Method for controlling a blister packaging machine

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for controlling a blister packaging machine having a work station which at least operates in cycles and which performs at least one first adjusting motion for a time period T V1 during one work cycle, followed by a treatment state for a time period T B , in which a product and/or material is treated. A second adjusting motion is then performed for a time period T V2 . A cycle rate R (=cycles/min) of the packaging machine can be entered through an input means. The time periods T V1 , T B and T V2 can each be entered directly or indirectly irrespective of each other via the input means. A processing unit examines whether the entered time periods T V1 , T B , T V2 are within predetermined limits and whether their sum is smaller or equal to a maximum cycle time T max .

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method for controlling a blister packaging machine, the machine having a work station which operates in cycles and which performs at least one first adjusting motion within a time period T V1 , performs a subsequent treatment stage within a time period T B  in which a product and/or material is processed, and then executes a second adjusting motion throughout a time period T V2 , the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) entering a cycle rate R of the packaging machine using an input means;    b) entering the time period T V1  via the input means;    c) entering the time period T B  via the input means;    d) entering the time period T V2  via the input means;    e) examining, using a processing means, whether T V1 , T B , and T V2  are each within a respective predefined limit; and    f) examining whether the sum of T V1 +T B +T V2  is less than or equal to a maximum cycle time T max .    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the work station is a forming station having forming plates which can be adjusted relative to each other and between which a bottom sheet is provided with cup-like receptacles.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first adjusting motion is a closing motion of the forming plates, the bottom sheet being provided with the cup-like depressions in the treatment stage, wherein the second adjusting motion is an opening motion of the forming plates.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the work station is a sealing station with sealing plates which can be adjusted relative to each other and between which a cover sheet is sealed onto a bottom sheet.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first adjusting motion is a closing motion of the sealing plates, and the cover sheet is sealed onto the bottom sheet during the treatment stage, with the second adjusting motion being an opening motion of the sealing plates.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a speed v S  of the first adjusting motion is limited to a maximum speed v smax  and a desired speed v sg  of the first adjusting motion is entered as a percentage (≦100%) of the maximum speed v smax , wherein the processing unit determines the time period T v1 =s v /v sg  for a predetermined adjusting path s v .  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a speed v 0  of the second adjusting motion is limited to a maximum speed v omax  and a desired speed v og  of the second adjusting motion is entered as percentage (≦100%) of the maximum speed v omax , wherein the processing unit determines the time period T V2 =s v /v og  for a predetermined adjusting path s v .  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the time period T B  is entered directly via the input means.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cycle rate R is entered directly via the input means and the processing unit determines the maximum cycle time, T max =1/R (min)=60,000/R [ms], therefrom.