CN108135251B - Method for adaptive control of the operation of a machine-packaging machine group - Google Patents
Method for adaptive control of the operation of a machine-packaging machine group Download PDFInfo
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- CN108135251B CN108135251B CN201680057583.9A CN201680057583A CN108135251B CN 108135251 B CN108135251 B CN 108135251B CN 201680057583 A CN201680057583 A CN 201680057583A CN 108135251 B CN108135251 B CN 108135251B
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
- A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/28—Control devices for cigarette or cigar packaging machines
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
- B65B57/10—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
- B65B57/16—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to stop, or to control the speed of, the machine as a whole
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
- B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Feedback Control In General (AREA)
Abstract
There is provided a method of controlling operation of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer device, operation of the cigarette maker and operation of the cigarette packing machine being dependent on a fill level of the buffer device. The method comprises the following steps: setting at least one operating parameter of the group to a starting value, which parameter relates an operating state of the cigarette maker or the cigarette packing machine to the filling amount of the buffer; operating the group for a first cycle time based on the at least one operating parameter; determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between a manufacturing machine operating efficiency and a packaging machine efficiency in the first cycle time; and at the end of the first cycle time, resetting the at least one operating parameter to an updated value as a function of the determined group comparison efficiency.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling the operation of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer device.
Background
Smoking articles such as cigarettes are typically manufactured and packaged by a plurality of sets of highly automated units comprising: a cigarette manufacturing machine in which smoking articles are assembled starting from raw materials such as tobacco filler, wrapping paper, filter segments and tipping paper; and packaging machines in which bundles of smoking articles are collated and packaged into containers such as hinge-lid containers.
In such an automated group of units, a buffer is typically provided between the cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine. The cushioning device acts as a reservoir for the formed smoking articles to minimize dependency between the cigarette maker and the packaging machine.
In view of the specific production requirements, several operating parameters of the cigarette maker, the buffer device and the cigarette packing machine need to be preset. Whenever one such group is operated to produce cigarettes having different characteristics, such as different brands or designs of cigarettes, it is necessary to set certain operating parameters to different specific values to ensure stable operation of the group.
The cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine are operated at independently variable production speeds. Generally, the cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine generally operate at different predetermined production speeds, and thus the buffer filling level varies over time.
If the buffer becomes full, the cigarette maker needs to be stopped and restarted only if the buffer filling level is below a first maker threshold value (cigarette maker start limit). In order to reduce the incidence of cigarette maker stops, it has been proposed to reduce the production speed of the cigarette maker when the buffer filling exceeds a second maker threshold (cigarette maker deceleration limit), which is typically lower than the first maker threshold. Such reduced speed is a preset parameter of the cigarette manufacturing machine.
When the buffer filling falls back to a value below the second maker threshold value, the production speed of the cigarette maker may be increased again. However, in order to limit the frequency of occurrence of speed changes of the cigarette maker, it has been proposed that the production speed of the cigarette maker is increased only when the buffer filling level is below the second maker threshold by a certain predetermined amount (cigarette maker hysteresis width).
On the other hand, when the buffer is empty, the cigarette packing machine needs to be stopped and restarted only when the buffer filling reaches the first packing machine threshold (cigarette packing machine start limit). In order to reduce the incidence of cigarette packing machine stops, it has further been proposed to reduce the production speed of the cigarette packing machine when the buffer filling level is below a second packing machine threshold (cigarette packing machine deceleration limit), which is typically greater than the first packing machine threshold. Such reduced cigarette packing machine speed is a preset parameter of the cigarette packing machine.
When the buffer filling amount increases back to a value above the second packing machine threshold, the production speed of the cigarette packing machine may increase again. However, in order to limit the frequency of the occurrence of speed changes of the cigarette packing machine, it has been proposed to increase the production speed of the cigarette packing machine only when the buffer filling exceeds the second manufacturing machine threshold by a certain predetermined amount (cigarette packing machine hysteresis width).
Each time the cigarette maker is stopped, some cigarettes are discarded. Similarly, each time the cigarette packaging machine is stopped, some cigarette packages are discarded. In addition to the above-identified situations, other causes of machine failure, lack of one or more starting materials, etc. may also result in the cigarette manufacturing or cigarette packaging machine having to be stopped. In addition, during production, some cigarettes or cigarette packs or both may be discarded if they are found to be not meeting certain quality requirements. All of these discards represent losses and it is therefore desirable to limit the incidence of cigarette manufacturing and cigarette packaging machine stops.
Even more generally, it is desirable to increase the productivity and overall efficiency of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette wrapping machine and a buffer device. In practice, the overall efficiency of one such group can be assessed as the 'uptime', i.e. the ratio between the total number of cigarettes actually produced in a given time and the number of cigarettes theoretically producible with the group running constantly for the same time at design speed.
It is therefore desirable to provide a method of controlling the operation of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer device interposed between the cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine such that the overall efficiency of the group is increased. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a method of controlling the operation of such groups so as to increase overall productivity (e.g. in terms of the total number of cigarettes produced and packaged in a given time), for example by reducing the number of discards during production. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a system capable of implementing such a method.
