before resuming with the production of bobbins on the second production unit .

[0012] With reference to the attached figures , indicated in the entirety thereof with the numeral 100 is a modular roving frame according to the present invention that may be inserted into a spinning line . The modular roving frame 100 comprises at least a first production unit 1 and a second production unit 1 ' , connected together by a connection unit 2 .

[0013] In the remainder of the present description, the production unit 1 , 1 ' may also be referred to in a completely equivalent manner as a production unit 1 , 1 ' , and therefore also as a first production unit 1 or second production unit 1 ' .

[0014] Each production unit 1 , 1 ' preferably comprises a feed region 12 , wherein a plurality of cans 121 each containing a sliver wound in coils is housed .

[0015] Each production unit 1 , 1 ' comprises a production region 16 wherein the sliver is transformed into a rovingand wound into bobbins , and preferably a bobbin handling region .

[0016] To the rear of the production area 16, not shown in the figures , there is generally arranged at least one spinning line spinning frame .

[0017] The production area 16 therefore draws the ribbon originating from the cans 121 and transforms it into rovings that are wound onto empty tubes 17 thereby forming bobbins 10 that are then transported to the spinning frame . To this end the bobbins 10 are rendered available to a carriage 120 of the production area 16 .

[0018] According to one embodiment , the production area 16 comprises processing points 161 distributed in succession along at least two parallel rows . The processing points of one row may be staggered in relation to the processing points of the other row . Each processing point 161 comprises a flap . Each flap is rotatable around a vertical axis in order to guide the roving in winding around an empty tube which in turn is rotating around the axis thereof thereby forming the bobbin 10 . The empty tube 17 is removably placed onto an integral spool turner in vertical translation in relation to the spindles handling carriage, hereinafter simply referred to as the carriage 120 . In one processing position the carriage 120 is arranged at a height that is adapted to allow thewrapping of the roving onto the tube with the aim of producing a bobbin 10 . In other words , in said processing position, the axes of the spool turner carried by the carriage 120 are substantially coincident with the axes of the flaps , as in Figure 2 . Once the bobbins 10 are formed, for example at the desired weight , the carriage 120 is lowered from the raised processing position to a lowered retracted position wherein it cooperates with the carriage translation means for the horizontal translation of the carriage 120 towards the advanced elevation position . Said horizontal translation means comprise a sled that cooperates with motor means for the horizontal translation of the carriage 120 .

[0019] As mentioned above, each production unit 1 is provided with a bobbin handling area wherein a frame side transport system is arranged, called a doffer 122 . The doffer 122 is suitable for withdrawing bobbins 10 from the carriage 120 of the production area 16 and moving them, suspended, to a predefined height , generally by means of a belt . The doffer 122 is adapted to load the carriage 120 with empty tubes 17 . In fact , once the bobbins 10 are formed, the carriage 120 moves to the advanced elevation position, below the doffer 122 . The advanced elevation position is adapted to enable the cooperation of the carriage 120 with the doffer 122 inorder to carry out the collection of the bobbins from the carriage 120 and / or the arrangement on the spindles of the production area 16 of new empty tubes 17 for the formation of new bobbins 10 .

[0020] The bobbin handling area comprises the doffer 122 , a doffer support structure and dof fer handling means . The doffer support structure comprises a frame 6d that supports a vertically translatable crosspiece 6e whereupon the doffer 122 is mounted . The doffer 122 is vertically translatable between a raised position, wherein the handling of the bobbins 10 towards the next processing step occurs , and a lowered position that is suitable for withdrawing the bobbins 10 from the carriage 120 in the raised position .

[0021] The doffer handling means are adapted to enable the vertical handling of the doffer 122 . For example, said means comprise a belt , preferably flat , connected at one end to the crosspiece 6e and wound at the opposite end, around a doffer handling shaft connected to a motor .

[0022] Each doffer 122 is provided with at least one rail13 that is adapted to be traveled by at least one train14 .

[0023] The rail 13 comprises at least one rail .

[0024] At least one train 14 travels on each doffer 122 .

[0025] The rail 13 comprises a front portion 131 (oppositethe side of the cans ) , and a rear portion 133 (at the side of the cans ) , parallel therebetween, connected by a coupling 132 , for example semicircle in shape .

[0026] The rail 13 preferably assumes a U shape .

[0027] The rails 13 of the production units 1 are arranged in a mirror-like manner, facing one another from the opposite side to that of the coupling 132 . The rear portions 133 of the rails 13 of the production units 1 are axially aligned . The front portions 131 of the rails 13 of the production units 1 are axially aligned .

[0028] Each train 14 comprises a plurality of coupling / uncoupling devices generally called "pendulums" or supports , adapted to engage with the bobbins 10 or else the empty tubes 17 , and for retaining them for the duration of travel along the rail 13 .

