EP3116786B1 - Interface for a strapping machine - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 9 and a system for strapping objects.

STATE OF THE ART

Strapping machines are for decades proven devices for attaching strapped loops, usually made of plastic tape, to items such as packages, stacks of magazines, filled crates, etc. The items are usually transported on a conveyor in a tape guide frame. A flat strapping tape is fed to the tape guide channel in the tape guide frame by means of a tape drive. Subsequently, the thus formed band loop is pulled out of the band guide channel and stretched around the object to be strapped. In this state, the formed wall loop is separated from the tape leader, and the two ends of the tape loop are pressed against each other and connected together. The connection of the loop ends is usually done by welding. The WO 2008/019991 The applicant describes such a strapping machine.

The strapping station is located in the region of the strap guide frame, so that the loop formed by the strap guide frame is fixed at a certain position in a certain position around the object in the strapping position. The conveyor usually comprises several components. For example, the strapping machine may include an infeed conveyor that transports unrestrained strapping articles to the strapping station. Furthermore, the strapping machine may have a discharge conveyor, the Object transported away from the strapping station after strapping. Frequently, other conveyor components are arranged in front of the inlet conveyor and / or behind the outlet conveyor. These further conveying components can be, for example, simple transport rollers on which the object to be strapped is transported in the direction of the fall due to its weight. However, driven roller conveyors or belt conveyors can also be used. In particular, in front of the strapping machine a Stautaktförderer is often used, which transports objects to the infeed conveyor of the strapping machine at predetermined times.

In practice, strapping machines are usually provided with strapping tools, which support both the movement of the object to be strapped and the strapping itself. For example, at least one stop can be provided, against which the object to be strapped is transported. Often two stops are used, which are arranged transversely to the direction of transport plane. When the object is transported against the stop by the conveying device, its front edge is aligned parallel to the plane defined by the stops. For the strapping of objects such as a newspaper stack, a corset holder can be used. This ensures that the objects lie directly on each other when strapping. For compressible articles, even a packing press can be used which expels air or other fillings from the space of objects to be strapped.

To control the strapping process and the Umreifungshilfsmittel and the conveyor, such strapping machines have a control unit. The control unit is usually a PLC (programmable logic controller, English: Programmable Logic Controller, PLC). A PLC provides a programmable controller on a digital basis and has been replacing hardwired controllers programmed with their interconnects and electronic components for several years. A PLC has inputs, outputs, an operating system and an interface through which programs can be loaded onto the PLC. In the manufacturing company, the PLC is programmed so that a basic setting of a machine is realized. There are also known strapping machines with a microcontroller for control, for example from the document EP 1 059 234 B1 ,

The programming of the inputs and outputs of the interface requires expensive specialists with very detailed knowledge of the control unit. The value ranges of the signals transmitted via the inputs and outputs and their technical significance must be known. The control unit must then be programmed based on this knowledge so that either specific units of the strapping machine are controlled depending on specific signal values on a particular input channel of the control unit or that certain output values of the strapping machine outputs certain output signals via a signal channel of the control unit to a pole pair of the connector become. In order for the programming to take place, a special programming environment is additionally required. These programming environments are software packages provided by the manufacturers of the control unit. For example, the company Siemens offers under the name TIA development environment for the machine controls it manufactures. In order to be able to work with these programming environments, too, a very great knowledge of the procedure and the environment is required again. The demands on the computers on which such development environments are very high, so that this expensive equipment must be purchased.

In addition, the programming of an interface or an interface channel intervenes in the actual machine program of the strapping machine. If the interface programming is changed, the machine program no longer corresponds to the series status. Release tests of the machine program are no longer meaningful and the manufacturer's warranty for the strapping machine may expire when changes are made to interface programming.

Finally, a changed interface programming is complex in administration. Changed interface software must be stored on a machine-specific basis and managed. It is not easily possible to replace one strapping machine with an individualized interface software with another model of the same series, because it is only in the model that the change of the interface programming has to be understood before it works completely like the replaced machine.

A service technician of the manufacturer's company can only change the programming of the PLC or another control unit with the above-described expense and the associated risks such that its controls are adapted to the needs of the respective user and the individual requirements of the location in which the machine is installed will, are adjusted.

The publication US 5,146,847 A describes an arrangement for feeding a flexible tape around an article by means of a tape guide frame. The arrangement has a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling the strapping arrangement. An interface connects the programmable logic controllers with a motion controller. The motion controller is in turn connected to a drive amplifier.

