EP4387908A1

EP4387908A1 - Systems and method for an early detection of a malfunction of a conveyor unit of a conveyor system of an oven, and oven comprising at least one such system

Info

Publication number: EP4387908A1
Application number: EP22751274.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wilko Harms; Ulf Reinhardt
Original assignee: Belvac Production Machinery Inc
Current assignee: Belvac Production Machinery Inc
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2022-07-11
Publication date: 2024-06-26
Also published as: JP2024531396A; DE102021121656A1; CA3228989A1; CN118119558A; WO2023020648A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for an early detection of a malfunction of a conveyor unit of a conveyor system of an oven and to an oven, in particular a pin oven, comprising at least one such system. One of the systems comprises: at least one measuring unit which is designed to detect at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system. The system additionally comprises a controller which is designed to compare the operating parameter with a target operating parameter; detect a deviation of the operating parameter from the target operating parameter at a detection time; and output a warning signal if the deviation is greater than or equal to a specified value after a specified duration, wherein the duration starts at the detection time.

Description

Systems and methods for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a conveyor system of a furnace and furnace with at least one such system

The invention relates to systems and a method for early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a conveyor system of a furnace and a furnace, in particular a pin furnace with at least one such system. In the production process of (metal) objects, in particular of cans or parts of cans, several process steps have to be carried out, which are individually separated by cleaning processes. These cleaning processes require a drying process.

A drying oven, for example a PIN oven, is provided for a drying process, which has a chain, usually a metal chain, for conveying the cans. The metal chain has transport pins which receive the cans through an opening thereof and convey the cans through the oven. The metal chain is a wearing part, which causes massive costs due to a loss of production in the event of an unplanned failure. A metal chain in particular should be lubricated with a lubricant in order to reduce or even avoid wear on the metal chain. However, an excessive supply of lubricant leads to the entry of chain hydrocarbons into the drying oven, which is usually heated up to 230°C, and the cans are no longer washed before the next process step. Consequently, the cans should be essentially free of oils and lubricants in order not to jeopardize subsequent painting of the inside of the can, for example. The supply of lubricant usually takes place on a chain circuit of the metal chain. There, the rotation of a sprocket wheel is used to carry out a minimum lubrication of the metal chain determined by experience. With this method, however, an actual load on the chain is not taken into account and this increases the risk of an accident and thus an unplanned downtime of the metal chain.

The metal chain feed pins can also wear out and break off and/or bend, preventing cans from loading the feed pins and in turn leading to can loss since the cans from a decorator are usually independent of a presence of a transport pin to be conveyed onto the metal chain. If a transport pin breaks while a can is being conveyed through it, the transport pin and can may fall down in the drying oven. Further, cans may fall off the transport pins in front of the drying oven, in the drying oven and in the cooling zone. In addition to the problem that these dropped transport pins and cans can endanger the processes as such, there are gaps along the metal chain. There is no continuous control of the transport pins. Instead, the metal chain is manually checked for breaks during maintenance work.

It is therefore an object of the invention to eliminate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages with a system and a method for early detection of damage to a conveying unit of a furnace and a furnace, in particular a pin furnace, with such a system. In particular, it is an object of the invention to determine an expected service life of the conveyor unit of the furnace in order to reduce or even avoid unplanned downtime. According to a first aspect, this object is achieved with a system for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a conveyor system of a furnace. The system comprises at least one measuring unit set up to record at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system, in particular an operating parameter which influences the conveyor unit. The system also includes a control device that is set up to compare the operating parameter with a setpoint operating parameter and to detect a deviation of the operating parameter from the setpoint operating parameter at a detection time. Furthermore, the control device is set up to output a warning signal if the deviation is greater than or equal to or greater than a predetermined value after a predetermined period of time, the time period beginning with the time of detection.

The invention is based on the knowledge that an accident can be recognized in advance by recognizing deviations from the setpoint operating parameter. For example, a defective bearing is characterized by increased friction and/or increased temperature of the bearing. Accordingly, the bearing may break. By recognizing the increased friction or temperature, the warning signal can be issued in advance in order to replace the bearing and prevent an accident. The invention is also based on the knowledge that various operating parameters of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit and/or the oven, have an influence on the service life of the conveyor unit. These operating parameters lead, among other things, to wear on the conveyor unit or represent a load on the conveyor unit. By detecting these operating parameters, a course of wear on the conveyor unit and/or a probable maintenance time can be determined by determining a deviation from the target operating parameter. If, for example, the temperature of the conveyor unit rises significantly in a short time while the settings or conditions remain the same, it can be concluded that a bearing of the conveyor unit is at least partially defective. The temperature will remain elevated over the predetermined period of time and is therefore not a measurement error and/or measurement inaccuracy. Accordingly, even before an event that has a negative impact on production or the Drying using the oven has, the conveyor unit is serviced and/or individual elements of the conveyor unit are repaired and/or replaced in order to prevent this event. As a result, in extreme cases, a standstill or failure of the conveyor unit can be avoided and reliable production can be guaranteed. A standstill of the conveyor unit can also be scheduled during production in order to reduce the costs during the standstill and when the conveyor unit starts up again to a minimum.

The system can have one or more sections for drying the container units of the oven, in particular a pin oven. In particular, the system is suitable for the oven, in particular the pin oven. The oven may have the one or more sections for drying and thereby producing container units. Viewed along a production direction, a container unit is subjected to different process steps of the multiple sections. As already mentioned, these include one or more cleaning processes and correspondingly one or more drying processes. Consequently, the system may include one or more of the sections that perform at least the drying processes.

The conveying system can include the conveying unit and/or other units necessary for conveying the container units. The system can include the conveyor system and/or individual elements thereof.

The time of detection is the time at which the control device detects the deviation.

The conveyor unit can be a chain conveyor which has transport pins arranged at a distance from one another along its main extension direction. The container units can be positioned using the transport pins. For this purpose, the transport pins can protrude into the container units, which are open at one end. The conveying unit can be set up to convey the container units through the system or the oven along a conveying direction. The target operating parameter may be a user and/or predetermined target operating parameter. In particular, the setpoint operating parameter can be selected individually for each operating parameter. The target operating parameter specifies a guide value for the operating parameter. In particular, the target operating parameter can be selected in such a way that when the container units are produced with this target operating parameter, cost-effective, efficient production, in particular energy-efficient and/or in accordance with guidelines, in particular legal guidelines, is ensured.

The system can include one, two or more measurement units. The following explanations regarding a measuring unit can be applied to any further measuring unit.

The measuring unit can be set up to record the at least one operating parameter at time intervals, in particular at regular time intervals. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring unit can be set up to record the at least one operating parameter during operation of the system and/or the furnace. In particular, the measuring unit can be set up to record the at least one operating parameter continuously during operation. Furthermore, the measuring unit can be coupled in terms of signals to the control device.

