Press production monitoring system and method

• US 6,122,565 A
• Filed: 02/19/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Minster Machine Company (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Minster Machine Company (Nidec Corporation)
• Inventors: Wenning, Nathan P., Schoch, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US09/027,009
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 700/249, 700/250, 700/277, 700/278, 700/279, 700/280, 700/205, 700/117, 700/121, 700/206-210, 19/219, 19/248, 38/44-62, 264/107, 264/297.4, 419/49, 419/68, 425/406-410
• US Class Current: 700/206
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/00 Arrangements for observing, indicating or measuring on machine tools for automatic control or regulation of feed movement, cutting velocity or position of tool or work B23Q15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 41/08 Features relating to maintenance of efficient operation
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/26 Programme control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4063 Monitoring general control system G05B19/4062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33284 Remote diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45143 Press-brake, bending machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 Remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

A press monitoring system includes an electronic processor for accessing a communication network connected to the processor. A sensor is used for measuring a desired quality of the press connected to the electronic processor. The processor sends the communication network corresponding to the measured quality. A remote unit connected to the communication network is adapted to accept the signal from the electronic processor, and to display the measured quality of the press, whereby the press may be monitored remotely during a production run.

Claims

1. A press monitoring system comprising:

an electronic processor;

means for accessing a communication network connected to said processor;

a sensor for measuring a desired quality of the press, said sensor connected to said electronic processor and capable of sending a signal thereto, said electronic processor adapted to send a signal over said communication network corresponding to said measured quality; and

a remote unit connected to said communication network, said remote unit adapted to accept said signal from said electronic processor and to display said measured quality of the press whereby the press may be monitored remotely during a production run of the press.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said electronic processor includes memory means for storing the value of signals received from said sensor over a time period longer than twenty four hours.

3. The system of claim 1 in which said electronic processor includes memory means for storing the value of signals received from said sensor over a time period longer than seven days.

4. The system of claim 1 in which said electronic processor includes a comparitor means for determining whether said signal from said sensor is within predetermined limits, said processor accessing the communication network and sending a signal to said remote unit when said signal from said sensor is outside said predetermined limits.

5. The system of claim 4 in which said remote unit is adapted to communicate through the communication network and alter said predetermined limits associated with said comparitor means.

6. The system of claim 1 in which said electronic processor includes a means for fault checking to create a status code, said processor having a number of reconfigurable predetermined settings, said processor accessing the communication network and sending a signal to said remote unit when said status code is outside of a predetermined limit.

7. The system of claim 6 in which said remote unit is adapted to communicate through the communication network and alter said predetermined settings associated with said electronic processor to clear such checked fault.

8. The system of claim 1 in which said remote unit is adapted to communicate through the communication network and alter and command said electronic processor to change the state a sensor from on to off.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a press from which said sensor measures a desired quality.

10. The system of claim 1 in which said electronic processor includes timing means for determining a predefined time period, said electronic processor after said predefined time period accessing the communication network to send a signal to said remote network.

11. The system of claim 10 in which said remote unit is adapted to communicate through the communication network to said electronic processor and alter said predefined time period associated with said timing mean.

12. The system of claim 1 in which said means for accessing the communication network comprises a modem.

13. The system of claim 1 in which said remote unit is a personal computer.

14. The system of claim 1 in which said remote unit is a facsimile machine, said signal sent by said electronic processor interpreted and then printed by said facsimile.

15. The system of claim 1 in which said remote unit is a personal pager.

16. The system of claim 15 in which said signal send by said electronic processor is interpreted by said personal pager which then displays the measured desired quality of the press.

17. The system of claim 15 in which said signal send by said electronic processor is interpreted by said personal pager which then displays the location of the press measured by said sensor.

18. The system of claim 1 in which said electronic processor includes memory means to store the value of signals received from said sensor, said remote unit adapted to communicate through the communication network to said electronic processor and command said electronic processor to alter the frequency of storing said signals from said sensor to said memory means.

19. The system of claim 1 in which said remote unit includes memory means to store said accepted signals and means to sort and display said stored accepted signals according to user selected criteria.

20. A method of monitoring a stamping press during a production run, said method including the steps of:

providing an electronic processor and a sensor for respectively acquiring data and measuring a desired quality of the press;

providing access to a communication network connected to a remote unit for displaying an indication of the measured quality of the press;

measuring the desired quality of the press;

operating said electronic processor to send a signal over the communication network representative of the measured quality of the press whereby said remote unit receives said signal.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of

causing said remote unit to send a signal though said communication network to said electronic processor that commands said electronic processor to change its rate of acquiring data.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of

printing a report regarding said measured quality with said remote unit based upon said received signal.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of

activating a vibrator with said remote unit based upon said received signal.

24. A press and monitoring system, comprising:

a mechanical press;

an electronic processor;

means for accessing a communication network connected to said processor;

a sensor for measuring a desired quality of said press, said sensor connected to said electronic processor and capable of sending a signal thereto, said electronic processor adapted to send a signal over said communication network corresponding to said measured quality; and

a remote unit connected to said communication network, said remote unit adapted to accept said signal from said electronic processor and to display said measured quality of said press whereby said press may be monitored remotely during a production run of the press.

25. The system of claim 24 in which said electronic processor includes memory means to store the value of signals received from said sensor over a period longer than twenty four hours.

26. The system of claim 24 in which said electronic processor includes memory means to store the value of signals received from said sensor over a period longer than seven days.

27. The system of claim 24 in which said electronic processor includes a comparitor means for determining whether said signal from said sensor is within predetermined limits, said processor accessing the communication network and sending a signal to said remote unit when said signal from said sensor is outside said predetermined limits.

28. The system of claim 27 in which said remote unit is adapted to communicate through the communication network and alter said predetermined limits associated with said comparitor means.