Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B11/00—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses
  • B30B11/02—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space
  • B30B11/08—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space co-operating with moulds carried by a turntable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
  • B30B15/0094—Press load monitoring means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
  • B30B15/06—Platens or press rams
  • B30B15/065—Press rams
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
  • B30B15/26—Programme control arrangements

Definitions

• the invention preferably relates to a press die for a tableting machine.
• the press die preferably has a measuring device that is energy-autonomous and functions independently of the power supply of the tableting machine.
• the invention preferably relates to a tabletting machine and a system which includes the above-mentioned press punch.
• the invention also relates to a method for monitoring a tableting machine with the press plunger according to the invention during operation.
• the measuring device of the press plunger preferably has a sensor, a computing unit and a communication unit as well as a storage unit.
• the sensor of the measuring device records physical or chemical measured values.
• the communication unit of the measuring device then sends the recorded measured values of the sensor preferably to a programmable logic controller of the tableting machine and/or to a data processing unit and/or the recorded measured values of the sensor are preferably saved on the storage unit of the measuring device.
• Tableting machines are primarily used for the production of tablets on an industrial scale. Tableting machines are based on the principle that a matrix is first filled with a powder mixture to be tableted. The mixture is then pressed into a tablet by the interaction of an upper and lower punch. Modern tableting machines can produce several million tablets per hour using multiple tools.
• the large number of pressing processes leads to wear on the pressing tools and can also cause wear on various components of the tableting machine. Furthermore, set machine parameters can prove to be no longer optimally suited to the pressing process during operation, for example due to temperature changes in the machine environment and/or vibrations. Both wear and unsuitable operating parameters can therefore lead to faulty pressing processes and damage components of the tableting machine as a whole.
• Various types of measuring devices are used in the state of the art to monitor such errors.
• An essential component of a measuring device is a sensor.
• a sensor is a technical component and preferably the first element of a measuring chain in a measuring device.
• a sensor can measure physical (e.g. heat quantity, temperature, humidity, pressure, sound field sizes, brightness, Acceleration) or chemical (e.g. pH value, ionic strength, electrochemical potential) properties and/or the material properties of its environment qualitatively or quantitatively as a measured value. These values are recorded using physical or chemical effects and converted into an electrical signal that can be further processed. Sensors within machine tools, particularly forming machines such as presses or punches, are well known in this regard.
• the publication DE 10 2006 002 359 B4 discloses a tableting machine in the form of a rotary press, which has a temperature sensor in the immediate vicinity of its die.
• the sensor is stationary, does not rotate with the rotor, for example, it is attached to the machine frame.
• the sensor records temperature values of the tablets to be produced in order to monitor the production process.
• the disadvantage of such a tableting machine is that only one physical property can be recorded, namely the temperature inside the press. Furthermore, the temperature can only be measured stationary at one point inside the press.
• the DE 10 2005 051 567 B4 discloses a tableting machine - a rotary press - and a method for measuring the path of a press ram.
• the press rams of the rotary press are equipped with markers.
• the rotary movement of the press rams causes them to pass a sensor that is fixed in place (outside the rotor). This records the position changes of the markers, which are then evaluated.
• the document DE 195 02 596 C2 describes sensors and measuring devices for monitoring the tableting process. Force sensors are attached to both an upper and a lower pressure roller in order to determine the pressing force values of a pair of punches. In conjunction with the rotor position, the measurements and previously determined machine parameters are used to measure and calculate path-pressing force assignments.
• the disadvantage of this arrangement is that the pressing force is not measured directly on the pressing ram. Between the sensor and the pressing ram there are components (pressure roller, pressure roller bearings, pressing stations) of different strengths and rigidities. These components influence the quality of the force measurement. Another disadvantage is the fact that this sensor arrangement can only record one physical property, namely the force that acts on the pressure roller through the pressing ram.
• Press punches are an essential element for the functionality of tableting machines, so they must be monitored to a special degree.
• some forming machines, in particular presses are known that include a sensor that is set up to monitor pressing forces on a press punch.
• the known designs for monitoring pressing forces on press punches have significant disadvantages, as will become clear below.
• the publication DD 294 457 A5 describes a sensor for measuring force on presses.
• a force sensor is installed in a piston body.
• a press ram is attached to this piston body so that the force sensor is above the ram (on the upper ram) or below (at the lower punch).
• the force sensor is wired to a voltage source via a corresponding hole in the piston body.
• Such an arrangement also has disadvantages for eccentric presses.
• the press ram must be held in a specifically designed piston body, which means that, among other things, different loads that occur partially within the press ram cannot be measured.
• These can be disadvantageous, for example, if the press ram does not stand perpendicular to the powder material to be pressed.
