Milling Machine And Method For Operating A Milling Machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a milling machine having a replaceable milling drum, different types of milling drums being capable of being associated with the milling machine; and having a control unit for controlling the milling machine, machine parameters of the milling machine being settable by way of the control unit. Provision is made that the milling machine has associated with it at least one means that is designed to detect at least one characteristic feature of the milling drum; that the at least one means is connected to the control unit; and that the control unit is designed to specify for at least one machine parameter, indirectly or directly from the characteristic feature, a value to be set, and/or a setting range. The invention further relates to a corresponding milling drum and to a corresponding method. The milling machine, milling drum, and method allow the selection of machine parameters for operation of the milling machine to be simplified.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A milling machine comprising: a milling drum having a transponder arranged therein or thereon, wherein the milling drum is one of a plurality of different milling drums replaceable in association with the milling machine, and wherein the transponder has stored therein an identifying element and data inputted thereto relating to prior operation of the milling drum; a reading device configured to detect the identifying element via the transponder; and a control unit configured to identify the milling drum based on the detected identifying element, and optimize at least one machine parameter of the milling machine, based at least in part on the data relating to prior operation of the milling drum, and control operation of the milling machine in accordance with at least the optimized at least one machine parameter.

23. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the transponder is arranged in or on one or more of: a milling drum tube; a tool holder; and a milling tool of the milling drum.

24. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the control unit is configured to optimize the at least one machine parameter with respect to an optimized load on the milling drum.

25. The milling machine of claim 24, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises an operating duration for the milling drum.

26. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the control unit is configured to optimize the at least one machine parameter with respect to optimized replacement intervals for milling tools on the milling drum.

27. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises replacement intervals for milling tools of the milling drum.

28. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises one or more of: points in time for changes in one or more milling tools of the milling drum; a number of tools replaced during tool changes; and an operating duration for one or more of the milling tools.

29. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises a degree of wear on milling tools of the milling drum.

30. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the reading device is arranged on the milling machine to be in communication with the transponder at certain positions during a revolution of the milling drum, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine a milling drum rotation speed based on detected communications between the reading device and the transponder.

31. The milling machine of claim 22, wherein the identifying element is permanently stored in the transponder, and the data relating to prior operation of the milling drum is selectively stored therein via an input device associated with the control unit.

32. A method for controlling operation of a milling machine comprising a milling drum having a transponder arranged therein or thereon, wherein the milling drum is one of a plurality of different milling drums replaceable in association with the milling machine, and wherein the transponder has stored therein an identifying element, the method comprising: inputting data to the transponder over time relating to prior operation of the milling drum; at least prior to a current operation of the milling machine, detecting the identifying element via the transponder and identifying the milling drum based on the detected identifying element; optimizing at least one machine parameter of the milling machine, based at least in part on the data relating to prior operation of the milling drum; and controlling operation of the milling machine in accordance with at least the optimized at least one machine parameter.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the transponder is arranged in or on one or more of: a milling drum tube; a tool holder; and a milling tool of the milling drum.

34. The method of claim 32, comprising optimizing the at least one machine parameter with respect to an optimized load on the milling drum.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises an operating duration for the milling drum.

36. The method of claim 32, comprising optimizing the at least one machine parameter with respect to optimized replacement intervals for milling tools on the milling drum.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises replacement intervals for milling tools of the milling drum.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises one or more of: points in time for changes in one or more milling tools of the milling drum; a number of tools replaced during tool changes; and an operating duration for one or more of the milling tools.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein the data relating to operation of the milling drum comprises a degree of wear on milling tools of the milling drum.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein a reading device is arranged on the milling machine to be in communication with the transponder at certain positions during a revolution of the milling drum, the method comprising determining a milling drum rotation speed based on detected communications between the reading device and the transponder.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the identifying element is permanently stored in the transponder, and the data relating to prior operation of the milling drum is selectively stored therein via inputs received from an input device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to an exemplifying embodiment depicted in the drawings, in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view depicting a first milling machine in the form of a road milling machine;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view depicting a second milling machine in the form of a stabilizer;

