METHOD FOR OPERATING A SERVICE UNIT

Abstract

Method for operating a service unit for processing work orders regarding a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing process employed at spinning machines producing take-up packages that process at least two different lots, whereby the service unit is fed an empty tube via the spinning machine's tube feed track, and the fed empty tube is taken up by the service unit. If the current work order for the cross-wound package/empty tube doffing of the workstations expires before it is processed and the empty tube is exchanged and another work order has come in which is for a workstation requiring a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for another lot, the already taken up empty tube is released by the service unit, and the service unit takes up an empty tube of another lot in order to be able to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing process at the other workstation.

Claims

1. A method for operating a service unit for processing work orders regarding a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing that is used at spinning machines producing take-up packages, which process at least two different lots, whereby in a first method step an empty tube is fed to the service unit via the spinning machine's tube feed track and in a second method step, the empty tube is taken up by the service unit, characterized in that, if the current work order for the cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for workstation expires before it is processed and the empty tube is exchanged and the next work order has been received, which is for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for another workstation processing a different lot, in a third method step, the already taken up empty tube is released by the service unit, and in a fourth method step the service unit takes up an empty tube of another lot, in order to be able to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing at the other workstation.

2. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the empty tube released by the service unit is set back onto the tube feed track.

3. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the empty tube released by the service unit is inserted into a storage device.

4. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the empty tube inserted into a storage device by the service unit is removed again as part of new work order and used for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing.

5. The method for operating a service unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, the empty tube inserted into a storage device by the service unit is manually removed.

6. A spinning machine producing take-up packages with a large number of workstations and at least one service unit that can travel between the workstations to process work orders regarding cross-wound package/empty tube doffing at the individual workstations, whereby an empty tube can be delivered to the service unit via the machine's tube feed track and the service unit has a gripping device with which the delivered empty tube can be removed from the tube feed track, and whereby the service unit has a control unit that is connected with a central control unit, which is in turn connected to the workstation control units, characterised in that, the control unit or central control unit is designed so that in the event that the work order for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing expires before it is executed by the service unit and the empty tube is doffed, the service unit is controlled so that the empty tube removed from the tube feed track by the service unit can be put into a tube holder, and that then a new empty tube that is suitable for another lot can be removed from the tube feed track, in order to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing at another workstation processing one of the other lots.

7. The spinning machine producing take-up packages according to claim 6, characterised in that the tube holder is comprised of the tube feed track or a storage device for storing the empty tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Preferred embodiment examples of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of the enclosed drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an open-end spinning device with two travelling service units;

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a workstation of the spinning machine with a service unit positioned in front of it in side view;

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of the method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a spinning machine 1 producing take-up packages, in this example designed as an open-end spinning machine, which has a large number of workstations 2, each fitted with a spinning device 3 and a winding device 4. The open-end spinning machine has in addition two identical service units 5.

[0035] In the spinning device 3 a sliver positioned in spinning can 6 is spun into yarn that is wound into cross-wound package 7 on the winding device 4. The winding devices 4, as depicted in FIG. 2, are fitted with a package cradle 8 for the pivotable holding of an empty tube 9 or a cross-wound package 7 as well as with a winding drum 10 for rotating these elements. The open-end spinning machine also has a central control unit 11 that is connected to the control units of the workstations 13 via a bus system 12. Moreover, such open-end spinning machines have a cross-wound package transportation device 14 for disposing of completed cross-wound packages 7 and an empty tube supply device which essentially consists of an empty tube magazine 15 as well as tube feed tracks 16.

[0036] The service unit 5 can travel along guide rails 17, 18 which are positioned at the open-end rotor spinning machine 1. The service unit 5 is depicted in more detail in FIG. 2. The control unit 19 of the service unit 5 is, like the workstation control units 13 and the central control unit 11, connected to the bus system 12 of the open-end spinning machine.

[0037] The service unit 5 has, as shown in FIG. 2, various handling devices which enable the service unit 5 to carry out a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing process if needed and thereby make a piecing yarn available to the spinning device 3 of the relevant workstation 2. Such a service unit 5 has, for example, a so-called (not shown) frame opener and a take-off and drive arm (also not shown) that can be positioned at the surface of the cross-wound package 7. The service unit 5 also comprises a gripping device 20, which is for example designed so that its gripping elements are adjusted to the external diameter of the empty tubes 9 that travel via the tube feed tracks 16 to the area of the workstations. Moreover, such a service unit 5 is also equipped with a device 21 for cleaning the spinning device 3, an auxiliary yarn delivery device 22 for preparing a piecing yarn as well as a yarn positioning and repositioning device 23. The service unit 5 can optionally also include a storage device 24. The empty tube 9, which is held in the gripping device 20 for an upcoming cross-wound package/empty tube doffing after expiry of the corresponding work order before it could be carried out, can be stored in this storage device 24. If the service unit 5 does not have a corresponding storage device 24, a no longer required empty tube 9 can be set back onto the tube feed track 16 again.

