EP3501995A1 - Method for controlling the parameters of a strapping system - Google Patents

Abstract

The development relates to a method, a device and a system for strapping objects, steps being carried out: • Transporting an object by means of at least one conveyor device (13, 14) to a strapping station, • Forming at least one loop from a strapping band around the object a strapping device, • connecting the ends of the loop to one another. The control of the strapping process is to be simplified and made more flexible. For this purpose, it is proposed to use a microcontroller to monitor the movement of the components activated during the strapping and the object to be strapped by a control unit (11) and individually optimized for each strapping process. In order to avoid that certain areas are strapped, the following is proposed: • Detection of the optical features of the object by means of a camera (20); • Evaluation of the image of the camera (20) to determine Areas that should not be covered by strapping • Control of the strapping position so that the strapping position is outside the areas not to be strapped.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a method and a device or a system for strapping objects, and more particularly to a method for controlling the parameters of a strapping system.

STATE OF THE ART

Strapping machines are for decades proven devices for attaching strapped loops, usually made of plastic tape, to items such as packages, stacks of magazines, filled crates, etc. The items are usually transported on a conveyor in a tape guide frame. A flat strapping tape is fed to the tape guide channel in the tape guide frame by means of a tape drive. Subsequently, the thus formed band loop is pulled out of the band guide channel and stretched around the object to be strapped. In this state, the formed belt loop is separated from the tape leader, and the two ends of the belt loop are pressed against each other and bonded together. The connection of the loop ends is usually done by welding. For this purpose, closure units are used which heat the strip material by a heating element (hot plate or hot wedge) or by ultrasonic sonotrode and presses molten strip sections against each other. The WO 2008/019991 The applicant describes such a strapping machine.

The strapping station is located in the region of the strap guide frame, so that the loop formed by the strap guide frame is fixed at a certain position in a certain position around the object in the strapping position. But there are also known strapping machines without rigid tape guide frame. To form the band loop, the strapping band may e.g. be moved with lances along the object to be strapped or be guided by extendable tape guide channels.

The article conveyor typically includes multiple components. For example, the strapping machine may include an infeed conveyor that transports unrestrained strapping articles to the strapping station. Further, the strapping machine may include an outlet conveyor that transports the article away from the strapping station after strapping. Frequently, other conveyor components are arranged in front of the inlet conveyor and / or behind the outlet conveyor. These further conveying components can be, for example, simple roller conveyors with a slight gradient, on which the object to be strapped is transported in the direction of the fall due to its weight. However, driven roller conveyors or belt conveyors can also be used. In particular, in front of the strapping machine, a stowage cycle conveyor is frequently used, which transports isolated objects to the inlet conveyor of the strapping machine at predetermined times.

In practice, strapping machines are usually provided with Umreifungshilfsmitteln that support the movement of the object to be strapped or the strapping itself. For example, at least one stop can be provided, against which the object to be strapped is transported. Often two attacks are used, which in a plane transverse to the transport direction with are arranged at a distance from each other. When the object is transported against the stop by the conveying device, its front edge is aligned parallel to the plane defined by the stops. For strapping objects such as a newspaper stack, a hold-down can be used. This ensures that the objects lie directly on each other when strapping. In the case of compressible objects, it is also possible to use a packing press which pushes air out of the objects to be strapped or compresses these objects against an elastic restoring force.

To control the strapping process and the Umreifungshilfsmittel and the conveyor, such strapping machines have a control unit. The control unit is usually a PLC (programmable logic controller, English: Programmable Logic Controller, PLC). A PLC provides a programmable controller on a digital basis and has been replacing hardwired controllers programmed with their interconnects and electronic components for several years. A PLC usually has inputs for input signals, outputs for output signals, an operating system and an interface via which programs can be loaded onto the PLC. In the manufacturing company, the PLC is then programmed so that a basic setting of a machine is realized.

A service technician of the manufacturing company may change the programming of the PLC so that its controls can be adapted to the needs of the particular user as well as the individual requirements of the location in which the machine is installed.

It is desirable to optimize the control of such a strapping machine and the operation of such a strapping process, and in particular to increase the flexibility in everyday use and the quality of the strapping.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is generally proposed to replace the PLC of a strapping machine with a microcontroller. Microcontrollers are semiconductor chips which contain a processor and additional components which perform additional peripheral functions. On a microcontroller are usually memory and program memory. It is often referred to as a one-chip system or "system-on-a-chip".

In combination with the existing but also new drive means, measuring sensors and other elements of the strapping machine, the use of a microcontroller allows completely novel methods for carrying out the strapping or for the flexible change of the strapping parameters.

First aspect: detection of the strapping position

• Transportieren eines Gegenstandes mittels mindestens einer Fördervorrichtung zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• Bildung mindestens einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand mittels einer Umreifungsvorrichtung,
• Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,

wobei mindestens ein Positionserfassungsmittel die Position des Gegenstandes erfasst.According to a first aspect of the development described here, a method for strapping objects is provided, comprising the following steps:

• Transporting an object by means of at least one conveying device to a strapping station,
• Forming at least one loop of a strapping band around the object by means of a strapping device,
• Connecting the ends of the loop together,

wherein at least one position detecting means detects the position of the object.

• eine Erfassungsvorrichtung erfasst die Förderrichtung und Förderstrecke der Fördervorrichtung,
• die Signale der Erfassungsvorrichtung und des Positionserfassungsmittels werden an eine Steuerungseinheit übermittelt,
• die Steuerungseinheit steuert die Fördervorrichtung aufgrund der übermittelten Signale derart, dass der Gegenstand in mindestens eine Umreifungsposition transportiert wird, in der an dem Gegenstand die Schlaufe aus Umreifungsband an einer vorgegebenen Schlaufenposition gebildet wird.

To optimize the strapping position, the method further comprises the following steps:

• a detection device detects the conveying direction and conveying path of the conveying device,
• the signals from the detection device and the position detection means are transmitted to a control unit,
• the control unit controls the conveying device on the basis of the signals transmitted in such a way that the object is transported into at least one strapping position in which the loop of strapping band is formed on the object at a predetermined loop position.

In other words, starting from the detected by the position detecting means position of the object by the detection and monitoring of the conveyor line and conveying direction of the conveyor at any time the exact position of the object can be calculated. The signals of the detection device are transmitted to a control unit which, on the basis of this movement data, controls the conveying device so that the object is transported into one or more predetermined strapping positions. The control unit activates the strapping process in the strapping position, so that the loop is attached exactly at the predetermined position.

Previous PLC-controlled strapping machines of the applicant were controlled exclusively by a time programming. The programmed time could be reprogrammed if incorrect strapping positions were detected on the items. However, it was not possible to select the optimum strapping position for different objects at any time depending on the dimensions of the object or other conditions or to correct the positioning due to the signals of the position detection means or the drives for the object.

In practice, the position detecting means may detect the position of the leading edge of the object and the loop position in the control unit may be stored as a predetermined distance from the leading edge. In many practical cases, a first strapping at a predetermined distance, e.g. 10 cm, defined by the leading edge of an article to be strapped, such as a parcel. In addition, the leading edge of a parcel, during transport to the strapping station, is the first parcel section which is engaged by a fixed distance position detecting means to the strapping station. The use of the sensed leading edge provides the control unit with information about the next incoming object to be strapped as early as possible. Consequently, the necessary precautions can be taken to initiate the optimum strapping process.

It should be noted that the conveyor should not be stopped abruptly when the object to be strapped has reached the predetermined position in the strapping. With an abrupt stop of the conveyor device, the object to be strapped would slide further forward due to its inertia on the conveyor device. The exact position of the object to be strapped in the strapping station would be disturbed by this slipping process and unpredictable. In addition, there is a risk of tipping over, especially in the case of an article consisting of stacked elements due to brakes that are too fast.

The stopping of the conveyor must therefore be gentle. For this purpose, so-called speed ramps are specified, which achieve a steady decrease in the conveying speed with preferably constant deceleration. The predetermined ramp, which defines the degree of deceleration (deceleration), prevents impermissibly high negative accelerations. Also for the acceleration of the to be strapped Ramps can be defined to prevent inadmissibly high positive acceleration values.

The control of the movement of the conveyor on the basis of the signal for the leading edge arriving at the strapping machine makes it possible to control any positions in the conveying direction of the object after the detection of this signal. It is desirable to detect the leading edge signal as early as possible in order to have a certain period of time for the calculation of the control parameters. In order to make this period as long as possible, in practice a first position detection means can be arranged at a large distance from the strapping station on the strapping machine and detect there the position of the front edge of the object. For example, if the strapping machine has an infeed conveyor and a discharge conveyor, the first position detecting means may be located at the beginning of the infeed conveyor, i. at the end of the inlet conveyor, which has the greatest distance from the strapping station.

With such a large distance between the position detection means and the strapping station, however, deviations may result between the conveying path of the conveying device, in this case the inlet conveyor, and the moving distance of the object to be strapped. For example, the strapping article may be from an upstream conveyor unit, e.g. be transported from a Stautaktförderer to the conveying device of the strapping machine. The upstream conveying unit may have a different conveying speed than the conveying device of the strapping machine. In this case, it depends on the size of the friction coefficient between the bottom of the object to be strapped and the conveyor of the strapping machine on the one hand and the upstream conveyor unit on the other hand, whether the object moves at the speed of the upstream conveyor unit or the speed of the conveyor of the strapping machine.

It can be expected that some slippage between the conveyor and the object to be strapped can not be ruled out. Consequently, the movement of the leading edge of the article will not correspond exactly to the movement of the conveyor. A second position detection means may be arranged near the strapping station and detect the position of the leading edge of the object. With the value of the detected position of the front edge of the object detected by the second position detection means, the value of the detected conveyor line can be checked and possibly corrected. In general, the control unit can also assume control tasks depending on the detected measured values.

In other words, a rough sequence control of the conveying process of the conveying means is performed by the position of the front edge of the object detected at a large distance from the strapping station. The article is transported to the strapping station and transported to some extent by the tape guide frame in the strapping station so that it can be strapped in the predetermined position. When the leading edge arrives in the region of the strapping station, it is again detected and the value of the conveyor line can be corrected using the value of the actual position of the leading edge. The slip, which would change the exact position of the strap, is eliminated. At the time of detection of the leading edge near the strapping station, the object to be strapped will largely be carried solely by the conveyor of the strapping machine, so that from this point on the speed of the object will be substantially exactly equal to the speed of the conveyor of the strapping machine.

Alternatively or additionally, the position detection means can detect the position of the rear edge of the object and the loop position can be stored in the control unit as a predetermined distance from the trailing edge. Again, a plurality of position detection means may be provided which measure the trailing edge to possibly match the movement distance of the object relative to the movement of the conveying device. It can also be arranged position detection means such as photocells in upstream conveyor units, so that the length of the object to be strapped was determined well before arriving at the Umreifungsstation. The length of the object and thus the position of the trailing edge can be passed to the control unit as part of package accompanying data.

Furthermore, containers or packaging with predetermined dimensions, in particular predetermined lengths may be used, with machine-readable markings such as imprinted codes or RFID transponders being attached to the articles. Either the length value is coded in the information of the RFID transponder or of the machine-readable code (barcode or QR codes) and can be read out by a reading device at or near the strapping station. Or in the RFID transponder or the printed code an identifier associated with the object is stored, which is assigned to certain dimensions and in particular length values.

In addition, however, the detection of the position of the trailing edge is helpful in order to determine the exact positioning of the object to be strapped and to correct the position values determined from the movement data of the conveying device. In particular, when the position detecting means detects the position of the leading edge and the position of the trailing edge of the article, the loop position in the control unit may be set as the center between the leading edge and the trailing edge. Conventional strapping arrangements of longer items often include center strapping.

Furthermore, in practice, the object may first be transported by the conveying device to the position detecting means until the leading edge is detected, then transported further until the trailing edge is detected, from the conveying path the length of the object is determined and then the article in the Umreifungsposition is transported. If necessary, the article can be transported back if the length of the article is greater than the distance between the strapping station and the furthest position detection means. Even with such a measurement of the object, in the presence of a plurality of position detection means at different locations of the strapping machine, the measured value of further position detection means can be used to correct the length data determined by the conveyor path.

When strapping longer objects, the article can be transported into a plurality of strapping positions, in each of which a loop is formed on the object. Thus, a conventional strapping of a longer article has a loop near the leading edge, eg, at a distance of 10 cm, and a loop at an equal or similar distance from the trailing edge. For even greater length, add a loop in the center of the item. Finally, it is common practice to apply multiple strapping near the leading edge, near the trailing edge, or in the center of the article, in which, for example, two, three, or four loops with small pitches of the order of 10 mm are placed one upon the other. Also, the article can be transported in a first Umreifungsposition and provided with a loop having a predetermined distance from the leading edge and then subsequently each further transported by predetermined distances in a next Umreifungsposition and provided with a loop. This process is repeated until the distance of the strapping and thus the itself resulting distance of a loop to the trailing edge of the object to be strapped falls below a threshold, that is too small.

When the package length is measured in the strapping machine or in the upstream conveyor units, or when the package length is transmitted to the strapping machine as a record with package accompanying data, an optimal strapping pattern can be calculated individually for the package. For this purpose, a first loop position may be predetermined at a predetermined distance from the leading edge (for example 10 cm) and a second loop position at a predefined distance from the trailing edge. This results in the distance between the foremost and rearmost loop. This distance can be divided by a nominal distance between two successive loops. The resulting value can be truncated or rounded and forms the number of loops to be attached. The distance between the leading and trailing loops is divided by the resulting integer and the resulting value defines the distance between two successive loops. After each strapping, the object is conveyed forward by this distance.

• einem Barcode-Scanner zum Scannen eines an dem Gegenstand angebrachten Barcodes;
• eine Leseantenne zum Lesen eines an dem Gegenstand angebrachten RFID-Transponders;
• eine Kamera zur Erfassung der optischen Merkmale des Gegenstandes.