It is desirable to optimize the control of such a strapping machine and the operation of such a strapping process, and in particular to increase the flexibility in everyday use and the quality of the strapping.

The publication US 4,972,470 A describes an electronically configurable connector for connecting at least two discrete external electronic devices, each having individual housings. Said connector has its own housing, which comprises at least two physical interface connection elements which project through the housing wall of the connector. The connector further comprises electronically programmable means comprising an electronic circuit having a program, the electronic circuit being remotely accessible by at least one of said connected devices and sending electrical instructions therefor for evaluation by the stored program, wherein the electronic circuit is a change causes the connection between the connected devices to provide the function or configuration of the connector for communication between the connected devices as desired.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is generally proposed to replace the usual PLC of a strapping machine with a microcontroller. Microcontrollers are semiconductor chips which contain a processor and additional components which perform additional peripheral functions. On a microcontroller are usually memory and program memory. It is often referred to as a one-chip system or "system-on-a-chip".

The use of a microcontroller enables a completely new control of the strapping parameters. Strapping machines usually have at least one industrial plug connection, via which they are connected to the other components of the machine system in which they are integrated. Conventional industrial connectors for strapping machines have between 6 and 36 poles. Each pole pair is assigned to an input signal or an output signal.

• Transportieren eines Gegenstandes zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• Bildung mindestens einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand mittels einer Umreifungsvorrichtung,
• Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,

wobei über mindestens eine Steckverbindung mit mehreren Polpaaren Signale von einer externen Vorrichtung zu der Umreifungsvorrichtung und/oder von der Umreifungsvorrichtung zu einer externen Vorrichtung geleitet werden.The invention relates to a method for strapping objects with the following steps:

• Transporting an article to a strapping station,
• Forming at least one loop of a strapping band around the object by means of a strapping device,
• Connecting the ends of the loop together,

wherein signals are passed from at least one connector having a plurality of pole pairs from an external device to the strapping device and / or from the strapping device to an external device.

The object of the invention is to form the strapping machine for flexible coupling into different environments.

• Koppeln jeweils eines Polpaars mit jeweils einem Signalkanal einer programmierbaren, mehrkanaligen digitalen Steuerungseinheit der Umreifungsmaschine,
• Programmieren der digitalen Steuerungseinheit zum Zuordnen der Eingangs- und Ausgangssignale zu den Signalkanälen, wobei ein beliebiges Eingangssignal oder Ausgangssignal einem bestimmten Signalkanal zugeordnet wird.

This object is achieved by a method with the totality of the features of claim 1. The method comprises the following steps:

• Coupling in each case one pole pair, each with one signal channel of a programmable, multi-channel digital control unit of the strapping machine,
• Programming the digital control unit to associate the input and output signals with the signal channels, assigning any input signal or output signal to a particular signal channel.

In other words, the fixed wiring within the strapping machine is replaced by free programmability of the different signal channels of the control unit. So far, the strapping machines were basically equipped with an industrial connector, which was hardwired inside the machine and whose pole pairs were assigned to fixed signals.

According to the method described herein, each pole pair of the connector is coupled (hardwired) to a signal channel, ie an input channel or an output channel of the control unit, but any input signals or output signals can be assigned to the respective input channels or output channels by simple reprogramming.

It should be noted that in the method described here, the digital control unit can be programmed to assign any signal to a particular signal channel. It can thus be determined by appropriate programming, which pole pair of the interface is assigned to which signal. The interface programming itself, that is, the determination of the limits of signals transmitted through the interfaces, in which the control unit drives units of the strapping machine to perform certain functions, or the determination of the output signals that outputs the control unit depending on a detected state of the strapping machine not changed in this programming for assignment. The interface programming is done in a conventional way. A variety of different interface signals and their processing by the control unit are fixed by the manufacturer in the machine program of the strapping machine programmed and run through the applicable test routines of the manufacturer. So the standard production software of the strapping machine includes the interface programming for all known signals. Costly on-site programming by the user of the machine is no longer necessary.

In order to place the required interface signals on the I / O pins of the plug connection (pole pair), only a standard PC with a program tool provided by the manufacturer of the strapping machine is required. Through this tool, any input or output, i. each pole pair of the connector to be assigned from the available pool of possible signals that which is fed to the pole pair. The interface programming itself is not done here, since the complete interface program has already been created and stored in the machine program.

