EP3616014A1

EP3616014A1 - Method for controlling film production

Info

Publication number: EP3616014A1
Application number: EP18719538.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Backmann; Markus Bussmann
Original assignee: Windmoeller and Hoelscher KG
Current assignee: Windmoeller and Hoelscher KG
Priority date: 2017-04-26
Filing date: 2018-04-20
Publication date: 2020-03-04
Also published as: US20200086546A1; DE102017108923A1; WO2018197362A1; US11541587B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for controlling film production, in which at least one film is produced according to at least one specific formula information (R), the following steps being carried out: preparation of different fingerprints (F), different types of process execution (210) for producing a film being characterised by the fingerprints (F); preparation of at least one result information (E) for each fingerprint (F), the result information (E) being specific for at least one product characteristic (D) of the film to be produced; and storage of the fingerprint (F) and result information (E) as data in a data system (200) such that the data is provided as an evaluation basis for a control of at least one subsequent process execution (210).

Description

Method for controlling a film production

Description

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a film production in which at least one film is produced in dependence on at least one specific recipe information. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control system and a computer program product.

It is known from the prior art that films are produced as a function of production information, the so-called recipe. This recipe is used for at least partially automatic parameterization of the film production by defining various individual parameters, such. B. a material mixture or different process parameters for the film production machine. The film is, for example, produced by blow molding, and the film production machine is z. B. an extrusion machine or the like. It is also known that monitoring of production parameters is carried out in the case of such film production machines, ie production is monitored on the basis of determined monitoring information. For example, a temperature monitoring or monitoring of the film thickness is provided. In particular, an operator of the film production machine manually influences the production on the basis of the monitoring information.

A disadvantage of the known solutions for controlling the production of films is that the monitoring and quality assurance in production often turns out to be costly. In particular, the technical realization of the monitoring and quality assurance is difficult and costly. So it is common that the film is examined after the film production or after further processing, for example. By means of laboratory tests to check the quality of the film. If the film does not meet the quality requirements, the film must be replaced. This leads to an additional time and cost in film production and use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to enable improved film production, in which a sufficient film quality can be ensured. In particular, the film production should be simplified and implemented more cheaply.

The above object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, by a control system with the features of claim 14 and by a computer program product with the features of claim 16. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In this case, features and details that are described in connection with the method according to the invention, of course, also in connection with the control system according to the invention and the computer program product according to the invention, and in each case vice versa, so that with respect to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always reciprocal reference is or will be can. The object is achieved in particular by a method for controlling a film production in which at least one film is produced as a function of at least one specific recipe information item (recipe). In particular, the film production is a blown film production in which the at least one film is produced as a blown film. Preferably, the film is a plastic film, in particular stretch film, and preferably designed as an endless product.

Preferably, the film production, i. H. in particular at least one process execution of the film production, carried out such that on the basis of the recipe information an at least partially automatic parameterization of the film production takes place, in particular by a definition of various individual parameters, such. As a material mixture or different process parameters for a film production machine, such as an extruder. In this case, provision is made in particular for at least one of the following steps to be carried out, in which case the steps are preferably carried out successively or in any desired order, with individual steps preferably also being able to be carried out repeatedly:

Provision of different fingerprints, whereby different process executions for the production of a film are characterized by the fingerprints (that is to say in particular that a respective fingerprint characterizes a respective process execution in which at least one film is produced in each case),

Providing in each case at least one result information for the respective fingerprint, wherein the result information (in each case) for at least one product characteristic of the

(in each case) produced film are specific, (ie in particular that for each of the process executions at least a respective associated result information on a result of this particular process execution, in particular the product property of the film produced in this case is provided), - Save the respective fingerprints and the respective result information as data in a data system, in particular database system, so that the data as Evaluation basis for a control (at least one of the different process executions and / or) at least one subsequent process execution (in particular centrally) are provided (preferably storing the respective fingerprints and the respective result information is offset in time, preferably after the provision of the respective fingerprints or the respective result information).

In other words, fingerprints and result information from previous process executions can be used to control, in particular evaluate and / or monitor and / or control and / or regulate subsequent process executions. This has the advantage that a time-consuming and costly analysis can be dispensed with in order to evaluate the quality of a process execution. Optionally it is possible that this control is already performed during the process execution. In this case, the quality of the film can be directly influenced, for example, by a corresponding control of a film production machine based on the data. To use the data for the control, the data can be evaluated, for example, (automated), for example, by at least one (statistical) analysis. In particular, based on the evaluation, a control matrix can be determined, preferably adapted. Then this control matrix can serve to control the subsequent process execution. It can be provided according to a possible embodiment of the invention that the provision of a respective fingerprint is carried out at or after a respective process execution, for example. By transferring data from a film production machine and / or a monitoring device for the process execution to a delivery unit. For example. For example, the provisioning unit is implemented as an interface unit (such as a network interface or an input interface) of a computer system, which in particular provides the data system. In particular, the transmitted data is specific to the fingerprint. Subsequently, as soon as available, the respective result information for the respective process execution can be provided. This can also be done, for example, by a transmission or (manual) input of further data, which are specific to the result information, to the (or a further) providing unit of the computer system. After the respective provision can each save the data are carried out, for example, by reading out and processing the data by a processing unit, such as a processor of the computer system, the data being stored, for example, in the data system, in particular in a data storage unit of the computer system. These steps (the respective provision and the respective saving) can then also be repeated for the further fingerprints and result information.