In practice, at least one property of the object can be detected by a recognition device. Data specifying the property of the item may be forwarded to the controller, and the controller may determine at least one loop position setpoint from the data specifying the property of the item. The detection device can be formed in the simplest form by the position detection means, usually a light barrier consisting of a light source and a light sensor. In this case, the detection device allows the transport of the object to recognize the length as a property of the object. However, the recognition device can alternatively or additionally be selected from

• a bar code scanner for scanning a bar code attached to the article;
• a reader antenna for reading an RFID transponder attached to the article;
• a camera for detecting the optical features of the object.

If an unambiguous, machine-readable identifier, for example a barcode, a QR code or an identifier stored in an RFID transponder, is attached to the object, this can be read out at the beginning of the strapping process or shortly before. The features associated with the article that are significant to the strapping process (length of the article, height of the article, strapping force, sensitivity to acceleration, and maximum acceleration values, etc.) may be stored in a central data store and retrieved. Due to the length of the object, the control unit can calculate, for example, optimum setpoint values for the loop positions. Alternatively, the setpoint values for the loop positions can also be stored assigned to the identifier and simply read out by retrieving the data assigned to the identifier.

A camera for detecting the optical features of the article can be used in a variety of ways to control the strapping process and in particular to define the loop position. The camera can be arranged, for example, on the tape guide frame. By analyzing the image taken by the camera, for example, the packet length can be determined. The setpoint values for the loop position are determined by calculating them either dependent on the packet length or retrieving them from a data memory in which different loop positions are stored for different packet lengths. Alternatively or additionally, a machine-readable code on the object can also be identified and read in the image recorded by the camera. In the machine-readable code, either an identifier for the object can be coded, in which properties of the object or direct set values for the loop position are stored in a data memory. The setpoints for the Loop position are then determined either by reading from the data memory or by evaluating the property or properties and assignment or calculation of appropriate setpoints. Alternatively or additionally, the setpoint values for the loop positions can be directly coded in the machine-readable codes. Machine-readable codes such as barcodes or QR codes are coded alphanumeric strings which are printed on a surface in machine-readable form. In these strings, the spacing of the loop positions may be included, for example, from the leading edge, the trailing edge, or the center of the packet, particularly as metric values, eg, numerical value representing the distance in millimeters.

In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a camera. When using a camera as a recognition device many other properties of the object can be detected. For example, an address field or a machine-readable code can be recognized on the article. For example, newspaper packages are often provided with a cover sheet on which address information of the recipient is printed alphanumerically and / or in machine-readable form (bar code, QR code). If a strapping band is placed over these address fields, the automatic reading of the address can be hindered. By evaluating the image of a camera, the position of areas that should not be covered can be determined. If setpoint values for the loop position are within these ranges, they may be changed such that strapping positions are outside of the address fields or the other areas not to be strapped.

As mentioned, limit values of the positive and / or negative acceleration by the conveying device exist for certain objects to be strapped. For example, newspaper stacks may not be accelerated at least prior to strapping so that the stacked newspapers slip to each other. In practice, the positive and / or negative acceleration of the conveyor device by the control unit can be numerically set to a value permissible for the respective strapping operation. Simultaneously with the activation of the strapping position, the timely beginning of the deceleration of the object is consequently determined by the control, so that the permissible amount of the acceleration is not exceeded. The permissible value of the acceleration can also be reset for each strapping process as a function of detected properties of the object to be strapped.

• mindestens eine Fördervorrichtung zum Transportieren eines Gegenstandes zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• mindestens eine Umreifungsvorrichtung zur Bildung einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand,
• mindestens einer Verbindungsvorrichtung zum Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander, wobei mindestens ein Positionserfassungsmittel die Position des Gegenstandes erfasst.

The present development according to this first aspect also relates to a strapping system for strapping objects having the following features:

• at least one conveying device for transporting an article to a strapping station,
• at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band around the object,
• at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together, wherein at least one position detecting means detects the position of the object.

• eine Erfassungsvorrichtung zum Erfassen der Förderrichtung und Förderstrecke der Fördervorrichtung,
• eine Steuerungseinheit, an die die Signale der Erfassungsvorrichtung und des Positionserfassungsmittels übermittelt werden,

wobei die Steuerungseinheit dazu eingerichtet ist, die Fördervorrichtung aufgrund der übermittelten Signale derart zu steuern, dass der Gegenstand in mindestens eine Umreifungsposition transportiert wird, in der die Schlaufe aus Umreifungsband an einer vorgegebenen Schlaufenposition an dem Gegenstand gebildet wird.In order to realize the method described in more detail above, the strapping system further comprises:

• a detection device for detecting the conveying direction and conveying path of the conveying device,
• a control unit, to which the signals of the detection device and the position detection means are transmitted,

wherein the control unit is adapted to control the conveying device on the basis of the transmitted signals in such a way that the object is transported into at least one strapping position in which the loop of strapping band is formed at a predetermined loop position on the object.

The strapping system may include a first position detection means at a large distance from the strapping station, a second position detection means near the strapping station, wherein the value of the detected conveyor path of the conveyor device is checked and possibly corrected by the value of the position of the front edge of the object detected by the second position detection means.

• einer oberhalb der Fördervorrichtung angeordnete Lichtschranke, bestehend aus einer Lichtquelle und einem Lichtsensor;
• einer oberhalb der Fördervorrichtung angeordneten Lichtschrankenleiste, bestehend aus mehreren zueinander beabstandeten Lichtquellen auf einer ersten Seite des Fördermittels und mehreren entsprechend beabstandeten Lichtsensoren auf einer der ersten Seite gegenüberliegenden zweiten Seite des Fördermittels;
• einer den Bereich oberhalb der Fördervorrichtung aufnehmenden Kamera.

The position detecting means may be selected from the following devices:

• a light barrier arranged above the conveying device, consisting of a light source and a light sensor;
• a light barrier strip arranged above the conveying device, consisting of a plurality of mutually spaced light sources on a first side of the conveying means and a plurality of correspondingly spaced light sensors on a second side of the conveying means opposite the first side;
• a camera receiving the area above the conveyor.

A single light barrier is usually arranged at a small distance above the conveyor or an upstream conveyor unit to include the passage of the leading edge of flat objects. A light barrier strip has the advantage over a light barrier that the height of the objects can hereby also be detected if the light sources are distributed over the possible height range. With horizontally juxtaposed light sources, the length can be detected. The combination of a horizontal and a vertical light barrier bar allows the detection of length and height.

A camera is nowadays a cost-effective position detection means. If the camera is arranged laterally of the conveying device, a marking can be mounted on the opposite side of the conveying device in order to determine with the camera exactly the positioning of the leading edge of an object when the marking is obscured by the leading edge. Similarly, the trailing edge can be determined when the mark is visible again. Height markings above the conveyor allow the detection of the height of the transported object with a camera. In the case of a fixed camera on the strapping machine, an absolute position value can be assigned to each of the pixels recorded by the camera. In this case, the markings can be omitted since the extent of the object up to a certain pixel (pixel) can be assigned directly to a position value.

• mindestens einem Drehwinkelgeber, der beim Drehen einer Welle eines Antriebsmotors der Fördervorrichtung elektrische Signale abgibt;
• einer Inkrementenscheibe, deren Drehbewegung mit der Drehbewegung einer Welle eines Antriebsmotors der Fördervorrichtung gekoppelt ist und ein Inkrementensensor, der von der Bewegung der Inkrementenscheibe erzeugte Signale erzeugt, wobei vorzugsweise die Inkrementenscheibe abwechselnd transparente und lichtundurchlässige Sektoren aufweist und der Inkrementensensor eine Lichtschranke ist.

In practice, the detection device for detecting the conveying direction and conveying path of the conveying device can be selected from

• at least one rotary encoder that emits electrical signals when rotating a shaft of a drive motor of the conveyor;
• an incremental disc whose rotational motion is coupled to the rotational movement of a shaft of a drive motor of the conveyor and an incremental sensor which generates signals generated by the movement of the incremental disc, preferably wherein the incremental disc has alternately transparent and opaque sectors and the incremental sensor is a light barrier.

Modern drive motors are already equipped with rotary encoders which emit signals associated with the rotational movements of the motor. These signals are in particular electrical impulses, which are respectively generated after the rotation of the shaft by a predetermined angular amount. The signal output means may be, for example, Hall sensors, which are the positions of elements of the motor shaft coupled to the Drive motor (eg the rotor poles) capture. Commercially available drive motors generate, for example, 15 signals per revolution of the motor shaft. For driving a drive roller of the conveyor a reduction gear is interposed. This reduction gear, for example, has a reduction ratio of 36/1, so that there are 540 signals per revolution of the drive roller or 3 signals per 2 degrees rotation angle of the drive roller. With a diameter of the drive roller in the order of 5-10 cm corresponds to the distance between two signals between 0.3 and 0.6 mm of the conveying distance of the object. As a result, a sufficiently accurate positioning of the object is possible. By incremental glass or plastic discs, which are transparent and have spaced-apart opaque increments that can be detected with at least one light barrier, the accuracy of the position control can be increased even more.

As mentioned above, according to the development described herein, a strapping system may include a recognition device for detecting at least one property of the article, which passes the property specifying data to the control unit which uses that data to determine at least one loop position setpoint. The recognition device may be a scanner for reading a printed machine-readable code or a reading antenna for reading an RFID transponder. The recognition device may alternatively or additionally be a camera which detects optical features of the article, including identifying and reading printed codes.

Second aspect: movement detection for strapping tools

• Transportieren eines Gegenstandes mittels einer Fördervorrichtung zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• Bildung mindestens einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand mittels einer Umreifungsvorrichtung,
• Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,
• Betätigen mindestens einer Antriebsvorrichtung für mindestens ein Umreifungshilfsmittel vor oder während des Umreifungsvorgangs.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of strapping articles is proposed, comprising the steps of:

• Transporting an object by means of a conveying device to a strapping station,
• Forming at least one loop of a strapping band around the object by means of a strapping device,
• Connecting the ends of the loop together,
• Actuating at least one drive device for at least one Umreifungshilfsmittel before or during the strapping process.

• eine Bewegungserfassungseinheit erfasst kontinuierlich die Bewegungsdaten des Umreifungshilfsmittels,
• die Bewegungsdaten werden an eine Steuerungseinheit übermittelt,
• die Steuerungseinheit steuert die Antriebsvorrichtung für das Umreifungshilfsmittel mittels der Bewegungsdaten aufgrund numerisch vorgegebener Sollwerte.

To optimize the control of the strapping tool, the method may further comprise the following steps:

• a movement detection unit continuously detects the movement data of the strapping tool,
• the movement data are transmitted to a control unit,
• the control unit controls the driving device for the strapping tool by means of the movement data on the basis of numerically predetermined desired values.

Analogous to the movement control of the object to be strapped on the conveying means, rotary encoders on the drive motors for the strapping aid can be used to detect the movement path and direction of movement. In other words, the control unit always has information about where the strapping tool is located. As will be described in detail below, the control unit can control the movement of the Umreifungshilfsmittels so that the strapping process can be completed in the shortest possible time and an optimal Umreifungsergebnis can be achieved. Powered strapping tools on strapping machines, which optimize the orientation and position of the object to be strapped during the process, are for example stops, hold-downs and / or pack presses. A stop is a body that can be moved into the movement path of the conveyor. The conveyor transports the article until it abuts against the stop. In general, the conveyor further promotes, slipping under the underside of the article. Due to the frictional forces between the conveyor and the bottom of the article this is pressed against the stop and thereby aligned. In most cases, two stops are provided on both sides of the center line of the conveying device, so that the object is aligned along a line perpendicular to the conveying direction. A hold-down is a movable bar which is moved on top of the object to be strapped. For example, if the item to be strapped is a stack of magazines, it is ensured that the top sheets of the stack of magazines lie smoothly against each other and are not damaged by the ribbon loop. A packing press works on a similar principle, but exerts a greater force on the object to be strapped and compresses it. After strapping, the object can no longer spring back due to the straps made of a fixed strapping band.

In practice, the strapping tool can be moved by the drive device to a reference position and the motion detection unit can detect the movement data of the strapping tool in relation to this reference position. The rotation angle-dependent signals output from the driving motors of the driving devices make it possible to determine the direction and, in predetermined increments, the amount of rotation of the motor shaft. From this, taking into account the gear ratios of the motion transmitting means, a value for the direction and the amount of displacement of the driven strapping tool can be directly calculated. An absolute position can not be derived from the signals of the drive motors. At the latest when switching off and then switching on the strapping machine, the control unit does not have information about the absolute position of the strapping or the Umreifungshilfsmittel. For this reason, the Umreifungshilfsmittel is moved to a reference position, for example against an end stop. The end stop can be provided with a switch which emits a signal to the control unit. When the control unit receives this signal, the position of the strapping tool is known. However, it is also possible for one or more encoders to be arranged along the movement path of the strapping aid, which in each case emit a signal when the strapping aid moves past, wherein the signal from each of the encoders signals that the reference position assigned to it is reached.

According to the prior art, the Umreifungshilfsmittel were driven after each strapping against the end stop. According to the present development, the absolute position of the Umreifungshilfsmittel during operation is known, so that the Umreifungshilfsmittel can be controlled depending on their determined from the movement data positions on the best possible setpoints and not at the end of a strapping process against the end stop must be moved.

In practice, a detection device may detect at least one property of the article transported by the conveyor, and the driving device of the strapping tool may control the target values for controlling the driving device depending on the detected property.

In other words, properties such as width or height of the object to be strapped can be detected. Depending on the height of the object, the set value for the height, in which the hold-down or the packing press must be moved in order to allow the supply or the removal of the object to be strapped. The height setpoint may be selected a few millimeters or centimeters above the top of the item to be strapped. The same applies to a packing press.

