HK1169864A - Method for controlling and operating a production cell, and a control device - Google Patents

Description

Method for controlling and operating a production unit and control device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and a control device for controlling and operating a production unit according to the preambles of claims 1 and 10.

Background

A method for controlling and operating a production unit and a control device of the generic type are known from WO 2006/089451. In this document, the production sequence for a production unit is predefined and parameterized by the user. Component-oriented control is used, where such components may be machine control components, such as form closure (Formschluss), aggregates, core pullers, processing equipment, and the like. The machine control component is virtually mapped in the control and a production flow can be determined via a domain model using a domain language.

This is more accurately described in WO 2006/089451: machine processes are created, managed and implemented by means of professional domain languages, in particular on the basis of behaviorally complete components which together form a domain model. In this document, the solution allows the components to be visualized on a screen surface or user interface for use by the user as a basis for modeling an arbitrary flow. For each problem space in the control, a domain language is used to describe the solution and thereby automatically generate the program code.

However, the increasingly strong requirements for greater variability in the case of the use of injection molding machines or production units are not fully taken into account with the aforementioned solutions.

In the case of die casting, the design of the die casting is predefined by the die casting tool. However, it is often not always necessary to produce identical injection-molded parts, but rather different components. Although this is generally possible with die-casting machines, the tools and possibly other peripheral devices have to be replaced or modified for this purpose. In this regard, die casting machines are generally not special machines and the production units can be modified accordingly by replacing equipment parts, tools and peripheral equipment.

The injection molding machine is advantageously designed such that the tool and the plasticizing device can be changed and different peripheral devices can be connected. In this case, the tool often contains a plurality of actuators and sensors which must be operated by the die casting machine. In this case, the actuator can drive certain components linearly, rotationally or in some other way, wherein the drive shafts are referred to in each case. The tool or peripheral has connection ends for its actuators and sensors, which have to be applied in a suitable manner. In other words, the drives for the tool shaft and the shafts of the die casting machine itself must be coordinated in a correct manner for the machine processes (e.g. production processes, injection processes, closing force adjustment, etc.), but also the peripheral devices. The connection ends of the actuators and sensors of the tools and peripherals are connected to suitable connection ends of the die casting machine, which are checked and controlled by the control device. The sensor can also be an external monitoring device, for example a camera or a balancing system. The input may also be used for synchronization with the peripheral device. The production process with the installed tools and the existing peripheral devices, but also other machine processes, can be predefined or adapted by the founder of the die casting machine.

In order to be able to operate the tool or the peripheral device, said tool or peripheral device is connected to the die casting machine via a connecting end in a conventional manner. The connection terminals are also referred to below as hardware inputs and outputs of the connection terminals that are present at the die casting machine or production unit. Which are inputs and outputs for actuators and sensors.

Logically, the interfaces between the tool shaft and the peripheral devices are connected in a suitable manner to connections provided at the die casting machine.

The desired connection ends have been described and set up accordingly when ordering die-casting machines, wherein different tools or tool types and peripheral connections must already be known. The connections for actuators and sensors and outputs and inputs (analog or digital) available at the die casting machine are dedicated to this in a conventional manner and cannot be used flexibly. It is therefore possible to provide a die casting machine with connecting ends for two hydraulic pushers (also referred to as Auswerfer) and two hydraulic core pullers, but now a third core puller is implemented in the tool, which, due to the lack of further connecting ends, is now no longer able to be connected to the (previously described) pre-configured die casting machine, although corresponding hydraulic or electric tool shafts (or also pneumatic or control-technology connecting ends) may still be present, but is provided for other application purposes (for example for pushers).

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a method for controlling and operating a production unit and a control device, with which existing equipment at a die casting machine can be used flexibly and on demand. In particular, the operator of a die casting machine should be able to create machine control components from universally usable hardware elements (actuators and sensors).

This object is achieved according to the method and according to the device by the features specified in claims 1 and 10.

In the case of the method and the control device for controlling and operating a production unit starting from WO2006/089451, the core idea of the invention is therefore to newly create or change machine control components as part of the domain model and then to assign the connections of the created or changed machine control components to existing and universally usable hardware connections (i.e. hardware inputs and outputs). This is achieved in the following steps: (i) selecting a machine control component from a plurality of predefined component types, (ii) assigning one technology from the possible technologies for the selected component type to the selected machine control component having the determined assigned component type, wherein for each technology of the component type suitable logic for the drive shaft or the device is stored, which logic together comprises and defines the interfaces required for this technology, and (iii) connecting or assigning the connection interface of the machine control component thus created to suitable hardware inputs and outputs of the existing connections of the die casting machine (i.e. of the actuators and/or sensors).

