EP3875262A2 - Assembly for producing folding boxes and method for operating the assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for producing folding boxes and a method for operating a system for producing folding boxes are proposed, which enables increased process reliability, a reduced workload for the system operator and a reduced reject rate while at the same time ensuring 100% control of all folding boxes produced.

Description

The invention relates to a system for producing folding boxes, which consists of several processing stations linked to one another, and a method for monitoring a system for producing folding boxes comprising several processing stations.

Folding boxes are primarily used to package products in such a way that they are protected against damage and environmental influences. Increasingly higher demands are placed on the visual appearance of folding boxes, since the end customer is made of the impression a packaging communicates, concludes the quality of the product packaged in it. For example, color deviations during printing, dull areas on a surface printed in high gloss, imprints from grippers or other aids are often no longer tolerated by the buyers of the folding boxes (these are the customers of the folding box manufacturer). The customers of the folding box manufacturers often send a delivery of 10,000 folding boxes back to the folding box manufacturer if only one or two folding boxes are faulty. This is especially true if one or more of the dimensions of the folding boxes are outside the tolerance.

Corrugated cardboard, which is the starting product for a finished folding box, is increasingly being made from recycled cellulose fibers. As a result, the quality of the corrugated board suffers and it is more difficult to process. In particular, it is more difficult to fold this corrugated cardboard exactly and corrugated cardboard made from recycled cellulose fibers tends to tear at the folded edge. Both are undesirable.

In short: The production of folding boxes is a complex process which today has to meet the highest demands in terms of monitoring, control and process reliability.

In connection with the invention, the terms “folding box blank” and “folding box” cannot always be clearly separated, since they involve the production of a folding box concerns from a folding box blank. Therefore, these terms are also used synonymously.

the WO 2016/034926 A1 describes a method for controlling a folding box machine with a plurality of processing stations, with several control devices being distributed over the entire process chain. With the help of these control devices, the folding box blanks or the folding boxes are monitored in various processing stages and checked with regard to various criteria. The method known from the prior art provides for the results of the various controls to be brought together at the end of the processing process and then for a decision to be made as to whether a folding box is “good” or is to be regarded as “reject”.

The disadvantage of this method is that the folding box blanks that have already been identified as faulty go through the entire processing process before they are ejected. As a result, the entire system is stressed more than necessary and consequential errors can occur.

The invention is based on the object of providing a system for producing folding boxes and a method for producing folding boxes which avoid the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, increased process reliability is to be achieved and the The profitability of the production of folding boxes can be improved. In addition, the operation and monitoring of the system by the system operator should be simplified and his physical stress reduced.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a system according to claim 1 and a method according to the independent claim 17.

The system according to the invention for the production of folding boxes comprises a plurality of processing stations, several control devices for checking the quality of the folding boxes being processed, a central control and / or regulating device and a first discharge station at the end of a process chain formed by the processing stations. The system according to the invention comprises a control panel for a system operator and has at least one additional (second) transfer station.

The control panel is the "normal" location of the plant operator when the plant is running without any problems.

The most important measured values and the most important results of the processing stations and control devices in the process chain are continuously processed on the control panel and displayed on one or more screens. The term "control device" is broadly defined; it includes a simple sensor, a camera and / or complex ones Devices for checking individual or several properties of the folding box blanks.

The display on one or more screens gives the system operator a very detailed insight into the function of the individual processing stations and the quality of the folding box blanks after almost every processing station.

If the system operator notices irregularities or deviations from a target state during the inspection (on the screen of the control panel or on the basis of previously ejected samples), he can change the setting of individual parameters of one or more processing stations so that the deviations from the target state go to zero or at least become minimal. As a result, the quality of the folding boxes is improved and the reject rate is reduced. In addition, the downtimes of the system are reduced because the settings of the processing stations are readjusted before rejects occur.

Regardless of this, the system operator can, in addition to the automatically ejected (faulty) folding boxes, eject individual folding boxes from the ongoing production process in the form of a random sample, preferably at the second ejection station, using a manual input on the control panel. He can then examine these random samples while the system is running. If necessary, can the system operator can reduce the discrepancy between the actual values and the target values of one or more parameters of the folding boxes by making suitable changes to the settings at the processing station or stations arranged above the second removal station, depending on the results of his examination. This improves the quality of the folding boxes, increases process reliability and reduces the reject rate.

The additional (or second) discharge station according to the invention is not arranged at the end of the process chain, but preferably approximately in the middle of the process chain. As a result, it is possible to eject defective folding boxes into the additional ejection station immediately after an error that arises at the beginning of the process chain has been detected. This second or additional discharge station is arranged upstream of the first discharge station, viewed in the direction of transport of the folding boxes through the system. This relieves the processing stations located downstream of the second discharge station. In addition, operational disruptions in one of the processing stations arranged downstream of the second discharge station are prevented, which can be traced back to a folding box blank that has already been recognized as defective. In the worst case, such a consequential fault can lead to the entire system coming to a standstill. This risk is also increased by the early discharge according to the invention of the folding boxes recognized as faulty effectively reduced.

The second transfer station is before or after the control panel, should be positioned in its immediate vicinity. As a result, the system operator can check the ejected folding boxes without having to travel long distances and, if necessary, change the parameters of the processing stations arranged above the second ejection station accordingly. Incorrect settings or setpoint deviations are recognized earlier. This enables the plant operator to take countermeasures earlier. As a result, the manufacturing process becomes more stable and the reject rate drops.

In addition, due to the close proximity of the control panel and the second transfer station, the distances of the plant operator are drastically reduced. This reduces the operator's workload and the operator's attention remains high throughout the entire shift.

The process chain of the system according to the invention can additionally include a slotter, a rotary punch, a tape station, a device for attaching staples, a device for stacking the finished folding boxes, a bundling device and / or a second transport device for transporting the stack into the bundling device.

The slotter is used to moisten the corrugated cardboard locally in order to make the corrugated cardboard softer in the areas in which grooves will later be made. The slotter also serves to locally pre-squeeze the corrugated cardboard, if necessary, and to crease it in the direction of transport or transversely to the direction of transport. In addition, the corrugated cardboard can be cut and slots and / or recesses can be made in the folding box blank.

In a subsequent rotary punch, grooves can be made transversely to the transport direction. In addition, additional recesses can be punched out and / or parts of the corrugated cardboard can be cut off.

The slotter and the rotary punch are located in front of the second discharge station according to the invention, viewed in the direction of transport of the corrugated cardboard or the folding boxes.

After passing through the slotter and / or the rotary punch, all the cuts and grooves are in the folding box blank. In order to ensure an optimal quality of the folding box blank before the folds and the subsequent gluing, the profile of the creased lines as well as their position and / or distance from one another can be measured.

In an inventive further development, it is possible to grasp the grooves before folding and / or the lead and To effectively measure trail gaps of folded and glued folding box blanks and to determine a reliable statement about the geometric quality (dimensional accuracy, fishtailing) of the finished folding box blank or the finished folding box from the measured values obtained. This happens according to the invention in a system according to one of the preceding claims in that the system has at least one device for the optical detection of grooves and / or gaps in the folding box blanks, that a device for the optical detection of grooves in a transport direction of the folding box blanks through the folding machine before the Means for folding the folding box blanks is arranged, and / or that a device for the optical detection of gaps, viewed in the transport direction, is arranged after the means for folding the folding box blanks and in front of the aligning unit.