In the case of a stop, the width of the objects to be strapped can be recorded as a property. The attacks are moved in the strapping machines of the applicant laterally into the conveyor line. Depending on the width of the article, the setpoint values for the positions of the stops may be a few millimeters or centimeters outside the width of the article in order to allow trouble-free transport of the article to be strapped through the stops.

The fact that the Umreifungshilfsmittel be moved out of the path of movement and out of the contour of the object to be strapped, significantly reduces the way the Umreifungshilfsmittel must cover between two successive strapping, and thus the time required for the movement of Umreifungshilfsmittel is required. Since machine strapping of objects in automated production plants is extremely time-critical, this reduction in the time required for safe strapping can reduce the total time required to produce a certain amount, increase productivity and consequently reduce production costs.

The laterally fed into the conveyor line attacks serve as already mentioned, the alignment of the object to be strapped. The object is driven with the conveyor against the stops. The conveyor is also further moved when the object concerns at least one of the stops, so that acts on the friction on the underside of the object, a force that pushes the object in the direction of the attacks. If the object is aligned obliquely to the stops, its front edge will rest against only one of the two stops. Due to a lever arm between the resultant of the frictional forces of the conveyor belt, which usually runs in the middle, and the counterforce exerted by the one stop, a torque is generated, which rotates the object in the intended position, so that it also bears against the second stop , This torque is greater, the greater the distance between the two stops from the center line of the conveyor belt.

By detecting the width of the article, the stops can be controlled to a target distance between stops which is only slightly less than the width of the article. As a result, the two stops are as far outside as possible against the front edge. This causes the highest possible torque and a reliable orientation of the article on the conveyor.

In practice, the control unit can turn off the drive device in case of an impermissible deviation of the detected movement data from a desired value or operate in the opposite direction. As explained above, the motion detection unit detects the movement of the strapping tools by evaluating the motor signals representing the degree of rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor. Since the microcontroller also has a processor clock, the motion data can be set in relation to the time and converted into the current speed or acceleration. For the driven strapping aids, in particular the hold-downs and pack presses pressed from top to bottom against the objects to be strapped, the speed profiles are known during trouble-free operation or can be determined by trial runs. These desired speed profiles can be stored. In addition, it is known in which position a strapping aid comes into contact with the object to be strapped, when, as described above, properties such as width and height of the object have been detected by a recognition device.

If the speed or the acceleration of the Umreifungshilfsmittels prior to contacting the object to be strapped deviates from a desired value, in particular if the speed significantly below the target speed is, this may be an indication that an object or a person obstructs the movement of Umreifungshilfsmittels. To avoid damage or injury and to increase safety, the drive of the strapping tool can be switched off immediately or even moved back a certain distance. Also, too high a speed value may also indicate problems, such as damage to the coupling of the drive motor with the strapping tool or the absence of an object to be strapped. Also in this case, stopping the Umreifungshilfsmittels, if possible coupled with a signal to alert the staff, helpful.

• mindestens eine Fördervorrichtung zum Transportieren eines Gegenstandes zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• mindestens eine Umreifungsvorrichtung zur Bildung einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand,
• mindestens einer Verbindungsvorrichtung zum Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,
• mindestens einer Antriebsvorrichtung zum Antreiben mindestens eines Umreifungshilfsmittels vor oder während des Umreifungsvorgangs.

According to this second aspect of the invention, a strapping system for strapping objects may have the following features:

• at least one conveying device for transporting an article to a strapping station,
• at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band around the object,
• at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together,
• at least one drive device for driving at least one Umreifungshilfsmittels before or during the Umreifungsvorgangs.

In order to optimize the function of this strapping system with strapping aid, the system can be characterized in that a movement detection unit continuously acquires the movement data of the strapping tool and transmits it to a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the drive device based on numerical set values by means of the movement data.

The aforementioned Umreifungshilfsmittel may comprise one or more of the motor-driven auxiliary units of the strapping machine, in particular a stop, a hold-down or a pack press.

As explained above, a detection device may be provided which detects at least one property of the transported object, with set points for controlling the driving device of the strapping tool depending on the detected property (e.g., height or width of the object to be strapped). However, other setpoint values, such as the pressure force as a function of further properties, such as, for example, the strength of the object, can also be defined.

In particular, the control unit may control the driving device for the Umreifungshilfsmittel such that the Umreifungshilfsmittel depending on the detected property, in particular the height or width of the object to be strapped, after the strapping process only as far out of the transport path of the object is moved out that a free onward transport the object is possible. As mentioned above, the Umreifungshilfsmittel (laterally in the transport path moving attacks or moving from top to bottom packed presses and downholder) must be moved back only to the extent that the finished strapped object and the next object to be strapped can be transported freely past the Umreifungshilfsmitteln. Moving the Umreifungshilfsmittel back to its stop positions with maximum distance from the transport path is not required.

The control unit may in practice be adapted to switch off the drive device in the event of an impermissible deviation from a setpoint value for the movement data, in particular the speed and the acceleration of the strapping aid, or to actuate it in the opposite direction.

Third aspect: Umreifungsposition editor

• Transportieren eines Gegenstandes mittels einer Fördervorrichtung zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• Bildung mindestens einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand mittels einer Umreifungsvorrichtung,
• Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander.

According to a third aspect of the development described here, a method for strapping objects is proposed with the following steps:

• Transporting an object by means of a conveying device to a strapping station,
• Forming at least one loop of a strapping band around the object by means of a strapping device,
• Connecting the ends of the loop together.

• Anzeige einer Darstellung des Gegenstands auf einer Anzeigevorrichtung;
• Markierung mindestens einer erwünschten Umreifungsposition an der Darstellung des Gegenstandes durch manuelle Eingabe;
• Umrechnung der markierten Umreifungsposition in numerische Daten zur Festlegung der Schlaufenpostion an dem Gegenstand,
• Übermittlung der numerischen Daten der Schlaufenposition an eine Steuerungseinheit zur Positionierung des Gegenstandes;
• die Steuerungseinheit steuert die Fördervorrichtung aufgrund der übermittelten Daten derart, dass der Gegenstand in mindestens eine Umreifungsposition transportiert wird, in der die Schlaufe aus Umreifungsband an einer vorgegebenen Schlaufenposition an dem Gegenstand gebildet wird.

In order to enable the correct setting of the strapping machine even for less experienced users of the machine, the method is characterized by the following steps:

• Displaying a representation of the item on a display device;
• Marking at least one desired strapping position on the representation of the object by manual input;
• Conversion of the marked strapping position into numerical data for determining the loop position on the object,
• Transmitting the numerical data of the loop position to a control unit for positioning the object;
• the control unit controls the conveying device on the basis of the transmitted data such that the object is transported into at least one strapping position in which the loop of strapping band is formed at a predetermined loop position on the object.

In other words, a graphical editor is provided with which the strapping position is determined by manually entering a marking of the representation of the object to be strapped and converted into strapping positions that can be approached for the strapping machine. Such a procedure was unthinkable for the previous strapping machines with SPS. At best, the PLC could be reprogrammed by experienced personnel in order to timely realize the approach of different strapping positions. Since according to the development described here in particular the millimeter accurate approach of Umreifungspositionen due to the monitoring of the motion data of the drive motor for the conveyor is possible, and since the microcontroller can variably realize different Umreifungsabläufe due to new set points, here is a simple editing tool can be created with which the user by simply marking positions in the representations on the screen defines the strapping positions to be approached by the machine.

In practice, at least one Umreifungshilfsmittel can also be displayed on the display device and marked by means of a manual input a position of the Umreifungshilfsmittels in the displayed representation, wherein the marked position is converted into position data for the control unit and transmitted to this. Thus, in addition to the strapping positions, the user can also define desired positions for the strapping tools.

The manual entry is made by a conventional input device for a computer, e.g. by a mouse, a touchpad or a trackball or by touching the surface of a touch-sensitive display device. The strapping setpoints may also be numerically entered via a keyboard and then displayed on the display device in the representation of the object.

Fourth Aspect: Data sets with strapping parameters

• Transportieren eines Gegenstandes mittels einer Fördervorrichtung zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• Bildung mindestens einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand mittels einer Umreifungsvorrichtung,
• Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,
• Steuerung der Umreifungsparameter, welche mindestens die Umreifungsposition umfassen, mittels einer Steuerungs einheit.

According to a fourth aspect of the development described here, a method for strapping objects comprises the following steps:

• Transporting an object by means of a conveying device to a strapping station,
• Forming at least one loop of a strapping band around the object by means of a strapping device,
• Connecting the ends of the loop together,
• Control of the Umreifungsparameter, which comprise at least the Umreifungsposition, by means of a control unit.

• Abspeichern von Datensätzen mit Sollwerten für die Umreifungsparameter in einem Datenspeicher, der mit der Steuerungseinheit verbunden ist;
• Auswahl eines Datensatzes mit Sollwerten für die Umreifungsparameter für jeden Umreifungsvorgang durch die Steuerungseinheit.

For individual adaptation and optimization of the strapping process to the respective object to be strapped, the method may be characterized by the following steps:

• Storing records of target values for the strapping parameters in a data store connected to the controller;
• Selection of a dataset with set values for the strapping parameters for each strapping process by the control unit.

In other words, entire strapping recipes are stored in a data storage connected to the control unit, that is to say data sets in which the strapping positions but also other strains relevant to the strapping, such as the maximum acceleration of the object to be strapped, the straining force of the strap, are stored.

For each strapping operation, a set of strapping parameters may be selected and applied by the strapping machine controller to the strapping process. Of course, one data set can be used for several consecutive strapping operations. It is crucial that whenever the properties of the object to be strapped change other strapping parameters can be used.

Such a procedure is difficult to imagine in PLC-controlled machines. Here, the operation of the strapping machine must be stopped and the programming of the control system must be changed by experienced service personnel. In the strapping machine with the microcontroller, the strapping parameters can be flexibly changed for each strapping operation. Of course, the data sets with the setpoint values for the strapping parameters can also be calculated during the supply of the object to be strapped on the basis of recognized properties (length, height, width, weight, etc.) of the object to be strapped and stored in the main memory of the control unit. Again, this is a form of flexible adaptation of the strapping parameters in each strapping operation where the properties of the object to be strapped change.

It is also possible for a data set with set values for the strapping parameters to be transmitted to the control unit as parcel accompanying data and for the strapping process to be used for selecting a set of set values for the strapping parameters. In other words, the data records with the optimal strapping parameters can also be set far in front of the strapping machine or before the specific strapping process, for example in conjunction with standard properties of standard packaging. These setpoints can then be transmitted to the control unit either as a data record together with the corresponding object. From a central control computer, a data record can be transmitted via data lines to an interface of the control unit for each packet to be strapped. Alternatively, a plurality of data records can be stored in a central data memory assigned to an identifier with the identifier attached to the article to be ripened. In particular, an imprinted machine-readable code (barcode, QR code, etc.) or an RFID transponder is suitable as the identifier. The identifier is read out by a reading device of the strapping machine and the record to be used is retrieved from the central data memory using the identifier.

However, the strapping parameters can also be stored directly in the machine-readable code or in the data memory of the transponder. A suitable reading device, for example a reading antenna for the RFID transponder or a camera or a scanner for reading the printed machine-readable code is then attached to the control unit.

• Erkennen mindestens einer Eigenschaft des Gegenstandes durch eine Erkennungsvorrichtung und Übermitteln der die Eigenschaft des Gegenstandes spezifizierenden Daten an die Steuerungseinheit;
• Auswahl eines Datensatzes mit Sollwerten aufgrund der die mindestens einen Eigenschaft des Gegenstandes spezifizierenden Daten durch die Steuerungseinheit.

However, the method according to the above-mentioned fourth aspect of the invention can also be realized by the following steps:

• Recognizing at least one property of the object by a recognition device and transmitting the data specifying the property of the article to the control unit;
• Selection of a data record with nominal values on the basis of the data specifying the at least one property of the object by the control unit.

In other words, the length, height, width, etc., of the package can be recognized and a data set defined for specific value ranges of length, height, and width can be retrieved from the data memory of the machine. However, the selection of the setpoint with setpoint values can also be made by calculating the setpoint values taking into account at least one of the recognized properties (length, height, width, weight, etc.).

• Abstand der Umreifungsposition von der Vorderkante des Gegenstandes;
• Abstand von der Umreifungsposition von der Hinterkante des Gegenstandes;
• Anzahl der Umreifungen;
• Bandspannung des Umreifungsbandes;
• Position eines Anschlages während des Umreifungsvorgangs;
• Position des Anschlages während des Transports des Gegenstandes;
• Position eines Niederhalters oder einer Packpresse während des Transports des Gegenstands;
• Druckkraft des Niederhalters oder der Packpresse während des Umreifungsvorgangs.

In practice, the record may include setpoints for at least one of the following strapping parameters:

• Distance of the strapping position from the leading edge of the object;
• Distance from the strapping position from the trailing edge of the object;
• Number of strappings;
• Strip tension of the strapping band;
• Position of a stop during the strapping process;
• Position of the stop during the transport of the object;
• Position of a blank holder or a pack press during the transport of the object;
• Pressing force of the blank holder or the packing press during the strapping process.

• Lichtschranke;
• Lichtschrankenleiste, bestehend aus zueinander beabstandeten Lichtquellen auf einer ersten Seite des Fördermittels und mehreren entsprechend beabstandeten Lichtsensoren auf einer der ersten Seite gegenüberliegenden zweiten Seite des Fördermittels;
• Lesevorrichtung für aufgedruckten Code;
• Leseantenne für RFID-Transponder;
• Kamera.

The at least one property of the article may be recognized by at least one of the following recognition devices:

• Photocell;
• Light barrier strip, consisting of spaced apart light sources on a first side of the conveyor and a plurality of correspondingly spaced light sensors on a first side opposite the second side of the conveyor;
• Reading device for printed code;
• Reader antenna for RFID transponders;
• Camera.

The use of a camera as a recognition device allows the recognition of several properties, in particular the recognition of address fields, printed bar codes and other areas on the surface of the object to be strapped, which must not be covered by a strapping.