[0038] The service units 5 intervene themselves if there is a need for action at one of the workstations and this is signaled by a work order. Such a work order exists if the cross-wound package 7 is complete at one of the workstations 2 and must be exchanged for an empty tube 9. As soon as the service unit 5 is notified via the bus system 12 of the open-end spinning machine that there is a work order at one of the workstations 2, the service unit 5 travels to the affected workstation 2.

[0039] After the service unit 5 is correctly positioned, it exchanges the cross-wound package 7, which has reached its prescribed diameter, for an empty tube 9. This means that the service unit 5 transfers the completed cross-wound package 7 to the cross-wound package transportation device 14 after the package cradle 8 is opened using the take-off and drive arm and then doffs a new empty tube 9, which was made available to the service unit 5 via a tube feed track 16 from the empty tube magazine 15, using the gripping device 20 into the package cradle 8.

[0040] While the cross-wound package transportation device 14 is transporting the cross-wound package 7 to a transfer point located at the end of the machine, a piecing yarn 25 is prepared by the auxiliary yarn delivery device 22 of the service unit 5. Then the piecing yarn 25 is pulled through a yarn delivery unit 26 from a storage package 27 and transported pneumatically via a pivot-mounted delivery tube 28 into the area of a workstation's suction nozzle 29, represented in FIG. 2, which sucks up the yarn end. Then the delivery tube 28 transports the piecing yarn 25 into the area of a yarn positioning and repositioning device 23, which brings the piecing yarn 25 to the area of the empty tube 9 which is held in package cradle 8 of a workstation 2, whereby the free end of the piecing yarn 25 is transferred from the suction nozzle 29 to the workstation's (not shown) piecing tool, which prepares the yarn end as usual.

[0041] The method 100 shown in the flow diagram in FIG. 3 involves the processing of work orders for a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing by a service unit 5 used at a spinning machine producing take-up packages.

[0042] After a work order is received from a workstation 2 the service unit 5 travels to the corresponding workstation 2 and in a first method step 110 an empty tube 9 is fed to the service unit 5 via the spinning machine's tube feed track 16. Then, in a second method step 120, the empty tube 9 is taken up by the service unit 5. Usually in this context the empty tube 9 is taken from the tube feed track 16 by a gripping device 20 positioned in the service unit 5. If the current work order expires, for which the empty tube 9 is positioned in the gripping device 20 of the service unit 5, before it could be changed, and if the next work order for another workstation 2 exists, which is processing another lot, the empty tube 9 which is already stored at the service unit 5 is released in a third method step 130. The no longer required empty tube 9 is put into a tube storage location, i.e. either set back onto the tube feed track 16 or stored in a storage device 24. In this way, the service unit 5 can accept a work order regarding a cross-wound package/empty tube doffing for another workstation 2 in a fourth method step 140, and take up the corresponding empty tube 9 from the tube feed track 16, even if the other workstation 2 is processing another lot and therefore requires another empty tube 9. In this way, the service unit can accept the next work order without unnecessary delay and can process subsequent requests from additional workstations 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0043] 1 Spinning machine that produces take-up packages [0044] 2 Workstation [0045] 3 Spinning device [0046] 4 Winding device [0047] 5 Service unit [0048] 6 Spinning can [0049] 7 Cross-wound package [0050] 8 Package cradle [0051] 9 Empty tube [0052] 10 Winding drum [0053] 11 Central control unit [0054] 12 Bus system [0055] 13 Workstation control unit [0056] 14 Cross-wound package transport device [0057] 15 Empty tube magazine [0058] 16 Sleeve feed track [0059] 17 Guide rail [0060] 18 Guide rail [0061] 19 Control device [0062] 20 Gripping device [0063] 21 Device [0064] 22 Auxiliary yarn delivery device [0065] 23 Yarn positioning and repositioning device [0066] 24 Storage device [0067] 25 Piecing yarn [0068] 26 Yarn delivery unit [0069] 27 Reserve package [0070] 28 Delivery tube [0071] 29 Suction nozzle [0072] 100 Method [0073] 110 First method step [0074] 120 Second method step [0075] 130 Third method step [0076] 140 Fourth method step

[0077] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.