EP3231903B1 - Method for operating a textile machine and textile machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a textile machine with a large number of similar work stations, the same yarn being produced with the help of the work stations during normal operation or being rewound from a delivery bobbin to a receiver bobbin, and normal operation at the individual work stations after a stop of the Textile machine initiated by a service operation or interrupted at certain time intervals by a service operation in the form of a piecing process, a tube changing process or a yarn joining process.

Furthermore, in the DE 20 2005 022126 U1 , a textile machine with a large number of similar workstations for producing yarn or for rewinding yarn from a delivery spool to a receiver spool is proposed, with lines for transporting energy resources being provided, and with the workstations having devices for performing a piecing process, a tube changing process and / or of a yarn joining process.

Generic textile machines can be used as spinning machines (for example as a spinning machine, as in the EP 3 168 179 A1 is described), which are used to produce a yarn from a supplied fiber structure, or be designed as winding machines, the latter being designed to rewind yarn from delivery bobbins to receiver bobbins and preferably to remove yarn defects from the yarn. The spinning machines can be, for example, ring, rotor or air-jet spinning machines. The normal operation of these textile machines is interrupted again and again.

There are many reasons for such interruptions in normal operation. One reason is a thread break. Another is a cleaner cut, so that Deliberately cutting out a section of thread because it was too thick, too thin or too dirty or because it did not meet the requirements for another reason. Normal operation is also interrupted if a full tube has to be exchanged for an empty tube at a job. An interruption of normal operation at all workplaces, i.e. a stop of the textile machine, occurs, for example, when a lot is changed, i.e. when the textile machine is switched to the production of a different thread (alternative designation: yarn).

After each of these interruptions, a service operation is necessary to restore normal operation. In general, these service operations require energy resources, with only limited energy resources being available on a textile machine. So that the required energy resources do not exceed the available energy resources, only a certain number of service operations are carried out at the same time. Any pending service operations that go beyond this must wait until an ongoing service operation has ended and this frees up capacity again. During this waiting time, the productivity of the textile machine is reduced.

The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the method for operating the textile machine in such a way that the productivity of the textile machine is increased.

The object is achieved by a method for operating a textile machine and a textile machine with the features of the independent claims.

A method is proposed for operating a textile machine with a large number of similar work stations. With the help of the work stations, yarn is produced during normal operation of the work stations or yarn is rewound from a delivery bobbin to a receiver bobbin. In the case When it comes to the production of yarn, the textile machine is a spinning machine. It is irrelevant for the present invention whether it is a ring, a rotor, an air-jet spinning machine or some other spinning machine. In the event of rewinding from a supply reel to a receiver reel, the textile machine is then designed as a winding machine.

After the textile machine has stopped, for example after a lot change, normal operation is initiated by a service operation. In the case of a spinning machine, this service operation is, for example, a piecing process. However, normal operation can also be interrupted at certain time intervals by a service operation, for example a piecing process, a tube changing process or a yarn joining process. These service operations can be carried out both by devices that are assigned to one or a few work stations, and also by service devices that can be driven to individual work stations. However, the method is preferably carried out in textile machines whose workstations are each equipped individually or in pairs with workstation-specific service devices that are arranged in a stationary manner. Alternatively or additionally, of course, service devices that can be moved along the workplaces, e.g. B. in the form of service robots known in principle in the prior art, are used.

According to the invention, at least one of the mentioned service operations is divided into several partial sequences. These partial sequences are carried out one after the other, but a pause can be inserted after each or individual partial sequences. A pending sub-sequence is carried out independently of the other sub-sequences of the corresponding service operation if the energy resources required to carry out the pending sub-sequence are available. The energy resources required therefore only have to be available for the next partial sequence and not for the entire service operation. So can partial sequences a service operation can also be processed if the required energy resources for the entire service operation are not yet available. In this way, the energy resources of the textile machine are better utilized and the productivity of the textile machine is increased.

It can happen that the energy resources required by the upcoming partial sequences exceed the available energy resources. It is then advantageous if the sub-sequence to be carried out next is selected in such a way that the productivity of the textile machine is maximized. For example, yarn joining processes are pending for two workplaces, with the first partial sequence pending at one workstation and the last partial sequence of this service operation pending at the other workstation. If the energy resources are not available for both partial sequences, then the partial sequence for the job at which the last partial sequence is due is carried out first, since this job can then continue with normal operation and productivity is increased.

