EP0926958B1 - Handling installation, in particular for cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system for treating objects, especially for packaging cigarettes, with a Reservoir or temporary storage for objects and with at least one first treatment machine, especially a maker of cigarettes, in the flow of motion and at least one second treatment machine, in particular a packaging machine, after the reservoir, the first Treatment machine items alternatively in the reservoir or to the second treatment machine and the reservoir delivers objects to the second treatment machine as required, the upstream of the reservoir in the conveying flow of the objects, first treatment machine and the one downstream of the reservoir second treatment machine in accordance with the continuous or level of the reservoir measured from time to time with regard to the working speed are controllable, the reservoir upstream first treatment machine at relatively low Level of the reservoir with higher working speed drivable and with a higher fill level of the reservoir accordingly is less drivable and that downstream of the reservoir second treatment machine when the fill level is low Reservoirs with lower working speed and with higher Level of the reservoir with higher working speed is drivable.

In many areas of manufacturing and treatment technology are different units or machines into one unit linked together. The objects to be treated go through the different machines and experience the necessary processing. The one machines and units combined in such a system must coordinated with regard to the way of working or in be controlled in a coordinated manner.

Systems of the aforementioned type are primarily used in packaging technology to be found. Go through finished products possibly several machines, for example to form units to be grouped and packaged in several steps. Several units and machines are known "Lines" in the manufacture and packaging of cigarettes. On a cigarette making machine, a so-called maker, connects at least a first packaging machine. Usually however, several packaging machines are provided, to successively a first, inner wrapping, the real one Attach packaging and an outer film wrapping. The Coordination of machines with particularly high performance is in problematic in practice.

The use of reservoirs, known as reservoirs, which is a large number of cigarettes following the maker temporarily record and return to the subsequent packaging machine. It is also known to Maker and packaging machine according to a maximum or switch off minimum fill level. For example, it is common turn off the maker when the reservoir is full of 100% of the maximum capacity. Analogous the subsequent packaging machine is switched off when the memory is completely empty.

US 5 439 092 shows a system of the type mentioned at a change in the working speeds of Maker or Packer takes place depending on the absolute fill level of the reservoir. If the reservoir reaches a fill level of 100%, the Maker turned off. If the level falls to 0%, the system is switched off of the packer. The corresponding connection values for Maker or packers are 95% or 5%. So maker and packer become operated in two stages. Alternatively, the maker should have two stages and the packer can be operated in three stages. Every level value of the In both cases, reservoirs will have a fixed working speed assigned by Maker or Packer.

DE 23 60 991 A1 also has a fixed, unambiguous assignment between the fill level of a reservoir and the speed or working speed from Maker or Packer.

The assignment of level value shown in the prior art to is based on the working speeds of the respective machines their uniqueness rigid and inflexible. This is the The efficiency of such systems with reservoirs is limited.

The invention has for its object the utilization or the efficiency of such systems from several machines and Aggregates using a storage for items too improve.

To achieve this object, the system according to the invention is thereby characterized in that the working speeds of the first and / or second treatment machine both depending on the measured level as also depending on the tendency of its change, in particular of a differential portion of the level are adjustable.

The invention is based on the idea of a continuous, continuous or intermittent tuning of the treatment machines one another with the help of the reservoir or the level of the objects in the reservoir. Of further the invention is based on the knowledge that the Operation of a treatment machine constantly or from time to time on the mode of operation of the other, assigned treatment machine must be coordinated to with regard to the overall system an optimal machine run with as few machine stops as possible to reach. The aim of the invention is the number of Switching off individual machines or even the entire system to reduce and instead in a coordinated manner if necessary to drive with reduced power.

As a reference for the control of the machines is according to another feature of the invention, an optimal level of the reservoir, namely a medium level from 40% to 60% of the maximum capacity, preferably from 50%. Deviations from this optimal fill level of the store lead to change the performance of one or the other Treatment machine.

The adjustment of the controlled by the fill level of the reservoir Treatment machines on top of each other is according to another characteristic of the invention designed or configured so that the individual, current performance of the treatment machines concerned can be taken into account. For this purpose the treatment machines and the reservoir to an industrial Personal Computer (IPC) connected to the current level the memory with the operating data of the machines processed, according to a predefined, changeable configuration. Through a programming unit that can be connected to the IPC can change the set configuration and send it to the current circumstances are adjusted. To this Purpose can be through a serial interface, for example Laptop can be connected to the IPC.

