Method and unit for changing the configuration of an automatic machine

A method of producing various types of articles using a same automatic machine comprising a number of operating devices controlled by a control unit;

• the operating devices can operate in various modes, each of which is assigned and identified by a respective operating value;
• the method comprising the following steps:
• creating a configuration database, in which each work configuration is assigned a name, a description string, an image of the article corresponding to the work configuration, and a list of the respective operating value states corresponding to the work configuration,
• creating an operation database, which assigns each operating value a corresponding technical operation to be performed by the operator on the automatic machine to change the operating value;
• running the automatic machine set in a first configuration for producing a first type of articles;
• setting the automatic machine from the first configuration to a second configuration;
• and
• running the automatic machine set in the second configuration for producing a second type of articles;
• wherein the step of setting the automatic machine from the first configuration to the second configuration comprises the further step of:
• selecting the desired second configuration by means of a selection device;
• creating an orderly list of all and only the technical operations to be performed on the automatic machine to convert the automatic machine from the current first configuration to the desired second configuration by using the configuration database for entering into the list the operating values having different states in the current first configuration and the desired second configuration and by using the operation database for assigning each changed operating value the corresponding technical operation to be performed by the operator to change the operating value;
• and
• displaying, by means of a display device, the orderly list of all and only the technical operations to be performed on the automatic machine to convert the automatic machine from the current first configuration to said desired second configuration.