Magazine, changing apparatus and supply system for format parts, forming apparatus with magazine and method for supplying format parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage apparatus (magazine, 156) for format parts (160, 162, 166) of a plurality of forming stations (16, 17) of a forming apparatus (10), the magazine (156) having magazine locations (178) adapted to the format parts (160, 162). Each magazine location (178) is arranged at a defined position in the magazine (156), wherein each magazine location is provided with a location-identifying identifier (165). The magazine (156) has a control device (155) with a read-out and storage device (171, 173), wherein the read-out device (171) is provided to detect the location-identifying identifiers (165), wherein the read-out device is further designed and configured to be able to detect, using a sensor, format-part-identifying identifiers (165) on format parts, when format parts with such a format-part-identifying identifier (165) have entered the detection region of the sensor detection, in particular when a format part is deposited on one of the magazine locations (178). The storage device (155) has an evaluation device that, for each format part stored in a magazine location, links the identifier (165) identifying the format part to the identifier (165) identifying the magazine location, in such a way that the linking information is available in stored form in the control device (155) as to which format part is deposited in which magazine location. The invention further relates to an apparatus for automatically changing format parts, to a forming apparatus and to a system for providing format parts, and finally to a method for providing format parts.

Description

[0001] Eisenführ Speiser

[0002] Eisenführ Speiser Patent Attorneys Lawyers PartGmbB

[0003] Bremen Munich Berlin Hamburg

[0004] Johannes-Brahms-Platz 1

[0005] 20355 Hamburg Tel +49 40 309744-0 Fax +49 40 309744-44 mail ham@ eisenühr com www eisenühr com

[0006] Dr. rer. nat. Norbert Hausfeld Dipl. -Phys. Patent Attorney European Patent Attorney European Trade Mark and Design Attorney Tel +49 40 309744-0 nhausfeld@eisenfuhr com

[0007] KHS GmbH

[0008] Juchostraße 20, 44143 Dortmund

[0009] Magazine, changing device and supply system for format parts, forming device with magazine and method for supplying format parts

[0010] The invention relates to a device or magazine according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular to a storage device or format part magazine for format parts from several forming stations of a forming device. The invention further relates to a device for the automated exchange of format parts from several forming stations of a forming device. The invention also relates to a forming device for the forming of containers from preforms with several forming stations, each of which has interchangeable format parts. In addition, the invention relates to a system for providing format parts from several forming stations of a forming device.

[0011] The invention further relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 12, in particular the invention relates to a method for providing format parts of several forming stations of a forming device for the conversion of the forming stations.

[0012] *20250391722* Regarding the technical background, it should be noted that the production of containers by blow molding from preforms made of a thermoplastic material, for example, from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) preforms, has been known for many decades. Within a blow molding machine, the preforms are fed to different processing stations (DE 43 40 291 A1). Typically, a blow molding machine has a heating device for tempering or thermally conditioning the preforms, as well as a blow molding unit with at least one blowing station, in which the pre-tempered preform is expanded into a container. The expansion is achieved using a pressurized gas (compressed air) as the pressure medium, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded under mold pressure.Tempering or thermal conditioning refers to heating the preform to a temperature suitable for forming and, if necessary, imprinting a temperature profile onto the preform. Blow molding of containers from preforms using a stretching bar is also known.

[0013] It is also known to produce containers, particularly in the form of bottles, from thermally conditioned or tempered preforms and simultaneously fill them with a liquid material. This liquid is supplied as a hydraulic pressure medium for expanding the preform or for shaping the container under forming and filling pressure, so that the respective preform is transformed within the container at the same time as it is filled. Such processes, in which the respective container is formed and filled simultaneously, can also be referred to as hydraulic forming processes or hydraulic container forming. Here, too, it is known to support this forming process by using a drawing bar. Here, too, the preform is first temperature-conditioned before the forming and filling process. When the containers are formed from the preforms by the material itself, i.e.,Using the fill material as the hydraulic pressure medium, only one machine is needed for forming and filling the containers, although this machine is more complex. US patent 7,914,726 B2 provides an example of such a machine. DE patent DE 10 2010 007 541 A1 provides another example.

[0014] Hybrid forms of these two processes and devices on which such a hybrid process takes place are also known. In such hybrid forms, for example, a hydraulic forming step is performed first, followed by the introduction of a pressurized gas into the partially expanded container bladder. A reverse sequence is also known in the prior art.

[0015] In the following, all these processes and devices will be referred to collectively as "forming devices" and "forming processes." This includes devices and processes that utilize liquid and / or gaseous forming media. The forming of containers from preforms, with the additional use of a drawing bar, is preferred.

[0016] It is also known that such a forming machine has a rotary-driven forming wheel. The forming wheel is also known as the working wheel. Several forming stations are arranged circumferentially on such a forming wheel. The preforms are fed into the forming stations and then expanded, as described above. Each of the forming stations has a mold holder that holds a detachably attached, multi-part outer mold, against whose inner contour the preforms are expanded. The inner contour of the outer mold thus determines the contour of the container produced by the forming process. In simpler terms, a heated preform is fed into the outer mold of the forming station. The preform is then formed into a container by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into the preform.By introducing the forming fluid under pressure, the preform expands within the outer mold and presses itself against the surrounding outer mold. The inner contour of the outer mold thus determines the outer contour of the manufactured containers.

[0017] To produce different containers with varying shapes using the same forming machine, it is known to design the outer mold to be interchangeable and to insert the desired outer shape into the mold holder of the forming stations for the production process. For example, if a first container is to be produced with a first container shape, an outer mold with a first inner contour is installed in the forming station. If another container with a different shape is to be produced later, the first outer mold is replaced, and a new mold, which can be referred to as an interchangeable mold, is inserted into the mold holder of the forming station. Thus, components of the forming machine are changed, namely the outer molds of the forming stations. This process is also referred to as retooling or reconfiguring the forming machine.The conversion process therefore serves to set up and adapt the forming machine to different preform and / or container geometries during production.

[0018] It is also known that other elements of a forming station may need to be replaced. This could be, for example, the drawing bar, because, for instance, the length or diameter of the drawing bar needs to be adjusted, or because a change is required from a solid drawing bar to a hollow-drilled drawing bar for supplying or removing fluids. This could also be, for example, the neck plate, on which the preform rests with its neck ring in the closed outer form, for instance, to adapt to a changed geometry of the preform's opening area, such as a different neck ring diameter. The described changeover also occurs in forming machines that do not have carousel-style rotating forming stations, but are so-called linear machines. These linear machines also require changeovers, and therefore the invention explained below also offers advantages for linear machines.However, the invention is particularly advantageous for carousel-style rotating forming stations, so the description focuses on these.

[0019] All these explicitly mentioned and the other unmentioned elements of forming stations, which are exchanged to adapt a forming device to different preform and / or container geometries, are hereinafter referred to as format parts, and the collective term "format part" is used accordingly. The invention is directed in particular to the external shapes; that is, all aspects of the invention described below relate specifically to external shapes. Likewise, all aspects of the invention described below relate in particular to carousel-type rotating forming stations and their format parts.

[0020] Retooling a forming machine can take a relatively long time, for example, several hours, due to the typically large number of forming stations. The time required for retooling the forming machine is also referred to as changeover time. Since modern forming machines are designed to produce several thousand containers per hour, such long downtimes or changeover times are generally undesirable. It is desirable to keep downtimes or changeover times as short as possible. For this reason, it is known that changeovers are carried out with the aid of automatic changeover machines, which perform the changeover fully or semi-automatically and, for example, interact with the forming machine so that the forming wheel rotates into a position that allows for the changeover process. It is also known that format parts to be newly inserted are kept ready in so-called magazines.In the following, format parts that are to be installed in a forming machine are referred to as new format parts, while those format parts that are in the installed state in the forming machine, are to be removed and replaced by new format parts, are referred to as old format parts.