In summary, it is thus possible to create a new machine control component, the commands assigned to it and determined in the stored logic of which can be inserted into the production flow via the flow editor. Once a new machine control component is created in the domain model, assigned to the existing hardware connections and activated (wherein activation means loading the machine control component into the machine control device), the machine control component can be displayed on the screen and driven via the operating keys. Here, as described in EP2100197a1, an on-screen keyboard can be used which enables the haptic operating keys to be dynamically occupied, marked and symbolized. This is now also possible for machine components created by the machine operator.

The symbols and labels of the screen keys thus designed can preferably be matched by the user. In fig. 2, a schematic representation (Schema) is shown here, with which a machine control component (in fig. 2, this is in particular an auxiliary control component) can be generated.

According to fig. 2, different information is available in the three memory areas. In the first memory area, a description of the hardware connections (i.e., hardware inputs and outputs) that are present in the case of die casting machines and that are read in when the machine is started is contained. In this hardware description of the hardware connection, the configuration and equipment of the diecasting machine is therefore explained. Only the hardware elements that are also physically present on the diecasting machine are in this hardware description (file), which is also referred to as the hardware "pool". In this storage area, the use of equipment is preferably also managed.

In a storage area "Repository" (also referred to as a machine control component pool), all existing or operator-created machine control components are stored and then available in the process editor. Whereby commands of the machine control component can be used in the production flow.

The entire logic is stored in a memory area "Model". Furthermore, the different elements and machine control components are also described by means of a domain language.

When creating a new machine control component (also described below by way of example as an auxiliary control component), the machine control component is generated as desired and as technically meaningful as possible, for example by means of a software assistant (also referred to as Wizard). For this purpose, the user or the builder first selects machine control components (for example standard core puller) from a plurality of predefined component types and then assigns technologies from a plurality of technologies predefined for the component type to these machine control components having the selected component type. Here, the component type may be, for example, a pusher and the technique may be, for example: whether the pusher is operated hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically. It is explained in the computer/storage device how each component type is established and which techniques are allowed for this.

After the component types and technologies for the new machine control component are known, the software assistant that generated the machine control component and that was stored in the machine control component pool can now be shut down. From this point on, the machine control component may be used outside the machine configuration (e.g., in a flow editor). However, activation in the machine control is not possible at this point in time because of the lack of assignment to the hardware connections present on the machine. In other words, the machine control components are first generated in the domain model and must now be brought into conformity with the physically existing environment. For this purpose, the user connects the connection interface of the machine control unit, which is generated by the software assistant, to the connection terminals actually present at the die casting machine, i.e. the hardware inputs and outputs (also referred to below as hardware elements) from the hardware bath. The control device is designed such that only suitable hardware elements of the correct type can be assigned to the respective connection of the machine control unit.

After the machine control components are created and assigned to the existing hardware elements in an appropriate manner, the commands for these components may be inserted into the machine flow (e.g., the generation flow). The user must activate the new machine configuration on the machine control. When a new machine configuration is activated, different checks and verifications are carried out, wherein the control device is designed in such a way that the checks and verifications recognize, for example, an incomplete hardware allocation of the connection interface to the machine control components or also multiple uses of hardware elements in the case of a plurality of machine control components.

In particular, when a new configuration is activated on the machine control device, the difference between the new machine configuration and the currently loaded machine configuration can be calculated and only the differences from the previous production process on the machine control device can be loaded.

In the machine control device, new components are now instantiated and connected, and components that are no longer needed are deleted and changed components are matched.

The same measures can be implemented when changing an existing machine control unit, for example if the hydraulic pusher should be replaced by an electric pusher or if the machine control unit should be connected to other hardware inputs or outputs.

The invention is explained below, in particular, by means of the combination of auxiliary control components. These auxiliary control components are machine control components configured by the establisher, which are primarily used to control tool functions or peripheral devices. In addition to simple auxiliary control components, which have, for example, only one actuator (e.g., pusher, core puller, air valve), there are also complex auxiliary control components which have a plurality of actuators (e.g., telescopic-type pushers, rotary disk feeders, dials, etc.). However, the auxiliary control unit can also be preconfigured, the data of which are then provided together with the data set that can be read into the machine control.