• mindestens eine Fördervorrichtung zum Transportieren eines Gegenstandes zu einer Umreifungsstation,
• mindestens eine Umreifungsvorrichtung zur Bildung einer Schlaufe aus einem Umreifungsband um den Gegenstand,
• mindestens einer Verbindungsvorrichtung zum Verbinden der Enden der Schlaufe miteinander,
• einer Steuerungseinheit zur Steuerung mehrerer Umreifungsparameter, einschließlich Umreifungsposition und Spannung des um den Gegenstand angebrachten Umreifungsbandes.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a strapping system for strapping objects is proposed, which has the following features:

• at least one conveying device for transporting an article to a strapping station,
• at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band around the object,
• at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together,
• a control unit for controlling a plurality of strapping parameters including strapping position and tension of the strapping band attached to the article.

For individual adaptation and optimization of the strapping process to the respective object to be strapped, this strapping system may be characterized in that a data memory is provided which is connected to the control unit and supplies the control unit with data sets for the strapping parameters.

The strapping system may include the above-described detection device for detecting at least one property of the object and transmitting to the control unit the data specifying the property of the object, the data being used to select a set of strapping parameters based on the at least one property of the object , The properties that can be detected, for example, with the recognition device, as well as the Umreifungsparameter, which can be controlled for example with the control unit, have already been mentioned before. The same applies to the technical devices that can be used as a recognition device.

Fifth aspect: control of the main shaft of the closure unit

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of strapping at least one article having a strap loop on a strapping machine with a closure assembly, the closure assembly including at least a first clamp for the front end of the strap loop, a second clamp for the rearward end of the strap loop and a welding device, wherein at least one belt loop formed from a strapping around the object, tensioned and closed by the closure unit, wherein a main shaft via cam at least the terminals and the welding device moves and is rotated during the closing operation by a drive motor in at least one predetermined angular position ,

A control of the closure unit by such a main shaft, often called a vertical shaft, has proven to be very robust and reliable. The cams on the main shaft control the movement of the components of the closure unit very reliable. The terminals usually have a cam driven by a cam of the main shaft clamping punch, which is pressed against an abutment plate, so that one end of the formed belt loop is clamped to the abutment plates. Furthermore, they move the welding device of the strapping machine against the areas of the strapping band to be welded between the clamps. The welding device often consists of a fusion welding device with a heating element which locally melts the plastic material of the strapping band. Alternatively, ultrasonic welding devices are used, which introduce energy via sonotrodes into the strip material and thereby melt it in the contact area of the strip sections to be welded. Both welding devices must be brought to a reliable system against the band sections to be welded. Current main shafts are controlled by control cams. The control cams mark the reaching of a predetermined angular position. By switching off the drive motor for the main shaft this remains in the predetermined angular position. However, it has been shown that the control cam lead to a certain dispersion of the actually achieved angular positions of the main shaft. The torque required to drive the main shaft varies. Already by the cams on the main shaft, this torque changes greatly. When the cam moves a plunger against a return spring, or even elastically compresses to produce a sufficient contact pressure, the required drive torque is high. When the cam plate guides the plunger in the direction of the force of the return spring, the torque becomes small or negative. The same applies to the operation of other components of the closure unit.

At a low torque, which counteracts the drive torque of the drive motor, resulting relatively long stopping distances for the drive motor. At a high torque, the stopping distances are shorter.

The static factors affecting the main shaft stopping path can be compensated by adjusting the static positioning of the control cams.

The resistance to the rotation of the main shaft but also affect variable factors, such as the temperature, humidity, lubrication of the components of the strapping machine, age of the lubricant, pollution and wear. All these factors influence the stopping distances. You can change at short notice. Temperature and humidity in the vicinity of a strapping machine can change significantly within a few minutes, so that during operation of the strapping machine, said stray results in the actual angular position of the main shaft achieved by the cam control.

It is desirable to be able to improve the control of the main shaft and, in particular, to be able to compensate for the influence of variable factors.

• eine Erfassungsvorrichtung erfasst den Drehwinkel der Hauptwelle,
• die Signale der Erfassungsvorrichtung werden an eine Steuerungseinheit übermittelt,
• die Steuerungseinheit vergleicht einen Sollwert für die Winkelposition mit dem aus den übermittelten Signale bestimmten Istwert der Winkelposition,
• die Steuerungseinheit verändert bei Abweichungen zwischen Sollwert und dem durch die Erfassungsvorrichtung erfassten Drehwinkel die Ansteuerung des Antriebsmotors.

This is achieved by the following steps:

• a detection device detects the rotation angle of the main shaft,
• the signals of the detection device are transmitted to a control unit,
• the control unit compares a target value for the angular position with the actual value of the angular position determined from the transmitted signals,
• the control unit changes in case of deviations between the desired value and the detected by the detection device rotation angle, the control of the drive motor.

In other words, during the rotation of the main shaft, a signal is continuously transmitted from the detection device to the control unit, which represents the rotation angle of the main shaft. The signal can also be taken from the direction of rotation, since the main shaft is rotated as needed, eg in case of disturbances contrary to the usual direction of rotation. As soon as the drive motor has rotated the main shaft to the predetermined angular position, the control unit compares a stored setpoint value for the angular position with the actual value of the angular position determined from the transmitted data. If the actual value deviates from the setpoint, the drive of the drive motor is changed. This can already be done when approaching the next angular position. In general, a large number of angular positions are approached by the main shaft during each closing operation of a belt loop, which are associated with different processing steps in generating and tensioning the belt loop to the object to be strapped and the welding of the loop ends. Deviates the first approached angular position by a certain amount of From the setpoint, so the stop process for the drive motor of the main shaft can be initiated sooner or later in order to achieve the target value for the second angular position exactly. Alternatively or additionally, the control device can modify the activation of the drive motor for the next start-up of the same angular position.

The proposed adaptive control of the drive motor control as a function of measured deviations between desired position and actual position allows a maximum precision in the control of the predetermined angular positions to be achieved, which always results in optimal control of the setpoint values of the angular positions, even under variable conditions. The optimum achievement of the desired values of the angular positions also ensures optimum functioning of the components actuated by the main shaft.

The cams of the main shaft may in practice move a plurality of components involved in the strapping process, the most common of which are listed below.

The closure assembly includes clamps, each having a clamp that can be pressed against an abutment plate to define one end of the band loop. A first clamp secures the front end of the strap loop after forming the strap loop. A second clamp secures the rear end of the strap loop around the object after tensioning the strap loop. Between the two terminals is the welding device. The clamps of the closure unit can be moved from the cam of the main shaft from an open position in which the clamping stamps have a distance from the abutment plate in a clamping position in which the clamping punch are pressed against the abutment plate and back.

The welding device of the closing unit can be moved from the cam from an inactive position to a welding position. If the welding device is a melting / welding device with heating element, the heating element, e.g. a heating tongue or a heating wedge, against which moves two sections of the strap to be welded. After heating, the heating element is withdrawn and another stamp pushes the tape sections to be welded against each other until they are cooled and the welding is firm.

In an ultrasonic welding device, a sonotrode is moved against two superposed belt sections, which are supported against a counter-plate. The sonotrode is placed in high-frequency vibrations and thus leads energy into the weld. To cool the weld, the vibration of the sonotrode is stopped and the weld is cooled without further input of energy. Subsequently, the sonotrode is again moved away from the strapping. Other welding devices are friction welding devices that generate heat by friction due to mechanical movement between the two strip sections to be welded.

At least one belt drive can be moved from an engagement position by being coupled with transport belts for the strap, into a release position in which there is no movement coupling between the belt drive and the transport rollers. Often there are two belt drives, namely a first drive which shoots and pulls the belt into the belt guide frame at high speed, and a second belt drive, also called tension drive, which clamps the drawn belt at low speed and high torque. The first low torque band drive may be permanently coupled to the strap transport rollers. The tensioning drive should be during the Shooting and retraction of the strapping be coupled out at high speed. The clamping drive is engaged and disengaged by one of the cams.

Further, an upper slide of the shutter assembly forming the abutment plate or abutment plates can be moved from a closed position to an open position and back. In the closed position closes a gap in a support table of the strapping machine. In the area of this gap, the formed belt loop is welded by the closure unit. In the open position, the upper slide releases the gap, so that the formed and closed belt loop can pass through the gap and abut against the strapped object.

If other components are used in the strapping of an object, these can also be driven by the main shaft. But it is also possible to drive additional components of the strapping machine, for example, the closing elements for the tape guide frame, the stops, pack presses and hold-down by separate drives.

In practice, the main shaft can approach multiple angular positions during each strapping operation. A first angular position is a reference position or sync position. In this reference position, a reference position mark is attached to the main shaft or connected to the main shaft, which cooperates with a sensor whose signal is sent to the control unit. The sensor thus detects a physical structure, e.g. a cam which is mounted on the main shaft. The reference position can be traversed during each strapping process so that the actual values of the rotation angles can be precisely detected on the basis of the signals of the detection device. In the reference position, however, the setpoint / actual value comparison does not take place since only one actual value is detected here in order to rule out errors in the actual value calculation for subsequent angular positions.

A first angular position of the main shaft, which can be approached during the strapping process, is associated with the withdrawal of the excess strip material. This angular position is driven after the shooting of the strapping in the tape guide frame after the free end of the tape moves against a sensor and actuates it. In this position, the first clamp clamps the free end of the tape firmly. Further, the drive direction of the first tape drive is inverted to pull back excess tape material.

As soon as the belt loop is slightly tensioned and stops the first belt drive with the low torque, a further angular position is associated, which is associated with the tension of the strip material. For this purpose, the tensioning drive is pressed in by the main shaft.

The next angular position of the main shaft is assigned to the welding position. In this angular position, the second clamp is closed by pressing the second nip against the abutment plate to define the second end of the tensioned belt loop, and a blade cuts the belt loop from the tape supply. The second clamping punch and the cutting edge are also actuated by cams of the main shafts. Further, in this welding position, the welding device is moved to the welding position. In other words, the heating element is moved against the two band sections to be welded. Alternatively, a sonotrode of an ultrasonic wave welding device is moved against the band sections to be welded.

The next angular position of the main shaft is associated with the cooling of the weld. In the ultrasonic welding apparatus, this angular position may be identical to the welding position. For cooling The weld is merely turned off by the supply of ultrasonic energy through the sonotrode. In a melt-welding device with heating element, the heating element is moved out of the weld in the cooling position and the heated band sections are pressed against each other via a stamp. This stamp can also be moved by the main shaft.

The next angular position is the opening position. In this open position, all terminals are opened and the welding unit is moved away from the formed belt loop. The upper slide, which carries the abutment plate, is moved out of the gap in the support table of the welding machine. The formed belt loop can now pass through the gap and move against the underside of the strapped object. In the open position, the cover elements of the tape guide frame are open as a rule. The opening position is therefore usually approached as an error position when problems arise during a strapping process. In this opening position, the strapping band can both be moved out of the tape guide frame, and be pulled out of the closure unit. Finally, a zero position is approached in which all components of the strapping machine remain until the next loop formation. In the zero position, the object to be strapped is transported further until a new loop is to be formed. Further, in the zero position, the strapping tape is shot into the tape guide frame. When the closing elements of the tape guide frame are also actuated by the main shaft, they are in the closed position when the main shaft is in the zero position.

The reference position or synchronization position is preferably between the zero position and the retraction position, so that it is traversed at the beginning of each new looping operation and the position determination is adjusted.

In practice, the detection device for the angular position of the main shaft can be formed by a rotary encoder of the drive motor, which emits electrical signals, in particular pulses when rotating the motor shaft of the drive motor. In the drive motors sensors such as Hall sensors are arranged in known manner, which generate pulse signals during rotation of the motor shaft. To generate the required torque, the drive motor may be connected via a reduction gear to the main shaft. The rotary encoder of the drive motor in a practical embodiment of the order of 700 pulses in one revolution of the main shaft from. The rotation of the main shaft can thus be resolved at a precision of about 0.5 degrees. In this embodiment, as mentioned, the reference position, also called synchronization position, is defined by a cam on the drive shaft which is detected by its own sensor (e.g., Hall sensor). The synchronization or reference detection compensates for rounding errors or other errors in the position determination, since the absolute angular position of the main shaft is known after each full revolution in the reference position.

Alternatively or additionally, the detection device may be an additional device, for example one or more light barriers, which cooperate with incremental discs mounted on the main shaft. Such incremental disks have alternately transparent and opaque portions and allow high-resolution rotation angle detection. Such an incremental disk may also include a reference mark, so that in this case the reference position is applied to the incremental disk of the detection device.

The invention further relates to a strapping machine with a closure unit, which has at least one clamp for the front end of the belt loop, a second clamp for the rear end of the belt loop and a welding device, wherein a main shaft via cams at least the terminals and the Welding device is moved and rotated during the closing operation by a drive motor in at least one predetermined angular position.

• eine Erfassungsvorrichtung, die den Drehwinkel der Hauptwelle erfasst,
• eine Signalleitung, über die die Signale der Erfassungsvorrichtung an eine Steuerungseinheit für den Antriebsmotor übermittelt werden,
• einen der Steuerungseinheit zugeordneten Datenspeicher, in dem mindestens ein Sollwert für die Winkelposition, gespeichert ist, wobei die Steuerungseinheit bei Abweichungen zwischen Sollwert und dem durch die Erfassungsvorrichtung erfassten Drehwinkel die Ansteuerung des Antriebsmotors verändert.

In order to optimize the control of the predetermined angular position, the strapping machine may have the following features:

• a detection device that detects the rotation angle of the main shaft,
• a signal line, via which the signals of the detection device are transmitted to a control unit for the drive motor,
• a data memory associated with the control unit, in which at least one setpoint value for the angular position is stored, the control unit changing the control of the drive motor in the event of deviations between the setpoint value and the rotation angle detected by the detection device.