[0021] Various methods and devices for the automated exchange of format parts are known in the prior art. Different magazines are also known in the prior art, in which the new format parts are kept ready for changeover and in which the old format parts are placed after being removed from the forming stations. As a rule, the same magazine is used for both purposes, rather than separate magazines for new and old format parts. However, the invention generally encompasses both possibilities. It is also known to assign specific new format parts to specific forming stations, ensuring that the same format parts are always used in the same forming station. For example, it is known to equip interchangeable format parts, both new and old, in forming machines with RFID transponders and to access these RFID transponders during exchange processes.EP 4 086 220 A1 describes, for example, a swapping robot that uses a reader to detect RFID transponders, e.g., on blow molds. Devices other than RFID transponders for marking or identifying format parts are also known. Such marking or identification devices are referred to below as identifying markers. This marker allows for unambiguous identification and thus differentiation from other format parts.

[0022] DE 10 2013 218 020 A1 discloses, for example, that replaceable format parts are marked with an RFID transponder and that a processing device is also marked accordingly or has an RFID reader. The intended RFID and actual RFID tags are to be compared. The process considers whether a format part belongs to a device. The entire device is considered, i.e., the correct assignment to a device is checked. A check of the correct assignment to an individual station within a device comprising multiple stations is not performed.

[0023] German patent DE 10 201 1 054 890 A1 discloses, among other things, that the control system of an automatic tool changer is programmed according to new product specifications. It then calculates which tools or format parts need to be adapted, including, for example, external shapes. The required tools are to be automatically retrieved from a storage area. Sensors are to be provided for tool recognition. This allows the device to identify the tools stored in the internal magazine and select the correct tools for installation in the respective processing module. "Module" refers, for example, to the entire blowing wheel, but not to an individual blowing station. The patent also mentions that the tools are identified using RFID transponders.It is further revealed that, for even wear of the tools, the position of a tool in the handling device and on the treatment module is stored in the control system.

[0024] DE 10 2013 1 13 074 A1 describes a unique assignment of a blow mold to a specific blowing station and to a format part magazine, e.g., via RFID transponders. DE 10 2014 103 159 A1 contains an identical disclosure. EP 3 785 881 A1 also discloses such a unique assignment and identification of a specific blow mold to a specific blowing station and the storage position of that blow mold in a magazine for provided blow molds. However, the disclosed devices and methods lead in some cases to cumbersome changeover processes for format parts, which are sometimes insufficiently protected against misassignments. The changeover times are also still too long, especially if undetected misassignments occur that must be corrected subsequently, possibly only becoming apparent after a production restart and then requiring a further production stoppage to rectify them.Therefore, there is a need for optimization, further training and improvement.

[0025] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved solution that addresses the aforementioned problems. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide magazines, changeover machines, forming devices, and systems for supplying format parts that offer advantages in format part changeover processes in forming machines, especially in forming stations of such machines, and particularly in rotary forming machines with multiple rotating forming stations, e.g., advantages in assignment reliability, changeover times, and / or the simplicity of the changeover process.

[0026] A further object of the present invention is in particular to further develop a method of the type mentioned in the introduction in such a way that advantages in changeover times and / or in the simplicity of the changeover process are achieved with high assignment reliability.

[0027] According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved according to the invention by a method with the features of claim 12. The problem is thus solved by a method for providing format parts for several forming stations of a forming device for retooling the forming stations. The retooling is preferably automated; the specific implementation of the retooling is not initially essential for the question of providing the format parts. For the purpose of providing new format parts for retooling, a magazine is loaded with the format parts. This can be done in a format part storage unit; it is also conceivable that the magazine has received old format parts during a previous retooling process and is stored together with the format parts in a warehouse to provide the format parts again for a later retooling process. The format parts have format part-identifying markings.Each format part is therefore distinguishable from every other format part by this marking. The marking should preferably be contactless and readable by sensors. The marking could, for example, be implemented as a barcode or QR code, or as another optically readable code. Preferably, however, the marking is an RFID transponder, also known as an RFID tag, RFID label, or RFID tag. RFID technology is reliable, and corresponding transponders are available in many variations and from many suppliers. An RFID transponder typically consists of a microchip connected to an antenna (coil or dipole). Data is stored on the microchip and transmitted to a reader via electromagnetic waves. The data can be exchanged via an electronic coupling method, for example, by modulation.In many RFID systems, the power supply for the transponder chips is also achieved via coupling. This power supply can be passive, for example, where the RFID transponder draws its required energy from the reader's field. It is also possible for the RFID transponder to have an integrated battery. Other identification methods are also conceivable, utilizing different digital radio technologies such as cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

[0028] The magazine has magazine positions adapted to the format parts, with each magazine position located in a defined location within the magazine. Unadapted magazine positions exist, for example, in the case of a flat table or a collection tray for all format parts, onto which or into which the format parts are placed. An adapted magazine position can, for example, be form-matched to a format part, e.g., form-complementary. An adapted magazine position can alternatively or additionally include retaining devices for a format part. "Adapted" in any case means that format parts that do not conform to the adaptation are not held as securely as format parts to which the form adaptation has been made.The aim of format part adjustment is to reliably secure the format parts against slipping or falling out, and the aim is that the format part is received in a defined orientation and positioning at the adjusted magazine position, so that a changing machine can attack a designated area of ​​the format part with pinpoint accuracy.

[0029] Each magazine location is also equipped with a location-identifying identifier. The same can apply to this location-identifying identifier as to the format-part-identifying identifier, and the same technology can be used for the identifier, preferably also RFID transponders. However, it is also conceivable, encompassed by the invention, and preferably implemented, that the magazine locations are equipped with reading devices or sensors for detecting the format-part-identifying identifier of a format part stored in the respective magazine location, e.g., in the form of an RFID reader. These reading devices could, for example, have a unique location identifier, so that a unique link is also possible in this way, indicating which format part is located in which magazine location.This sensor could then even function as a occupancy sensor to determine whether a magazine slot is free or whether a format part is located in the magazine slot.

[0030] According to the inventive method, the magazine shall have a control unit, preferably with a readout unit and a storage unit. According to the invention, before, during, and / or after loading the format parts, information is generated and / or stored in the control unit that links each format part-identifying mark of each format part stored in the magazine with a corresponding magazine location-identifying mark, such that the information is stored in the control unit indicating which format part is stored in which magazine location. According to a first embodiment of the method, the magazine can generate this information itself by having a readout unit for the marks and being able to establish the link between the format part and location-identifying marks.Preferably, each storage location is equipped with a reading device for the format-part identification marking. According to another possible method, the link can be created in a storage area, and the information stored in the control unit of the magazine. This control unit primarily has a memory and communication means, but does not necessarily have a reading device. According to a third possible method, a forming machine control system or a higher-level control system stores the link in the control unit of the magazine or in its memory. During magazine loading, the format parts are placed in the magazine along this link. Preferably, this placement process is monitored, and any incorrect placements are displayed so that they can be corrected. As long as incorrect placements exist, the magazine can, for example,This prevents the magazine from being made available for a changeover operation and / or a changeover machine from accessing the format parts. Monitoring can be carried out, for example, by the magazine control system and / or the warehouse control system, by using a magazine readout device and / or a warehouse readout device to read the format part and location-identifying identifiers and compare them with the target value.

[0031] A disadvantage of simply storing the linking information in the memory of the mold magazine is that errors can occur, for example, if molds slip or fall out, or are temporarily removed for cleaning or inspection and subsequently stored incorrectly. The magazine can detect such errors if it has a readout device to perform at least the described monitoring, for example, before a changeover process is carried out by an automatic changeover unit. Furthermore, it is preferred that the magazine is configured according to one of claims 1 to 8 and independently generates and stores the linking information in the control unit.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, after being loaded and following one of the aforementioned several variations, the magazine is brought to and delivered to a tool changer and establishes a communication link with it. Alternatively or additionally, the magazine is brought to and delivered to a forming device and establishes a communication link with it. In all these variations, the magazine exchanges the linking information, which is available in stored form, with the tool changer and / or the forming device. Preferably, this exchange occurs without physical contact, e.g., via conventional digital radio technologies such as mobile communications, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, or as is known for RFID transponders.

[0033] For all the above-mentioned process variants, it is preferably provided that the format parts are stored in the magazine in such a way that the sequence of the format parts in the magazine corresponds to the sequence of installation in the forming stations. For example, bottom shells and / or side shells can be stored in the magazine in a specific order, i.e., shell no. 1 for forming station 1 in the upper left and shell no. 16 for forming station 16 in the lower right, with the shell numbers in between always consecutive. In this way, the movements to be performed by a changeover machine are easy to determine. Preferably, monitoring and / or display is carried out to indicate whether a format part is correctly stored in the magazine or where a specific format part should be stored.

