Machine for processing articles, control device, and diagnostic method applied to such a machine

Abstract

A machine for processing cigarettes, a control device, and a diagnostic method applied to such a machine; the machine has a number of housings oriented crosswise to a feed path and each having at least two respective elongated seats; during each operating cycle, each seat picks up a respective cigarette at an input station, releases the cigarette at an output station, and returns to the input station along a return path; a proximity sensor determines the position of the seats, and emits a recording signal which is processed and compared with reference data to determine a possible fault.

1 ) A diagnostic method for operating components ( 12 ) of a machine for processing substantially cylindrical tobacco articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises a number of housings ( 10 ,  10   a ) oriented crosswise to the feed path and each having at least two respective elongated seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, each seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising at least one operating component ( 12 ) for moving two seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of a respective housing ( 10   a ) with respect to each other as the seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) travel along the feed path (P 1 ) and/or the return path (P 2 ); and the method being characterized by comprising a recording step, during which at least one proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of said housing ( 10   a ) with respect to at least one reference position; a comparing step to compare the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC); and an analysis step to determine at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       2 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the recording step is repeated a number of times to determine a number of recording signals (S, Sa) relative to the position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); the comparing step comprising calculating a mean of the recording signals (S, Sa) and comparing the mean of the recording signals with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       3 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the recording step is repeated a number of times to determine a number of recording signals (S, Sa) relative to the position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); the comparing step being repeated a number of times to obtain a number of comparison data items (DC); a mean of the comparison data items (DC) being calculated during the analysis step; and the fault of the operating component ( 12 ) being determined as a function of the mean of the comparison data items (DC).  
   
   
       4 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a number of comparison data items (DC) are obtained over time; a time pattern of the comparison data items (DC) or of the means of the comparison data items (DC) being determined; and the method comprising programming maintenance to correct said fault as a function of the time pattern of the comparison data items (DC) or of the means of the comparison data items (DC).  
   
   
       5 ) A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a test curve (K) is determined by which to extrapolate the time pattern of the comparison data items (DC) or of the means of the comparison data items (DC); and the method comprising programming maintenance as a function of the instant in which the test curve (K) intersects a first reference curve (R).  
   
   
       6 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a number of recording signals (S, Sa) are recorded over time; a time pattern of the recording signals (S, Sa) or of the means of the recording signals (S, Sa) being determined; and the method comprising programming maintenance to correct said fault as a function of the time pattern of the recording signals (S, Sa) or of the means of the recording signals.  
   
   
       7 ) A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a test curve (K) is determined by which to extrapolate the time pattern of the recording signals (S, Sa) or of the means of the recording signals (S, Sa); and the method comprising programming maintenance as a function of the instant in which the test curve (K) intersects a first reference curve (R).  
   
   
       8 ) A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the reference curve (R) is substantially constant.  
   
   
       9 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) is processed to obtain a response curve (C 1 ) indicating distances between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11   a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device ( 5 ); the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       10 ) A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the reference data item (DR) comprises a reference curve (C 2 ; C 3 ); the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference curve (C 2 ; C 3 ) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       11 ) A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the response curve (C 1 ) has a peak (PR) indicating the minimum distance between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11   a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); a neighbourhood of the peak (PR), having a respective area (A), being determined during the comparing step; a mid-line (M), of the area (A) of the neighbourhood of the peak (PR), having a recorded machine angle (AM) being calculated; and the reference data item (DR) being compared with the recorded machine angle (AM) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       12 ) A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the response curve has a groove (GR) indicating the maximum distance between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′), and which has a recorded groove (GR) height (h′); the recorded groove (GR) height (h′) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       13 ) A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′a) has an externally concave surface; the response curve (C 1 ) being substantially W-shaped.  
   
   
       14 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the recording signal has a peak (PR) indicating the minimum distance between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); during the comparing step, the peak (PR) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       15 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the peak is recorded at a minimum machine angle (T 1 ); during the comparing step, the minimum machine angle (T 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       16 ) A method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the peak (PR) has a recorded peak height (h); and the recorded peak (PR) height (h) is compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       17 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) is processed to obtain a response curve (C 1 ) indicating distances between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device ( 5 ); the response curve (C 1 ) having different heights (h, h′) for different machine angles; at least one height (h, h′) of the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain a comparison data item (DC) relative to the distance between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′a) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); and at least one machine angle of the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain a comparison data item (DC) indicating the position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) along the feed and/or return path (P 1 , P 2 ).  
   