• die Klemme des Verschlussaggregats von einer Offen-Stellung in eine Klemmstellung;
• der Schweißvorrichtung von einer Inaktiv-Stellung in eine Schweißstellung;
• mindestens eines Antriebs für das Band von einer Einrück-Stellung in eine Ausrück-Stellung,
• eines Oberschlittens des Verschlussaggregats von einer Schließstellung in eine Öffnungsstellung.

The main shaft may include cams for moving at least one of the following components:

• the clamp of the closure assembly from an open position to a clamping position;
• the welding device from an inactive position to a welding position;
• at least one drive for the band from an engagement position to a disengagement position,
• an upper slide of the closure unit from a closed position to an open position.

• einer Schmelz-Schweißvorrichtung mit Heizelement;
• einer Ultraschall-Schweißvorrichtung;
• einer Reibschweißvorrichtung.

The detection device may be a rotary encoder, which emits electrical signals when rotating a motor shaft of the drive motor. A reference position mark can be connected to the main shaft, which cooperates with a sensor whose signal is sent to the control unit. The welding device can be selected from:

• a melt-welding device with heating element;
• an ultrasonic welding device;
• a friction welding device.

The features disclosed in the present specification, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential both individually and in any desired combinations for the realization of the invention in various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische geschnittene Vorderansicht einer Umreifungsmaschine.
• Fig. 2 - 5 zeigen Draufsichten auf eine Umreifungsmaschine und vor- und nachgelagerte Stautaktförderer.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf den Einlaufförderer und den Auslaufförderer der Umreifungsmaschine aus Fig. 1.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine Vorderansicht eines Bandführungsrahmens der Umreifungsmaschine mit Niederhalter.
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine Vorderansicht eines Bandführungsrahmens der Umreifungsmaschine mit Anschlägen.
• Fig. 9 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Bildschirmanzeige für einen Umreifungseditor.
• Fig. 10 zeigt eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Bildschirmanzeige für einen Umreifungseditor.
• Fig. 11 -13 zeigen schematische grafische Darstellungsmöglichkeiten verschiedener Umreifungsbilder.
• Fig. 14 und 15 zeigen Bildschirmdarstellungen sogenannter Umreifungsrezepturen mit Sollwerten für alle Umreifungsparameter.
• Fig. 16 zeigt die Interaktion einer Umreifungsmaschine mit einem Datenspeicher für Umreifungsrezepturen.
• Fig. 17 zeigt eine Vorderansicht eines Verschlussaggregats einer Umreifungsmaschine.
• Fig. 18 zeigt eine dreidimensionale Rückansicht des Verschlussaggregats aus Fig. 17.
• Fig. 19 zeigt eine dreidimensionale Darstellung der Hauptwelle des Verschlussaggregats aus den Fig. 17 und 42 mit Antriebsmotor und Getriebe.
• Fig. 20 zeigt eine Seitenansicht der Hauptwelle mit Antriebsmotor und Getriebe aus Fig. 19.

Embodiments of the above-mentioned developments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional front view of a strapping machine.
• Fig. 2-5 show plan views of a strapping machine and upstream and downstream Stautaktförderer.
• Fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the inlet conveyor and the outlet conveyor of the strapping machine Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 7 shows a front view of a tape guide frame of the strapping machine with hold-down.
• Fig. 8 shows a front view of a tape guide frame of the strapping machine with stops.
• Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a first screen display for a strapping editor.
• Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a second screen display for a strapping editor.
• Fig. 11 -13 show schematic graphical representation of different Umreifungsbilder.
• Fig. 14 and 15 show screenshots of so-called Umreifungsrezepturen with set values for all Umreifungsparameter.
• Fig. 16 shows the interaction of a strapping machine with a data store for strapping recipes.
• Fig. 17 shows a front view of a closure unit of a strapping machine.
• Fig. 18 shows a three-dimensional rear view of the closure unit Fig. 17 ,
• Fig. 19 shows a three-dimensional representation of the main shaft of the closure unit from the Fig. 17 and 42 with drive motor and gearbox.
• Fig. 20 shows a side view of the main shaft with drive motor and gearbox Fig. 19 ,

The in the Fig. 1 illustrated strapping machine 1 is used for strapping objects 7 with a strapping 2, which is withdrawn from a supply device 4 from a supply roll (not shown) and fed to a tape magazine 5. From there, the strapping band 2 is fed by means of a belt conveyor 6 through a tensioning device 8 to a belt guide channel in a belt guide frame 9, so that the belt forms a loop. The tape guide frame 9 has the shape of a U with the opening below, so that the strap 2 is guided from the first side of the support for the article 7 by means of the tape guide frame 9 U-shaped around the object 7 to the other side of the support. As mentioned above, other forms of the tape guide frame and other types of strapping are known, for example, the passing around the strapping by means of grippers and lances. It is essential in the context of this development that the strapping machine 1 generates a belt loop at a certain position. The tape is then pulled back by the drive of the belt conveyor 6, so that the belt loop fits snugly against the object 7. Now the tensioning device 8 is activated, so that the belt loop is pulled around the object 7 with a predetermined high tension force. Subsequently, the loop beginning is connected to the loop end by means of a closure unit 10. The closure unit 10 consists in practice of a welding device, for example of an ultrasonic welding device, which welded together the two ends of the formed packing loop. Such a closure unit is for example in the document EP 1 479 611 A2 described. The closure unit 10 welds the film-like plastic material of which the strapping 2 consists.

The conveying device for the article 7 is in Fig. 1 not shown. A control unit 11 for the strapping machine 1 is in Fig. 1 shown on the right side of the strapping machine 1. The control unit 11 has a circuit board 3 with a microcontroller which controls or regulates the functions of all functional elements of the strapping machine 1. On the control unit 11, a part 12 of a connector is arranged, which is formed in the present case as a female part 12 of the connector.

The control unit 11 also controls the drives for Umreifungshilfsmittel, in particular additional units of the strapping machine 1. In Fig. 1 is the first auxiliary unit to recognize a hold-22, which presses from above on the object to be strapped 7. Further, as additional units, a left stop 25 and a right stop 26 can be seen, which align the object to be strapped 7 before the strapping process. The two stops are attached to the tape guide frame 9 and driven counter-synchronously, that is, they have the same distance to the center of the strapping machine 1 at any time. The function of the stops 25, 26 is described in more detail below.

The Fig. 2-5 show schematic plan views of each one strapping machine 1 with upstream and downstream Stautaktförderern 15, 16 and with the packages to be strapped 7, 7 '. The strapping machine 1 itself has two conveying devices. An inlet conveyor 13, in the Fig. 2-5 to the left of the tape guide frame 9, and an outlet conveyor 14, which in the Fig. 2-5 right of the tape guide frame 9 is located. The inlet conveyor 13 and the outlet conveyor 14 each consist of a pair of synchronously driven conveyor belts. The upstream accumulation conveyor 15 and the downstream accumulation conveyor 16 may be any conveying means, such as belt conveyors or roller conveyors.

The conveying direction for the article 7 to be strapped, generally a package, is shown above the input-side accumulation conveyor 15 as an arrow. Of course, the conveying direction of all conveyors can also be reversed.

All illustrations show a first position detecting device 17 near the end furthest from the tape guide frame 9 of the infeed conveyor 13. The tape guide frame 9 defines the strapping position. A belt loop is formed by the strapping machine in the center plane of the tape guide frame 9. The embodiment of the strapping machine in Fig. 4 and 5 has another position detecting device 18 near the tape guide frame 9. A third position detecting device 19 is arranged in this embodiment in the region of the belt guide frame 9 remote from the end of the discharge conveyor 14. The position detection devices 17, 18, 19 usually consist of light barriers. Each light barrier 17, 18, 19 has a light source and a light sensor. The light sensor receives the light from the light source a short distance above the inlet conveyor 13 and the outlet conveyor 14. In this way, it is ensured that the position detecting means 17-19 detect both flat and tall objects.

The position detecting means 17 located near the input side accumulation conveyor 15 sends a signal to the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 as soon as an object 7 is transported from the input side accumulation conveyor 15 to the intake conveyor 13. The inlet conveyor 15 is driven by a drive motor 57 (FIG. Fig. 6 ), which has a rotary encoder. The rotary encoder generates when turning the drive shaft of the drive motor 57 at predetermined angular intervals signals that are sent to the control unit 11. The signals are schematic in Fig. 6 shown as a square wave. It can be seen that two signals with the same frequency but a phase offset from the drive motor 57 of the inlet conveyor 13 are delivered. Due to the phase offset, the different directions of rotation can be identified by the control unit. As stated above, the distance between two signals of the drive motor 57 may correspond to a conveying path of the intake conveyor 13 in the order of 0.3 to 0.6 mm. The outlet conveyor 14 is driven by a corresponding drive motor 58. Also, this drive motor 58 outputs signals to the control unit 11, which correspond to the conveying path of an object on the outlet conveyor 14 and can detect the conveying direction.

Characterized in that the conveying direction and conveying path of the inlet conveyor 13 and the outlet conveyor 15 are detected, it is from the first detection of the position of the object when passing the input-side light barrier 17 at any time possible, the position of an on the conveyors 13, 14 of the strapping machine 1 object 7, 7 'to determine. This position determination can be made even more precise by the second position detection means 18 and the third position detection means 19. Depending on the application, the upstream Stautaktförderer 15 may have a different conveying speed than the inlet conveyor 13 of the strapping machine. In this way, a slip between the conveyor belt of the inlet conveyor 13 and the object to be strapped 7, 7 'arise. Runs the upstream accumulator conveyor 15 faster, the object to be strapped 7, 7 'moved faster than the conveyor belts of the inlet conveyor 13. Runs the accumulator conveyor 15 slower, the article 7 moves slower than the inlet conveyor 13, until its weight force substantially only is carried by the conveyor belts of the inlet conveyor 13. When a second position detecting means 18 is provided near the tape guide frame 9, it can detect the actual position of the leading edge of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped near the strapping plane of the tape guide frame 9. In this way, any existing slip between the object to be strapped 7, 7 'and the inlet conveyor 13 can be compensated. Also at the opposite end of the strapping machine 1, ie at the edge of the outlet conveyor 14 remote from the strap guide frame 9, a position detecting means 19 may be provided (see Fig. 4 and 5 ). This then allows the operation of the strapping machine 1 in both directions. In addition, the position detection means 19 detects in the drawn conveying direction, the trailing edge of the object to be strapped 7 during removal and indicates when the strapping machine 1 is completely free for another object to be strapped.

The positional control of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped is carried out by using the position detecting means 17, 18, 19 and the conveying direction and conveying path detecting device of the intake conveyor 13. After detecting the leading edge of the object 7, 7' to be strapped, its position is continuously known because they are from the conveyor line and conveying direction of the conveyor ie of the inlet conveyor 13 can be calculated. Near the tape guide frame 9, this position value can be corrected once again, if here the second position detection means 18 is provided. Due to the incremental signals that the detection device for detecting the conveying direction and conveying path, the position can be controlled with an accuracy of less than 1 mm. Upon further transport of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped, the trailing edge of the object 7, 7' to be strapped is also detected at the position detection means 17. Since the conveyor line is known, the length of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped can be deduced therefrom. This also makes it possible to avoid disturbances caused by empty strapping. In prior strapping devices, the strapping positions were fixed by fixed timing of the strapping machine. If, for some reason, the object to be strapped was too short, a loop of tape was still formed. Such Leerumreifungen can lead to disturbances of the strapping machine. With the present development, such disturbances can be avoided. If it is determined that a strapping position would create a loop outside the contours of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped, the strapping at this position can either be avoided or the object 7, 7' to be strapped can be displaced by the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 in that the position of the strapping lies securely within the contours of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped. Such a displacement can also take place when it is determined that a loop is to be generated with too little distance from the leading edge or from the trailing edge of the object to be strapped.

By determining the length of the object to be strapped, it is also possible to precisely approach the center of the object 7, 7 'to be strapped. In the FIGS. 2 and 3 a first article 7 to be strapped is shown, the length of which is already detected when the first strapping is applied. The to-be-strapped Item 7 'in Fig. 5 is longer. Its total length can be detected only when its center has already been transported past the strapping plane of the tape guide frame 9. In this case, to determine the precise length of the object 7 'to be strapped, it may be moved to a position where its length becomes known by the signal of the position detecting means (photocell) 17 because the trailing edge of the object 7' to be strapped is at the position detecting means 17 passes by. Subsequently, the object to be strapped 7 'can be transported back to produce a Mittenumreifung exactly in its center.

If the transport of the article 7 'to be strapped in two directions is too time-consuming, the machine control can also easily facilitate the further transport and omit the center strapping. As described elsewhere, but also the length of the object 7 'can be determined in advance and transmitted to the control unit. In this case, center strapping is possible without the trailing edge of the object having passed through the light barrier 17.

The strapping images that form with this strapping machine can have any structure. Below, exemplary structures of the strapping images will be described.

In the Fig. 5 is also shown schematically a recognition device 20 on the tape guide frame 9 approximately in the middle above the strapping. The recognition device 20 may be a printed code scanner (barcode or QR code). It can also be a camera which takes a picture of the strapping zone below the tape guide frame 9. The camera can also identify and read printed codes in the captured image. Further, as a recognition device 20, a reading antenna for RFID transponders can be used, which can be attached to the objects to be strapped 7, 7 '. Of course, the recognition device 20 can also have several components (camera and RFID reader antenna). Characteristics of the object to be strapped can be recognized by the recognition device 20, as a result of which the strapping position can be varied.

For example, a camera can recognize as a recognition device 20 dimensions or other properties of the object to be strapped, which have an influence on the loop position. On the basis of certain identifiers of the object, such as the color of the packaging or a machine-readable code printed on the article, further properties of the object can be identified. For example, the strength of the article may be coded or the weight so that the correct belt tension or the required number of strappings can be set for the article with the corresponding properties. In particular, when using a camera as a recognition device 20 and areas on the object can be identified in which no belt loop should be arranged.