In the event that the energy resources required by the upcoming partial sequences exceed the available energy resources, it is also advantageous if the partial sequence that is assigned to the job that works fastest and / or most reliably and / or on is carried out next resumes normal operation in the fastest and / or most reliable manner. For example, if a piecing process is to be carried out for two work stations and the free energy resources are only sufficient for one piecing process, then the piecing process is first carried out at the work station that spins faster and / or more reliably or which experience has shown can be pieced faster and / or more reliably. This increases the productivity of the textile machine.

The amount of at least one consumed energy resource, one required energy resource and / or one is advantageously available standing energy resource is stored in a memory and is called up by this. It is possible to use a value for each partial sequence of a service operation or - which is more complex, but more precise - to use separately determined values for each job. With the help of this information, it can be calculated quickly and easily in both cases whether or not there are still enough energy resources available for an upcoming partial sequence.

It is also advantageous if the amount of at least one consumed energy resource and / or one available energy resource is measured while the textile machine is in operation. The resulting measured values are then used to determine the required or available energy resources. In this way, fluctuations in the energy requirement and in particular in the available energy resources can be taken into account and the available energy resources can be used even better.

It is advantageous if the energy resources are taken into account within their natural units of jobs. For example, the power supply to a textile machine is usually centrally regulated - in this case the natural units of workplaces would be all workplaces. In contrast, the supply of negative pressure is often implemented separately for each side of the machine. In this case, the natural unit of jobs is the jobs on one side of the machine. Through this structure, the energy resources are taken into account as they are available: a work station from one side of the machine cannot access the negative pressure from the other side of the machine.

The energy resources advantageously include electrical power, compressed air and / or negative pressure, since these are the most frequently required energy resources in textile machines. However, the method presented can also be used for other energy resources without any problems.

It is advantageous if the partial sequences of the piecing process include a thread search process and a workstation run-up process. This division is advantageous for two reasons: on the one hand, it is easily possible to interrupt the piecing process after the thread search process; for holding the thread end that has been found, no or only very small energy resources are generally required. On the other hand, a lot of negative pressure is required for the thread search process, while more electrical power is required for the job start-up process. This division of the partial sequences means that the available energy resources can be optimally used.

In the case of a tube changing process, it is advantageous if this has a braking process, a tube changing process and a job run-up process. During the braking process, a sleeve rotating around its longitudinal axis, onto which a thread has been wound to form a cop, is braked and, if necessary, brought to a standstill. The sleeve, which only rotates slowly or no longer at all, is then replaced by an empty sleeve when the sleeve is exchanged. This is followed by the workstation run-up process, in which the empty tube is set in rotation again and the workstation resumes normal operation after the tube has gripped the yarn coming from a spinning unit or a delivery bobbin. Here, too, interruptions between the partial sequences are generally possible without any problems and the partial sequences again differ in terms of their energy requirements.

Finally, in the case of a yarn joining process, it is advantageous if this comprises a thread search process, a splicing process and a job run-up process. Such a yarn joining process is necessary after a thread break or a cleaner cut, for example. Then, in the thread search process, a free thread end is first searched for on a partially wound tube, for example with one with negative pressure working suction tube. This thread end is then brought together with a freshly spun thread (for spinning machines) or with a thread from the delivery bobbin (for winding machines) and connected in the splicing process. Finally, the job start-up process follows again so that the job can start normal operation. This division of the partial sequences again enables interruptions between the partial sequences and the partial sequences have different energy requirements, which overall increases the productivity of the textile machine.

Said method is carried out in accordance with the preceding description, it being possible for the cited features to be implemented individually or in any combination.

A textile machine is also proposed with a large number of similar work stations for producing yarn or for rewinding yarn from a supply bobbin to a receiving bobbin. The textile machine can therefore be a spinning machine or a winding machine. The textile machine has lines for transporting energy resources, for example electrical power, negative pressure or compressed air. In addition, the workstations have devices for performing service operations. These service operations include a piecing process, a tube changing process and / or a yarn joining process.

According to the invention, the textile machine has a control unit or is in operative connection with a control unit. The control unit is designed in such a way that it operates the textile machine according to the method described above. In particular, the service operations are divided into several partial sequences. The control unit then causes a pending partial sequence to be carried out independently of the other partial sequences of the corresponding service operation if the energy resources required for this are available.

