Packaging machine having a process-controlled early start function

A packaging machine comprising:

• a control unit, a plurality of measuring devices, and a plurality of working units for different processes, wherein the control unit is functionally connected to the working units and the measuring devices,
• wherein the plurality of measuring devices detect one or more actual process values at the plurality of working units and forward the one or more actual process values to the control unit, so as to monitor a process status at one or more of the plurality of working units;
• wherein the control unit establishes in a self-controlling manner, by a comparison of the one or more actual process values forwarded to the control unit from the plurality of measuring devices and of associated target process values from one of a memory connected to said control unit, a program sequence for the respective individual working units or an adaptation of the program sequences of one or more of the plurality of working units, wherein each of the one or more of the plurality of working units operate according to its own program sequence established or adapted depending on the actual process values detected thereat;
• wherein a work cycle at the packaging machine comprises at least a first functional process and a second functional process at one or at different of the plurality of working units, the second functional process starting later than the first functional process;
• wherein the control unit is configured for executing an early start for the second functional process of a working unit when an actual process value of the preceding first functional process of the program sequence of the working unit or of another working unit has not yet reached the respective target process value;
• wherein the control unit is configured for executing the early start based on a predetermined reaction time of the working unit for the second functional process of the program sequence of the working unit;
• and
• wherein the control unit is configured for controlling the early start of the second functional process based on an approximation method for predetermining the temporal end of the first functional process using a time-dependent measured variable of the first functional process detected at the working unit using one of the plurality of measuring devices.