In Fig. 5 It can be seen that the object 7 to be strapped has an address field 21. In the address field 21, for example, a barcode with information about the object to be strapped 7 or with address information can be arranged. The address information may also be printed on the address field 21 as a readable alphanumeric indication. The dotted lines in Fig. 5 show the area that is captured by the camera as the recognition device 20. If an address field 21 is identified by the camera 20, the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 can control the conveying devices 13, 14 of the strapping machine 1 such that the strap loops are not generated on the address field 21.

The Fig. 7 shows the front view of the tape guide frame 9 and arranged on the tape guide frame 9 blank holder 22. The hold-22 is used for example when strapping objects 7 as newspaper stacks. Before applying the belt loop, the hold-down 22 is pressed from above on the object to be strapped 7, so that individual elements of the article 7 firmly against each other. For larger objects 7, in particular packed pallets, instead of a hold-down 22, a pack press can press from above onto the object 7 in order to compress it.

Fig. 7 also schematically shows the drive motor 23 for the hold-22. Also, this drive motor 23 is equipped with a rotary encoder that emits signals upon rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor 23 at regular intervals. The hold-down 22 forms a first Umreifungshilfsmittel the strapping machine 1. On the basis of the signals of the drive motor 23 for the hold-22 whose motion data is continuously detected and transmitted to the control unit 11 of the strapping machine. The control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 controls the hold-down 22 on the basis of this movement data to numerically predetermined setpoints.

The movement path of the hold-down 22 has at least one stop position. Two positions of the holddown are in Fig. 7 shown. The upper position P ₀ is the upper stop position of the blank holder 22. At the beginning of the operation of the strapping machine 1, the hold-down 22 is moved to the uppermost position P ₀ . Subsequently, during operation of the strapping machine, the current position of the hold-down 22 is known in each case on the basis of the movement data, namely the signals of the drive motor 23. The position P ₀ in this case is the reference position with respect to which the current position of the blank holder 22 is determined by means of the movement data.

As described above, the strapping machine 1 can be coupled to detection devices that detect at least one property of the objects transported by the conveyor device, the recognition device can be a camera that allows the height of the object or the length of the object to be determined via image evaluation. There may be provided a height measuring device that works with optical or acoustic signals. Such a height measuring device is known in various embodiments. In particular, the height of the object to be strapped 7 is considerable for the operation of the strapping machine 1 with hold-down 22.

In the prior art, the hold-down 22 took the uppermost stop position P ₀ after each strapping operation. By recognizing the height of the object 7 to be strapped, it is possible to dispense with the hold-down device 22 in each case in the uppermost position P ₀ . The hold-down 22 is only to be arranged a certain distance above the object 7 to be strapped. This safety distance 24 is in Fig. 7 hatched drawn and provided with the reference numeral 24. In the position P ₁ , the hold-down 22 is at the safety distance 24 above the object to be strapped 7. For the supply of the article 7, the lifting of the blank holder 22 is sufficient to this position P ₁ . Since there is no need to wait for the further transport of the object to be strapped until the holding-down device 22 has been moved into the position P ₀ , the strapping process and in particular the transport process for the object 7 to be strapped can be considerably accelerated. In the active position (not shown), the hold-down 22 rests on the top of the object to be strapped and exerts a compressive force on it.

The Fig. 8 shows the tape guide frame 9 the other, in Fig. 1 The strapping aids 25, 26 are driven by a drive motor 28 and are coupled such that they are the same distance from the center of the Tape guide frame 9 have. In the maximum distance D ₀ , the two stops 25, 26 abut against outer movement stops. The drive motor 28 in turn outputs rotation angle signals during rotation.

At the beginning of the operation of the strapping machine 1, the stops 25, 26 are moved to maximum distance D ₀ from each other. This position is the reference position of these strapping tools. Alternatively, the abutment against a center stop can be used as a reference position against which the stops 25, 26 abut with minimum clearance. By the rotation angle signals of the drive motor 28, starting from the reference position at any time the current position of the stops 25, 26 are determined by the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1.

The control unit 11 takes into account in the control of the stops 25, 26 again at least one property of the object to be strapped, in particular its width. This is detected by one of the recognition devices already described above. The stops 25, 26 are brought to such a distance from each other that they are within the contour of the object to be strapped 7 as close as possible to the outer edges. This is in Fig. 8 the distance D ₁ between the two stops 25, 26. The conveying device of the strapping machine 1, in particular the inlet conveyor 13 promotes the object to be strapped 7 with respect to Fig. 8 towards the viewer too. The object to be strapped 7 thus encounters with his in Fig. 8 visible front against the two stops 25, 26 on. By the control unit 11, the stops 25, 26 are set to the largest possible distance from the center of the strapping machine 1, so that they are still safe within the contours of the object to be strapped 7. This ensures that an object to be strapped 7, which is moved by the inlet conveyor against the stops 25, 26, aligns with the plane of the stops 25, 26, if it is slightly inclined. Even if the object to be strapped 7 from individual items, the magazines o.ä. is made, the entire front surface of the object to be strapped 7 at the plane which is formed by the two stops 25, 26, aligned.

The stops 25, 26 are moved apart when the object to be strapped 7 is transported further. So far, the stops 25, 26 were moved apart in their initial position with the distance D ₀ . In the present development, it is sufficient to move the stops 25, 26 into a position in which the object to be strapped 7 can easily pass through the stops 25, 26. In Fig. 8 This position is reached when the stops 25, 26 have a slightly smaller distance than D ₀ to each other. This distance can be redetermined for each package width (width of the object to be strapped 7). In this way, on the one hand it is ensured that the object to be strapped 7 is moved safely between the stops 25, on the other hand, it is avoided that the stops 25, 26 have to cover unnecessary travels, which takes up unnecessary time.

In the Umreifungshilfsmitteln, ie the stops 25, 26 and the hold-22, the control unit 11 can monitor the movement data and compare with setpoints. If the acceleration or velocity of these strapping tools is inadvertently deviated from a predetermined set point at any time, the movement of the strapping tool can be stopped or the strapping tool 22, 25, 26 driven a certain distance in the opposite direction. The deviation from the motion data may indicate that the strapping tool encounters resistance and that further drive in the predetermined direction could result in damage to either the article or the strapping tool. When stopping or retracting the Umreifungshilfsmittels a warning signal can be delivered to a service technician at the same time.

The Fig. 9 shows a first screen representation for programming a strapping machine according to the present development. The screen itself can either be arranged directly on the strapping machine 1. It may alternatively be connected to a control computer connected to the strapping machine 1 via a local area network or Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet. On the screen several icons can be recognized, which designate different strapping recipes. Icon 101 on the left side indicates the pass where no strapping takes place. The icons 102 to 107 denote six different strapping formulations. The icon 108 activates the programming screens on which the strapping can be determined by the strapping machine 1.

Fig. 10 shows a programming screen on which the strapping positions can be numerically defined. In the upper middle of a screen display 109 can be seen with a package on a conveyor belt. This screenshot shows the overall picture with all strapping. Below this, three strapping positions are defined in three mutually arranged representations 110-112. The strapping position shown above is defined by a distance of 100 mm from the leading edge of the package. The middle strapping position is defined by a distance from the center of the packet. No value is given here, so this distance is zero. The strapping position shown below is defined by a distance from the trailing edge of the package, here again 100 mm. Any number of strapping positions can be added. If necessary, the positions have to be split over several screens. The positions can be entered numerically eg via a keyboard.

The illustrations to the right of the strapping positions refer to the belt tension. This is shown graphically here with a symbol for the standard belt tension. However, it can also be set numerically as a percentage of a predefined standard belt tension.

Possible resulting strapping images are in the FIGS. 11 to 13 shown. Fig. 11 shows a first Einzelreifreifung at a distance from the leading edge, a second Einzelumreifung in the middle and a third Einzelumreifung with a distance from the trailing edge. This variant is the same as the screen display in Fig. 10 defined strapping. The Fig. 12 shows a Mehrfachhreifung, here a quadruple strapping, with a predetermined distance from the leading edge and a corresponding Mehrfachierreifung with a predetermined distance from the trailing edge. As Mittenumreifung here a Einfachumreifung is provided. The Fig. 13 shows a front strapping at a predetermined distance from the leading edge and a rear strapping at a predetermined distance from the trailing edge. In between there is a plurality of equidistant strapping. In this way, depending on the length of the package to be strapped, a Mehrfachumreifung be made with each uniform spacing between two individual strapping. The distances between the equidistant strapping can be entered on the input screen or calculated automatically by the control unit 11 with an optimal value based on the measured packet length.

Also the representations of the Fig. 11 to 13 can be used to display the article as well as the strapping to be applied to it on a screen of a strapping editor. Instead of entering the distances numerically, the distance is defined here simply by marking one of the strapping representations with a mouse and by clicking and dragging on the object to be strapped.

The strapping positions defined on the screen are converted into numerical data for determining the loop position on the object and set by the control unit of the strapping machine 1. The control unit 11 controls the conveying device 13, 14 for the object to be strapped 7 such that in each case a loop is produced at a position predetermined on the screen by means of the strapping editor. Preferably, such programmed data sets with set values for the strapping parameters are stored in a data memory which is connected to the control unit 11. This is schematically in Fig. 16 shown. The data memory 29 may be a data memory integrated in the control unit 11. Known writable data storage devices such as hard disks, SSD memories are suitable for integration into the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1. However, ROM data memories such as CDs can also be provided with the data records of the nominal values. For example, when optimizing the machine control by the manufacturer, a CD or DVD may be used to change the stored data. In this case, the strapping machine 1 or a computer networked with it is provided with a reading unit for such data carriers.

The strapping machine 1 can also be connected to the Internet or a closed computer network. In this case, the manufacturer of the strapping machine 1 can overwrite a writable data memory of the control unit 11 with updated data. Alternatively, during operation, the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 can access a data memory 29 via the Internet or another data network, on which strapping parameters specified by the manufacturer or user of the strapping machine 1 are stored. Any combination of internal and external data storage is possible. For each object to be strapped, a data record with set values for the strapping parameters which are set by the control unit on the strapping machine 1 can be selected. The data set includes not only the strapping positions and the belt tensions, but may also include the position of the blank holder 22, the stops 25, 26 of a packing press or other auxiliary equipment or strapping aids controlled by the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1.

The data record can also be supplied in the form of package accompanying data to the strapping machine 1. These parcel accompanying data can be stored, for example, in an RFID transponder, which is fastened to the object 7 to be strapped. Alternatively, they can be entered in a printed machine-readable code. This code can be read by a reading device of the strapping machine 1 (e.g., camera, code scanner, receiving antenna for reading out RFID transponders).

Also, simple identifiers (e.g., via RFID transponders or printed codes) attached to the packet may be attached to each of the records. After the identifier has been read, these data records are read from a local data memory of the strapping machine 1 or via a network from a remote data memory 29.

Alternatively, the dataset with the strapping parameters may be selected by detecting at least one property of the object. Strapping machines are often located in logistics centers where only a limited number of items are strapped. Each item may be associated with a certain strapping program. The items are then identified either by particular identifiers that are read out, or simply by their height, width, length, weight or contour. The contour recognition can in turn be ensured with a camera 20 which is attached to the strapping machine 1.

However, it is also possible to use the light barriers or light barrier strips described above for detecting at least one property of the object to be strapped.

The Fig. 14 and 15 show, by way of example, a structure of the data records for nominal values of the strapping process. First is in Fig. 14 listed the Umreifungsbild, which may include a variety of strapping positions. Second is the tape tension in Fig. 14 listed. This can either correspond to the standard belt tension of the strapping machine or be selected depending on the height. Any other belt tension selection procedures, including manual entry, are possible.

For the conveying devices, that is to say the inlet conveyor 13 and outlet conveyor 14 of the strapping machine 1, nominal values can also be specified in the section "transport". These can include the maximum transport speed, the start and stop ramp, ie the acceleration during acceleration and the deceleration during braking, a strapping release over a distance of the conveyed track for interval strapping and other values. In the section "Machine Options" are the setpoints for additional units and strapping tools. The set values for the hold-down and the stops are in Fig. 15 specified more precisely.

The Fig. 17 shows a front view and the Fig. 18 a rear perspective view of a closure unit of a strapping machine according to the development described here. The details are particularly in the perspective rear view of Fig. 18 to recognize. Here, one sees a tape drive 30 and a tensioning drive 31. The tape drive 30 is continuously coupled to a drive roller 32, which is coupled by the strap 2 (not shown in FIGS. 41-44). The tensioning drive 31, however, is pivotally mounted on a rocker 34, so that it can be pressed against a second tensioning roller 35, depending on the operating state of the machine with the tensioning roller 33 driven by it.

Furthermore, a welding device 36 is provided, which welds the ends of a formed belt loop. On the right and left of the welding device 36 are provided terminals which are formed by clamping punches 37, 38 which are pressed against an abutment plate and pinch the beginning and the end of a formed belt loop. The welding device 36 welds the belt areas lying between the clamps 37, 38 together.

At least the two clamping punches 37, 38 and the welding device 36, but preferably all movable components of the closing unit 39 are called by a main shaft 40, also called king shaft driven. For this purpose, a plurality of cams 41 to 46 are arranged on the main shaft 40. The cam 41 controls the first clamping punch 37. The cam 42 controls the second clamping punch 38. The cam 43 controls the welding device 36. The cam 44 controls a top slide 47, which is displaced to during welding an abutment for the clamping punch 37 and 38th and to form the welding device 36. In the second sliding position, it releases a gap in the strapping machine, so that the band loop formed can emerge from the closure unit 39.

Another cam 45 actuates the rocker 34 with the tensioning drive 31 and moves it on or off. A cam 46 opens and closes the tape guide frame. During the shot of the tape in the tape guide frame this is closed. To pull out the loop formed in the tape guide frame this is opened.

