Computer-implemented method for processing a plurality of process variables of a production cell

A computer-implemented method for processing a plurality of process variables of a production cell which comprises at least one shaping machine as a subunit of the production cell, wherein the process variables of the plurality of process variables are ascertained from a measurement value or values or constitute a measurement value or values, the method using at least one processing unit and comprising:

• a. for at least one subunit of the production cell, the at least one subunit being the at least one shaping machine and having a plurality of actuators and/or sensors, providing to the at least one processing unit a totality of process variables which is available for processing
• b. using at least one processing unit to determine at least one subset of process variables out of the totality of process variables
• c. processing those process variables which belong to the determined at least one subset of process variables
• d. for those process variables which do not belong to any of the determined at least one subset of process variables, processing a selected number of process variables, whereby this number is smaller than the number of the totality of process variables minus the number of process variables belonging to any of the determined at least one subset of process variables such that the required processing capacity for the at least one processing unit to process the totality of process variables is reduced, wherein processing encompasses at least one of capturing or measuring data, executing data analysis and outputting data, wherein in step (c) processing process variables comprises
• capturing or measuring process variables in form of measurement values, or
• calculating values or properties of process variables over time derived from at least one process variable, or
• generating signals to be provided by the method to an operator, or
• executing data analysis, or
• storing values or properties of process variables over time, or
• storing calculated values or generated signals, or
• outputting values or properties of process variables over time, or
• outputting calculated values or generated signals or a combination thereof,
• wherein at least some process variables are associated with at least one logical group, wherein there are provided at least two different logical groups, wherein the value of a plurality of process variables is processed and for each logical group a state of the logical group is evaluated by the at least one processing unit on the basis of the process variables associated with said logical group, wherein the state is visualized by means of a display device and the state is evaluated only for those logical groups for which all of the process variables necessary to evaluate the state belong to at least one of the at least one determined subset of process variables.

A computer-implemented method for processing a plurality of process variables of a production cell which comprises at least one shaping machine as a subunit of the production cell, wherein the process variables of the plurality of process variables are ascertained from a measurement value or values or constitute a measurement value or values, the method using at least one processing unit and comprising:

• a. for at least one subunit of the production cell, the at least one subunit being the at least one shaping machine and having a plurality of actuators and/or sensors, providing to the at least one processing unit a totality of process variables which is available for processing
• b. using at least one processing unit to determine at least one subset of process variables out of the totality of process variables
• c. processing those process variables which belong to the determined at least one subset of process variables
• d. for those process variables which do not belong to any of the determined at least one subset of process variables, processing a selected number of process variables,
• wherein processing encompasses at least one of capturing or measuring data, executing data analysis and outputting data, wherein in step (c) processing process variables comprises
• capturing or measuring process variables in form of measurement values, or
• calculating values or properties of process variables over time derived from at least one process variable, or
• generating signals to be provided by the method to an operator, or
• executing data analysis, or
• storing values or properties of process variables over time, or
• storing calculated values or generated signals, or
• outputting values or properties of process variables over time, or
• outputting calculated values or generated signals or a combination thereof,
• wherein at least some process variables are associated with at least one logical group, wherein there are provided at least two different logical groups, wherein the at least two different logical groups are arranged in at least two hierarchy levels in such a way that least one logical group of a lower hierarchy level is associated with another logical group of a higher hierarchy level, wherein the value of a plurality of process variables is processed and for each logical group a state of the logical group is evaluated by the at least one processing unit on the basis of the process variables associated with said logical group, wherein for those process variables which do not belong to any of the determined at least one subset of process variables, processing a selected number of process variables, whereby this number is smaller than the number of the totality of process variables minus the number of process variables belonging to any of the determined at least one subset of process variables or zero,
• wherein by virtue of the at least one processing unit at least one logical group is determined to be not processed and all logical groups connected across the hierarchical levels by their assignment to the at least one logical group are determined to be not processed such that the required process capacity for the at least one processing unit to process the totality of process variables is reduced,
• wherein the state is visualized by means of a display device and the state is evaluated only for those logical groups for which all of the process variables necessary to evaluate the state belong to at least one of the at least one determined subset of process variables.