In the simplest way, the corresponding signal can be assigned to each input or output pole pair via the tool. Each interface signal corresponds to a specific interface function. The stored interface signals are already all firmly integrated in the machine software and have already been tested with regard to lateral interference and possible other malfunctions.

The on-site personnel (fitter), even the customer, can easily allocate the interface with the most diverse signals individually and adapt the signal assignment on site. Programming knowledge, complex interface software, equipment and knowledge of interface programming are not required. Since the assignment of an already programmed interface program, the machine program is not changed, thereby the reliability and reliability is affected in any way.

The assignment list "pole pair / signal channel to signal" created by this procedure is stored in a non-volatile data memory, so that the assignment to the control unit of the strapping machine can be loaded each time the control unit of the strapping machine is switched on. It makes sense to create a backup copy of this assignment list for each strapping machine. If then a strapping machine needs to be replaced, can This backup copy is loaded into the control unit of the replacement machine, so that it is equipped with the required individual configuration at the respective site.

Should a customer exceptionally once have need for the consideration of a new input signal by the control unit of the strapping machine or need for the generation of a novel output signal, the necessary interface programming can be done at the headquarters of the strapping machine and completely tested. The manufacturer of the strapping machine can document the new interface programming accordingly and then integrate it into a new version of the machine program. At the customer's location then only the new machine program must be loaded into the control unit of the strapping machine (ie an update to be installed) and the new signal can be assigned to the corresponding signal channel. Alternatively, the interface programming exceptionally done at the customer's seat and then added by the manufacturer of the strapping machine in the machine software and installed at the next update on all strapping machines. Here, too, the machine for which an interface has been programmed individually can be replaced by any other machine on which the update of the machine software is installed and in whose data memory the relevant assignment list "pole pair to signal" is stored ,

According to the invention, the pole pairs are each assigned to a freely selectable signal, which is supplied to a programmable, multi-channel digital control unit or generated by this control unit. At any time, the digital control unit may be programmed to associate a particular input signal or output signal with a particular signal channel. Therefore, only one type of strapping machine to finished with freely programmable connector to manufacture. No separate wiring needs to be made within the machine to match specific pole pairs of the connector to given input channels or output channels, according to the customer's requirements. This assignment is taken over by the programming of the programmable control unit.

Such a strapping machine can consequently be used for all applications. At most, different geometric shapes of the connector must be provided so that the strapping machine can be adapted to the respective connectors used in the various locations. But even here, a unified interface can be used. The digital control unit can have a standard interface, for example a parallel interface or a serial interface (USB interface), via which signals are transmitted from the industrial plug connection to the control unit or from the control unit from the plug connection. The standard interface of the control unit can then be coupled by an adapter or a connection cable with different connectors, depending on the industrial connector used at the place of use of the strapping machine.

The proposed measure has considerable advantages for the manufacturer of the strapping machine. The manufacturer can standardize its production. Only one component is dependent on the location of the machine to manufacture individually, namely the adapter or the connecting cable, which connects the standard interface of the control unit with the industrial connector.

In practice, as mentioned above, a microcontroller can be used as the control unit. A microcontroller can easily be reconfigured via a data interface and can be individually reprogrammed from strapping process to strapping process. However, this is usually not necessary in relation to the configuration of the connector. The connector is usually only once to configure according to the wishes of customers. Once configured, the channel assignment at the customer is no longer changed. Therefore, a programmable logic controller PLC can be used to configure the assignment of the signal channels to the pole pairs of the connector.

• ein Signal, das anzeigt, dass eine vorgelagerte Fördereinheit aktiv ist;
• ein Signal, das anzeigt, dass eine nachgelagerte Fördereinheit aktiv ist;
• ein Signal, das anzeigt, dass ein Paket in Kürze an der Umreifungsmaschine eintrifft (Paketvoranmeldung).

For example, the input channels may route at least one of the following signals to the strapping machine:

• a signal indicating that an upstream conveyor unit is active;
• a signal indicating that a downstream conveyor is active;
• a signal indicating that a parcel will arrive at the strapping machine shortly (parcel pre-registration).

• die Umreifungsvorrichtung ist eingeschaltet;
• Paket befindet sich in Umreifungsvorrichtung;
• Bandende;
• Störung der Umreifungsmaschine;
• Umreifungsmaschine in automatischem Modus;
• Umreifungsmaschine im manuellen Modus;
• Einlauf für neuen Gegenstand freigegeben.