The operating parameter can include at least one parameter of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit, and/or at least one parameter of the furnace.

The operating parameter can be one of friction, in particular average friction, damage, elongation, load, temperature, torque of a drive unit driving the conveyor system, ambient temperature of the conveyor system, lubrication cycle and lubrication of the conveyor system, in particular of the conveyor unit and a fan speed of a fan unit of the oven. The average friction is a friction which is determined from two or more friction values of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit. The operating parameter can be one of friction, damage, elongation, stress, temperature, ambient temperature, a lubrication cycle and lubrication of at least one element of the conveyor system.

The control device can also be set up to determine a maintenance time based on the deviation if the deviation is greater than or equal to or greater than the predetermined value during and/or after the predetermined period of time, the warning signal further characterizing the maintenance time.

The measuring unit can be set up to detect the elongation based on a cylinder position of a conveyor unit tension regulation of the conveyor unit, and/or the predetermined value being greater than or equal to and/or greater than 5%, 3%, in particular 1%.

The target operating parameter, the predetermined value and the period of time can be selected based on the operating parameter to be detected. Depending on the operating parameters, the deviations can be larger or smaller and accordingly it can be necessary, in particular, to select the predetermined values and the time periods individually for the operating parameters.

The operating parameter can include at least one of the torque, the elongation, the friction and/or the temperature of the conveyor system and/or the at least one individual element, wherein the control device is further set up when detecting the deviation to: output a lubrication command to a lubrication unit for lubricating the conveyor system and/or the at least one individual element with a lubricant within the predetermined period of time. The control device can in particular be set up to output the lubricating command at the detection time and/or at a lubricating time which has a predetermined time interval from the detection time and is within the predetermined time period. If, for example, increased friction or a deviation from the setpoint operating parameter is detected, this can indicate insufficient lubrication and does not necessarily have to indicate a defective element of the conveyor unit. Consequently, initially the lubrication can be increased and thus the friction can possibly be reduced. Should If the friction can be reduced successfully, no warning signal is given.

The system may include the lubricating unit.

The control device can also be set up to determine, based on at least the deviation, a quantity of lubricant for lubricating the conveyor system and/or the at least one individual element, and the lubrication command characterizes the determined quantity of lubricant, the quantity of lubricant in particular also being based on a predetermined minimum lubricant limit, a predetermined Maximum lubricant limit and / or an actual amount of lubricant is determined. In particular with regard to the entry of lubricant into the furnace, it may be necessary not to exceed the maximum lubricant limit.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine position information of the at least one individual element if the deviation is greater than or equal to or greater than the predetermined value after the predetermined period of time, the position information being at least one of an actual position and/or a probable position characterizes the at least one individual element. The warning signal can include the position information. A position of the individual element can thus also be communicated to the user by means of the warning signal, and the user can examine and/or replace it.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the load on the conveyor system, in particular on the conveyor unit, based on vibrations in the conveyor unit. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can be set up to determine a risk for the container units based on the detected vibrations. In particular, the control device can be set up to control the drive unit based on the detected vibrations, preferably in such a way that the risk for the container units is reduced to a minimum risk.

The control device can be set up to control the drive unit in such a way that the detected vibrations are reduced and/or compensated for become. The conveying unit can have transport pins for conveying the container units through the oven and the control device can be set up in particular to control the drive unit based on distances between the transport pins in such a way that the detected vibrations are reduced and/or compensated.

The control device can be set up to control the drive unit and/or the conveyor unit, in particular a conveyor unit voltage of a conveyor unit voltage regulation of the conveyor system based on at least one of an age of the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element, a conveyor speed of the conveyor unit, the at least one operating parameter, to control container unit loss before, along and/or after a section of the furnace. The conveyor unit tension of the conveyor unit tension control can be a chain tension of the chain tension control. The conveyor unit tension, in particular the chain tension, can be determined based on a cylinder force of the cylinder.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the friction of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit and/or the friction of the at least one individual element based on a power consumption parameter of the drive unit, the power consumption parameter being at least one of an actual value of a power consumption, a time profile the power consumption and a change in the line consumption. In particular, the measuring unit can be set up to additionally determine an ambient temperature of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element, in order to determine the power consumption parameter.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the friction of the conveyor unit based on the detected temperature of the conveyor unit and/or the friction of the at least one individual element based on the detected temperature of the at least one individual element. In particular, the measuring unit can be set up to detect a bearing temperature of a bearing of the conveyor unit. The measuring unit can be set up to determine a bearing state of one or more bearings of the conveyor unit as the friction, the damage and/or the load on the conveyor unit and/or the one or more bearings of the conveyor unit, in which case the control device can be set up in particular for this purpose to control the lubrication unit based on the friction, damage and/or loading of the conveyor unit and/or the one or more bearings of the conveyor unit.

The measuring unit can be set up to detect the friction of the conveyor unit based on a guide temperature of the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element before and/or after a guide unit of the conveyor unit, wherein the control device can be set up in particular based on the determined Friction before and / or after the guide unit of the conveyor unit and / or the at least one individual element to determine a misalignment of the guide unit and to output a correction signal to correct the guide unit and / or to determine and output with the warning signal.

The measuring unit can be set up to record the load based on a torque of the drive unit. The control device can in particular be set up to determine at least one defective bearing and/or insufficient lubrication of the conveyor unit if the deviation is greater than or greater than the predetermined value after the predetermined period of time.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the damage to the conveyor unit based on a breakage and/or a missing at least one transport pin of the transport pins of the conveyor unit. The operating parameter related to the transport pins can be a number of the transport pins of the conveyor unit. The setpoint operating parameter can describe a lower limit for the transport pins, which must not be fallen below.

The object is further achieved according to a second aspect by a system for early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along an oven, comprising at least one measuring unit set up for detection at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system, which influences the service life of a conveyor unit of the conveyor system. The system further includes a control device configured to: determine an expected service life of the delivery unit based on the at least one operating parameter; Outputting a maintenance signal based on the probable service life of the conveyor unit, which characterizes a probable maintenance time of the conveyor unit.

In order to avoid repetition, it is pointed out that the previously and subsequently described explanations relating to the first aspect can be applied to the second aspect and combined with it. Likewise, the following statements relating to the second aspect can be applied to the first aspect and combined with it. In particular, statements relating to the at least one measuring unit, the control device, the conveyor system, the conveyor unit, individual elements of the conveyor system and/or the conveyor unit of the first aspect can be applied to the second aspect and vice versa and combined.