If the means are used for the optical detection of grooves, these means are arranged after a device for grooving. The carton cuts, which were previously grooved, can then be measured and checked. Selected or all of the grooves of each folding box blank can be checked with the aid of the means according to the invention for the optical detection of grooves.

If the grooves do not meet the requirements in terms of shape, position and contour, the relevant folding box blank can be classified as "bad" and it is discharged in the additional discharge station. This means that at the earliest possible point in time a folding box blank with faulty grooves is ejected, so that further production is only continued with "good" folding box blanks and a reduced reject rate.

If the means according to the invention are used for optical detection of gaps, then these means are arranged after a device for folding folding box blanks so that at least the lead gap and the trail gap can be detected in the area of an adhesive edge and the recorded measured values can be evaluated. A folding box blank classified as "bad" can be removed from the production process immediately afterwards in the additional removal station, so that further production is only continued with good folding box blanks. This drastically minimizes the number of faulty folding box blanks at the end of the folding machine. All problems resulting from the presence of individual faulty folding box blanks in a large number of good folding box blanks, which are for example tied into a bundle, are minimized or even completely avoided.

With the aid of the means according to the invention for the optical detection of grooves and gaps, poorly grooved and / or folded folding box blanks become very safe recognized and removed from the production process at a very early stage.

The means according to the invention for optically detecting grooves and / or gaps can use any suitable technology known from the prior art. For example, these devices can be a matrix camera, a line camera or a laser distance sensor. If, in a preferred embodiment, the device for optically detecting grooves and / or gaps is a laser distance sensor, then this laser distance sensor can operate on the principle of triangulation or the principle of the time of flight. Both modes of operation are suitable for capturing the shape, contour and position of grooves as well as for capturing the width of gaps.

The results of these measurements can be displayed to the system operator on the screens of the control panel, so that the system operator can, for example, correct the distance between two creases or the profile of the crease lines if necessary. It is also possible for the system to have a closed control loop, so that these values are permanently and automatically regulated to the specified target values.

The system according to the invention also comprises a device for folding and gluing a folding box blank and a first transport device with an integrated or separate first control device.

In this system configuration or the resulting process chain, the second discharge station is arranged after the first transport device, so that the faulty folding box blank can be discharged immediately after a faulty folding box blank is detected in the first transport device.

The device for folding and gluing a folding box blank can be a so-called multibox device. The person skilled in the art understands this to mean a device in which several folding box blanks are made from one panel by separating the panel z. B. be made with the help of a rotary punch. These two or sometimes even three folding box blanks, which were made from one panel, are still very close together after separation and allow a very effective and resource-saving, but also technologically demanding, production of folding boxes.

In the transport direction behind a device for folding and gluing a folding box blank can comprise a tape station and / or a stapling station. In the tape station, an adhesive tape (tape) is applied in addition to the existing adhesive point. There is a heat activated adhesive on the tape. In the tape station, the adhesive tape or the adhesive on it is heated to such an extent that the Adhesive becomes active. Then the adhesive tape is pressed onto the folding box blank.

A check can also be carried out there to determine whether the presence of a hot adhesive tape is detected by a temperature-sensitive sensor or a thermal imaging camera. A temperature control of the glued on and still warm adhesive tape can be used to check whether the adhesive tape has been securely and firmly bonded to the folding box blank.

If, for example, the adhesive tape was not heated sufficiently or the maximum permissible temperature of the adhesive tape was exceeded during heating, this can be determined by evaluating the output signals of the temperature-sensitive sensor or the thermal imaging camera. The use of an unsuitable adhesive tape (for example an adhesive tape without adhesive) can also be determined by evaluating the output signals of the temperature-sensitive sensor or the thermal imaging camera.

In the stapling station, the adhesive seam is reinforced with steel staples. There you can also check whether the staples have been anchored in the correct number and position in the folding box. The metallic properties of the staples are used to detect their presence. For example, disturbances in an electric field caused by the staples can be used for detection.

In a further embodiment of the system according to the invention, means for manually operating the second transfer station are provided on the control panel. This means can be a simple button. Then it is easily possible for the system operator to remove an individual folding box blank from the processing process, to check its properties and, if necessary, to better adjust the processing stations located above in the transport direction so that the deviation of the actual values of the folding boxes from the target values is reduced and the quality is improved.

In the system according to the invention, a device for stacking the folding boxes and a second transport device for transporting the stack into the bundling device can be provided behind the second discharge station, as seen in the transport direction. The previously glued folding boxes can also be aligned in the device for destacking (hereinafter also referred to as “stacking device”) so that the quality and dimensional accuracy of the folding boxes are improved.

The task of the stacking device is to create a stack from a quasi-continuous stream of finished folding boxes, which is then provided with a strapping band in the subsequent bundling device and tied into a bundle.

The device for destacking folding boxes and blanks makes it possible to uncouple the smallest and small folding box blanks in a process-reliable manner in the stacking shaft of a device for destacking into a stack without tilting the folding box blanks.

The device according to the invention for stacking folding boxes or folding box tubes comprises a stacking shaft, a lifting table, only one clipboard, a hold-down device, a first drive for the lifting table, a second drive for the clipboard and a third drive for the hold-down device and a control device, the Stacking shaft is limited in a transport direction at its front end by a first stop and at its rear end by a second stop, the stacking shaft being limited downwards alternately by the lifting table and the clipboard, the first drive being a single-axis drive is designed, which controls the position of the lifting table in the stacking shaft, the second drive is designed as a two-axis drive so that it controls the position of the clipboard along a predetermined and repetitive path, and the third drive is designed as a two-axis drive so that it the position of the Niederh controls age along a predetermined and repetitive cyclical path.

In the device according to the invention for stacking, only one clipboard is required, which is what the apparatus Significantly reduced effort. Because the device according to the invention has a two-axis drive both for the clipboard and for the hold-down device, it is possible to control the path on which the hold-down device and the clipboard move as freely as possible, so that according to the size of the folding box blanks to be stacked and their other properties, an optimal control of the paths of the clipboard and hold-down can take place. As a result, a difference in height between the upper edge of the first stop can be kept almost constant during the stacking process, regardless of whether the stack being formed is carried by the hold-down device, the intermediate shelf or the lifting table. This difference in height can also be set individually for each application; it tends to be smaller for small folding box blanks than for large folding box blanks.

The hold-down device has two functions. It serves as a temporary clipboard and after a short time transfers this function to the actual clipboard. The "starting position" of the hold-down device is slightly below an upper edge of the first stop of the stacking shaft and moves gradually downwards so that the upper end of the stack forming on the clipboard is always at a small and constant distance from the upper edge of the first stop of the stacking shaft is located. This ensures that the stacking shaft over the first stop in this "Inflowing" folding box blanks cannot tilt and the stack forms undisturbed. The hold-down device is then quickly moved downwards, ie in the direction of the lifting table located at the bottom of the stacking shaft. As a result, the hold-down device "transfers" the stack that is being formed to the clipboard.

As soon as the stack has been transported out of the stacking shaft on the lifting table, the lifting table moves up and takes over the stack that forms from the intermediate storage.