In the implementation of the invention, it is to be noted that the machine control components, in particular the auxiliary control components, can be configured in such a way that they represent the real components as exactly as possible.

The core requirement of the invention is that the existing equipment on the machine can be used flexibly and in a satisfactory manner, wherein the die casting machine, including the auxiliary control, is to be configured and operated simply and continuously. In any case, it should be possible, for example, to use and parameterize the auxiliary control element as in the case of a normal machine control element. With regard to the concepts used, a distinction is currently made between:

-technique of

-a connection end

Type of component

-commands

Appearance of

-component class

-grouping.

The technology forms the basis of a machine control unit. The technology contains its logic, determining the number and manner of connections and the technical commands that can be used by the component type. For example, the following techniques may be used with the auxiliary control component:

furthermore, for example, the following connection end types can be used for the connection interface:

connection terminal type	Note
		Switch input terminal	Potential-free relay input terminal
Switch output terminal	Potential-free contact or semiconductor output
		Position switch	Simple digital input
Pneumatic valve	Simple digital output
		Hydraulic valve	Proportional or servovalves
Electric motor	Motor, inverter and resolver

The connection interface represents an interface to an operating device (e.g., an actuator or a sensor).

The part type (e.g., standard pusher or telescoping pusher) is a specific feature of the machine control category or the auxiliary control category. Further, the appearance and the command are assigned to the component type. Here, the appearance of all component types of a component class should be identical.

The commands can trigger the action of the machine control component or the auxiliary control component.

Each component type is assigned exactly one look.

All machine control types or auxiliary control types that behave the same are summarized in one component category. For example, the standard pusher and the retractable type pusher are summarized as the auxiliary control category "pusher". For example, the following auxiliary control categories can be available for the auxiliary control component:

-a switch input

-a switch output

-blast control device

-vacuum control means

-tool venting means

Tool nozzle lock

-a pusher

Core puller

-skate board

-threaded magnetic core

-generalized linear axis

-a generalized axis of rotation

-carousel feeder

-a dial.

In the case of a future increase in the number of component types, the component types can additionally also be grouped according to different criteria (for example tool groups and peripheral groups or standard components and customer-specific components).

With regard to the control software, a hierarchical structure is preferably chosen. The division corresponds in various aspects to a mirror image of the real machine made up of the various components.

In the uppermost logical layer of the software structure, the use of the technical components is determined. The logic component may be assembled on one or more technical components. The logic component represents a large, limitable component of a machine or tool. Generalized linear shafts, processes, booster pushers or rotary table feeders are possible representatives of this layer. The logic component is responsible for the correct interaction of the technical components assigned to it. The commands provided by the logic component may be used directly in the flow editor.

The logical layer furthermore presets the appearance of the component (for example the symbols and the names of the components and commands). The appearance (symbols and especially names of components and commands) can be matched by the machine operator.

Further features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Drawings

The invention will be elucidated in more detail below on the basis of specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are as follows:

figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the assignment of the actual existing hardware connections of actuators and sensors to the existing auxiliary control components,

figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of the steps for generating the secondary control means in case of tracing back the stored information,

figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of the interaction of the flow and configuration of the auxiliary control component and the input device,

figure 4a shows a screen section with an overview of the actually existing connections (hardware inputs and outputs) for the actuators/sensors,

figure 4b shows an illustration of the screen section from figure 4a with the aid of connections available for the switch inputs,

figure 5 shows a screen segment with a screen illustration of an existing or generated auxiliary control,

figures 6a-6d show different screen windows for setting up a new supplementary control unit,

figure 7 shows in a screen representation a representation of the newly set-up auxiliary control component "core puller",

fig. 8 shows a screen representation as in fig. 7, from which the assignment of the connection ends to the hardware components can be seen,

fig. 9 shows a screen representation as in fig. 7, from which the assignment of the connection interface to the connection of the actual existing hardware component can be seen,

FIGS. 10a-10e show different screen windows for setting up another new auxiliary control unit, an

Fig. 11 shows an overview of existing or generated auxiliary control components.