• JP S60 42492 U discloses a press stamp according to the preamble of claim 1 with a detector which is configured as a strain gauge and is attached to the outside of the shaft of the stamp body.
• the attachment of the strain gauge to the shaft of the stamp body serves to obtain information about the force acting on the stamp body.
• the measurement data of the detector can be transmitted via a radio transmitter to an external transmitter which is connected to the detector via a lead wire.
• the document DE 101 35 283 C2 discloses a method for pressing powder material.
• Deformations of the die plate are measured or calculated for different pressing forces.
• the sensors for measuring the force are directly connected to the press punches and are mounted above (upper punch) and below (lower punch) the press punches.
• the sensors are mounted on the support surface of the punch heads of the press punches.
• Such a method is also not practical for tableting machines that are designed as rotary presses, since in rotary presses the press punches are guided by control cams.
• the punch heads come into direct contact with the pressure rollers of the rotary press, so it does not make sense to attach a sensor to the punch head.
• the object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device and a method for tabletting machines in order to and/or chemical properties directly and continuously on and/or in a press die.
• the invention relates to a press die for a tableting machine, wherein the press die has a measuring device that is energy-autonomous and functions independently of a power supply of the tableting machine, and wherein the measuring device has a sensor for recording physical and/or chemical properties.
• the press die is characterized in that the measuring device is installed within the press die body and comprises a sensor, a communication unit, a storage unit, an energy storage device and a computing unit, wherein the measured values obtained as raw data can be processed by means of the computing unit.
• the press ram of the tableting machine has a measuring device, measured variables that are directly related to this press ram can be recorded without having to calculate out the influences of other components. In addition, it can be easily attached without being connected to the power supply of the tableting machine. Furthermore, the measuring device is advantageously not fixed in a stationary position on the tableting machine due to the rotating ram in the case of a rotary press. This means that physical or chemical properties (e.g. temperature measurement) can be recorded continuously during the entire rotor rotation of a rotary press. The present invention therefore advantageously enables the recording of measured values before, during and after a pressing process, in contrast to the known devices from the prior art.
• the tabletting machine is preferably a rotary press or an eccentric press.
• the press stamp is preferably designed such that it has a stamp head, a stamp shaft and a stamp tip.
• stamp head stamp shaft and stamp tip are familiar to those skilled in the art.
• the measuring device is preferably contained in the stamp shaft or incorporated in it.
• the measuring device has a sensor for recording physical and/or chemical properties of the press ram and/or its surroundings.
• Physical properties are defined, for example, by the amount of heat, temperature, humidity, pressure, sound field sizes, brightness, acceleration.
• Chemical properties are, for example, pH value, ionic strength, electrochemical potential. The properties can be recorded either qualitatively or quantitatively as a measured value.
• the measuring device comprises several different sensors which record different physical or chemical properties (of the press die and/or its environment) in parallel at the same time.
• the combination of several different recorded measured values advantageously leads to an increased accuracy of a status statement about components of the tableting machine or the production process.
• the press die is characterized in that the measuring device has a sensor, in particular for recording a force, a temperature or an acceleration of the press die and/or its surroundings.
• the press ram is characterized in that the measuring device has several sensors which are set up to measure the pressing force, the temperatures of the press ram and ram tip and to measure the linear and rotary accelerations of the press ram.
• the measuring device comprises an active sensor.
• Active sensors generate a voltage based on their measuring principle and do not require any auxiliary electrical energy.
• Active sensors can be, for example, thermocouples, light sensors or pressure sensors. The installation of active sensors advantageously leads to lower energy consumption.
• the senor of the measuring device is designed as a passive sensor.
• Passive sensors contain passive components whose parameters are changed by the measured variable. These parameters are converted into electrical signals by primary electronics. This requires externally supplied auxiliary energy.
• Passive sensors include, for example: load cells, resistance thermometers, strain gauges, magnetic field sensors (Hall probe). Passive sensors advantageously provide particularly accurate measurement results.
• the senor is a temperature sensor.
• conclusions can be drawn about the function of the punch guide and the lubrication, which can provide information about wear.
• conclusions can be drawn about a pressing process.
• recorded temperature values of the press ram can be advantageously used to monitor or control compression or expansion of the press ram due to temperature fluctuations.
• the temperature can preferably be recorded in many ways using different sensors and measuring devices. Preferred sensors for recording the temperature are listed below. However, the invention is not limited to the sensors in general, their mode of operation and their design.
• a preferred temperature sensor comprises an NTC thermistor, i.e. a thermistor. This has a negative temperature coefficient, so that when the temperature increases, the resistance falls and a higher current flows.
• NTC thermistor i.e. a thermistor.
• PTC thermistors can also be used, which have a positive temperature coefficient, so that when the temperature increases, the resistance increases and a lower current flows.
