JP2002095950A - Operation state monitoring system of granulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for remotely monitoring an operation of a granulator. SOLUTION: The operation state monitoring system of a granulator includes a local unit and the local unit accesses to a communication network connected thereto. A sensor is used for measuring a desired attribute regarding the operation of the granulator connected to the local unit and the local unit transmits a signal to the communication network corresponding to the measured attribute. A remote unit connected to the communication network receives the signal from the local unit and thereby, the granulator is remotely monitored at the time of the operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the operation status of a granulator capable of transmitting and receiving operation information to and from a communication network at a remote place distant from the site.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, labor saving in granulating equipment is progressing. And for such labor-saving equipment,
There is a demand to numerically grasp how a granulator used for equipment is actually operated.

[0003]

However, conventional granulators cannot accumulate long-term operation data. For this reason, it is not enough to obtain information on how the granulator is operating on a daily basis. Therefore, conventionally, the production management of the granulation molding is not performed by monitoring the operation state of the granulator itself, but by a production management system managed separately from the granulator. Further, there is a demand for an operation method suitable for granulation molding, such as roll pressure, roll rotation data, roll bearing movement data, supply screw rotation data, roll surface temperature data, and abnormal vibration data of a screw device. . It is convenient if the quality of the granulated product can be determined from the image data of the granulated product.

[0004] Further, since there is no daily accumulation of information on the regular or preventive maintenance of the granulator, for example, the granulator is operated until it is repaired excessively or the granulator is stopped by a failure. As a result, the efficiency deteriorated, which was insufficient for efficient maintenance.
As described above, the granulation equipment factory needs information on the operation of the granulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to monitor at least the operation state of a granulator at the time of operation of the granulator and transmit the operation information to a remote place. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation status monitoring system for a granulator. Further, according to the present invention, the local unit is provided with a display, a roll pressure monitor, a roll rotation speed monitor, a roll bearing movement amount monitor, a supply screw rotation speed monitor, a roll surface temperature data monitor, and an abnormal vibration data of a screw device. Monitor, images of granulated products, etc. can be displayed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, an operation status monitoring system for a granulator according to the present invention is provided.
A sensor for measuring a desired attribute related to the operation of the granulator, a local unit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor on a communication network, and connected to the communication network; A remote unit that receives a signal transmitted from the local unit, displays a desired attribute regarding the operation of the granulator, and monitors at least the operation state of the granulator during operation of the granulator. Have.

According to the present invention, data collected from the operation of the granulator during granulation can be sent to a remote location for analysis as operation information. Also, based on the analysis results,
Roll pressure, roll rotation data, roll bearing movement data, supply screw rotation data, roll surface temperature data (eg, target temperature, current temperature, etc.), abnormal vibration data of the screw device, granulated products Can be displayed by selection.

Here, in the present invention, the granulator is an apparatus of a system in which a raw material is supplied between two rotating rolls and compressed and granulated in a concave portion (pocket) on the roll surface, and the raw material is supplied. It includes a screw device, a device for pressing and rotating a roll, and the like.

The desired attributes relating to the operation of the granulator according to the present invention include roll pressure, roll rotation data, roll bearing movement data, supply screw rotation data,
Roll surface temperature data, abnormal vibration data of the screw device, etc. Examples of the sensor for measurement in the present invention include a load cell, a displacement sensor, an image recognition camera, a pressure sensor, a rotation sensor, a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, an area sensor, an ammeter, a counter, a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, and a limit sensor. Switch, level switch,
Other types of sensors, such as timers, that can measure attributes of operation can be mentioned.
The physical property values of the granulated product refer to density, mass and the like.

The local unit according to the present invention is incorporated in a control device of a granulator or is disposed adjacent to a granulator. The software of the local unit can be remotely controlled via a communication network. It incorporates a function that can be reset by a user command from the ground. That is, the remote unit can be reconfigured at a remote location to change metrics, or to change certain restrictions or programmed variables. For example, in order to determine whether or not the measurement standard is correct, a determination is made using a comparator connected to a processor or a determination means configured by software, and if it is out of the range, a variable or the like can be changed. According to the present invention, since a plurality of monitor criteria are incorporated, the user can select them with different input / output cards. The input / output card is connected to a sensor box, which is attached to a specific part of the granulator. These input / output cards process signals from sensors and load
Generate a signal that is accepted as an input to the cull unit.

