Method for operating a packaging machine

Abstract

A method for operating a packaging machine comprising a work station with an exchangeable tool. A control device may be integrated into the tool. When the tool is in a state of the tool installed into the work station, the control device may regulate a temperature of the tool based on an operating temperature target specification by suitably supplying a heating device integrated into the tool with electrical power. Further, when the tool is in a state removed from the work station, the tool may be connected to an external power supply, and the control device may regulate the temperature of the tool based on a preheating temperature target specification by suitably supplying the heating device with electrical power provided by the external power supply.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a packaging machine comprising a work station with an exchangeable tool comprising the steps of:
 providing a control device integrated into said exchangeable tool, wherein said exchangeable tool is moveable between a state installed into said work station and a state removed from said work station;   wherein:
 when said exchangeable tool is in the state installed into said work station, regulating a temperature of said exchangeable tool based on an operating temperature target specification using said control device by suitably supplying a heating device integrated into said exchangeable tool with electrical power; and 
 when said exchangeable tool is in the state removed from said work station, connecting said exchangeable tool to an external power supply and regulating said temperature of said exchangeable tool based on a preheating temperature target specification using said control device by suitably supplying said heating device with electrical power provided by said external power supply. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said external power supply provides said exchangeable tool with electrical heating power, and wherein said external power supply does not provide control or regulating signals. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said preheating temperature target specification of said control device is specified by a machine control device of said packaging machine prior to positioning the exchangeable tool in the state removed from said work station. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said preheating temperature target specification of said control device is available as a preset specification. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said control device comprises a memory and said preheating temperature target specification is stored in said memory. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said control device is put in a preheating mode by a machine control device of said packaging machine prior to moving said exchangeable tool from said work station into the state removed from the work station and wherein after connecting to said external power supply, said control device detects that it is in the preheating mode and starts regulating said temperature of said exchangeable tool based on said preheating temperature target specification. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein after connecting to said external power supply, said control device detects that there is no communication connection to a machine control device of said packaging machine, and then starts regulating said temperature of said exchangeable tool based on said preheating temperature target specification. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said operating temperature target specification of said control device is specified by a machine control device of said packaging machine. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said control device in said state of said exchangeable tool installed into said work station is in electronic communication with a machine control device of said packaging machine using a communication bus system. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said work station is a sealing station and said exchangeable tool is a heatable sealing tool for sealing a filled packaging by sealing on a top film. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said work station is a forming station and said exchangeable tool is a heatable forming tool for forming packaging trays into a lower film web by thermoforming. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said packaging machine is one of a thermoforming packaging machine or a tray sealer. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a temperature sensor is additionally integrated into said exchangeable tool, and said control device uses a measured value of a temperature provided by said temperature sensor for regulating said temperature of said exchangeable tool. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said temperature sensor and said control device are integrated into said exchangeable tool as a joint module. 
     
     
         15 . A method for operating a packaging machine comprising a work station with an exchangeable tool comprising the steps of:
 providing a control device integrated into said exchangeable tool;   positioning said exchangeable tool in a state installed into said work station;   regulating a temperature of said exchangeable tool based on an operating temperature target specification using said control device by suitably supplying a heating device integrated into said exchangeable tool with electrical power when said exchangeable tool is in a state installed into said work station;   moving said exchangeable tool from said work station in to a state removed from said work station;   connecting said exchangeable tool to an external power supply when said exchangeable tool is in the state removed from said work station; and   regulating said temperature of said exchangeable tool based on a preheating temperature target specification using said control device by suitably supplying said heating device with electrical power provided by said external power supply when said exchangeable tool is in a state removed from said work station.