DE102010038149A1 - Method for contactless referencing of products or pallets, involves detecting distance from detector to identification mark on product or on pallet, where associated product or corresponding pallet is determined by referencing distance - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting a distance from a detector to an identification mark (31) on a product or on a pallet (12). Another distance is detected from another detector to another identification mark (32) on the product or on the pallet. An associated product or a corresponding pallet is determined by referencing the former distance having a predetermined product-specific reference value. An independent claim is also included for an array of references of products and pallets in a process line or a manufacturing, production or packaging plant.

Description

The invention relates to a method for non-contact referencing of products or pallets, an arrangement for referencing products and pallets in a process line or a manufacturing, production and / or packaging plant and a product or a pallet.

Under a pallet in the context of this application, in addition to the usual transport pallets and mobile trolley and / or transport and production racks are to be understood. Such pallets can be used for example in the manufacture of calcareous or aerated concrete blocks, plastic parts for the aviation / automotive industry or in the production of food. Other fields of application are nonetheless conceivable. Such pallets within the meaning of this application can also be camouflage sports cars on wheels or rails. As applications of the invention described in more detail below are in particular productions in question, in which components or products are exposed to high temperatures or high thermal stress, such as in autoclaves, firing / hardening furnaces or the like.

From the prior art, various arrangements are known to ensure a traceability of manufacturing processes.

Known systems, such as RFID or scanner barcodes, are not suitable for referencing products or pallets, in particular at high ambient temperatures or heavy soiling and contamination, since these in particular can not withstand the aforementioned high temperatures and be destroyed.

The present invention has for its object to provide a method and an arrangement and a product or a pallet, which make it possible to carry out a continuous referencing of products or pallets, in particular conventional means for referencing and assignment due to problematic environmental ratio can not be used , Such environmental conditions may in particular be high temperatures and / or high dust or dirt loads.

This object is achieved with a method according to claim 1, an arrangement according to claim 6 and a product or a pallet according to claim 9.

• a. Detektieren eines ersten Abstandes von einem ersten Detektor zu einer ersten Kennmarke an dem Produkt oder der Palette;
• b. Detektieren eines zweiten Abstandes von dem ersten oder einem zweiten Detektor zu einer zweiten Kennmarke an dem Produkt oder der Palette;
• c. Bestimmen des zugehörigen Produkts oder der zugehörigen Palette durch Referenzieren des ersten Abstandes mit einem vorgegebenen ersten Produkt- oder palettenspezifischen Referenzwert- und des zweiten Abstandes mit einem vorgegebenen zweiten Produktoder palettenspezifischen Referenzwert zum zweiten Abstand.

According to the invention, it is accordingly provided that the method for non-contact referencing of products or pallets comprises the following steps:

• a. Detecting a first distance from a first detector to a first identification mark on the product or the pallet;
• b. Detecting a second distance from the first or a second detector to a second identification mark on the product or the pallet;
• c. Determining the associated product or pallet by referencing the first distance to a predetermined first product or pallet-specific reference value and the second distance to a predetermined second product or pallet-specific reference value to the second distance.

As a result, the contactless and in particular heat and dirt resistant referencing of products or pallets is possible.

The fact that for referencing a relative distance between the first distance and the second distance is determined and this is compared with a predetermined relative product or pallet-specific reference value, the accuracy of the referencing is large, with the number of possible pallets or products also very high is.

A further particular advantage is if, prior to determining the associated product or the associated pallet, object position referencing is performed by comparing the first distance with a predetermined tolerance range. The first measurement will be used as a calibration measurement to detect possible changes in the distance of the pallet or product from the detector as long as they are within a predetermined tolerance range. This tolerance range is less than half the distance of the first license plate to your nearest possible neighboring position on the product or on the pallet. For example, the first indicia may be placed 80 cm apart on the product or pallet, thereby tolerating a relative offset of the pallet by less than ± 40 cm. Correspondingly larger or smaller tolerances require accordingly larger or smaller positioning distances of the first license plates. The second identification mark can be arranged at a much smaller positioning distance, for example a few cm, resulting in a very large number of possible combinations and products to be referenced. The first mark can also be used purely for calibration purposes, so as to be able to use the fine position grading of the second mark.

If, together with the referencing of the products or the pallets, process, measurement and / or evaluation data for the referenced product or the referenced pallet are stored in a database, seamless process tracking is possible, even in areas of high heat load.

Due to the fact that several referencing of products or pallets takes place in different sections of a production, the complete batch control over a whole production is realizable.

According to the arrangement, during the production of a product on the product or on a product receiving pallet, a first and a second identification mark are arranged, and further at least one first detector, preferably a first and second detector, for detecting the distance of the first and the second identification mark, in each case from the detector, in the process line or the production, production and / or packaging system. With the aid of a detector, two identification marks can be detected, whereby either the detector has to scan the two identification marks one after the other by orienting it or by passing the pallet or the product past the one detector. More advantageous is the configuration of the arrangement with two detectors, which simultaneously detect the two distances.

