JP2001321885A - System for monitoring mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for remotely monitoring the driving of a mixer. SOLUTION: This mixer monitoring system contains a local unit, and this local unit access a communication network connected with the local unit and a sensor is used for measuring a desired attribute in the local unit, and the local unit transmits a signal to the communication network corresponding to the measured attribute. A remote unit connected with the communication network is made to receive the signal from the local unit, so that the mixer is remotely monitored in operation for production.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a kneader monitor system capable of transmitting and receiving kneading information to and from a remote communication network remote from the site.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, for example, in a foundry, labor saving is progressing. For this reason, there is a demand to grasp how a kneading machine used for casting production is actually operated for such labor-saving equipment.

[0003]

However, conventional kneaders could not accumulate data on long-term operation. This is not enough to provide information on how the kneader is operating on a daily basis. Therefore, conventionally, the production management of the castings that have been ordered has not been performed by monitoring the operation of the kneading machine itself, but by a production management system that is operated separately from the kneading machine. In addition, a kneading display suitable for the user such as kneading amount and kneading data is desired.

Further, since there is no accumulation of daily data on information concerning the periodic or preventive maintenance of the kneading machine, for example, excessive production is performed until the production line is repaired or the production line is stopped due to failure, resulting in poor efficiency. It was not enough to improve maintenance. Thus, a foundry needs information on the operation of a kneader.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a kneader monitor system for monitoring the kneader at least during production and transmitting the kneading information to a remote place. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a kneader monitor system according to the present invention comprises a sensor for measuring a desired attribute of the kneader, and a desired attribute measured by the sensor. And a local unit that transmits a signal corresponding to the kneading machine to the communication network, receives a signal corresponding to a desired attribute from the local unit, and displays a desired attribute of the kneading machine. A remote unit that monitors the kneader during operation.

According to the present invention, data collected from a kneader during production can be sent to a remote location for analysis as kneading information. Also, based on the analysis results, the kneading amount (for example, daily kneading amount, reserved kneading amount, remaining kneading amount, achievement rate), kneading data (for example, sand strength, current value, sand temperature,
Binder weight) can be displayed by selection.

In the present invention, the term "kneader" means a raw sand kneader, a shell sand self-hardening kneader or the like used for casting.
Further, the desired attribute of the kneading machine in the present invention,
Kneading amount (for example, daily kneading amount, reserved kneading amount, remaining kneading amount, achievement rate), kneading data (for example, sand intensity, current value,
Sand temperature, binder weight, etc.). Further, as sensors for measuring attributes in the present invention, for example, pressure sensors, flow sensors, level meters, temperature sensors, current sensors, sound collectors, stroke counters, load sensors, counters, limit switches, vibration sensors, proximity sensors Other types of sensors, such as switches, which can measure attributes of kneading, can be mentioned.

The local unit in the present invention is incorporated in a control device of the kneading machine or is disposed adjacent to the kneading machine. The software of the local unit is controlled by a user command from a remote place via a communication network. It incorporates a function that can be reset. This means that you can change metrics at remote locations,
You can also reconfigure the local unit to change certain restrictions or programmed variables. For example, in order to determine whether or not the measurement standard is correct, a determination is made using a comparator connected to a processor or a determination unit configured by software, and if it is out of the range, a variable or the like can be changed. And, according to the present invention, a plurality of monitor criteria are incorporated, and the user can select them with different input / output cards. The input / output card is connected to a sensor box, and the sensor box is attached to a specific part of the kneader. These I / O cards process signals from the sensors to generate signals that are accepted as inputs to the local unit.

[0010] The communication network in the present invention is used between a local unit and a remote unit. Such communication systems may include telephone lines and other protocols for transmitting data to and from remote locations, such as mobile phones and Internet access. More simply, a serial cable may be used to connect the site and a remote location. Alternatively, another protocol known in the art, such as a local area network or a wide area network, for transmitting data between them may be utilized. The means for accessing the communication network may use a modem operatively connected to the local unit.

In the present invention, at least during operation of the kneading machine means that the kneading machine can be used not only during operation but also in accordance with a user command. For example, monitoring the log only when there is a warning for a desired specific period, or re-logging the data according to the parameters.

The monitoring of the kneading machine means that the kneading machine monitoring system sends a signal to a maintenance person of the kneading machine at the site via a facsimile, a mobile phone, or other mobile communication means. Also means. As a result, the necessity of maintenance can be promptly notified to the person in charge.

The remote unit is connected to the local unit by a communication network, the remote unit is adapted to receive signals from the local unit, and to display measured attributes of the kneader. This allows the kneading machine to be monitored at a remote location during production by the kneading machine. Also, like the local unit, it can have a function of analyzing the measurement signal to determine whether the measurement reference is correct.

According to the invention, means are provided for accessing a communication network connected to a local unit in this way. A sensor for measuring the desired quantity of the kneader is connected to the local unit and can send signals to it. The local unit is adapted to transmit a signal via the communication network corresponding to the attribute to be measured.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 discloses a schematic configuration of a hardware device according to the present invention. The kneader monitor system 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has a local unit 4 and a remote unit 5. At least one sensor 3 for monitoring desired attributes of the kneader 2 is connected to the local unit 4. As the sensor 3, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a level meter, a temperature sensor, a temperature collector, a load sensor, a counter, a limit switch, a vibration sensor, a proximity switch, and the like are used.