• the temperature sensor is designed as a semiconductor temperature sensor. It generates an electrical quantity proportional to the absolute temperature. This electrical quantity can preferably be represented in analog or digital form.
• the temperature sensor comprises a temperature sensor with a quartz oscillator as the measuring element.
• the resonance frequency of the oscillating quartz changes depending on the temperature and can be measured very precisely.
• the temperature sensors are preferably distributed on the outer surface of the press ram body and particularly preferably within the press ram body.
• thermocouples are a pair of metallic conductors made of different materials that are connected at one end. They convert a temperature difference into an electrical voltage (Seebeck effect).
• temperature sensor may include ferromagnetic temperature sensors.
• the senor is a displacement sensor or distance sensor.
• a displacement sensor advantageously leads to the precise determination of the position of a press punch in the tableting machine, so that positional anomalies can be noticed immediately. Geometric changes in individual elements of the tableting machine can also be determined.
• the upper punch and lower punch preferably cover a path that converges towards each other.
• a relationship between pressing force and path can preferably be determined (in combination with a force sensor), so that advantageous properties of the pressing mass, such as elasticity, plasticity and porosity, can be derived from this.
• the determination of a position, a distance or a path can be achieved using a variety of measuring principles and, consequently, a variety of sensor arrangements.
• the invention is therefore not limited to the path or distance sensors listed in this document.
• the measuring device comprises both direct and indirect measuring principles for determining the position, distance or path. Furthermore, the measured values can also preferably be obtained by integrating all conceivable linear path measuring systems into the press ram.
• measured values can be linked to one another in order to improve the accuracy and the information about a condition.
• the exact rotor position in connection with rotary presses helps to improve the distance measurement with the acceleration sensors.
• a potentiometer sensor is used in a preferred embodiment of the displacement sensor.
• the potentiometer sensor is an electrical resistance component whose resistance values can be changed mechanically (by turning or moving).
• the potentiometer sensor is inserted into a press die in such a way that it changes its resistance every time the entire press die is rotated.
• Strain gauges which are used in an alternative embodiment of the displacement sensor according to the invention, follow a similar principle.
• a strain gauge changes its electrical resistance by changing its length and cross-section.
• Bridge circuits are preferably used to measure resistances. They can be used to determine a resistance absolutely or to determine a relative change in resistance. When measuring with strain gauges, the relative change in resistance is measured, as already mentioned.
• the person skilled in the art is familiar with the design of the bridge circuit in connection with the measurement of resistance changes of strain gauges as a quarter bridge, half bridge and full bridge.
• a strain gauge can preferably be used to record the expansion in the longitudinal direction of a press ram.
• Another preferred displacement sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.
• the capacitive sensor consists of two metal parts that are insulated from one another. It forms a capacitor with variable capacitance with the measuring object. The measuring effect is based on a geometric change in the distance between the two capacitor surfaces or a lateral displacement of these, which leads to a change in the effective capacitor surface.
• a displacement sensor can, for example, preferably be an inductive sensor.
• Inductive sensors basically work with an inductance (open coil), a magnetic field is generated which is changed by an object. This measuring principle advantageously allows angles, paths or distances and speeds to be measured without contact and without wear. Preferably, several coils are used according to the invention.
• the measuring device comprises a force sensor.
• the invention is not limited to the sensors listed below for recording forces. limited. Any force measurement that can be sensibly integrated into a press ram is conceivable in order to enable use for pressing force measurement.
• Force sensors are preferably designed as pressure sensors.
• the senor comprises a pressure sensor. It has been shown that a pressure sensor within the measuring device provides good information about the wear of press rams. In addition, pressure sensors can be used to determine maximum forces that must not be exceeded, for example, in order to avoid overloading.
• the invention can preferably be aimed at determining pressing forces and pressing force curves.
• the focus of the determination can, for example, be forces within a press ram that occur before the press ram hits the pressure rollers.
• the upper punch can be pressed by the lower punch against the upper pressure roller or lift curve of a rotary press if the settings are incorrect.
• the continuous information about possible wear of the press rams or cam tracks can ensure significantly improved quality assurance. On the one hand, early replacement may be indicated. On the other hand, the operating parameters can be adjusted to minimize progressive wear.
• piezoresistive pressure sensor Another preferred pressure sensor is a piezoresistive pressure sensor.
• Piezoresistive pressure sensors use metallic strain gauges or pressure-sensitive semiconductor chips.
• the following piezoresistive sensor technologies are familiar to those skilled in the art: ceramic thick-film sensors, metal thin-film sensors, silicon pressure sensors and piezoresistive silicon sensors.
• Another preferred pressure sensor is a piezoelectric pressure sensor.