The hold-down device moves down so far that it compresses the (finished) stack on the lifting table. This stack is then moved out of the stacking shaft in the transport direction with the aid of conveyor belts. The hold-down follows the transport movement of the stack. This ensures that the stack leaves the stacking shaft without any problems.

Then, i.e. when the prongs of the hold-down device have been moved completely out of the stacking shaft in the transport direction, the hold-down device moves back up to its starting position. At the same time, the new stack mentioned above is created on the clipboard.

As soon as the stack has been transported out of the stacking shaft on the lifting table, the lifting table moves up and takes over the stack that forms from the intermediate storage. The clipboard is then immediately removed from the stacking shaft pulled out and preferably against the direction of transport. Outside the stacking shaft, the clipboard is returned to its starting position in the direction of the Y-axis, ie at the desired distance from the upper edge of the first stop, before the method according to the invention starts again from the beginning.

The device according to the invention and its control unit enable this method to be carried out. The control unit of the device for destacking coordinates (by controlling and / or regulating) the movements of the lifting table, clipboard, hold-down device, conveyor belt and the other moving components or groups of the device for destacking. In addition, the control device communicates with the higher-level central control and regulation device of the system. For example, a malfunction message can be transmitted from the control device of the device for destacking to the central control or regulating device, which then outputs a signal and / or stops the system.

The device for destacking is relatively simple; the requirements for the device are relatively low. Because of the two-axis drives of the hold-down device and the clipboard, the movements of the hold-down device and also the clipboard in the transport direction can be controlled independently of one another orthogonally. This makes it easier to control them and to adapt the process to different folding box blanks.

It is of course also possible that - by superimposing the control movements of the hold-down device and / or clipboard in the direction of the first axis and the second axis running orthogonally to it - the hold-down device and / or the clipboard along a freely configurable or programmable (curved or to move paths composed of straight lines. As a result, the device and the method can be adapted to a wide variety of folding box blanks.

The mutually independent movement axes of the second drive and the third drive preferably run orthogonally or parallel to a transport direction of the device. The drives or the drives of the movement axes can be made electrically, electromechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically, for example. Combinations of these drives are also possible. An electromechanical drive is, for example, a drive with a toothed belt and an electric motor, which can be designed as a stepper motor or servo motor. Drives with ball screw spindles and a server motor or a stepper motor are also possible. Linear motors are also an option. Ultimately, the invention can be implemented with different drive concepts for the movement axes.

In order to ensure that a finished stack, which is located on the lifting table, is efficiently and safely transported out of the stacking shaft, it is also more advantageous Embodiment of the invention provides that one or more conveyor belts are arranged there and the lifting table is lowered so far that the stack sits on the beginning of the conveyor belt or belts. As soon as the conveyor belt is driven, the stack is transported out of the stacking shaft.

The following control devices may be present in the system; they can either be integrated into a processing station or designed as a separate unit:
The print image previously printed on the folding box blank and / or the presence of a machine-readable barcode is checked in a print image monitoring system.

Monitoring of the profile and the position of creasing lines in the folding box blanks can take place behind the slotter and the rotary punch, for example in the first transport device.

In a tape station, the presence of a hot adhesive tape is detected by a temperature-sensitive sensor and / or a thermal imaging camera.

In a stapling station, the glue seam is reinforced with steel staples. There you can also check whether the staples have been anchored in the correct number and position in the folding box. It uses the metallic properties of the staples to detect their presence. For example, disturbances in an electric field caused by the staples can be used for detection.

A control device is integrated into the bundling device according to the invention. This control device controls each individual folding box of the bundle tied in a working space of the bundling device. As a result, a one hundred percent final inspection of the most important features of the folding boxes is carried out. Some of the most important features are: The outer dimensions of the folding box, the (undesirable) occurrence of fishtailing or the falling below the minimum width of a gap between adjacent envelope flaps, which are arranged on both sides of the glued joint of the folding box.

If the width of this gap falls below a specified minimum, then the inner circumference of the folding box blank is smaller than required and problems arise when the folded box is then filled with a product, for example. Folding boxes with this error will definitely be returned by the customer of the folding box manufacturer and must therefore be avoided at all costs.

The presence of the control devices in the processing stations mentioned enables process monitoring further improved and thus the reject rate can be reduced again.

The object according to the invention is also achieved by a method for operating a system for the production of folding boxes comprising a plurality of processing stations, several control devices for controlling the quantity of the folding boxes, a control and / or regulating unit, at least a first and a second transfer station and a control panel, wherein the control devices transmit their results to the control and / or regulating device, and a folding box recognized as defective is discharged at the next discharge station in the transport direction.

This method realizes the same advantages as already explained in connection with the system according to the invention according to claim 1. Therefore, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made accordingly to what has been said above in connection with claim 1 and the subclaims.

According to the invention, it is provided that an evaluation of the raw data recorded by the control devices takes place directly in the relevant control device and / or the central control and / or regulating device.

Firstly, this enables the amount of raw data to be reduced directly in the control device. This will make the Amount of data between the control devices and the control and / or regulating device is reduced. It is even possible for the data to be processed in the control device to such an extent that a decision can be made as to whether a folding box must be classified as good or as reject. Then only a binary signal that transmits the information "good" or "reject" needs to be transmitted to the central control and / or regulating device.

Alternatively, it is of course also possible for the raw data or the partially processed raw data to be evaluated in the regulating or control unit to such an extent that classification into “good” or “reject” is possible. If a folding box has been recognized as reject, then the second reject station is activated when the error was recognized by a control device located in front of the second reject station. Otherwise the first removal station, which is at the end of the process chain, is activated.

• Erfassen mindestens einer Rille mit der Vorrichtung zur optischen Erfassung von Rillen,
• Ermitteln von Tiefe, Breite und/oder Kontur der Rille,
• Vergleich von Tiefe, Breite und/oder Kontur der Rille mit den im Steuergerät hinterlegten Referenzwerten und
• Klassifizieren des Faltschachtelzuschnitts in "gut" oder "schlecht" in Abhängigkeit des Vergleichs.

The object mentioned at the beginning is also achieved by a method for online monitoring of grooves in a folding machine according to one of the preceding device claims, the method comprising the following method steps:

• Detecting at least one groove with the device for the optical detection of grooves,
• Determining the depth, width and / or contour of the groove,
• Comparison of the depth, width and / or contour of the groove with the reference values stored in the control unit and
• Classification of the folding box blank as "good" or "bad" depending on the comparison.

With this method, it is possible to detect essential geometric properties of the grooves embossed in a folding box blank and to determine their dimensions and position. In addition, by detecting the contour of the groove, it is possible to detect cracks in the groove on the top layer of the corrugated cardboard in the area of the groove. Such cracks are undesirable because they lead to a reduced compression pressure or a reduced load-bearing capacity of an erected cardboard box. Therefore, cracks in the area of the groove must be avoided at all costs.

The inventive detection of the grooves makes it possible to detect the shape, width and contour of the grooves in ongoing production and, if irregularities occur, to correct these irregularities through appropriate manual or automatic control interventions in the machine.

The easiest way to illustrate this is with the example of a crack in the groove. In order to achieve the best possible folding edge, efforts are made to make the groove as deep as possible. The deeper the groove, however, the greater the risk that the top layer of the corrugated cardboard tears. Therefore, the creasing is ideally as deep as possible, but without tearing the top layer of the corrugated cardboard.