The local unit 4 is composed of a kneader monitor system implemented as hardware including a processor, a display, a printer, and an indicator. In the present invention, the local unit 4 can be a personal computer. The local unit 4 includes a plurality of programmable logic controllers (PLs) configured in hardware or software.
C) or many other types of electronic computing and processing devices. The printer / indicator is optional and not essential.

The sensor 3 is connected to the local unit 4 via a signal line 6, and the signal line 6 transfers a signal generated by the sensor 3 to an input / output board (not shown).

The input / output board may be constituted by a signal processing system for converting a signal using a sensor output received on the signal line 6 into a format convenient for processing by the local unit 4.

For example, if the sensor 3 is a temperature sensor that measures the sand temperature immediately above the kneading machine, a system that amplifies a weak analog signal and further converts the amplified analog signal into a digital signal. . I / O board,
For example, it can be a multiplexer, which converts the received DC level voltage signal to the local unit 4
Process into numeric signals for use in. The local unit 4 is connected to a storage device (not shown).

Also, the means for accessing the communication network is a modem operatively connected to the local unit 4, but various other types of means for accessing the communication network depending on the communication network. Can be used.

Also, various types of communication networks can be utilized, including dedicated telephone lines, dedicated communication lines, calling telephone lines, mobile telephone systems, wireless network systems, Internet access systems, and remote locations. And other types of protocols for transmitting data.

Depending on the type of communication network used, the type of means for accessing such a communication network also differs. Further, the communication network can be a local area network or a simple serial cable. Alternatively, it may be another type of computer-based communication card for communicating with a communication network.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network is connected to a remote unit 5. The remote unit 5 receives signals transmitted from the local unit 4 via the communication network, and displays the measured attributes of the kneader 2 measured by the sensors 3, whereby the kneader 2 Kneader 2 during production operation
Can be monitored.

Also, it can be a siren, a bell or any other type of indicator that indicates that a signal has been received from the local unit 4. In the present invention, the remote unit 5 can be a personal computer and can also include a printer.

The remote unit 5 can also be a mobile phone, in which case the signals generated by the local unit 4 are displayed on the mobile phone and the readings of the particular sensors generated thereby can be read by a service representative. Can be shown.

FIG. 2 shows a screen of the kneading amount monitoring function.
In the kneader monitor system, a kneading amount monitor can be selected from many monitor functions. The kneading amount monitoring function can include a counter for counting the number of cycles of the kneading machine 2 per day or a specific time. Thereby, the kneading machine monitor system can also calculate and display the planned kneading amount / reserved kneading amount / remaining kneading amount / achievement rate / cumulative kneading amount / A-type planned kneading amount / B-type planned kneading amount.
In this case, the signal transmitted by the specific corresponding sensor 3 is processed and displayed.

In the kneading data monitoring function, the following items can be monitored. For example, it can be used to measure the amount of kneaded sand with a weight sensor to measure the amount of batch sand when kneading. The kneaded sand can be measured by a stroke counter and used to measure the properties of sand when kneading. Further, a motor load is measured by an ammeter, and a change in current of the kneader motor when the motor is used for kneading is measured. Attach a vibrometer to the drive to detect abnormal vibrations in case of trouble. Attach the sound collecting device to the drive unit and check the normal operation sound. When measuring the sand temperature directly above the kneader, the temperature change is measured with a thermometer.

Then, for example, a temperature sensor whose output is at a DC level is connected to a multiplexer, and the online sensor output is converted into a numerical signal. The converted output signal is used for processing for the local unit. The user can also select the programming language and operating system according to the required overall function.

Further, since the operation of the local unit can be configured by software, the setting of the local unit 4 can be updated at present or as required by a command or signal from the remote unit 5.
Furthermore, software developed for use on the remote unit 5 can analyze the measurement signals transmitted via the communication network and make decisions regarding the state of the kneader 2.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a sensor for measuring a desired attribute of a kneading machine and a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor are transmitted on a network. A local unit that is connected to the communication network, receives a signal corresponding to a desired attribute from the local unit, displays a desired attribute related to the kneading machine, and monitors the kneading machine at least during operation of the kneading machine. And a remote unit, which contributes to the casting industry, such as providing a kneader monitor system that monitors the kneader during production and transmits the data to a remote location. Is enormous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a monitor screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Kneader monitor system Kneader sensor Local unit 5 Remote unit 6 Signal line

Claims (4)

[Claims] A sensor for measuring a desired attribute of the kneading machine; a local unit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor on a network; a local unit connected to the communication network; A remote unit for receiving a signal corresponding to a desired attribute from the unit, displaying a desired attribute of the kneader, and monitoring the kneader at least during operation of the kneader. 2. The local unit includes determination means for determining whether the signal from the sensor is within a predetermined range, wherein the signal from the sensor is within the predetermined range. 2. The kneader monitor system of claim 1, wherein when outside of the kneader, the communication network is accessed and a signal is sent to the remote unit. 3. A kneading machine according to claim 2, wherein said remote unit communicates via said communication network to change said predetermined range associated with said determining means. Monitor system 4. The kneader monitor system according to claim 1, wherein the attributes of the kneader include at least kneading time and kneading data.