Detailed Description

In the case of a die casting machine for a production unit, different connections for actuators and sensors having outputs and inputs (which may be analog or digital) are provided according to the invention. These existing hardware components (hardware elements with hardware inputs and outputs) are shown in fig. 1 by reference numerals 10 (actuators) and 12 (sensors). On the other side, auxiliary control components are required for the use of certain tools or certain peripheral devices, which can be produced according to the invention and are designated by reference numeral 16 in fig. 1. The invention therefore aims to connect and correctly assign physically existing hardware elements, in particular hardware inputs and outputs of actuators and sensors, to the connection interface of the auxiliary control unit.

The measures when a new auxiliary control unit is generated become clear from fig. 2. In the storage area indicated by "device" (this corresponds to "equipment"), the actual existing hardware components (connection possibilities) of the machine are reserved. The actual existing hardware components (connection possibilities, including their occupation) are read in from a file (for example an XML file or another file with structured content) and describe the equipment of the injection molding machine when the machine is started. Existing hardware inputs and outputs are therefore stored in the hardware pool in this memory area. The use of existing equipment is also managed in this area.

Therefore, only elements that are also physically implemented on the machine are located in the hardware pool, wherein the individual elements are identified by a running gear identification (BMK). In the storage area represented by the "repository" (also called machine control component pool), auxiliary control components created by the operator are stored and then available to the flow editor, which is illustrated by the arrow usage in the area "FPA".

When creating a new auxiliary control unit, the five steps shown under reference numeral 26 are performed in this example. As indicated with reference numeral 28, in a first step the auxiliary control unit is first arranged as desired as possible with a software assistant (so-called wizard).

For this purpose, a desired type is first selected from a plurality of predefined auxiliary control types. For each type of auxiliary control, certain techniques are now available. A technique is now selected from the large number of technical possibilities for one type of auxiliary control and added to the auxiliary control component. The technique for example describes the way in which the auxiliary control unit should be operated. The technique herein considers the secondary control axis, as will become apparent later. Since for each auxiliary control type it is stored how the auxiliary control is set up, the control now knows the allowed auxiliary control types and the allowed technologies for the selected auxiliary control components.

After the type and technology of the auxiliary control is known, the software assistant can be switched off, so that the auxiliary control components are created in the domain model in a software-technical manner and stored in a "repository" (machine control component pool). The auxiliary control unit can now be used in the flow editor. However, since the auxiliary control unit has not yet been assigned to an existing hardware element, activation for machine control is not possible in the first place.

In a next step (reference numeral 30), the user connects the connection interface, i.e. the inputs and outputs of the auxiliary control elements, which was previously implemented by the software assistant, to the hardware elements actually present at the die casting machine, which are stored in the hardware bath of the storage area (reference numeral 20). Here, the control device checks: only the appropriate hardware elements of the correct type are dispatched.

In a next step (reference numeral 32), a new configuration is activated on the machine control after the creation of the auxiliary control components and the assignment of the connection terminals. In this case, the machine control device performs various verifications and checks. The verification and verification identifies incomplete hardware allocation of the secondary control component or also identifies multiple uses of hardware elements in the plurality of secondary control components.

After verification and validation, the current configuration is loaded into the machine control in step (reference numeral 34). For this purpose, for example, the difference between the new and currently loaded machine configuration is calculated and only this difference is loaded into the machine control (Delta update).

In a next step (DPU setting, reference numeral 36), the new machine control component is put into the program code, which deletes the machine control component no longer needed and matches the changed machine control component.

The creation of the new supplementary control unit is thus ended. But whereby the auxiliary control unit is not yet integrated into the production flow or other machine flow. This is explained below.

After the abstract model of the implementation of the present invention has just been described in FIG. 2, a specific embodiment is described below.

Fig. 4a shows a screen representation of hardware connections existing on the machine for actuators and sensors. Here, a cursor (Reiter) 51 "overview of the actuators/sensors" is activated in software. In this respect, the hardware equipment shown in the memory area 20 is actually shown; this is a hardware pool. Currently, for example, all the existing connections to the switch inputs, switch outputs, pneumatic valves and hydraulic valves are shown. In this case, the corresponding connections are classified in fig. 4a according to the free connections and the occupied connections. In fig. 4b, a column 52 for the "switch output" is selected, in which the connection under reference numeral 60 is visible as a free switch input connection of the diecasting machine. The connection terminals for the switch inputs, which are arranged under the reference numerals 62, 64 and 65, are assigned to the auxiliary control components "pusher 1", "pusher 2" and "core puller".