[0034] An error during loading or at a later point in the various process variants described above can be indicated, for example, by a light signal and / or a warning tone. The magazine preferably has a corresponding signaling device. It is also conceivable that this indication is displayed on a screen in the magazine, or possibly on the screen of a handheld device, showing, for example, an operator at which magazine position a storage error has occurred. It is also conceivable that signaling devices are arranged at the magazine positions themselves, e.g., signal lamps that illuminate in different colors depending on whether a storage position is correct or incorrect. The described display can also be used during loading to indicate to an operator which format part to select next from the storage and at which magazine position to place it.

[0035] The monitoring function of the magazine described above can also be performed during the changeover process and while a changeover machine is operating. For example, the format-identifying indicators could be used to check which format part is currently being removed from the magazine by the changeover machine and moved to a forming station. Furthermore, the location-identifying indicators, and if necessary with the aid of designated occupancy sensors, could be used to determine which magazine location has just changed from the OCCUPANT to the FREE status, and it could then be checked whether this corresponds to the intended link according to the stored linking information. If an error is identified, the changeover process could be interrupted and, for example, a signal could be issued so that an operator can intervene and correct the error, guided, for example, by information displayed on a screen.

[0036] This described functionality of the magazine can be used particularly advantageously for storing old format parts that are removed from the forming stations and placed in a magazine slot, for example, the magazine that provides the new format parts. For instance, the magazine could inform the automatic changer which magazine slot the parts should be placed in. If the removal of the old format parts from the stations is performed by an operator, this information could be displayed to the operator. It is also advantageous if the magazine uses a reading device in its control unit to determine which format part has been placed in which magazine slot by the operator or the automatic changer and compares this with target link information, and if necessary, generates a warning signal if a deviation between the actual and target values ​​is detected.This can be achieved simply and therefore preferably by equipping each magazine space with a reading device for format-part-identifying marking.

[0037] It is preferred that, during and / or after the placement of old format parts into the magazine, it is determined whether the placement was correct in the correct position and / or orientation, with incorrect placements preferably being indicated. As explained above, for this variant it is particularly preferred that the magazine is designed and configured to perform this functionality, and thus, for example, has occupancy sensors and, for example, a reading device for the markings, as well as an evaluation device to evaluate linkage information. The preferably mentioned equipping of each magazine position with a reading device offers the additional advantage that this reader can also serve as an occupancy sensor. If the reading device or the reader detects a format part-identifying marking, the assigned position is occupied. It is free if no such marking is detected.The reading device's range should be designed so that it recognizes and reads a format part placed in a magazine slot, but no adjacent slots are within its range. This differentiation between adjacent slots could also be ensured in other ways. Alternatively, there could be no fixed magazine slot for placement; instead, placement could occur, for example, in a magazine slot identified as free by the handling robot. It would then be possible to determine subsequently which format part was placed in which magazine slot.

[0038] A preferred method involves checking, before, during, and / or after loading the magazine, whether the format parts in the magazine are suitable for the format change for which the magazine is being or has been loaded with the new format parts. Such information is typically stored in a so-called recipe. This recipe specifies, for example, which format parts are to be used for the forming process of manufacturing a container. It is conceivable, for instance, that such a recipe is stored in the magazine or transferred to it, and that the magazine then performs the aforementioned check, for example, via the reading device of the magazine's control unit mentioned above. It is also conceivable that the changing machine performs the check and has the corresponding information from the recipe.Should such a check by the magazine and / or the changing machine reveal that the new format parts provided in the magazine are not in accordance with the recipe, no changeover process would take place, but an error message would be displayed.

[0039] In further development of the aforementioned various process variants, it is advantageously proposed that during and / or after a changeover, it is determined which old format parts, which also have format part-identifying markings, are stored in which magazine location, wherein preferably this linking information is stored in the control unit of the magazine, and wherein further preferably the control unit of the magazine exchanges this linking information with a control unit of a storage for format parts.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved according to the invention by a storage device or a magazine with the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0041] The magazine according to the invention is designed for storing format parts from several forming stations of a forming device, wherein the magazine has magazine slots adapted to the format parts. Each magazine slot is arranged at a defined position in the magazine. This does not preclude the magazine from being modifiable, i.e., the magazine slots can be moved or further magazine slots added.

[0042] Each magazine location is equipped with a location-identifying identifier. As already explained above regarding the method, the identifier should be, for example, contactless and sensor-readable, e.g., optically (barcode or QR code); preferably, however, the identifier is an RFID transponder. Particularly preferably, each magazine location is equipped with a reading device, and this reading device is identified by a location identifier. This reading device is, for example, designed to read the format-part-identifying identifier of a format part stored in the location. Together with the location-identifying identifier, which is linked to or arranged in the reading device, the necessary information is then available to link the format-part-identifying identifier and the location-identifying identifier. The magazine should be designed to read the identifier.A control unit of the magazine includes a read and store device, the read device being equipped with a sensor for reading the location-identifying markings. If each location is equipped with a read device as described above, the read device only needs to receive the location-identifying information associated with the read device and therefore must have a sensor suitable for this purpose. The read device is further configured and designed to be able to detect format-identifying markings on format parts when format parts with such a marking enter the detection range of the sensor, in particular when a format part is placed in one of the magazine locations.The storage device includes an evaluation unit which links the format part identifying identifier with the magazine location identifier for each format part stored in a magazine slot, such that the information is available in stored form in the control unit indicating which format part is stored in which magazine slot. This information is referred to as linking information in the present application and describes the unique assignment of a magazine slot to a format part. The creation and storage of the linking information can occur continuously, at specific intervals, or depending on an event, e.g., when the magazine is loaded and / or unloaded. For example, an operator, a changing machine, or a control unit of another device can trigger the creation process, or as soon as a certain information is detected.via an occupancy sensor of a magazine slot, indicating that a slot has been newly occupied.

[0043] In a further development of the magazine described above in various versions, the magazine's control unit includes a communication device configured to transmit this linkage information, preferably contactlessly, to an external control unit, in particular to the control unit of a changer for the automated format change of format parts from forming stations of a forming device, and / or especially to the control unit of a forming device with a changer for the automated change of format parts from the forming stations of the forming device. The linkage information indicates, for example, at which magazine position which new bottom shell, which new side shell, or which other new format part is available. This linkage information is, for example,During a type of registration process at the changeover robot, the information is transferred to the changeover robot or to the registration of the entire machine, enabling the changeover robot to insert a specific mold into each forming station. This results in various device configurations and different process options. In a first and preferred approach, the magazine transmits complete linkage information to the changeover robot and / or the forming machine, specifying, for example, the position of each mold shell. The changeover robot then has all the necessary information to access the magazine location and subsequently perform the changeover without further communication with the magazine. Alternatively, the changeover robot can specify to the magazine which format part it needs next, for example, because a particular station of the forming machine is within the changeover area, and it requires the format parts assigned to that station.The magazine can then transmit the linking information to the specifically requested format part(s) of the station as feedback. This tells the changing machine which magazine slot it needs to access.

[0044] It is further preferred that the magazine's control unit is designed and configured to detect, via sensors, whether a magazine slot is empty or occupied by a format part. This results in further advantageous possibilities, which were explained above, for example, as advantageous methods. In particular, it is preferred that the magazine is designed and configured to detect, via sensors, the format part's identifying mark during the removal process of a new format part placed in the magazine and compare it with the stored link information for the magazine slot. The comparison reveals whether a change has occurred since the link information was stored (e.g., in the warehouse), and any errors can be identified and displayed, for example, on a screen and / or by a visual or audible warning signal.The reading devices mentioned above, with which each magazine slot is preferably equipped, can already function as such an occupancy sensor. If a reading device detects a format-part-identifying mark on a format part, the corresponding slot is occupied. If the reading device does not detect a format-part-identifying mark, the slot is free.