If a machine operator increases the depth of the groove a little, then he can immediately see whether this leads to a crack in the top layer of the corrugated cardboard or not. If the corrugated cardboard should tear in the area of the groove, the machine operator can reduce the depth of the groove a little until no more cracks appear. This process can also take place fully automatically with the help of a closed control loop and without the intervention of the machine operator. This ensures that the groove is as deep as possible without cracking the corrugated board. This effect leads to a significant improvement in the quality of the folding box blanks without significant rejects occurring due to cracks in the corrugated cardboard.

• Erfassen mindestens eines Lead-Spalts und eines Trail-Spalts mit der Vorrichtung zur optischen Erfassung von Spalten,
• Ermitteln einer charakteristischen Breite des Lead-Spalts und einer charakteristischen Breite des Trail-Spalts,
• Berechnen eines Vorhersagewerts der Maßhaltigkeit, insbesondere eines Spaltwerts des Faltschachtelzuschnitts nach der Ausrichteinheit auf Basis der charakteristischen Breiten von Lead-Spalt und Trail-Spalt,
• Klassifizieren in "gut" oder "schlecht" des Faltschachtelzuschnitts durch Vergleich des Vorhersagewerts mit einem oder mehreren in dem Steuergerät hinterlegten Referenzwerten.

The object mentioned at the beginning is also achieved by a method for monitoring gaps in a folding machine in real time according to one of the preceding device claims, the method comprising the following method steps:

• Detecting at least one lead gap and one trail gap with the device for optical detection of gaps,
• Determining a characteristic width of the lead gap and a characteristic width of the trail gap,
• Calculating a predictive value of the dimensional accuracy, in particular a gap value of the folding box blank after the alignment unit on the basis of the characteristic widths of the lead gap and trail gap,
• Classify the folding box blank into "good" or "bad" by comparing the prediction value with one or more reference values stored in the control unit.

The method according to the invention is based on the fact that the lead gap and the trail gap are ideally measured over their entire length immediately after a folding box blank has been folded, namely before the alignment unit, and the resulting geometry data of the lead gap and the trail gap A prediction is determined whether the folding box blank will be "good" or "bad" after it has been aligned in the alignment unit.

According to the invention, a predictive value of the dimensional accuracy can be determined for each carton. Alternatively, it is also possible for a prediction value for the lead gap and a prediction value for the trail gap to be determined.

The predictions can be made in a variety of ways. For example, the mean value of all the measured widths of the lead gap and of the trail gap can be formed and one or more prediction values for the expected dimensional accuracy of the carton can be formed therefrom. For example, only every hundredth measured value can be used to determine a forecast value, or it is possible to determine a simplified geometric model of lead gap and trail gap based on the measured values and to determine the forecast value from this.

An example of such a simplified geometric model provides that a straight line is calculated for each side of a gap from the large number of existing measured values. As a result, there are then two straight lines for the lead gap and two straight lines for the trail gap. On the basis of the distance between these two pairs of straight lines, a predictive value for the dimensional accuracy of the box can then be calculated.

The invention is not restricted to a specific method or a specific calculation rule for determining the predicted value. Rather, one will always strive to achieve the best possible informative value of the forecast value with low demands on the quality of the input data and the computing power. There are of course a multitude of possibilities for this.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the control device emits an optical and / or an acoustic signal when a folding box blank has been classified as "bad". This means that the machine operator learns that a bad folding box blank has been recognized and he can initiate suitable countermeasures if this is not the case is only a single outlier, but a large number of folding box blanks one after the other are classified as bad. This also minimizes scrap and increases productivity.

The devices for optically detecting grooves and / or gaps can use the same hardware. In some cases it is also possible for one and the same device to alternately detect gaps and grooves. Many of the digital cameras available on the market, be they matrix cameras, CCD, line cameras, are suitable as devices1 for the optical detection of grooves and / or gaps.

Laser distance sensors are particularly advantageous, since these laser distance sensors can be used to record the contour of grooves and gaps very well and with high precision.

In order to draw the system operator's attention to a faulty folding box, provision can be made for an acoustic and / or visual signal to be output on the control panel or at another suitable location in the system.

This means that the system operator is immediately made aware of a faulty folding box, regardless of where he is.

The results of the classification according to the invention are preferably stored in a memory unit so that the quality of the folding boxes can be consistently verified and statistics on the process stability or the reject rate can also be created. The evaluation of these statistics can lead to valuable knowledge about possible causes of errors or sources of errors being obtained and in this way the sources of errors can be eliminated.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following drawing, its description and the claims. All of the features disclosed in the drawing, the description and the patent claims can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Anlage,

Figur 2

eine schematische und sehr stark vereinfachte, teilweise geschnittene Teil-Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Abstapeln;

Figur 3

eine weitere Teilansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Abstapeln;

Figur 4

eine Synthese der Figuren 2 und 3; und

Figuren 5 bis 10

die Interaktion der verschiedenen beweglichen Baugruppen der Vorrichtung zum Abstapeln bei der Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens

Figur 11

eine Isometrie einer erfindungsgemäßen Band-Umreifungsmaschine;

Figur 12

eine Ansicht von vorne auf eine erfindungsgemäße Band-Umreifungsmaschine;

Figur 13

eine Seitenansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Band-Umreifungsmaschine; und

Figur 14

einen Ausschnitt einer Ansicht von oben auf die erfindungsgemäße Band-Umreifungsmaschine.

Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic representation of an example of a system according to the invention,

Figure 2

a schematic and very simplified, partially sectioned partial side view of a device according to the invention for stacking;

Figure 3

a further partial view of the device according to the invention for destacking;

Figure 4

a synthesis of Figures 2 and 3 ; and

Figures 5 to 10

the interaction of the various movable assemblies of the device for destacking when carrying out the method according to the invention

Figure 11

an isometry of a tape strapping machine according to the invention;

Figure 12

a view from the front of a tape strapping machine according to the invention;

Figure 13

a side view of a tape strapping machine according to the invention; and

Figure 14

a section of a view from above of the tape strapping machine according to the invention.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

In the Figure 1 a process chain is shown as an example, which consists of a plurality of processing stations. The process chain is run through in a transport direction T. A so-called slotter 1 is available at the beginning of the process chain. In the slotter 1 get corrugated cardboard blanks that are either unprinted or printed. Sometimes the corrugated cardboard blanks are printed in an upstream seven-color printing system.

In the slotter 1, moistening, in particular local moistening, can take place where the corrugated cardboard is to be folded later.

It is also possible to use the slotter 1 to pre-squeeze the corrugated cardboard along the crease lines introduced later. Finally, in the slotter 1, grooves can be made in the corrugated cardboard blank with the aid of grooving wheels. The slotter 1 can also be able to cut the corrugated cardboard and make slots.

With 3 a rotary punch is indicated. The rotary punch 3 enables the corrugated cardboard or folding box blank to be punched or cut. In addition, grooves that run transversely to the transport direction T can also be made in the corrugated cardboard with the aid of the rotary punch 3.