In other words, the step of storing the respective fingerprints and (the respective) result information according to the inventive method may in each case comprise at least a first memory operation for the fingerprint and a second memory process for the result information, which may be performed simultaneously or with a time delay. After both the associated fingerprint and the associated (at least one) result information have been provided and stored for a specific process execution, the data can be used for checking and possibly evaluation. It may be possible that for each additional process execution (including one that is checked on the basis of the data), an associated fingerprint and at least one associated result information is again provided and stored. Thus, the data collection continues to grow, which can be used for control. As this improves the informative value of the data, this procedure makes it possible to optimize the control.

In particular, it is provided that the different fingerprints each characterize a different process execution for producing a (respective or a total of a single) film. For example. the film is produced based on a specific recipe information of a particular process execution. In order to provide the respective fingerprints, it may be provided to determine a respective fingerprint for each process execution, at least based on the respective specific recipe information of this process execution and on the basis of monitoring information of this process execution. The monitoring information is determined, for example, by monitoring during process execution, in particular by detecting (preferably measuring) individual parameters during process execution, in particular in a film production machine. Preferably, the detected individual parameters are at least partially predetermined by the recipe information and / or may also differ in part from the individual parameters of the recipe information. This allows a simple and unambiguous characterization of a particular process execution so that it can be distinguished from other process implementations.

In the context of the invention, the data system is preferably designed as an (electronic) data system for electronic data management. Such a data system is, for example, a database system with at least one database for storing and providing the data. For example. For example, the database system may be software-only or may include a computer to provide the data. For this purpose, the computer comprises, for example, a data storage unit such as a hard disk and / or a processor for processing the data. In particular, it can also be a networked database system, for example with distributed computers with data storage units. It may also be possible for the database system (in particular networked) to be in data connection with a film production machine in order, for example, to obtain a fingerprint and / or monitoring information for a process execution of this film production machine and / or to provide a control matrix via the data connection. Preferably, the data connection may be provided via an Ethernet network or LAN (Local Area Network) or Internet or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or the like. In particular, the data system is part of a control system for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Furthermore, it may be possible that the result information is in each case embodied as information about a result of the respective process execution, in particular about the quality and / or at least one product property of the film produced thereby, and preferably by a laboratory evaluation and / or by the film production machine and / or or manually provided by a user and / or by a film processing machine such as a winder or the like. For example. the result information provided in each case can be communicated to the data system in a networked manner, eg. B. via a mobile network or an Ethernet network or LAN or Internet or WLAN or the like. Preferably, the respective result information is assigned to a respective fingerprint, namely one which characterizes the process execution for which the result information is specific. This can, for example, the Process execution, in which the film has been prepared, based on the result information was determined. In other words, by comparing the result information with an associated fingerprint, a particular process execution can be evaluated with respect to the result of that process execution. A further (for example statistical) evaluation of further fingerprints and associated result information, in particular also among one another, may possibly lead to a determination of relationships which are relevant for ensuring the quality in film production. For example. For example, evaluation criteria may be determined (using a control matrix), such as a tolerance range for at least some of the individual parameters. Preferably, these evaluation criteria make it possible to evaluate and / or predict the (expected) quality of the associated process execution on the basis of a fingerprint. In particular, by means of the above-described evaluation on the basis of the result information of previous process executions, this evaluation and / or prediction can be optimized. For this purpose, for example, depending on this evaluation, an adaptation of the evaluation criteria or the control matrix is required.

For example, in the evaluation, the tolerance value range can be compared with values of the monitoring information of the fingerprints. Also, if necessary, the result information for these fingerprints can be taken into account. The tolerance value range can then preferably be adjusted on the basis of the evaluation, so that it includes those values of the monitoring information which lead to a higher quality. This is a simple example of such an evaluation, whereby more complex statistical analyzes may be provided for the evaluation (such as an autocorrelation, a linear prediction, pattern recognition, the use of neural networks, self-learning, artificial intelligence, or the like).

Preferably, an optimal evaluation basis for subsequent process executions can thus be provided (preferably by the control matrix) on the basis of the stored data in order in particular to be able to quickly and reliably evaluate a quality of the produced film.

It may be possible that when providing different fingerprints at least 10 or at least 100 or at least 1000 or at least 10,000 fingerprints are provided, through which each different process designs are characterized. It may be possible for a control matrix to be continually adjusted (for further process executions) based on the stored fingerprints and result information so as to continually improve control by the control matrix. In other words, an optimization of the control matrix can take place during the course of the film production.

Furthermore, it can be provided in the method according to the invention that the control of at least one subsequent process execution (only) based on the fingerprint, which is determined in this process execution, in comparison with a control matrix, preferably without a result information of this process execution, such as a product property the film produced, evaluate or determine. In this case, the control matrix can be determined on the basis of the stored data (fingerprints and result information of previous process executions), so that a correlation of preceding fingerprints with result information serves to control the subsequent process execution. This makes it possible to evaluate a subsequent, active or fully executed process execution quickly and / or immediately to determine or predict whether the quality of the film is sufficient. This makes it possible to dispense with expensive laboratory tests or the like for evaluating the film quality (at least for a first prognosis of the quality). Optionally, the result information can then still on the basis of the produced film, for. B. on the basis of laboratory data and / or data from subsequent machines (further processing data), are determined. However, this can serve in particular to improve the subsequent control of subsequent further process executions, in particular by optimizing the control matrix. For this purpose, the newly determined result information with the associated fingerprint of the subsequent process execution can also be stored in the data system.