The communication network according to the present invention is used between a local unit and a remote unit. Such communication systems may include telephone lines and other protocols for transmitting data to and from remote locations, such as mobile phones and Internet access. More simply, the site and the remote place may be connected by a serial cable. Alternatively, another protocol known in the art, such as a local area network or a wide area network, can be used to transmit data between them. Means for accessing the communication network include:
A modem operatively connected to the local unit can be used.

In the present invention, at least during operation of the granulator means not only during operation but also utilization according to a user command. For example, monitoring the log only when there is a warning for a desired specific period, or re-logging the data according to the parameters.

In the present invention, monitoring a granulator means
It also means that the monitor system signals the operating status of the granulator to a person in charge of the maintenance of the granulator in the field, for example via a facsimile or a mobile phone or other mobile communication means. Thereby, the necessity of maintenance can be promptly notified to the person in charge.

The remote unit is connected to the local unit by a communication network, the remote unit being adapted to receive signals from the local unit and to display measured attributes about the granulator. Thus, when the granulator is operated, its operation status can be monitored at a remote place. Also,
Like the cull unit, it can have the function of analyzing the measurement signal to determine whether the metric is correct.

The invention provides means for accessing a communication network connected to a local unit in this way. A sensor for measuring a desired value for the granulator is connected to the local unit and can send a signal to the local unit. The local unit is adapted to transmit a signal to the remote unit via the communication network in response to the attribute to be measured.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 discloses a schematic configuration of a hardware device according to the present invention. The operating condition monitoring system 1 of the granulator according to the present invention shown in FIG.
And a remote unit 5. At least one sensor 3 for measuring a desired attribute of the granulator 2 is connected to the local unit 4. The sensor 3 includes a load cell, a displacement sensor, an image recognition camera, a pressure sensor, a rotation sensor, a temperature sensor,
A vibration sensor, an area sensor, an ammeter, a counter, a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, a limit switch, a level switch, a timer, and the like are used.

The local unit 4 comprises a hardware-based operation monitoring system for the granulator including a processor, a display, a printer, and an indicator. In the present invention, the local unit 4 can be a personal computer. The local unit 4 may be a plurality of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) configured as hardware or software, or may be many other types of electronic calculation and processing devices. The printer / indicator is optional and not essential.

The sensor 3 is connected to the local unit 4 via a signal line 6, and the signal line 6 transfers a signal generated by the sensor 3 to an input / output board (not shown). This input / output board can be constituted by a signal processing system for converting the signal into a signal convenient for processing by the local unit 4 using the sensor output received on the signal line 6. .

For example, if the example of the sensor 3 is a temperature sensor for measuring the roll surface temperature, the roll surface temperature is set in advance for each material in order to monitor the surface temperature of the roll at the time of forming. Comparing with the roll surface temperature measured by the sensor, the system that can calculate whether the roll surface temperature is within the allowable range from the differential temperature value is judged, and if it is outside the allowable range, the abnormality is warned. And at the same time automatically issue a command to spray cooling water on the roll surface.
The input / output board may be, for example, a multiplexer, which processes the received DC level voltage signal into a numerical signal for use in the local unit 4. The local unit 4 is connected to a storage device (not shown). Furthermore, the roll surface temperature data of the granulator can be displayed on the monitor on the display screen of the local unit 4.

When the example of the sensor 3 is a load cell or a pressure sensor, similarly to the above, the roll pressing force for maintaining the discharge density of the molded article constant is set in advance for each raw material, and is measured by the sensor. The calculated roll pressure and the target roll pressure are compared, and a system capable of calculating whether or not the roll pressure is within the allowable range is determined by a system capable of calculating. It is possible to warn and automatically issue a correction command to display the roll pressure data on the display screen of the local unit.

The means for accessing the communication network is a modem operatively connected to the local unit 4, but various other types of means are used in accordance with the communication network. can do.

Communication networks such as, for example, dedicated telephone lines, dedicated communication lines, calling telephone lines, mobile telephone systems, wireless network systems, Internet access systems, and other types of protocols for transmitting data to and from remote locations. -Is available.

Further, the communication network can be a local area network or a simple serial cable. Other types of computer-based communication cards for communicating with other communication networks are also possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network is connected to a remote unit 5. The remote unit 5 is adapted to receive signals transmitted from the local unit 4 via the communication network and to display the attributes of the granulator 2 measured by the sensors 3, whereby the granulation is performed. During the operation of the granulator 2, the operation state can be monitored.

The indicator may be a siren, a bell, or any other type that indicates that a signal has been received by the local unit 4. In the present invention, the remote unit 5 can be a personal computer. The remote unit 5 can include a printer.