In the transport direction T behind the rotary punch 3, the position and the profile of the crease lines can be detected with the aid of a device for determining 4.1 of crease lines. The results can be displayed to the system operator on the screens of the control panel 10 or fed to a central control and or regulating device. That The control and / or regulating device can regulate the position and / or the profile of the creased lines as a function of the above-mentioned results.

The corrugated cardboard then passes into a device 5 for folding and gluing a folding box blank (folding and gluing device). After the folding box blank has passed through the folding and gluing device 5, the folding box blank has become a folding box.

In the case of folding boxes, two ends of a folding box blank are glued together. The originally flat corrugated cardboard has to be folded several times beforehand. It can happen that the gap between adjacent flaps in front of and behind the glue point or joint is of different widths. These gaps of different widths arise when the carton blank is not precisely folded. They can also be due, at least in part, to the poor quality of the corrugated cardboard processed. If the dimensions of the column are too far from the target values, the folding box is "scrap" and must be ejected.

In the transport direction T behind the folding and gluing device 5 3, the position and the profile of the gaps can be detected with the aid of a device for determining 4.2 gaps.

In an optional tape station 6.1, an adhesive tape is used in addition to the existing adhesive joint Reinforcement applied with an adhesive that can be activated by heat (hot glue). Successful bonding can be checked via the temperature of the adhesive tape after it has been applied. The results of this control can be displayed on the screens of the control panel 10.

In an optional stapling station 6.2, the adhesive seam is reinforced with steel staples. There you can also check whether the staples have been anchored in the correct number and in the correct position in the folding box. The metallic properties of the staples are used to detect their presence. For example, disturbances in an electric field caused by the staples can be used for detection.

The results of this control can be displayed on the screens of the control panel 10.

In a first transport device 7 there is a control device which controls the (folded) folding boxes. In particular, the gaps in the extension of the adhesive seam (in the transport direction in front of and behind the adhesive seam) are checked. If the folding box blank is not folded exactly at the intended point, then there will be deviations at the glued seam. As a result, the gaps before and after the adhesive seam can be of different sizes. They can also be outside the specified tolerance. A predictive value can be obtained from the results of the gap measurement be determined. This prediction value provides information as to whether the gaps are within the specified tolerances after the folding box blanks are aligned at a later point in time (in the stacking device 11). The folding box blanks, the forecast values of which are outside predetermined limits, are discharged in the additional discharge station 9.

A control panel 10 for the system operator is arranged in the transport direction before or after the additional discharge station 9. In the Figure 1 two possible arrangements of the control panel 10 are indicated. As a rule, however, only one control panel 10 is required in a system.

Due to the spatial proximity of the control panel 10 and the additional discharge station 9, he can more or less directly examine the folded box blanks discharged in the second discharge station 9 from the control panel 10 and, if necessary, correct the parameters of individual stations. This makes his work easier and avoids the relatively long way from the control panel to a first removal station located at the end of the process chain. At the in Figure 1 The process chain shown, the first discharge station is integrated, for example, in the bundling device 15; however, it can also be designed as a separate discharge station.

In the transport direction T behind the additional discharge station 9 there is a device for destacking 11. In the device for destacking (destacking device) 11, a stack of folding boxes is formed from a stream of finished folding boxes. In addition, the previously glued folding boxes are still aligned in the stacking device 11 with the aid of a vibrating wall. More precisely, the glued seam of the folding boxes is "pressed down" a little, so that the dimensions of the gaps in front of and behind the glued seam are better.

The stacking device 11 comprises a buffer space in which the stream of folding boxes continuously arriving in the buffer space is stacked to form a stack of the desired height or the desired number of items. As soon as a stack has the desired number of folding boxes, the stack is transported by a second transport device 13 into a bundling device 15. There the stack is tied into a bundle by a strapping band and leaves the bundling device 15 as a finished "end product" of the system according to the invention.

Another control device is located in the bundling device 15 according to the invention.

This control device can, for example, be a camera which checks for each folding box in the bundle (100% control) whether the gaps are in the area of the Adhesive edge too big that is too small. As a result, all folding boxes in a bundle in which the size of the folded box is outside the tolerance are reliably identified.

If there is only one faulty folding box in a bundle, the bundle is ejected from the working space of the bundling device 15 perpendicular to the transport direction T. The system operator then has to open the bundle by cutting the strapping, removing the faulty folding box and replacing it with a faultless folding box.

Then this stack is again fed to the bundling device 15 and closed with a strapping band or tied into a bundle. The stack can be fed in again either on the same route (but in the opposite direction) as the previous discharge. Alternatively, the stack can also be transported past the bundling device 15 against the transport direction T and can then be fed in again (between the second transport device 13 and the bundling device 15).

Based on Figures 2 to 10 a device for destacking 11 according to the invention is described in detail.

In the Figure 2 a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for destacking 11 according to the invention is shown in a greatly simplified manner. In the Figure 2 are - for the sake of clarity - parts of the device not shown. The device 11 comprises a first stop 101 and a second stop 3 running parallel thereto. The stops 101, 103 are adjustable in terms of their spacing from one another, so that they are adapted to the length of the in Figure 2 folding box blanks, not shown, can be matched. The stack is formed between the first stop 101 and the second stop 103, as follows with reference to FIG Figures 5ff will be explained. The first stop 101 can be designed as a vibrating wall. The stops 101, 103 are not designed as a continuous wall, but rather have slots through which the prongs of a hold-down device (not shown in FIG Figure 12 and a clipboard 115 can be moved through into the stacking shaft 105.

The stacking shaft 105 is delimited at the bottom by a transport device 107, which is designed here as a transport belt or a plurality of transport belts 9 running parallel to one another. The conveyor belts 9 run over rollers 11, only one of which is shown, and are driven via one of the rollers 111 if necessary.

In the Figure 2 an X-axis and an XY-axis are entered. The origin of this coordinate system is 13. A transport direction T is also shown. It runs parallel to the X axis; the transport device 107 transports a stack (not shown) of folding box blanks in the direction of Transport direction T and thus also in the direction of the X-axis from the stacking shaft 5.

There is a distance LH between the lower end of the second stop 103 and the conveyor belt 9, which is dimensioned such that even the highest stacks can be transported out of the stacking shaft 105 under the second stop 103 in the direction of the transport direction T.

In the Figure 2 a clipboard 115 is shown. The clipboard 115 comprises a plurality of fingers or prongs running parallel to one another, only one of which can be seen. The fingers protrude through slots (not visible) in the first stop 101 in FIG Figure 2 position shown in the stacking shaft 105 and thus form with their upper edge a support for folding box blanks that flow into the stacking shaft 105 from the top left approximately in the direction of the arrow 116.

The clipboard 115 is arranged on a first slide 117, which is arranged or guided along a linear guide in the direction of the Y-axis on a frame 19 so as to be movable. The frame 19 can be moved on a first guide rail in the direction of the X-axis. The travel paths of the carriage 117 in the direction of the Y-axis and of the frame 19 in the direction of the X-axis are indicated by double arrows 123, 125. The frame 19 and with it the clipboard 115 can be moved far in the direction of the negative X-axis that the Clipboard 115 is located completely outside of the stacking shaft 105. In the direction of the Y-axis, the travel path of the clipboard 115 or of the carriage 117 only has to be comparatively small. In practice, a travel distance of 15 or 20 cm in the direction of the Y-axis is sufficient. In order to illustrate the relations of the travel paths, the arrow 125 is significantly longer than the double arrow 23.