In particular, the term "control" in the context of the invention means that monitoring and / or checking and / or evaluating and / or adapting and / or controlling and / or regulating the film production, in particular the at least one (subsequent) process execution, preferably one This may, for example, also a control, ie in particular a monitoring and / or evaluation, a result of the process execution include, so for example. The produced film. Also, the process execution, ie in particular the individual parameters provided for the operation of at least one film production machine, such as an extruder, controlled, ie, for example, regulated and / or controlled. In this case, the control preferably comprises the adaptation based on a (measured) actual value of the individual parameters in comparison with a respective desired value for the individual parameters. In particular, framework conditions for the actual or desired values may be predetermined by the control matrix, for example by a tolerance value range of the control matrix, such as upper and lower limits for the values. The checking, in particular the controlling and / or regulating and / or evaluating, can also refer to the consideration of this tolerance value range. For example. For this purpose, the tolerance value range is compared with the actual and / or setpoint values which are used during process execution. This has the advantage that a quality of the process execution and / or the film produced thereby can be evaluated and / or ensured by comparing a fingerprint with the control matrix. The control matrix therefore represents an evaluation basis which specifies the framework conditions for achieving a desired quality of the film. In other words, the control matrix may comprise at least one piece of information which serves for the control, in particular for the evaluation, of the film production or the subsequent process execution. Such information is, for example, at least one tolerance value range, ie, for example, an upper and lower limit for values of monitoring information and / or the recipe information of a fingerprint. Thus, for example, the quality of the film is decisively influenced by the recipe information, which in particular includes specifications, for example target values, for individual parameters (as a so-called recipe for film production). In particular, the specifications may include at least one desired value for the individual parameters in order to carry out a corresponding control of the process execution (for example, by a control in the film production machine, such as a temperature control). By contrast, the monitoring information can include, for example, measured actual values of the individual parameters of the process execution. In this case, the control matrix may preferably include additional specifications or control criteria, such as, for example, a tolerance value range which the actual and / or target values of the individual parameters should be in the process execution. Compliance with this tolerance range can be determined, for example, by comparing the control matrix with the fingerprint. In particular, if the tolerance value range is not adhered to, this may have a corresponding control, ie, for example, a negative assessment of the quality or an active countermeasure or regulation of the process execution or an adjustment of the recipe information to ensure quality result. The comparison and / or the control is possible, for example, based on the monitoring information, which, for example, are the result of monitoring the individual parameters in a (subsequent) process execution.

In particular, the use of a control matrix as a scoring basis allows easy determination of scoring criteria provided by the information of the control matrix (such as a tolerance range). Preferably, by determining and / or adapting the control matrix based on newly stored data in subsequent process executions, the evaluation criteria can be continuously optimized to achieve a desired quality. In addition, the advantage can be achieved that by determining fingerprints and / or by comparing the fingerprints with the control matrix, a simple and flexible quality control is made possible, which, for example, can also be computer-assisted and / or networked and / or automated.

For example. At least one control matrix is determined and / or adapted by performing an evaluation of the stored fingerprints and / or result information (of previous process executions), so that preferably an evaluation result is determined. In particular, the control matrix can then be determined on the basis of the evaluation result. The evaluation may include, for example, an analysis of the different fingerprints and / or result information, in particular a statistical analysis. For this purpose, for example, an assignment of the fingerprints to associated result information is carried out, which is specific to the respective fingerprints (ie, for example, that the respective result information was determined on the basis of a film produced by that process execution that characterizes the fingerprint). In particular, the evaluation may also include a determination of a correlation of the different fingerprints and / or different ones Include result information among each other (autocorrelation). For example. the evaluation also includes the use of complex (statistical) analyzes, such as linear prediction and / or trend analysis and / or pattern recognition and / or neural networks and / or artificial intelligence and / or the like.

Preferably, in the method according to the invention, the fingerprint can also be stored digitally, optionally with further information (such as an associated control matrix and / or an identifier for the process execution, such as a time stamp or the like), preferably in the data system (such as a database system). In particular, the fingerprint comprises the recipe information, so that the individual parameters of the recipe information used in the associated process execution can also be accessed at a later time. For example. If, by comparing the fingerprint with the control matrix, a particularly good approximation to a quality result is determined, the recipe information of the fingerprint can be marked accordingly and / or used for subsequent process executions. Also, if necessary, by an analysis of one or more fingerprints, in particular depending on a respective comparison result (the comparison with the control matrix), a correlation of the recipe information and the result achieved thereby (eg the associated result information on a quality of the in the Fingerprint associated process execution produced film) are determined. This allows conclusions to be drawn on a particularly promising recipe information for a particular result.

It is preferably provided that a multiplicity of fingerprints for a plurality of different process executions are stored in the data system, for example at least 10 or at least 100 or at least 1000 or at least 10,000, and are preferably evaluated on the basis of respective result information. For this purpose, in particular a correlation and / or a trend of the fingerprints with each other and / or in relation to the result information and / or further data is determined. For example. the result information and / or the further data can come from different data sources. Thus, for example, data can be determined during the further processing of the film (further processing data) and / or the use of the film produced. The further processing includes, for example, the processing by a winder, in particular when the film is designed as a stretch film. The data can be determined, for example, automatically and / or entered manually. Based on the evaluation can then z. For example, the (active) subsequent process execution (in particular based on a comparison of the fingerprint of the process execution with the control matrix) are directly controlled and / or subsequent process executions can be controlled based on the evaluation.

In particular, it is possible that a process execution comprises an entire production or a production step or a sub-process of a production of a film. In particular, a film production machine, for example as part of an extrusion line for producing a blown film, is controlled on the basis of the recipe information, that is to say in the case of a film production machine. H. For example, controlled and / or regulated. It is possible that a change in the recipe information directly causes a change in the produced film, as this, for example, a material mixture is changed. Accordingly, the process execution can be unambiguously characterized by the fingerprint, and thus clearly differentiated from other process executions on the basis of the respective fingerprints.

