Method for starting or terminating production of a film in a film manufacturing machine, film manufacturing machine and computer program product

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12157259-B2
Application number	US-202017767792-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 7, 2020
Priority date	Oct 11, 2019
Publication date	Dec 3, 2024
Grant date	Dec 3, 2024

Abstract

The invention describes a process for starting up a film production in a film manufacturing machine, in particular a blown film machine, by means of a control device, comprising the following steps:
detecting a start-up request setting start-up parameters providing film material commencing the film production setting film production parameters.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A process for starting up a film production in a film manufacturing machine, wherein the film manufacturing machine is a blown film machine, by means of a control device, comprising the following steps:
detecting a start-up request;
setting start-up parameters;
providing film material;
starting an interior bubble-cooling means for creating a film bubble;
commencing the film production;
cutting or puncturing the film bubble upstream of a haul-off apparatus; and
setting film production parameters.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein detecting a start-up request comprises registering an actuation, by the operator, of a switch on a control device.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein, after detecting a start-up request, the control device issues a request to draw in film material over or through a component of the film manufacturing machine.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein, prior to the commencement of the film production, a detection takes place of information regarding the drawing-in of the film material having taken place.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein at least one start-up parameter is based on at least one of the following parameters:
extremal parameters, which are defined as a maximum value that a mechanically-actuated component of the film manufacturing machine is able to assume;
stored formula and production data from a prior film production; and
parameters from a modelling of formula and production data.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein, during or after the commencement of the film production, the film is wound up onto at least one film roll.

7. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising optimizing the film production parameters after the commencement of the film production.

8. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising switching on at least one control loop, in order to regulate at least one film production parameter.

9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the setting of start-up parameters comprises at least one of the following steps, wherein the control device issues a control command to perform the respective step:
providing raw materials for a start-up formula;
setting a moveable component of the film manufacturing machine to maximum opening width;
setting a predetermined output performance of an extruder of the film manufacturing machine;
setting a predetermined temperature of an extruder of the film manufacturing machine;
setting a volume flow of a fluid with which the film material will be cooled directly or indirectly;
setting a position of a slideable component of the film machine relative to a principal axis of inertia of the film material;
setting a predetermined angle of a rotatable or pivotable component of the film manufacturing machine relative to the principal axis of inertia of the film material.

10. The process according to claim 1 , wherein
the setting of start-up parameters relates to at least one of the following components of the film manufacturing machine, the control device issuing at least one control command to the respective component:
an extruder
a cooling ring
an air routing apparatus
an interior bubble-cooling means
a calibration cage
a collapsing apparatus
a haul-off apparatus
a reversing apparatus
a turner bar
a stretching unit
a cross-cutting apparatus
a longitudinal cutting apparatus
a transport roll
a flatness measuring apparatus
a thickness measuring apparatus
a winding apparatus
a supply apparatus for a raw material.

11. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising the following steps after providing the film material and prior to setting film production parameters:
creating a longitudinal cut in a film bubble of the film material by means of a cutting apparatus that is arranged upstream of the haul-off apparatus;
flattening the film bubble to form a two-layer film web;
inserting at least one lateral edge slitting apparatus between the layers of the two-layer film web via the longitudinal cut;
sliding the lateral edge slitting apparatus to a lateral edge of the two-layer film web.

12. A process for terminating a film production in a film manufacturing machine, wherein the film manufacturing machine is a blown film machine, by means of a control device, comprising the following steps:
detecting a termination request;
adjusting termination parameters to enable a controlled slowing of a film transport to a standstill, such that a remnant of the film produced remains in a film production line; and
terminating the film production.

13. A blown film manufacturing machine, the blown film manufacturing machine comprising:
at least one extruder for producing and providing molten plastic material;
a die device from which the molten plastic material can be is drawn in the form of a film;
at least one transport roll;
at least one winding device whereby the film can be wound up; and
at least one control device configured to issue control commands to:
detect a start-up request;
set start-up parameters;
provide film material;
start an interior bubble-cooling means for creating a film bubble;
commence the film production;
cut or puncture the film bubble upstream of a haul-off apparatus; and
set film production parameters.

14. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed on a control device comprising a computer, cause a film manufacturing machine to:
detect a start-up request;
set start-up parameters;
provide film material;
start an interior bubble-cooling means for creating a film bubble;
commence the film production;
cut or puncture the film bubble upstream of a haul-off apparatus; and
set film production parameters.

Assignees

• Windmoeller & Hoelscher

Inventors

• Golubski Karsten
• Kulgemeyer Tobias
• Backmann Martin
• Kirchhoff Tim
• Althermeler Jens

Classifications

• B29C2948/92561

  Time, e.g. start, termination, duration or interruption · CPC title

• B29C2948/9298

  Start-up, shut-down or parameter setting phase; Emergency shut-down; Material change; Test or laboratory equipment or studies · CPC title

• B29C48/325

  being} adjustable {, i.e. having adjustable exit sections · CPC title

• B29C2948/92485

  Start-up, shut-down or parameter setting phase; Emergency shut-down; Material change; Test or laboratory equipment or studies · CPC title

• B29C37/0096

  Trouble-shooting during starting or stopping moulding or shaping apparatus (B29C66/872 takes precedence) · CPC title