CH712295A2 - Method for operating a production plant for producing goods made of chocolate or the like, as well as a casting mold. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is related to operating a production line for producing goods made of chocolate or the like in molds (3), in particular made of plastic. These casting molds (3) are exposed to thermal, mechanical and / or chemical effects during the manufacturing process. During operation, its condition is checked with regard to selected parameters such as bending, torsion and tensile strength, notched impact strength, surface and / or material properties. Based on the determined state of these molds (3) is decided on their further use or duration of use in the production process. A mold is preferably equipped with a plurality of integrated test pieces which are easily removable from the mold and usable for testing purposes instead of the mold.

Description

Description: The invention relates to a method for operating a production plant for producing goods made of chocolate or the like in molds made of plastic and similar materials which are exposed to thermal, mechanical and / or chemical effects during the production process. The invention also relates to a casting mold which is particularly suitable for the method.

After such a process, tableware, chocolates or chocolate figures are made with or without filling. However, the method is also generally suitable for producing products from raw materials with chocolate-like properties. Such products are known to be produced by trough-shaped molds made of plastic, in which takes place during the manufacturing process, a variety of process steps such as heating, molding, shaking, cooling and demolding of the goods. The molds are therefore alternately thermally, mechanically and / or chemically stressed during the production process. This causes an increasing wear of the molds over time. Since these are relatively expensive to produce, one strives to use them as long as possible over several years. After a more or less long service life, however, they are so severely damaged by the progressive wear that they are useless for further production.

In operation, the molds are checked from time to time with the naked eye and finally discarded after a certain period of operation. However, this is too early, and thus the useful life of the mold is not fully utilized. On the other hand, it is equally important that the molds do not remain in operation until they become brittle, because then there is a risk that fragments of the mold remain in the products produced and high economic damage can be caused, such as that tons of Goods must be recalled.

Such a danger arises mainly when washing the molds, because the washing process is carried out high temperatures or concentrated detergent, which can greatly weaken the forms, for example, if they remain lying about because of malfunction in the car wash long in this.

A too late detected damage to the molds can thus lead to the already manufactured products can not be distributed. Defective molds can also cause machine downtime or generally production downtime.

[0006] E in production processes of the type mentioned at the beginning is disclosed in WO 2009/001 250 A1. The method described there sees u.a. For example, the various stations of the manufacturing facility are electronically connected to a mold inspection system that continuously determines whether or which molds are damaged and passes the appropriate information to prevent the damaged mold from continuing to operate. The decommissioning of the molds takes place as a result only after damage to the mold.

The invention is based on the object to avoid these disadvantages and to provide a method of the type mentioned above, which allows a better and continuously monitored during operation utilization of the potential of the forms without great expense.

This object is achieved according to the invention that in operation from time to time the condition of the molds with respect to selected parameters such as bending torsion and / or tensile strength, notched impact strength, surface and / or material properties is checked and due to the determined degree of wear of Form is decided on the further use and / or duration of use of the mold in the production process.

In this way it is possible to operate a production plant of the type mentioned so that the application potential of the molds is optimally utilized, because the continuous monitoring of the mold state, the decommissioning of the molds on reaching a critical state of wear in good time before damage to the molds ensures.

Since the molds are often used for the production of different products, it is expedient if the parameters to be tested are determined depending on the product to be produced in each case. The same applies to the test sequence of the individual casting molds. In this case, it is expedient in the sense of optimum monitoring of the shape state if the intervals between the test procedures are determined as a function of the scope and / or duration of the respectively intended production sequence.

To optimize the monitoring of the shape state, the invention provides that the examination of the molds after each or after a certain number of production sequences, preferably after washing the molds, is performed.

In particular, in complex production facilities, which are intended for the production of numerous variable types of goods, it is advantageous in the sense of an automatic operation as possible, when the examination of the molds is controlled automatically according to a programmed sequence.

In production plants in which similar molds are used in relatively large amounts, it is possible to check the molds in packets, the test is limited to only individual forms of the mold package.

The invention further provides that the examination of the molds is carried out according to a standardized test program, wherein after completion of the mold, a preferably carried out by the mold manufacturer initial test is performed as a reference for the life cycle of the mold. As a result, the later test results can be referred from the beginning to the test values of the mold in a new state.