[0029] Each train 14 comprises a number of supports 141 equal to or greater than the number of processing points 161 of the production area 16 .

[0030] As regards the spinning line, it comprises a spinning frame side transport system, shown only schematically and partially in Figure 4 , adapted to handle the bobbins 10 towards the spinning frames and the dirty tubes (or sometimes empty tubes ) towards each production unit 1 .

[0031] The modular roving frame 100 comprises a connectionunit 2 arranged centrally between the first production unit 1 and the second production unit 1 . The connection unit 2 comprises at least one exchanger 22 , at least one connection rail 134 .

[0032] Preferably, the connection unit 2 comprises only one exchanger 22 which is common to the two production units 1 .

[0033] According to one embodiment , as may be seen in Figure 4 , at the connection unit 2 the frame side roving frame side transport system, of which the doffers 122 of the production units 1 form a part , meets with the spinning frame side transport system, that serves the spinning frames . Therefore, preferably within the area of the connection unit 2 of the modular roving frame 100 the exchange occurs of those bobbins 10 originating from the production area 16 with the empty tubes 17 originating from the spinning frame .

[0034] According to one embodiment , the doffer of the first production unit 1 is adapted to be connected to the doffer of the second production unit 1 ' at the connection unit 2 during the step of exchanging the bobbins / tubes using the transport circuit at the spinning frame, and independently moving itself therefrom during the step of exchanging the bobbins / tubes using the relative production area 16 .

[0035] The doffer 122 of the first production unit 1 connects to the doffer 122 of the second production unit 1 ' at the connection unit 2 by means of a connecting rail 134 . In fact , the connection unit 2 comprises a connecting rail 134 that joins the rails 13 of the production units 1 to form a single rail 15 serving the entire modular roving frame 100 .

[0036] It should be noted that the connecting rail 134 is not mechanically attached to the rails 13 of the production units 1 but is arranged adjacent thereto, in such a way as to enable the passage of the trains 14 , as seen in Figure 3 . In fact , the rails 13 of the production units 1 are movable integral to the doffer 122 of which they are part , whilst the connecting rail 134 is preferably fixed, supported by a support structure . Preferably, the support structure is the frame 6d which is common to both of the production units .

[0037] The connecting rail 134 joins the rails 13 of the production units 1 to form a single rail 15 of the modular roving frame 100 .

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment , a train 14 travels along the rail 13 , and therefore the single rail 15 , in both directions , i . e . , forwards and backwards .

[0039] In a further exemplary embodiment , the train 14 travels along the rail 13, and therefore the single rail15, in only one direction, i.e., only forwards or else backwards .

[0040] In one exemplary embodiment, two trains 14 travel along the rail 13, and therefore along the single rail 15.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, shown in Figure 5a, only one connecting rail 134 is included, which joins the rails 13 of the production units 1 at the respective rear portions 133, to form the single rail 15. In such example, the train 14 travels along the rail 13, and therefore the single rail 15, in both directions, i.e., forwards and backwards .

[0042] In one exemplary embodiment, shown in Figure 5c, only one connecting rail 134 is included which joins the rear portion 133 of a first rail 13 to the front portion 131 of a second rail 13, to form the single rail 15. In such example, the train 14 travels along the rail 13, and therefore the single rail 15, in both directions, i.e., forwards and backwards .

[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, shown in Figure 5b, two connecting rails 134 are included which join the rails 13 of the production units 1 to form the single rail 15. As may be seen in the figure, a first connecting rail 134 joins the rails 13 at the respective rear portions 133, and a second connecting rail 134 joins the rails 13 atthe respective front portions 131 . In such example, the single rail 15 is closed to form a ring . In such example, the train 14 may travel along the rail 13 , and therefore the single rail 15, in only one direction, i . e . , only forwards or else backwards .

[0044] In one exemplary embodiment , shown in Figure 7 , only one connecting rail 134 is included which joins the rails 13 of the production units 1 at the respective rear portions 133 , to form the single rail 15 . In such example, the connecting rail 134 has an at least partially curvilinear if not rectilinear progression . For example, the connecting rail 134 has a concave portion, an indentation, in relation to the line of the rear portions 133 of the production units .

[0045] The connection unit 2 comprises an exchanger 22 that is adapted to exchange those bobbins 10 originating from the production area 16 with empty tubes 17 originating from the spinning frames . The exchanger 22 cooperates on one side with the rail that serves the spinning frames , and on the opposite side with the single rail 15 which serves both of the production units 1 , 1 ' , in particular at the connecting rail 134 . The exchanger 2 exchanges at least one bobbin 10 at a time with one empty 17 or dirty tube .

[0046] In a preferred example the exchanger 2 exchanges atleast two bobbins 10 at a time with two empty 17 or dirty tubes . The functioning of the exchanger is described, for example, within the European patent EP3385414B1 and with the European patent EP3470560B1 of the Applicant .