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a first type of milling drum having a camera;

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a second type of milling drum having a transponder;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic depiction of a typical structure of a road;

[0047] FIG. 6 schematically shows a milling pattern that can be generated by a standard mill upon removal of a surface layer and a base layer of a road;

[0048] FIG. 7 schematically shows a milling pattern of a surface layer, partly removed with a fine milling drum, of a road;

[0049] FIG. 8 is a lateral section view of a bit holder mounted on a base part and having a bit;

[0050] FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction for the determination of machine parameters of a milling machine; and

[0051] FIG. 10 is a flow chart for determining machine parameters of a milling machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view depicting a first milling machine 10 in the form of a road milling machine. A machine frame 12 is carried by drive units 11.1, 11.2, for example track drive units, vertically adjustably via four lifting columns 16.1, 16.2. First milling machine 10 can be operated from a control station 13 via a control system 17 arranged in control station 13. A milling drum 15, depicted with dashed lines in the Figure and arranged in concealed fashion, is rotatably mounted in a milling drum housing that is likewise arranged in concealed fashion. A conveyor device 14 serves to transport the milled material away.

[0053] In use, machine frame 12 is moved, at an advance speed inputted via control system 17, over the substrate to be worked, in which context bits 20, arranged in the rotating milling drum 15 and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, remove the substrate. The vertical position and the rotation speed of milling drum 15 can be set from control system 17. The milling depth is set by way of the vertical position of milling drum 15. The vertical position of the milling drum can be established, depending on the type of machine, via the vertically adjustable lifting columns 16.1, 16.2. Alternatively, for example as in the case of second milling machine 50 shown in FIG. 2, milling drum 15 can be vertically adjustable relative to machine frame 12.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view depicting a second milling machine 50 in the form of a stabilizer. Second milling machine 50 is moved by means of front and rear wheels 51.1, 51.2. Front and rear wheels 51.1 and 51.2 are attached to chassis 52 via front and rear lifting columns 57.1, 57.2, so that the working height of chassis 52 and thus of drum housing 56 can be adjusted. A machine control station 53 is mounted on chassis 52. Motor 54, arranged inside chassis 52, drives milling drum 15 via a drive unit 54.1. Milling drum 15 itself is supported in a drum housing 56 that has a front and a rear drum flap 56.1, 56.2 associated it. Drum flaps 56.1, 56.2 are each embodied adjustably via an attached hydraulic system. Milling drum 15 is settable in terms of height, over an adjustment travel 55.4 indicated by a double arrow, by way of a hydraulic vertical adjustment system 55. For this, the motion of a hydraulic cylinder 55.1 is transferred to milling drum 15 via a rotatably mounted deflection lever 55.2 and a positioning rod 55.3 arranged thereon. The milling depth can be set with the aid of the vertical adjustment system.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows more clearly a first type of milling drum 15 having a camera 31 and a light source 30. In an axial direction, only one end segment of milling drum 15 is depicted. A plurality of bit holders 22 (tool holders) are attached to the surface of a milling drum tube 15.1 of milling drum 15. A bit 20, constituting a milling tool, is held in each bit holder 22. Bit 20 has a bit tip 21 made of a hard material, in particular of carbide metal. In the present example, bit holders 22 are welded directly onto milling drum 15. It is also conceivable, however, to use quick-change tool holder systems as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. A serial number 35 and a barcode 34 are mounted in the inner region of milling drum tube 15.1 depicted in FIG. 3. Barcode 34 represents serial number 35 in encoded form.

[0056] Bits 20 are arranged on milling drum tube 15.1 with comparatively large spacings. A milling drum 15 of this kind is provided as a standard milling drum, for example for removing entire road layers.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a second type of milling drum 15 having a transponder 32. Here as well, in an axial direction only one end segment of milling drum 15 is depicted. Transponder 32 is arranged in protected fashion in the inner region of milling drum tube 15.1. A reading device 33 for reading out transponder 32 is schematically depicted. Reading device 33 is advantageously arranged on milling machine 10, 50 in such a way that it is in radio contact with transponder 32 at least at times during a revolution of milling drum 15. An unequivocal identifying element, for example a serial number, which unequivocally defines the type of milling drum 15, is stored in transponder 32. If radio contact exists between the reading device and the transponder only in certain positions of the milling drum, the apparatus can additionally be used to accurately determine the milling drum rotation speed.