• a piezoelectric sensor an electrical voltage is generated in a crystal by means of pressure through charge separation (piezoelectric effect). Pressure causes ions to shift inside the crystal, which creates an electrical charge on the surface that is proportional to the force. The charge is converted into a proportional electrical voltage by a charge amplifier. Any pressure can be set as the zero point of the charge amplifier by deriving (short-circuiting) the charge, which makes pressure changes directly measurable.
• the pressure sensor comprises a Hall element. This pressure sensor works according to the Hall effect, whereby the magnetic field around the Hall element is changed when pressure is applied.
• the pressure sensor is a capacitive pressure sensor.
• Capacitive pressure sensors contain two capacitors diffused into a silicon chip. When pressure is applied, the distances between a membrane and two capacitor plates on either side are changed in opposite directions, so that the capacitances change accordingly.
• the capacitors are preferably part of an internal amplifier, the output signal of which depends on the difference in the capacitances.
• the senor comprises an inductive pressure sensor.
• Inductive pressure sensors work with an iron core which is connected to a membrane. Pressure changes generate a force on the membrane and move it. This causes the position of an iron core to change in opposite directions in two coils: in one the inductance increases, in the other it decreases. The difference can advantageously be determined very precisely electrically.
• the sensor of the measuring device is designed as an acceleration sensor.
• Some of the sensors already mentioned can also be used as an acceleration sensor in a preferred embodiment.
• the invention is not limited to the acceleration sensors named below and may well comprise further or different sensors for recording acceleration.
• a preferred measuring device comprising an acceleration sensor can preferably be used to record the path of a press ram.
• the use of an acceleration sensor is advantageous for this purpose because it does not need to have a base as a zero point or reference. Instead, the path is determined indirectly by integrating the measured acceleration. Nevertheless, sufficiently accurate statements can be made about the position path of the ram, which can be used both for quality assurance of the pressed products and for process optimization.
• an acceleration sensor can be used in conjunction with the force measurement to determine wear.
• a measuring device comprising an acceleration sensor is used to measure an impact of a press ram.
• the press ram can preferably be used to determine a force-displacement diagram
• a path can be calculated from linear and rotary accelerations.
• a piezoelectric acceleration sensor is preferably used.
• a piezoceramic sensor plate converts dynamic pressure fluctuations into electrical signals that can be further processed accordingly.
• the pressure fluctuation is generated by a (seismic) mass attached to the piezoceramic and acts on the piezoceramic when the entire system accelerates.
• the acceleration sensor can also preferably be designed as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS).
• MEMS micro-electro-mechanical system
• This sensor is a spring-mass system in which the "spring” is preferably only a few micrometers ( ⁇ m) wide silicon web.
• the mass is also preferably made of silicon. Due to the deflection when the press punch accelerates in the tableting machine (e.g. when the rotor starts up or when the direction of the up and down movement of the punch changes), a change in the electrical capacitance can be measured very sensitively between the spring-mounted part and a fixed reference electrode.
• the electronics for evaluating this small change in capacitance are preferably housed on the same integrated circuit.
• a piezoresistive resistor is attached to a bending beam by ion implantation, which changes its resistance according to the bending and thus allows conclusions to be drawn about the acceleration.
• Ion implantation is known to those skilled in the art and is preferably used in semiconductor technology to change the electrical properties of the base material (here: bending beam).
• the acceleration sensor comprises a strain gauge.
• a force on a test mass is determined by determining the deformation of the fastening (e.g. a rod) using a strain gauge.
• the press stamp can preferably be defined as a test mass.
• the test mass can also preferably be a mass different from the press stamp, which comprises the measuring device.
• the acceleration is determined via magnetic induction.
• an electrical voltage is induced in a coil by a magnet.
• the test mass is preferably a mass different from the press ram, which comprises the measuring device.
• the acceleration sensor is a Ferraris sensor. This measures the relative acceleration without a test mass using eddy currents.
• the measuring device comprises strain gauge full bridges, integrated MEMS sensors and temperature sensors.
• the communication unit in the measuring device preferably serves for wireless transmission of recorded data from the sensor.
• the communication unit is preferably a transmission unit.
• Communication unit in particular a transmitting unit and/or a receiving unit.
• the transmission preferably takes place by means of directed or non-directed electromagnetic waves, whereby the range of the frequency band used can vary from a few hertz (low frequency) to several hundred terahertz (visible light) depending on the application and technology used.
• the following data transmission methods are preferably used: Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree or WiMAX in the radio frequency range and IrDA and optical radio link (FSO) in the infrared or optical frequency range.
• this comprises an antenna.
• the measuring device comprises analog and digital outputs (USB, RS232, field bus) for transmitting data via signal conductors.
• the signal conductor preferably transmits the recorded measurement data to a programmable logic controller of the tableting machine and/or to a data processing unit, and control commands are preferably transmitted to the outputs of the measuring device via the signal conductor.
