System and method for controlling a group of fiber processing machines

• US 6,694,211 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trã¼Tzschler GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Trã¼Tzschler GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Hösel, Fritz
• Primary Examiner(s): NERBUN, PETER P
• Application Number:
  US10/096,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095235A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 700/142, 700/130, 700/9, 700/83, 700/84, 700/143, 112/155, 112/102.5, 112/80.23, 112/470.04, 112/470.06, 572/64
• US Class Current: 700/142
• CPC Class Codes: D01G 31/006 On-line measurement and recording of process and product parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/108 characterised by physical layout of switches; switches co-operating with display; use of switches in a special way
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23043 Remote and local control panel, programming unit, switch
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25192 Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25196 Radio link, transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33198 Laser, light link, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35414 Remote instruction to operate machine tool
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36163 Local as well as remote control panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36168 Touchscreen
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36169 Remote, host controlled, operated manual data input, keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0267 Fault communication, e.g. human machine interface [HMI]

Abstract

A control system for a group of fiber processing machines includes a superordinate control console; and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine. The superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles are connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network. The superordinate control console is utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and the machine-specific control consoles are utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.

Claims

1. In a control system for a group of fiber processing machines, wherein the control system includes a superordinate control console;

and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine;

the superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles being connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network;

the improvement comprising means for utilizing said superordinate control console for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and for utilizing said machine-specific control consoles for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines,

wherein said superordinate control console comprises a stationary unit and a mobile unit removable from said stationary unit and attachable to selected fiber processing machines for data inputting and data displaying.

5. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary unit has a current supply, a system for communicating with said network, a system for data storage and data administration;

and further wherein said mobile unit has a control console unit.

6. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile unit is connectable with the control and regulating device of each said fiber processing machine, coupled by means of the network to the stationary unit.

7. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile unit is connected to said stationary unit by means of a serial communication device.

8. The control system as defined in claim 1, further comprising wireless means for maintaining communication between said stationary and mobile units.

9. The control system as defined in claim 1, further comprising wireless means for maintaining communication between said mobile unit and the control and regulating device of a respective said fiber processing machine.

13. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of using said superordinate control console for one of displaying, storing, exchanging and monitoring data of said fiber processing machines.

2. In a control system for a group of fiber processing machines, the fiber processing machines simultaneously performing operations parallel to each other, wherein the control system includes a superordinate control console;

and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine;

the superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles being connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network;

the improvement comprising means for utilizing said superordinate control console for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and for utilizing said machine-specific control consoles for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.

3. The control system as defined in claim 2, wherein said superordinate control console comprises a computer for industrial use.

4. The control system as defined in claim 2, wherein said superordinate control console comprises a stationary unit and a mobile unit removable from said stationary unit and attachable to selected fiber processing machines for data inputting and data displaying.

10. In a method of controlling a group of fiber processing machines that simultaneously perform operations parallel to each other by a system including a superordinate control console and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine;

the superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles being connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network;

the improvement wherein the method comprises the steps of

(a) utilizing said superordinate control console for all and only for those inputs and displays requiring no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines; and

(b) utilizing said machine-specific control consoles for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines, require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step of using said superordinate control console for superordinate input data and display.

12. The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the superordinate input data and display include one of a machine-setting, parameter setting, visual displaying and trouble-shooting.

14. The method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step of using said superordinate control console for one of preparing identical input data for a plurality of said fiber processing machines, taking over parameters and settings from said fiber processing machines and comparing data and results.

15. The method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step of using said superordinate control console for one of setting parameters of digital driving components, technological parameter setting of said fiber processing machines and changing of machine programs.

16. The method as defined in claim 10, wherein the superordinate control console comprises a stationary unit and a mobile unit and the method further comprises removing the mobile unit from said stationary unit and attaching the mobile unit to selected fiber processing machines for data inputting and data displaying.