Figur 1

eine schematische Draufsicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Textilmaschine,

Figur 2a

den Verbrauch von elektrischem Strom eines einzelnen Anspinnvorgangs,

Figur 2b

den zum Anspinnvorgang aus Figur 2a gehörenden Verbrauch von Unterdruck,

Figur 3a

den Verbrauch von elektrischem Strom von Anspinnvorgängen an fünf Arbeitsstellen nach dem herkömmlichen Verfahren,

Figur 3b

den zu den Anspinnvorgängen aus Figur 3a gehörenden Verbrauch von Unterdruck,

Figur 4a

den Verbrauch von elektrischem Strom von Anspinnvorgängen an fünf Arbeitsstellen nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren,

Figur 4b

den zu den Anspinnvorgängen aus Figur 4a gehörenden Verbrauch von Unterdruck.

The method according to the invention is described again in detail in the following example. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic plan view of a textile machine according to the invention,

Figure 2a

the consumption of electrical power in a single piecing process,

Figure 2b

the for piecing process Figure 2a associated consumption of negative pressure,

Figure 3a

the consumption of electrical power for piecing processes at five work stations according to the conventional process,

Figure 3b

for the piecing processes Figure 3a associated consumption of negative pressure,

Figure 4a

the consumption of electrical power from piecing processes at five workplaces according to the method according to the invention,

Figure 4b

for the piecing processes Figure 4a associated consumption of negative pressure.

Figure 1 shows a textile machine 1 according to the invention with a plurality of work stations 2 (similar sections / components of the textile machine 1 are drawn identically and for reasons of clarity only some of the sections / components are usually provided with a reference number). Each of these work stations 2 has a device 3 for performing a service operation, for example a piecing process. At the end of the machine 4 there is a control unit 5 which, among other things, controls the implementation of the service operations.

A main power line 6 and two main vacuum lines 7 also extend from the end of the machine 4. The main power line 6 is designed centrally for the entire textile machine 1 and branches off into several power lines 8 which supply the devices 3 with electrical power. The vacuum main lines 7 are each assigned to one machine half. They branch into several vacuum lines 9, which supply the devices 3 with negative pressure.

If a workstation 2 now needs a service operation, it makes a request to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 checks whether the energy resources allow an upcoming partial sequence of this service operation to be carried out. In this case, the control unit 5 for the electrical current considers the consumption at all work stations 2 of the textile machine 1. For the consumption of negative pressure - due to the separate distribution of the negative pressure via two main negative pressure lines 7 - on the other hand, only the machine half of the textile machine 1 is considered, which is the Job 2 that requested the service operation is assigned.

If the energy resources required by the upcoming partial sequence are available, then the control unit 5 instructs the device 3 to carry out this partial sequence of the service operation.

The following figures show the consumption of energy resources in piecing processes on a spinning machine. This is intended to illustrate the method according to the invention; the values shown are freely selected.

Figure 2a shows the consumption of electrical power in a single piecing process. The time is plotted in certain time units on the x-axis. On the y-axis is the consumption of electric power as Proportion of the electrical current available in this spinning machine is applied.

How out Figure 2a As can be seen, the piecing process begins with a thread search (FS), which only requires 5% of the available electrical current and lasts five time units. The thread search is followed by the start-up (HF) of the spinning station. Starting up requires 40% of the available electrical power and takes three time units. After a total of eight time units, the piecing process is ended and the work station can start normal operation.

Figure 2b shows the to Figure 2a associated consumption of negative pressure. The labels are the same as in Figure 2a except that the consumption of negative pressure is plotted on the y-axis as a proportion of the negative pressure available in this spinning machine. How out Figure 2b As can be seen, 30% of the available vacuum is required for the thread search. Starting up the workplace does not require a negative pressure.

Figures 3a and 3b show the consumption of electrical power or negative pressure of piecing processes at five work stations according to the conventional method. The names are the same as in Figures 2a or 2b. It is assumed that all five jobs require a piecing process at zero time.

In this example, in the conventional method, the number of piecing processes that can take place simultaneously is limited by the available electrical current. Since a piecing process requires 40% of the available electrical current when starting up, a maximum of two piecing processes can take place at the same time.