It may be possible for several (subsequent) fingerprints to be determined in the case of several subsequent process executions. For example. For each of the fingerprints, the comparison can be made with a control matrix in order to continuously control the film production, for example, to monitor and / or adapt the quality of the films produced thereby. Also, in any of these comparisons, if necessary, an adjustment of the control matrix, in particular to optimize the quality of film production. This adaptation takes place, for example, by evaluating a result of the respective process executions (in particular by a respective subsequent result information, such as a product property of the film produced, preferably automatically). For example. Then, depending on a deviation of this result information to a predetermined desired result, the control matrix (automated) can be adapted in order to achieve a changed result in a subsequent process execution. This adaptation can be made such that an optimization of the control matrix to achieve the desired result. This can be done, for example, by the iterative evaluation of the result information and adaptation as a function of this evaluation. It may also be possible that the evaluation also includes an evaluation of the recipe information and / or the adaptation also an adaptation of the recipe information. Thus, depending on the result, the recipe information can be optimized so that the desired result is achieved in a process execution based on the recipe information.

Furthermore, in the case of a method according to the invention, it is possible for monitoring information to be determined for providing the fingerprints in a respective process execution, and preferably for determining the monitoring information a detection (in particular measurement) of individual parameters, in particular of properties of the material mixture and / or of process parameters and / or process variables in the process execution, is performed. Preferably, the fingerprints are stored in such a way that the stored fingerprints each comprise the monitoring information. In particular, the advantage can be achieved that the data, as a basis for evaluation, by the provision of the monitoring information, enables an improved assessment of the quality of the preceding and / or subsequent process executions.

By the quality of the process execution, it is understood, for example, that at least one result information of the process execution is evaluated, for example a product property of the film produced thereby. For a given quality, this result information must fulfill certain criteria, for example, a predetermined tear strength of the film must be achieved or the like. In other words, the quality preferably refers to (product) properties of the film. These product properties can be determined, for example, to determine the result information directly during process execution (inline) or outside the process execution (offline). For example. For example, the result information may include at least one quantitative information (eg, a measured property as a product property such as a degree of tear strength, a stress-strain curve, a film thickness, a basis weight, or the like) or at least qualitative information (e.g., user feedback whether damage has occurred to the film). Furthermore, the result information may also have an association with a position (ie position information). This allows, for example, a runmeter-dependent allocation of the product properties to positions of the film during film production. Especially In this case, the position information also allows a conclusion to the fingerprint or to the values of the fingerprint, which were determined at a specific position during the production of the film. These values of the fingerprint are, for example, monitoring information. On the basis of the result information, it may thus also be inferred to what extent the monitoring information may deviate from a certain tolerance value range in order nevertheless to achieve the desired result. In other words, according to a further embodiment, based on the result information, a tolerance value range of a control matrix can also be adapted so that the control matrix is optimized.

The monitoring information preferably comprises at least information about the individual parameters, and is determined, for example, by a detection (in particular measurement) of properties of the material mixture and / or process parameters and / or process variables in the process execution. In this case, the fingerprint may include, for example, both the monitoring information that was determined during a specific process execution, as well as the recipe information used in this process execution. This makes it possible to characterize the associated process execution very comprehensively on the basis of the fingerprint. Thus, the process execution can also be subsequently evaluated and / or analyzed on the basis of the fingerprint, and / or, if the result is very good, the associated process execution can be repeated in a similar manner in order to obtain the result (ie in particular the product properties of the film produced in this case). to reproduce. An analysis of different fingerprints can be carried out, for example, by comparing the stored fingerprints with the stored result information obtained in the respective process executions and / or with each other. Thus, for example, an optimal fingerprint can be determined in order to achieve a specific result.

However, it is often not possible to carry out a subsequent process execution in such a way that the previous process execution on which this optimal fingerprint is based is completely replicated. There are therefore possibly deviations in the individual parameters, which, for example, can be detected by the monitoring information. The comparison of this monitoring information with the control matrix makes it possible to ensure that these deviations do not reach a given limit exceed. The control matrix can also be determined and optimized on the basis of the analysis, in particular based on a correlation of the stored fingerprints and / or associated stored result information so as to carry out subsequent process executions in such a way that a specific result is reproduced in sufficient approximation. For the analysis, the fingerprints, for example, permanently (non-volatile) stored in the data system and provided. In particular, the result information may also include error information in order to determine an error cause by the analysis. The correlation may include, for example, autocorrelation (the stored data or fingerprints), so that a cause for an error in the process execution can be reliably identified. The result information may, for example, also include information about film production specific to a barking and / or an edge break and / or a biting level and / or a slack.