[0058] A base part 23 is welded onto milling drum tube 15.1 in order to fasten bits on milling drum tube 15.1. Bit holder 22 is releasably attached to base part 23 for reception of a replaceable bit 20.

[0059] For better clarity in the view as shown, the surface of milling drum tube 15.1 is occupied only in portions by base parts 23, bit holders 22, and associated bits 20. In actuality the entire surface of milling drum tube 15.1 is populated with base parts 23, bit holders 22, and bits 20.

[0060] In the present exemplifying embodiment, bits 20 are closely spaced as compared with milling drum 15 shown in FIG. 3. Milling drum 15 is a fine milling drum for targeted structuring and for restoring the evenness of a road surface.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic depiction of an exemplifying structure of a road 40. It is made up of a substructure 41 as well as an asphalt layer made up of a base layer 42 and a final surface layer 43.

[0062] FIG. 6 schematically shows a milling pattern that can be generated upon removal of surface layer 43 and base layer 42 of a road 40 using a standard mill. Coarse milling grooves 44, caused by the milling process, are clearly evident in substructure 41.

[0063] FIG. 7 schematically shows a milling pattern of a surface layer 43, partly removed with a fine milling drum, of road 40. In the region of the milled track, surface layer 43 exhibits a structure in the form of fine milling grooves 44.

[0064] First milling machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be used for a variety of assignments. For example, the road milling machine that is depicted can be used for fine milling of road surfaces, in which only the upper surface, or parts of the upper surface, of surface layer 43 of road is removed, as shown in FIG. 7. The surface structure of road 40 can thereby be modified, or evenness restored. For fine milling, first milling machine 10 is fitted with a fine mill as shown by way of example in FIG. 4.

[0065] In a further application, first milling machine 10 can be used to remove surface layer 43 and/or base layer 42 of road 40. The material of surface layer 43 and of base layer 42 which is removed can be milled off separately or together, recycled in a separate recycling facility, and then reused for road building. A standard milling drum, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3, is installed in first milling machine 10 for removal of the road layers.

[0066] Alternatively, milling machines 10, 50 can be designed to reprocess the resulting milled material on-site in the context of a cold recycling process, and to apply it as a renewed pavement onto substrate 41. Corresponding binding agents, for example bituminous binding agents, are delivered in this context to the milled material and mixed with the milled material during the milling process. With first milling machine 10, the milled material processed in this fashion can be transferred with conveyor device 14, for example, to a road paver and used to construct a new pavement. With both milling machines 10, 50, alternatively, the milled material can remain in the milled track directly behind milling drum 15, and optionally can be pre-compacted using corresponding apparatuses on the respective milling machine 10, 50. Final compaction of the renewed pavement is effected using subsequent roller trains.

[0067] In a further application, a stabilizer in accordance with second milling machine 50 can be used for stabilization, for example, of substrate 41 of road 40 depicted in highly simplified fashion in FIG. 5, before application of base and surface layers 42, 43. For this, the substrate is milled into by milling drum 15 and is mixed with binding agents, for example water, lime, cement, or corresponding suspensions. Comminution and homogenization of the milled ground material that is present may also occur in this context. The mixture thus obtained usually remains in the milled track and is then optionally compacted with roller trains, for example in order to form a load-bearing substrate 41 for base layer 42 and surface layer 43 of road 40.

[0068] Milling machines 10, 50 are equipped with different milling drums 15 for the various milling tasks that can be carried out. Milling drums 15 that correspond or are similar to the standard milling drum shown in FIG. 3 are used in order to remove entire road layers, for example to take off base layer 42 and surface layer 43 together. Fine milling drums that correspond or are similar to FIG. 4, which as compared with the standard milling drum depicted in FIG. 3 comprise an appreciably larger number of milling tools, are used for fine milling. With milling drums 15 for stabilizing substrate 41, on the other hand, the milling tools are arranged on struts that ensure good blending of the milled material. Different milling drums 15, each optimized for specific application sectors, can also be incorporated into milling machine 10, 50 for identical or similar assignments. Milling machine 10, 50 can furthermore be equipped with milling drums 15 of different working widths so that milling machine 10, 50 can be adapted to different assignments.

