EP1352572B1 - Method and device for acting on articles of the tobacco industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of working on tobacco industry products (4) during a machine operating cycle uses data (30) carried on the products. The data on the products is read in synchronism with the machine cycle and is asynchronously arranged to the machine cycle. The data allows presetting of the working operation in synchronism to the working cycle of the machine. The data is readable by sensors (2). Claims include a machine for carrying out the method.

Description

The invention relates to a. Method and device for acting on a product in a machine of the tobacco processing industry Dependence on information about the product previously assigned to the product. The machine works in a certain machine cycle.

Such methods and devices are known from the prior art. It is known from DE 19 00 701 B2 by the applicant for information about to write a manufactured product into a cell of a shift register. The Information is passed isochronously with the product in the shift register and thus enables timely control of actuators by the corresponding sensors are spaced.

DE-OS 21 13 841 from Industrial Nucleonics Corporation is a process known for tracking and classifying products, along which Production line a reference point, several measuring stations and one Actuating station are provided. In addition, there is a counter on every Reference point of passing product is increased, and is a multiple cell having memory provided. When a product runs past a a signal corresponding to the measurement result is formed and stored in the memory cell, the address of the difference from the current value of the counter and the distance between measuring point and Corresponds to the reference point. At the same time, the memory cell is read out Address of the difference between the current meter reading and the distance between the Actuating station from the reference point corresponds to the corresponding signal reproduces the information related to that at the actuation station passing product heard. The information says that the corresponding If the product is not faultless, the actuation station is activated and that Product removed from the manufacturing line.

The object of the present invention is to develop methods and devices to improve the type mentioned at the beginning.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1 and a device according to claim 16 solved.

To illustrate the advantages of the present invention are first in The following are the basic functions of the method according to the invention Device according to the invention described. In the further on then certain elements received and these and their advantages based on their Function described in more detail.

During a manufacturing process in a machine of tobacco processing industry goes through a product, for example a cigarette, different phases, each monitored with sensors and actuators or can be controlled. The sensors in particular provide information about the product. This information can then be used for control purposes machine. As an example, here is the ejection function for poorly rated products. But there are also actions like the precise start-up of those used to manufacture the product Materials, for example when starting a cigarette manufacturing machine, if the filter and the cigarette should meet exactly. Also with one Cigarette making machine can occur in the absence of Filters the tobacco sticks need to be blown together despite missing Filters to be able to hold the topping paper.

Basically, it can be stated that the individual product with Criteria or sensor information can be provided and by the Entire machine can be tracked to a later one if necessary Time to be able to influence the product. This means that the Product tracking very closely to the manufacturing process and especially to the Machine clocking of the machine. In the systems of the stand In technology, this tracking is used directly by clocking the Software in. Machine cycle performed. However, this includes Unfortunately, enormous time requirements for the components, if one considers that the machine cycle with today's processing of 12,000 cigarettes per minute is between about 5 ms and about 10 ms.

Thanks to the division of product tracking into one according to the invention Machine cycle synchronous acquisition and preprocessing, a machine cycle asynchronous Further or intermediate processing or information allocation and the machine clock synchronous influence on the products avoid the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. Because due to the Invention only needs to collect information about the products and the Effects on the products are carried out synchronously with the machine cycle. The intermediate or further processing or the assignment of the information to However, the individual product can be separated from it and therefore with a slower and therefore less expensive clocking can be made. This is the actual one when tracking the product in the machine Processing the associated information, which represents expenditure, and the assignment this information about the product decoupled from the quick Machine cycle. In addition to the lower cycle time for processing, the Processing is therefore also free from interference caused by sensor signal interrupts State of the art generated by the sensor.

A particular advantage of the invention is, however, that due to the Decoupling the acquisition and processing of the information with the information a much higher precision can be detected without it excessive burden on the information processing control comes. So sensors with a resolution of less than 1 ms be used. The correspondingly possible fine resolution at Actuation of the actuators, for example, when starting the machine or at the control of the seam plate of cigarette manufacturing machines a strong one Reduction of the committee too.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detected Information with a value of a determined at the time of detection machine-synchronous counter linked. This value is also shown below referred to as the master location. It is further preferred if such a pair from information and counter value asynchronous to the machine cycle, for example read out with the help of a bus and the - for example as part of a central control existing - assignment is made available. The assignment of the information to the corresponding product preferably based on the counter value associated with it. Around Coping with large amounts of information can also take several Pairs can be read out simultaneously and made available for assignment.