• the press stamp is characterized in that the measuring device comprises a sensor, a communication unit, a storage unit, an energy storage unit and a computing unit, wherein the measured values obtained as raw data can be processed by means of the computing unit.
• data high-resolution measurements
• the storage unit of the measuring device serves in particular for securing or storing data.
• recorded measurement data from the sensor are preferably saved in the storage unit.
• the storage unit is preferably an electronic data carrier.
• a flash memory is particularly suitable for compact integration of an electronic data carrier into the measurement device, although other data carriers may also be preferred.
• the measuring device comprises a computing unit.
• the computing unit of the measuring device preferably comprises a processor unit.
• the processor unit preferably comprises in particular a graphics processor (GPU) and/or a central processing unit (CPU). Both processors are known to those skilled in the art.
• GPU graphics processor
• CPU central processing unit
• Many computing operations on the raw data can therefore preferably be carried out decentrally on the measuring device.
• the measurement signal can be sampled in particular at high frequency. Average values and min/max values can be determined from the raw data using the computing unit and transmitted via a communication unit to a data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine. This advantageously saves energy and bandwidth.
• the measuring device is designed to process recorded measurement values as raw data using a computing unit and then store them in the memory of the measuring device and/or transmit them to a data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine using the communication unit, preferably using Bluetooth.
• the processing of the raw data can, for example, be represented by converting the measurement data into a required format or reducing it to particularly relevant statements (see above: mean values, exceeding defined threshold values for force/acceleration/temperature/distance, etc.).
• the measuring device comprises a cable output at which a preconditioned measuring signal is output as a universal analog or digital signal (e.g. 0 - 10 V, serial).
• a universal analog or digital signal e.g. 0 - 10 V, serial.
• various trigger options are available for the storage unit and computing unit of the measuring device to control the measurement data acquisition, e.g. in particular after certain time intervals or when threshold values (force/acceleration/temperature) are exceeded.
• threshold values force/acceleration/temperature
• the stored measurement values can be read out, for example, after the measurement has ended using a data processing unit (e.g. PC) and/or a programmable logic controller of the tableting machine via a simple USB connection.
• the measuring device preferably its computing unit, is set up for control and/or access to data by a data processing unit and/or a programmable logic controller of the tableting machine.
• control parameters for carrying out the measurement can be sent to the measuring device.
• the control parameters can, for example, relate to the type of measurement or a selection of active sensors (in the case of several sensors), a timing of the measurement or instructions for the preparation or pre-evaluation of the raw data.
• the data processing unit can be, for example, a tablet computer, smartphone or PC, on which a computer program product (application/"app") is preferably installed for controlling and/or accessing the data.
• a computer program product application/"app
• a data exchange between the app and the measuring device is ensured by means of the communication unit of the measuring device, whereby the app preferably transmits control commands to the measuring device, which can be processed by the computing unit included in the measuring device.
• the app is preferably designed to access data from the measuring device (or [processed] measured values are transferred to the communication unit of a tablet computer or smartphone using the communication unit of the measuring device) and to visualize and/or save this data.
• the measuring device preferably has different transmission modes, preferably two or more, which differ in terms of bandwidth and power consumption.
• a first transmission mode is preferably defined by direct communication between the measuring device and an external device (smartphone, tablet PC or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine).
• this transmission mode is referred to as streaming.
• the transmission mode is characterized by a high data rate.
• the measured values of the measuring device are preferably transmitted to a distribution unit.
• the distribution unit is connected to a large number of external devices (smartphone, tablet PC or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine), whereby these can access the data of the distribution unit.
• This transmission mode is preferably referred to as broadcasting, whereby the measured variables are recorded with a high internal sampling rate (500 Hz) and a live average value and a min/max value are formed from this, so that a high data rate is not necessary.
• the distribution unit can preferably also be a data processing unit.
• a preferred measuring device enables a time-synchronous transmission and storage of recorded measurement values from two sensors with strain gauge measuring bridges.
• a rotational speed and a 3-axis acceleration are preferably measured by integrated MEMS sensors.
• An integrated processor unit preferably processes the sensor data on the measuring device and thus advantageously significantly reduces the amount of data to be transmitted.
• the measuring device preferably enables simple and continuous monitoring of processes.
• the recorded measurement data and interpreted states are preferably transmitted to a distribution unit via Bluetooth, preferably Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2.
• a large number of measuring devices can preferably be connected to the distribution unit in a time-synchronous manner.
• the transmission range is up to 30 meters, and up to 50 devices can be connected to the distribution unit.
• all measurement data is displayed in the application of a tablet computer or smartphone and optionally saved.
• the application is preferably used to set a calibration value for the measuring device and configure the outputs of a gateway.