In the Figure 3 FIG. 10 is the same device also in the same side view as in FIG Figure 2 shown. However, the clipboard 15, the carriage 117 and the frame 19 are not shown. Rather, further components that belong to the device according to the invention are shown and are explained in detail below. A control unit 135 is via wireless or wired signal connections, not shown, with the actuators and sensors and with the central control and / or regulating unit (see FIG Figure 1 ) tied together. The control unit 135 is not shown in the other figures.

A lifting table 127 is shown in the stacking shaft 105. The lifting table 127 can, as indicated by the arrows, be moved in the direction of the Y-axis. A lowermost position of the lifting table 127 is reached when the top of the lifting table is below the conveyor belt 9 of the transport device 107. This lowest position is shown by a broken line. In order to avoid a collision of the lifting table 127 with the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts 9 running parallel to one another, the lifting table 127 is also not designed as a continuous surface, but it has several partial surfaces running parallel to one another, which are arranged and dimensioned in such a way that these partial surfaces do not collide with the conveyor belts 9 of the transport device 107 when the lifting table 127 is lowered into the lowest position.

In the Figure 3 to the right of the second stop 3, ie outside the stacking shaft 5, a hold-down device 129 is indicated. The hold-down device 129, like the clipboard 115, has a two-axis drive. This means that it can be moved in the direction of the Y-axis and in the direction of the X-axis via separate drives. As with the clipboard 15, these drives are not shown.

The carriages and guides to which the hold-down device 129 is attached and guided along two axes are also not shown. The arrangement of the slide, frame and guides is basically similar to that of the clipboard 15. The hold-down device 129 is attached to a slide which is guided on a frame such that it can be displaced in the direction of the Y-axis. The frame is arranged on a further linear guide or guide rail so that it can be moved in the direction of the X-axis.

Based on the in Figure 3 position shown, the travel of the hold-down device 129 in the direction of the negative X-axis is so great that the (in Figure 3 left) end of the Hold-down 129 can be moved into the immediate vicinity of the first stop 101.

In the Figure 4 is now a synopsis of the Figures 3 and 3 shown. No new components have been added, so an explanation of the Figure 4 can be dispensed with.

In the Figures 4ff the stacking shaft and the components holding-down device 29, clipboard 115 and lifting table 127 protruding into it are shown in different positions. the Figures 4ff are intended to explain the sequence of the method according to the invention.

In the Figure 5 the hold-down device 129 is retracted into the stacking shaft 105. The upper edge of the hold-down 129 is an amount .DELTA.Y below the upper edge of the first stop 1. This amount .DELTA.Y is determined depending on the size or length of the folding box blanks 131, which from the top left in the Figure 5 (see arrow 17) flow into the stacking shaft. As soon as the folding box blank 131 is positioned between the first stop 101 and the second stop 103, it sinks downward under the force of gravity and comes to rest on the hold-down device 129. Optionally, the folding box blank 131 can also be "pressed" downwards by a correspondingly directed air flow from a blower (not shown).

In the Figure 6 a very similar situation is shown, with the difference that several folding box blanks 131 are already on the hold-down device 129. the hold-down device 129 is located opposite the Figure 5 in a slightly lowered position, so that the topmost folding box blank 131 is located below the upper edge of the first stop 101 by approximately the same amount ΔY in both figures. This is achieved by lowering the hold-down device 129 continuously or in steps. The amount by which the holding-down device 129 is lowered corresponds approximately to the height of the stack of folding box blanks that is being formed 31. In other words: whenever another folding box blank has reached the stacking shaft 105, the holding-down device is lowered by an amount corresponding to the thickness of a folding box blank .

In the Figure 7 the situation shown is that the clipboard 115 moves from the left, ie in the direction of the positive X-axis, slightly below the hold-down device 129 into the stacking shaft 105. The intermediate deposit 115, like the hold-down device 29, has several parallel prongs which can move into the stacking shaft 105 through complementary slots in the first stop 101.

In the Figure 7 the lift table 127 is still at the top. A stack 133 is located between the lifting table 127 and the hold-down device 129 available. The distance between the lifting table 127 and the hold-down device 129 is controlled in such a way that the height of the stack 133 is less than the gap LH (see FIG Figure 2 ) between the conveyor belt 9 and the lower edge of the second stop 3. It is then possible to move the stack 33 after the lifting table 127 (and with it the stack 133 and the hold-down device 29) has reached its lower end position (see FIG Fig. 7 ) has reached to be transported out of the stacking shaft 105 to the right.

In the Figure 7 the situation is shown that the clipboard 115 carries the stack of folding box blanks 131 that is building up. The hold-down 129 has moved downwards and is compressing the stack 133 of folding box blanks that is located on the lifting table 127 or the conveyor belt 109. In the in Figure 7 In the illustrated position of the hold-down device 129, the stack 133 is compressed by the hold-down device 129 to such an extent that it can be transported out of the stacking shaft to the right with the aid of the conveyor belt 109 or conveyor belts 109 without colliding with the lower edge of the second stop 103.

The transport of the stack 133 out of the stacking shaft 105 takes place by appropriate control of the drive of the conveyor belt 109 and the hold-down device 29. As a result, the stack 133 on the conveyor belt 109 and the hold-down device 129 are synchronized in the transport direction T (to the right in FIG Figure 7 ) is moved in the direction of the positive X-axis, so that the stack also moves during the Transports out of the stacking shaft 105 is compressed by the hold-down 129. The movement of the conveyor belt 109 and the hold-down device 129 takes place at the same speed, so that the stack 133 is not shifted or changed in any other way during transport out of the stacking shaft.

As soon as the stack 133 has been transported out of the stacking shaft 105, the lifting table 127 and the hold-down device 129 move upwards. The hold-down device 129 moves upward outside of the stacking shaft 105. The lifting table 127 moves upwards within the stacking shaft 105. This situation is in the Figure 8 indicated.

The lifting table 127 moves to just below the clipboard 15, so that when the clipboard 15, as in FIG Figure 10 shown, is pulled out of the stacking shaft 105 in the direction of the negative X-axis, the stack 133 being formed lands on the lifting table 127 and is carried by it.

As long as the stack 133 is carried by the lifting table 127, the hold-down 129 and the intermediate deposit 115 move back into the starting positions, ie the hold-down 129 has the same height as in FIG Figure 5 and the clipboard 115 has the same height as that in FIG Figure 7 shown.

From the synopsis or the sequence of Figures 5 to 10 the method according to the invention and its advantages become clear. These consist in that the distance ΔY from the upper edge of the first stop 101 is always constant. This distance ΔY can be set and configured individually according to the requirements of the individual case.

In addition, it is possible to precisely control the paths of the hold-down device 129 and the intermediate storage device 115 using the two-axis drives of the intermediate depository 115 and the hold-down device 29 and to carry out a sequence of the various movements coordinated with the lifting table 127.

The various drives are controlled via a control device (not shown) which coordinates and controls or regulates the various movements of the lifting table 27, drive 107, hold-down device 129 and clipboard 115.