Based on the current machine speed, the determined one is advantageous Counter value, a predetermined position of the detection and a predetermined Position of the action a time of the start of the action certainly. The predefined position of the detection and the predetermined position of action also by assigned values of a machine-synchronous counter, i.e. the master location. This Assignment can be made as part of a calibration.

In another embodiment of the invention, the assignment becomes the product by first entering the entry position assigned counter value deducted from the recorded counter value and then with the integer multiple of the distance between two products in the Machine corresponding counter value is compared, which is determined in this way Multiples correspond to a product number.

It is also advantageous when assigning if, when comparing, preferably asymmetrical, tolerance is specified, within which the Multiple as the number of the product with that at the counter value at the time the determined information is linked. So possible Inaccuracies in the acquisition can be tolerated within a predeterminable framework.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the subclaims described.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG the drawing described.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ablaufs einer Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und

Figur

2 eine schematische Darstellung der Verwendung einer Toleranz bei der Zuordnung der Information zu einem Produkt.

The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of a sequence of an embodiment of a method according to the invention; and

figure

2 shows a schematic illustration of the use of a tolerance when assigning the information to a product.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a possible course of tracking a Product 4 according to an ejection control as an embodiment 1 of the Invention in a tobacco processing machine (not shown) Industry. Such a machine can be, for example Act machine of the type PROTOS / MAX of the applicant. The Ejection control 1 and the sequence are described below by a sensor 2 to collect information about a product Filter cigarette 4 up to a valve 6 serving as an actuator if necessary necessary ejection of the product 4 described.

The ejection control 1 shown points to the implementation of the following described inventive method between the sensor 2 and the Actuator 6 a fast drive system 8 of the machine with a fast one Input 10 and a fast output 12, one with the drive system 8 connected programmable controller 14 with an input 16 and an input 18 and an internal shift register 20 with memory cells 20-1 to 20-7 on. The fast input 10 is with the sensor 2 via a Signal line 3 and with the input 16 of the controller 14 via a bus 11 and connected an interface, not shown. This bus 11 also connects the fast output 12 to the output 18 of the controller 14, while Connecting the fast output 12 to the actuator 6 is another Signal line 7 is provided. As in the drawing symbolically by one shown small graph next to the signal line 3, the resolution of Sensor 2, however, less than 1 ms. The bus operates at a clock rate of 6.4 ms.

The method according to the invention runs in accordance with that shown in FIG Embodiment as follows:

A double filter cigarette 4 - for better distinction are the double filter cigarettes 4 in Figure 1 is designated by the reference numerals 4-1 to 4-7 detected by the sensor 2 in one of its quality features. In which A quality feature can be, for example, the density of the tobacco act. In the simplest case, however, sensor 2 can only do one Be a light barrier that only detects the presence of a cigarette 4. The Information captured by the sensor 2 is sent via the signal line 3 to the issued rapid input 10 of the drive system 8. The sensor 2 gives in Machine cycle of the machine, not shown, the signals, i.e. about all five milliseconds.

The signals from sensor 2 forwarded to drive system 8 are there taken from the fast input 10. As an alternative to the drive system of Other components are also conceivable, which are comparable Function. The drive system 8 has the possibility of Record signal from sensor 2 and with one at the time of detection determined value of a machine-synchronous counter (not shown) link. For this purpose, the drive system 8 has one for the entire machine valid and identical so-called master location. With the positive edge of the Sensor signal, this master position is stored or latched and via the bus 11 passed on to the higher-level control 14. Because this process happen very quickly compared to the other processes on the machine no further performance in the system for recognizing the signal needed because with the latched master layer, where the signal from the sensor 2 was recognized, product 4-2 can be inferred at any time. By the very accurate sensor 2 (accuracy <1 ms, see above) is the Achieved advantageous high spatial resolution for the product 4 according to the invention.

The production process requires a certain processing speed signals generated by the sensor 2. In the case of 12,000 cigarettes per minute sensor 2 will emit a signal approximately every 5 ms. The ejection control 1 must be able to capture all values without losing a value. Assuming that a value is latched by the drive system 8 every 5 ms must be changed every 5 ms at the bus interface appear. However, since the bus cycle in the present exemplary embodiment only 6.4 ms, it could happen that the previous value from the interface is not seen. So data could be overwritten. This problem is solved in the illustrated embodiment by that multiple values can be transferred in parallel. Here are three Values on the interface between the fast input 10 and the Control 14 defined. The interface is a multiplex process operated from the fast input 10.

This parallel transmission of the signals is also used in the transmission of Signals made by the controller 14 to the fast output 12. in the the rest of the operation of the fast output 12 is still below explained in more detail.