• the measuring device is also preferably powered by a Li-Ion battery and charged via a USB power supply.
• the measuring device also preferably has external dimensions of 50mm x 13mm x 9mm.
• the measuring device also preferably has a flash memory of up to 8 Gb.
• the measuring device has strain gauge sensors in addition to MEMS sensors, so that in addition to force measurement, acceleration and rotational speeds, as well as orientation, can also be recorded.
• Modern MEMS sensors include an integrated temperature sensor, so the temperature can also be recorded by the measuring device.
• the measuring device is energy-autonomous.
• the measuring device can therefore be used independently of the power supply of the tableting machine. It has been found that energy-autonomous measuring devices are particularly easy to use in tableting machines that work according to the rotary principle. Moreover, if a sensor energy source fails, only one sensor is affected, so that all sensors are independent of one another.
• the measuring device preferably comprises a battery and/or an accumulator as an energy storage device, whereby the measuring device is energy self-sufficient within the meaning of the invention.
• a battery and/or an accumulator preferably supplies sufficient energy for the communication unit to transmit the data.
• the battery or accumulator preferably supplies energy for the functionality of the measuring device.
• the computing unit, the communication unit and the sensor are supplied with sufficient energy at the same time.
• the measuring device preferably comprises an output for a charging connection for charging the accumulator.
• an integrated overcharge and discharge protection of the accumulator is included in the measuring device for the safe operation of the measuring device.
• the accumulator is designed as a Li-Ion or Li-Po battery.
• the measuring device can comprise an LED display.
• the measuring device is energy-autonomous compared to the power supply of the tableting machine by providing induction current/induction.
• there is an electrical conductor in the press die that moves in a magnetic field.
• the magnetic field can preferably be generated by a coil mounted inside and/or outside the rotor. The movement of the conductor induces a current that is used to operate the measuring device.
• the measuring device comprises a photovoltaic cell (solar cell) that also responds well to artificial light in machine halls. Using the photoelectric effect, light energy is converted into electrical energy and the measuring device can be operated in an energy-autonomous manner according to the invention. The electricity generated is preferably used directly for the measuring operation.
• a photovoltaic cell solar cell
• the electricity generated is stored in the above-mentioned accumulators.
• the measuring device of a press ram is connected to at least one second measuring device of a second press ram.
• the connection is designed by a signal conductor.
• the connection is made wirelessly via the communication unit.
• the connection of the measuring devices can preferably be used to transmit power and/or data are transmitted.
• all measuring devices can preferably be connected to a distribution unit.
• the press punch is characterized in that the measuring device is incorporated within the press punch body.
• the press punch body is preferably defined as a press punch shaft, press punch tip and press punch head, with the press punch body preferably being designed as a thick-walled hollow body or as a solid body.
• the measuring device is fitted precisely into a press die designed as a solid body.
• the press die is processed using separating manufacturing processes in such a way that the measuring device can be inserted into the press die in a subsequent assembly process.
• connecting means can also be used here.
• the measuring device can therefore preferably be fitted into the press die in a material-locking, force-locking and/or form-locking manner.
• the measuring device is attached to the inner wall of the thick-walled hollow body of a press ram.
• access to the measuring device can be provided via a transverse bore to the longitudinal axis of the press ram in order to be able to connect signal lines or lead out antennas.
• the measuring device is introduced into a press die with a jacket diameter of 25.4 mm or into a press die with a jacket diameter of 19 mm.
• the computing unit of the measuring device is connected to one or more data processing units and/or a programmable logic controller of a tabletting machine.
• a data processing unit is present as a component designed externally of the tableting machine, which is designed as an independent device - independent of the tableting machine.
• a data processing unit is present as an internal data processing unit.
• An internal data processing unit can preferably be a component of the tableting machine and, for example, be integrated in the frame of a tableting machine. It is preferably also designed as a programmable logic controller of the tableting machine and is preferably also referred to as a machine controller.
• the measuring device can communicate with one or more of the data processing units (e.g. external: PC, smartphone, tablet or internal: machine control).
• the data processing units e.g. external: PC, smartphone, tablet or internal: machine control.
• Direct communication between the measuring device and the machine control allows a quick adjustment of the operating parameters of the tableting machine based on the measurement results. For example, to avoid wear when predefined force limits are exceeded, the machine control system could adjust the operating parameters based on the transmitted information.
• the measuring device communicates with an (external) data processing unit, for example a PC, a tablet computer, or a smartphone.
• a data processing unit can therefore particularly preferably also be designed as an external component (e.g. a tablet computer, a smartphone).
• the external component preferably communicates with both the measuring device and the machine control system.
• the (pre-processed) measurement results of the measuring unit can first be transmitted to a data processing unit in the form of a PC, tablet computer, etc. or a computer program installed on it.