[0047] According to one embodiment variant , the modular roving frame 100 also comprises cleaning means that are adapted to operate on the dirty tubes sucking therefrom any residual roving windings . Preferably, the cleaning means are sliding, preferably vertically in relation to the single rail 15 , and serve both of the production units . A cleaning means exemplary embodiment is described within the International Application WO 2016 / 083944 of the Applicant .

[0048] The modular roving frame 100 comprises an electronic control unit 50 configured to control the advancing of the bobbins 10 and of the empty tubes 17 along the rails 13 , 15 , and to manage the operation of the production units 1 , 1 ' , i . e . , to control the commands to be given to the motors of the production units and to receive any signals from the sensors arranged on the production units 1 , 1 ' .

[0049] The electronic control unit 50 is preferably contained within the connection unit 2 .

[0050] The connection unit preferably also comprises supply means common to the two production units 1 .

[0051] The electronic control unit 50 comprises , for example, a PLC or a microprocessor that is suitable for controlling the advancing of the bobbins 10 and of the empty tubes 17 along the rails 13 , 15 , and for managing the functioning of the production units .

[0052] It is clear that , in one embodiment , the electronic control unit 50 may be arranged at a remote position with respect to the production units 1 of the modular roving frame 100 , for example in a dedicated station, such as a dedicated remote computer .

[0053] In a variant embodiment , the electronic control unit 50 may not be part of the modular roving frame 100 .

[0054] Figure 6 shows an example of a functional diagram for the single rail 15 . Such figure shows , schematically, the modular roving frame 100 comprising a first 1 and a second 1 ' production unit , connected together by means of a connection unit 2 . In the example of Figure 6 the single rail 15 which serves the modular roving frame 100 is formed by the following sections ( from left to right , for representational convenience) : the rail 13 of the first production unit 1 , the connecting rail 134 of the connection unit 2 ; the rail 13 of the second production unit 1 . In this example, two trains 14 travel on the single rail 15 in both directions , i . e . , forwards and backwards .

[0055] The step SI shows the starting situation of the doffer 122 , wherein a first train 14A is in the rear portion 133 of the rail 13 of the second production unit 1 ' and a second train 14B is in the front portion 131 of the rail 13 of the second production unit 1 ' . The trains 14A and 14B transport empty tubes 17 . The rail 13 of the first production unit 1 is empty, i . e . , devoid of trains 14 .

[0056] At this point the step occurs of the doffing DI of the second production unit 1 ' : the doffer 122 is lowered in order to withdraw bobbins 10 from the carriage 120 of the production area 16 and arrange new empty tubes 17 on the spindles of the production area 16 for the forming of new bobbins 10 .

[0057] At this point , step S2 , the first train 14A and the second train 14B are transporting bobbins 10 .

[0058] Between step SI and the subsequent step S3 there occurs the step Ta of transporting the bobbins towards the exchanger 22 which then performs the exchanging of the bobbins 10 with empty tubes 17 originating from the spinning frame . Transport occurs in a first direction, called forwards .

[0059] At this point , step S3 , the first train 14A together with the second train 14B are transporting empty tubes 17 and are both found to be on the rail 13 of the firstproduction unit 1 . The first train 14A is in the front portion 131 of the rail 13 of the first production unit 1 and the second train 14B is in the rear portion 133 of the rail 13 of the first production unit 1 . The rail 13 of the second production unit 1 ' is empty, i . e . , devoid of trains 14 .

[0060] At this point the dof fing D2 step occurs of the first production unit 1 : the doffer 122 is lowered in order to withdraw the bobbins 10 from the carriage 120 of the production area 16 and arrange new empty tubes 17 on the spindles of the production area 16 for the forming of new bobbins 10 .

[0061] At this point , step S4 , the first train 14A and the second train 14B are transporting bobbins 10 .

[0062] Between step S4 and the subsequent step SI there occurs the step Tr of transporting the bobbins towards the exchanger 22 which then performs the exchanging of the bobbins 10 with empty tubes 17 originating from the spinning frame . Transport this time occurs in a backwards direction, i . e . , in a direction opposite to the forwards direction .

[0063] At this point the system has returned to step SI , wherein the first train 14A together with the second train 14B are transporting empty tubes 17 and are both found to be on the rail 13 of the second production unit1 ' . The first train 14A is in the rear portion 133 of the rail 13 of the second production unit 1 ' and the second train 14B is in the front portion 131 of the rail 13 of the second production unit 1 ' . The rail 13 of the first production unit 1 is empty, i . e . , devoid of trains 14 . At this point the cycle is concluded and may restart .