The controller 14 thus receives information about which master position the Sensor 2 has recognized a product 4. This information can theoretically be arbitrary be old, i.e. there are no time requirements for communication and Processing speed of the master layer. The controller 14 now calculates from the master position when the information is recorded, an assignment of the recorded Information on a specific cigarette 4 and carries the criterion of the sensor 2 in the shift register 20 at the correct position, i.e. in the right one Memory cell 20-2 of the shift register 20. The exact process of Entry is described below with reference to Figure 2. The assignment must continue to happen so quickly that any information from the sensor can be assigned to a product, but it does not require computing power more applied to the process of mapping with the machine cycle too synchronize, which represents considerable effort in the prior art.

The shift register 20 represents a product-related memory that the Criteria of the individual sensors 2, but also other product-related ones Information such as Information resulting from the procedure (first Cigarette, unbroken zone on the topping paper). The shift register 20 reflects the physical structure of the machine and therefore the Production process again. There may be a distribution of the register 20 over multiple modules, like multiple shift registers 20, give to certain ones Nodes of the machine can be brought together. For example, a Tracking the filter run and tracking the tobacco sticks conceivable. In a filter piecer is thus, for example, two shift registers 20 merged, synonymous with the fact that in the actual Production process the cigarette 4 by merging the filter and Tobacco stick is made.

The shift register 20 is stored in the controller 14. It represents a kind of matrix where each product entry in a row has certain properties that were detected by the sensor 2, are assigned in a column. In the course In the process, such a matrix is filled step by step and represents the State of each product 4-1 through 4-7. The number of entries in the Shift register 20 corresponds to the possible number of products 4 in Process.

The timing of the shift register 20 is based on the master position made, that is, with the help of those coming from the drive system 8 Information on how far, for example, the product 4-2 has recently been has moved. Through this clocking the actual pushing of the Shift registers 20 realized, the master position indicating how far to push is. Technically, the data is not in the individual Memory cells 20-1 to 20-7 pushed as this is too technical Effort is. Rather, it is the access to the individual memory cells Offset 20-1 to 20-7.

The information from the shift register 20 leads to certain points the machine to actions that directly affect the manufacturing process in the machine influence. This can e.g. ejecting defective products 4 or the targeted removal of products 4 with certain criteria. As well could be the presence of the product 4 in a certain process position to control other processes, for example switching on and off Feed material, such as tobacco. If that serving as an actuator Valve 6 is to be controlled, the controller 14 calculates at Inclusion of the current machine speed, the master position at which the drive system 8 should control the output 12. This information when the valve is to be controlled, lie on the (not shown) Drive system fast input 12 bus interface 8. If this Information means that the corresponding cigarette 4, for example the Cigarette 4-2 is of poor quality, then this cigarette must be 4-2 the ejection control 1 can be sorted out. This is done by when the cigarette 4-2 is in the area of the valve 6 serving as an actuator arrives, i.e. the corresponding master position is reached with this information, the Output 12 is addressed and thus valve 6 via line 7 is activated and the cigarette 4-2 ejected or onto a removal drum or is handed over to a test center withdrawal.

The controller 14 also calculates the necessary one for actuating the valve 6 Dead time compensation. In addition, the master location is also calculated at which should close the valve again. To the valve 6 product-specific and phase-appropriate control, it is important to provide the necessary information, i.e. the Master layers for switching the valve 6 on and off in time from the Control 14 to the drive system 8 or the fast output 12 to hand over.

In the exemplary embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, this is an actuator serving valve 6 a blow-off valve. Alternatively, 1 but also actuators with other functions, such as the functions "Swing the topping crusher away" or "if the filter is missing, the tobacco sticks blow together "can be controlled.

As indicated above, the function of the assignment should now be made with reference to FIG a sensor signal for a specific product, i.e. a certain Cigarette 4 can be described in the controller 14. With this assignment must the inaccuracy of the sensor 2 that occurs during signal generation be taken into account. This is done in the form of a window technology, which in the The following is explained. This window technique means nothing else than that a tolerance is provided for the masteriage associated with the detected signal is within which the signal is theoretical for a particular product calculated master location is still equated.

For clarification, Figure 2 shows a section of the shift register 20 for a product from N. The product N is turned on in the controller 14 Assigned window area 22. The window 22 is based on 3 criteria described: an average, a window width and an offset to the Product entry versus the mean. In the example shown is the offset 0 because the mean value of the sensor is within the intended Shift register position is. The position of the window 22 is when the Machine determined, whereas the window size by physical Conditions is fixed. 24 is the master position of sensor 2 designated.