Disclosure of Invention
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling operation of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer, wherein the cigarette maker is upstream of the buffer and the cigarette packing machine is downstream of the buffer with respect to a conveying direction, the group being configured such that operation of the cigarette maker and operation of the cigarette packing machine is dependent on a fill level of the buffer. The method comprises the following steps: setting at least one operating parameter of the group to a starting value, which parameter relates an operating state of the cigarette maker or the cigarette packing machine to a filling quantity of the buffer; and operating the group for a predetermined first cycle time based on the at least one operating parameter. Further, the method comprises: determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker during the first cycle time; determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine over the first cycle time; determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and an operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine. Additionally, the method includes resetting the at least one operating parameter to an updated value as a function of the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising: a first group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer, wherein the cigarette maker is upstream of the buffer and the cigarette packing machine is downstream of the buffer with respect to a transport direction, such that operation of the cigarette maker and operation of the cigarette packing machine is dependent on a fill level of the buffer. Further, the system includes: a first sensor means for detecting a fill level of the buffer, an actual production output of the cigarette maker in the first group and an actual production output of the cigarette packing machine; and a control unit operatively connected with any one of the cigarette makers, cigarette wrapping machines, buffering devices, or any combination thereof, of the first group and configured for managing the operation of the first group according to the method set out above.
It will be appreciated that any feature described with reference to one aspect of the invention is equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention.
In contrast to known methods of operating a cluster of automation units comprising a cigarette maker, a buffer device and a cigarette packing machine, according to the invention at least one of the parameters defining how the various automation units in the cluster are operationally related, i.e. in particular, defining how the operating states of the cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine are influenced by the filling level of the buffer device, is adaptively adjusted in dependence on the measured values of the cigarette maker efficiency and the cigarette packing machine efficiency.
The inventors have found that by managing the operation of such groups using the method according to the invention, the overall productivity and efficiency of the group can be advantageously increased both in terms of overall productivity of cigarettes and uptime. Overall, unequal overall production speeds of the cigarette maker and the cigarette packer can advantageously be reduced.
Furthermore, the inventors have found that the method according to the invention can be further optimized to take account of intentional, routine stops of the group, e.g. for cleaning purposes, so that the resulting significant changes in group efficiency do not affect the adaptive control logic supporting the method of the invention.
The term "cigarette maker" is used throughout the present specification to refer to an automated unit configured to receive tobacco, filter rods, wrappers and tipping paper as raw materials and form a plurality of filter cigarettes therefrom. The cigarette maker can operate substantially at full production speed and reduced production speed. Thus, the cigarette maker can be in one of several different operating states (e.g., full speed, slowed down, stopped). Throughout this specification the number of goods (in the case of a cigarette maker the number of cigarettes) produced during a given time period is referred to by "production speed" or "productivity". For example, production speed or productivity can be measured and expressed in terms of cigarettes per hour.
Several brands and models of cigarette makers are known to those skilled in the art. For example, one such automation unit is the PROTOS PM 100 (product of Maschinenbau AG, Hauni, Germany).
The term "cigarette packing machine" is used throughout the present specification to refer to an automated unit configured to receive filter cigarettes and packing material and collate and pack bundles of filter cigarettes to form packs of filter cigarettes. The cigarette wrapping machine can generally operate at a full production speed and a reduced production speed. Thus, the cigarette wrapping machine may be in one of several different operating states (e.g., full speed, slowed, stopped). In the case of cigarette packaging machines, the production speed or productivity generally refers to the number of goods, that is to say the number of packs produced during a given period of time. Each containing a predetermined number of cigarettes, for example 20 cigarettes/pack. Thus, the production speed or productivity of the cigarette packing machine can also be conveniently expressed as the number of cigarettes packed during a given time period, making it easier to compare and correlate the production speed of the cigarette packing machine with the production speed of the cigarette maker. Therefore, in the following, the production speed of the cigarette packaging machine will also be measured and expressed in terms of cigarettes per hour.
Several brands and models of cigarette packaging machines are known to those skilled in the art. For example, one such automated unit is F550 (available from Focke GmbH, germany).
The term "buffer" is used throughout the present specification to refer to an automated unit configured for receiving and transferring cigarettes formed by a cigarette manufacturing machine to a cigarette packing machine.
Several brands and models of cushioning devices are known to those skilled in the art. One such automation unit is CAPRICORN (product of ITM in the netherlands).
In the present description, reference is made to one or more "group operating parameters" as parameters that set the dependency between the operating state of the cigarette maker or cigarette packing machine and the filling quantity of the buffer. In practice, a "group operating parameter" corresponds to a certain given filling of the buffer device, at which the operating state of one or both of the cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine is configured to be changed.
For example, one such operating parameter is a "cigarette maker deceleration limit", which is the buffer fill level above which the production speed of the cigarette maker decreases from a full production speed to a reduced production speed.
Other such group operating parameters include:
a "cigarette maker start limit", which is a buffer filling amount below which the cigarette maker restarts after a stop caused by the buffer filling;
a "cigarette maker lag width," which is the difference between the cigarette maker deceleration limit and the buffer fill below which the production speed of the cigarette maker increases from a reduced production speed back to a full production speed;
a "cigarette wrapping machine deceleration limit," which is the buffer fill level below which the production speed of the cigarette wrapping machine is reduced from full production speed to a reduced production speed;
"cigarette packing machine start limit", which is the buffer fill above which the cigarette packing machine restarts after a stop caused by the buffer becoming empty; and
"cigarette wrapping machine hysteresis width", which is the difference between the cigarette wrapping machine deceleration limit and the buffer fill above which the cigarette wrapping machine production speed increases from a reduced production speed back to a full production speed. Figure 1 qualitatively illustrates how these parameters may relate to each other.