For example, the output signals supplied to upstream or downstream components or supplied to a plant controller of the plant in which the strapping machine is integrated may conduct at least one of the following signals:

• the strapping device is turned on;
• Package is in strapping device;
• Tape end;
• Disturbance of the strapping machine;
• Strapping machine in automatic mode;
• Strapping machine in manual mode;
• Enema released for new item.

The signals are often binary, so that applying a voltage to a pair of poles typically indicates the first state and the absence of a voltage indicates the second state. In principle, any signals from components of the system in which the strapping machine is arranged can be fed to the control unit of the strapping machine as input signals.

Also, any state or control signals within the strapping machine may be routed outside when these signals are required for the proper operation of the plant.

• mindestens eine Fördervorrichtung zum Transportieren eines Gegenstandes zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• mindestens eine Umreifungsvorrichtung zur Bildung einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand,
• mindestens einer Verbindungsvorrichtung zum Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,
• mindestens einer Steckverbindung mit mehreren Polpaaren, über die Signale von einer externen Vorrichtung zu der Umreifungsvorrichtung und/oder von der Umreifungsvorrichtung zu einer externen Vorrichtung geleitet werden.

Furthermore, the development described here relates to a strapping machine for strapping objects according to the preamble of claim 9. The strapping machine has the following features:

• at least one conveying device for transporting an article to a strapping station,
• at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band around the object,
• at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together,
• at least one connector having a plurality of pole pairs, are passed via the signals from an external device to the strapping device and / or from the strapping device to an external device.

• mindestens eine programmierbare, mehrkanalige digitale Steuerungseinheit der Umreifungsmaschine, wobei jeweils ein Polpaar der Steckverbindung mit jeweils einem Signalkanal der Steuerungseinheit gekoppelt ist,
• die digitale Steuerungseinheit ist derart programmierbar, dass ein beliebiges Eingangssignal oder Ausgangssignal einem bestimmten Signalkanal zugeordnet werden kann.

To achieve the above object, the strapping machine on the entirety of the features of claim 9. In particular, the following features are evident:

• at least one programmable, multi-channel digital control unit of the strapping machine, wherein in each case one pole pair of the plug-in connection is coupled to a respective signal channel of the control unit,
• the digital control unit is programmable such that any input signal or output signal can be assigned to a particular signal channel.

As mentioned, the control unit may be a microcontroller.

As mentioned, the control unit may have a standard interface, wherein an adapter is provided with a connector for the standard interface on one side and a part of the connector on the other side.

In practice, at least one conveying unit can be arranged before and / or after the strapping machine, which transports the object to be strapped to the strapping machine or transported away from the strapping machine.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer Umreifungsmaschine.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht einer Umreifungsmaschine, die in ein Umreifungssystem mit vorgelagerter Fördereinheit und nachgelagerter Fördereinheit eingebunden ist.
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine Vorderansicht eines Steckerteils einer typischen Steckverbindung einer Umreifungsmaschine.
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine Vorderansicht eines Buchsenteils einer typischen Steckverbindung einer Umreifungsmaschine.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine tabellarische Darstellung der Standardzuordnung der Polpaare der Steckverbindung zu den Signalkanälen.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine geänderte Kanalzuordnung in tabellarischer Darstellung.
• Fig. 7 zeigt schematisch ein Adapterkabel zwischen dem Buchsenteil aus Fig. 4 und einem Teil einer digitalen seriellen Steckverbindung.

Practical embodiments will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a strapping machine.
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a strapping machine, which is integrated into a strapping system with upstream conveyor unit and downstream conveyor unit.
• Fig. 3 shows a front view of a plug part of a typical connector of a strapping machine.
• Fig. 4 shows a front view of a socket part of a typical connector of a strapping machine.
• Fig. 5 shows a tabular representation of the standard assignment of the pole pairs of the connector to the signal channels.
• Fig. 6 shows a changed channel allocation in tabular representation.
• Fig. 7 schematically shows an adapter cable between the female part Fig. 4 and part of a digital serial connector.