Also, the remote unit 5 can be a mobile phone, in which case the signals generated by the local unit 4 can be displayed on the mobile phone to indicate to a service representative.

In the roll speed monitor as the system for monitoring the operating condition of the granulator according to the present invention, if the means for measuring the roll speed is a rotation sensor, the roll speed for maintaining the granulating ability is as follows. It is set in advance for each raw material, compares the roll rotation speed measured by the sensor with the target roll rotation speed, and determines whether or not the roll rotation speed is within a permissible range from the roll rotation value by a computable system, If it is out of the allowable range, the abnormality is warned and a correction command is automatically issued to display the roll rotation speed data on the display screen of the local unit.

In the roll bearing displacement monitor, if the means for measuring the roll bearing displacement is a displacement sensor, the roll bearing displacement for maintaining the roll pressing force is preset for each material. , Comparing the displacement measured by the sensor with the target displacement, determining whether the displacement is within a permissible range by a computable system, and warning the abnormality if out of the permissible range, A correction command is automatically issued to display the roll bearing displacement data on the display screen of the local unit.

In addition, in the monitor of the abnormal vibration of the supply screw device, if the means for measuring the abnormal vibration value of the screw device for monitoring the abnormal vibration during granulation is a vibration sensor or an ammeter, the sensor may be used. The abnormal vibration value measured from the target is compared with the target abnormal vibration value, and it is determined by the system capable of calculating whether or not the abnormal vibration value is within the allowable range. If the abnormal vibration value is outside the allowable range, the abnormality is warned. At the same time, a command to automatically release the pressing force of the roll is issued, and abnormal vibration value data is displayed on the display screen of the local unit.

When judging whether granulation is performed properly or not based on the shape of the granulated product, it is possible to monitor the image data of the granulated product and visually judge it. Store the shape in advance and compare it with the actual shape of the granulated product to automatically judge the suitability of granulation, and display a warning on the display screen if it is out of the allowable range Is also possible. Furthermore, it is also possible to analyze the image data of the granulated product and measure the density and mass of the granulated product, whereby it is possible to estimate whether or not the operation state of the granulator is appropriate.

Then, for example, a temperature sensor whose output is at a DC level is connected to a multiplexer, and the online sensor output is converted into a numerical signal. The converted output signal is used for processing for the local unit 4.
The selection of the programming language and the operating system can also be selected by the user according to the required overall function.

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

[0033]

As apparent from the above invention, the present invention communicates a sensor for measuring a desired attribute relating to the operation of a granulator and a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor. A local unit for transmitting on a network, and a desired attribute relating to the operation of the granulator in response to a signal transmitted from the local unit, connected to the communication network, for displaying at least the operation of the granulator; And a remote unit that monitors the operating state of the granulator during the operation, so that the operating state of the granulator is monitored during operation,
The contribution to the general industry is remarkable, for example, it is possible to provide a system for monitoring the operating condition of a granulator that transmits the data to a remote place.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Operating condition monitoring system of granulator 2 Granulator 3 Sensor 4 Local unit 5 Remote unit 6 Signal line

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sensor for measuring a desired attribute related to the operation of a granulator, and a signal transmitting a signal corresponding to the desired attribute measured by the sensor on a communication network.
Local unit, connected to the communication network, receiving a signal transmitted from the local unit, displaying a desired attribute relating to the operation of the granulator, and at least at the time of operating the granulator, And a remote unit for monitoring the operating condition of the granulator. 2. The local unit includes a determination unit for determining whether a value measured by the sensor is within a predetermined range, and the measured value is not within a predetermined range. The system according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is accessed to send a signal to the remote unit. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said remote unit communicates with said local unit via said communication network so that a predetermined range of said measured value can be changed. An operating condition monitoring system for the granulator according to the above. 4. Attributes related to the operation of the granulator include a roll pressing force for maintaining a constant discharge density of a molded product, roll rotation speed data for maintaining a molding ability, roll bearing movement data, and a molded product. At least one of supply screw rotation speed data for maintaining the thickness of the roll, roll surface temperature data for monitoring the roll surface temperature during molding, and abnormal vibration data of the screw device section for monitoring abnormal vibration during molding. The operating condition monitoring system for a granulator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system includes one. 5. The quality of the granulated product is determined by comparing image data of the granulated product formed by the granulator with image data of an optimal shape of the granulated product stored in advance. The operation status monitoring system of the granulator. 6. An operation status monitoring system for a granulator, wherein a physical property value of the granulated product is measured based on image data of the granulated product formed by the granulator.