The term "operating efficiency of a cigarette maker" is used throughout the present specification to refer to the ratio between the actual production output of the maker, which is the number of cigarettes actually produced during a planned production time, and the theoretical production output. The theoretical production output is calculated as the product of the planned production time and the full production speed of the cigarette maker.
The term "operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine" is used throughout the present description to refer to the ratio between the actual production output of the manufacturing machine, which is the number of cigarettes actually packed during the planned production time, and the theoretical production output. The theoretical production output is calculated as the product of the projected production time and the full production speed of the cigarette wrapping machine.
The method according to the invention is used for controlling the operation of a group of automated units comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer device, wherein the cigarette maker is upstream of the buffer device and the cigarette packing machine is downstream of the buffer device with respect to the conveying direction. One such group is configured such that operation of the cigarette maker and operation of the cigarette packing machine depend on the fill level of the buffer device according to predetermined logic. In particular, the operating state of the cigarette maker or the cigarette packing machine or both is influenced by the filling amount of the buffer device. For example, since the filling amount of the buffer varies in the range of 0% to 100%, the cigarette maker or cigarette packing machine is typically configured to run at full production speed or run to a stop at reduced production speed.
In the method according to the invention, at least one operating parameter of a group, i.e. a parameter defining a correlation between an operating state of the cigarette maker or cigarette packing machine and a filling amount of the buffer, is set to a start value, and the group is operated for a predetermined first period time based on the at least one operating parameter.
Further, the method comprises: determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker during the first cycle time; determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine over the first cycle time; and determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and an operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine. At the end of the first cycle time, resetting the at least one parameter to an updated value as a function of the determined group comparison efficiency.
Preferably, the actual production output of the cigarette maker and the actual production output of the cigarette packing machine are continuously monitored, so that it is advantageously possible to determine the efficiency of the cigarette maker and the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at any given time during the first cycle time. Alternatively, the actual production output of the cigarette packing machine may be detected at predetermined intervals during the first cycle time, so that only discrete values of the efficiency of the cigarette maker and the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at predetermined instants during the first cycle time may be determined. Resetting the at least one parameter to an updated value based on the group comparison efficiency determined at the end of the first cycle time, and thus detecting an actual production output of the cigarette maker and an actual production output of the cigarette packing machine at least at the end of the first cycle time.
Resetting the at least one parameter to an updated value dependent on the group comparison efficiency determined at the end of the first cycle time.
In the method according to the invention, therefore, the quality and extent of the operational dependency between the cigarette maker and the buffer or between the cigarette wrapping machine and the buffer or both dependencies is modified during operation of the group. Advantageously, although the group is initially operated with at least one parameter set to a starting value specifically selected for a given brand or brand of cigarettes and therefore for a given combination of raw materials and production requirements, the same parameter is adaptively adjusted in view of the variations in efficiency of the automation unit involved in the production process.
Preferably, the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of: a cigarette maker start limit, a cigarette maker deceleration limit, a cigarette maker lag width, a cigarette packing machine start limit, a cigarette packing machine deceleration limit, a cigarette packing machine lag width. The inventors have observed that adaptively adjusting one or more of these parameters setting a clear correlation between the operating state of the cigarette manufacturing or cigarette packing machine and the filling quantity of the buffer device, according to the logic supporting the invention, tends to improve the overall productivity and efficiency of the group.
Preferably, the step of resetting the value of the at least one operating parameter comprises determining a correction value for the at least one operating parameter as a function of the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time.
In some embodiments, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the corrected value if the corrected value for the at least one parameter is within a range from a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter. Otherwise, if the corrected value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value or greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the starting value.
In other embodiments, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the corrected value if the corrected value for the at least one parameter is from a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter if the corrected value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter if the corrected value for the at least one parameter is greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
It is thus advantageously possible to check that the at least one operating parameter is within the acceptable range. This not only relates to the inherent constraints related to the nature of the group (e.g. the filling amount of the buffer means can only be from 0% to 100%), but also to the fact that: certain relationships between various operating parameters are preferably preserved. For example, the cigarette maker deceleration limit is preferably lower than the cigarette maker start limit. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the limit values can be optimized such that the implementation of the method according to the invention results in the most stable yield increase.
Preferably, the step of determining a corrected value for the at least one operating parameter comprises multiplying the baseline value for the at least one operating parameter by a value substantially equal to the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time or by the inverse thereof.
The cigarette maker start limit defines this filling quantity of the buffer: below this amount, the cigarette maker is restarted after a stop caused by the buffer being filled. If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine (that is to say the bottleneck region is close to 100% buffer fill), and if the cigarette maker efficiency remains constant while the cigarette packing efficiency increases, the incidence of cigarette maker stoppage as a result of the buffer becoming full will decrease. Similar behavior is expected in the case of cigarette packing machines with a full production speed greater than that of the cigarette maker (that is to say with a bottleneck region close to 0% buffer fill) and with cigarette maker efficiency remaining constant and cigarette packing efficiency increasing.
