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

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 (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12) for moving said seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);
• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 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 (C1) indicating distances between the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11a) and the proximity sensor (14, 14′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device (5);
• and the response curve (C1) 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 (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12) for moving said seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);
• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 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 (C1) indicating distances between the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and the proximity sensor (14, 14′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device (5);
• the response curve (C1) 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′, 11a, 11′a) and the proximity sensor (14, 14′);
• and at least one machine angle (AM;
• T1) 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′, 11a, 11′a) along the feed and/or return path (P1, P2).

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 (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12, 12′) for moving said seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);
• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 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′, 11a, 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).

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 (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises a number of housings (10, 10a) oriented crosswise to the feed path (P1) and each having at least two respective elongated seats (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);
• during each operating cycle, each seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• the machine comprising at least one operating component (12, 12′) for moving two seats (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) of a respective housing (10a) with respect to each other as the seats (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) travel along the feed path (P1) and/or the return path (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 11′a) of the housing (10a) 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).

33) A machine for processing articles (2);

• the machine (1) comprising a transfer device (5), which feeds the articles (2) along a feed path (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12, 12′) for moving said seat;
• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 11′a) of a housing (10a) 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′, 11a, 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).

35) A machine for processing articles (2);

• the machine (1) comprising a transfer device (5), which feeds the articles (2) along a feed path (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12) for moving said seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);
• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 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 (C1) indicating distances between the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and the proximity sensor (14, 14′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device (5);
• and the response curve (C1) 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 (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12) for moving said seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);

• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 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 (C1) indicating distances between the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and the proximity sensor (14, 14′) as a function of machine angles of the transfer device (5);
• the response curve (C1) having different heights (h, h′) for different machine angles;
• the computer (15) comparing at least one height (h, h′) of the response curve (C1) 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;
• T1) of the response curve with the reference data item to obtain a comparison data item (DC) indicating the position of the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) along the feed and/or return path (P1, P2).

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 (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (6), and comprises at least one seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a) and at least one operating component (12) for moving said seat (11, 11′, 11a, 11′a);
• during each operating cycle, the seat (11, 11′, 11a, 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 (P2);
• 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′, 11a, 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′, 11a, 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).