According to a further advantage, the recipe information comprises at least information about at least one individual parameter for parameterization of the film production, in particular the process execution, preferably at least one film production machine. The individual parameter is, for example, a material mixture and / or a process parameter and / or a process variable, by means of which the process execution can be influenced in each case. For this purpose, for example, a film production machine, such as an extruder, can be set on the basis of the values specified by the recipe information of at least some of the individual parameters. Also affect at least some of the individual parameters, such as the material mixture, the composition of the film to be produced. The material mixture comprises, for example, at least one parameter of a raw material of the film (for example per layer of the film) or of a material of the film. The material mixture may also comprise at least one parameter of the layers of the film, such as, for example, a layer thickness and / or a layer sequence and / or a layer number. Also, the material mixture may affect a mixing ratio per layer. On the other hand, the process parameter can comprise a controllable variable, such as a film speed and / or a frost line of the film and / or a pressure and / or a temperature during film production, such as a melt temperature and / or cooling air temperature and / or melt temperature, and / or a pressure during the film production. In particular, a "simple dependency" is present in the process parameter, ie the process parameter presets a setpoint value in order to produce a setpoint value Control in the process execution to match a determined actual value to the target value. In contrast, the single parameter "process variable" may include such parameters that have a "complex dependency". This means that, if necessary, no simple regulation of the process variables in the sense of the process parameters is possible. The process variables are, for example, significantly determined by a plurality of influencing factors, which require more complex control and / or manual intervention in the process execution.

A further advantage can be achieved in the context of the invention if the provision of the fingerprints comprises at least one of the following steps, which are preferably carried out successively:

Determining respective monitoring information during the respective process execution, in particular by measurements in a film production machine,

Determining a respective fingerprint on the basis of the respective monitoring information and a respective specific recipe information of the process execution so that the respective process execution is characterized on the basis of the fingerprint. This has the advantage that the process execution can be characterized in a simple manner on the basis of the fingerprint by information relevant to quality assurance.

In the context of the invention, it may preferably be provided that at least one measurement is carried out during the process executions in order to determine the respective monitoring information, the measurement preferably being carried out for at least one process parameter and / or at least one process variable during process execution. For example. For example, the monitoring information may also include a running-meter position of the produced film, so that an association of the determined monitoring information with a film position is possible. Thus, for example, also a specific position range of the film can be determined, for which a certain quality was determined by comparing the fingerprint with the control matrix.

In particular, it is provided that the respective monitoring information comprise at least one sequence of values which is specific for at least one measurement result in the respective process execution, wherein the measurement result is preferably determined by a measurement in at least one film production machine, in particular at a specific position of the film. Preferably, the position information indicates this position of the film.

In a further possibility, it can be provided that the (respective) recipe information for different individual parameters of the (respective) process execution in each case comprises at least one piece of information, in particular:

at least one information for the material mixture during process execution, in particular over layers of the film and / or over a raw material for at least one of the layers and / or over a thickness of at least one of the layers and / or over at least one layer sequence and / or number and / or or via a mixing ratio of at least one of the layers,

at least one information for at least one process parameter of the process execution, preferably via a film speed and / or a temperature and / or a pressure in the process execution, in particular in a film production machine,

at least one information for a process variable of the process execution. This allows a comprehensive evaluation of the recipe information and / or the monitoring information. Furthermore, it may be possible for the process variable to be dependent on the process parameter and / or on physical and / or external influences due to and / or on a film production machine, in particular according to a complex dependency.

Furthermore, it is optionally possible within the scope of the invention that, after the storage of the data (ie in particular after the storage of the respective fingerprints and the the respective result information has been completely carried out, if appropriate, by a plurality of temporally staggered memory operations), the following steps are provided, which are preferably carried out successively or in any desired sequence, if necessary also repeatedly:

Evaluating the stored fingerprints, in particular based on the stored result information, so that an evaluation result is determined,

Determining a control matrix on the basis of the evaluation result, which is executed for checking, in particular evaluation, for the at least one subsequent process execution. In particular, determining the control matrix may also include adapting an existing control matrix. This has the advantage that the control matrix can be continuously optimized.

According to a further possibility, it may be provided that the evaluation of the stored fingerprints comprises a (statistical) analysis of the fingerprints, preferably a trend analysis, preferably as a function of the associated stored result information. In particular, the result information can be used to obtain conclusions on the extent to which the monitoring information and / or recipe information influences product properties, in particular the quality of the film. Alternatively or additionally, it is therefore also conceivable that the evaluation of the stored fingerprints takes place in that a correlation of the fingerprints with each other and / or in relation to the stored result information is determined, so preferably at least one range of values for at least one individual parameter of the recipe information and / or is determined by monitoring information of the fingerprints, which is specific to a predetermined product property. In particular, the predetermined product property is a product property of predetermined quality (and thus corresponds in particular to a desired quality which the film should have). Possibly. The predetermined product property can also be parameterized, for example by a user input to the control system.

A further advantage may be provided that the evaluation result is compared with a predetermined, in particular empirical, information in order to obtain a verification, in particular plausibility check, to carry out the evaluation result. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluation result is compared with information which is determined on the basis of a correlation of the data. This allows a reliable control of the process executions.

In particular, in the method according to the invention, it may also be possible for the data also to include fingerprints and / or result information for process executions that are specific to a negative (poor) quality. For this purpose, for example, to provide the fingerprints and / or result information, process executions are carried out with recipe information and / or under conditions which (intend) cause an insufficient film quality. This allows, in particular, a "training" of the evaluation or evaluation of the data in order, for example, to determine a correlation, in particular causality, of the data (in particular between the fingerprints and the result information) and / or to identify poor result information and / or to carry out a verification ,

It is also advantageous in the context of the invention if the result information in each case comprises at least a first information about a resulting product property of the film produced in the respective associated process execution, preferably a control matrix depending on a comparison of the first information (on the resulting product property) with a second information about a given product property is determined, so that in particular on the basis of the control matrix, an evaluation for subsequent process executions with respect to the given product property (in particular as target quality) can be done. In other words, the result information includes information about an actual quality of the produced film, the control matrix serving to control subsequent process executions as to whether a desired predetermined product characteristic is achieved. It may optionally be possible for the control to determine a control matrix based on the stored data (ie redetermine or adapt an existing one), for which purpose at least one comparison criterion, in particular a tolerance value range, of the control matrix is determined and / or adjusted (an existing one) , so that Preferably, the comparison criterion, in particular the tolerance value range, is specific for achieving a given product property in the subsequent process execution. In other words, based on the stored data, such a tolerance range can be determined, which is typical (or specific) for the given product property. Now, if subsequent process executions, ie their fingerprints, are compared with this tolerance value range, the film production can be controlled in a simple manner.