In the latter case, however, the incidence of cigarette maker stoppage will be reduced to a slightly greater extent. In practice, the amount of buffer content that needs to be consumed by the cigarette packing machine before the cigarette manufacturing machine can be started again can be reduced. The cigarette maker start-up limit can therefore be regarded as being proportional to the efficiency of the packaging machine. Meanwhile, the cigarette maker activation limit may be considered to be inversely proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette maker. Therefore, it can be considered that:
maker activation limit value ∞ (packaging machine efficiency/maker efficiency) (3)
The cigarette maker deceleration limit defines this filling quantity of the buffer: above this amount, the production speed of the cigarette maker is reduced from a full production speed to a reduced production speed. If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine (that is to say the bottleneck region is close to 100% buffer fill) and if the cigarette maker efficiency remains constant and the cigarette packing efficiency increases, the incidence of cigarette maker stoppage as a result of the buffer becoming full will decrease, as the packing machine consumes substantially more. On the other hand, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette maker (that is to say, the bottleneck region is close to 0% buffer fill), and if the cigarette maker efficiency remains constant while the cigarette packing efficiency increases, the frequency with which the buffer becomes full will decrease to a greater extent. Thus, the fill level range in which the cigarette maker operates at a reduced speed may be reduced. This would result in an additional fill level range in which the cigarette maker can be operated at full production speed, which would be expected to result in increased yields.
Thus, the cigarette maker deceleration limit may be considered to be proportional to the efficiency of the packing machine. Also, the cigarette maker deceleration limit may be considered to be inversely proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette maker. Therefore, it can be considered that:
maker deceleration limit value oc (packaging machine efficiency/maker efficiency) (4)
The cigarette maker hysteresis width defines the difference between the following two buffer fill levels: above which the production speed of the cigarette maker is reduced from the full production speed to a buffer filling of a reduced production speed (i.e. the cigarette maker deceleration limit), and below which the production speed of the cigarette maker is increased back from the reduced production speed to the full production speed. If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine (that is to say the bottleneck region is close to 100% buffer fill) and if the cigarette maker efficiency remains constant and the cigarette packing machine efficiency increases, the probability that the cigarette maker needs to be stopped because the buffer becomes full will increase slightly. However, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette maker (that is to say, with the bottleneck region close to 0% buffer fill), and if the cigarette maker efficiency remains the same while the cigarette packing efficiency increases, the likelihood of the cigarette packing machine stopping as a result of the buffer becoming empty will increase. Thus, in such cases, the cigarette maker lag width can be reduced in order to limit the effect of the formation of a bottleneck.
Thus, the cigarette maker lag width can be considered to be inversely proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine. Also, the cigarette maker lag width can be considered to be proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette maker. Therefore, it can be considered that:
maker lag width ∞ (maker efficiency/packaging machine efficiency) (5)
The cigarette packaging machine start limit defines this filling quantity of the buffer: above this amount, the cigarette packing machine is restarted after a stop caused by the buffer becoming empty. If the full production speed of the cigarette manufacturing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine (that is to say the bottleneck region is close to 100% buffer fill), and if the cigarette packing machine efficiency remains constant while the cigarette manufacturing machine efficiency increases, the incidence of cigarette packing machine stopping due to the buffer becoming empty will be reduced. Thus, to increase throughput, the cigarette wrapping machine start-up limits may be reduced so as to have a wider range of buffer fill values at which the cigarette wrapping machine is effectively in production. However, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette making machine, and if the cigarette making machine efficiency remains the same while the cigarette making machine efficiency increases, the incidence of cigarette packing machine stoppage due to the buffer becoming empty will be reduced. Therefore, the cigarette packaging machine start-up limit should be lowered by a small amount. Thus, the cigarette packing machine start-up limit may be considered to be inversely proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette maker.
If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine, the likelihood of the buffer becoming empty will also increase if the efficiency of the packing machine increases while the efficiency of the cigarette maker remains constant. Therefore, the cigarette packing machine start-up limit should be increased to improve productivity. On the other hand, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette maker, and if the packing machine efficiency is increased while the cigarette maker efficiency remains the same, empty buffer conditions will occur more frequently than full buffer conditions. In such cases, therefore, the cigarette packaging machine start-up limit should be increased to a greater extent. Accordingly, the cigarette wrapping machine start-up limit may be considered to be proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine. Therefore, it can be considered that:
packaging machine start limit ℃ (packaging machine efficiency/manufacturing machine efficiency) (6)
The cigarette packaging machine deceleration limit defines this filling quantity of the buffer: below this amount, the production speed of the cigarette packing machine is reduced from the full production speed to a reduced production speed. If the full production speed of the cigarette making machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine, and if the packing machine efficiency is increased while the cigarette making machine efficiency remains the same, the incidence of cigarette packing machine stops will increase as the cigarette packing machine will produce more. In such cases, the cigarette packing machine deceleration limit may advantageously be increased. On the other hand, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette maker, and if the packing machine efficiency is increased while the cigarette maker efficiency remains the same, the cigarette packing machine deceleration limit should be much higher, since the buffer device will more likely become empty. Accordingly, the cigarette wrapping machine deceleration limit may be considered to be proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine.