[0045] The magazine and the method described above are particularly applicable when the format parts are outer forms of forming stations. It is possible to store the outer form in its assembled state, but it is preferred that the outer forms are stored in their unassembled state. In this respect, it is preferred that the side shells and the bottom shells of the outer forms can be stored separately from one another in magazine positions adapted to the bottom shell and side shells, respectively. Preferably, an assignment information is stored in the control unit that assigns a specific bottom shell to specific side shells, which together form a specific outer form. If the outer form were placed in its assembled state, then essentially only the entire form would need to be marked with a form-identifying identifier.Unassembled mold trays should each be marked with identifying labels. These labels could also contain information indicating which other mold trays form a complete tray and in which station the outer tray is to be, or was, inserted. This information could also be stored in a memory device within the magazine or in another storage device, for example, in the form of a recipe.

[0046] In the aforementioned variants, the control unit is advantageously designed and configured to detect the magazine's position via sensors and transmit this information to an external control unit, particularly the control unit of a changeover robot for the automated format change of format parts and / or the control unit of a forming device with a changeover robot for the automated exchange of format parts between the forming stations of the forming device. This allows the magazine to signal to the changeover robot and / or the forming device that the magazine is ready and / or its current position. This is advantageous, for example, when more than one magazine is required in large forming machines. In such cases, the magazine can inform the changeover robot that the first magazine is ready at a specific position, containing the first new outer shapes, e.g.,Forms 1-16, and in a second position the second magazine is located with the second new outer forms, e.g. forms 17-32.

[0047] Advantageously, for example, a magazine's readout device is used not only for new mold trays but also for old ones. It is therefore advantageously proposed that the control unit be designed and configured to detect the format-identifying markings of old format trays via the readout device, either while they are being deposited into a magazine slot by a changeover machine or after they have been deposited by a changeover machine. This is because a magazine can not only serve to provide new format trays, but the same magazine can also, for example, serve to hold the old format trays, e.g., in newly available magazine slots. In this respect, this preferred embodiment allows the magazine to detect which old format trays are present in the magazine after the changeover process and can then, for example, use this information to...The system can exchange data with the storage unit of a warehouse and / or check whether a changeover process is completely finished and / or whether all old format parts have been properly stored. The magazine could also issue warning messages if, for example, an old tray has not been stored correctly, e.g., not in the correct magazine position or not positioned to prevent slippage. With the reading devices mentioned above, which magazine positions can be equipped with, the detection of even the old format parts is easily achieved.

[0048] A preferred further development of one of the magazines described above in its many variations is achieved by providing the magazine with a display device for showing an error state and / or linking information and / or assignment information. The display device can be, for example, a display, but also a device for generating a visual or audible warning signal. Preferably, the magazine includes a human-machine interface for inputting and / or displaying information.

[0049] The magazine described above in many variations can preferably be part of a device for the automated exchange of format parts between several forming stations of a forming device, which, in addition to the magazine, includes a changer, in particular wherein a control unit of the magazine and a control unit of the changer interact communicatively. This interaction can consist, for example, of the magazine registering with the changer or reporting its presence and / or transmitting information about its position and / or the linking information and / or the assignment information. In particular, the magazine can also transmit error messages to the changer.

[0050] According to the invention, a forming device for the forming production of containers from preforms by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into preforms, with several forming stations, each of which has interchangeable format parts, wherein the forming device has a magazine according to any of the embodiments described above or an automated changing device according to the preceding paragraph.

[0051] Finally, according to the invention, a provisioning system is also included, by which format parts of several forming stations of a forming device are provided, wherein the system has a storage unit for format parts and a magazine according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a plurality of format parts are stored in the storage unit and the storage unit has a control device that communicates and interacts with the control device of the magazine.

[0052] Advantageous embodiments of the method are mirrored in the apparatus. Conversely, the preferred embodiments of the apparatus discussed above are mirrored in the method. The advantages of the method and the apparatus mentioned above are also mirrored advantages of the apparatus and the method, respectively. An apparatus according to the invention based on one of the preceding variants can, for example, be designed and configured to carry out one of the methods specified in the method claims. For the advantages, embodiment variants, and embodiment details of the various aspects of the solutions described here and their respective possible developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details, and advantages of the other aspects and their developments.

[0053] All the aforementioned devices and methods according to the invention are preferably used for changing over outer molds in forming stations. The methods and devices according to the invention relate in particular and generally to changing over outer molds, especially multi-part outer molds, particularly by handling the outer mold as a whole, e.g., in its assembled state. They also relate to outer molds in which the bottom shell and the side shells are handled separately, i.e., in the unassembled state of the outer mold. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals. They show:

[0054] Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of a typical forming machine in a top view, providing technical background.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows a forming machine with a changeover machine and forming magazines according to a first example according to the invention,

[0056] Fig. 3 shows, for technical background, the basic structure of a forming station of a forming machine in the closed state of the station,

[0057] Fig. 4 schematically shows an outer shape in cross-section, which is held in a mold holder of a forming station,

[0058] Figs. 5A, 5B show a side shell and a mold holder with holding devices and zero clamping system, once in an unassembled state (A) and once in an assembled state (B),

[0059] Fig. 6 schematically shows in the left part an opened forming station with a mold holder and a side shell removed from it, and in the right part schematically the execution of the removal by a changeover machine with a magazine for mold shells,

[0060] Fig. 7 shows in two different views an example of a magazine for mold trays according to the invention,

[0061] Fig. 8 schematically shows a system for providing format parts up to a changeover process and the control devices involved in one embodiment.

[0062] The basic structure of a forming machine 10, also called a forming device, known from the prior art, is shown in Figure 1. The illustration depicts the preferred embodiment of such a forming machine 10 based on the rotary principle, with a forming wheel 110, which can also be referred to as a working wheel, carrying several forming stations 16 and driven to a rotary motion. For the sake of simplification, only five forming stations 16 are shown: four closed and one open, arranged circumferentially on the rotatable forming wheel 110. Preforms 14, also referred to as preforms, are continuously and intermittently fed from a feeding device 112 to a heating device 116 using a transfer wheel 114.In the area of ​​the heating device 116, also referred to as a furnace, in which the preforms 14 are transported along a heating section and thermally conditioned, the preforms 14 can be transported, depending on the application, for example, vertically upwards or downwards with their end sections 22. The heating device 116 is equipped, for example, with heating elements 118, e.g., in the form of known heating boxes, which are arranged along a transport device 120 to form the heating section and which heat the preforms 14. The transport device 120 guides the preforms 14 along the heating elements 118 and can be designed in a known manner as a circulating mandrel chain.

[0063] After sufficient temperature conditioning, the preforms 14 are transferred from a transfer wheel 122 to a rotating forming wheel 110, i.e., driven around a vertical machine axis MA, or to forming stations 16, which are arranged circumferentially around the forming wheel 110. The transfer of the preforms 14 to the forming stations 16 takes place in an open state. A drive unit 134, for example an electric motor, serves as the rotary drive for the forming wheel 110.

[0064] The area in which the preforms 14 are transferred to the forming wheel or fed into the forming stations 16 is called the transfer area 123.

[0065] The forming wheel 110 is equipped with a plurality of such forming stations 16, in which both the forming of the preforms 14 into the schematically depicted containers 12 and the filling of the containers 12 with the intended material take place. The forming of each container 12 occurs simultaneously with the filling, with the material serving as the pressure medium during the forming process. In contrast, blow molding machines do not fill the containers on this forming wheel 110, but rather at a later stage on a filling wheel with filling stations.

[0066] After forming and filling, the finished and filled containers 12 are removed from the forming wheel 110 by a removal wheel 124, conveyed further, and fed to an output section 126, or alternatively transfer wheels, and then to downstream processing machines. The forming wheel 110 rotates continuously at a desired speed in production mode, which can also be considered a production operation. During a single rotation, a preform 14 is inserted into a forming station 16, the preform 14 expands into a container 12, including filling with a product and, if a stretching bar is provided, stretching, and the container 12 is removed from the forming station 16.

[0067] As shown in the example in Figure 1, it is further provided that the forming wheel 110 is supplied with schematically depicted closure caps 130 via an input device 128. This makes it possible to also perform the sealing of the container 12 on the forming wheel 110 and to remove the finished formed, filled and sealed containers 12 using the discharge wheel 124.

[0068] Various thermoplastic materials can be used as material for the preforms 14. Examples include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polypropylene (PP), and the preferred polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The dimensions and weight of the preforms 14 are adapted to the size, weight, and / or design of the containers 12 to be manufactured.