The control device is set up to determine the probable service life based on the at least one operating parameter. Furthermore, the control device can be set up to determine the expected service life based on an expected service life of the delivery unit, which is a variable specified by a manufacturer of the delivery unit. The service life to be expected can be given taking into account various operating parameters, such as an average conveyor belt speed, an average load capacity, an average number of container units transported and an average temperature. Based on these manufacturer specifications or parameters, deviations from these can be determined during operation of the conveyor unit in order to determine a positive or negative influence on the expected service life. The probable service life, ie the actual service life, of the conveyor unit can be determined accordingly. In this case, for example, an average higher load can lead to a reduced expected service life compared to the expected service life due to the higher load on the conveyor unit. In contrast, one can average lower payload lead to a longer expected service life compared to the expected service life. In addition or as an alternative to the manufacturer's information, previous measurements and/or information from past or already used conveyor units and/or their service lives can be used by the control device to calculate the expected service life based on the measured operating parameters and/or information and/or service lives of the past to determine funding units. As an alternative or in addition, empirical values of the staff and/or operators of the system or the furnace can be entered in order to determine the probable service life.

Starting up the conveyor unit can lead to an additional load on the conveyor unit, since the conveyor unit has to be accelerated. The inventors have recognized that accelerating the conveyor unit, in particular without an adapted acceleration, reduces the probable service life of the conveyor unit. If the conveying unit is accelerated between nine thousand and eleven thousand, in particular ten thousand times without adapted acceleration, in particular accelerated jerkily, the probable service life of the conveying unit is reduced by up to 15%, in particular 10%. If the conveyor unit is driven or accelerated in a jerky manner, this represents an increased load for the conveyor unit, which leads to the reduced probable service life. The adapted acceleration is to be understood as meaning that the conveyor unit is initially driven with a first acceleration, which is increased, in particular steplessly, within a predetermined period of time up to a second acceleration. It is thus possible to reduce or even eliminate a jerky start-up or acceleration of the conveyor unit in order to keep the load as low as possible, in particular when the conveyor unit is started up.

Braking, in particular strong or abrupt braking, can also lead to a load on the conveyor unit. Correspondingly, the conveyor unit can be braked with a first braking effect, which within a predetermined period of time is increased, in particular steplessly, towards a second braking effect in order to reduce or even eliminate strong or abrupt braking. The measuring unit can be set up to detect the starting and/or braking, in particular an acceleration and/or a braking deceleration of the conveyor unit. The control device can be set up to control a drive unit driving the conveyor unit in such a way that the load on the conveyor unit when starting up and braking is reduced or is as low as possible. For this purpose, the control device can output an acceleration command to the drive unit for starting, the acceleration command including the adapted acceleration. Furthermore, the control device can output a braking deceleration command to the drive unit, wherein the braking deceleration command includes braking with the first and the second braking effect.

The maintenance time can be determined based on the knowledge of the influence of the at least one operating parameter on the probable service life of the conveyor unit. The maintenance point is a point in time in the future when the CU should be serviced in order to prolong the expected lifetime of the CU, to maximize it by replacing the CU with a new CU, or to counteract an unplanned outage. The time can be a month, a week, a day, or an hour in a day.

The control device can be set up to determine the maintenance time as a function of the probable service life in such a way that it corresponds to a probable end of the probable service life or has a predetermined time interval before the probable end. Correspondingly, the maintenance time can be selected in such a way that there is a month, one or more weeks, one or more days or one or more hours between the probable end and the maintenance time. Consequently, a safety buffer can be taken into account in order to prevent any possible misjudgment of the expected service life, delivery bottlenecks of a new conveyor unit and/or individual elements of the conveyor unit and/or staff shortages who carry out the maintenance. Individual elements of the conveyor unit can have a conveyor unit voltage control, in particular a

Chain tension control or parts thereof, a cylinder of the chain tension control, fastening means of the conveyor unit, a conveyor unit link, in particular a chain link, a bearing of the conveyor unit, in particular a bearing of a chain link, a drive wheel guiding conveyor units, in particular a chain-guiding gear wheel, a guide unit, in particular a guide rail and a be the transport pin of the conveyor unit.

The system can include the guide rail or multiple guide rails. The guide rail can be set up to guide the conveyor unit. At least one guide rail can be arranged in front of a first section for drying the container units. In particular, the at least one guide rail can be arranged along the conveyor unit in front of the conveyor unit tension control. At least one or more guide rails can be arranged after a cooling zone and before the first section for drying the container units.

The probable maintenance time of the conveyor unit can characterize at least one time at which the detected elongation has a predetermined value, the predetermined value being less than or equal to and/or less than 5%, 3%, in particular 1%. The elongation is a measure of the elongation of the CU and results from the comparison of the actual length to the original length of the CU or the length of the CU before it was used. The elongation should not exceed the predetermined value in order to ensure the operability of the conveyor unit.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the load on the conveyor unit based on vibrations of the conveyor unit. During operation, as well as when starting, increasing and/or reducing a conveying speed of the conveying unit, it can be made to oscillate. These vibrations can run in or opposite to the conveying direction and represent a risk for the container units, since they can fall off the conveyor unit due to the vibrations and/or individual process steps can be adversely affected. The vibrations can have an oscillation amplitude and/or frequency and can be described by means of this. The measuring unit can be set up to determine the vibrations based on a pressure on at least one cylinder of the conveyor unit tension control.

The control device can be set up to determine a risk for the container units based on the detected vibrations, the control device being set up in particular to control the conveyor unit based on the detected vibrations in such a way that the risk for the container units is reduced minimum risk is reduced. The minimum risk is to be understood as the risk for the container units that occurs under normal operating conditions, in particular without vibrations. To reduce the risk to the minimum risk, the pressure on the cylinder can be dynamically balanced.

The measuring unit can be set up to detect one or more extended positions of the cylinder. Furthermore, the control device can be set up to determine the elongation based on the export position or positions.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the friction, in particular the average friction of the conveyor unit and/or the friction of the at least one individual element, in particular the chain link and/or the bearing, based on a power consumption parameter of a drive unit of the conveyor unit. The power consumption parameter can be a torque of the drive unit, in particular of a drive gear wheel of the drive unit. The power consumption parameter can include at least one of an actual value of a power consumption, in particular of the torque, a time profile of the power consumption and a change in the power consumption. Since the power consumption parameter can also depend on other factors, the measuring unit can be set up in particular to additionally determine at least one ambient temperature of the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element in order to determine the power consumption parameter. The time course of the power consumption is, among other things, an important criterion and a change the power consumption should not exceed a value of less than or equal to and/or less than 1%, 0.5% or 0.1% per 24 hours.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the load on the conveyor unit based on the friction and/or the elongation of the conveyor unit. In particular, the temperature provides information about the friction of the conveyor unit or the at least one individual element.

To measure the temperature, the measuring unit can be set up to receive infrared radiation from the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element. The friction can be determined in particular via an increased temperature, in particular in comparison to a resting state of the delivery unit.