The window 22 has an upper window boundary 25 at a distance 26 from Sensor position and a lower window limit 27 at a distance 28 from Sensor position on. The distances 26 and 28 are of different sizes, so that an asymmetrical window 22 is created. However, it is also possible that the Distances 26 and 28 are the same size.

If a sensor signal 30 is recognized by the controller 14 in the window 22, the corresponding sensor criterion is assigned to product N.

Sensor signals that are outside a window, i.e. in the lighter areas 32 arrive, are either discarded by the controller 14 or solve corresponding error messages. In any case, such signals do not lead to entries in the shift register 20. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that the windows 22 close together.

Reference numeral 34 denotes the window belonging to the product N-1.

As an example to illustrate the work of the controller 14 in the assignment of the signal 30 to a product N assume that the products N-1, N, N + 1 each with a master layer spacing of 100,000 the machine run through. For the position of the sensor 2 it is assumed that this is located in the master location 1.741.538. This was previously done through calibration determined. The upper window limit 25 is at a master layer spacing 26 in Height of 70,000 and the lower window limit 27 is in one Master layer spacing 28 of 15,000 spaced from the position of the Sensor 2. The window offset determined by calibration is - as above mentioned - 0. As an example it is now assumed that the sensor 2 as Master position, in which the sensor criterion was recognized, the value 2.535.784 determined. In the controller 14 is now used for the assignment of this Value subtracted the position of the sensor so that there is an intermediate value in Amount to 794,246. This intermediate value is less than 15,000 eight times the product distance 100,000, but is more than 70,000 over seven times the product gap of 100,000. So he becomes the Eight times the product distance, i.e. assigned to the product N = 8.

Claims (18)

1. A method of acting on a product (4) in a machine operating in a machine cycle in the tobacco-processing industry in dependence on information (30) about the product (4), which is previously associated with the product (4), comprising the steps:

   the information (30) about the product (4) is detected synchronously with the machine cycle,

   the information (30) is associated with the product (4) asynchronously with respect to the machine cycle, and

   an action is effected on the product (4) synchronously with respect to the machine cycle in dependence on the information (30) associated with the product (4).
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information (30) is detected by sensor means on the product (4).
3. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the detected information (30) is linked to a value, ascertained at the time of detection, of a machine cycle-synchronous counter.
4. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the pair comprising information (30) and counter value are read out asynchronously with respect to the machine cycle and made available for the association.
5. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the association of the information (30) with the corresponding product (4) is effected on the basis of the counter value linked thereto.
6. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein a moment of the commencement of the action is determined on the basis of the current machine speed, the ascertained counter value, a predetermined position in respect of detection and a predetermined position in respect of action.
7. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the moment in time of the action is only determined when an action is established as being necessary in dependence on the information (30) associated with the product (4).
8. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein a reading-out clock of the reading-out procedure is slower, preferably at least twice, than the machine cycle.
9. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of pairs of information (30) and counter value are simultaneously read out and made available to the association.
10. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the duration of the action is predetermined and is controlled with the inclusion of the determined moment in time of the commencement of the action.
11. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the predetermined position in respect of detection and the predetermined position in respect of the action are defined by associated values of a machine cycle-synchronous counter.
12. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the association of the counter values with the positions is effected by means of calibration.
13. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the association with the products (4) is effected by a procedure whereby firstly the counter value associated with the detection position is deducted from the detected counter value of the product (4) and then compared to the integral multiple of a counter value corresponding to the spacing of two products (4) in the machine, wherein the multiple ascertained in that way corresponds to a number of the product (4).
14. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein, in the comparison operation, there is predetermined a preferably asymmetrical tolerance (26, 28) within which the multiple as the number (N) of the product (4) is linked to the information (30) ascertained in relation to the counter value at the moment in time of detection.
15. Apparatus for acting on a product (4) in a machine operating in a machine cycle in the tobacco-processing industry in dependence on information (30) about the product (4), which is previously associated with the product (4), comprising:

    a sensor (2) for detecting the information (30) about the product (4) in synchronous relationship with the machine cycle,

    a control (14) for associating the information (30) in asynchronous relationship with the machine cycle with the product (4), and

    an actuator (6) for acting on the product (4) in synchronous relationship with the machine cycle in dependence on the information (30) associated with the product (4).
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 comprising a linking device (10) for linking the detected information (30) to a value of a machine cycle-synchronous counter, said value being ascertained at the moment in time of the detection step.
17. Apparatus according to one of claims 15 and 16 comprising a bus (11) for reading out the pair consisting of information (30) and counter value in asynchronous relationship with the machine cycle and for making the pair available to the control (14) implementing the association.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the bus (11) can simultaneously read out a plurality of pairs consisting of information (30) and counter value and make them available to the association.

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