The in the Fig. 1 illustrated strapping machine 1 is used for strapping objects 7 with a tape 2, which is withdrawn from a feed device 4 from a supply roll 3 and a tape magazine 5 is fed. From there, the belt is fed by means of a belt conveyor 6 through a tensioning device 8 through a belt guide channel in a belt guide frame 9, so that the belt forms a loop. The tape is then pulled back by the drive of the belt conveyor 6, so that the belt loop fits snugly against the object 7. Now the tensioning device 8 is activated, so that the belt loop is pulled around the object 7 with a predetermined high tension force. Subsequently, the loop beginning is connected to the loop end by means of a closure unit 10. The closure unit 10 is in practice, for example, an ultrasonic welding device, which welded together the two ends of the formed packing loop. Such a closure unit is for example in the document EP 1 479 611 A2 described. The closure unit 10 welds the film-like plastic material of which the strapping 2 consists.

The conveyor for the item 7 is in Fig. 1 not shown. The control unit 11 is in Fig. 1 shown schematically as attached to the right side box. The control unit 11 has a microcontroller, which controls or regulates the functions of all functional elements of the strapping machine 1. On the control unit 11, a part 12 of a connector is arranged, which is formed in the present case as a female part 12 of the connector.

The Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the strapping machine 1 from Fig. 1 , which is integrated in a conveyor system. In plan view, the tape guide frame 9 and the control unit 11 of the strapping machine can be seen schematically. Further, an input conveyor 13 of the strapping machine 1 can be seen, which consists of a pair of conveyor belts. The input conveyor 13 transports an object 7 on the transport table of the strapping machine 1 resting object in the conveying direction (in Fig. 2 indicated by an arrow on the article 7) to the tape guide frame 9. The input conveyor 13 may consist of more or fewer conveyor belts or conveyor rollers in alternative designs. Accordingly, an output conveyor 14 is provided, which transports the article 7 from the tape guide frame 9 after being strapped on the transport table of the strapping machine. Upstream of the input conveyor 13 is a supply conveyor 15, for example a storage-cycle conveyor, which transports the article 7 to the input conveyor 13 of the strapping machine. Similarly, the output conveyor 14 downstream of a discharge conveyor 16, which may also be a Stautaktförderer or a plurality of conveyor rollers with a slight slope. The discharge conveyor transports the strapped object 7 away from the strapping machine 1.

As in Fig. 1 it can be seen, the control unit 11 is associated with a socket part 12 of a connector to which a complementary connector part can be connected to supply input signals from outside the strapping machine 1 signal sources to the control unit 11 and output signals from the control unit 11 to the outside of the strapping machine 1 device to lead. Of course, several parts of plug connections for connecting signal lines to the control unit 11 may be provided on the strapping machine 1. Frequently, a first socket part on the side of the input conveyor 13th and a second female part disposed on the side of the output conveyor 14. The female part 12 of the connector is shown schematically in plan view Fig. 3 shown. It can be seen that it has 24 poles or 12 pole pairs 21-32 in the illustrated embodiment. Fig. 4 shows the complementary plug part 17, which is connected to the external units and controls of the strapping machine 1 associated devices and equipment, such as the feed conveyor 15 and the discharge conveyor 16, respectively. The plug part 17 also has 12 pole pairs. Each pole pair 21, 21 '- 32, 32' forms a signal channel. Alternatively, other configurations of the signal channels are possible. So one of the connector poles or the connector housing can lead to a 0-potential or ground potential. Each individual pole of the female part 12 or of the male part 17 can then form a pole pair together with the ground potential. As a result, the number of channels of the connector is increased. However, signal superimpositions may result in this case, and the channel separation is not as clean as in the solution described above, in which two poles each form a pole pair for a signal channel.

• Schaltzustand der Umreifungsvorrichtung ein/aus;
• Anwesenheit eines Pakets in der Umreifungsvorrichtung, welche durch entsprechende Sensoren der Umreifungsmaschine festgestellt wird;
• Bandende erreicht (ja/nein);
• Störung der Umreifungsmaschine (ja/nein);
• Betriebsart der Umreifungsmaschine (automatischer Modus oder manueller Modus);
• Einlauf für einen neuen Gegenstand freigegeben (ja/nein).

The Fig. 5 shows an example of a standard assignment of input and output signals to certain pole pairs. The first six pole pairs are associated with output signals which the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 forwards to external control devices or signal processing devices. The following output signals can be output, for example, from the control unit:

• Switching state of the strapping device on / off;
• Presence of a package in the strapping device detected by corresponding sensors of the strapping machine;
• End of the tape reached (yes / no);
• Disturbance of the strapping machine (yes / no);
• Operating mode of the strapping machine (automatic mode or manual mode);
• Enema for a new item released (yes / no).

