Packaging systems, apparatus and method therefore

Abstract

A system for monitoring the condition of a packaging machine during operation and diagnosing potential problems in the performance of the machine. The system comprises an input device, an output device and a processing unit that supports a user interface presented by the output device. The processing unit is arranged to permit a user, when in use, to input via the user interface a number of pre-determined parameters to measure one or more elements or assemblies in the machine, to receive information from one or more sensors measuring the element or assembly and to analyze the information with the parameter to render via the output device a signal.

1 . A system for monitoring the condition of a packaging machine during operation and diagnosing potential problems in the performance of the machine, the system comprising:
 an input device,   an output device, and   a processing unit that supports a user interface, the processing unit being arranged to permit a user, when in use, to input via the input device a number of parameters indicative of predetermined levels and conditions of performance of one or more elements or assemblies in the machine, to receive current information from one or more sensors measuring signals corresponding to torques of servo-motors indicating an actual level and condition of performance of the element or assembly, to receive and permit listening of sounds as detected by at least one noise detection device wherein said detected sounds are associated with an identifiable machine element, to receive and make available for retrieval visual information in the form of images of at least one operating machine element recorded by at least one image-recording device and to compare the current information with the parameter to render via the output device an output signal.   
   
   
       2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the output signal is a warning message displayed on the output device. 
   
   
       3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the output signal actuates an auto-correction device. 
   
   
       4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the output signal is a message warning the operator about scheduled maintenance. 
   
   
       5 . A programmed computer for generating control data for controlling a packaging machine, comprising:
 memory having at least one region for storing computer executable program code, and   a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code includes:
 code to receive current input data of servo-motor signals measured by one or more sensors monitoring an element or assembly of the machine indicating conditions and levels of performance of the element or assembly; 
 code to generate a comparison between the current input data and stored data of predetermined values of noise detected by, visual information recorded by and servo-motor signals measured by the one or more sensors; 
 code to generate output data for the packaging machine when the input data does not correspond to the stored data; 
 code to receive and permit listening of sounds as detected by at least one noise detection device wherein said detected sounds are associated with an identifiable machine element; and 
 code to receive and make available for retrieval from at least one storage medium visual information in the form of images of at least one operating machine element recorded by at least one image-recording device.