[0069] Milling machine 10, 50 must be operated with different machine parameters depending on the milling task to be carried out. In particular, the advance speed, milling drum rotation speed, and milling depth must be adapted to the particular assignment. Further machine parameters to be adapted are the rotation speed of a motor that drives milling drum 15, the power transferred to milling drum 15, or the torque transferred to milling drum 15.

[0070] Provision is made in accordance with the present invention that milling machine 10, 50 possesses means for detecting characteristic features of milling drum 15 used in milling machine 10, 50. The type of milling drum 15 that is present can then be unequivocally determined, for example, with the aid of these characteristic features. Suitable machine parameters for the operation of milling machine 10, 50 are specified depending on the type of milling drum 15 thereby ascertained, or directly from the characteristic features. For example, when a large number of bits 20 are located close to one another as one possible external characteristic feature of milling drum 15, it can be concluded that the present milling drum 15 is used for fine milling work, whereas a coarser milling task can be assumed when there are comparatively few bits 20. The milling task for which milling machine 10, 50 is intended to be used is also sufficiently known when the type of milling drum 15 is known. The machine parameters can thereby be adapted to the respective milling task and to milling drum 15 that is present. For this, one or more machine parameters can be set, or can be displayed to an operator of milling machine 10, 50, by a control unit 60 as shown in FIG. 9. The operator can likewise specify, for one or more machine parameters, setting ranges within which optimum operation of milling machine 10, 50 for the milling task at hand is possible. The operator can then set the machine parameter or parameters within the specified setting ranges. Provision is preferably made in this context that the specified setting ranges represent merely a recommendation, so that settings outside the specified setting ranges can also be made at the operator's discretion. Provision can be made for this purpose that data which mutually associate preferred machine parameters, preferred setting ranges for machine parameters, or preferred ratios among machine parameters, with specific characteristic features of the milling drum or with specific types of milling drums, are stored in control unit 60.

[0071] Properties of milling machine 10, 50 itself are preferably also taken into account in the specification of the machine parameter or parameters. For example, limitations on the machine parameters to be specified which result from the particular milling machine 10, 50 that is present, for example a maximum possible milling depth, a maximum advance speed, or a maximum drive power, can also be taken into account in the specification of the machine parameters. Different values to be set, or setting ranges, for the machine parameter or parameters can thus be specified for identical milling drums 15 for different milling machines 10, 50. Different milling machines 10, 50 can thereby be optimally adapted to the milling task and to milling drum 15 that is present.

[0072] If it is recognized in a possible application instance that a milling drum 15 for fine milling is installed in milling machine 10, a limited setting range for the milling depth can then be specified as a machine parameter by specifying a maximum milling depth. It is thereby possible to avoid using fine milling drums for deeper milling work, since this does not allow satisfactory working output, results in increased wear on milling drum 15, and entails a risk of damage to milling drum 15 and to milling machine 10, 50. When a fine milling drum has been recognized, it is furthermore possible to specify a comparatively high value to be set, or setting range, as a machine parameter, so as thereby to generate a uniform surface structure. The maximum specified rotation speed of milling drum 15 can be defined here as that upper limit of the rotation speed range which appears suitable for fine milling using milling drum 15 that is present. It can also be limited, however, by the maximum rotation speed of milling drum 15 which can be set with the present milling machine 10, 50. In addition to the rotation speed of milling drum 15, a value to be set, or setting range, for the advance speed of milling machine 10, 50 can be specified as a further machine parameter, in such a way that the ratio between the advance speed and the milling drum rotation speed does not exceed a specific threshold value. It is thereby possible to avoid the occurrence of undesired structures on the surface being processed.