Furthermore, the measuring unit can be set up to detect an increase in temperature of at least one individual element compared to the rest of the conveyor unit, in particular compared to the other elements of the conveyor unit. The temperature increase should not exceed a value of less than or equal to and/or less than 10°C, in particular 5°C.

Evaporation of lubricants can be an exponential process, so it can be assumed that an increase in temperature of the at least one individual element and/or the conveyor unit increases the consumption of lubricants by 50%.

The temperature increase of 10°C can lead to a reduction in the expected service life. The temperature increase of 10°C can lead to a life expectancy reduction of between 2 and 5%.

The control device can be set up to control lubrication of the conveyor unit based on the friction of the conveyor unit, in particular the temperature of the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element. The temperature of the conveyor unit and/or the temperature of the at least one individual element can be reduced by means of the lubrication of the conveyor unit or of the at least one individual element the lubrication a lower friction can be achieved. Accordingly, the load on the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element can also be reduced. Consequently, the life expectancy of the delivery unit can be increased.

The measuring unit can be a light barrier, a proximity switch, a metal detector, a vibration, sound and/or temperature measuring unit in order to determine the temperature of the conveyor unit, a bearing quality of the bearings of the conveyor unit and/or to determine the lubrication of the conveyor unit.

The system may include a lubricating unit configured to lubricate the delivery unit with a lubricant. Additionally or alternatively, the measuring unit can be set up to determine a bearing condition of one or more bearings of the conveyor unit as the friction, the damage and/or the load on the conveyor unit and/or the one or more bearings of the conveyor unit, with the control device in particular for this purpose is set up to control the lubricating unit based on the friction, the damage and/or the loading of the conveying unit and/or the one or more bearings of the conveying unit.

The conveyor unit can include a guide unit, in particular a guide rail for guiding the conveyor unit, with the measuring unit being set up to detect the friction of the conveyor unit based on a guide temperature of the conveyor unit and/or the at least one individual element before and/or after the guide unit. The guide temperature is a temperature of the conveyor unit and/or of the at least one individual element before and/or after the guide unit. In particular, the control device can be set up to determine an incorrect setting of the guide unit based on the determined friction before and/or after the guide unit, the conveying unit and/or the at least one individual element and to correct the guide unit based on the incorrect setting and/or a warning signal to spend The guide rail (chain guide) can be adjusted improperly, in particular too narrow, which can be determined by measuring the temperature after and/or before the guide rail. The measuring unit can also be set up to measure the friction of the To determine delivery unit and / or the at least one individual element before and / or after the guide unit based on a torque and / or a power consumption of the drive unit. Furthermore, the control device can be set up to receive data input in order to check a setting of the guide unit and, if necessary, to identify and correct the incorrect setting.

The measuring unit can be set up to detect the load based on a torque of the drive unit and to detect the load and/or the damage based on an increase in the torque of the drive unit under essentially identical conditions. The control device can in particular be set up to determine at least one defective bearing and/or insufficient lubrication of the delivery unit based on the increased torque. The control device can also be set up to output a signal that characterizes the defective bearing and indicates a position of the defective bearing.

The measuring unit can be set up to determine the damage to the conveyor unit based on a breakage and/or a missing at least one transport pin of the transport pins of the conveyor unit. The measuring unit can be a light barrier. The measuring unit can be arranged in the area of the conveyor unit return, in particular the chain return. Furthermore, the measuring unit can be set up to detect a position of the breakage and/or the missing transport pin, so that the position of the breakage and/or the missing transport pin is known.

The control device can determine the expected lifetime depending on a number of missing transport pins. The expected service life can be determined by counting the missing transport pins and a temporal correlation. The probable service life can be reached if more than or equal to and/or more than five transport pins, in particular 10 transport pins, are missing.

The control device can also be set up, based on the breakage, the absence of the at least one transport pin, the number of missing transport pins, in particular the position(s) of the broken and/or missing transport pins to control a printing unit of the system or the oven in such a way that no container unit is directed to a defect. A defect can be a broken or missing transport pin. The system can include the printing unit. The printing unit can be set up to print the container units.

The system can include two or more measurement units. The two measuring units can be arranged on at least one section of the system or of the furnace and set up to record the at least one operating parameter of the conveyor unit on the at least one section. Alternatively, at least one measuring unit can be arranged on each section of the system or the furnace and set up to record the at least one operating parameter of the conveyor unit on the respective section.

The two or more measuring units can be or include light barriers and can be arranged at predetermined sections of the system or the furnace. The light barriers can be set up to detect container units and/or the absence of container units. In particular, at least one light barrier can be installed in front of a printing device (decorator) and/or in front of a pre-drying frame, after the pre-drying frame and/or in front of an oven chamber of the oven, after the oven chamber and/or in front of a cooling zone, and in the conveying unit return, in particular the chain return can be arranged. The information recorded by the measuring units, in particular about the recorded container units and/or the missing container units, can be made available to the control device.

The control device can be set up to provide the at least one operating parameter, the warning signal, the maintenance signal and/or the information recorded by the at least one measuring unit. In particular, the control device can be set up to output the operating parameter, the warning signal, the maintenance signal and/or the information to an operator, for example by means of a display. The control device can be set up to control at least one of a conveying speed of the conveying unit, one or more ventilation, exhaust and/or air circulation units and a heating unit of the system based on the at least one operating parameter of the conveying unit. In particular, based on the information about the missing container units, a speed of the ventilation, exhaust, cooling fan and/or air circulation units and a heating output of the heating unit can be reduced accordingly in order to save energy. The speeds and the heating power can be regulated in such a way that a minimum speed and/or heating power or heating temperature is not fallen below, which is relevant for the safety of the system or the furnace, the personnel and/or for specified guidelines for the production of container units .

The control device can be set up to control the conveyor unit based on the at least one operating parameter, in particular the load and the expected service life determined, in such a way that the load is reduced to a minimum load. In particular, the control device can be set up to control the lubrication and/or a starting and/or braking behavior of the conveyor unit in such a way that the load on the conveyor unit is reduced to the minimum load. For this purpose, the control device can increase or reduce the conveying speed stepwise or continuously. The lubrication can correspond to a minimum lubrication, which corresponds to a lubrication that is necessary for the current operation. Consequently, the friction of the conveyor unit and the entry of lubricant into the system or the open is reduced to a minimum.

The control device can also be set up to determine the probable service life based on the materials of the delivery unit from which it is made, in particular of the at least individual element.

The control device can be set up to control the at least one individual element of the conveyor unit and/or a unit of the system or of the furnace or a plurality of elements of the conveyor unit and/or units of the system or the furnace to determine which are to be serviced at the time of maintenance.