It is therefore clear to the operator with respect to the illustration in fig. 4a that seven free connection terminals are still present in the case of the switch input, 14 free connection terminals are still present in the case of the switch output, seven free connection terminals are still present in the case of the pneumatic valve and one free connection terminal is still present in the case of the hydraulic valve. These free connections can now be used for other auxiliary control components.

In fig. 5 (in which a screen illustration with an overview of the created auxiliary control components can be seen), a cursor 71 "auxiliary control device" is activated in software. Thus, the auxiliary control components are shown stored in a storage area 22 "repository" (pool of machine control components). In the rows designated by reference numerals 72, 74, 76, 78 and 80, 5 auxiliary control components "process", "pusher 1", "pusher 2", "air valve" and "core puller" are shown, as well as their respective behaviors, assigned technology, used connection ends and stored safety levels.

In fig. 5, the core puller shown in the last row by reference numeral 80 is selected from the five auxiliary control components, whereby the associated specification is shown in the screen area designated by reference numeral 86. In detail, the names, behaviors, and techniques of the auxiliary control components are illustrated in the screen section 88. The present invention relates to a core puller to which a technique having a hydraulic shaft and a switching position is assigned. A level 3 is selected as the safety level in the screen area 90, according to which level 3 the shaft can be moved only when the protective cover is closed. In the screen area 92, the connection interface of the technical "hydraulic spindle with shift position" is connected to the hardware inputs or outputs described in the fields for the valve connection, the final switch and the position switch for the shift position, respectively. The assigned hardware input or output can also be changed in the field by a corresponding further assignment.

An overview of already existing auxiliary control components and their configuration is thus obtained with the screen section shown in fig. 5.

The manipulation knob 82 "HS add" is manipulated if it is desired to add a new auxiliary control part to the existing auxiliary control part. A window with a software assistant (also called wizard) is then opened, in which a predefined amount of auxiliary control types are illustrated (see fig. 6 a). After the core puller has been selected as the auxiliary control type in fig. 6a, the technique can be selected by manipulating the manipulation knob "continue" in step 2 (see fig. 6 b). For the auxiliary control type "core puller", three techniques are provided: namely, pneumatic ("pneumatic shaft"), hydraulic ("hydraulic shaft"), and electrically operated shaft ("electric shaft"). One of these provided techniques can now be selected. If another auxiliary control type should be selected in step 1, naturally additional techniques are provided. If the actuating button "continue" in fig. 6b is actuated, step 3 is reached, wherein in the case of a core puller with a hydraulic spindle: whether there is a switching position (sensor) present. If this is selected in accordance with the fact and the operating button "continue" is actuated in fig. 6c, the software assistant is switched off and an auxiliary control component "profile puller" with the specification "hydraulic" and the corresponding switching position configuration is generated. This supplementary control unit is also listed as a new supplementary control unit (reference numeral 81) in the memory area 22 of the "repository" from this point in time and can now also be used in the process editor.

Based on the choice of the type and technology of the auxiliary control, it is clear from the logic stored in the "model" of the memory area 24 which connections have to be assigned to the auxiliary control components. Currently, this is the connection end "valve connection end 1-close to injection position", "final switch E1-injection position", "changeover position S1" and "final switch E2-in ejection position" in the case of the auxiliary control component "core puller 2". The connection interface for the actuators or sensors must now be connected to the hardware elements actually present on the die casting machine. For this purpose, as shown in fig. 8, the available valve connections are listed by opening a pull-down menu when assigning hardware elements to the valve connection 1, from which the appropriate connection can now be selected. Currently, this is connection H12-A. Valve connection 2 is automatically assigned to the second connection H12-B of the selected valve. Furthermore, a displacement direction is assigned to each valve connection end. Currently, this is "near the injection position" for valve connection end 1 and "near the ejection position" for valve connection end 2. Furthermore, the sensors can also be assigned corresponding hardware elements via a pull-down menu. This is illustrated in fig. 9, for example, by the pull-down menu 96 for the final switch E1. In this way, the newly created connection terminals of the auxiliary control unit can now be assigned the respectively available hardware components. If this happens, the assigned connection is also displayed in the screen representation.