In order to enable the automatic control of the test procedures, it is expediently provided that the molds are individually marked and tested according to their individual labeling. This marking is also helpful for the automatic evaluation of the test results.

For this purpose, moreover, it is provided that the test results are stored in a preferably placed in a central location database and there are always available for the individual or statistical evaluation of the test results.

To carry out the proposed test method, it is particularly advantageous if the molds are provided with at least one test specimen attached thereto, which is exposed to the same operating conditions as the mold. In this way, destructive testing methods such as e.g. Impact bending tests or tensile tests are carried out without the casting mold itself being destroyed. If several such test specimens are provided in each casting mold, it is then also possible to simultaneously check several state-relevant parameters or to carry out a plurality of time-staggered tests.

It is procedurally advantageous if the or the test specimens are separable by means of a preferably standardized tool from the mold.

The invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 is an overall view of a production plant with the operating cycle of the molds, shown schematically,

2 is a standardized test program for the molds, shown schematically,

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the back of a mold, and

4 shows a perspective partial view, offset by 90 °, of the rear side of the casting mold according to FIG. 3.

The production plant 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used to produce confectionery, in particular chocolate, which are produced according to the molds 3 used, such as square, round or other confectionery, mainly made of chocolate.

The preparation is carried out by means of known trough-shaped molds made of plastic or similar materials, in which the chocolate is poured directly and solidified by cooling. There are molds in a variety of sizes and technical characteristics, also suitable for the various types of systems. Usually, the flat molds are provided with a number of rows arranged openings, which correspond respectively to the shape of the confectionery to be poured as a negative.

During the production process P, the molds pass through 3 different stations, in which take place with individual process steps A to E, namely heating A, pouring B, shaking C, cooling D and demolding E. After a respective production sequence, the molds are removed from the production line. Thereafter, the washing process W in the washing system 2, followed by the test process T in the test apparatus 4 and finally the storage L of the washed molds.

Both during the production cycle and during the washing process, the molds are thermally, mechanically and / or chemically stressed and are thus exposed to a certain aging. According to the invention, the degree of aging is regularly monitored in process step T of the production process by checking the condition of the casting molds with regard to selected parameters such as bending, torsion and / or tensile strength, notched impact strength, surface and / or material properties.

The examination of the molds is conveniently carried out according to a standardized test program with a likewise preferably standardized test device.

As shown schematically in Fig. 2, the initial test p1 takes place immediately after completion f of the mold. It is preferably carried out by the mold manufacturer himself and is considered a reference for the life cycle of the mold. The same test procedure p2 to pn is performed several times during the life cycle (production sequences s1 to sn) of the molds used. The test may be carried out either by the confectionery producer or by the mold manufacturer, depending on the availability of the test equipment.

The test program may be e.g. consist of the following components: - bending test of the mold - torsion test of the mold - impact test on a test piece of the mold - tensile test on a test piece of the mold - determination of the melt mass flow rate (MFR) by means of a test piece of a mold, - gloss measurement of the mold - scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Examination on a test bar of a shape spectroscopy (FT - IR, UVVIS, AAS / AER ICR XRF etc.) on a sample of one mold, using exactly specified test components and test parameters for the different tests. Since the wear of the molds depends on the type of goods to be produced, the number and type of these parameters are also determined depending on the respective type of goods.

With the aid of the inventive test system, the current degree of wear of the molds used can be determined. If critical wear limits are exceeded, the mold can be disposed of before damage occurs.

The molds are usually provided with individual identification means with which the automatic control of the production process is possible. Such means, such as a bar code, a QR code or an integrated RFID chip, also serve to automatically control the inventive method for checking the molds. They also enable the electronic evaluation and storage of the determined test data in a central database or the like between the test station and the control station of the test facility.

According to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the partially illustrated mold 3 from a plurality of rows arranged openings, of which some of the rear recesses 7 on the bottom wall 8 are visible. In addition, the casting mold 3 stiffening rib walls 4, 5 are also present on the back, which are arranged distributed lattice-shaped.