The main shaft 40 is controlled in precise angular positions according to the present development. This is done by means of signals of the drive motor 48 for the main shaft 40. This is in Fig. 19 to recognize in Fig. 18 but not shown because of the better clarity. As already mentioned above, the drive motor 48 a rotary encoder, which emits at least one signal pulse per degree of rotation of the main shaft 41. Preferably, two signal pulses are emitted per degree of rotation. As in particular in the FIGS. 19 and 20 To recognize, the drive motor 48 is coupled via a reduction gear 49 with the main shaft 40. Several revolutions of the drive motor 48 are thus required to cause a single revolution of the main shaft 40.

Especially in the Fig. 20 It can be seen that at the free end of the motor shaft beyond the reduction gear 49, a cam plate 50 is mounted, which cooperates with a proximity switch 51. Along the circumference of the cam disc 50 five positions with the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 are marked, which are each assigned to a cam 52-55 on the circumference of the cam disc 50. The proximity switch 51 outputs a signal to the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 when the cam plate 50 is in a position where one of the cams 52-55 is located near the proximity switch 51. The five positions marked on the cam plate 50 still correspond to the position control for the main shaft according to the prior art. Each of the five positions associated with a cam 52-55 corresponds to a target angular position with the main shaft 40. The various angular positions in which the main shaft 40 can be rotated at each strapping cycle are described above. The cam disks 41-46 move each component controlled by the main shaft 40 into the angular positions marked by in each case one of the cams 52-55 into a position which is assigned to the corresponding operating state of the strapping machine 1. For this reason, the marked angular position should be controlled as precisely as possible.

The control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 receives via a signal line 56, the signals of the drive motor 48 for the main shaft 40, which each correspond to a certain angle of rotation of the main shaft 40. Consequently, the cams 52-55 on the circumference of the cam plate 50 for detecting the actual value of the rotation angle of the main shaft 40 are no longer required. One of the cams 52-55 is sufficient for the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 to detect the signal of this cam as a reference for the absolute angular position of the main shaft 40. The other cams on the cam 50 can be removed.

The drive motor 48 is due to the reduction of the reduction gear 49 at each revolution of the main shaft 40 over 700 signal pulses representing a rotation of the main shaft 40 each by a certain angular segment, to the control unit 11 on the strapping machine 1. It follows that the control unit 11th the strapping machine 1 can resolve the rotational position of the main shaft 40 with an accuracy of 0.5 °.

Of course, those in Fig. 20 illustrated five cams 52-55 may be arranged on the circumference of the cam plate 50. For the reliable operation of the strapping machine 1 with a rotation angle detection of the main shaft 40, however, a single cam 52-55 or a similar mark is sufficient, which is assigned to a specific rotational position of the main shaft 40 and automatically recognizable. Consequently, the control unit 11 of the strapping machine 1 can respectively set the optimum rotation angle of the main shaft 40. If, due to the signals of the drive motor 48, deviations of the actually achieved rotational position of the main shaft 40 are detected, they can be corrected directly during the next drive operation, so that, for example, the braking of the main shaft 40 can be initiated earlier by deactivating the drive motor 48 or can be initiated later, so that the next approached angular position of the main shaft 40 corresponds exactly to the desired value. Also, from a first angular position, for example, for the welding, to the next, identical angular positions in the subsequent Umreifungszyklus the achieved actual value in the previous Umreifungszyklus be considered to the control of Drive motor 48 by the control unit 11 to vary. If, for example, the actual value is greater than the setpoint in the closing position, the braking can be initiated earlier the next time this position is approached. If the setpoint is smaller, the braking can be initiated later.

Essential aspects of the development described here are listed below by numbers again.

Detecting the strapping position

1. 1. Method for strapping objects, comprising the following steps:
   • Transporting an object (7, 7 ') by means of at least one conveying device (13, 14) to a strapping station,
   • Forming at least one loop of a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 ') by means of a strapping device,
   • Connecting the ends of the loop together,
   wherein at least one position detection means (17, 18, 19) detects the position of the object (7, 7 '), characterized by the following steps:
   • a detection device detects the conveying direction and conveying path of the conveying device (13, 14),
   • the signals from the detection device and the position detection means (17, 18, 19) are transmitted to a control unit (20),
   • the control unit (20) controls the conveying device (13, 14) on the basis of the transmitted signals in such a way that the object (7, 7 ') is transported into at least one strapping position in which the loop of strapping band on the object (7, 7') (2) is formed at a predetermined loop position.
2. 2. Method according to number 1, characterized in that the position detection means (17,18,19) detects the position of the front edge of the article (7,7 ') and the loop position in the control unit (20) are stored as a predetermined distance from the leading edge ,
3. 3. Method according to number 2, characterized in that a first position detection means (17) detects the position of the front edge of the object (7, 7 ') at a large distance from the strapping station and that a second position detection means (18) near the strapping station position detects the leading edge of the object (7,7 ') and that the value of the detected conveyor line by the value of the detected position of the second position detection means (18) position of the front edge of the article (7,7') and possibly corrected.
4. 4. Method according to one of the preceding numbers, characterized in that the position detection means (17, 18, 19) detects the position of the trailing edge of the object (7, 7 ') and the loop position in the control unit (20) as a predetermined distance from the trailing edge be stored.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding numbers, characterized in that the position detecting means (17,18,19) detects the position of the leading edge and trailing edge of the article (7,7 ') and the loop position in the control unit (20) as the center between the leading edge and the trailing edge.
6. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding numbers, characterized in that the object (7,7 ') is first transported by the conveying device (13,14) to the position detecting means (17,18,19) until the leading edge is detected, then continue is transported until the trailing edge is detected and from the conveyor line, the length of the article (7,7 ') is determined, then transported to the Umreifungsposition.
7. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding numbers, characterized in that the article (7,7 ') is transported in a plurality of strapping positions, in each of which a loop is formed on the object.
8. 8. Method according to number 7, characterized in that the object (7, 7 ') is transported into a first strapping position and provided with a loop which has a predetermined distance to the front edge, and that the object (7, 7') is at least once transported to a next Umreifungsposition and provided with a loop having a predetermined distance from the previous loop.
9. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding numbers, characterized in that by a recognition device (20) at least one property of the object (7,7 ') is recognized, that data specifying the property of the object (7,7') to the control unit (20) are forwarded and that the control unit (20) determines from the data specifying the property of the object (7, 7 ') at least one setpoint value for the loop position.
10. 10. The method according to one of the preceding numbers, characterized in that the positive and / or negative acceleration of the conveying device (13,14) by the control unit (20) is numerically adjustable to an optimum value for each Umreifungsvorgang.
11. 11. Umreifungssystem for strapping objects, having the following features:
    • at least one conveying device (13, 14) for transporting an article (7, 7 ') to a strapping station,
    • at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 '),
    • at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together,
    • at least one position detection means (17, 18, 19) for detecting the position of the object (7, 7 '),
    characterized by the following features:
    • a detection device for detecting the conveying direction and conveying path of the conveying device (13, 14),
    • a control unit (20), to which the signals of the detection device and of the position detection means (17, 18, 19) are transmitted,
    wherein the control unit (20) is adapted to control the conveying device (13, 14) on the basis of the transmitted signals in such a way that the object (7, 7 ') is transported into at least one strapping position, in which the loop of strapping band (2) is formed at a predetermined loop position on the article (7,7 ').
12. A strapping system according to claim 11, characterized in that a first position detecting means (17,18,19) is located a long distance from the strapping station, and that a second position detecting means (17,18,19) is disposed near the strapping station, wherein the value of the recorded Conveyor line is checked by the value of the detected by the second position detecting means (17,18,19) position of the front edge of the article (7,7 ') and possibly corrected.
13. 13. Umreifungssystem according to number 11 or 12, characterized in that the position detecting means (17,18,19) is selected from:
    • a light barrier arranged above the conveying device (13, 14), consisting of a light source and a light sensor;
    • a light barrier strip arranged above the conveying device (13, 14), comprising a plurality of light sources spaced apart on a first side of the conveying device (13, 14) and a plurality of correspondingly spaced light sensors on a second side of the conveying device (13, 14) opposite the first side;
    • a camera (20) receiving the area above the conveying device (13, 14).
14. 14. strapping system according to any one of the numbers 11 to 13, characterized in that the detection device for detecting the conveying direction and conveying path of the conveying device (13,14) is selected from:
    • at least one rotary encoder that emits electrical signals when rotating a motor shaft of a drive motor (57,58) of the conveyor (13,14);
    • an incremental disc whose rotational movement is coupled to the rotational movement of a shaft of a drive motor of the conveyor device (13, 14) and an incremental sensor which generates signals generated by the movement of the incremental disc, preferably the incremental disc having alternately transparent and opaque sectors and the incremental sensor a photocell is.
15. A strapping system according to one of the numbers 11 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a recognition device (20) adapted to recognize at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') and data indicating the property of the object (7). 7, 7 '), to forward to the control unit (20), and that the control unit (20) is adapted to determine from the data specifying the property of the object (7, 7') at least one setpoint for the loop position.
16. 16. Umreifungssystem according to number 15, characterized in that the recognition device (20) is selected from:
    • a scanner for scanning a machine-readable code attached to the article (7, 7 ');
    • a reader antenna for reading an RFID transponder attached to the article (7, 7 ');
    • a camera (20) for detecting the optical features of the object (7, 7 ').

Motion detection for strapping tools (e.g., stop, hold down, pack press)

• 17. Method for strapping objects, comprising the following steps:
  • Transporting an object (7, 7 ') by means of a conveying device (13, 14) to a strapping station,
  • Forming at least one loop of a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 ') by means of a strapping device,
  • Connecting the ends of the loop together,
  • Actuating at least one drive device for at least one strapping aid before or during the strapping process;
  characterized by the following steps:
  • a movement detection unit continuously acquires the movement data of the strapping tool (22, 25, 26),
  • the movement data are transmitted to a control unit (20),
  • the control unit (20) controls the driving device for the strapping aid (22, 25, 26) by means of the movement data on the basis of numerically predetermined desired values.
• 18. The method according to number 17, characterized in that the Umreifungshilfsmittel (22, 25,26) is moved by the drive device in a reference position and the movement detection unit detects the movement data of the Umreifungshilfsmittels (22, 25,26) with respect to this reference position.
• 19. Method according to number 17 or 18, characterized in that at least one of the following strapping aids (22, 25, 26) is controlled by means of the movement detection unit:
  • an attack;
  • a hold-down;
  • a packing press.
• 20. Method according to number 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that a recognition device (20) detects at least one property of the article (7, 7 ') transported by means of the conveying device (13, 14) and drives the driving device of the strapping aid (22, 25, 26) controls the setpoint values for controlling the drive device as a function of the detected property.
• 21. The method according to any one of the numbers 17 to 20, characterized in that the control unit (20) controls the drive device for the Umreifungshilfsmittel (22, 25,26) such that the Umreifungshilfsmittel (22, 25,26) after Umreifungsvorgang only so is moved back far to a starting position, that a free further transport of the object (7,7 ') is possible.
• 22. The method according to any one of the numbers 17 to 21, characterized in that the control unit (20) switches off the drive device in case of an impermissible deviation of the detected movement data from a desired value or actuated in the opposite direction.
• 23. Umreifungssystem for strapping objects, having the following features:
  • at least one conveying device (13, 14) for transporting an article (7, 7 ') to a strapping station,
  • at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 '),
  • at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together,
  • at least one drive device for driving at least one strapping aid (22, 25, 26) before or during the strapping process,
  characterized in that
  a motion detection unit continuously detects the movement data of the strapping tool (22, 25, 26) and transmits it to a control unit (20), wherein the control unit (20) controls the drive device based on numerical set values by means of the movement data.
• 24. Umreifungssystem according to number 23, characterized in that the Umreifungshilfsmittel is selected from the following:
  • Stop (25,26);
  • Hold-downs (22);
  • Pack Press.
• 25 strapping system according to number 23 or 24, characterized in that it comprises a detection device (20) which detects at least one property of the means of the conveyor device (13,14) transported object (7,7 '), wherein the setpoints for controlling the Drive device of the Umreifungshilfsmittels (22, 25,26) are determined depending on the detected property.
• 26. Umreifungssystem according to number 25, characterized in that the control unit (20) controls the driving device for the Umreifungshilfsmittel (22, 25,26) such that the Umreifungshilfsmittel (22, 25,26) in dependence on the detected property of the to be strapped Article (7,7 ') after Umreifungsvorgang only so far out of the transport path of the object to be strapped (7,7') is moved out, that a free further transport of the article (7,7 ') is possible.
• 27. Umreifungssystem according to any one of the numbers 23 to 25, characterized in that the control unit (20) is adapted to turn off the drive device in an impermissible deviation of the detected movement data from a desired value or to operate in the opposite direction.

Strapping Position Editor

• 28. Method for strapping objects, comprising the following steps:
  • Transporting an object (7, 7 ') by means of a conveying device (13, 14) to a strapping station,
  • Forming at least one loop of a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 ') by means of a strapping device,
  • Connecting the ends of the loop together,
  characterized by the following steps:
  • Displaying a representation of the article (7, 7 ') on a display device;
  • Marking at least one desired strapping position on the representation of the object (7, 7 ') by manual input;
  • Conversion of the marked strapping position into numerical data for determining the loop position on the object (7, 7 '),
  • Transmitting the loop position numerical data to a control unit (20) for positioning the article (7, 7 ');
  • the control unit (20) controls the conveying device (13, 14) on the basis of the transmitted data such that the object (7, 7 ') is transported into at least one strapping position, in which the Loop of strapping (2) at a predetermined loop position on the object (7,7 ') is formed.
• 29. Method according to number 28, characterized in that at least one strapping aid (22, 25, 26) is also shown on the display device and that by means of manual input at least one position of the strapping aid (22, 25, 26) is marked in the displayed representation, converted into position data and transmitted to the control unit (20).
• 30. Method according to number 28 or 29, characterized in that the at least one position marker is attached with one of the following manual input means:
  • Mouse;
  • touch screen;
  • Trackball.