   
       18 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the transfer device ( 5 ) comprises a conveyor roller ( 8 ) having a respective axis ( 9 ) of rotation; the seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) being located on the periphery of the conveyor roller ( 8 ) and substantially parallel to the axis ( 9 ) of rotation.  
   
   
       19 ) A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said height (h, h′) of the response curve (C 1 ) is compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain a comparison data item (DC) relative to a radial position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to the axis ( 9 ) of rotation; the machine angle of the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain a comparison data item (DC) indicating the angular position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to the axis ( 9 ) of rotation.  
   
   
       20 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the two seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of said housing ( 10   a ) are maintained substantially coaxial with each other along the feed path (P 1 ) and the return path (P 2 ); the operating component ( 12 ) moving the two seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of the housing ( 10   a ) axially with respect to each other.  
   
   
       21 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, along the feed path (P 1 ) and/or the return path (P 2 ), said operating component ( 12 ) rotates and moves said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) transversely.  
   
   
       22 ) A method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein, along the feed path (P 1 ) and/or the return path (P 2 ), said operating component ( 12 ) rotates said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11   a ) about an axis ( 16 ) crosswise to the axis ( 9 ) of rotation, and moves said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) substantially radially with respect to the axis ( 9 ) of rotation.  
   
   
       23 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) is located along the return path (P 2 ).  
   
   
       24 ) A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) is located at the input station ( 4 ).  
   
   
       25 ) A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the machine ( 1 ) comprises at least one further proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); during the recording step, the further proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emitting a further recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one further seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of said housing ( 10   a ); the reference data item comprising the further recording signal (S, Sa); and, during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) being compared with the further recording signal (S, Sa) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       26 ) A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the reference data item (DR) comprises at least one given data item; during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) being compared with the further recording signal (S, Sa) and the given data item to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       27 ) A diagnostic method for operating components ( 12 ) of a machine ( 1 ) for processing articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and at least one operating component ( 12 ) for moving said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station along a return path (P 2 ); and the method being characterized by comprising a recording step, during which at least one proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to at least one reference position; a comparing step to compare the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC); and an analysis step to determine at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) being processed to obtain a response curve (C 1 ) indicating distances between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11   a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device ( 5 ); and the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       28 ) A diagnostic method for operating components ( 12 ) of a machine ( 1 ) for processing articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and at least one operating component ( 12 ) for moving said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); and the method being characterized by comprising a recording step, during which at least one proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to at least one reference position; a comparing step to compare the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC); and an analysis step to determine at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) being processed to obtain a response curve (C 1 ) indicating distances between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device ( 5 ); the response curve (C 1 ) having different heights (h, h′) for different machine angles; at least one height (h, h′) of the response curve being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC) relative to the distance between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); and at least one machine angle (AM; T 1 ) of the response curve being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain a comparison data item (DC) indicating the position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) along the feed and/or return path (P 1 , P 2 ).  
   
   
       29 ) A diagnostic method for operating components ( 12 ) of a machine ( 1 ) for processing tobacco articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the tobacco articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′a) and at least one operating component ( 12 ,  12 ′) for moving said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′a) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); and the method being characterized by comprising a recording step, during which at least one proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to at least one reference position; a comparing step to compare the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC); and an analysis step to determine at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); the machine comprising at least one further proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); during the recording step, the further proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emitting a further recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one further seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); the reference data item (DR) comprising the further recording signal (S, Sa); and, during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) being compared with the further recording signal (S, Sa) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       30 ) A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the reference data item (DR) comprises at least one given data item; during the comparing step, the recording signal (S, Sa) being compared with the further recording signal (S, Sa) and the given data item to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       31 ) A machine for processing substantially cylindrical tobacco articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises a number of housings ( 10 ,  10   a ) oriented crosswise to the feed path (P 1 ) and each having at least two respective elongated seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, each seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); the machine comprising at least one operating component ( 12 ,  12 ′) for moving two seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of a respective housing ( 10   a ) with respect to each other as the seats ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) travel along the feed path (P 1 ) and/or the return path (P 2 ); and the machine ( 1 ) being characterized by comprising a control device ( 13 ), in turn comprising at least one proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) which emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of the housing ( 10   a ) with respect to at least one reference position, and a computer ( 15 ) which compares the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC) and determine at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       32 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the control device ( 13 ) implements a method as claimed in  claim 2 .  
   