According to the invention, the respective mold 3 is designed so that it can be taken from her material samples for their investigation, without affecting their functionality. For this purpose, preferably several test pieces 9, 10 are attached to this mold 3 on the back, which may have different shapes. In the present case, the adjacent test pieces 9, 10 are formed on the one hand as cylindrical pins and on the other as small plates, the latter being aligned opposite the recesses 7 in a vertical position. The test pieces 9, 10 are mounted directly on the bottom 8 of the mold so that they are exposed during operation to the same loads as the mold itself.

These specimens 9, 10 with the appropriate shapes allow the implementation of destructive testing methods such as tensile tests or notched-bar impact tests without the mold after removal of individual specimens takes damage. For this purpose, the test pieces 9,10 can be separated by means of appropriate tools from the mold. They are like the molds also provided with an individual coding or the like, with the help of which their allocation to the associated forms or mold packages is possible.

The manufacturer of the molds and the producer of confectionery preferably each have a standardized test device, which can be used to carry out e.g. mechanical or chemical investigations. The casting molds, in turn, are equipped and designed to permit the removal of material samples for testing without adversely affecting the function of the casting molds in the production process.

The molds made of plastic are usually poured by an injection molding process in corresponding negative molds as tools. Advantageously, these test pieces 9, 10 are also provided in the tool and are then made together with the mold of a cast.

In principle, these test pieces 9, 10 but could also be attached to the mold 3, for example by gluing, or by a releasable attachment, such as by latching or the like.

The original quality of the new molds is determined by the mold manufacturer on delivery by means of the test facility, documented and communicated to the confectionery producer as a reference value.

The molds respectively the test specimens taken therefrom are examined after defined loading and / or time intervals with the testing device, and the determined test data are then compared with the initial reference data of the mold manufacturer, wherein marked upon detection of significant changes in the shape state, the shape as defective will be and can be sorted out. The test data determined are stored in the central database 3 and processed accordingly for statistical purposes.

In the described embodiment, the test procedure is carried out in each case at the end of the production sequences. The intervals between the test procedures may vary from case to case, depending on the product to be manufactured as well as the extent and / or duration of the respective production sequences.

Also, the parameters to be tested may vary depending on the product to be manufactured and / or the molds used. When using molds with multiple specimens, several parameters can be tested simultaneously.

Claims (13)

It is also possible within the scope of the invention to check the molds in packets, and to limit the test to only individual forms as samples of the mold packages. In principle, the molds can be checked by measuring methods, such as ultrasound or the like, which cause no material damage the same. It could also be used individual molds without such specimens by these damaged for the test and then disposed of. claims 1. A method for operating a production plant for producing goods made of chocolate or the like in molds (3) in particular made of plastic, which are exposed during the Flerstellungsprozesses thermal, mechanical and / or chemical effects, characterized in that in operation, the state of the molds ( 3) with respect to selected parameters such as bending, torsional and tensile strength, notched impact strength, surface and / or material properties is checked and decided on the basis of the determined state of the molds (3) on their further use or duration of use in the production process. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameters to be tested of the molds (3) are determined depending on the respective product to be produced. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that continuous testing operations are set at certain intervals between the depending on the extent and / or duration of each intended production sequence. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the examination of the molds (3) after each or after several production sequences, preferably after washing (W) of the molds is performed. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the examination of the molds (3) is controlled automatically according to a programmed sequence. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the molds are checked in packets, wherein the test is limited to only individual forms of the mold package. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the examination of the molds (3) is carried out according to a standardized test program, wherein after completion of the mold a preferably initial initial test is performed as a reference for the life cycle thereof. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the molds (3) are individually marked and tested according to their individual marking. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the test results are stored in a preferably placed at a central location database and there are always available for the individual or statistical evaluation of the test results. 10. A mold for producing goods made of chocolate or the like, characterized in that the mold (3) is provided with at least one attached thereto test body (9, 10), which is exposed to the same conditions of use as the mold. 11. A mold according to claim 10, characterized in that the test body (9, 10) by means of a specific tool of the mold (3) is separable for the test. 12. A mold according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a plurality of spaced apart test body (9, 10) on the back of the mold (3) are arranged above. 13. Casting mold according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the test bodies (9, 10) are formed as pins, plates or the like and either formed on the mold itself or attached thereto.