The control device can be or comprise a processor, a logic module, an IC, an ASCI, an FPGA, an arithmetic processing unit or the like. The control device can be a computer. The processor can be a CPU or an integrated circuit in the form of a microprocessor or microcontroller. The control device may further include a memory. The memory can be non-volatile memory. The memory can be set up to store data, in particular from the measuring unit. A computer program product according to the aspect described below can be stored on the memory.

The at least one operating parameter can be recorded by a measuring unit and/or can be obtained from the measuring unit.

By means of the proposed system, an optimized lubrication of the conveyor unit, a gentle start-up and braking behavior and thus a reduced load on the conveyor unit can be achieved.

The object is achieved by an oven, in particular a pin oven, comprising a system according to the first aspect and/or a system according to the second aspect.

The measuring unit of the system can be set up to detect a number of container units conveyed through the furnace, in particular conveyed by means of the conveyor unit, before and after at least one section of the furnace, with the control device being set up to, in the event of a deviation in the number of container units before and to emit a dose number signal after the section, which characterizes the number of container units before and after the section and/or the deviation in the number.

The oven may include other units. The other units can at least one of a stabilization unit, a circulating air fluid unit, a heating unit, a fluid flow device, a cooling fluid unit, a bottom coater, a cooling zone, a fluid inlet device, a tank skimmer and a fluid outlet device.

The object is further achieved by a method for early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along an oven. The method comprising the steps: detecting at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system; comparing the operating parameter to a target operating parameter; detecting a deviation of the operating parameter from the setpoint operating parameter at a detection time; Outputting a warning signal if the deviation is greater than, equal to or greater than a predetermined value after a predetermined period of time, the period of time beginning at the time of detection.

The object is further achieved by a method for early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along a furnace. The method comprises the steps: detecting at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system, in particular of the conveyor unit, which has an influence on a service life of the conveyor unit; determining an expected service life of the delivery unit based on the at least one operating parameter; Outputting a maintenance signal based on the probable service life of the conveyor unit, which characterizes a probable maintenance time of the conveyor unit.

The object is further achieved by a computer program product for early detection of damage to a conveyor unit of a furnace, comprising instructions that cause a processor to execute a method according to one of the previously described aspects when the program is executed by the processor.

Further advantageous refinements of these aspects are specified in the respective dependent patent claims. The features listed individually in the patent claims and the description can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way, with further embodiment variants of the invention being shown. The methods and their possible developments have features or method steps that make them particularly suitable for being used for systems and/or a furnace, in particular a pin furnace with at least one such system.

For further advantages, design variants and design details of the further aspects and their possible developments, reference is also made to the previously given description of the corresponding features and developments of the systems and methods.

Preferred exemplary embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1: a schematic, two-dimensional side view of a

pen oven;

FIG. 2: a schematic, two-dimensional detailed view of the pin furnace shown in FIG. 1;

3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary method for issuing a warning signal; and

4: a schematic representation of an exemplary method for outputting a maintenance signal.

In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference symbols.

1 shows an oven, in particular a pin oven 100. The pin oven 100 comprises a conveyor system with at least one conveyor unit 102, which is designed as a chain conveyor or chain. The conveyor unit 102 comprises the transport pins 104, 104', 104'' shown in FIG. Container units 1, T can be arranged on the transport pins 104, 104′, 104″ and thus transported along the meandering drying path shown in FIG. The pin oven 100 further comprises a circulating air fluid unit 112, a fluid flow unit 115, a cooling fluid unit 118 and a container removal unit 120. The container units 1 , T are printed or coated in a printing device 134 that is not included in the pin oven 100 , in particular with a lacquer. The container units 1 , 1 ′ are transferred from the printing device 134 to the pin oven 100 . The printing device 134 and the pin oven 100 can be coupled to one another in such a way that the printing device 134 drives the conveyor unit 102 . The container units 1, T then arrive in a pre-drying frame 124. The chain tension control 154 is provided within the pre-drying frame 124, which tensions the chain of the conveyor unit 102 so that it always has a predefined tension. Downstream of the pre-drying frame 124 the pin oven 100 has a bottom coater 126 . Downstream from the bottom coater 126, the pin oven 100 includes an oven unit 128. FIG.

The furnace unit 128 forms a furnace space 152 in which the container units 1, 1' are heated to a high temperature. The oven unit 128 has a heating unit 114 for this purpose. The heating unit 114 can be a gas burner, for example. The heating unit 114 is coupled to a circulating air fluid unit 112, which moves the fluid stream in a fluid flow direction 116, i.e. first out of the furnace chamber 152 into the heating unit 114, then into a circulating air fluid unit 112 and then back into the furnace chamber 152. A heated fluid stream is thus the furnace chamber 152 provided. Furnace unit 128 is also coupled to a fluid flow unit 115 . The fluid flow unit 115 is arranged and configured to provide the furnace unit 128 with a fluid from the environment of the pin furnace 100 and to lead a fluid out of the furnace unit 128 . For this purpose, the pin furnace has a fluid inlet device 136 and a fluid outlet device 138 .

Further downstream from the furnace unit 128, a cooling zone 130 is provided. The cooling zone 130 is optional for the pin furnace 100 and is not generally required. A cooling fluid unit 118 is arranged and designed in the cooling zone 130 in order to cool the container units 1, T with a fluid flow. A container puller 132 is located at the outlet of the cooling fluid unit 118. The container puller 132 has a container removal unit 120 which, by means of a fluid flow, applies a negative pressure to the bottoms of the container units 1, T exerts and thus removes it from the conveyor unit 102 and can move it to a downstream process step.

As previously described, the conveyor unit 102 conveys the container units 1 , T along a drying path which runs through the pre-drying frame 124 , the oven unit 128 and the cooling zone 130 . After the conveying unit 102 has transferred the container units 1 , T to the container puller 132 , the conveying unit 102 is returned to the printing device 134 by means of rollers 156 . Consequently, the conveying unit 102 is a crucial part of the drying processes and an unforeseen stoppage of the conveying unit 102 can pose a cost and production risk. Furthermore, the conveyor unit 102 represents a wearing part that has to be serviced in order to ensure process reliability.

In order to prevent damage to the conveyor unit 102, a system 108 includes a control device 122 and at least one measuring unit 140, 142, 144, 146, 148. The control device 122 can include a processor for executing a computer program product.

The following description describes the system 108 as a combination system consisting of two systems, one providing a warning signal and the other providing a maintenance time. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the systems can also be provided independently of one another. The following description therefore does not restrict the invention to the combination system.

The at least one measuring unit 140, 142, 144, 146, 148 is set up to record at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system, in particular of conveyor unit 102. The control device 122 is set up to compare the at least one operating parameter with a setpoint operating parameter. The control device 122 detects a deviation between the operating parameter and the target operating parameter at a detection time. Further, the control device 122 outputs a warning signal when the deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value after a predetermined period of time starting from the time of detection. The deviation can be on a point out a defective element of the conveyor unit 102 and the warning signal can be used to notify an operator accordingly in order to check the element. Accordingly, breakdown of the conveyance unit 102 can be prevented.