[0073] When a milling drum 15 for removing entire layers of the road structure is recognized, a high level of power transferred to milling drum 15 can be specified as a machine parameter. This too can be an individual value to be set or a preferred setting range. A value to be set, or a setting range, having a comparatively low milling drum rotation speed can furthermore be specified for a milling drum 15 (and thus an assignment) of this kind. The wear on bits 20 and on bit holders 22 can thereby, for example, be minimized.

[0074] According to a possible variant embodiment of the invention, provision can be made that in addition to the type of milling drum 15 used, at least one material property of the substrate to be milled, and/or an additive delivered into the milling process, is taken into account in specifying the value to be set, or the setting range, of the at least one machine parameter. The at least one material property of the substrate to be milled can be inputted, for example, by an operator of milling machine 10, 50. Alternatively thereto, milling machine 10 can comprise suitable sensors with which the relevant material properties can be detected. The additives can be materials for processing the removed road surface or for stabilizing the substrate. These can be specified, for example, by the operator of milling machine 10, 50.

[0075] The type of milling drum that is installed can be detected in a variety of ways. One possibility involves visual detection by means of a camera 31 based on external characteristic features of milling drum 15, as symbolically shown in FIG. 3. Advantageously, a light source 30 is associated with camera 31 so that sufficient brightness for imaging of milling drum 15 by camera 31 exists even in milling drum housing 56. The type of milling drum 15 being used can be detected based on the camera images, for example by means of suitable evaluation software that advantageously is stored in a control unit 60 connected to camera 31. The evaluation software can evaluate characteristic features of milling drum 15, for example the number and/or arrangement of bits 20 or the external dimensions of milling drum 15. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a scanner can also be arranged for this purpose in the region of milling drum 15, which scanner, for example, detects the number, arrangement, and/or contour of bits 20 and recognizes therefrom, in interaction with suitable evaluation software, the type of milling drum 15.

[0076] Active or passive transponders 32, for example RFID transponders, can preferably be mounted on milling drums 15, as shown in FIG. 4. A suitable identifying element of milling drum 15 is stored in each of transponders 32. The identifying element represents a characteristic feature of milling drum 15 on the basis of which the type of milling drum 15 can be unequivocally determined. Suitable reading devices 33, with which transponders 32 can be read out, are then arranged on milling machines 10, 50. The data thereby obtained are forwarded to a control unit 60 that, on the basis of the data, detects the type of milling drum 15 and specifies the associated machine parameters as a value to be set or a setting range.

[0077] According to a further variant embodiment provision can be made that barcodes 34 are mounted on milling drums 15, as shown in FIG. 3. Barcodes 34 represent a characteristic feature for unequivocal identification of the respective milling drum 15. At least one suitable barcode reader is then mounted on milling machine 10, 50 and connected to control unit 60. The latter determines the type of milling drum 15 depending on the identifying element ascertained via the barcode reader, and thereupon specifies the value to be set, or the setting range, of the relevant machine parameter or parameters. Further forms of identifying element, for example number sequences or letter sequences, which unequivocally indicate the type of milling drum 15, can also be mounted on milling drums 15. An identifier of this kind can be read off by an operator of milling machine 10, 50 and delivered to control unit 60 via an input unit, for example in the form of a keypad. Alternatively thereto, the identifier can also be detected via camera 31 shown in FIG. 3 or another sensor system, and forwarded to control unit 60. The identifier can be, for example, a serial number 35 of milling drum 15, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] Advantageously, the identifying element of milling drum 15 can be such that it can be read out in the context of rotation of milling drum 15. For example, a barcode 34 can be moved past a barcode scanner by the rotation of milling drum 15 and thereby read out. It is likewise conceivable for the milling machine to have associated with it a proximity switch whose detection region is directed, for example, toward the end face of milling drum tube 15.1 or toward a further region of milling drum tube 15.1 that is moved past the proximity switch by the rotation of milling drum 15. Elevations and depressions can then be mounted on milling drum tube 15.1 so that the proximity switch switches or does not switch depending on the position of milling drum 15. The identifying element on the milling drum can thereby be coded, and can be read out via the switching pulses of the proximity switch. Detection can then be accomplished, for example, at a known rotation speed of the milling drum, or the identifying element possesses “start/stop” identifiers, the “start” identifier marking the beginning, and the “stop” identifier marking the end, of the identifying element, for example a serial number of milling drum 15. The rotation speed of the drum can moreover also be ascertained, for example, by detecting repeated “start” and/or “stop” signals and ascertaining the time between those signals.