[0069] The preforms 14 and / or the containers 12 are preferably handled using pliers and / or the opening section 22 with clamping or locking mandrels that exert a holding force at least partially from the inside or outside. Such handling devices are also well known from the prior art.

[0070] The forming machine 10 can be equipped with measuring sensors for the purpose of its control and regulation. These sensors are connected, for example, to a control unit 132, which serves to control and / or regulate the rotation of the forming wheel, the heating power of the furnace, and the forming processes taking place on the forming wheel. This control unit 132 can also be integrated into the changeover processes described below, for example, to position and move the forming wheel for changeover operations. In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 132 can also include a readout device or be connected to such a readout device to read markings that are arranged, for example, on format parts and / or magazines or on other elements. It is specified, purely by way of example, that a forming station 16 is equipped with an RFID transponder.This RFID transponder is a preferred method for identification and, moreover, represents a multitude of other possible identification methods.

[0071] Figure 1 further illustrates an exemplary path of the preforms 14 through the forming machine 10 with arrows. Additionally, a clockwise arrow is shown in the forming wheel to illustrate the direction of rotation of the forming wheel.

[0072] Figure 2 shows a forming machine 10 in an embodiment according to the invention, with only a partial area of ​​the forming machine 10 being shown, namely the feed of the preforms and the forming wheel. Only those aspects that differ from the basic structure of the forming machine explained in Figure 1 and the basic processes on a conventional forming machine, or that are not shown in Figure 1, are addressed and described below. For the sake of clarity, five forming stations 16, 17 are highlighted in Figure 2 by framing them with a rectangle and are otherwise shown schematically. Each forming station 16, 17 has a mold holder 144, which is shown enlarged, for example, in Figure 3 or 6. The mold holder 144 holds a multi-part outer mold 146, which is detachably attached to it. The outer mold 146 is shown, for example, in a schematic sectional view in Figure 4.The preforms 14 can be expanded against the inner contour of the outer mold, as illustrated in Figure 4, for example. The outer mold 146 typically consists of, for example, a bottom shell 162 and two side shells 160. The bottom shell 162 defines the bottom contour of the formed container 12, while the side shells 160 define the contour of the side walls of the container 12. These shells are preferably each provided with an individualizing identifier. This means that each shell is distinguishable from every other shell. In the embodiment described here, such an identifier could be designed as an RFID transponder. The transponders can be addressed and read using appropriate reading devices, thus determining the identity of the shell.

[0073] The mold holder 144 has controllable fixing means 150 for holding the outer mold 146, which are shown in more detail, for example, in Figures 4, 5A and 6. The fixing means 150 can be moved into a fixing position and a release position by means of control, namely, for example, by means of the control device 132.

[0074] The forming machine 10 has a detection device 136 for detecting the rotational position of the forming wheel 110. In a transfer area 123, the preforms 14 are fed to the forming wheel. The forming machine 10 has the aforementioned electronic control unit 132, which controls the operation of the forming machine 10 and to which the detection device 136 is connected. The signal connection between the control unit 132, the detection device 136, and the drive unit 134 is illustrated in Figure 2 by arrows pointing in both directions.

[0075] The control unit 132 controls the forming machine 10 in a production mode for manufacturing containers from preforms, and the control unit 132 controls the forming machine 10 in a changeover mode for changing the multi-part outer mold 146 for another multi-part mold. The control unit 132 is shown in more detail in its integration into changeover processes, for example, in Figure 8. The control unit 132 is thus configured to control the forming machine 10 in both the changeover mode and the production mode. For this purpose, the control unit 132 is designed to control the rotary motion of the forming wheel 110 in the changeover mode based on the rotational position detected by the sensing device 136, and to control the clamping device 150 of a forming station 16, 17 into the release position when this forming station reaches a predetermined first position x1 relative to the transfer area 123.In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the forming stations with reference numeral 17 are exemplary examples, whose fixing means have been controlled into the release position.

[0076] The electronic control unit 132 is additionally or alternatively configured to control the rotary-driven circular motion of the forming wheel 110 in changeover mode based on the rotational position detected by the sensing means 136, and to control the fixing means 150 of the same forming station 17 into the fixing position when this forming station 17 reaches a predetermined second position x2 relative to the transfer area 123. The first and second positions are therefore different.

[0077] Figure 2 shows that the first position x1 and the second position x2 define a release area 152 which extends in the direction of rotation of the forming wheel 110 from the first position x1 to the second position x2, wherein the fixing means 150 are in the release position in the release area 152 and preferably the fixing means 150 are in the fixing position outside the release area 152, and wherein the release area 152 is an area which lies outside the transfer area 123. To illustrate this arrangement of the transfer area 123 in relation to the release area 152, Figure 2 shows the components of the forming machine 10 previously described in relation to Figure 1, namely the feeding device 112, the transfer wheel 114, the heating device 116, the transfer wheel 122 and the transfer area 123. This described or an otherwise implemented automated unlocking mechanism is advantageous, but not mandatory.It is also advantageous, though not essential, that the control unit 132 is integrated into the rotary motion of the forming wheel during the changeover operation. It would also be possible to move the forming wheel in another way during the changeover operation. The possibilities range from manual movement to using an additional drive that is provided for changeover purposes, to driving it by an automatic changeover machine. Integrating the control unit 132 of the forming wheel, on the other hand, appears simpler, since the existing rotary drive 134 can be used and automated movement of the forming wheel 110 during the changeover operation is easily achievable. The task of the control unit 132 of the forming wheel 110 can, for example, be limited to receiving control commands from another control unit, such as a control unit 153 of an automatic changeover machine 154, to continue rotating the forming wheel 110 in a specific manner or to stop it.Alternatively, the actuation of the fixing means 150 described above could be triggered by the control device 153 of the automatic changer 154 or corresponding commands could be given to the control device 132 of the converter wheel 110, as described above in the embodiment described above.

[0078] The changeover is carried out according to the invention by providing outer molds 146 in a mold magazine 156. In Figure 2, only one side shell 160 of an outer mold 146 is shown in the mold magazine 156. According to the invention, the changeover is carried out by an automatic changer 154, which is designed, for example, as an automated, multi-jointed robot arm with a gripper device 154. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, two magazines 156 are depicted, due to the number of mold parts to be exchanged and the holding capacity of a single magazine. According to the invention, a single mold magazine 156 or more than two mold magazines 156 are also possible. The two mold magazines 156 shown are each provided with a magazine-identifying marker 165, e.g., with RFID transponders. In addition, each mold magazine also has its own control unit 155.The format parts stored in the magazines 156 are each equipped with format-identifying markings, as are the storage locations in the magazine. The methods according to the invention can be implemented, for example, via these markings and the control units 155 and 153 of the magazines 156 and the changing machine 154, respectively. Suitable reading devices are available for the markings, for example, for the RFID transponders. More on this later.

[0079] Figure 3 shows a forming station 16 mounted on a forming wheel 110 and featuring a mold holder 144, which is shown in a closed state. The mold holder 144 can be mechanically pivoted open by means of an opening and closing system, e.g., by means of a known book-like hinge. A mold holder 144 in the open state is shown, for example, in Figure 6. The mold holder 144 accommodates an outer mold 146, which is shown in more detail, for example, in Figure 4. Opening the mold holder is necessary for changeover operations. For a largely automated changeover process, it is preferred that this opening movement is not performed manually, but automatically. The opening of the mold holder is carried out, for example, by cam control or by an associated drive. It is also conceivable that the changeover machine itself performs the opening and closing of the mold holder.

[0080] Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an outer mold 146 held in a mold holder 144, as shown, for example, in Figure 3. The outer mold 146 is formed from a first and second side shell 160 and a bottom shell 162. A forming nozzle 164 applies pressure fluid to the preform 14, which is shown as a dashed line and is arranged inside the outer mold 146, expanding it into a container 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a stretching rod 166 is also used, the operation of which is generally known. The stretching rod 166 and the forming nozzle 164 are shown only as examples. The preform 14 is expanded against the inner contour of the outer mold 146 to create the container 12. The expansion of the preform 14 into the container 12 is achieved by introducing the forming fluid under pressure. The preform 14 is thermally preconditioned as described in the state of the art.The mold recess 144 receives the outer mold 146 in a form-fit and force-fit manner. Furthermore, the two side shells 160 receive the bottom shell 162, for example, in a form-fit and force-fit manner. When the side shells 160 and the bottom shell 162 are joined, the inner contour of the outer mold 146 corresponds to the shape of the container 12 to be produced.