According to FIG. 1, several operating parameters are recorded by means of the measuring units 140, 142, 144, 146, 148. The control device 122 can be set up to compare two or more of the detected operating parameters with respective target operating parameters assigned to the detected operating parameter. The operating parameters can belong to different types of parameters, such as temperature, friction, speed, etc. For each type, a corresponding target operating parameter may be chosen and/or set by a user. Consequently, individual target operating parameters can be selected for each operating parameter and/or type. Furthermore, individual periods of time can be selected for the operating parameters and/or types. For example, a period of time for the operating parameter of the conveying speed of the conveying unit 102 can be selected to be relatively short, for example 10 seconds, since an increased speed can lead to a can jam and/or to faulty production. This should therefore be recognized quickly. On the other hand, a period of time for the operating parameter of a bearing temperature can be set to 5 minutes, since the bearing can heat up quickly under certain circumstances, and cooling down, for example due to an increase in the lubricant, takes longer. A longer observation period is therefore useful in order to be able to detect cooling of the bearing and not to issue a warning signal.

In order to determine when the delivery unit 102 is to be serviced, the control device 122 is further set up to determine an expected service life of the delivery unit 102 based on the at least one operating parameter. Based on the probable service life, a maintenance date of the conveyor unit 102 can be determined in the future. This can be before the probable end of the service life of the conveyor unit 102 . The control device 122 can be signal-connected to individual or all elements of a system 108 or the pin oven 100, in particular to the conveyor unit 102 and measuring units of the system 108 or the pin oven 100 and other elements. The controller 122 may receive and send information and signals to the elements.

In order to determine the probable service life of the conveyor unit 102 and to determine a deviation from a target operating parameter, several operating parameters are determined using measuring units according to FIG. 1 . Among other things, these operating parameters include friction, elongation, damage and loading of the conveyor unit 102 , the operating parameters being output to the control device 122 . Any type of damage and/or damage to the conveyor unit 102 is to be understood as damage. Among other things, transport pins 104, 104′, 104″ can break off or deviate from their factory condition, so that they no longer meet the process requirements, at least in part. Among other things, damage to bearings and/or chain links of the conveyor unit 102 can also occur, which is to be understood as damage to the conveyor unit 102. The load is to be understood, inter alia, as forces acting on the conveyor unit 102, such as tensile forces acting, for example tensile stress acting through a chain tension control 154 or forces acting through a drive unit, in particular a drive wheel of the conveyor unit 102. Furthermore, exposure to fluid flows, temperatures, temperature fluctuations and weights of the container units 1 , T can be understood as the load on the conveyor unit 102 . In particular, the conveyor unit 102 can begin to oscillate, which represents a mechanical load on the conveyor unit 102 . The vibrations can arise as a result of the conveyor unit 102 starting up, accelerating and/or decelerating. The load can also be determined, inter alia, based on a friction of the conveyor unit 102 . A measuring unit can include one or more of a proximity switch, a light barrier, a metal detector, a camera, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor and a sound sensor for detecting the operating parameters. A first measuring unit 140 according to FIG. 1 comprises a light barrier which is set up to detect damage to the transport pins 104, 104′, 104″ and/or the container units 1, T transported by them. The first measuring unit 140 is further set up to detect the presence and/or absence of container units 1, T and a corresponding position, with the absence also falling under the category of damage. The first measuring unit 140 and further measuring units are coupled in terms of signals to the control device 122, which receives and can process the operating parameters recorded by the measuring units from the measuring units. Based on the operating parameters of the damage, in particular the absence of transport pins 104, 104', 104" or broken transport pins 104, 104', 104" the printing device 134 can be controlled by the control device 122 in such a way that the printing device 134 only uses the existing, preferably functional transport pins 104, 104', 104".

Previous and subsequent statements relating to a measuring unit or the first measuring unit 140 can be applied to other measuring units.

A second measuring unit 142, which is or includes a light barrier, is arranged in front of the oven unit 128. Like the first measuring unit 140, the second measuring unit 142 detects the transport pins 104, 104', 104'' and the container units 1, T and is coupled to the control device 122 in terms of signals.

A third measuring unit 144 , which is or includes a light barrier, is arranged downstream of the furnace unit 128 , which is set up like the first and second measuring units 140 , 142 and is coupled to the control device 122 in terms of signals. By means of the first to third measuring units 140, 142, 144, in particular the second and third measuring units 142, 144, a number of container units 1, T along the drying path, in particular before and after the oven unit 128, is known. If the number of container units 1 , T changes along the drying section, the control device 122 can determine before, after or during which section one or more container units 1 , T fell off the conveyor unit 102 .

A fourth measuring unit 146, which includes a temperature sensor, is arranged in the pre-drying frame 124 and is set up to measure a temperature of conveyor unit 102, in particular by at least one individual element of conveyor unit 102. A single element of the conveyor unit 102 may be a cylinder, a bearing, a section of the conveyor unit, a chain link, or another element of the conveyor unit 102 . Furthermore, an average temperature of the conveyor unit 102 can be calculated via the temperatures of individual elements and/or sections, in particular conveyor unit sections. A friction of the conveyor unit 102 or of the individual elements can be determined based on the temperature. The friction is, among other things, an operating parameter that influences the probable service life of the conveyor unit 102 .

The fourth measuring unit 146 can be set up to record an average friction (average friction) of the chain links of the conveyor unit 102 when the chain starts up or accelerates via a power consumption of the drive wheel of the conveyor unit 102 or a torque measurement of the drive wheel. Since the torque can also depend on other factors, the fourth measuring unit 146 can also record an ambient temperature of the conveyor unit 102, in particular inside the pin oven 100, preferably inside the drying frame 124 and/or the oven unit 128. The fourth measurement unit 146 can be set up to detect a change in the power consumption, the torque and/or the ambient temperature.

Furthermore, the fourth measuring unit 146 can be set up to determine the load on and/or the damage to the conveyor unit 102 based on the detected torque. In particular, under substantially identical conditions, torque may increase, which may indicate a failed bearing. The controller 122 may be configured to determine the defective bearing and/or insufficient lubrication based on the sensed torque and/or the change in torque.