First of all, the piecing process is carried out for two work stations. The thread search (FS1 and FS2) is followed by start-up (HF1 and HF2) of these jobs. Meanwhile, the three other jobs have to wait. If the piecing process for the first two work stations has ended after eight time units, the piecing process for the next two work stations begins. The piecing process again includes the thread search (FS3 and FS4) and the start-up (HF3 and HF4) of the work stations. Meanwhile, the first two jobs are already working in normal operation and the fifth is still waiting. At 16 the third and fourth work stations are finished with the piecing process and start normal operation. The piecing process can now begin for the fifth job with thread search (FS5) and start-up (HF5). This is completed after a total of 24 time units.

As in Figures 3a and 3b As can be seen, the available energy resources are not used particularly well in the conventional method. In this example, the cumulative waiting time of the five jobs before normal operation is 72 (= 8 + 8 + 16 + 16 + 24) time units.

In the method according to the invention, which is in the Figures 4a and 4b is shown, the available energy resources are used significantly better. In the Figures 4a and 4b the same designations are used as in Figures 3a and 3b are used.

In contrast to the conventional method, interruptions can occur between the individual partial sequences in the method according to the invention.

The thread search is limited by the available negative pressure and so in this example three work stations can start the thread search (FS1, FS2 and FS3). As soon as the thread search for these three jobs has been completed, the first two jobs can start starting up (HF1 and HF2). For booting up the third There is not enough electricity available at work. However, there are still enough energy resources available so that jobs four and five can start searching for threads (FS4 and FS5).

At eight the first two work stations have completed the start-up and can start normal operation. There are now enough energy resources free again for job number three to start up (HF3).

Job four can only start with the start-up (HF4) at the time ten, since the thread search was only then completed. At this point in time, job five has also completed the thread search. However, job five must wait to start up (HF5) until job three has finished starting up at eleven and enough electricity is available again. At times 13 and 14, jobs four and five have also completed the start-up.

With the method according to the invention, the energy resources are used significantly better than with the conventional method. In this example, the cumulative waiting time of the five workplaces until normal operation is only 54 (= 8 + 8 + 11 + 13 + 14) time units, i.e. 25% less than with the conventional method. With an even higher number of jobs that require piecing, the savings would be even greater.

With shorter waiting times, the workstations can resume normal yarn production more quickly and the productivity of the spinning machine is increased.

The present invention is not restricted to the examples shown and described and can be modified within the scope of the patent claims.

Claims (10)

1. Method for operating a textile machine (1) with a multiple number of similar work stations (2),

   - whereas, with the assistance of the work stations (2) during the normal operation of the same, yarn is produced or is rewound from a delivery coil onto a receiver coil, and

   - whereas normal operation is initiated at the individual work stations (2) after a stop of the textile machine (1), or is interrupted at certain time intervals by a service operation in the form of a piecing process, a service operation in the form of a tube changing process or a service operation in the form of a yarn joining process,

   characterized in that
   at least one of the specified service operations is subdivided into several partial sequences, and that a pending partial sequence is carried out independently of the other partial sequences of the corresponding service operation, if the required energy resources for carrying out the pending partial sequence are available.
2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, if the energy resources required by the pending partial sequences exceed the available energy resources, the selection of the partial sequence to be carried out next takes place in such a manner that the productivity of the textile machine (1) is maximized.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, if the energy resources required by the pending partial sequences exceed the available energy resources, the partial sequence, which is assigned to the work station (2) that operates the most rapidly and/or most reliably, and/or resumes normal operation the most rapidly and/or most reliably, is carried out next.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quantity of at least one consumed energy resource, one required energy resource and/or one available energy resource is stored in an accumulator and is retrieved by it.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quantity of at least one consumed energy resource and/or one available energy resource is measured during the running operation of the textile machine (1) and the resulting measured values are used for the calculation of the energy sources that are required or are available.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy resources comprise electrical current, compressed air and/or negative pressure.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partial sequences of the piecing process comprise a thread search process and a work station start-up process.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partial sequences of the tube changing process comprise a deceleration process, a tube exchange process and a work station start-up process.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partial sequences of the yarn joining operation comprise a thread search process, a splicing process and a work station start-up process.
10. Textile machine (1) with a multiple number of similar work stations (2) for producing yarn or for rewinding yarn from a delivery coil onto a receiving coil,

    - whereas lines (6, 7, 8, 9) are provided for transporting energy resources, and

    - whereas the work stations (2) feature devices (3) for carrying out a piecing process, a tube changing process and/or a yarn joining process,

    characterized in that
    the textile machine (1) features a control unit (5) or is in operative connection with a control unit (5), which is designed to operate the textile machine (1) in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims.

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