The plant according to the invention can be particularly advantageous in used in the cigarette industry. The first, the reservoir the upstream treatment machine is in this case a maker of cigarettes. The downstream, second treatment machine is a (first) packaging machine.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Anlage mit zentraler Steuereinheit,

Fig. 2

ein Blockschaltbild für die Steuerung von Behandlungsmaschinen in Abhängigkeit vom Füllstand eines Reservoirs,

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Konfiguration zum Steuern der Behandlungsmaschinen als graphische Darstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung analog zu Fig. 3 für eine weiterentwickelte Ausführung der Konfiguration.

Further details of the system according to the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and application examples. It shows:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic representation of a system with a central control unit,

Fig. 2

1 shows a block diagram for the control of treatment machines depending on the fill level of a reservoir,

Fig. 3

an exemplary embodiment of a configuration for controlling the treatment machines as a graphic representation,

Fig. 4

a representation analogous to FIG. 3 for a further development of the configuration.

The details explained with reference to the drawings refer to a preferred application example, namely a System from the field of cigarette technology. It is more precise to link a cigarette making machine, namely a maker 10 with a (first) packer 11 for the cigarettes or for a formed cigarette group. The Maker 10 is on a relatively high performance, for example up to 14,000 cigarettes designed per minute. The efficiency the packer 11 is adapted to that of the maker 10. For example, the performance of packer 11 may be 700 packs per minute. This applies to a packer 11 known Design for the manufacture of hinged boxes or hinge-lid packs.

In the flow of cigarettes from maker 10 to packer 11 is a Storage or reservoir 12 turned on for the cigarettes. This is a known type of device. The reservoir 12 is for receiving a larger number of Cigarettes. The cigarettes coming from the Maker 10 are fed to the reservoir 12 via cigarette conveyors or immediately to packer 11.

The working speed (speed or number of cycles) of the maker 10 and the packer 11 are running one after the other or from time to time adjusted by coordinated control. At intermittent reduced performance of one or the other machine the working speed of the other machine accordingly changed, namely reduced. This will increase the number the stops of a single machine or the entire system reduced. The control of the two machines, namely the maker 10 and the packer 11 takes place via the fill level of the reservoir 12. This is continuously or intermittently by suitable Organs monitored.

The units of the system described, namely Maker 10, Packer 11 and reservoir 12 are on a common control unit connected, in the present case to an industrial Personal Computer, so an IPC 13. In this is one for the control program aligned with the respective application. The IPC 13 receives via a control line 14 Signals about the fill level of the reservoir. According to the Control program from this control signals for Maker 10 and Packer 11 derived and control lines 15, 16 this Machines fed.

The control program stored in the IPC 13 can be adapted to current circumstances or changes in the controlled Machines are also changed, namely adjusted. To this The purpose is a program unit that can be connected to the IPC 13 provided, for example a laptop 17. This device can can be connected to the IPC via a serial interface. The laptop 17 is used to diagnose the respective control program and to change the parameters or the control algorithm suitable. The changes or specifications for the algorithm are typed into the laptop and by this as a new one Transfer parameters to IPC 13. The laptop can then be removed become. The IPC 13 then performs the speed control independently through.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, has in this embodiment the control algorithm of the IPC 13 via three interfaces. A first interface concerns the fill level of the Reservoirs 12. This provides signals about the current level to the IPC 13. The level is, for example, about transmit an Ethernet interface.

The second interface concerns the speed specification of the Packers 11. The speed specification calculated according to the control algorithm is digital from the IPC 13 via a 4-bit BCD, 24V Transfer interface to the packer 11.

Similarly, the third interface from the IPC 13 Transfer speed specification to the Maker 10, and also via a 4-bit BCD, 24V digital interface.

In the preferred embodiment shown, one System for cigarettes remains a standard connection between reservoir 12 on the one hand and maker 10 as well Packer 11 on the other hand. Via control connections 18 on the one hand and 19 on the other hand are so-called status signals exchanged between these units of the system. With these for example, are signals for an "emergency stop", So for a shutdown of one or the other unit, for a switch to "stand by" etc.

In an advantageous embodiment of the control system, the Transmission of signals from IPC 13 to Maker 10 and Packer 11 provided with an additional bit as a "sign of life". As long as this sign of life is active on Maker 10 and Packer 11 the control signals or speed specifications coming from the IPC 13 effective. If Maker 10 and Packer 10 have no activity at the interfaces to the IPC 13, these machines are running, so Maker 10 and / or Packer 11 continue with the speed specifications, via the control connections 18 and 19 are transmitted, that is, according to a predetermined standard program.

The control signals of the IPC 13 are transmitted via 4-bit BCD. This means that 16 speed levels are available. Which Bit used for the speed specifications depends on the possible speed levels of the corresponding machine - Maker 10 or Packer 11 - from.

The speed specifications, i.e. the control signals of the IPC 13, are checked at short intervals, for example in Intervals of 4 seconds. The specifications are updated.

