Rieter

Operating and monitoring

Index

The central machine operator panel (Fig. 43) is the central interface between user and machine. This operator panel is used for much more than the mere input and output of data. Machine settings are changed, characteristic values for integrated quality control systems are specified, the machine and the package transport system are started or stopped, the running strategy for the operating robots is specified, causes of errors in the event of machine problems or failures are displayed and both current and cumulative machine, production, performance and quality data are provided via this display. Analyses of stationary or deactivated spinning positions, i.e. spinning positions with too many ends down or quality stops, provide foremen or mechanics with working data for immediate trouble-shooting action on the machine under surveillance.

On machines with frequency-controlled inverter drives, spinning parameters are set and changed by entering the relevant values directly at the operator panel instead of the time-consuming and labor-intensive changing of gear wheels and step pulleys with the associated machine shutdowns. A further advantage is that setting values can be entered or changed while the machine is running! This considerably reduces machine downtimes for batch and count changes.

Data input and data queries are performed (on modern systems) via a touch screen panel (Fig. 43), and the user is guided through the program by menu assistance. At the same time the touch screen displays the data in alphanumeric and/or graphic form. In simpler systems data input and data queries are performed via a keyboard; data output is via a printer or monitor.

Access authorization in the mill can be organized via different access codes (mill management, maintenance/service personnel, operating personnel).

Various menus are available to the user for input and queries of machine, production and quality data, in a wide range of languages, of course (Fig. 43).

On the basis of the current production and quality data from each machine, operating or maintenance personnel can immediately take the necessary action if production or quality faults are displayed. If the machines are connected to a higher-level data collection system, comprehensive data are available to mill management for efficient production and quality monitoring (refer to section  Production monitoring).

The robot operating panel (Fig. 44) is the interface to the user in the same way as the central operator panel for the machine control system. All settings and queries relating to the robot can be made via push buttons. Setting and optimizing piecings (length, mass and tenacity) are especially important here for operating personnel.

The display of the number of piecing attempts per piecing process and robot efficiency figures for piecings after ends down or quality stops and for piecing on empty tubes are key statistics for optimizing settings and can also indicate whether overall spinning conditions (raw material quality, yarn parameters, spinning elements, rpm and speeds) are correctly coordinated.

Fig. 43 – Machine operator panel in the form of a touch screen panel

Fig. 44 – Robot operating panel