• the external components can be used to carry out a more comprehensive evaluation of the measurement results, for example to monitor and/or log the tableting process.
• the operating parameters can then be adjusted by sending appropriate control commands to the machine control system.
• the ability to capture and record the data from the measuring device on the data processing system offers a number of advantages, regardless of any possible adjustment of the operating parameters. Recording measurement data can ensure logging and thus quality assurance of the production process. If predefined tolerance limits for the pressing forces are exceeded, the corresponding pressed products can be marked for further inspection, for example. Recording the measurement data also allows wear to be detected at an early stage, as explained above. Based on the information, a repair or replacement of the respective components can be indicated or the maintenance interval can be adjusted.
• the invention further relates to a tabletting machine comprising a press stamp of the type mentioned above.
• the invention relates to a tabletting machine comprising a programmable logic controller, wherein this consists of at least one computing unit, one communication unit and one storage unit and wherein the measuring device of the press plunger comprises a communication unit, characterized in that the communication unit of the programmable logic controller is compatible with the communication unit of the measuring device of the press plunger.
• the communication unit of the programmable logic controller can be designed as a transmitting and/or receiving unit.
• compatibility of the communication units means that they are able to communicate with each other.
• both Communication units use the same data transmission methods mentioned above so that data can be sent to each other.
• the tableting machine is designed as a rotary press or eccentric press.
• a rotary press preferably comprises a press punch of the type mentioned above, a rotor, a die plate, a punch guide for receiving press punches, a power supply and an upper and lower pressure roller.
• An eccentric press preferably comprises a press ram of the type mentioned above, a die and a power supply.
• a data processing unit such as a smartphone or tablet computer, has a computing unit, a communication unit and a storage unit.
• the communication unit of the data processing unit also serves to receive data from the communication unit of the measuring device and/or the programmable logic controller of the tableting machine (and/or to send data to these devices).
• the communication unit can receive/send the data via cable, but in particular the data is transmitted wirelessly.
• the communication unit of the data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tabletting machine preferably sends data for controlling the measuring device to the communication unit of the measuring device.
• the communication unit of the data processing unit and/or the programmable logic controller of the tableting machine can send control parameters to the measuring device for carrying out a measurement.
• the control parameters can, for example, relate to a type of measurement or a selection of active sensors (in the case of several sensors).
• a timing of the measurement, a preferred transmission mode or even instructions for the preparation or pre-evaluation of the raw data can also be specified.
• the communication unit of the measuring device sends data, preferably preprocessed measurement data, to the communication unit of the (external) data processing unit and/or the programmable logic controller of the tabletting machine.
• the data transmitted by the measuring device are preferably stored on the memory unit of the data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine.
• the memory unit of the data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine is preferably used to save or store data.
• the measurement data recorded by the sensor are preferably saved in the memory unit. This applies both to the data obtained directly via the measuring device and to the analysis results of the data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine itself.
• Software programs as well as command sequences, mathematical and statistical models are saved on the storage unit, which, as described, can be intended for controlling the measuring device and/or for accessing (reading out) the data of the measuring device.
• the storage unit is preferably an electronic data carrier.
• the computing unit of the data processing unit and/or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine preferably comprises a processor unit.
• the processor unit preferably comprises a graphics processor (GPU) and/or a central processing unit (CPU).
• At least one measuring device is attached to at least one element of the tableting machine.
• any element means press punch, rotor, die plate, punch guide for receiving press punches, power supply and an upper and lower pressure roller of a rotary press.
• Such a system is advantageous for monitoring tableting processes, since the measurement data can be processed (visualized and/or analyzed) on a device external to the measuring device with increased storage and computing capacity, whereas the measuring device can be kept very compact and only needs to comprise a few components.
• the evaluation of the data can preferably take place online (immediately) without the measuring device having to be removed or read out manually.
• the measuring device advantageously records measured values directly on the press ram, so that particularly precise and detailed statements can be made about the pressing process.
• the measuring device can receive control commands from users (or automatically) via external devices (data processing units or programmable logic controller of the tableting machine), so that certain parameters (e.g. sampling rates) can be set from a remote position.
• the advantage of a method according to the invention is the possibility of monitoring and analyzing the state of the tabletting machine during operation and/or in idle mode.
• the monitoring of the tableting machine is preferably a technical monitoring or surveillance.
• Such monitoring is designed to prevent malfunctions and to enable timely measures or repairs.
• it is an effective way of further developing the technology and preventing environmental damage.
• the method is characterized in that the sensor of the measuring device records in particular a force, temperature or acceleration of the press ram and/or its surroundings and/or the rotational speed of the rotor.
• the recorded measured values are saved in the memory unit of the data processing unit and/or in the memory unit of the programmable logic controller and/or in the memory unit of the measuring device.