The further six pole pairs are assigned to input signals, which are conducted from external devices to the control unit of the strapping machine 1. Such input signals may indicate, for example, the switching state of an upstream or downstream conveyor unit (active or inactive) or also a parcel pre-registration, that is to say the presence of a parcel on the accumulation machine 1 upstream accumulation conveyor 15.

The signals mentioned are selected only as examples. A variety of other signals can be forwarded via the pole pairs of the connector. In particular, different operating conditions and possible fault signals from additional units of the strapping machine (downholder or pack press or stop) or other external devices can be communicated via the signal channels. Also, the number of input signals may differ from the number of output signals.

In the Fig. 5 shown assignment is chosen purely arbitrarily. It may correspond to a standard assignment that the machine manufacturer originally intended for his strapping machine. However, the assignment of the signals may change over time. Also, different customers have different demands on the strapping machine and use the strapping machine in different manufacturing facilities. This results in different assignments of their connector. The manufacturer of a strapping machine is therefore often required to provide deviating from the standard assignment signal assignments on its connectors.

Such a different signal assignment is for example in the Fig. 6 shown. Whereas in the Fig. 5 the signal A was assigned to the first pole pair and the signal B etc. to the second pole pair is in Fig. 6 the first pole pair, the signal L, the second pole pair associated with the signal E. The assignment to the third pole pair and fourth pole pair corresponds to the assignment in Fig. 5 (Output signal C or output signal D). The fifth Pole pair is assigned to signal B. The assignment to the sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth and eleventh pole pair again corresponds to the assignment Fig. 5 , The eighth pole pair is assigned to signal A. The twelfth pole pair is assigned to signal H.

This signal assignment is arbitrary and can be changed as desired. According to the invention, the signal assignment of the control unit 11 is programmable. This is achieved in particular by using a microcontroller, but is also possible through a configurable and programmable PLC. As explained above, this assignment, which can be changed at the point of use of the strapping machine, does not relate to the interface programming itself but solely to the assignment of a specific signal to a specific signal channel of the control unit 11. Thus, the machine program of the strapping machine provided by the manufacturer is not affected by the reprogramming of the signal assignment and the control unit applies an interface program created and tested by the manufacturer on each of the individual signal channels.

The change of the signal assignment is easy to perform at the place of use of the strapping machine. The person on site, usually a fitter, is informed about which input signals and output signals are to be available via the plug connections of the strapping machine concerned. From the available pool, he can select the desired signal and assign it to the desired pole pair of the connector. The assignment is made semi-graphically via selection lists by means of a software tool running on a PC connected to the machine. In this tool, the available pole pairs / signal channels are displayed in the selection list. In a column entitled "Signal", a pop-up window can be opened for each pair of poles, in which the corresponding signals can be selected, depending on whether it is an input signal channel or output signal channel.

The output signals can be assigned to any number of pole pairs. The input signals can only be assigned once due to their uniqueness. If an input signal is already assigned to a pole pair, it will no longer be available for another pole pair in the pop-up window.

The signal functions associated with the signals and further parameters are programmed and stored in the machine program or the machine software. This programming has been tested and approved by the manufacturer of the strapping machine. This programming can not be changed by the signal mapping software tool. This ensures that the signal processing takes place according to the programming developed and tested by the manufacturer. All programmed signal functions are displayed in the pop-up window. If a new signal functions from the manufacturer e.g. is programmed at the request of a customer, it may be included in an update after the test and release so that it is displayed in the pop-up signal allocation window after the machine software update is applied.

In practice, the number of pole pairs / signal channels may be greater than the number of signals used. In this case, not every signal channel is assigned a signal. In most cases, however, the pole pairs / signal channels are limited and the number of different programmed _ signals is much larger than the available pole pairs / signal channels. In this case, the signal variants required for the specific strapping process must be selected from the programmed signals and assigned to corresponding pole pairs / signal channels. In this way, the strapping machine can be adapted to the respective needs of the respective needs and a required number of signals to the signal channels of the control unit 11 are connected.

In the present invention, it is also possible to arrange the customer requests corresponding, different connectors on the strapping machine 1. For this purpose, the socket part 12 of the strapping machine 1 via a signal cable 18 with a digital interface, such as a USB interface 19, the control unit 11 are connected. Between the female part 12 and the digital interface 19, a signal processor 20 may additionally be arranged, which converts the signals of the different pole pairs of the female part 12 into the signals of the digital interface 19. The signal processor can also be integrated into the housing of the socket part 12 or the digital interface 19.