[0079] In a further embodiment of the invention provision is made that specifications for setting specific machine parameters are stored on or in milling drum 15, and are read out via suitable readout means and delivered to control unit 60. Values to be set, or setting ranges, of the respective machine parameters can be stored, for example, in active or passive transponders 32 or in the form of barcodes 34.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a lateral section view of a bit holder 22, mounted on a base part 23, having a bit 20 constituting a milling tool.

[0081] Bit tip 21 is attached, preferably by intermaterial connection, to a bit head 20.1 of bit 20. Oppositely to bit tip 21, bit head 20.1 transitions into a bit shank 20.2. The cylindrically embodied bit shank 20.2 is held via a clamping sleeve 20.3, rotatably around its longitudinal axis and in axially blocked fashion, in a bit receptacle 22.1 of bit holder 22. A wear disk 24 is arranged between bit head 20.1 and bit holder 22. Bit holder 22 comprises an insertion projection 22.2 that is introduced into a shank receptacle 23.1 of base part 23 and is clamped in place there by means of a clamping screw 23.2. Base part 23 itself is attached, preferably welded, to a milling drum tube 15.1 (not depicted).

[0082] A transponder 32 is arranged in the region of bit shank 20.2. Transponder 32 can be embodied as an active or passive transponder 32. Stored in it is an identifying element that indicates the type of bit 20 constituting an inserted milling tool. Different bits 20 are provided for different milling tasks. When the type of bit 20 is known, the milling task to be carried out can thus be inferred and the machine parameter or parameters for operating milling machine 10, 50 can be correspondingly specified.

[0083] In addition or alternatively to bit 20, bit holder 22 and/or base part 23 can also be identified. An additional identifying element of milling drum tube 15.1 can also be provided. The at least one machine parameter can be specified depending on a combined evaluation of the identifying elements. For example, the nature of the milling task (e.g. fine milling) can be determined based on the identification of the milling tool, in the present case of bit 20. The identifying element of milling drum tube 15.1 can indicate, among other things, the axial length of milling drum tube 15.1. Based on the type of milling tool determined, different values or value ranges for the at least one machine parameter can now be specified for the milling task (fine milling) for milling drum tubes 15.1 of different lengths.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction for the determination of machine parameters of milling machine 10, 50. The characteristic features of milling drum 15 that are provided are its outer contour as well as identifying elements in the form of a barcode 34 and a transponder 32. The outer contour is detected with the aid of a camera 31. Transponder 32 is read out with the aid of a reading device 33, and barcode 34 is detected and decoded by means of a barcode reader 36. These three options for detecting characteristic features of milling drum 15 are provided in the present case, although it is additionally or alternatively conceivable to detect further features, or only some of the features stated.

[0085] Reading device 33, camera 31, and barcode reader 36 are connected to a block 65 for creating the characteristic feature. The characteristic feature is forwarded to control unit 60. Control unit 60 is furthermore connected to a database 62 and to an input unit 61. Control unit 60 creates, from the characteristic feature or features, a machine parameter set 63 for milling machine 10, 50. In the present case machine parameter set 63 encompasses a maximum milling depth 63.1, a minimum milling depth 63.2, a maximum advance 63.3, and a minimum advance 63.4 within which milling machine 10, 50 is to be operated with the milling drum that was detected. Machine parameter set 63 is outputted to a machine driver by means of an output device, in the present case in the form of a display 64.

[0086] The above-described control unit 60 is thus embodied as a computer system. The latter encompasses (not depicted) at least one processor, a computer-readable storage medium, database 62, input unit 61, and output unit 64. Input unit 61 can be embodied as a keypad or as another user interface, and enables an operator to input instructions. Output unit 64 can be embodied as a display or in the form of another optical or acoustic indication. The processor can be embodied as a single controller that encompasses the entire functionality described; or multiple controllers, among which the above-described functionality is distributed, can be provided.