If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine, the buffer will be less likely to become empty if the efficiency of the cigarette maker increases while the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine remains constant. Thus, in such situations, the cigarette wrapping machine deceleration limit may be reduced. On the other hand, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette manufacturing machine, the reduction of the cigarette packing machine deceleration limit should be slightly less pronounced because the bottleneck region is close to 0% buffer fill. Therefore, it can be considered that:
packaging machine deceleration limit ℃ (packaging machine efficiency/manufacturing machine efficiency) (7)
The cigarette wrapping machine hysteresis width defines the difference between the following two cushioning device fill levels: below which the production speed of the cigarette wrapping machine is reduced from the full production speed to a buffer fill at a reduced production speed (i.e. the cigarette wrapping machine deceleration limit), and above which the production speed of the cigarette wrapping machine is increased from the reduced production speed back to the full production speed. If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine, the buffer filling will be closer to 100 for most of the production time. If the efficiency of the cigarette manufacturing machine is increased while the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine remains constant, the number of times the cigarette packing machine is stopped will increase. On the other hand, if the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette manufacturing machine, increased packing machine efficiency will result in a higher number of stops of the packing machine. To counteract this effect, the cigarette wrapping machine lag width may be increased such that the effect of stopping the cigarette wrapping machine is reduced. Thus, the cigarette wrapping machine lag width can be considered to be proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine.
If the full production speed of the cigarette maker is greater than the full production speed of the cigarette packing machine, the likelihood of the buffer becoming full will increase and the cigarette maker will therefore stop more frequently if the cigarette packing machine efficiency remains the same while the cigarette maker efficiency increases. In such cases, the cigarette wrapping machine lag width may be reduced so that the wrapping machine may be run at full production speed for as much time as possible. Similar behavior is observed in the case of cigarette packaging machines having a full production speed greater than that of the cigarette maker. Thus, the cigarette packing machine lag width can be considered to be inversely proportional to the efficiency of the cigarette maker. Therefore, it can be considered that:
packaging machine lag. di (packaging machine efficiency/maker efficiency) (8)
In view of these considerations, the inventors have found that advantageously, a correction value for at least one operating parameter may be determined by multiplying a baseline value of the at least one operating parameter by a value substantially equal to the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time or by the inverse thereof. Thus, a substantially linear relationship is always established between the at least one parameter and the ratio between the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine and the efficiency of the cigarette maker, or the inverse thereof.
Preferably, the baseline value of the at least one parameter is determined as the following value of the at least one parameter: which results in an optimized group productivity under conditions such that the efficiency of the cigarette maker is substantially equal to the efficiency of the cigarette packing machine. This may be accomplished, for example, by simulating the group behavior, such that the various values of the baseline value of the at least one parameter are conveniently evaluated for their impact on productivity without actually operating the group.
During operation of the group, the first period may be followed by several additional periods. Preferably, the actual production output of the cigarette maker and the actual production output of the cigarette packing machine, the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker, are continuously monitored during a further cycle time. It is thus advantageously possible to determine at any given time during any other cycle time the current value of the efficiency of the cigarette maker or the current value of the efficiency of the packing machine or both. Alternatively, however, the production output of the cigarette maker and the production output of the cigarette packing machine may be measured at predetermined intervals during any other cycle time. In some preferred embodiments, the method comprises: operating the group for another cycle time based on the updated at least one operating parameter; determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker during the further cycle time; determining an efficiency of operation of the cigarette wrapping machine during the another cycle time; and determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and an operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at the end of the other cycle time. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to another updated value dependent on the group comparison efficiency at the end of the another cycle time if the group comparison efficiency at the end of the another cycle time differs from the group comparison efficiency at the beginning of the another cycle time by at least 5%. Otherwise, if the group comparison efficiency at the end of the further cycle time differs from the group comparison efficiency at the start of the further cycle time by less than 5%, maintaining the at least one operating parameter unchanged.
Advantageously, a check is performed to confirm whether the behaviour of the automation units in the group has changed significantly between the start and the end of the further period. This is assessed by determining any change in the group comparison efficiency between the start and end of the further period. If the behavior of any one of the automation units in the group remains substantially unchanged, there is no actual need to reset the at least one parameter. On the other hand, if any of the automation units in the group has changed in its behavior in relation to it, it is preferred to reset the at least one parameter to an updated value taking into account the change.
Preferably, the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter comprises: determining a further updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on a ratio between the measured/determined operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and the measured/determined operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at the end of the further cycle time. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to the determined updated value if the updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range of a predetermined lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to a predetermined upper boundary value of the at least one parameter. Otherwise, if the updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the predetermined lower boundary value or greater than the predetermined upper boundary value of the at least one parameter, the at least one operating parameter is maintained unchanged.
Alternatively, the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter may comprise: determining another updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on comparing the value of the group efficiency at the end of the another cycle time. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to the further updated value if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range of a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter. Resetting the at least one operating parameter to the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter if the another updated value of the at least one parameter is greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
Thus, at the end of each further cycle, a repeated check confirms that the further update value is within the acceptable range. Advantageously, it ensures the operational stability of the group during production.
In an alternative embodiment, the method comprises: operating the group for a predetermined another cycle time based on the adjusted at least one operating parameter; determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker during the further cycle time; determining an efficiency of operation of the cigarette wrapping machine during the another cycle time; and determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and an operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at the end of the other cycle time.
Assuming the average baseline maker efficiency during the other cycle time to be the current value of the cigarette maker's operating efficiency if the cigarette maker's operating efficiency at the end of the other cycle time is less than the baseline maker efficiency. Otherwise, if the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker at the end of the other cycle time is at least as great as the baseline maker efficiency, the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker at the end of the other cycle time is assumed to be the current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker.