[0064] It should be noted that according to one embodiment the first production unit 1 and the second production unit 1 ' each process staggered by half of the production . In this way, when the first production unit 1 is ready for the step of withdrawing the bobbins 10 , or doffing DI , the second production unit 1 ' is still processing . During the period of time wherein the doffing DI step and the transport step Ta are performed, the second production unit 1 ' terminates the production thereof . This avoids downtime while waiting for the arrival of the trains with the empty tubes .

[0065] Given that the first production unit 1 and the second production unit 1 ' work simultaneously but are staggered therebetween, for example staggered by half of the production, one object of the present invention is also to provide a method for controlling the timing of the production, exchange, and transport processes of the bobbins and tubes .

[0066] The object of the present invention is thereforealso a handling method for bobbins and tubes in a modular roving frame 100 . Such method includes the following steps :- an initial step of the second production unit 1 ' wherein the doffer 122 comprises at least one train 14 with empty tubes 17 ;- a step of loading bobbins 10 of the second production unit 1 ' , wherein the doffer 122 withdraws bobbins 10 from the production area 16, replacing them with empty tubes 17 ;- a transport step wherein the at least one train 14 with bobbins 10 reaches the exchanger 20 which exchanges the bobbins 10 with empty tubes 17 originating from the spinning frame, and then continues with empty tubes 17 towards the first production unit 1 ;- an initial step of the first production unit 1 wherein the at least one train 14 with empty tubes 17 is on the do ffer 122 ;- a step of loading bobbins from the first production unit 1 , wherein the doffer 122 withdraws the bobbins 10 from the production area 16 replacing them with empty tubes 17 ;- a transport step wherein the at least one train 14 with bobbins 10 reaches the exchanger 22 which exchanges the bobbins 10 with empty tubes 17 originating from thespinning frame, and then continues with the empty tubes17 , towards the second production unit 1 ' until it reaches the initial step of the second production unit 1 ' .

[0067] According to a particularly innovative aspect , the subject matter, per se, of the present invention is a method for producing bobbins 10 and exchanging empty tubes 17 with bobbins 10 in a modular roving frame 100 , such as the one described in this discussion, wherein the production speeds of each production unit 1 , 1 ' are suitably controlled .

[0068] Such method of producing bobbins 10 and exchanging empty tubes 17 with bobbins 10 will be more understandable with reference to Figures 9 to 11 , wherein a time line indicates the time durations of the bobbin forming steps , of the exchange and transport steps in an ideal situation compared to a situation with real productive times for a production example in a modular roving frame 100 according to the present invention .

[0069] To facilitate understanding the time graphs of Figures 9 to 11 , a time graph of an example of a sequence of operations of a production unit 1 , 1 ' of a modular roving frame 100 is shown in Figure 8 . In the time direction, the graph is interrupted by vertical dashed lines which indicate time intervals wherein theproduction cycles of the single production unit occur that are ideally repeated over time . In particular, ideally, a first production unit 1 should produce bobbins and perform the doffing step, during a first desired production period Tld, indicated in Figure 8 , for example, for a duration of 100 minutes , of which, for example, 97 minutes for the bobbin formation period (or bobbin production) and 3 minutes for the TLE period related to the execution of the doffing step DI or D2 . Furthermore, over time when the first production unit 1 is producing bobbins 10 , there will also be a step of exchanging bobbins with tubes and of transportation on the rail 13 ( step Ta or Tr of Figure 6) , which will have a duration equal to a desired exchange period Ted, for example indicated in the figure equal to 77 minutes .

[0070] The desired durations are indicated with solid lines in the graph, wherein, proceeding from top to bottom, the duration of the bobbin forming period, the duration of the TLE period related to the execution of the doffing step DI or D2 and the duration of the desired exchange period Ted are indicated .

[0071] The time graphs of Figures 9 to 11 show the same information described with reference to Figure 8 , except for the fact that , for simplicity of representation, in such graphs the line relating to the doffing step hasbeen omitted and a line was added showing the time duration of the bobbin forming period, also of the second production unit 1 ' , and a line showing a desired safety interval Tmd, calculated as the period between the end of the desired exchange period Ted and the end of a second desired production period T2d of the second production unit .

[0072] In this way, in graphs 9 to 11 , it is possible to observe the steps over time, and in sequence the steps SI to S4 described above . Furthermore, such graphs also show a measured safety interval Tm as the time between the end of the exchange period Tc and the end of the second production period T2 .

[0073] In particular, each graph of Figures 9 to 11 shows from top to bottom, a first group of graphs , above, showing the progressions over time of an ideal (or desired) case of the operation of an ideal roving frame which never suffers interruptions due to problems , and below a second group of graphs , showing the progressions over time of a case of the actual operation of an ideal roving frame, with interruption situations and the consequent lengthening of the bobbin production times , for example in the first production unit , that is greater than the desired case . From top to bottom, therefore, for the first group of graphs , the following are seen inorder :- the duration of the bobbin formation period of the first production unit 1 , which, together with the doffing step, forms the first desired production period Tld,- the duration of the bobbin production period of the second production unit 1 ' , which, together with the doffing step, forms the second desired production period T2d,- the desired exchange period Ted for the first production unit 1 ;- the desired exchange period Ted for the second production unit 1 ' ;- the duration of the desired safety interval Tmd, calculated as the time between the end of the desired exchange period Ted and the end of a first desired production period Tld of the first production unit or between the end of the desired exchange period Ted and the end of a second desired production period T2d of the second production unit .