The creation of other auxiliary control components is shown in fig. 10a-10 e. When the actuating knob 82 "HS add" is actuated, the software assistant is turned on again, with which "pusher" is selected in step 1 (see fig. 10 a) and when the actuating knob "continue" is actuated, either a "simple pusher" or a "telescopic pusher" can be selected as a variant (see fig. 10 b). After selecting the variant "telescopic pusher", the most different technique is now provided, namely the shaft approach for the first and second telescopic shafts (see fig. 10 c). After selecting the technique, the sensors available in the case of a telescopic pusher can be selected in fig. 10d and, after finishing this step, corresponding auxiliary control components can be added according to fig. 10 e. If the corresponding connection is then assigned, the newly produced auxiliary control element is shown in fig. 11 as indicated under reference numeral 97. After the auxiliary control components are now generated, assigned to the hardware inputs and outputs and activated, they can be used in the usual manner and as in WO2006/089451 in a domain model, in which the operator can use the auxiliary control components in the modeling of the production flow. If an operator performs such a modeling and thus a matching of the production flow, a new configuration has to be transferred into the machine control. It can also be said that the new configuration has to be activated on the machine control. In this case, it is checked whether the assignment of the hardware element to the auxiliary control unit is complete or incomplete or whether multiple occupation (verification) of the hardware element is carried out. According to a preferred embodiment, only the difference between the new and currently loaded configuration is newly calculated and loaded into the machine control.

The previously described process flow is shown in fig. 3 in an additional display. Fig. 3 shows an operator terminal with a screen on which the machine flow is displayed in the domain language. An on-screen keyboard is shown in a screen arranged thereon, which enables the haptic operating keys to be dynamically occupied, marked and symbolized (see also EP2100197a 1).

As shown in the right part of the screen side 40, the component configurator 41 is first invoked on the lower screen. Machine-specific components (e.g., auxiliary control components) may be generated by an operator using a software assistant with the aid of component configurator 41. Once the component type and technology are determined as has been set forth previously, the component may be applied in the component repository 22 (step 43- "create and deposit a new auxiliary control component"). The auxiliary control unit is thus available to the flow editor. In order to be able to activate a new auxiliary control component, the connection of the respective component must also be occupied. In the next step (step 44- "insert command into flow"), the command from the auxiliary control component of repository 22 is provided in the flow editor and can thus be inserted into the production flow by the user in the appropriate location.

By means of the activation, all changes (e.g. new auxiliary control components, matching processes, parameterization of changes, etc. -reference numeral 47-step: "activation changes") are loaded onto the machine control. The change can preferably only be activated if all specifications (verifications) are correctly and completely implemented. As soon as the new auxiliary control is successfully activated, this is indicated by the corresponding occupation at the operating key (reference numeral 45 — indicated at the operating key).

Likewise, auxiliary control components that are no longer needed can be selected first and then deleted via the manipulation knob 84 "HS delete". So that, for example, certain hardware elements required by other auxiliary control components can be released again.

It is also possible to change the configuration of the auxiliary control unit in the manner described above, for example by selecting a different technology, a different security level or a different connection occupancy.

In summary, the present invention provides for the flexible use of die casting machines in production units. In this case, hardware elements provided at the machine, such as connections for actuators and sensors, can be equipped in a versatile manner. With these universally usable connections for actuators and sensors, auxiliary control elements can be produced and configured, as provided in new molding tools or peripherals. It is thus possible to use the diecasting machine equipped with the hardware elements in a defined manner in as variable a manner as possible.

List of reference numerals

10 totality of actuators available with connecting ends (input and output ends)

12 totality of sensors available with connections (input and output)

14 configuration

16 machine control component, here an auxiliary control component

Storage area for existing hardware connections at a die casting machine or production unit 20

22 storage area for the created machine control component

24 storage area for models of machine control components

Five steps 26 for setting up auxiliary control elements for a machine process

28 step "create control Components with wizard"

30-step "assign hardware connection end (device assignment)"

32-step "checking and verifying control Components and Allocation of control Components"

Step 34 "determine differences in heretofore and New machine configurations"

36 step matching Process program to New machine configuration "

40 screen side

41 parts configurator

42 flow editor

43, step (b): generating new auxiliary control members

44, step (b): inserting commands into a flow

45 display operation key

46 operating terminal

And 47, step: activation change

50 screen section with overview of hardware inputs and outputs of existing actuators and sensors