[0081] The outer mold 146 has two side shells 160, and each side shell is provided with a controllable clamping device 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping device 150 is designed as a controllable clamping element for mechanically clamping the side shell 160 in the mold holder 144, namely as a zero-clamping system. The controllable clamping device 150, or the zero-clamping system, has a clamped state and a relaxed state. The control device 132 is configured to switch between the clamped and relaxed states of the zero-clamping system. This is illustrated by the arrow in Figure 2. For clarity, only one arrow pointing to the clamping device 150 is shown; the opposite clamping device 150 is also controllable.The controllable clamping element is preferably a pneumatic zero-clamping system, which is part of the mold holder 144 and is configured to clamp a clamping bolt 178 of the side shell, which is not shown in Figure 4. The clamping bolt 178 is shown, for example, in Figure 5A.

[0082] The clamping devices 150 and 151 are controlled and released depending on the rotational position detected by the sensing device 136 when the first and second positions x1 and x2, stored in the memory unit 174 of the forming machine, are reached. The first and second positions are thus stored in a memory unit 174, and the control unit 132 is configured to control the clamping devices 150 and 151 of the forming station 16 and 17 based on these stored positions. As explained above, this is the preferred approach, but alternatives are also available.

[0083] The outer mold 146 also has a base shell 162, which can be moved into the release or locking position by a controllable fixing device 151. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing device 151 is designed as a controllable locking device for mechanically fixing the base shell in the mold receptacle 144, specifically as a controllable locking device with a hydraulic cylinder 170. The controllable fixing device 151, or the locking device, has a tensioned state and a relaxed state. The control unit 132 is configured to switch between the tensioned and relaxed states of the locking device. This is illustrated by the arrow in Figure 2. The base shell 162 has a cylinder receptacle 172 and is configured to receive the rotatable hydraulic cylinder 170. The rotatability of the hydraulic cylinder is illustrated by an arrow in Figure 4.The hydraulic cylinder 170 of the controllable locking device can be inserted into this cylinder receptacle 172 in order to mechanically clamp or fix the bottom shell 162 in the mold receptacle 144. The controllable fixing device 151, or locking device, is thus equipped with a hydraulic cylinder 170, and the locking device is designed to fix the bottom shell 162 in the mold receptacle 144 by moving or rotating the hydraulic cylinder 170.

[0084] Furthermore, Figure 4 illustrates that the mold holder has at least one holding means 168, 169 which is designed to hold the outer mold 146 or a part of the outer mold in the release position, namely the two side shells 160 and the bottom shell 162. For example, the holding means 168 is designed as a rod gripper with a threaded pin and the holding means 169 as a magnetic holder.

[0085] Figure 5A shows a side shell 160 and a portion of the mold holder 144 in an unassembled state in one embodiment. The side shell 160 has two receptacles 176 for the holding means 168, which are designed, for example, as receptacles for two bar grippers. The side shell 160 also has a clamping bolt 178, which is configured to be received by the controllable fixing means 132, which is designed, for example, as a zero-tension clamping system. The mold holder 144 has two holding means 168 in the form of bar grippers on one side facing the outer mold shells. Furthermore, the side shell 160 has a marking 165 that distinguishes this specific side shell from all other shells. Preferably, this marking can be read without contact. RFID transponders that can be read without contact using appropriate reading devices are considered preferred.The mold holder 144 is also provided with such a marking 165. For example, it is possible and preferred that a specific shell is assigned to a specific mold carrier and that during changeovers, each shell is installed in the assigned mold holder.

[0086] Figure 5B shows a side shell 160 and part of the mold receptacle 144 in a joined state in an embodiment as shown in Figure 5A. Figure 5B illustrates that the side shell 160 is positively engaged with the mold receptacle 144 and that the side shell 160 is held by the mold receptacle by the fixing means 150 and the holding means 168.

[0087] Figure 6 shows a mold holder 144, marked 165, in an open state. The side shell 160, also marked 165, is inserted into or removed from the mold holder 144, which has a controllable fixing element 150 in the form of a zero-clamping system and two holding means 168 for holding the outer mold 146 and the side element 160, respectively. The mold holder shown is part of a forming station 16, 17, as shown, for example, in Figure 2 or 3. The upper right area of ​​Figure 6 illustrates in general terms that a changeover machine 154 and a mold magazine 156 are involved in a changeover process. Format parts are held in the mold magazine 156; in the example shown, side shells 160 are stored securely in holders 100 of the mold magazine 156.The example shown assumes that the base shells (not shown) and the side shells 160 are removed and installed separately. However, it would also be conceivable to insert or remove the entire outer form, i.e., side shells and base shell together, into or from a station 16.

[0088] Figure 7 shows a more detailed illustration of a mold magazine 156 according to the invention. In particular, the illustration on the right side of Figure 7 shows that several side tray holders arranged in a matrix with rows and columns are provided for holding side trays 160. An occupancy sensor 177 is shown as an example for the side tray holder at the lower right corner, as is preferably provided in all other side tray holders. This occupancy sensor 177 can detect whether a side tray 160 is already stored there or whether there is a free space. This information can be stored, for example, in the control unit 155 of the mold magazine 156 in a stored and retrievable form. Reference numeral 173 shows a storage unit of the magazine for the control unit 155. Reference numeral 171 shows a readout device.Since RFID tags 165 are provided in the illustrated examples, this reading device 171 is designed as a reader for RFID transponders. Preferably, this occupancy sensor 177 could be designed as a reading device, e.g., for RFID transponders, and, as stated in the general description, this RFID reader could also determine the occupancy status of the magazine space where it is located. If the reader itself has a magazine space identification tag, it can be determined whether a specific space is occupied or free.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the mold shells are held or stored in the magazine 156 in their unassembled state; that is, the bottom shells 162 and the side shells 160 are stored separately. Holders 100 for bottom shells 162 are therefore provided on the left edge and on the top of the mold magazine 156. These holders preferably also have occupancy sensors 177 and are additionally equipped with identifying RFID tags 165. As above, preferably one reader, e.g., an RFID reader, can perform both functions. Each of the bottom shells 162 and each of the side shells 160 is also provided with such an identifying tag 165, so that a unique assignment of each individual bottom shell 162 to an individual bottom shell holder 100 is possible. Likewise, a unique assignment of each individual side shell 160 to an individual shell holder 100 is possible.This unique assignment also means that it is unambiguously identifiable and definitively established which base or side tray is stored in which magazine slot. This information, indicating which tray is located in which magazine slot, is available in the control unit 155 of a mold magazine 156 according to the invention and can be communicated by the control unit 155 to, for example, a changeover machine 154 during changeover processes, so that this changeover machine 154 can move directly to a specific magazine slot to remove the tray stored there, for example, to install it in an associated mold holder.

[0090] One possible and preferred embodiment of the invention relating to the embodiment shown in Figure 7 consists, for example, in the control unit 155 determining, by means of the readout device 171, which bottom tray 162 is arranged in which magazine slot and which side tray 160 is arranged in which magazine slot. The magazine 156 thus determines its own loading status and is therefore equipped with a correspondingly configured control unit 155. In particular, and preferably, the occupancy sensors 177 are also taken into account or read out in order to obtain information for each magazine slot as to whether the slot is occupied or still free. Another preferred embodiment is that the control unit 155 has a display device 167, in the illustrated example in the form of a display, or possibly also in the form of a handheld device. The occupancy of the magazine slots can be displayed, for example, via this display device 167.In a simple embodiment, this display can consist of showing occupied and / or free magazine slots. It is also possible to display the individual trays, since these trays are uniquely identifiable via the individualizing markings 165.