   
       33 ) A machine for processing articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and at least one operating component ( 12 ,  12 ′) for moving said seat; during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); and the machine ( 1 ) being characterized by comprising a control device ( 13 ), in turn comprising a proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) which emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) of a housing ( 10   a ) with respect to at least one reference position, and a computer ( 15 ) for comparing the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC), and for determining at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); the control device ( 13 ) comprising at least one further proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); the further proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emitting a further recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one further seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); the reference data item comprising the further recording signal (S, Sa); and the computer comparing the recording signal (S, Sa) with the further recording signal (S, Sa) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       34 ) A machine as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the reference data item (DR) comprises at least one given data item; the computer ( 15 ) comparing the recording signal (S, Sa) with the further recording signal (S, Sa) and the given data item to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       35 ) A machine for processing articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and at least one operating component ( 12 ) for moving said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); and the machine ( 1 ) being characterized by comprising a control device ( 13 ), in turn comprising a proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) which emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to at least one reference position, and a computer ( 15 ) for comparing the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC), and for determining at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); the computer ( 15 ) processing the recording signal (S, Sa) to obtain a response curve (C 1 ) indicating distances between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device ( 5 ); and the response curve (C 1 ) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       36 ) A machine for processing articles, the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and at least one operating component ( 12 ) for moving said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); and the machine ( 1 ) being characterized by comprising a control device ( 13 ), in turn comprising a proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) which emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to at least one reference position, and a computer ( 15 ) for comparing the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC), and for determining at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); the computer ( 15 ) processing the recording signal (S, Sa) to obtain a response curve (C 1 ) indicating distances between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device ( 5 ); the response curve (C 1 ) having different heights (h, h′) for different machine angles; the computer ( 15 ) comparing at least one height (h, h′) of the response curve (C 1 ) with the reference data item (DR) to obtain a comparison data item (DC) relative to the distance between the seat (S, Sa) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); and the computer ( 15 ) comparing at least one machine angle (AM; T 1 ) of the response curve with the reference data item to obtain a comparison data item (DC) indicating the position of the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) along the feed and/or return path (P 1 , P 2 ).  
   
   
       37 ) A diagnostic method for operating components ( 12 ) of a machine ( 1 ) for processing articles ( 2 ); the machine ( 1 ) comprising a transfer device ( 5 ), which feeds the articles ( 2 ) along a feed path (P 1 ) from an input station ( 4 ) to an output station ( 6 ), and comprises at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and at least one operating component ( 12 ) for moving said seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ); during each operating cycle, the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) picking up a respective article ( 2 ) at the input station ( 4 ), releasing the article ( 2 ) at the output station ( 6 ), and returning to the input station ( 4 ) along a return path (P 2 ); and the method being characterized by comprising a recording step, during which at least one proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′) emits a recording signal (S, Sa) relative to the position of at least one seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) with respect to at least one reference position; a comparing step to compare the recording signal (S, Sa) with at least one reference data item (DR) to obtain at least one comparison data item (DC); and an analysis step to determine at least one fault of the operating component ( 12 ) as a function of the comparison data item (DC); the recording signal (S, Sa) having a peak (PR) indicating the minimum distance between the seat ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11   a ,  11 ′ a ) and the proximity sensor ( 14 ,  14 ′); and, during the comparing step, the peak (PR) being compared with the reference data item (DR) to obtain the comparison data item (DC).  
   
   
       38 ) A control device ( 13 ) for producing a machine as claimed in  claim 31.