[0074] More below, from top to bottom, therefore, for the second group of graphs , seen in order are :- the duration of the bobbin formation period of the first production unit 1 , which, together with the doffing step, forms the first desired production period Tl ,- the duration of the bobbin production period of thesecond production unit 1 ' which, together with the doffing step, forms the second desired production period T2 ,- the exchange period Tc for the first production unit 1 ;- the exchange period Tc for the second production unit 1 ' ;- the duration of the safety interval Tm, calculated as the time between the end of the exchange period Tc and the end of a first production period T1 of the first production unit or between the end of the exchange period Tc and the end of a second production period T2 of the second production unit .

[0075] The aforesaid method of producing bobbins 10 and exchanging empty tubes 17 with bobbins 10 in a modular roving frame 100 firstly provides for the operating step a) wherein the presence is envisaged of a modular roving frame 100 for a spinning line with at least one spinning frame, according to any of the previously described embodiments .

[0076] In particular, said operating step a) provides for a modular roving frame 100 comprising at least a first production unit 1 and a second production unit 1 ' , each production unit 1 , 1 ' being provided with a respective production region 16 and a respective doffer 122 suitable for carrying out a collecting step for withdrawingbobbins 10 from said production region 16 and replacing them with empty tubes 17 . Such operating step a) furthermore provides for the modular roving frame 100 comprising a connection unit 2 arranged between the first production unit 1 and the second production unit 1 ' . The connection unit 2 is provided with at least one exchanger 22 that is suitable for carrying out the exchange of the bobbins 10 with empty tubes 17 and / or dirty tubes . Furthermore, the doffer 122 of the first production unit is connected to the doffer 122 of the second production unit 1 ' at the connection unit 2 .

[0077] Furthermore, the method also provides for an operating step al ) wherein the presence is envisaged of an electronic control unit 50 , for example installed on the modular roving frame 100 , configured to control a first desired production speed vid of the first production unit 1 and a second desired production speed v2d of the second production unit 1 ' , preferably equal to the first desired production speed vid, so that the first production unit 1 is directed to carry out , in a first desired production period Tld, a step of producing a first group of bobbins 10 and a step of collecting the first production unit by means of the respective production doffer 122 . When the doffing step is performed, the first group of bobbins 10 is thereforeintended to be carried by a first train 14A or by a first14A and a second 14B train, depending upon the type of production region .

[0078] Furthermore, the electronic control unit 50 is configured to control a first desired production speed vid of the first production unit 1 and a second desired production speed v2d of the second production unit 1 ' in such a way that the second production unit 1 ' is directed to carry out , during a second desired production period T2d, preferably equal to the first desired production period Tld, a step of producing a second group of bobbins 10" and a step of collecting a second production unit by means of the respective doffer 122 . Once the doffing step has been performed, the second group of bobbins 10" , depending upon the type of production region, is therefore intended to be carried by a second 14B train, or else by a first 14A and by a second 14B train .

[0079] The method of producing bobbins 10 and exchanging empty tubes 17 with bobbins 10 comprises a subsequent step b) , wherein, during a first production period Tl , it is envisage to produce a first group of bobbins 10 ' in the first production unit 1 at a first production speed vl and carrying out a step of collecting the first unit by means of the doffer 122 of the first production unit 1 .

[0080] Additionally, the method of producing bobbins and exchanging empty tubes with bobbins also comprises the following additional steps : c) at least partially concurrently with the production step of the first group of bobbins 10 ' , during a second production period T2 , producing a second group of bobbins 10" in the second production unit 1 ' at a second production speed v2 and carrying out the step of collecting the second unit by means of the doffer 122 of the second production unit 1 ' ; d) once the step of collecting the first unit has been completed and while the step of producing the second group of bobbins 10" in the second production unit 1 ' is still in progress , carrying out an exchange and transport step during an exchange period Tc, said exchange and transport step including transporting the bobbins 10 of the first group of bobbins 10 ' , for example carried by the first train 14A to the exchanger 22 , exchanging the bobbins 10 of the first group of bobbins 10 ' originating from the first production unit 1 with empty tubes 17 originating from a spinning frame so as to form a first train 140 of empty tubes , and transporting said first set of empty tubes to the doffer 122 close to the second production unit 1 ' , ready for carrying out the step of collecting the second unit ;e ) during step b) and / or c) or / or d) , in response to the detection of a time discrepancy ATI between the first desired production period Tld and the first production period Tl , changing the first desired production speed vid of the first production unit 1 or the second desired production speed v2d of the second production unit 1 ' to determine a relative production speed variation Avl2 between the first production unit 1 and the second production unit 1 ' .

