Processing Machine Job Changeover With Parallel Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing machines require manual intervention and lengthy downtime for job changes, leading to inefficiencies and reduced productivity during transitions between processing operations.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatically terminating a first processing job, modifying the machine configuration for a subsequent job, and starting the new job without interruption, utilizing a machine control system to manage and overlap multiple modification processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual intervention is used for job changes, then operator control is maintained, but downtime increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob change speedVSAvoiddowntime during job change

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine control system loads and prepares the configuration for the next processing job in advance, before the current job is completed. This preliminary preparation includes pre-configuring processing units, shaping units, and other machine components for the upcoming job, so that when the current job ends, the transition to the next job can occur with minimal interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables overlapping modification processes where configuration changes, cleaning operations, and setup tasks are executed in parallel during the job transition period. The machine control system coordinates multiple modification processes to run simultaneously, ensuring that useful actions continue without interruption rather than waiting for one task to complete before starting the next.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If multiple modification processes are executed sequentially, then each process is completed thoroughly, but total modification time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodification completion qualityVSAvoidtotal modification duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Certain modification processes are initiated in advance and prepared for parallel execution. The machine control system identifies which modification processes can be performed simultaneously without interfering with each other, and schedules them to run in parallel, thereby reducing the total modification time while ensuring each process completes reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The modification process is divided into independent, separable tasks that can be executed in parallel. The machine control system segments the overall modification into multiple independent processes (configuration changes, cleaning, setup) that can run simultaneously on different processing units or shaping units, rather than executing them sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If automated control is implemented, then operator input is minimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator input requirementVSAvoidmachine control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages processing operations, coordinates modification processes, schedules parallel tasks, and controls different processing units and shaping units. By creating a universal control system that handles diverse functions, the patent reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each function, thereby managing complexity while enabling comprehensive automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260111009A1Method for changing a processing job carried out on a processing machine

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 KOENIG & BAUER AG

AI summary

Examples relate to changing a processing job carried out on a processing machine including a processing unit configured as an application unit, and a processing unit configured as a shaping unit. A first processing job is completed by the processing machine, during which a substrate is processed by the processing units. The first processing job is automatically terminated and a modification is automatically started for adapting at least one unit of the processing machine to a configuration of a directly succeeding processing job. Prior to the modification, the configuration for the directly succeeding processing job is provided to a machine control system. During the modification, at least one modification process of the shaping unit is performed to temporally overlap with at least one further modification process of the processing machine. The directly succeeding processing job is started, during which at least one substrate is processed by the processing units.