[0091] It is possible and preferred that the control unit 155 monitors that the magazine slots are correctly occupied. Correct occupancy means, on the one hand, that the trays are placed in the desired manner, i.e., that the holders 100 are closed, or that, for example, the connections for coolant or other media on the bottom trays 162 are inserted into the corresponding receptacles of the holders 100 for the bottom trays 162, with the result that the corresponding trays are secured against unwanted slippage or even falling, and that, for example, sensitive connectors are held in protective sockets. This monitoring can alternatively or additionally also include ensuring that the trays are placed in a predetermined manner, i.e., that predetermined trays are placed in predetermined magazine slots. For example, it is possible and preferred that the trays are arranged in a desired sequence in the magazine, namely, e.g.,Preferably in the sequence in which they are to be installed during changeover in the forming stations. For example, the first side shell to be installed could be placed in the first magazine slot, e.g., in the top left of the illustrated magazine. The next side shell to be installed could be arranged directly next to it, e.g., in the top row in the middle column. The sequence could continue in this way. It is preferably taken into account that certain side shells are to be installed in specific assigned stations, and thus a link exists between certain shells and certain stations, as explained above.

[0092] For example, when loading a magazine 156 in a storage system for format parts, the control unit 155 could monitor whether the trays to be placed in the first forming station are positioned in the first magazine slot. A signal could be issued via the aforementioned display unit 167 if an incorrect placement occurs. This signal could be displayed on the aforementioned display 167; alternatively, an audible or visual signal could be emitted if an incorrect placement occurs. For example, a red light could illuminate in the area of ​​the magazine slots if a tray is incorrectly placed in that slot. A green light could illuminate if the tray is correctly placed. In this way, for example, a person responsible for loading a magazine receives immediate feedback as soon as an incorrect loading occurs. This has the advantage that such incorrect loading is immediately noticeable and, for example,They should not only be noticed when loading the forming stations or even after production has started.

[0093] This monitoring is preferably carried out not only when loading the magazine, but also when removing the format parts from the magazine during a changeover process. This is advantageous because it prevents any changes from having been made in the meantime, such as trays being exchanged after the initial loading of the magazine (e.g., for inspection or cleaning) and then being placed back in the wrong magazine positions. This reliably prevents misassignments.

[0094] Figure 7 also shows position sensors for the forming magazine, referenced by numeral 175. These position sensors 175 enable, particularly when multiple forming magazines are used as indicated in Figure 2, the unambiguous determination of the position of each magazine. This allows the changeover robot to clearly identify the location of each magazine slot in order to access and remove the desired format part. Such a position sensor also makes it possible to determine, for example, that a magazine is in a target position and a changeover process can be initiated. The control unit 155 can also be connected to the position sensor and, for example, display the status on the display unit 167 as soon as the magazine 156 has reached the desired position.

[0095] The above explanation applies to new format parts, but also to old format parts removed from the forming stations. The placement of the old format parts can also be monitored in the manner described, i.e., whether the placement is such that it is secured against slipping or falling out, and / or whether the placement is in the desired magazine location, e.g., in a desired sequence. This can be advantageous, for example, for unloading the magazine in a warehouse where all the format parts are stored until they are to be reused. Accordingly, it is possible and preferred, for example, that the control unit 155 of the magazine 156 can communicate with other control units. Among other things, the control unit 155 can, for example, communicate with the control unit 153 of the changeover machine 154.to inform the changeover machine 154 of the position of magazine 156 and / or which new format part is stored in which magazine slot and / or which old format part is to be stored in which magazine slot. The control unit 155 can also communicate with a control unit of the warehouse, for example, to determine which old format parts are in the forming magazine and / or which format part is located in which magazine slot. Conversely, the forming magazine can also inform the warehouse which format parts are required, for example, after the control unit 155 has been informed by another control unit which new format parts are needed for retooling the forming machine, or after a new recipe has been stored or called up in the control unit 155 of magazine 156.

[0096] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of possible changeover processes and the control units and devices involved. Reference numeral 400 represents a system consisting of several units and devices involved in a changeover process. Reference numeral 410, for example, designates a storage unit for format parts, which includes a control unit 415. This storage unit 410 contains a large number of format parts required for the forming process of manufacturing a wide variety of containers. A bottom shell 162 and a side shell 160 are shown as examples. Both are marked with an identifying identifier (not shown).

[0097] Reference numeral 420 represents a forming magazine, which, for example, is stocked in storage area 410 with the format parts required for a changeover process, in order to then transport these format parts to the area of ​​a forming machine 430. The required format parts are known, for example, by specifying a so-called recipe. In this technical field, a recipe is understood to be the entirety of parameters that define the containers to be produced, possibly also the preforms to be used, and possibly also the forming parameters with which the preforms are to be formed into the containers. Among other things, the recipe also specifies which format parts are required. In the area of ​​storage area 410, for example, an operator assembles the corresponding format parts and loads them into magazine 420.As described above, the control unit 425 of the forming magazine 420 can already perform verification steps during this loading process, for example, by being connected to appropriate sensors and / or reading devices, as shown in Figure 7. Thus, for example, during loading, the forming magazine 420 itself can verify that, for example, the correct format parts are securely placed in the correct magazine positions and that, for example, all format parts for the recipe are present in the magazine. After the forming magazine 420 has been loaded with the format parts, it is moved to the forming machine 430 or to a changeover machine 440, which is intended to perform the automated changeover process on the forming machine 430. This changeover machine 440 can, for example, be permanently mounted on the forming machine 430 or be a portable changeover machine that can be moved and, for example,The changeover unit can be used for multiple forming devices or other devices. For example, the changeover unit could also be used in the area of ​​the storage unit 410 for loading a forming magazine 420. The forming magazine 420 communicates with the changeover unit 440 and informs the unit, for example, which format part is stored in which magazine position. The magazine 420 can also inform the changeover unit 440 which of, for example, several predefined positions the magazine 420 is in relative to the changeover unit 440 or relative to the forming machine 430. For this exchange, the respective control units 425, 435, 445 involved can interact, preferably wirelessly. It would also be conceivable for the changeover unit 440 to report to the magazine 420 that a specific format part is needed to be installed in a forming station that is in a changeover position. The magazine 420 or...whose control unit 425 could then report back to the changing machine 440 or to its control unit 445 which magazine position the changing machine 440 must access in order to find the desired format part.

[0098] Regarding old format parts, for example, magazine 420 could inform the changer 440 which old format part should be placed in which magazine slot. Alternatively, changer 440 could also inform magazine 420 which old format part it has just removed or is currently removing, and the format magazine 420 could then report back in which magazine slot the part should be placed.

[0099] It is possible and preferred that, during or after a depositing operation on the magazine 420, the magazine checks for error-free depositing, preferably both with regard to the correct magazine position and with regard to positioning secured against slipping or falling. The corresponding devices used for this purpose have been described with reference to the figures above. It is also preferred that the forming magazine 420 not only checks during loading in the storage area 410 that, for example, the correct format parts are arranged in the correct magazine positions, but also, for example, checks which format part is removed from which magazine position during the changeover process in order to verify that this still corresponds to the original loading situation. It is also possible that, before the start of the changeover process, the magazine 420 performs such a verification again upon reaching its changeover position in the area of ​​the changeover machine 440, i.e.,A reading device checks which format part is located in which magazine position and compares this with the target arrangement, namely with the linking information. It is possible that the changeover process can only be started if complete conformity with the target arrangement is found, and / or that if deviations from the target arrangement are detected, an optical and / or acoustic signal indicates such deviations, e.g., so that these deviations can be corrected before the changeover process starts.

[0100] It is largely left to the discretion of the system which control unit performs which tasks for which device. For example, it is possible that the control unit 445 of the tool changer 440 essentially receives control commands from the control unit 435 of the forming machine 430 and then acts accordingly. In such a case, it is also possible, for example, that the magazine 420 or its control unit 425 essentially communicates with the control unit 435 of the forming machine, for example, to transmit the linking and / or allocation information for the exact magazine location where the respective format parts are stored, and then the control unit 435 of the forming machine 430 gives the control unit 445 of the tool changer 440 instructions on the sequence in which each magazine location is to be accessed.It is also conceivable that the control unit 435 of the forming machine 430 is not involved in the changeover process at all, but rather that the control unit 445 of the tool changer 440, for example, also controls the movements of the forming wheel. Likewise, it is conceivable that the control unit 425 of the magazine 420 is essentially limited to a storage function, and that, for example, the control unit 415 of the storage unit 410 places specific format parts in specific magazine locations and stores this linking information in the control unit 425 of the magazine 420. This linking information could then be communicated by the control unit 425 of the magazine 420 to the control unit 445 of the tool changer 440, whereby it is also possible that the control unit 415 of the storage unit 410 transmits this linking information directly to the tool changer 440.Preferably, the control unit 425 of the magazine 420 is designed to read the identifying markings and evaluate them to determine the linking information, which indicates which format part is located in which magazine slot. It is further preferred that the magazine 420 is equipped with control technology and sensors to compare this determined magazine slot occupancy, i.e., the linking information, with a target occupancy to detect deviations, and preferably to indicate such incorrect occupancy, e.g., visually or audibly. A magazine 420 designed in this way would reliably help prevent incorrect assignments. Reference numeral list.

[0101] 154 Change machine

[0102] Forming machine 155 Control unit Form magazine

[0103] Container 156 Form magazine /

[0104] Preforms storage device, 17 forming stations, 158 machine operators

[0105] Muzzle section 160 side shell / part

[0106] 162 Base tray Z-shaped 0 Bracket 164 Forming nozzle 0 Forming wheel 165 RFID tag 2 Feeding device 166 Pulling bar 4 Transfer wheel 167 Display 6 Heating device 168, 169 Holding device 8 Heating devices 170 Hydraulic cylinder 0 Transport device 171 Readout device for 2 Transfer wheel RFID / RFID reader 3 Transfer area 172 Cylinder holder 4 Removal wheel 173 Storage unit Magazine 6 Output section 174 Storage unit Forming machine 8 Input device 175 Position sensor 0 End caps 176 Holder for holding device 2 Control device 177 Occupancy sensor / RFID reader

[0107] Forming machine 178 Magazine space 4 Drive unit 6 Detection device 400 Supply system 8 First position 410 Bearing 0 Second position 415 Control unit Bearing 2 Release area 420 Format part magazine 4 Mold holder 425 Control unit Magazine 6 Outer mold 430 Forming machine 0, 151 Fixing device 435 Control unit Forming machine

[0108] 440 Automatic changer 2 Release area 445 Control unit 3 Control unit Automatic changer

[0109] Exchange machine x1 first position x2 second position

Claims

Claims 1. Storage device (magazine, 156) for format parts (160, 162, 166) of several forming stations (16, 17) of a forming device (10), wherein the magazine (156) has magazine positions (178) adapted to the format parts (160, 162), wherein each magazine position (178) is arranged at a defined position in the magazine (156), wherein each magazine position is equipped with a position-identifying marker (165), wherein the magazine (156) has a control unit (155) with a read and store unit (171, 173), wherein the read unit (171) is equipped to detect the position-identifying markers (165), and wherein the read unit is further configured and designed to be able to sensorially detect format part-identifying markers (165) on format parts when format parts with such a format part-identifying marker (165) are in the have entered the detection range of the sensory detection,in particular a format part is stored on one of the magazine slots (178), wherein the storage device (155) has an evaluation device which links the format part identifying identifier (165) with the magazine slot identifying identifier (165) for each format part stored on a magazine slot such that the linking information is available in stored form in the control device (155) indicating which format part is stored on which magazine slot.

2. Magazine (156) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (155) of the magazine has a communication unit configured to transmit this linking information, preferably contactlessly, to an external control unit, in particular to the control unit (445) of a changer (440) for the automated format change of format parts of forming stations (16, 17) of a forming device (430) and / or in particular to the control unit (435) of a forming device (430) with a changer (440) for the automated change of format parts of the forming stations of the forming device.

3. Magazine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (155) is designed and configured to detect via sensors (177) whether a magazine slot (178) is empty or occupied with a format part (160, 162), wherein preferably the magazine (155) is further designed and configured to detect via sensors the format part identifying mark (165) of the format part (160, 162) during the removal process of a format part stored in the magazine and to compare it with the stored link information to the magazine slot (178).

4. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magazine slots (178) are equipped with reading devices. for detecting the format part identifying mark of a format part placed in the respective magazine position, wherein preferably the reading device has the position identifying mark and the control device is equipped to detect this position identifying mark, wherein it is further preferred that the reading device is designed as an occupancy sensor and / or the control device is designed to determine the occupancy status from the read value transmitted by the reading device.

5. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the format parts are outer forms (146) of forming stations (16, 17), characterized in that the side shells (160) and the bottom shells (162) of the outer forms (146) can be placed or are placed separately from one another on magazine positions (178) adapted to the bottom shell or the side shells respectively, wherein preferably an assignment information is stored in the control device (155) which assigns a specific bottom shell (162) to specific side shells (160) which together form a specific outer form (146).

6. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device Z155) is designed and configured to detect a position of the magazine (156) via sensors (175) and to transmit it to an external control device (445, 435), in particular to the external control devices mentioned in claim 2.

7. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (155) is designed and configured to detect the format part identifying markings (165) of format parts via the readout device (171) while these are being placed by a changer (440) on a magazine position (178) or after they have been placed by a changer.

8. Magazine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a display device (167) for displaying an error condition and / or the linking information mentioned in claim 1.

9. Device for the automated exchange of format parts (160, 162, 166) of several forming stations (16, 17) of a forming device (10), wherein the device comprises a magazine (156) according to one of the preceding claims and a changing unit (440), in particular wherein a control unit (155) of the magazine (156) and a control unit (445) of the changing unit (440) communicate and interact.

10. Forming device (10) for the forming production of containers (12) from preforms (14) by introducing a forming fluid under pressure into preforms (14), with several forming stations (16, 17), each of which has interchangeable format parts (160, 162, 166) having, characterized by a magazine (156) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or characterized by a device according to claim 9.

11. System for providing format parts (160, 162, 166) to several forming stations (16, 17) of a forming device (10), wherein the system comprises a storage (410) for format parts and a magazine (156) according to one of claims 1-8, wherein a plurality of format parts are stored in the storage (410) and the storage has a control device (415) that communicates and interacts with the control device (155) of the magazine.

12. Method for providing format parts (160, 162, 166) to several forming stations (16, 17) of a forming device (10) for retooling the forming stations (16, 17), wherein, for the purpose of providing new format parts for retooling, a magazine (156) is loaded with the format parts, wherein the format parts have format part identifying marks (165) and wherein the magazine (156) has magazine slots (178) adapted to the format parts, wherein each magazine slot (178) is arranged at a defined position in the magazine (156) and wherein each magazine slot is equipped with a slot identifying mark (165), wherein the magazine has a control unit (155), characterized in that information is generated and / or stored in the control unit (155) before, during and / or after loading with the format parts.which links each format part identifying identifier (165) of each format part stored in the magazine (156) with a magazine location identifying identifier (165) such that the information is stored in the control unit (155) indicating which format part is stored in which magazine location (178), wherein the magazine (156) is preferably configured according to one of claims 1 to 8 and generates and stores the information in the control unit (155).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the magazine (156) is brought to a changing machine (440) after being loaded and is delivered to the changing machine (440) and enters into a communication connection with the changing machine and / or wherein the magazine is brought to a forming device (10) and is delivered to the forming device and enters into a communication connection with the forming device, wherein the magazine (156) exchanges the information available in stored form with the changing machine and / or the forming device.

14. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the format parts are placed in the magazine (156) such that the sequence of the format parts in the magazine corresponds to the sequence of installation in the forming stations (16, 17), wherein it is preferably monitored and / or indicated whether a format part is correctly placed in the magazine or where a specific format part is to be placed.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims 12-14, characterized in that before, during and / or after loading the magazine (156) it is checked whether the format parts in the magazine are suitable for the format change for which the magazine is loaded or has been loaded with the format parts.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims 12-15, characterized in that during and / or after a changeover, it is determined which old format parts, which also have format part identifying markings (165), are stored on which magazine location (178), wherein preferably this linking information is stored in the control unit (155), and wherein further preferably the control unit exchanges this information with a control unit (415) of a storage (410) for format parts.

17. Method according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein preferably during the placement and / or after the placement of old format parts into the magazine (165) it is determined whether the placement has been carried out in the correct position and / or orientation, wherein incorrect placements are preferably indicated.

18. Method according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the magazine (156) communicates to the changing robot (440) where which format part is to be placed and preferably monitors the correct placement and indicates incorrect placements.

Images