Dough Processing Line Control for Linked Workstation Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dough processing machines in the food industry face complexity in setting process conditions due to interdependent performance parameters across workstations, leading to cumbersome and error-prone operations, with limited flexibility and inflexibility in adjusting relative processes between stations.
Innovation Solution
A dough processing machine with a control unit that allows operators to set performance parameters of adjacent workstations through a factor-based system, where the operation of one workstation depends on a first performance parameter and another on a second, with the control unit adjusting these parameters while maintaining other factors constant, ensuring consistent relationships between workstations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If performance parameters of individual workstations are set independently, then flexibility in adjusting process conditions is improved, but complexity of parameter setting and error susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central control unit that acts as an intermediary between the operator and multiple workstations. This control unit manages the interdependent performance parameters across workstations, allowing flexible adjustment of process conditions while reducing the complexity and error susceptibility of parameter setting by centralizing the coordination function.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple workstations are coordinated for consistent product quality, then product quality is improved, but complexity of coordinating performance parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit coordinates performance parameters across multiple workstations by establishing interdependent relationships between parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that adjustments in one workstation automatically consider the requirements of other workstations, maintaining consistent product quality while reducing the complexity of manual coordination.
3Ease of operation
If a central performance parameter is set to change overall process conditions, then ease of operation is improved, but flexibility in adjusting specific workstation relationships is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically manages performance parameters by establishing interdependent relationships that allow flexible adjustment of specific workstation relationships. When a central performance parameter is set, the system automatically adjusts related parameters across workstations while maintaining appropriate relationships, providing both ease of operation and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Dough processing machine for processing products in the food industry, the dough processing machine comprising at least two workstations arranged successively along a transport path of products, wherein the operation of the first workstation in the transport direction depends on a first performance parameter L1 and the operation of the second workstation in the transport direction depends on a second performance parameter L2, a control unit connected to the workstations for setting the performance parameters, and an input device connected to the control unit via which a factor F=L1L2 can be set, wherein the control unit is configured to set the performance parameters of the first and the second workstation depending on F and to leave all other factors Fnm=LnLm unchanged, where Ln , Lm are performance parameters of different workstations n, m.