Frequently arising problems of production:

- Unexact machine adjustments cause inaccuracy of gap width
- Frequent complaints boost costs and decrease customer satisfaction

GMD - Gap measuring device
gap measurement at inline-machines

Hardware

high resolution ccd-camera installed in housing

industrial pc with 15’’ TFT touch screen monitor

linear moving unit to adjust the camera position according to the position of the gap

automatic positioning of the camera with a stepping motor (option)

special illumination installes in housing

aluminium panel (contain all control components)

strong fixing system to fix the control enclosure close to the machine centre

Software

userfriendly windows surface

standard operating system Windows XP

displays the leading and the trailing gap from camera on the screen

line chart diagram to control the tendency

histogram to control the main position of the leading gap, trailing gap and fishtailing

adjustment of the limits separated for leading gap, trailing gap and fishtailing

saving of all measurement values to analyse the data later

memorised production values for all produced jobs

counter for total, good and error sheets

average and standard deviation for leading gap, trailing gap and fishtailing

program surface changeable to your language

Properties

accuracy of the system +/- 0,2 mm (among other things depended of the corrugated edge)

performance: maximum 18,000 sheets per hour (depended of the sheets speed, sheet length and the distance between the sheets)

optical decoupled signals to connect a marker unit or a paper-strip inserter at a faulty sheet

remote access software available

demversion on CD available

Troubleshooting with GMD- Gap measuring device:

The GMD was developed as one of the first systems in 2002. Up to 2009 more than ten systems have been installed all over the world.

The Gap-Measuring-Device is a system for measurement of gap widths at inline-machines. An industrial PC with touch-screen monitor forms the heart of the system. This industrial PC is integrated in a strong aluminium shell together with the complete control electronics. As it is attached to a turnable restraint system the operating personal can choose a favoured position of the monitor.

An image processing camera which is integrated in a protection shell provides the image recording. Special lighting allows the camera to mark out the gap widths.

To ensure fast adjustment in case of an application change, an edgewise movement of camera and lighting is essential. Therefore camera and lighting are attached to a linear moving device. In addition, a motor drive can be delivered for automatic regulation, enabling automatic positioning for each selected task according to the set up of the program.

The lighting illuminates the objects sideways, while the image processing camera attached upright above the sheet takes a picture of the gap. This picture is used for the analysis of the gap width.

Diagrams give the operating personal a quick review of the values. By changing the adjustments of the inline-machine the effect can be checked immediately.