Because the detectors are oriented and aligned along the process and / or production line, they can detect the distances to a first and a second identification mark. For this purpose, alignment along the process path as well as alignment at right angles to the process path is possible.

It appears particularly advantageous and simple if the detectors are laser rangefinders, since they only require slightly reflective identification marks.

Characterized in that a first and a second identifier are arranged on the product or the pallet, wherein the first and the second identification mark are arranged in a predetermined pattern / grid and have a detectable or detectable surface, distances of these identification marks of a provided Detector are detected and further evaluated to achieve a referencing, so that a pallet or a product can be accurately determined and this referenced product or pallet, if necessary, further data can be assigned.

If the first and the second identification mark consist of a metal, in particular a very long service life is given. Damage to the license plates due to heat or dirt is very low, as is the susceptibility to breakage or kinking of the pallet due to carelessness.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show:

1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the pallet according to the invention in a side view;

2 a schematic representation of the embodiment of the pallet according to the invention in a front view;

3 a schematic representation of the structure of the invention and the distances and

4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the pallet according to the invention with positioning of the identification marks.

In 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the pallet according to the invention 1 shown in a side view.

The pallet 1 is a hardness range for the production of aerated concrete blocks in this embodiment. The pallet 1 consists in this embodiment of two double-T-beams 11 , which are arranged side by side and on which as a flush end plate, a metal plate 12 is arranged. Such a pallet 1 is used for the production of aerated concrete blocks, including driving through an autoclave, this range 1 and the products thereon are exposed to high heat.

On each side of the two double-T beams 11 there is an identification mark, namely a first 31 on the right and a second 32 on the left double T-beam 11 , This first 31 and second identification mark 32 are in this embodiment rectangular metal plates, with the double-T-beam 11 are welded.

The arrangement of the first 31 and the second identifier 32 are arranged in the length of the double-T carrier according to a predetermined pattern, wherein their relative position can be shifted depending on the choice of the scheme zero, negative or positive.

Alternatively, the two license plates 31 and 32 also on one side of the pallet 1 be arranged, which are then arranged offset in height. Another arrangement in or on the pallet 1 however, it is just as possible.

In particular, however, is a protected arrangement of the license plates 31 and 32 so preferred, so that they are exposed to only a low contamination load.

Hereinafter, the same reference numerals as in FIG 1 used.

In 2 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of the pallet according to the invention 1 shown in a front view.

The pallet 1 points the two in 1 described in more detail marks. The first identification mark 31 is drawn throughout in this figure, whereas the second mark 32 dotted, since these are on the rear side of the rear double-T-beam 11 located.

Clearly visible is the staggered arrangement of the two license plates 31 and 32 to each other, leaving different distances from the edge of the pallet 1 can be measured.

3 shows a schematic representation of the structure according to the invention and the distances.

According to the invention an arrangement is provided by means of which a distance measurement of the two identification marks 31 and 32 both relative to one another and absolutely possible at a given point.

The arrangement has for this purpose next to a conveyor or production line, not shown, two fixedly positioned detectors, a first 21 and a second 22 on. These are formed in this embodiment as a laser rangefinder, which can detect a corresponding distance to be detected.

In this case, at the same time, the first distance L1 from the first detector 21 to the first identification mark 31 and the second distance L2 from the second detector 22 to the second identification mark 32 measured.

The distance L0 is basically constant. Should there be a variation of this distance, for example due to inaccurate positioning of the pallet 1 A difference arises, the tolerance range ΔL, which arises when the pallet 1 a little too close or too far away from the stationary positioned detectors 21 and 22 passing by or passing by. Such a delta can and must be in the determination of the very first identification mark 31 from the side edge of the pallet 1 be taken into account, so that a corresponding offset can be taken into account and an evaluation can calculate this offset, so as to determine the zero mark L0.

Now that the two cleared distances L1 and L2 have been detected, by subtracting the distance L0, the measured values can be referenced with a previously defined list. Such a list is exemplified as Table 1 above. According to these predetermined assignments can now be unambiguously an exact assignment of the range 1 respectively. This pallet assignment can now be used to appropriate material and batch tracking within allow production and production lines or plants, in particular, heavily soiled or a high pollution underlying production facilities and heavily heat-contaminated productions benefit from this.

When referencing the pallets 1 the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 are respectively corrected by the normal distance detector pallet L0 and a possible tolerance range ΔL and these two determined values are searched in the table so as to determine the pallet number. In addition to the referencing, process and batch data as well as material data can now be stored in a computerized system in order to ensure complete product tracking.

In 4 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the pallet according to the invention 1 with positioning of the first 31 and second license plates 32 shown.