3 is a graphical representation of a first embodiment the configuration for the control of Maker 10 and Packer 11. In a coordinate cross is on the horizontal pointing to the right Branch 20 is the power assigned to the packer 11 or Speed applied, according to the number of manufactured Packs per minute (p / min). One in the opposite direction running branch 21 gives the respective performance of the maker 10 again, its speed, expressed in number of cigarettes per minute (bpm). A vertical line 22 gives that Level of the reservoir 12 again. The measurements or numbers assume a common zero point 23.

A lower line 24 marks a minimum fill level of the reservoir 12 of for example 10%. The level drops below this size, the maker 10 or the packer 11 is switched off.

In the area of the minimum fill level according to line 24 the Packer 11 driven with a minimum output of, for example 250 p / min corresponding to vertical line 25. With increasing Fill level of the reservoir 12 increases (linearly) the power or Clock or speed of the packer 11 along the line 26. Die Configuration is designed so that in the present case at corresponding to an optimal fill level of the reservoir 12 of 50% Line 27 achieves the maximum performance of the packer 11 is according to the vertical line 28 with, for example 700 p / min. This achievement becomes like coming from a performance line 29 results in a further increase in the fill level of the reservoir 12 retained.

The maker 10 is controlled analogously in accordance with the fill level in the reservoir 12. At a maximum critical fill level of for example 90% according to line 30 becomes maker 10 turned off to continue feeding cigarettes to reservoir 12 to prevent. Based on this maximum fill level accordingly Line 30 begins with a reduction in the maker Level with the manufacture and supply of cigarettes accordingly Line 31, which has an output of 10,000, for example Z / min can correspond. If the level is reduced further the performance of the maker 10 gradually increases in the reservoir 12 according to line 32 up to a predetermined maximum output of, for example, 14,000 rpm, marked by line 33. This Maximum performance is achieved even if the level is reduced further maintained in the reservoir 12.

The graphic representation according to FIG. 4 is a more complex one Configuration for the control of Maker 10 and Packer 11 underlying. The lines corresponding to the illustration in FIG. 3 are taken over. As can be seen, the rise of Performance of the packer 11 - starting from a critical minimum Level according to line 24 - at a higher speed or power according to line 34. This corresponds, for example an output of 400 or 500 p / min. The rise the power is selected so that even at a fill level below the optimal level according to line 27 maximum performance of the packer 11 is reached, namely at one Line 35, which has a fill level of, for example, 30% or 35% of the reservoir 12 can correspond. This configuration is based on the knowledge that as the level in the reservoir rises 12 higher performance and faster maximum performance makes sense with the packer 11.

In the opposite direction, namely when the level in the reservoir falls 12 is already on line 36, i.e. above the optimum Level according to line 27, for example at 60% or 70% fill level in the reservoir 12, the performance of the packer 11 reduced and according to line 37 to a minimum Power down according to vertical line 25. In this case, this minimum output is already around 25% reached according to line 38. A further reduction in Service is not provided.

The maker 10 is operated analogously after this configuration. If the level in the reservoir 12 falls, the Maker 10 controlled according to line 38. This means that if the critical maximum filling is undershot accordingly Line 30 of Maker 10 with a performance of, for example 12,000 rpm according to line 39 the production operation again records. The maximum power according to line 33 is reached faster, namely above the optimal level according to line 27 (50%).

The maker 10 is reversed when the level increases in the reservoir 12, starting from a minimal filling, already below the optimal level - line 27 - to reduced Power switched, namely at about 30% fill level according to line 39. Maker 10 is based on this in terms of performance reduced to the minimum performance according to line 31, for example 10,000 rpm.

If necessary, other configurations are possible in the manner described in the control unit or in the IPC 13 can be entered. So must the course of the changes in performance from Maker 10 on the one hand and .Packer 11 on the other hand at the Embodiment of FIG. 4 within the oblique running lines bounded area is not linear, so straight run. Rather, another dependency are introduced, which are in principle from the block diagram 2 results. Thereafter, within the marked in Fig. 4 Surfaces 39 and 40 an arcuate or even irregular Course of the rising or falling line of the Services provided by Maker 10 or Packer 11, depending on the configuration stored in the IPC 13.