Advantageously, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that after the data have been stored (ie after the step of storing the respective fingerprints and result information) at least one of the following steps is provided, which are preferably carried out successively or in any order, for example also repeatedly become:

Determining a control matrix which is designed to be controlled for at least one subsequent process execution,

Determining at least one subsequent fingerprint for the at least one subsequent process execution, preferably based on monitoring information and / or specific recipe information of the subsequent process execution, comparing values of the following fingerprint with a comparison criterion (in particular a tolerance value range) of the control matrix, so that at least one comparison result is for checking the film production is determined

Control of the subsequent process execution based on the comparison result.

In particular, the control encompasses evaluating and / or adapting and / or visualizing and / or controlling and / or regulating the execution of the process in order in particular to be able to ensure a predetermined film quality. The steps mentioned can be carried out, for example, for each subsequent process execution. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it may be possible for a determination of a control matrix to include a definition of a tolerance value range as a comparison criterion (for values of the at least one subsequent fingerprint) in order to control the subsequent process execution on the basis of the associated fingerprint. In particular, the values of the following fingerprint are values of monitoring information of the fingerprint. This has the advantage that simple and customizable control of the process execution can be done.

Preferably, it may be possible for the control to compare a fingerprint of a subsequent process execution based on at least one comparison criterion of a control matrix, so that based on the comparison, the process execution as a function of the comparison criterion controlled, preferably evaluated and / or adjusted and / or visualized and / or controlled and / or regulated. Thus, the process execution can be controlled in a simple and fast way.

It may be advantageous if, in the context of the invention, the respective result information is provided by ascertaining at least one product property of a film which is produced in a respective associated process execution, wherein the determination of the product property comprises at least one of the following steps:

Measuring a tear strength of the film, in particular by performing a tensile test on the film,

Manually inputting user information about the film, in particular a rating of the film,

Determining processing parameters in a further processing of the film, preferably automated by a processing machine, in particular by a film winder,

Determining at least one barrier property of the film,

Determining at least one optical property of the film,

Determining at least one geometry property of the film,

Determining at least one mechanical property of the film,

Determining a basis weight of the film, Determining a quality index for the film, wherein preferably the quality index is determined runmeter-dependent for the film.

In particular, the different properties of the film in terms of permeation and diffusion to gases and liquids are referred to as barrier properties. The barrier properties are, for example, depending on the molecular structure of the plastics and the processing. This allows a versatile and meaningful evaluation of the film quality. Furthermore, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that the result information and / or the fingerprints each comprise position information which is determined as a function of the runmeter for a film produced during the process execution, so that preferably at least one piece of information of a particular result information (in particular information about one Product characteristic) is assigned to a respective recipe information and / or monitoring information of an associated fingerprint. For example. can be determined in this way a position range of the film on the basis of the stored data, in which the film produced has a particularly good quality. In addition, it may be advantageous in the context of the invention for the at least one subsequent process execution to provide at least one associated subsequent fingerprint and at least one associated result information in order to adapt an (existing) control matrix based on an evaluation of the subsequent fingerprint and the subsequent result information. so that the control matrix is preferably iteratively adapted for subsequent process executions. This step can be repeated, in particular for further process executions, in order to continuously adapt and optimize the control matrix.

Furthermore, it can be provided that following the storage of the data, in particular when evaluating the stored fingerprints, the following steps are carried out, preferably one after the other:

Determining at least one filter information specific to a specific product property of the film, Comparing the filter information at least partially with the stored result information,

Determining at least one control matrix in dependence on this comparison, so that on the basis of the control matrix at least one such fingerprint, and in particular at least one associated process execution, is selected, whose associated result information has an approximation (i.e., an identity) to the specific product property.

This makes it possible, in particular, to quickly and reliably filter out similar or similar products or products (films) of specific quality. For example. can be determined by the filter information and / or by the control matrix while a certain position information.

Likewise provided by the invention is a control system for controlling a film production, in which at least one film can be produced as a function of at least one specific recipe information, comprising:

at least one providing unit for providing different fingerprints, wherein the fingerprints characterize different process executions for the production of a film, and for providing in each case at least one result information for the respective fingerprint, the result information being specific for at least one product characteristic of the (respectively) produced film,

a processing unit for storing the fingerprints and the result information as data in a data system so that the data can be provided as an evaluation basis for checking at least one subsequent process execution (in particular centrally).

Thus, the control system according to the invention brings the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention. In addition, the control system may be suitable to be operable in accordance with a method according to the invention. The invention likewise relates to a computer program product for controlling a film production, in which at least one film is produced as a function of at least one specific recipe information item. In this case, it is provided in particular that the computer program product is designed to be processed by a processing device, so that the following steps are carried out:

Provision of different fingerprints, wherein the fingerprints characterize different process executions for producing a film,

Providing in each case at least one result information for the respective fingerprint, the result information being specific in each case for at least one product property of the (respectively) produced film,

Storing the fingerprints and the result information as data in a data system, in particular an electronic data management database, so that the data is provided as an assessment basis for controlling at least one subsequent process execution.