Assuming the average baseline packer efficiency during the other cycle time as the current value of the cigarette packing machine's operating efficiency if the cigarette packing machine's operating efficiency at the end of the other cycle time is less than the baseline packer efficiency. Otherwise, if the operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine at the end of the second cycle is at least as great as the baseline maker efficiency, then the operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine at the end of the second cycle is assumed to be the current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine.
In such alternative embodiments, the method further comprises: determining the current comparison group efficiency as a ratio between a current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and a current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine. Then, if the current comparison group efficiency differs from the comparison group efficiency at the start of the further cycle time by at least 5%, the at least one operating parameter is reset to a further updated value depending on the current comparison group efficiency. Otherwise, if the current comparison group efficiency differs from the comparison group efficiency at the start of the further cycle time by less than 5%, maintaining the at least one operating parameter unchanged.
By taking into account the efficiency average of the automation units in the group, it is advantageously possible to reduce possible disturbances which may be caused by a stoppage of the cigarette maker or cigarette packing machine, which is caused by other causes such as deliberate production interruptions, rather than the buffer filling reaching 100% or 0%.
Preferably, the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter comprises determining a further updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on the current comparison group efficiency.
In some embodiments, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the further updated value if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range from a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter. Otherwise, if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value or greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter, the at least one operating parameter is maintained unchanged.
In an alternative embodiment, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the further updated value if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range from a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter. Otherwise, if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter. Finally, if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter, the at least one operating parameter is reset to the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
A system for implementing the method according to the invention comprises a first group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer device, wherein, with respect to the conveying direction, the cigarette maker is upstream of the buffer device and the cigarette packing machine is downstream of the buffer device. The operation of the cigarette manufacturing machine and the cigarette packing machine depends on the filling amount of the buffer. The system further comprises a first sensor means for detecting a fill level of the buffer and for measuring a production output of the cigarette manufacturing machines in the first group and a production output of the cigarette packing machine. In addition, the system comprises a control unit operatively connected with any one of the cigarette makers, cigarette wrapping machines, buffering devices or any combination thereof of the first group and configured for managing the operation of the first group according to the method set out above.
The control unit is basically configured to implement the control logic according to the method described above. The control unit thus ensures not only that the operating state of the cigarette maker and cigarette packing machine is correlated with the filling amount of the buffer device, but also that the nature and quality of such correlation is checked and changed over time in order to adapt to possible variations in the efficiency of the cigarette maker or cigarette packing machine or both.
In some embodiments, one such system comprises a further group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer, wherein with respect to the conveying direction the cigarette maker is upstream of the buffer and the cigarette packing machine is downstream of the buffer, such that operation of the cigarette maker and operation of the cigarette packing machine is dependent on the fill level of the buffer. Furthermore, the system comprises second sensor means for detecting the filling amount of the buffer means and for measuring the production output of the cigarette manufacturing machines in the second group and the production output of the cigarette packing machine. The control unit is additionally operatively connected with any one of the cigarette makers, cigarette packing machines, buffer devices or any combination thereof in the second group and is configured for managing the operations of the first group and the operations of the other group according to the method set out above.
Advantageously, in a system running two or more groups of such automation units in parallel, the same logic can be implemented for each group based on observations of the behavior of all automation units in the system. Thus, the overall productivity of the system may be advantageously enhanced.
Drawings
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 illustrates a qualitative example of parameters defining how the operation of a cigarette maker and a cigarette packing machine relates to the filling amount of a buffer placed between the cigarette maker and the cigarette packing machine.
Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the method according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the present invention; and
fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of another preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention.
Detailed Description
Figure 1 shows several operating parameters of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer device. The parameter relates the operating state of the cigarette maker and the cigarette pack to the filling amount of the buffer device. The parameters include a cigarette maker start limit, a cigarette maker deceleration limit, a cigarette maker hysteresis width, a cigarette packing machine start limit, a cigarette packing machine deceleration limit, and a cigarette packing machine hysteresis width.
One such group has been installed, which comprises a PROTOS PM 100 as cigarette maker (product of Maschinenbau AG, Hauni, germany), an F550 as cigarette packing machine (product of Focke GmbH, germany) and a CAPRICORN as buffer device (product of ITM, the netherlands). The PROTOS PM 100 has a full production rate of 10,000 cigarettes/minute. F550 has a full production rate of 500 packs/minute with each pack containing 20 cigarettes (this also corresponds to 10,000 cigarettes processed per minute). CAPRICORN has an effective capacity of 125,000 cigarettes at an upstream and downstream rate of 10,000 cigarettes/minute.
The baseline values of the listed operating parameters are determined based on simulation results based on the following assumptions: the operating efficiency of the cigarette manufacturing machine is substantially equal to the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine. The baseline value is selected as the value of the operating parameter, resulting in an optimized group productivity. Table 1 below lists the baseline values determined from the simulation.
TABLE 1 operating parameter baseline values for the groups
The boundary values of the operating parameters have been set to ensure stable operation of the group. The following table 2 lists the boundary values.
TABLE 2 operating parameter baseline values for the groups
Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the method according to the present invention.
The above operating parameters of a group are set to respective starting values and the group is operated for a first cycle time of up to one hour. During this time, the operation of the group is monitored in order to determine the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker, the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine and their ratio, which is considered to be the group comparison efficiency.