The block diagram according to FIG. 2 illustrates the control concept of the device according to the invention. The speeds of the maker n _m-soll and the packer n _p-soll are controlled or regulated based on the fill level of the reservoir f _r . The procedure is as follows:

To control the speed of the maker n _m- target, the current fill level of the reservoir f _{r is} measured and offset against a predetermined target fill level s _r . For this purpose, the difference between these two quantities is formed. This difference is multiplied by a first constant, namely a control parameter or a static gain k _{m 1} . This provides a proportional portion of the control algorithm. In parallel, the measured level of the reservoir f _{r is} differentiated and multiplied by a second constant, namely the control parameter or a dynamic gain k _{m 2} . This provides a differential component of the control algorithm. The proportional component and the differential component are then offset against the maximum speed of the maker n _{m -max} to the desired speed n _{m- target of} the same. To do this, the proportional component is added to the maker's maximum speed, while the differential component is subtracted from it. Overall, the control algorithm for the speed of the maker n _m- target can _{be represented} by the following formula: n m-should = n m -Max + k m 1 * ( s r - f r ) - k m 2nd * ( d ( f r ) German )

The procedure for controlling the speed of the packer n _p-soll is analogous. Starting from the current fill level of the reservoir f _r we have a proportional component k _{p 1} * ( f _r - s _r ) and a differential component k _{p 2} * ( d ( f _r ) / dt ) of the control algorithm for the speed of the packer n _p-soll calculated. Proportional and differential components are then offset at the maximum speed n _{p -max} for the packer. This is done according to the following formula: n p-should = n p -Max + k p 1 * ( f r - s r ) + k p 2nd * ( d ( f r ) German )

Overall, both the speed of the maker n _m- target and the speed of the packer n _p- target are calculated using a proportional-difference control algorithm.

Reference symbol list:

10th

Maker

11

packer

12th

reservoir

13

IPC

14

Control line

15

Control line

16

Control line

17th

Laptop

18th

Tax connection

19th

Tax connection

20th

Branch

21

Branch

22

line

23

Zero point

24th

line

25th

Vertical line

26

line

27

line

28

Vertical line

29

Power line

30th

line

31

line

32

line

33

line

34

line

35

line

36

line

37

line

38

line

39

area

40

area

Claims (7)

1. System for handling articles, in particular for packaging cigarettes, having a reservoir (12) or store for temporarily receiving articles, and having at least a first handling machine, in particular a maker (10) for cigarettes, upstream, and at least a second handling machine, in particular a packer (11), downstream, of the reservoir (12) as seen in the direction of the movement path, it being the case that the first handling machine conveys articles alternatively into the reservoir (12) or to the second handling machine and the reservoir (12), as required, discharges articles to the second handling machine, it being the case that

   a) the first handling machine, which is arranged upstream of the reservoir (12) in the conveying path of the articles, and the second handling machine, which is arranged downstream of the reservoir (12), can be controlled in terms of the operating speed (cycle speed, output) in accordance with the filling level of the reservoir (12), said level being measured constantly or from time to time,

   b) the first handling machine, which is arranged upstream of the reservoir (12), can be driven at a higher speed when the filling level of the reservoir (12) is comparatively low and can be driven at a correspondingly lower operating speed when the filling level of the reservoir (12) is higher,

   c) the second handling machine, which is arranged downstream of the reservoir (12), can be driven at a lower operating speed (output, cycle speed) when the filling level of the reservoir (12) is lower and can be driven at a higher operating speed when the filling level of the reservoir (12) is higher,

   characterized in that
      d) the operating speeds of the first and/or second handling machine (10; 11) can be set both in dependence on the measured filling level and in dependence on the tendency of the filling level to change, in particular on a differential component of the filling level.
2. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control of the machines arranged upstream and downstream of the reservoir (12) is geared to an optimum filling level of the reservoir (12), in particular to a filling level of from 40% to 60%, in particular 50%.
3. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handling machine arranged upstream of the reservoir (12) (10) is switched off when a maximum filling level of the reservoir (12) has been reached, in particular at a filling level of approximately 100%, and the handling machine arranged downstream of the reservoir (12) (11) is switched off when the filling level of the reservoir is at a minimum level, which can be set, in particular when the reservoir is completely empty.
4. System according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, when a change is established in the filling level in the reservoir (12), with the filling level tending to rise, that is to say increase, the downstream handling machine (11) is started up and/or operated at an increased operating speed and with the filling level in the reservoir (12) tending to fall, with the relatively high filling level, above the optimum filling level, said handling machine can be changed over to reduced output.
5. System according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, when the filling level in the reservoir (12) changes in the downward direction, the first handling machine (10) is operated at a relatively high operating speed and, when the filling level changes in the upward direction, said handling machine is started up below the optimum filling level.
6. System according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the handling machines (10, 11) can be controlled by a central control unit, in particular by an Industrial Personal Computer - IPC (13).
7. System according to Claim 6 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the subassemblies of a system, in particular maker (10), packer (11) and reservoir (12), are additionally connected to one another by standard control connections (18, 19) for the purpose of transmitting standard data, in particular when the control means fails.

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