The digital interface 19, for example a USB interface, can be connected to a more complementary digital interface of the control unit 11. In this way, with a uniform design of the strapping machine 1 and its control unit 11 readily any number of connectors can be realized. All that needs to be selected is the appropriate adapter arrangement with the appropriate part of a plug connection and connected to the control unit 11 via the digital interface 19.

The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential both individually and in any desired combinations for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art.

Reference number list

1

strapping

2

tape

3

supply roll

4

retractor

5

tape magazine

6

Belt conveyor

7

object

8th

jig

9

Strap guide frame

10

Strapping head

11

control unit

12

female connector

13

infeed conveyor

14

output conveyor

15

infeed conveyor

16

removing conveyor

17

plug part

18

signal cable

19

digital interface

20

signal processor

21, 21 '

first pole pair

22, 22 '

second pole pair

23, 23 '

third pole pair

24, 24 '

fourth pole pair

25, 25 '

fifth pole pair

26, 26 '

sixth pole pair

27, 27 '

seventh pole pair

28, 28 '

Eighth pole pair

29, 29 '

ninth pole pair

30, 30 '

tenth pole pair

31, 31 '

eleventh pole pair

32, 32 '

twelfth pole pair

Claims (13)

1. Method for strapping objects using a strapping machine (1), comprising the following steps:

   • conveying an object to a strapping station,

   • forming at least one loop from a strapping tape (2) around the object using a strapping device,

   • connecting the ends of the loop with one another,

   wherein via at least one plug connection having several pole pairs (21 - 32, 21' - 32'), signals are transmitted from an external device to the strapping device and/or from the strapping device to an external device,
   characterized by the following steps:

   • coupling in each case one of the pole pairs (21 - 32, 21' - 32') with one signal channel of a programmable, multi-channel digital control unit (11) of the strapping machine (1),

   • programming the digital control unit (11) for allocating the input and output signals to the signal channels, wherein a random input signal or output signal is allocated to a specific signal channel.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a microcontroller is used as control unit (11).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the input signals comprise at least one of the following signals:

   • conveying unit upstream is active,

   • conveying unit downstream is active,

   • advance announcement of package.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output signals comprise at least one of the following signals:

   • strapping device switched on;

   • package is in strapping device;

   • end of tape;

   • malfunction of the strapping machine (1);

   • strapping machine (1) in automatic mode;

   • strapping machine (1) in manual mode;

   • entry for new object (7) given.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the programs for processing possible input signals and output signals by the control unit are implemented in a machine program of the strapping machine and that allocating a random input signal or output signal to a specific signal channel comprises allocating a specific program for signal processing to the specific signal channel.
6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the programs for processing the possible input signals and output signals by the control unit are tested at the domicile of the manufacturer of the strapping machine.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an allocation map with the allocation of the signal channels to the allocated signals is saved in a non-volatile data memory of the control unit, being loaded when the control unit is switched on.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a copy of the allocation map is made and loaded into the non-volatile data memory of an identical, new strapping machine when the strapping machine is replaced.
9. Strapping machine (1) for strapping objects, comprising the following features:

   • at least one conveying device for conveying an object (7) to a strapping station,

   • at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping tape (2) around the object (7),

   • at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop with one another,

   • at least one plug connection having several pole pairs (21 - 32, 21' - 32'), via which signals are transmitted from an external device to the strapping device and/or from the strapping device to an external device,

   characterized by the following features:

   • at least one programmable, multi-channel digital control unit (11) of the strapping machine (1), wherein in each case one of the pole pairs (21 - 32, 21' - 32') of the plug connection is coupled with one signal channel of the control unit (11),

   • the digital control unit (11) is programmable such that a random input signal or output signal can be allocated to a specific signal channel.
10. Strapping machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the control unit (11) is a microcontroller.
11. Strapping machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the control unit (11) has a standard interface and that it has an adapter having a port for the standard interface and a part of the plug connection.
12. Strapping machine according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the control unit (11) has a non-volatile data memory for saving an allocation map with the allocation of the signal channels to the allocated signals.
13. Strapping system having a strapping machine (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that at least one conveying unit is disposed upstream and/or downstream of the strapping machine.

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