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US 12,722,995 B2Granted
Method and machine for controlling a forming method
AssigneeTiama
InventorsLaurent Cosneau, Olivier Colle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for controlling a process for forming glass containers (2) includes the steps of extracting a so-called sample container, acquiring by means of a tomography apparatus (30) several X-ray images of the sample container from different projection angles, sending the X-ray images to a computer (38), and analyzing the X-ray images using a computer. A three-dimensional digital model of the sample container is constructed in a virtual reference frame on the basis of the X-ray images. The position of the three-dimensional digital model with respect to the position of the sample container in a mold reference frame is determined and the three-dimensional digital model is analyzed to determine at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container.
Claims30
A method for controlling a process for forming glass containers (2) in a facility with several separate forming sections (12), the method comprising:
- extracting a sample container coming from an identified preform mold (13) and an identified finishing mold (14) of a forming section of the separate forming sections;
- resting the sample container (2) on a sample holder (31) of a computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus (30);
- acquiring by means of the computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus (30) several X-ray images of the sample container from different projection angles;
- sending the X-ray images to a computer (38);
- analyzing X-ray images using the computer to:
- construct in a virtual reference frame a three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container from the X-ray images of the sample container;
- and
- analyze the three-dimensional digital model (M) to measure dimensions on the three-dimensional digital model and to determine from the measured dimensions at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container in relation to at least one region of the sample container and an item of adjustment information for a control parameter of the process for forming glass containers in relation with the identified finishing mold of the sample container is deducible from the at least one quality indicator (A);
- delivering the at least one quality indicator of the sample container;
- making a correction to the control parameter of the process for forming glass containers, in relation with the identified preform mold and identified finishing mold, and based on the at least one quality indicator, among:
- adjusting a weight or a shape of a subsequent glass gob loaded into the identified preform mold,
- adjusting a position, a speed, or a moment of arrival of the subsequent glass gob (18) upon loading of the glass gob into the identified preform mold,
- adjusting a synchronization or speed or force in movement of mechanisms of a blowing plunger, of the identified preform mold, of transfers of the blank, or of extracting grippers from the identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a cooling of the identified preform mold, identified finishing mold, or of an associated blowing plunger,
- adjusting a ventilation of the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a blowing or pressing pressure for the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a lubrication or greasing of the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a moment of blowing or a blowing time, and a vacuum in vents of the identified preform mold or the identified finishing mold,
- acting on a position of a deflector guiding the subsequent glass gob,
- replacing the identified preform mold or the identified finishing mold, and
- adjusting a temperature of the subsequent glass gob, of a blowing plunger and identified preform mold, a geometry of a ring mold at the identified preform mold, and a timing of compression and blowing;
- wherein the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container is selected among a group of:
- at least one volume measurement of the sample container taken from among a capacity (Cry) of the sample container, a volume of an envelope of the sample container and a glass volume of the sample container;
- a rendering of reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container;
- an internal geometry of a neck of the sample container;
- and
- a planarity of a ring surface of the sample container, and
- forming a subsequent glass container from the identified preform mold and the identified finishing mold, using the control parameter adjusted to correct the process for forming glass containers;
- and
- obtaining the subsequent glass container having a distribution of the glass, a capacity or a rendering of reliefs corrected compared to the sample container.
27 more elements
A facility for forming glass containers including several separate forming sections (12), wherein each of forming sections comprises at least one preform mold and at least one finishing mold, wherein each forming section is configured so that a glass gob of molten glass (18) is initially formed into a blank in a preform mold (13), and the blank is then given a final form in a finishing mold (14), wherein the facility for forming glass containers includes a machine for controlling a process for forming glass containers, wherein the machine is arranged at an exit of the at least one finishing mold finishing mold and comprises:
- a computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus (30) configured to take several X-ray images from different projection angles of a sample container placed on a sample holder of said computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus, said sample container coming from an identified preform mold and an identified finishing mold of a forming section of the facility;
- a computer (38) linked to the computer-assisted X-ray tomography apparatus (30) and configured for receiving and analyzing the X-ray images of the sample container for:
- constructing, in a virtual reference frame, a three-dimensional digital model (M) of the sample container from the X-ray images of the sample container;
- and
- analyzing the three-dimensional digital model (M) to measure dimensions on the three-dimensional digital model and to determine from the measured dimensions a quality indicator (A) of the sample container in relation to at least one region of the sample container and an item of adjustment information for a control parameter of the process for forming glass containers in relation with the identified finishing mold of the sample container is deducible from the container indicator;
- and a system (41) for delivering the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container to allow corrective measures to be taken on the control parameter to correct the process for forming glass containers in relation with the identified finishing mold based on the at least one quality indicator,
- wherein the at least one quality indicator (A) of the sample container is selected among a group of:
- at least one volume measurement of the sample container taken from among a capacity (Cry) of the sample container, a volume of an envelope of the sample container and a glass volume of the sample container,
- a rendering of reliefs (B) fashioned on the sample container,
- an internal geometry of a neck of the sample container,
- a planarity of a ring surface of the sample container;
- and
- wherein the facility is configured to make a correction to the control parameter of the process for forming glass containers, in relation with the identified preform mold and identified finishing mold, and based on the at least one quality indicator, among:
- adjusting a weight or a shape of a subsequent glass gob loaded into the identified preform mold,
- adjusting a position, a speed, or a moment of arrival of the subsequent glass gob (18) upon loading of the glass gob into the identified preform mold,
- adjusting a synchronization or speed or force in movement of mechanisms of a blowing plunger, of the identified preform mold, of transfers of the blank, or of extracting grippers from the identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a cooling of the identified preform mold, identified finishing mold, or of an associated blowing plunger,
- adjusting a ventilation of the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a blowing or pressing pressure for the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a lubrication or greasing of the identified preform mold or identified finishing mold,
- adjusting a moment of blowing or a blowing time, and a vacuum in vents of the identified preform mold or the identified finishing mold,
- acting on a position of a deflector guiding the subsequent glass gob,
- replacing the identified preform mold or the identified finishing mold, and
- adjusting a temperature of the subsequent glass gob, of a blowing plunger and identified preform mold, a geometry of a ring mold at the identified preform mold, and a timing of compression and blowing;
- and
- wherein the facility is configured to form a subsequent glass container from the identified preform mold and the identified finishing mold, using the control parameter adjusted to correct the process for forming glass containers,
- wherein the facility is configured to obtain the subsequent glass container having a distribution of the glass, a capacity or a rendering of reliefs corrected compared to the sample container.
24 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.