Records with set values for strapping parameters

• 31. A method of strapping objects, comprising the steps of:
  • Transporting an object (7, 7 ') by means of a conveying device (13, 14) to a strapping station,
  • Forming at least one loop of a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 ') by means of a strapping device,
  • Connecting the ends of the loop together,
  • Control of strapping parameters, which comprise at least the strapping position, by means of a control unit (20),
  characterized by the following steps:
  • Storing data records with target values for the strapping parameters in a data memory (29) connected to the control unit (20);
  • Selection of a set of strapping parameters by the control unit (20) for each strapping operation.
• 32. Method according to number 31, characterized in that a data record with set values for the strapping parameters is transmitted to the control unit (20) as parcel accompanying data and is used during the strapping process for selecting a data record with set values for the strapping parameters.
• 33. Method according to number 32, characterized in that the data record is stored in a machine-readable data memory (29) attached to the package, in particular an RFID transponder, or an imprinted machine-readable code and before the beginning of the strapping process by means of a control unit ( 20) connected reading device is read.
• 34. Procedure according to point 31, characterized by the following steps:
  • Recognizing at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') by a recognition device (20) and transmitting the data specifying the property of the article (7, 7') to the control unit (20);
  • Selection of a data record with nominal values on the basis of the data specifying the at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') by the control unit (20).
• 35. The method according to item 34, characterized in that at least one of the following properties is recognized:
  • Height of the object (7,7 ');
  • Width of the article (7,7 ');
  • Length of the article (7,7 ');
  • Weight of the article (7, 7 ');
  • Strength of the article (7,7 ');
  • Contour of the object (7,7 ');
  • Color of the object (7,7 ').
• 36. Method according to one of the numbers 31 to 35, characterized in that the data record comprises set values for at least one of the following strapping parameters:
  • Distance of the strapping position from the leading edge of the object (7, 7 ');
  • Distance from the strapping position of the trailing edge of the article (7,7 ');
  • Number of strappings;
  • Tape tension of the strapping band (2);
  • Position of a stop during the strapping process;
  • Position of the stop during the transport of the article (7,7 ');
  • Position of a hold down or pack press during transport of the article (7, 7 ');
  • Pressing force of the blank holder or the packing press during the strapping process.
• 37. Method according to one of the numbers 34 to 36, characterized in that the at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') is recognized by at least one of the following recognition device (20):
  • Photocell;
  • Light barrier strip, consisting of a plurality of spaced apart light sources on a first side of the conveying means and a plurality of correspondingly spaced light sensors on a first side opposite the second side of the conveying means;
  • Reading device for printed code;
  • Reader antenna for RFID transponders;
  • Camera (20).
• 38. Strapping system for strapping objects, having the following features:
  • at least one conveying device (13, 14) for transporting an article (7, 7 ') to a strapping station,
  • at least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 '),
  • at least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop together,
  • a control unit (20) for controlling a plurality of strapping parameters, including strapping position and tension of the strapping band (2) mounted around the object (7, 7 ').
  characterized by a data memory (29), which is connected to the control unit (20) and the control unit (20) supplies data sets with set values for the Umreifungsparameter.
• 39. strapping system according to number 38, characterized by at least one recognition device (20) for detecting at least one property of the article (7,7 ') and for transmitting the data specifying the property of the article (7,7') to the control unit (20) , where the data for selecting a Data set with set values for the Umreifungsparameter due to the at least one property of the object (7,7 ') are used.
• 40. strapping system according to number 39, characterized in that the at least one recognition device (20) is designed to detect at least one of the following properties:
  • Height of the object (7,7 ');
  • Width of the article (7,7 ');
  • Length of the article (7,7 ');
  • Weight of the article (7, 7 ');
  • Strength of the article (7,7 ');
  • Contour of the object (7,7 ');
  • Color of the object (7,7 ').
• 41. Strapping system according to one of the numbers 38 to 40, characterized in that the control unit (20) is designed to control at least one of the following strapping parameters:
  • Distance of the strapping position from the leading edge of the object (7, 7 ');
  • Distance from the strapping position of the trailing edge of the article (7,7 ');
  • Number of strappings;
  • Tape tension of the strapping band (2);
  • Deceleration and acceleration of the conveyor (13, 14);
  • Position of a stop during the strapping process;
  • Position of the stop during the transport of the article (7,7 ');
  • Position of a hold down or pack press during transport of the article (7, 7 ');
  • Pressing force of the blank holder or the packing press during the strapping process.
• 42. strapping system according to one of the preceding numbers 39 to 41, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the following detection devices (20):
  • Photocell;
  • Light barrier strip, consisting of a plurality of spaced apart light sources on a first side of the conveying means and a plurality of correspondingly spaced light sensors on a first side opposite the second side of the conveying means;
  • Reading device for printed code;
  • Reader antenna for RFID transponders;
  • Camera (20).

Control of the main shaft of the closing unit

• 43. A method for strapping at least one article (7, 7 ') with a belt loop on a strapping machine (1) with a closing unit, which has at least one first clamp (37) for the front end of the belt loop, a second clamp (38) for the rear end of the belt loop and a welding device (36), wherein at least one belt loop from a strapping band (2) around the object (7,7 ') is formed, tensioned and closed by the closure unit, wherein a main shaft (40) via cams ( 41-46) at least the clamps (37, 38) and the welding device (36) are moved and rotated during the closing operation by a drive motor (48) into at least one predetermined angular position,
  characterized by the following steps:
  • a detection device detects the rotation angle of the main shaft (40),
  • the signals of the detection device are transmitted to a control unit (20),
  • the control unit (20) compares a target value for the angular position with the actual value of the angular position determined from the transmitted signals;
  • the control unit (20) changes in case of deviations between the desired value and the detected by the detection device rotational angle, the control of the drive motor.
• 44. Method according to number 43, characterized in that the main shaft (40) moves at least one of the following components:
  • the clamps (37, 38) of the closing unit are moved from an open position to a clamping position;
  • the welding device (36) is moved from an inactive position to a welding position;
  • at least one belt drive (31) is moved from an engagement position to a disengagement position,
  • an upper slide (47) of the closing unit is moved from a closed position to an open position.
• 45. Method according to number 43 or 44, characterized in that the main shaft (40) is rotated in at least one of the following angular positions:
  • Position for the withdrawal of the excess strip material;
  • Position for the tension of the strip material;
  • Welding position;
  • Position for cooling the weld;
  • Opening position;
  • Zero position.
• 46. The method according to any of the numbers 43 to 45, characterized in that the detection device is formed by a rotary encoder of the drive motor (48) which emits electrical signals when rotating a motor shaft of the drive motor (48).
• 47. Method according to one of the numbers 43 to 46, characterized in that a reference position marking is connected to the main shaft (40), which cooperates with a sensor whose signal is sent to the control unit (20).
• 48. A strapping machine (1) with a closure assembly comprising at least a first clamp (37) for the front end of the strap loop, a second clamp (38) for the rear end of the strap loop and a welding device (36), wherein a main shaft (40 ) is moved via cams (41-46) at least the clamps (37, 38) and the welding device (36) and is rotated during the closing operation by a drive motor (48) into at least one predetermined angular position, characterized by:
  • a detection device that detects the rotation angle of the main shaft (40),
  • a signal line (56), via which the signals of the detection device are transmitted to a control unit (20) for the drive motor (48),
  • a data memory (29) associated with the control unit (20), in which at least one setpoint value for the angular position is stored, wherein the control unit (20) in the event of deviations between the setpoint value and the rotation angle detected by the detection device changes the control of the drive motor.
• 49. strapping machine (1) according to number 48, characterized in that by the main shaft (40) the terminals (37, 38) of the closure unit from an open position to a clamping position and / or the welding device (36) from an inactive position is movable in a welding position.
• 50. Strapping machine (1) according to one of the numbers 48 or 49, characterized in that the detection device is a rotary encoder of the drive motor (48) which emits electrical signals when rotating a motor shaft of the drive motor (48).
• 51. strapping machine (1) according to one of the numbers 48 to 50, characterized in that the main shaft (40) is connected to a reference position marking, which cooperates with a sensor whose signal is sent to the control unit (20).
• 52. Strapping machine (1) according to one of the numbers 48 to 50, characterized in that the welding device is selected from:
  • a melt-welding device with heating element;
  • an ultrasonic welding device
  • a friction welding device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

strapping

2

tape

3

circuit board

4

retractor

5

tape magazine

6

Belt conveyor

7,7 '

object

8th

jig

9

Strap guide frame

10

Strapping head

11

control unit

12

female connector

13

Infeed conveyor, first conveyor

14

Outlet conveyor, second conveyor

15

input-side accumulation conveyor

16

output-side accumulation conveyor

17

Position detection device, light barrier

18

Position detection device, light barrier

19

Position detection device, light barrier

20

Camera, recognition device

21

address field

22

Downholder, strapping tool

23

Drive motor for the hold-down

24

safety distance

25

left stop, strapping tool

26

right stop, strapping tool

28

Drive motor for the stops

29

data storage

30

capstan

31

tensioning drive

32

capstan

33

idler

34

seesaw

35

idler

36

welder

37

Clamp, clamping punch

38

Clamp, clamping punch

39

Strapping head

40

Main shaft, royal wave

41

Cam for first clamping punch

42

Cam for second clamping punch

43

Cam for welding device

44

Cam for upper slide

45

Cam for tensioning drive

46

Cam for tape guide frame

47

top slide

48

Drive motor for the main shaft

49

Reduction gear

50

cam

51

proximity switch

52-55

cam

56

signal line

57

Drive motor for inlet conveyor

58

Drive motor for outlet conveyor

101

Pass Icon

102

Umreifungsrezeptur

103

Umreifungsrezeptur

104

Umreifungsrezeptur

105

Umreifungsrezeptur

106

Umreifungsrezeptur

107

Umreifungsrezeptur

108

Activation Icon

109

screen display

110

Representation of the strapping position

111

Representation of the strapping position

112

Representation of the strapping position

Claims (15)

Method for strapping objects, comprising the following steps: Transporting an object (7, 7 ') by means of a conveying device (13, 14) to a strapping station, Forming at least one loop of a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 ') by means of a strapping device, • connecting the ends of the loop together, Control of strapping parameters, which comprise at least the strapping position, by means of a control unit (11), characterized by the following steps: Detecting the optical features of the object (7, 7 ') by means of a camera (20); • evaluating the image of the camera (20) to determine areas that should not be covered by a strapping; • Control the strapping position so that the strapping position is outside the areas that are not to be strapped. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-strapped areas comprise address fields. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the camera is used for detecting the optical features of the object (7, 7 '). A method according to claim 3, characterized in that by analyzing the image taken by the camera, the packet length is determined. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the setpoint values for the loop position are calculated depending on the packet length. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the setpoint values for the loop position are retrieved from a data memory in which different loop positions for different packet lengths are stored. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the image taken by the camera (20), a machine-readable code is identified and read out on the object (7, 7 '). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that in the machine-readable code at least one of the following information is encoded: • an identifier for the article (7, 7 ') to which properties of the article or direct setpoint values for the loop position are stored in a data memory, wherein the setpoint values for the loop position are determined by reading from the data memory or by evaluation of the property or properties and assignment or calculation of corresponding desired values are determined; • Setpoints for the loop positions. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: Recognizing at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') by a recognition device (20) and transmitting the data specifying the property of the article (7, 7') to the control unit (20); Selection of a data record with set values for the strapping parameters on the basis of the data specifying the at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') by the control unit (20). A method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the following properties is detected: Height of the object (7, 7 '); Width of the article (7, 7 '); Length of the object (7, 7 '); • strength of the object (7,7 '); Contour of the object (7, 7 '); • Color of the object (7,7 '). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data set comprises nominal values for at least one of the following strapping parameters: • distance of the strapping position from the front edge of the object (7,7 '); Distance from the strapping position from the trailing edge of the object (7, 7 '); • number of strapping; • belt tension of the strapping band (2); • Position of a stop during the strapping process; Position of the stopper during transport of the object (7, 7 '); • position of a blank holder or a pack press during the transport of the item (7,7 '); • Pressing force of the blank holder or the packing press during the strapping process. A strapping system for strapping objects according to the method of any one of the preceding claims, comprising At least one conveying device (13, 14) for transporting an article (7, 7 ') to a strapping station, At least one strapping device for forming a loop from a strapping band (2) around the object (7, 7 '), At least one connecting device for connecting the ends of the loop to one another, A control unit (11) for controlling a plurality of strapping parameters, including strapping position of the strapping band (2) attached to the object (7, 7 '), A camera (20) for detecting the optical features of the object (7, 7 '). Strapping system according to claim 12, characterized in that by means of the camera (20) at least one property of the object (7, 7 ') is recognizable and in that means for transmitting the property specifying the property of the object (7, 7') to the control unit ( 20) are provided, wherein the data for selecting a data set with set values for the Umreifungsparameter due to the at least one property of the object (7,7 ') are used. Strapping system according to claim 13, characterized in that the camera (20) is designed to detect at least one of the following properties: Height of the object (7, 7 '); Width of the article (7, 7 '); Length of the object (7, 7 '); • strength of the object (7,7 '); Contour of the object (7, 7 '); • Color of the object (7,7 '). Strapping system according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the control unit (20) is designed to control at least one of the following strapping parameters: • distance of the strapping position from the front edge of the object (7,7 '); Distance from the strapping position from the trailing edge of the object (7, 7 '); • number of strapping; • belt tension of the strapping band (2); Delay and acceleration of the conveyor device (13, 14); • Position of a stop during the strapping process; Position of the stopper during transport of the object (7, 7 '); • position of a blank holder or a pack press during the transport of the item (7,7 '); • Pressing force of the blank holder or the packing press during the strapping process.

Images