In the Figure 11 is an isometry of an embodiment of a strap strapping machine according to the invention is shown. The three spatial directions are shown in the form of a Cartesian coordinate system with the axes X, Y and Z. The direction of the X-axis corresponds to the conveying direction of the material to be strapped through the strapping machine.

In the Figure 11 the strapping material 203 enters the machine from behind and leaves it at the front end if the strapping material is free of defects. If in the tape strapping machine according to the invention there is an error in the Strapping has been recognized, the product stack with the defective product is ejected laterally, ie in the direction of the positive Y-axis from the strapping machine.

The strap strapping machine comprises a machine frame 1 on which a machine table for receiving the strapping material 203 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine table comprises two conveyor belts 10, which run parallel to one another and are able to convey the strapping material 203 in the conveying direction through the band-strapping machine.

Of course, instead of the conveyor belts 10, other embodiments of machine tables, in particular ball grid conveyor belts, roller belts or other means, can also be implemented.

The strapping machine comprises several supports 4, of which in the Figure 11 only three are visible. Two supports 204 each carry a bracket 205. A press beam 206 is arranged on each of the brackets 205. The press bar 206 is used to compress the strapping material 3, here a stack of folding box blanks, before the strapping devices integrated in the consoles 205 place a strapping band around the strapping material 3 and this strapping band is then welded in a welding device 207 to form a closed band.

The press beams 206 are connected to the consoles 205 via linear drives 209. The linear drives 209 can be designed as ball screw drives or as pneumatic cylinders. In any case, it is necessary that a sufficiently large force can be exerted on the material to be strapped with the aid of the linear drives 209. If, for example, the material to be strapped consists of folding box blanks stacked on top of one another, these are pressed together by the press beams before they are bundled into a bundle with the strapping band.

With the tape strapping machine according to the invention, it is possible to eject a bundle that has been identified as defective laterally, i.e. in the direction of the positive Y-axis. For this reason, the distance between the supports 204 in the direction of the X-axis is greater than the length of the material to be strapped. This design is very space-saving and enables the functions of a discharge station to be integrated into the strap-strapping machine without requiring additional space.

The discharge can take place, for example, that on the in the Figure 11 On the left side of the machine table or the conveyor belts 10 there is a slide (not shown) which is actuated pneumatically, electromechanically or hydraulically when a faulty bundle has to be discharged from the side. In the normal case, ie if the strapping material 3 has no defects, the slide remains deactivated and the conveyor belts 10 take over the Transport of the material to be strapped 3 through the strapping machine in the direction of the X-axis.

The re-introduction can also take place via a slide or conveyor belts or other means known from the prior art. The re-introduction can also take place upstream of the bundling device 15.

The mode of operation of a band strapping machine, here a longitudinal band strapping machine, is sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art, so that a detailed description thereof is dispensed with.

In connection with the invention, it is important that a camera 11 or another optical sensor is arranged on a linear guide 213. The linear guide 213 can be designed as a ball screw drive or also as a pneumatically operated linear guide. The requirements for the linear guide 213 with regard to precision and speed are relatively low. It is important that, with the aid of the linear guide 213, the camera 11 can be moved in the direction of the Z-axis in front of the front of the strapping material 3 from top to bottom or from bottom to top, so that either the entire front side of the strapping material 3 or only a selected area of the strapping material 3 is captured by the camera 11. The same applies if the rear side or the sides of the strapping material 3 are to be captured by the camera.

In order to create sufficient brightness and constant lighting conditions, one or two optional light sources (without reference symbols in FIG Figure 11 ) intended. The light sources are aligned in such a way that they illuminate sufficiently brightly in the image section captured by the camera 9.

In the Figure 14 the light sources 215, the camera 9 and the linear guide 13 are shown enlarged and more clearly. The optical sensor 211 and the light sources 215 are fastened to the linear guide 13 with a carrier, so that the light sources 215 and the camera 211 always assume the same relative positions to one another.

In the Figure 12 is a view from the front of the tape strapping machine according to the invention. The camera 211 with the light sources 15 can be clearly seen in this view. It can also be seen that the camera 211 is arranged at the lower end of the movable part of the linear guide 13. When the camera 211 is moved upward far enough in the direction of the Z-axis, the camera 9 and the light sources 215 no longer hinder the removal of the bundle from the strap-strapping machine according to the invention.

In the in Figure 12 In the position shown, the camera 211 and the light source 215 prevent the strapping material 203 from being transported away. It is therefore important that the camera 211 and the light sources 215 can be moved upwards. This first direction of movement (parallel to the Z-axis) is indicated by a double arrow 217. In addition, the linear guide 13 is movably supported on a second linear guide 221. The direction of movement of the second linear guide 221 is indicated by a double arrow 219. This means that by activating the first linear guide 13 and the second linear guide 221, the camera 211 can visually detect every point on the front or back of the strapping material 203 or a bundle.

In the Figure 12 the strapping material 203 is a stack of folding box blanks which have a gap. This gap is in the Figure 12 indicated by a small square black area. In the case of several folding box blanks stacked on top of one another, these gaps are arranged in a row which extends in the direction of the Z-axis. The central axis of this row is shown as a dash-dotted line 223 in the Figure 12 shown. For the sake of clarity, the small black areas in the extension of the dash-dotted line 23, which represent the column, are not provided with reference symbols.

It is now possible, starting from the in Figure 12 to move the position shown to the right until the camera 9 is positioned in front of the columns in the folding box blanks and then move the camera 9 from bottom to top or from top to bottom along the columns and capture images of the column.

By suitably evaluating the images captured by the camera 9, the width of the column can be determined and any faulty column (too large or too small) can be identified. Whenever a faulty folding box blank is detected in a bundle of folding box blanks, the bundle is ejected to the side and the folding box blank is exchanged outside of the regular process chain.

Of course, if other errors occur (too many folding box blanks in a bundle, too few folding box blanks in a bundle, main dimensions of the bundle outside the tolerance, ...) the defective bundle can be ejected.

In the Figure 13 a side view is shown between two supports 204 on the strapping material 203 as well as the first linear guide 13 and the camera 211. The second linear guide 221 is covered by the press beam 206 in this view. As a rule, the ends of the second linear guide 221 are screwed to one of the two press beams 206 or are connected in some other way.

the Figure 14 shows a section of a view from above of the arrangement according to the invention. In this illustration, the first linear guide 13 with the camera 9 arranged thereon and the light sources 215 can be clearly seen. The light cones of the light sources 215 are indicated by lines 24 indicated. The image section of the camera 9 is indicated by lines 225. In the upper part of the Figure 14 the strapping material, namely folding box blanks, is shown in a section. The folding box blanks have a glue point 227 and a (lead) gap 229. The gap 229 is formed by the two edges of the folding box blank that was glued in the area of the glue point 227. So if the splice 227 is defective, then the gap 229 is either too wide or too narrow. In many cases, neither is tolerable, so that the folding box blank has to be sorted out. The width of the gap 229 is indicated by the black rectangular areas in the extension of the dot-dash line 223 in the Figure 12 shown.