Thus, the computer program product according to the invention brings with it the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a method and / or control system according to the invention. In addition, the computer program product may be suitable for carrying out a method according to the invention.

The computer program product can be embodied, for example, as a data carrier and / or as a computer-readable storage medium and / or as a firmware and / or the like, which comprises a computer program for carrying out the steps (of the method according to the invention).

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention are described in detail. It can in the Claims and features mentioned in the description in each case be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. Each show schematically:

1 is a representation for visualizing a method according to the invention,

2 shows a further illustration for the visualization of a method according to the invention,

3 shows a further illustration for the visualization of a method according to the invention, FIG. 4 shows a representation of a control system according to the invention,

5 shows a further illustration of a control system according to the invention for visualizing a method according to the invention. In the following figures, the identical reference numerals are used for the same technical features of different embodiments.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a method 100 according to the invention. In this case, it may be provided that, according to a recipe information R, a process execution 210 is performed. As a result of this process execution 210, a film having at least one product characteristic D is produced as a function of the recipe information R. In order to characterize the process execution 210, monitoring information I can be determined, for example, by a measurement of individual parameters in the process execution 210, and provided with the recipe information R as a fingerprint F.

The film produced in the process execution 210 has at least one product characteristic D, which determines the quality of the film and thus the result of the process execution 210. In order to be able to draw conclusions about this result of the process execution 210, a result information E for this process execution 210 can be provided. This is determined, for example, by laboratory tests on the film or a user input for evaluating the film or the like, and is therefore specific to the product property D. Both the fingerprint F and the result information E can then be stored in a data system 200 (non-volatile) become. These steps may be repeated for further process executions 210 so that different fingerprints F and result information E are provided for different process executions 210 and stored as data in the data system 200. These data can then serve as an assessment basis for a control of at least one subsequent process execution 21 1.

Conventionally, to test the quality of the subsequent process execution 21 1, the produced film can be examined in the laboratory only after the (complete) subsequent process execution 21 1 or a feedback from a further processing or use of the film can be used to determine the product property D of the produced film to determine the subsequent process execution 21 1. In particular, method 100 according to the invention makes it possible to improve the control of film production and / or film quality, whereby evaluations of the (prospective) film quality and / or product property D for subsequent process executions 21 1 can be provided in particular even without a laborious laboratory test. This can preferably already take place during the subsequent process execution 21 1 and / or shortly thereafter.

In particular, the control of the subsequent process executions 21 1 can be carried out by determining a control matrix M on the basis of the stored data. Thus, for example, a subsequent fingerprint F can be determined for a respective subsequent process execution 21 1 and compared with the control matrix M. In other words, the control matrix M can be used as an evaluation basis in order to determine or predict the film quality on the basis of the fingerprint F without elaborate examinations of the film, in particular already at the time of production of the film (that is to say during the active subsequent process execution 21 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the determination of the fingerprint F takes place on the basis of monitoring information I and a recipe information R of the associated process execution 210 or subsequent process execution 21 1 in order to enable a comparison with the control matrix M. FIG. 3 shows that the recipe information R can have information about various individual parameters, such as, for example, at least one material mixture A and / or at least one process parameter B and / or at least one process variable C. This information can at least partially be used for parameterization at least a film production machine can be used to produce a film according to the recipe information R in a process execution 210.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a control system 10. In this case, the control system 10 can have at least one provision unit 310 for providing different fingerprints F, wherein different process versions 210 for producing a foil are characterized by the fingerprints F. Further, the providing unit 310 may serve to provide at least one result information E to the respective fingerprint F, the result information E being specific to at least one product characteristic D of the produced film. Furthermore, a processing unit 320 of the control system 10 for storing the respective fingerprints F and result information E can be provided as data in a data system 200, so that the data can be provided as an evaluation basis for controlling at least one subsequent process execution 21 1. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a method 100 according to the invention with further details. It may be possible for a plurality of different process executions 210 to determine a large number of monitoring information items I. These can then each be provided with the recipe information R of the respective process execution 210 as a fingerprint F of this respective associated process execution 210 in a data system 200 (in particular of the control system 10). For this purpose, the data system 200 includes, for example, a provisioning unit 310. The data system 200 is preferably designed as a database system, eg. B. as a computer system with a database or as a software-based database system. Accordingly, the provisioning unit 310 may include an electronic component of the computer, such as a processor or data interface, or a software interface (such as SQL) or the like. In particular, a single fingerprint F thus comprises at least the specific recipe information R for an associated process execution 210 and also the monitoring information I of the associated process execution 210, so as to characterize the associated process execution 210.

Furthermore, the result information E can additionally be determined, which, for example, include information about product properties D of the films produced. These can then be used for an evaluation (for example by a processing unit 320 or a processing device 30, such as a computer or processor of a computer) to determine a correlation with the fingerprints F. In order to enable an assignment of the fingerprints F, which are each associated with a specific process execution 210 and characterize it, with those result information E which are specific to the film produced in the corresponding respective process execution 210, the result information E can, for example, be an identifier, coding and / or position information or the like, which thus indicates the associated fingerprint F. On the basis of the evaluation, it is then possible, for example, to determine a control matrix M, ie in particular also to adapt an existing control matrix M. The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of example. Of course, individual features of the embodiments, if technically feasible, can be combined freely with one another, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

S e c tio n s ia s

10 control system

30 Processing device 100 method

200 data system

210 process execution

211 subsequent process execution

310 deployment unit

320 Processing unit A Material mixture

B process parameters

C process size

D product feature

E result information

F fingerprint

I monitoring information

M control matrix

R recipe information

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e

Method (100) for controlling a film production in which at least one film is produced as a function of at least one specific recipe information (R), the following steps being carried out:

Provision of different fingerprints (F), whereby different process executions (210) for producing a film are characterized by the fingerprints (F),

Providing at least one result information (E) to the respective fingerprint (F), the result information (E) being specific for at least one product characteristic (D) of the produced film,

Storing the respective fingerprints (F) and result information (E) as data in a data system (200) such that the data is provided as an assessment basis for a control of at least one subsequent process execution (21 1).