[0081] According to one embodiment , in step e ) , the method provides for increasing the first desired production speed vid so as to allow the first production unit 1 to reach an increased first production speed vl .

[0082] According to one embodiment , in step e ) , the method provides for increasing the second desired production speed v2d so as to allow the second production unit 1 ' to reach an increased second production speed v2 .

[0083] According to one embodiment , in step e ) , the method provides for increasing the first desired production speed vid so as to allow the first production unit 1 to reach an increased first production speed vl .

[0084] According to one embodiment , in step e ) , the method provides for increasing the first desired production speed vid and reducing the second desired productionspeed v2d so as to allow the first production unit 1 to reach an increased first production speed vl and the second production unit to reach a reduced second production speed v2 .

[0085] According to one embodiment , in step e ) , the method provides for increasing the second desired production speed v2d and reducing the first desired production speed vid so as to allow the second production unit 1 ' to reach an increased second production speed v2 and the first production unit 1 to reach a reduced first production speed vl .

[0086] According to one embodiment , in step e ) , the method provides for reducing the second desired production speed v2d so as to allow the second production unit to reach a reduced second production speed v2 .

[0087] According to one embodiment , the method provides for a step wherein, having defined a desired safety interval Tmd as the time calculated between the end of the desired exchange period Ted and the end of the second desired production period T2d, and having calculated a safety interval Tm as the period of time that elapses between the end of the exchange period Tc and the end of the second production period T2 , in response to the detection of a detected safety interval Tm less than or greater than the desired safety interval Tmd, increasing orreducing the first desired production speed vid or the second desired production speed v2d so that in one or more subsequent steps of producing a first group of bobbins 10 ' in the first production unit 1 in a subsequent first production period Tl , the detected safety interval Tm is returned to the value of the desired safety interval Tmd .

[0088] According to one embodiment , for example shown in Figure 11 , in response to a detection of a detected safety interval Tm greater than the desired safety interval Tmd, the method provides for reducing the second desired production speed v2d until the production of bobbins stops , for example until the desired production speed v2d falls to zero, and waiting for a period of time T2a before restarting with the production of bobbins on the second production unit 1 ' , i . e . , restarting with a second desired production speed v2 , that is , for example, other than zero . This makes it possible to set the detected safety interval Tm to the value of the desired safety interval Tmd, immediately at the time of the first subsequent production step of a first group of bobbins 10 ' in the first production unit 1 , also when the time discrepancy ATI between the first desired production period Tld and the first production period Tl is much greater than the desired safety interval Tm, so that itwould be very difficult , or even impossible, to recover the phase shift between the production runs using a relative variation between the first desired production speed vid and the second desired production speed v2d . In Figure 11 , for clarity of identification, the measured safety interval Tm, which is already set to the value of the desired safety interval Tmd at the end of the first subsequent step of producing a first train 14 of bobbins 10 , is specifically indicated by the reference Tml .

[0089] It is clear that the subject matter of the present invention is also an electronic control unit 50 for controlling a modular roving frame 100 according to any one of the embodiments described above, in particular, said modular roving frame 100 comprising at least a first production unit 1 and a second production unit 1 ' , each production unit 1 , 1 ' being provided with a respective production region 16 and a respective doffer 122 that is suitable for carrying out a doffing step for withdrawing bobbins 10 from said production region 16 and replacing them with empty tubes 17 ; a modular roving frame 100 also comprising a connection unit 2 being arranged between the first production unit 1 and the second production unit 1 ' and comprising at least one exchanger 22 suitable for carrying out the exchange of the bobbins 10 with empty tubes 17 and / or dirty tubes .

[0090] The electronic control unit 50 is configured to control a first desired production speed vid of the first production unit 1 and a second desired production speed v2d of the second production unit 1 ' , preferably equal to the first desired production speed vid, so that the first production unit 1 is directed to carry out , during a first desired production period Tld, a step of producing a first group of bobbins 10 ' and a step of collecting the first production unit by means of the respective doffer 122 , and in such a way that the second production unit 1 ' is directed to carry out , during a second desired production period T2d, preferably equal to the first desired production period Tld, a step of producing a second group of bobbins 10" and a step of collecting a second production unit by means of the respective doffer 122 ; and wherein said electronic control unit 50 is configured to carry out at least step e ) of the method according to any one of the embodiments described above .

[0091] It is clear that a further object of the present invention is a modular roving frame 100 for a spinning line with at least one spinning frame according to any one of the embodiments described above and suitable for carrying out the steps of the method of producing bobbins 10 and for exchanging empty tubes 17 with bobbins 10according to any of the embodiments described above .