After 1 hour, the correction values for the operating parameters are determined as a function of the group comparison efficiency. Thus, an updated value of the cigarette maker start limit is calculated by multiplying the relevant baseline value by the determined group comparison efficiency value (see equations 1, 2). Similar calculations are made for cigarette maker deceleration limit, cigarette wrapping machine start limit, cigarette wrapping machine deceleration limit, and cigarette wrapping machine hysteresis width (see equations 4, 6, 7, and 8). An updated value of the cigarette maker hysteresis width is calculated by multiplying the correlation baseline value by the inverse of the determined group comparison efficiency value.
The operating parameter is reset to such an updated value. The group was run for another cycle time of up to 1 hour. At the end of another cycle time, the comparative group efficiency is again determined. If the comparison group efficiency varies by at least 5% between the beginning and the end of the other cycle time, a new updated value for the operating parameter is calculated as described above, and the operating parameter is reset to such updated value. Otherwise, if the comparison group efficiency varies by less than 5% between the beginning and the end of the further cycle time, the operating parameter is kept unchanged.
The uptime was found to be increased by about 0.25% when the group was operated according to the method shown in fig. 2, compared to the same group operated without adaptive control.
Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the method according to the invention. Only the differences from the embodiment of fig. 2 will be described here.
The method shown in the flow chart of fig. 3 differs from the embodiments described above in that another check is provided immediately after the updated value of the operating parameter has been determined. In practice, the updated value of each of the operating parameters is compared with the corresponding boundary values. If the updated value is within the boundary value, the updated value is used to reset the value of the operating parameter. Otherwise, if the update value exceeds the upper bound value, the upper bound value is used to reset the value of the operating parameter. Finally, if the updated value is lower than the lower boundary value, the lower boundary value is used to reset the value of the operating parameter.
The uptime was found to increase by about 0.6% to about 0.8% when the group was operated according to the method shown in fig. 3, compared to the same group operated without adaptive control.
Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the method according to the invention. Only the differences from the embodiment of fig. 3 will be described here.
The method shown in the flowchart of fig. 4 differs from the embodiments described above in that another check is provided upon determining an updated value of the operating parameter. In practice, the current values of cigarette maker efficiency and cigarette pack efficiency are compared to a baseline efficiency value (e.g., 30%). If the current values of the cigarette maker efficiency and the cigarette pack efficiency are at least equal to the associated baseline values, the current values of the cigarette maker efficiency and the cigarette pack efficiency are used for a subsequent check of the efficiency variation during another cycle time. Otherwise, if the current values of the cigarette maker efficiency and cigarette pack efficiency are below the relevant baseline values, the average value of the efficiencies during the second cycle time is used for subsequent checks of the efficiency variation.
The uptime was found to be about 0.9% greater when the group was operated according to the method shown in fig. 4, compared to the same group operated without adaptive control. This can increase the yield by over 385,000 cigarettes over a three day production period.
Claims (14)
1. A method of controlling the operation of a group comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packing machine and a buffer, wherein the cigarette maker is upstream of the buffer and the cigarette packing machine is downstream of the buffer with respect to a conveying direction, the group being configured such that the operation of the cigarette maker and the operation of the cigarette packing machine are dependent on a fill level of the buffer;
the method comprises the following steps:
setting at least one operating parameter of the group to a starting value, which parameter relates an operating state of the cigarette maker or the cigarette packing machine to the filling amount of the buffer;
operating the group for a predetermined first cycle time based on the at least one operating parameter;
determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker during the first cycle time;
determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine over the first cycle time;
determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine; and
at the end of the first cycle time, resetting the at least one operating parameter to an updated value as a function of the group comparison efficiency.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of: a cigarette maker start limit, a cigarette maker deceleration limit, a cigarette maker lag width, a cigarette packing machine start limit, a cigarette packing machine deceleration limit, a cigarette packing machine lag width.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of resetting the value of the at least one operating parameter comprises:
determining a correction value for the at least one operating parameter as a function of the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the corrected value if the corrected value for the at least one parameter is within a range from a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the starting value if the correction value for the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value or greater than the upper boundary value for the at least one parameter.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of resetting the value of the at least one operating parameter comprises:
determining a correction value for the at least one operating parameter as a function of the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the corrected value if the corrected value for the at least one parameter is from a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter if the correction value for the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter if the correction value for the at least one parameter is greater than the upper boundary value for the at least one parameter.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of determining a correction value for the at least one operating parameter comprises multiplying a baseline value for the at least one operating parameter by a value substantially equal to the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time or by the inverse thereof.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining a correction value for the at least one operating parameter comprises multiplying a baseline value for the at least one operating parameter by a value substantially equal to the group comparison efficiency at the end of the first cycle time or by the inverse thereof.
7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
operating the group for another cycle time based on the updated at least one operating parameter;
determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker in the another cycle time;
determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine during the another cycle time;
determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at the end of the other cycle time;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to another updated value as a function of the group comparison efficiency at the end of the another cycle time if the group comparison efficiency at the end of the another cycle time differs from the group comparison efficiency at the beginning of the another cycle time by at least 5%;
maintaining the at least one operating parameter unchanged if the group comparison efficiency at the end of the another cycle time differs from the group comparison efficiency at the beginning of the another cycle time by less than 5%.
8. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
operating the group for a predetermined another period of time based on the adjusted at least one operating parameter;
determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette maker in the another cycle time;
determining an operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine during the another cycle time;
determining a group comparison efficiency as a ratio between the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at the end of the other cycle time;
assuming an average maker efficiency during the other cycle time as a current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker if the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker at the end of the other cycle time is less than a baseline maker efficiency;
assuming the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker at the end of the other cycle time as a current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker if the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker at the end of the other cycle time is at least as great as a baseline maker efficiency;
assuming an average packer efficiency during the other cycle time as a current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine if the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine at the end of the other cycle time is less than a baseline packer efficiency;
assuming the operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine at the end of a second cycle as a current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine if the operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine at the end of the second cycle is at least as great as a baseline maker efficiency;
determining a current comparative group efficiency as a ratio between the current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and the current value of the operating efficiency of the cigarette packing machine;
then, the process of the present invention is carried out,
resetting the at least one operating parameter to another updated value as a function of the current comparison group efficiency if the current comparison group efficiency differs from a comparison group efficiency from the comparison group efficiency at the beginning of the other cycle time by at least 5%;
maintaining the at least one operating parameter unchanged if the current comparison group efficiency differs from a comparison group efficiency from the comparison group efficiency at the beginning of the another cycle time by less than 5%.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter comprises:
determining a further updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on a value of the ratio between the measured/determined operating efficiency of the cigarette maker and the measured/determined operating efficiency of the cigarette wrapping machine at the end of the further cycle time;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the determined updated value if the updated value of the at least one parameter is from a predetermined lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to a predetermined upper boundary value of the at least one parameter;
maintaining the at least one operating parameter unchanged if the updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the predetermined lower boundary value or greater than the predetermined upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter comprises:
determining another updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on the value of the comparison group efficiency at the end of the another cycle time;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the further updated value if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range of a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter if the another updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter if the another updated value of the at least one parameter is greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter comprises:
determining another updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on the current comparison group efficiency;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the further updated value if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range of a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter;
maintaining the at least one operating parameter unchanged if the another updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value or greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of resetting the at least one operating parameter comprises:
determining another updated value of the at least one operating parameter based on the current comparison group efficiency;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the further updated value if the further updated value of the at least one parameter is within a range of a lower boundary value of the at least one parameter to an upper boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter if the another updated value of the at least one parameter is less than the lower boundary value of the at least one parameter;
resetting the at least one operating parameter to the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter if the another updated value of the at least one parameter is greater than the upper boundary value of the at least one parameter.
13. A system comprising a cigarette maker, a cigarette packer and a buffer device, the system comprising:
a first group comprising a first cigarette maker, a first cigarette packing machine and a first buffer device, wherein the first cigarette maker is upstream of the first buffer device and the first cigarette packing machine is downstream of the first buffer device with respect to a conveying direction, such that operation of the first cigarette maker and operation of the first cigarette packing machine is dependent on a fill level of the first buffer device;
a first sensor means for detecting a fill level of the first buffer and for measuring a production output of the first cigarette maker and a production output of the first cigarette packing machine in the first group;
a control unit operatively connected with any one of the first cigarette maker, first cigarette wrapping machine, first buffer device, or any combination thereof, of the first group and configured for managing operation of the first group in accordance with the method set forth in any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. A system according to claim 13, comprising a second group comprising a second cigarette maker, a second cigarette packing machine and a second buffer, wherein the second cigarette maker is upstream of the second buffer and the second cigarette packing machine is downstream of the second buffer, with respect to the conveying direction, such that operation of the second cigarette maker and operation of the second cigarette packing machine is dependent on the fill level of the second buffer;
second sensor means for detecting a fill level of the second buffer and for measuring a production output of the second cigarette maker and a production output of the second cigarette packing machine in the second group;
wherein the control unit is additionally operatively connected with any of the second cigarette maker, second cigarette wrapping machine, second buffer device, or any combination thereof, of the second group and is configured for managing the operation of the first group and the operation of the second group according to the method set out in any one of claims 1 to 12.
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| PCT/EP2016/075642 WO2017072102A1 (en) | 2015-10-28 | 2016-10-25 | Method for adaptive control of operation of a maker-packer group |
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| CN108135251B true CN108135251B (en) | 2021-09-21 |
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| JPS6054667A (en) * | 1983-09-02 | 1985-03-29 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Control apparatus of tobacco wind-up and packing system |
| DE4404929C2 (en) * | 1994-02-16 | 1995-12-14 | Bat Cigarettenfab Gmbh | Plant for the production and packaging of cigarettes |
| GB2331975B (en) * | 1994-12-12 | 1999-07-21 | Molins Plc | Reservoir system for rod-like articles |
| DE19635598A1 (en) * | 1996-09-02 | 1998-03-05 | Focke & Co | Installation for handling cigarettes in particular |
| RU2355264C1 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2009-05-20 | Джапан Тобакко Инк. | Cigarette production machine |
| US7481757B2 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2009-01-27 | Philip Morris Usa Inc. | Tube rolling device |
| ITBO20070486A1 (en) * | 2007-07-18 | 2007-10-17 | Gd Spa | METHOD OF CONTROL OF AN AUTOMATIC PACKAGING / PACKING MACHINE. |
| PL212816B1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2012-11-30 | Int Tobacco Machinery Poland | System of the equipment for transport of bar-like elements in the production installation of the tobacco industry |
| DE102012015820A1 (en) * | 2012-08-10 | 2014-02-13 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Production and packaging plant for hygiene products and method for operating the same |
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