The consistently drawn license plates 31 and 32 represent a momentary or a specific identifier arrangement. This is for a given limited amount of pallet 1 unique, so this combination is exactly a reference to this one pallet 1 allows.

The dashed marks represent alternative positioning of the first 31 or second identification mark 32 so that the respective first 31 or second identifier 32 can take any of these exemplary positions.

Further possible fields of use of this invention are, in addition to the use in lime-sandstone, aerated concrete or clinker works, in particular industries, which process components on component carriers with high temperatures, such as, for example, the aerospace or automotive industry with corresponding autoclaves and the like.

The following example shows possible pallets with associated assignments based on a table: Palettennr. 11-10 L2-L0 Palettennr. L1-10 L2-L0 1 200 200 31 800 200 2 200 300 32 800 300 3 200 400 33 800 400 4 200 500 34 800 500 5 200 600 35 800 600 6 200 700 36 800 700 7 200 800 37 800 800 8th 200 900 38 800 900 9 200 1000 39 800 1000 10 200 1100 40 800 1100 11 400 200 41 1000 200 12 400 300 42 1000 300 13 400 400 43 1000 400 14 400 500 44 1000 500 15 400 600 45 1000 600 16 400 700 46 1000 700 17 400 800 47 1000 800 18 400 900 48 1000 900 19 400 1000 49 1000 1000 20 400 1100 50 1000 1100 21 600 200 51 1200 200 22 600 300 52 1200 300 23 600 400 53 1200 400 24 600 500 54 1200 500 25 600 600 55 1200 600 26 600 700 56 1200 700 27 600 800 57 1200 800 28 600 900 58 1200 900 29 600 1000 59 1200 1000 30 600 1100 60 1200 1100 Table 1: Example of an allocation of pallets and their corresponding characteristic values; Distances in mm

Based on this exemplary assignment of the distances of the license plates 31 and 32 on the 60 pallets to be referenced here 1 the scheme is clarified with the help of which a referencing is possible. The pallet No. 20 would be referenced, for example, at a distance L1 of 400 mm and L2 of 1100 mm, respectively, from the side edge of the pallet. The pallet No. 45, on the contrary, would be referenced at a distance L1 of 1000 mm and L2 of 600 mm, respectively, from the side edge of the pallet.

As a result, a variety of combinations is possible, wherein the minimum distance of the respective license plates 31 respectively. 32 dependent on the fault tolerance of the detector 21 respectively. 22 is.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

palette

11

Double T-beam

12

plate

21

first detector

22

second detector

31

first identification mark

32

second identification mark

L1

first distance

L2

second distance

L12

relative distance

.DELTA.L

tolerance

L0

Normal distance detector pallet

Claims (10)

Method for non-contact referencing of products or pallets ( 1 ) comprising the following steps: a. Detecting a first distance (L1) from a first detector ( 21 ) to a first identifier ( 31 ) on the product or pallet ( 1 ); b. Detecting a second distance (L2) from the first ( 21 ) or a second detector ( 22 ) to a second identifier ( 32 ) on the product or pallet ( 1 ); c. Determine the associated product or pallet ( 1 by referencing the first distance (L1) with a predetermined first product or pallet-specific reference value and the second distance (L2) with a predetermined second product or pallet-specific reference value to the second distance (L2). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that for referencing a relative distance (L12) between the first distance (L1) and the second distance (L2) is determined and this is compared with a predetermined relative product or pallet-specific reference value. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that before determining the associated product or pallet ( 1 ) object position referencing by comparing the first distance (L1) with a predetermined tolerance range (.DELTA.L) takes place. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that together with the referencing of the products or the pallets ( 1 ) Process, measured and / or evaluation data for the referenced product or the referenced palette are stored in a database. Method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that several references of products or pallets ( 1 ) take place in different sections of a production. Arrangement for referencing products and pallets ( 1 ) in a process line or a production, production and / or packaging plant, characterized in that in the production of a product on the product or on a product receiving pallet ( 1 ) a first ( 31 ) and a second identifier ( 32 ) and that at least one first detector ( 21 ), preferably a first and second detector ( 22 ), to record the distance of the first ( 31 ) and the second identifier ( 32 ) each from the detector ( 21 . 22 ) are arranged in the process line or the manufacturing, production and / or packaging system. Arrangement for referencing products and pallets ( 1 ) in a process line or a manufacturing, production and / or packaging installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the detectors along the process and / or production line are oriented and aligned. Arrangement for referencing products and pallets ( 1 ) in a process line or a manufacturing, production and / or packaging installation according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the detectors are laser rangefinders. Product or pallet ( 1 ), characterized in that on the product or the pallet ( 1 ) a first ( 31 ) and a second identifier ( 32 ), the first ( 31 ) and the second identifier ( 32 ) are arranged in a predetermined pattern / grid and have a detectable or detectable surface. Product or pallet ( 1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first ( 31 ) and the second identifier ( 32 ) consist of a metal.

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