Based on a temperature of one or more bearings of the conveyor unit 102 or the chain-guiding gear wheels, conclusions can be drawn about the friction of the bearings and thus about a load on them. In order to keep this load even and as low as possible, the bearings and the chain of the conveyor unit 102 lubricated. Lubrication takes place via a lubricating unit (not shown), which is arranged and set up to lubricate the conveyor unit 102 with a lubricant. Based on the detected operating parameters, in particular the temperature, the friction and/or the load on the conveyor unit 102, in particular on the individual elements such as the bearings, the control device 122 is set up to control the lubricating unit. Accordingly, in the case of high friction, for example, the controller 122 can add more lubricant to reduce the friction. The control device 122 can lubricate the delivery unit 102 by means of the lubricating unit in such a way that the necessary minimum lubrication takes place. Furthermore, the fourth measuring unit 146 can include a vibration and/or sound sensor in order to detect a bearing quality of the bearings.

A fifth measuring unit 148 is arranged at the return of the conveyor unit 102 and set up to detect the elongation of the conveyor unit 102 . In particular, fifth measuring unit 148 is set up to detect a cylinder position of a cylinder of chain tension control 154 . The elongation can be determined based on the cylinder position. The control device 122 is set up in such a way that the probable maintenance time of the conveyor unit 102 characterizes at least one time at which the detected elongation has a predetermined value, the predetermined value being less than or equal to and/or less than 5%, 3%, in particular 1%. The predetermined value may be set by a user or may be a pre-programmed value. In particular, a predetermined value can be stored in the control device 122 for each conveyor unit used.

The controller 122 may include a memory and/or a transceiver. The memory is set up to store operating parameters and information as well as a computer program product. The transceiver is set up to send and receive the operating parameters and information, in particular wirelessly.

The fifth measuring unit 148 is further set up to a pressure, in particular a time profile of the pressure on the cylinder To detect chain tension control 154 and to determine the oscillations of the conveyor unit 102 based on the pressure, in particular the time profile of the pressure. The control device 122 can determine a risk for the container units 1 , T by means of these vibrations. Due to the vibrations, the container units 1 , T can fall off the conveyor unit 102 . Consequently, there may be a risk of loss and/or damage to the container units 1, T. In order to reduce this risk to a minimum risk, the control device 122 is set up to control the conveyor unit 122, in particular the chain tension control 154, based on the vibrations. For this purpose, the controller 122 can control the chain tension control 154 in such a way that the pressure at the cylinder is dynamically balanced in order to smooth the oscillation amplitude and/or to reduce the oscillation frequency. Particularly in the area of the drying section, the control device 122 is set up to take into account the distances, in particular the time intervals, between the transport pins 104, 104', 104" when controlling the conveyor unit 102, in particular the chain tension controller 154, in order to reduce the vibrations.

The fifth measurement unit 148 is also set up to detect a cylinder force of the cylinder in order to determine a chain tension of the conveyor unit 102 . The control device 122 can further control the conveyor unit 122 based on the chain tension, in particular in such a way that the vibrations are reduced. By reducing the vibrations, not only can the risk for the container units 1, T be reduced, the load on the conveyor unit 102 can also be reduced.

In FIG. 1, the system 108 comprises at least the control device 122 and the measuring units 140, 142, 144, 146, 148. The system 108 can comprise fewer or more further units and/or sections of the pin oven 100, for example the conveyor unit 102.

The control device 122 uses the detected operating parameters to determine the probable service life and the maintenance time. The operating parameters have a negative impact on the expected lifespan and shorten it. An expected service life can be specified by a manufacturer. In particular, the information can be given in connection with various average operating parameters, such as an average conveying speed, an average temperature, etc. The control device 122 can determine the expected service life based on the expected service life and the operating parameters recorded by the measuring units. In particular, the control device 122 can determine deviations of the detected operating parameters from the operating parameters specified by the manufacturer and from this determine an influence on the probable service life. Furthermore, the control device can determine the probable service life based on a temporal correlation of the operating parameters.

2 shows a detail of the pin oven 100, namely the stabilization unit 110. The stabilization unit 110 comprises an air duct 158. On one side of the air duct 158 openings 160 are provided. A fluid flow 162 guided in the air channel 158 exits through the opening 160 and exerts fluid pressure on the container units 1 , T from there. Due to this pressure, the container units 1, T are pressed onto the transport pins 104, 104', 104'' or onto the holding element 106 of the transport pins 104, 104', 104''. As a result, the container units 1, T are stabilized.

3 shows a schematic representation of a method 200 for the early detection of damage to a conveyor system, in particular a conveyor unit 102 for conveying container units 1, T along a drying section of an oven. The method 200 includes detecting 210 at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system. The method 200 also includes a comparison 220 of the operating parameter with a setpoint operating parameter and a detection 230 of a deviation of the operating parameter from the setpoint operating parameter at a detection time. The method further includes outputting 240 a warning signal if the deviation is greater than or equal to or greater than a predetermined value after a predetermined period of time, the period of time beginning with the time of detection. 4 shows a schematic representation of a method 300 for the early detection of damage to a conveyor system, in particular a conveyor unit 102 for conveying container units 1, T along a drying section of an oven. The method 300 includes detecting 310 at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit 102, the

Influencing a service life of the delivery unit 102, and determining 320 an expected service life of the delivery unit 102 based on the at least one operating parameter of the delivery unit. The method further includes generating 330 a maintenance signal based on the expected service life of the conveying unit 102, which has an expected

Characterized maintenance time of the conveyor unit.

REFERENCE NUMERALS, T container unit 00 pin oven 02 conveyor unit 04, 104', 104'' transport pin 06 holding element 08 system 10 stabilizing unit 12 forced air fluid unit 14 heating unit 15 fluid flow device 16 fluid flow direction 18 cooling fluid unit 20 container removal unit 22 control device 24 pre-drying frame 26 bottom coater 28 oven unit 30 cooling zone 32 fluid container pressure inlet device 34 38 fluid outlet device 40 first measuring unit 142 second measurement unit

144 third measurement unit

146 fourth measurement unit

148 fifth unit of measurement

152 furnace room

154 chain tension control

156 roll

158 air duct

160 openings

162 fluid flow

200 procedures for the early detection of an average of a

conveyor system

210 Recording at least one operating parameter of the

conveyor system

220 Comparing the operating parameter with a

target operating parameters

230 detection of a deviation of the operating parameter from the

target operating parameters

240 Issue a warning signal

300 methods of drying container units

310 Detection of at least one operating parameter of the

conveyor system,

320 Determination of an expected lifetime of the

conveyor unit

330 Issuing a maintenance signal

Claims

- 35 -

EXPECTATIONS

1. System (108) for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit (102) of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along a drying section of an oven, comprising: at least one measuring unit (140, 142, 144, 146, 148), set up for detecting at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system, a control device (122) set up for:

comparing the operating parameter to a target operating parameter;

detecting a deviation of the operating parameter from the target operating parameter at a detection time;

Outputting a warning signal if the deviation is greater than, equal to or greater than a predetermined value after a predetermined period of time, the period of time beginning at the time of detection.