51 slider "overview of actuator/sensor"

52 overview of the free and occupied connections for the switch inputs

54 overview of the free and occupied connections for the switching outputs

56 overview of free and occupied connection ends for pneumatic valves

58 overview of free and occupied connections for hydraulic valves

Overview of 60 free connections for switching inputs

Overview of 62 on the switching inputs assigned to the machine control component "pusher 1

64 overview of the switching inputs assigned to the machine control component "pusher 2

66 overview of the switching inputs assigned to the machine control unit "core puller

70 screen section with overview of the set-up machine control components

71 slide block 'auxiliary control device'

72 graphic representation of the auxiliary control component "processing

74 schematic representation of the auxiliary control part "pusher 1

76 schematic representation of the auxiliary control part "pusher 2

78 schematic representation of the auxiliary control component "air valve

80 illustration of the auxiliary control feature "core puller

81 newly added auxiliary control part "core puller" diagram

82 operating knob for adding auxiliary control component

84 operating knob for deleting auxiliary control part

86 selected specifications of the auxiliary control member

88 illustration of component types and techniques

Graphical representation of 90 security levels

Illustration of 92 connection end assignment

94 selection menu for selecting valve connection end (Pull-down menu)

96 selection menu for selecting the final switch E1 (Pull-down menu)

97 illustration of a newly added auxiliary control component "pusher 3

Claims (17)

1. A method for controlling and operating a production unit, comprising at least a part of peripheral devices assigned to the production unit, wherein a machine flow is created, managed and implemented by means of a domain language on the basis of a machine control component, which is part of a domain model,

newly creating or changing a machine control component as part of a domain model, having the steps of:

-selecting a machine control component from a number of pre-given component types,

-assigning allowed technologies from a multitude of technologies for respective component types, wherein for each technology of a component type a logic is stored, which logic comprises the required connection interfaces for the respective technology and defines the connection interfaces for machine control components,

assigning the generated connection interfaces of the machine control components to the appropriate hardware inputs and outputs of the existing connection ends of the die casting machine or production unit.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is checked when assigning the technology to a machine control component whether the assignment is allowed.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that all existing or produced machine control components are stored in a component pool.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generated machine control components, after being deposited in the component pool, can be used in the configuration of the machine flow by means of a domain language for describing the machine flow.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all hardware inputs and outputs of existing connections of a production unit are managed in a hardware pool.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the correctness of the assignment is checked when assigning a connection interface of a machine control component to a hardware input or output.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the integrity and the permissibility of the assignment is checked after the adjustment or change of the machine control component when transitioning into the machine control.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine configuration can be exported and re-imported.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hardware inputs and outputs of the existing connections of the production unit are selected from a connection pool of free connections when assigned to the connection interface of the machine control unit.

10. A device for controlling and operating a production unit, comprising a computer/memory device, wherein a production process can be predefined and parameterized by a user at an operating device, wherein the computer/memory device is designed to accommodate a knowledge base and to operate a control unit at a control unit

The mapping of at least a part of the devices existing at or assigned to the respective production unit can be generated in the form of machine control components in a domain model and the machine flow can be created, managed and implemented by means of a domain language, characterized in that

Machine control components that are part of the domain model can be newly created or changed,

-storing in a memory means a number of predefined component types for selecting a new machine control component,

-storing in a storage means for each provided component type a number of technologies that can be assigned to machine control components of one component type for assigning logic and required interfaces for each technology of one component type,

and means for assigning hardware inputs and outputs of existing connections of the production unit to connection interfaces of the created machine control component.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the computer/storage device is configured to verify: whether the assignment of the technology to the machine control component is permitted.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a storage device is provided, in which existing and/or produced machine control components can be stored in the form of component pools in the storage device.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer/storage device is configured for integrating the generated machine control components in the machine control device after storage in the component pool.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided for checking the correctness of the assignment of the connection interface of the machine control component with the hardware input or output of the existing connection of the production unit.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided for determining a deviation from the previous production process and for changing the machine control means after adjusting or changing the machine control means and using the machine control means in the domain model so that the change can be transferred into the production process.

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided for inputting and/or outputting the machine configuration.

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means are provided for checking whether the connection interface of the machine control component is connected to the appropriate hardware inputs and outputs of the existing connection of the production unit.