[0092] Innovatively, the modular roving frame according to the present invention includes a simplified bobbin and tube transport system that is common to two distinct production unit s 1 . Advantageously, productivity is notably increased insofar as there are no waiting times for the trains which are always moving between the production units 1 .

[0093] The actual limit of state-of-the-art machines is tied to production efficiency which notably diminishes with an increase in the number of processing spindles . Advantageously, conversely, the method and the roving frame, objects of the present patent application, in the case of roving breakages or of ribbon breakages or in the case of changing empty cans 121 in one of the two production units , allow the other production unit to remain operational . In this way at least 50% of the machine remains in production during the period of time necessary for the reinstatement of production on the stopped production unit .

[0094] Advantageously, the proposed solution, by virtue of the use of a common exchanger between at least two production unit s , allows for simplification to be achieved of the management and encumbrances of the transport layout between the roving frame and thespinning frame .

[0095] Furthermore, in an innovative way, the method for producing bobbins and exchanging empty tubes , wherein the production speeds of each production unit 1 , 1 ' are suitably controlled, further allows production efficiency to be optimized thereby allowing the downtime due to any machine stoppages of one of the two production units to be recuperated .

[0096] In fact , by virtue of the presence of a safety interval between the end of one exchange step and the start of the subsequent production step, it is possible to appropriately vary the production speeds of each production unit so as to ensure that such safety interval (or safety margin) is kept as constant as possible between one production run and the next . This prevents downtime while waiting to exchange a group of bobbins , once ready, with a train of empty tubes .

[0097] It is understood that a person skilled in the art , in order to meet contingent needs , could make modifications to the integrated device and the processing method described above, all of which are contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of producing bobbins (10) and exchanging empty tubes (17) with bobbins (10) in a modular roving frame (100) , comprising the following steps: a) providing a modular roving frame (100) for a spinning line having at least one spinning frame, said modular roving frame (100) comprising at least a first production unit (1) and a second production unit (1'), each production unit (1, 1') being provided with a respective production region (16) and a respective doffer (122) suitable for carrying out a collection step for withdrawing bobbins (10) from said production region (16) and replacing them with empty tubes (17) ; said modular roving frame (100) comprising a connection unit (2), arranged between the first production unit (1) and the second production unit (1'), said connection unit (2) being provided with at least one exchanger (22) suitable for performing the exchange of the bobbins (10) with empty and / or dirty tubes (17) ; said doffer (122) of the first production unit (1) being suitable for being connected to the doffer (122) of the second production unit (1') at the connection unit (2) ; al) providing an electronic control unit (50) , for example included in the modular roving frame (100) , configured to control a first desired production speed(vid) of the first production unit (1) and a second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1'), preferably equal to the first desired production speed (vid) , so that the first production unit (1) is directed to carry out, during a first desired production period (Tld) , a step of producing a first group of bobbins (10' ) and a step of collecting the first production unit by means of the respective doffer (122) , and so that the second production unit (1' ) is directed to carry out, during a second desired production period (T2d) , preferably equal to the first desired production period (Tld) , a step of producing a second group of bobbins (10' ' ) and a step of collecting a second production unit by means of the respective doffer (122) ; b) during a first production period (Tl), producing a first group of bobbins (10' ) in the first production unit (1) at a first production speed (vl) and carrying out the step of collecting the first unit by means of the doffer (122) of the first production unit (1) ; c) at least partially simultaneously with the step of producing the first group of bobbins (10' ) , during a second production period (T2), producing a second group of bobbins (10' ' ) in the second production unit (1' ) at a second production speed (v2) and carrying out the step of collecting the second unit by means of the doffer (122)of the second production unit (1') ; d) at the end of the step of collecting the first unit and while the step of producing the second group of bobbins (10' ' ) is still in progress in the second production unit (1' ) , carrying out an exchange and transport step during an exchange period (Tc) , said exchange and transport step including transporting the bobbins (10) of the first group of bobbins (10' ) to the exchanger (22) , exchanging the bobbins (10) of the first group of bobbins (10' ) originating from the first production unit (1) with empty tubes (17) originating from a spinning frame so as to form a first train (140) of empty tubes, and transporting said first train of empty tubes to the doffer (122) close to the second production unit (1' ) , ready for carrying out the step of collecting the second unit; e) during step b) and / or c) and / or d) , in response to the detection of a time discrepancy (ATI) between the first desired production period (Tld) and the first production period (T1 ) , changing the first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) and / or the second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1' ) to determine a relative production speed change (Avl2) between the first production unit (1) and the secondproduction unit (!') .

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein in step e) the step of changing the first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) provides for increasing the first desired production speed (vid) so as to allow the first production unit (1) to reach an increased first production speed (vl) .