[0087] A “computer-readable memory medium” is to be understood for present purposes as any form of a nonvolatile memory medium that contains a computer program product in the form of a software program executable by the processor, computer instructions, or program modules. These, when executed, can make data available or can in another fashion cause the computer system to implement an instruction or to work in a specific manner as defined above. Provision can furthermore be made that more than one type of memory media can be combined so that software executable by the processor, computer instructions, or program modules are directed from a first memory medium in which the software, the computer instructions, or the program modules are initially stored, to the microprocessor for execution.

[0088] The memory media as used here can be, in non-limiting fashion, transfer media or data media. The data media can be, equivalently, volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media. These can be embodied in the form of a dynamic memory, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), memory chips, optical or magnetic memories (CD), flash memories, or any other medium that is suitable for storing data in a form suitable for processors. Unless otherwise indicated, they can be arranged on a single computer platform or can be arranged in a manner distributed among multiple such platforms.

[0089] “Transfer media” can encompass all concrete media that are suitable for allowing software executable by the processor, computer instructions, or program modules to be read out and executed via them by a processor. Cables, leads, fiber optics, or known wireless media can be used, without limitation, for this.

[0090] In a further embodiment provision can be made that the processor does not represent or require a computer system. It can be embodied separately or can be otherwise configured independently inside a machine, for example in a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or in other programmable logic modules, in a logic gate (discrete gate), or in a logical transistor circuit, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is designed or programmed to perform or bring about the above-described functions. The general purpose processor can be a microprocessor or, alternatively, a microcontroller, a state machine, or a combination thereof.

[0091] The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example as a combination of a DSP with a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such combination.

[0092] Specific actions, sequences, or functions of each of the algorithms described with reference to the controller can execute in a different sequences depending on the configuration, and they can be added or connected or omitted (for example, if not all the above-described functions are necessary for execution of the algorithm). Actions, sequences, or functions can furthermore be executed simultaneously in certain embodiments, for example by multi-threaded processing, interrupted processing, or by means of multiple processors or processor cores or any other parallel architecture.

[0093] As depicted in FIG. 9, characteristic features of milling drum 15 are delivered to control unit 60. These can be an identifier that has been read out by means of barcode reader 36 or reading device 33 of transponder 32, or external features of milling drum 15 that have been imaged by camera 31. Control unit 60 is designed to recognize, based on the characteristic features delivered, the type of milling drum 15 installed. For that purpose it compares the characteristic features with data stored in database 62. Alternatively thereto, the type of milling drum 15 can also be inputted via input unit 61. Once the type of milling drum 15 is known, control unit 60 ascertains suitable machine parameters or ranges of suitable machine parameters within which milling machine 10, 50 can be optimally operated with the milling drum 15 that is present. In the exemplifying embodiment depicted, these are displayed to a machine driver by means of output device 64. In the present case the machine driver receives specifications as to suitable ranges for advance and milling depth. He or she can thus set the corresponding machine parameters. It is also conceivable for the machine parameters to be forwarded directly to a machine control system, and to be set by it automatically in order to operate milling machine 10, 50.

[0094] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart 70 for determining machine parameters of a milling machine 10, 50. The flow chart comprises five blocks 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 as well as database 62. In first block 71 the sensor values are read out, for example, from camera 31, barcode reader 36, or reading device 33 for transponder 32 shown in FIG. 9. In second block 72, the characteristic feature of milling drum 15 is determined therefrom. In an optional step in a third block 73, the milling drum type can be ascertained from the previously detected characteristic feature. In the fourth block, the machine parameter or parameters suitable for operating milling machine 10, 50 are then determined directly from the characteristic feature or from the milling drum type. These can be concrete values or value ranges. Data from database 62 can be used to determine the machine parameters from the characteristic feature or from the milling drum type. In a fifth block 75 the machine parameters or machine parameter ranges are then outputted.