2. System (108) according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter is one of friction, in particular average friction, damage, elongation, load, temperature, torque of a drive unit driving the conveyor system, ambient temperature of the conveyor system, a lubrication cycle and a lubrication of the conveyor system and a fan speed of a fan unit of the furnace, and/or wherein the operating parameter comprises one of a friction, a damage, an elongation, a load, a temperature, an ambient temperature, a lubrication cycle and a lubrication of at least one individual element of the Conveyor system includes.

3. System (108) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (122) is further configured to determine a maintenance time based on at least the deviation if the deviation is greater than or greater than the predetermined value during and/or after the predetermined period of time is - 36 - whereby the warning signal further characterizes the maintenance time.

4. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (148) is set up to detect the elongation based on a cylinder position of a conveyor unit tension control (154) of the conveyor unit (102) of the conveyor system, and / or wherein the predetermined value is greater than or equal to and/or greater than 5%, 3%, in particular 1%.

5. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the target operating parameter, the predetermined value and the period of time are selected based on the operating parameter to be detected.

6. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating parameter comprises at least one of the torque, the elongation, the friction and/or the temperature of the conveyor system and/or the at least one individual element, the control device (122) at the recording of the deviation is further set up for:

Outputting a lubricating command to a lubricating unit for lubricating the conveyor system and/or the at least one individual element with a lubricant at least within the predetermined period of time, wherein the control device (122) is set up in particular to output the lubricating command at the time of detection and/or at a lubricating time , which has a predetermined time interval to the detection time and is within the predetermined time period.

7. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device is further configured to, based on at least the deviation, a quantity of lubricant for lubricating the To determine conveyor system and / or the at least one individual element and the lubrication command characterizes the determined amount of lubricant, wherein the amount of lubricant is determined in particular based on a predetermined minimum lubricant limit, a predetermined maximum lubricant limit and / or an actual amount of lubricant.

8. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (140, 142, 144, 146, 148) is set up to determine position information of the at least one individual element if the deviation is greater than or greater than the predetermined one value after the predetermined period of time, the position information characterizing at least one of an actual position and/or an expected position of the at least one individual element, the warning signal comprising the position information.

9. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (148) is set up to determine the load on the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit (102) based on vibrations of the conveyor unit (102), and / or wherein the control device (122) is set up to determine a risk for the container units (1, T) based on the detected vibrations, wherein the control device (122) is set up in particular to control the drive unit based on the detected vibrations, preferably such that the risk for the container units (1, T) is reduced to a minimum risk. 10. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (122) is set up to control the drive unit in such a way that the detected vibrations are reduced and/or compensated for, the conveyor unit (102) having transport pins (104, 104', 104") for conveying the container units (1, T) through the furnace and the control device (122) is set up in particular to control the drive unit based on distances between the transport pins (1, T) such that the detected Vibrations are reduced and / or compensated.

11. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (122) is set up to the drive unit and / or the conveyor unit (102), in particular a conveyor unit voltage of a conveyor unit voltage control (154) of the conveyor system based on at least one of an age the conveyor unit (102) and/or the at least one individual element, a conveyor speed of the conveyor unit (102), the at least one operating parameter, a container unit loss before, along and/or after a section of the furnace.

12. System (108) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (146) is set up to determine the friction of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit (102) and/or the friction of the at least one individual element based on a power consumption parameter of the drive unit determine, wherein the power consumption parameter includes at least one of an actual value of a power consumption, a time profile of the power consumption and a change in the line consumption, wherein the measuring unit (146) is set up in particular to additionally determine an ambient temperature of the conveyor system, in particular the conveyor unit - 39 -

(102) and/or the at least one individual element to determine the power consumption parameter.

13. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (146) is set up to the friction of the conveyor unit (102) based on the detected temperature of the conveyor unit (102) and / or the friction of the at least one individual element based based on the sensed temperature of the at least one individual element.

14. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (140, 142, 144, 146, 148) is set up to measure a bearing condition of one or more bearings of the conveyor unit (102) as the friction, the damage and/or to determine the load on the conveyor unit (102) and/or the one or more bearings of the conveyor unit (102), the control device (122) being set up in particular to control the lubricating unit based on the friction, the damage and/or the load on the To control conveyor unit (102) and / or the one or more bearings of the conveyor unit (102).

15. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (146) is set up to measure the friction of the conveyor unit (102) based on a guide temperature of the conveyor unit (102) and/or the at least one individual element and/or after a guide unit of the conveyor unit (102), the control device (122) being set up in particular to detect an incorrect setting of the To determine management unit and output a correction signal for correcting the management unit and / or to determine and output with the warning signal. - 40 -

16. System (108) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (146) is set up to: detect the load based on a torque of the drive unit; wherein the control device (122) is set up in particular to determine at least one defective bearing and/or insufficient lubrication of the conveyor unit (102) if the deviation is greater than or greater than the predetermined value after the predetermined period of time.

17. System (108) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measuring unit (140) is set up to determine the damage to the conveyor unit (102) based on a breakage and/or a missing at least one transport pin of the transport pins (104, 104', 104 “) of the conveyor unit (102).

18. System (108) for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit (102) of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along a drying section of an oven, comprising: at least one measuring unit (140, 142, 144, 146, 148), set up to detect at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system which influences the service life of a conveyor unit (102) of the conveyor system; and a controller (122) configured to:

Determining an expected service life of the conveyor unit (102) based on the at least one operating parameter;

Outputting a maintenance signal based on the probable service life of the conveyor unit (102), which characterizes a probable maintenance time of the conveyor unit (102).

19. Furnace, in particular pin furnace (100), comprising a system (108) according to one of claims 1 to 17 and/or a system according to claim 18. - 41 -

20. Method (200) for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit (102) of a conveyor system for conveying container units (1, T), in particular cans, along a drying section of an oven, comprising the steps:

detecting (210) at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system;

comparing (220) the operating parameter to a target operating parameter;

detecting (230) a deviation of the operating parameter from the setpoint operating parameter at a detection time;

issuing (240) a warning signal if the deviation is greater than or greater than a predetermined value after a predetermined period of time, the period of time beginning at the time of detection.

21. Method (300) for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit (102) of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along a drying section of an oven, comprising the steps:

detecting (310) at least one operating parameter of the conveyor system which influences the service life of a conveyor unit (102) of the conveyor system;

Determining (320) an expected service life of the conveyor unit (102) based on the at least one operating parameter;

Outputting (330) a maintenance signal based on the probable service life of the conveyor unit (102), which characterizes a probable maintenance time of the conveyor unit (102).

22. Computer program product for the early detection of damage to a conveyor unit (102) of a conveyor system for conveying container units, in particular cans, along a drying section of an oven, comprising commands that cause a processor to carry out a method - 42 - according to any one of claims 20 and/or 21 when the program is executed by the processor.