• the method is characterized in that the programmable logic controller of the tableting machine and/or the data processing unit, preferably a tablet computer and/or a smartphone, can transmit control commands to the measuring device, preferably using a computer program product (application/app) installed on these devices.
• the programmable logic controller of the tableting machine and/or the data processing unit preferably a tablet computer and/or a smartphone
• can transmit control commands to the measuring device preferably using a computer program product (application/app) installed on these devices.
• the saved measurement data are preferably analyzed by algorithms.
• the storage unit of the measuring device is detachably attached so that a user of the machine can manually connect the data to be evaluated to the programmable logic controller of the tableting machine and/or the data processing unit.
• the computing unit of the data processing unit and/or the programmable logic controller directly accesses the measurement data saved in the memory unit of the data processing unit and/or in the memory unit of the programmable logic controller and executes the algorithms for analyzing the measurement data, which are also saved in the memory unit.
• the method is characterized in that the recorded measured values of the measuring device are analyzed using machine learning algorithms.
• external parameters and/or measured values from a press punch are included in the analysis of the method for monitoring a tableting machine.
• These can be determined by measuring devices that are independent of the measuring device according to the invention.
• measured data recorded from the pressure roller e.g. pressing forces
• the rotor e.g. revolutions
• the ambient temperature of the tableting machine can also be saved in a memory unit of the data processing unit of the tableting machine and then analyzed by subsequent algorithms. A large number of different recorded data enables a comprehensive analysis with few errors.
• the method is characterized in that the measured values recorded by the measuring device are analyzed in combination with externally recorded and/or provided measured values using algorithms (preferably machine learning algorithms).
• machine learning algorithms are a sub-area of artificial intelligence.
• Machine learning uses mathematical and statistical models to "learn" from data sets.
• machine learning algorithms have the advantage that information that is too complex for a human observer can be automatically extracted from a large data set.
• supervised learning is used for the analysis or processing of the stored measurement data.
• a so-called training process is first carried out. Training data is provided in the form of input data together with the corresponding target data.
• the purpose of training in machine learning methods is generally to adapt parameters of a function so that the function is then able to determine the target value with high accuracy from the corresponding input value.
• the adapted function is then Training process used to predict target data for previously invisible input data.
• the function is described by a mathematical and/or statistical model.
• the function is designed by support vector machines, Bayes networks and/or decision trees.
• the function is particularly preferably described by an artificial neural network.
• the artificial neural networks can have different architectures.
• the input data are preferably defined by machine parameters, environmental parameters and/or measured data from the measuring device.
• Machine parameters are preferably the speed of the rotor, various material properties and/or key figures of the components, running time or operating time, age of the machine, number of stamps or other components, etc.
• Environmental parameters are preferably ambient temperature, humidity, etc.
• the measured data from different measuring devices equipped with different sensors for measuring different physical and/or chemical properties, are used as input data.
• target data are preferably designed as a probability for the occurrence of damage, the failure of a component or for an incorrect execution of a pressing process.
• the method of unsupervised learning is used for the analysis or processing of the stored measurement data.
• the algorithm tries to recognize patterns in the input data that deviate from structureless noise.
• the function in the training process is only based on the similarities of the input data and adjusts its parameters accordingly, so that no output data is used for the training process.
• the unsupervised learning method is used to segment or cluster the input data or, preferably, to compress the input data.
• the unsupervised learning algorithm preferably comprises the principal component analysis (PCA) and/or the K-means algorithm and/or at least one neural network.
• PCA principal component analysis
• K-means K-means algorithm
• training processes are carried out in a first step to determine optimal parameters of a machine learning function mentioned above. After training, various statements are made for previously unknown input data based on the adapted function.
• the reinforcement learning method is used for the analysis or processing of the stored measurement data.
• the training process takes place continuously even after the parameters of a function have been adjusted.
• the effects of "trial and error" are various statements are observed and evaluated using the adapted function for previously unknown input data.
• the algorithm receives feedback, abstractly presented in the form of a reward or punishment.
• the algorithm then further optimizes the function based on its parameters. Accordingly, the algorithm continuously adapts or changes the function of the machine learning process.
• Reinforcement learning can preferably use the Q-learning method and/or the above-mentioned neural networks and/or other neural networks as well as other algorithms known to the expert.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Presses And Accessory Devices Thereof (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
• Control Of Presses (AREA)
• Crushing And Grinding (AREA)
• Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-09-23 CN CN202080067115.6A patent/CN114555349B/zh active Active
  • 2020-09-23 EP EP20780617.5A patent/EP4034375B1/de active Active
  • 2020-09-23 US US17/763,766 patent/US20220332077A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-09-23 JP JP2022519236A patent/JP7406627B2/ja active Active
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