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein in step e) the step of changing the first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) or the second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1') provides for increasing the first desired production speed (vid) and reducing the second desired production speed (v2d) so as to allow the first production unit (1) to reach an increased first production speed (vl) and the second production unit to reach a reduced second production speed (v2) .

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein in step e) the step of changing the first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) or the second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1') provides for reducing the second desired production speed (v2d) so as to allow the second production unit to reach a reduced second production speed (v2) .

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein, having defined a desired safety interval (Tmd) as the time calculated between the end of the desired exchange period (Ted) and the end of the second desired production period (T2d) , in response to the detection of a detected safety interval (Tm) less than or greater than the desired safety interval (Tmd) , increasing or reducing the first desired production speed (vid) or the second desired production speed (v2d) so that in one or more subsequent steps of producing a first train (14) of bobbins (10) in the first production unit (1) in a subsequent first production period (Tl) , the detected safety interval (Tm) is returned to the value of the desired safety interval (Tmd) .

6. An electronic control unit (50) for controlling a modular roving frame (100) , said modular roving frame (100) comprising at least a first production unit (1) and a second production unit (1'), each production unit (1, 1') being provided with a respective production region (16) and a respective doffer (122) suitable for carrying out a collection step for withdrawing bobbins (10) from said production region (16) and replacing them with empty tubes (17) ; said modular roving frame (100) comprising a connection unit (2) being arranged between the first production unit (1) and the second production unit (1') and comprising at least one exchanger (22) suitable forcarrying out the exchange of the bobbins (10) with empty and / or dirty tubes (17) , wherein said electronic control unit (50) is configured to control a first desired production speed (vid) of the first production unit (1) and a second desired production speed (v2d) of the second production unit (1'), preferably equal to the first desired production speed (vid) , so that the first production unit (1) is directed to carry out, during a first desired production period (Tld) , a step of producing a first group of bobbins (10' ) and a step of collecting the first production unit by means of the respective doffer (122) , and so that the second production unit (1' ) is directed to carry out, during a second desired production period (T2d) , preferably equal to the first desired production period (Tld) , a step of producing a second group of bobbins (10' ' ) and a step of collecting a second production unit by means of the respective doffer (122) ; and wherein said electronic control unit (50) is configured to carry out at least step e) of the method according any one of the claims from 1 to 5.

7. A modular roving frame (100) for a spinning line with at least one spinning frame, comprising:- at least a first production unit (1) and a second production unit (1' ) , each production unit (1, 1' ) beingprovided with a production region (16) and a doffer (122) suitable for withdrawing the bobbins (10) from said production region (16) replacing them with empty tubes (17) ;- a connection unit (2) arranged between the production units (1) , provided with at least one exchanger (22) suitable for performing the exchange of the bobbins (10) with empty and / or dirty tubes (17) ; wherein the doffer of the first production unit is suitable for being connected to the doffer of the second production unit at the connection unit (2) ;- an electronic control unit (50) for controlling the modular roving frame (100) according to claim 6, said modular roving frame (100) being suitable for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. Modular roving frame (100) according to claim 7, wherein said connection unit (2) comprises only one exchanger (22) serving said first and second production units (1,1) .

9. Modular roving frame (100) according to claims 7 or 8, wherein said exchanger (22) exchanges two bobbins (10) at a time with two empty and / or dirty tubes (17) .

10. Modular roving frame (100) according to any one of the claims from 7 to 9, wherein each doffer (122) isprovided with a rail (13) suitable for being traveled by at least one train (14) , and wherein the rail of the first production unit is suitable for being connected to the rail of the second production unit to form a single rail (15) .

11. Modular roving frame (100) according to claim 10, wherein said connection unit (2) comprises at least one connection rail (134) suitable for connecting the rails (13) of the production units (1) together.

12. Modular roving frame (100) according to claims 10 or 11, wherein said at least one train travels along the single rail (15) in a single direction, or in a forward direction and an opposite return direction.

13. Modular roving frame (100) according to one of claims10 to 12, wherein the at least one train (14) comprises a plurality of supports (141) in a number equal to or greater than the number of processing points (161) of the production region (16) .

14. Modular roving frame (100) according to one of claims11 to 13, wherein each rail (13) comprises a front portion (131) and an opposite rear portion (133) , and the connection unit (2) comprises a connection rail (134) which joins the rails (13) of the production units (1) at the respective rear portions (133) .

15. Modular roving frame (100) according to one of claims11 to 13, wherein each rail (13) comprises a front portion (131) and an opposite rear portion (133) , and the connection unit (2) comprises a first connection rail (134) which joins the rails (13) of the production units(1) at the respective rear portions (133) , and a second connection rail (134) which joins the rails (13) of the production units (1) at the respective front portions(131) .

Images