Method and device for counting and controlling film for a wrapping machine

PROCEDURE FOR CONTROLLING WRAPPING IN A WRAPPING MACHINE that uses an independent device as in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises the following phases:

• A first activation phase wherein the device is activated prior to the start of the wrapping process, we install it in such a way that the device turns on at the same time as the wrappers;
• A second recognition phase, at the start of the wrapping cycle, wherein the first element identifies the film reel placed in the reel holder carriage thanks to the identification tag, the recognition comprises:
• A first sub-phase where it seeks to detect the correct card by means of a discrimination of cards that can be recognised by the reader in a certain time range, with the reel tag that is detected the most times in said time range, being the correct tag, additionally, a filter may also be applied to detect tags above a given signal strength (db) threshold;
• A second sub-phase wherein the reader detects the identification tag placed on the reel which contains information on the characteristics of the film reel;
• A third sub-phase wherein the first element sends the collected information to the server either directly or through the communications and management module;
• A fourth sub-phase wherein the server relates said information to that stored on that same reel to determine:
• That the film reel detected is correct;
• The type of film and reel;
• The length available, for which it will be determined if it has been used before and in that case how many metres of film remain;
• The stock of said type of reel to, according to predetermined data, determine if it is necessary to stock up;
• That the film is from a previously authorised supplier;
• A third calibration phase (to be performed once) of the second element in relation to the point where the reading is performed which must determine the measurement pattern that will serve as a parameter to perform the count of metres of film in the wrapping process;
• A fourth phase, having already started the wrapping cycle, of measurement of dispensed film;
• This film metre count refers to:
• That the film counter detects a signal of the passage of film through the rollers of said carriage;
• Once the film counter detects the start signal, the first element detects the label and starts the control of the film metre count which is given as valid when at least a predetermined number of metres of film are detected, being the parameter that indicates that at least a predetermined number of complete turns have been given to a standard pallet;
• Subsequently, after a period of time without receiving film passage signals, it is considered that the wrapping of the pallet has been completed;
• A fifth phase, at the end of the wrapping cycle, wherein the information collected during it is sent to the server for processing, either directly or through the communications and management module, in addition, the device has a memory that allows it to store data in the event of loss of communication with the server where once communication is restored, the data is sent to the server;
• A sixth phase of information transformation and data cross-referencing, in this the information is transformed into measurable data and cross-referenced with pre-existing data on the server, including those collected by the first element, in order to determine any or some of the following data:
• Quantity of film in stock of the required type;
• Film consumption per pallet;
• Number of pallets for which there is still stock of film;
• Efficiency of wrapping compared to other previous wrappings.