Method (100) according to claim 1,

characterized,

the provision of the fingerprints (F) comprises the following steps:

Determining respective monitoring information (I) in a respective process execution (210), in particular by measurements in a film production machine,

Determining a respective fingerprint (F) on the basis of the respective monitoring information (I) and a respective specific recipe information (R) of the process execution (210) so that the respective process execution (210) is characterized on the basis of the fingerprint (F). Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

after saving the data, the following steps are provided:

Evaluating the stored fingerprints (F), in particular based on the stored result information (E), so that an evaluation result is determined,

Determining a control matrix (M) based on the evaluation result, which is designed to control for the at least one subsequent process execution (21 1).

Method (100) according to claim 3,

characterized,

in that the evaluation of the stored fingerprints (F) comprises a statistical analysis of the fingerprints (F), preferably a trend analysis, preferably as a function of the associated stored result information (E).

Method (100) according to claim 3 or 4,

characterized,

in that the evaluation of the stored fingerprints (F) is effected by determining a correlation of the fingerprints (F) with each other and / or with respect to the stored result information (E), so that at least one range of values of at least one individual parameter of the prescription information (R) and / or from monitoring information (I) of the fingerprints (F) which is specific to a predetermined product characteristic (D).

Method (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5,

characterized,

that the evaluation result is compared with a predetermined, in particular empirical, information in order to carry out a verification of the evaluation result. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the result information (E) in each case comprises at least information about a resulting product property (D) of the film produced in the respective process execution (210), wherein a control matrix (M) depends on a comparison of the information about the resulting product property (D) with information about a given product property (D) is determined, so that on the basis of the control matrix (M) an evaluation for subsequent process executions (21 1) with respect to the given product property (D) can take place.

Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that a control matrix (M) is determined on the basis of the stored data for the control, for which purpose at least one tolerance value range of the control matrix (M) is determined and / or adapted so that the tolerance value range for achieving a given product characteristic (D) in the subsequent process execution ( 21 1) is specific.

Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

after saving the data, the following steps are provided:

Determining a control matrix (M) which is designed for checking for at least one subsequent process execution (21 1),

Determining at least one subsequent fingerprint (F) for the at least one subsequent process execution (21 1), preferably based on monitoring information (I) and / or specific recipe information (R) of the subsequent process execution (21 1),

Comparing values of the following fingerprint (F) with a tolerance value range of the control matrix (M) so that at least one comparison result is determined for controlling the film production,

Check the subsequent process execution (21 1) based on the comparison result.

10. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that the respective result information (E) is provided by ascertaining at least one product characteristic (D) of a film which is produced in a respective process execution (210), wherein the determination of the product property (D) comprises at least one of the following steps:

Determining processing parameters in a further processing of the film, preferably automated by a processing machine of further processing, in particular by a film winder,

Determining at least one barrier property of the film,

Determining at least one optical property of the film,

Determining at least one geometry property of the film,

Determining at least one mechanical property of the film,

Determining a basis weight of the film,

- Determining a quality index for the film, preferably the quality index is determined runmeter-dependent for the film.

1 1. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the result information (E) and / or the fingerprints (F) each have a

Position information which is determined as a function of the runmeter for a film produced during process execution (210) so that at least one piece of information of a respective result information (E) is assigned to recipe information (R) and / or monitoring information (I) of an associated fingerprint (F).

12. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in the at least one subsequent process execution (21 1) at least one associated subsequent fingerprint (F) and at least one associated subsequent result information (E) are provided in order to evaluate a subsequent matrix fingerprint (F) and subsequent result information (E) (M), so that the control matrix (M) is preferably iteratively optimized for subsequent process executions (21 1). 13. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

in that following the storage of the data, in particular when evaluating the stored fingerprints (F), the following steps are carried out:

Determining at least one filter information specific to a specific product property (D) of the film,

Comparing the filter information at least partially with the stored result information (E),

Determining a control matrix (M) as a function of this comparison so that on the basis of the control matrix (M) at least one such fingerprint (F), and in particular at least one associated process execution (210), whose associated result information (E) approximates the specific product property (D).

14. Control system (10) for controlling a film production in which at least one film can be produced as a function of at least one specific recipe information item (R), comprising:

at least one provision unit (310) for providing different fingerprints (F), wherein different process executions (210) for producing a film are characterized by the fingerprints (F), and for providing at least one result information (E) to the respective one Fingerprint (F), wherein the result information (E) is specific to at least one product characteristic (D) of the produced film,

a processing unit (320) for storing the respective fingerprints (F) and result information (E) as data in a data system (200), so that the data serves as evaluation basis for a check of at least one subsequent one

Process execution (21 1) are available.

15. Control system (10) according to claim 14,

characterized,

the control system (10) is operable according to a method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

A computer program product for controlling a film production in which at least one film is produced in dependence on at least one specific recipe information (R), wherein the computer program product is adapted to be processed by a processing device (30) so that the following steps are carried out:

17. Computer program product according to claim 16,

characterized,

the computer program product is designed to be processed by the processing device (30) so that a method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13 is performed.