List of reference symbols

1

Slotter

3

Rotary die cutter

4.1

Means for detecting grooves

4.2

Means of capturing columns

5

Folding and gluing device

6.1

Tape station

6.2

Clamping device

7th

first transport device

9

additional or second reject station

10

control panel

11

Stacking device

13th

second transport device

15th

Bundling device

101

first stop

103

second stop

105

Stacking shaft

107

Transport device

109

Conveyor belt

111

role

113

Origin of the coordinate system

115

Clipboard

117

first sledge

119

frame

121

first guide rail

123, 125

Double arrows

127

Lift table

129

Hold-down

131

Folding box cut

133

stack

135

Control unit

201

Machine frame

203

Strapping material

204

support

205

Console guide jaws

206

Press beam

207

Welding equipment

209

Linear drives

210

Conveyor belt

211

camera

213

first linear guide

215

Light source

217, 219

Double arrow

221

second linear guide

223

dash-dotted line

224

Cone of light

225

Image section of the camera

227

Splice

229

(Lead) gap

Claims (26)

Plant for the production of folding boxes comprising a plurality of processing stations (1, 3, 5, 6.1, 6.2, 15), several control devices for quality control, a control and / or regulating device and a first discharge station at the end of one of the processing stations (1, 3 , 5, 6.1, 6.2, 15) formed process chain, characterized in that the system has a control panel (10) for a system operator and at least one additional discharge station (9). Installation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the additional discharge station (9) is placed before or after the control panel (10) and in its immediate vicinity. Plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first discharge station is integrated in a bundling device (15). System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one control device is integrated into the bundling device (15). System according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the process chain includes the following processing stations: a slotter (1), a rotary punch (3), means for detecting grooves (4.1), a folding and Gluing device (5), means for detecting grooves (4.1), a tape station (6.1), a stapling station (6.2), a first transport device (7) with an integrated or separate control device, a Stacking device (11) for stacking the finished folding boxes, and / or a second transport device (13) for transporting the stack into a bundling device (15) and / or a bundling device (15). Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the folding and gluing device (5) is a multi-box device. Plant according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the process chain has at least one device (4.1 4.2) for the optical detection of grooves and / or gaps in the folding box blanks, that a device for the optical detection of grooves 4.1 in the transport direction before the Folding and gluing device (5) are arranged, and / or that a device for the optical detection of gaps (4.2) is arranged in the transport direction behind the folding and gluing device (5) and in front of the additional discharge station (9). Plant according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one device for optical detection (23, 31) of grooves (15) and / or gaps (9, 11) is a matrix camera, a line camera or a laser distance sensor. Plant according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the device for destacking (11) comprises a stacking shaft (105), a lifting table (127), an intermediate storage (115), a hold-down device (129), a control device, a first Drive for the lifting table (127), a second drive for the clipboard (115), and a third drive for the hold-down device (129), with the stacking shaft (105) in a transport direction (T) at its front end from a first stop ( 101) and is limited at its rear end by a second stop (103), the stacking shaft (105) being limited downwards alternately by the lifting table (127) and the intermediate tray (115), the first drive being a single-axis - Drive is designed which controls the position of the lifting table (127) in the stacking shaft (105), the second drive being designed as a two-axis drive so that it adjusts the position of the clipboard (115) along a predetermined and repetitive path steer rt, and wherein the third drive is designed as a two-axis drive so that it controls the position of the hold-down device (129) along a predetermined and repetitive path. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that a transport device (107), in particular one or more parallel driven transport belts (109), is / are present below the stacking space (105). System according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the bundling device (15) for strapping a strapping material (203) with a weldable plastic band (209) comprises a machine table for receiving the strapping material (203) during the strapping and at least one strapping device, wherein the tape strapping machine comprises at least one camera (211), and wherein the camera (211) is directed at least in two parts at the strapping material (203), wherein it has an infeed device, which a faultless bundle in one of the normal transport direction ( X-axis) can convey different infeed direction into the strapping machine. Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that it has an ejection device which can convey a defective bundle out of the strapping machine in an ejection direction deviating from the normal transport direction (X-axis). Installation according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the inward transfer device and / or the outward transfer device is designed as a slide. Installation according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the inward transfer device and / or the outward transfer device is integrated in the machine table. System according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that in the bundling device (11) at least one camera (211) can be moved orthogonally (Z-axis) to a plane spanned by the machine table, and that the camera (211) is also in can be moved in a second direction (Y-axis). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control panel (10) has means for manually operating the additional transfer station (9). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that control devices and / or sensors are present in the following processing stations, the output signals of which are transmitted to the control panel (10) and / or a central control and / or regulating device:
The bundling device (15), the devices (4.1 4.2) for the optical detection of grooves and / or gaps in the folding box blanks, the tape station (6.1), the stapling station (6.2), the first transport device (7), and / or the bundling device (15). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control panel (10) has means for manually operating the additional transfer station (9). Method for operating a system for the production of folding boxes comprising a plurality of processing stations (1, 3, 5, 6.1. 6.2, 11, 15), several control devices (41, 4.29 for quality control, a control and / or regulating device, a first diverting station , an additional second discharge station (9) and a control panel (10), the control devices transmitting their results or output signals to the control panel (10) and / or the control and / or regulating device, and a folding box identified as faulty at the in Transport direction (T) next discharge station (9) is discharged. Method according to Claim 19, characterized in that the raw data recorded by the control devices are evaluated in the relevant control device (4.1, 4.2) and / or the central control and / or regulating device. Method for online monitoring of grooves in a system according to one of the preceding device claims, comprising the following method steps: - Detecting at least one groove with the device for optical detection (4.1) of grooves, - Determination of the position, depth (T), width (B) and / or contour of the groove, - Comparison of the position, depth (T), width (B) and / or contour of the groove (15) with reference values stored in the central control and / or regulating device - Classification (good / bad) of the folding box blank) depending on the comparison. Method according to Claim 21, characterized in that the result of the evaluation is a classification of the checked folding box as "good" or as "reject". Method according to one of Claims 19 to 21, characterized in that an acoustic and / or optical signal is output for the system operator when a folding box is classified as "reject". Method according to one of Claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the results of the classification are stored in a memory unit. A method for destacking a stream of folding box blanks (131) or folding box tubes in a stacking space (105) in a stacking device (11) with the aid of a lifting table (127), an intermediate shelf (115) and a hold-down device (129), comprising the steps: - Retraction of the hold-down device (129) against the transport direction (T) into the stacking shaft (105) at a first height (Y ₁ ), - Step-by-step lowering of the hold-down device (129) in the stacking shaft (105) corresponding to a height of the folding boxes (131) or folding box tubes deposited on the holding-down device (129); - Moving the clipboard (115) into the stacking shaft (105) at a second height (Y ₂ ) below the hold-down device (129), with the step-by-step lowering of the hold-down device (129) and the moving of the clipboard (115) into the stacking shaft (105 ) at least partially in parallel / at the same time, - Lowering the hold-down device (129) in the stacking shaft (105) to a third height (Y ₃ ), so that the hold-down device (129) compresses a stack (133) of folding boxes or folding box tubes located below it on the lifting table (127), - Removal of the stack (133) of folding boxes on the lifting table (127) or Folding box tubes in transport direction (T), and then - Raising the lifting table (127) in the stacking shaft (105) to under the intermediate shelf (115) and - Moving the clipboard (115) out of the stacking shaft (105). The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the intermediate depository (115) is moved into the stacking shaft (105) in the transport direction (T), and that the intermediate depositing (15) is moved out of the stacking shaft (5) counter to the transporting direction (T).

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