Methods of monitoring and controlling a molding process using a sensed change in strain provided by a strain gauge are provided. A target strain profile is created for a molding process of a molding apparatus. An upper and lower deviation limit from the target strain profile for the molding process is provided. If a sensed change in strain exceeds a deviation limit, an alarm is activated.

A plastic container manufacturing machine, comprising a chassis having a camway with a cam and a countercam and an element which is movable relative to the chassis, bearing a roller interacting with the camway so as to ensure the displacement of the movable element. The machine also comprising a device for controlling the displacement of the movable element. The countercam has at least one portion which is movable relative to the chassis, and the control device incorporates a distance sensor that continuously measures the distance of a movable portion of the countercam relative to a fixed reference point on the chassis.

Disclosed is a for forming a container with multiple walls by blow molding or stretch blow molding of a preform, including a blow-molding phase followed by a degassing phase, beginning at a moment, of the formed container, to bring t:s pressure back to the ambient pressure. The method also includes: a continuous measurement of the pressure prevailing in the neck during the degassing phase; the determination of the length of time that has elapsed between the beginning of the degassing and the attaining of a reference pressure in the neck; the comparison of the length of time that has elapsed with a theoretical length of time that is necessary so that the reference pressure is attained in the neck; and maintaining the locking of the mold if the length of time that has elapsed is less than the theoretical length of time.

The present invention provides a method of measuring the placement of material forming a blow-molded plastic container after the container is released from a mold of a blow molder having a plurality of molds, wherein each plastic container comprises a continuous sidewall and a base, the method comprising the steps of: detecting with an infrared camera infrared light emitted from the container after the container is released from a mold; converting the detected infrared light into corresponding electrical signals; transmitting the electrical signals to a microprocessor; comparing in the microprocessor the electrical signals with stored data regarding desired material distribution forming the plastic container; and producing output information regarding the placement of material forming the container.

The invention relates to a method for controlling confined preforms which are stopped in a heating station during a production interruption, the heating station comprising a device for conveying preforms comprising individual supports which move in a closed circuit and a heating cavity which is bordered by at least one row of transmitters of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. The method includes a step of heating, by the transmitters of the heating cavity, the confined preforms referred to as “cold” preforms which have been stopped before being exposed to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitters.

The invention relates to a gripper for holding workpieces, in particular preforms or containers, in their neck region, having a gripper base on which two gripper arms are pivotably arranged, which each have gripping ends for partially enclosing the neck region, wherein the gripper arms are held in a base position under spring tension, in which the gripping ends can jointly enclose and hold a neck region and, if they come into contact with an obstacle, can be pivoted out of the base position jointly in one direction, wherein one of the gripper arms as the main arm (13, 13′) is clamped via a spring (20) with the gripper base (11), which pulls the main arm (13, 13′) into contact with the other gripper arm, functioning as a secondary arm (14, 14′), in the base position, and the main and secondary arm (13, 13′; 14, 14′) are each mounted in a joint (18, 19), wherein the joint (19) of the secondary arm (14) is closer to its gripping end (16) than the joint (18) of the main arm (13), and the main and secondary arm press against one another in the closed position at least in two regions (21, 22), one of which is located above the joint (19) of the secondary arm (14) and the other below it on a lever (25) of the secondary arm (14) extending downward from the joint (19).

A linear drive for a stretch and/or blow moulding machine has a force sensor for detecting actual force absorption of the linear drive during operation, a storage device in which data for a desired force absorption during operation are stored, and a comparison device for comparing actual force absorption with desired force absorption and a signal emitter for outputting a signal if a previously defined deviation between desired force absorption and actual force absorption is exceeded. Also provided is a method for determining a friction coefficient of a linear drive for a stretching and/or blow moulding machine, by determining a desired force absorption of the linear drive during operation, detecting using a force sensor, actual force absorption of the linear drive during operation, comparing actual force absorption with desired force absorption, and outputting a signal if a previously defined deviation between desired force absorption and actual force absorption is exceeded.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a production facility of a series of containers from a series of preforms made of plastic materials. The method includes a first step of producing a preliminary series of individual containers from a preliminary series of preforms made of plastic materials. For each individual container produced during a tracking period, the method records (i) a marking that distinguishes said container other containers produced during said tracking period, and (ii) data relative to the production facility, its operation, and/or the preform or container. The method also includes a second step during which one or more physical values of each of the individually identified containers are measured during the first step, and a third step of compiling a database that matches, for each individually identified container, the measurement(s) of the second step, and the series of data acquired during the first step.

Method for the production of containers from a series of plastic preforms heated in a container production facility having at least one heating station, a forming machine with a number of forming stations, one or more treatment machines with a number of treatment stations. The method includes: forming the preforms in the forming machine; treating the individual containers in the treatment machine; and circulating each container held individually between the forming machine and the treatment machine(s). The method also includes individual identification of each container that is produced during a predetermined tracking period, an individual identification phase including a marking step during which each individual container that is produced during the tracking period receives a marking that matches the container, making it possible to identify individually the container by distinguishing it from all of the other containers produced by the production facility during the tracking period.

The invention relates to a method for controlling confined preforms which are stopped in a heating station during a production interruption, the heating station comprising a device for conveying preforms comprising individual supports which move in a closed circuit and a heating cavity which is bordered by at least one row of transmitters of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation. The method includes a step of heating, by the transmitters of the heating cavity, the confined preforms referred to as “cold” preforms which have been stopped before being exposed to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitters.