DE102016123865A1 - Process for the further processing of a glass tube semifinished product including a thermal deformation - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for further processing a glass tube semifinished product (1) including an at least partially performed thermal deformation, comprising the steps of: providing the glass tube semifinished product (1), wherein pipe-specific data are provided for the glass tube semifinished product; Reading the pipe-specific data (2-5, 30-31) for the glass tube semi-finished product (1); According to the invention, at least one process parameter during further processing of the glass tube semifinished product, including the thermal deformation carried out at least in sections, is dependent on the tube-specific data (2-5, 30-31). for the glass tube semifinished product (1). The further processing can thus be adapted more efficiently to the respective properties of a glass tube semifinished product to be processed or of a respective subsection thereof. In particular, the relevant properties of the respective glass tube semifinished product need not be measured again. Rather, these can be made available by the manufacturer of the glass tube semi-finished product for further processing in a simple manner.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the further processing of glass tubes to end products, in particular hollow glass products, and in particular relates to the further processing of glass tubes including thermal deformation to end products or hollow glass products, in particular to closely tolerated end products, such as containers for storing pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic Substances, such as vials, cartridges or syringe bodies.

STATE OF THE ART

For further processing of glass tubes, the process parameters of a further processing plant must be adjusted as well as possible to the properties of a particular glass tube in order to ensure optimum quality of end products. This is difficult and expensive, especially for the production of tightly tolerated end products.

To increase the quality of such end products, the relevant properties of glass tubes are determined in a further processing operation by means of suitable measuring devices according to the prior art. Only then can the relevant process parameters be set accordingly. This not only delays the further processing of glass tubes, but also makes them costly and time-consuming.

Various methods for marking and coding of glass tube semi-finished products are known from the prior art. However, these are not used to code properties of the glass tube semi-finished products in such a way that the relevant data is directly available for further processing operation and can be used directly by this further.

For marking or coding glass, methods are known from the prior art in which markings or the like are written directly into the glass material. Such a method is for example in US 2003 0029849 A1 . DE 102 34 002 A1 and WO 2012 028611 A1 the applicant discloses, the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. In this case, the glass is applied in sections with a laser pulse for applying a mark on the surface. The marking is clearly visible and can be reliably read in particular via a lens effect exerted by the marking, can be applied stress-free even during production at high temperatures and is therefore suitable for applying the mark during the production of glass tube semi-finished products, ie during the actual tube shaping. A particular advantage of this method is that the marking can be applied at temperatures above the transformation temperature of the glass without the temperature of the glass tube strand having to be increased again to such high temperatures after the actual tube shaping. With the method markings to combat piracy, but also brands, company logos or other product features can be applied to the glass tubing.

Further methods for marking glass substrates are in WO 2004 000749 A1 and WO 2009 128893 A1 disclosed.

DE 103 35 247 A1 discloses a method for pattern optimization of flat glass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the further processing of glass tube semifinished products including a thermal deformation thereof, which can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner reliably end products made of glass, in particular hollow glass products, which in particular meet higher quality requirements, in particular tighter can be tolerated.

This object is achieved by a method for the further processing of glass tube semifinished products including a thermal deformation thereof according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for further processing a glass tube semifinished product including thermal deformation performed at least in sections, comprising the steps of: providing the glass tube semifinished product, wherein tube-specific data are provided for the glass tube semifinished product; Reading the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product; and further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product including an at least partially performed thermal deformation; wherein at least one process parameter in the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product, including the thermal deformation carried out at least in sections, is controlled as a function of the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product.

If, for example, the tube-specific data of a glass tube semifinished product to be processed indicate a comparatively thin or thick wall thickness, the process parameters can be changed accordingly during further processing, so that according to the invention end products having virtually the same properties as in the production of a glass tube semifinished product with a normal wall thickness can be produced. The same applies to all relevant properties of a starting glass tube, including geometric, physical or physico-chemical properties.

For the purposes of the present invention, the tube-specific data basically means any properties of a glass tube semifinished product which may have an influence on the properties of a final product and which can also be influenced by suitable adjustment of process parameters in the further processing of a glass tube semifinished product. The process parameters in the further processing of a glass tube semifinished product are, in particular, the process conditions when separating subsections of a glass tube semifinished product, such as temperature, burner output, distance of the burner (s) from the glass tube semifinished product, orientation or Alignment of the respective burner, process times, Prozesstaktung or the like, or the process conditions in the further processing of a separated from the respective glass tube semifinished subsection, such as temperature, burner power, distance of the burner (s) from each separated subsection, orientation or Alignment of the respective burner, process times, process timing, process parameters in the thermal deformation of the separated subsection, such as applying an overpressure or underpressure, (sectionwise) pressing the separated subsection into a mold or the like, thermal conditions at A cooling, or the like.

In the simplest case, a control of these process parameters can be understood to be an adjustment of these process parameters in accordance with a look-up table in which process parameters associated with the relevant properties of a glass tube semifinished product or subsections thereof are deposited, with which end products having the desired properties are produced can be. Such a look-up table can in particular be stored in a database or on a data carrier, whereupon a control device, for example a processor, has access to a further processing system. The data of such a look-up table may in the simplest case be based on empirical data, but may also be the result of calculations or numerical simulations or of corresponding test series, that is to say knowledge-based. On the basis of the actually achieved quality of end products, in principle a feedback to the data of such a look-up table can also be provided so that an even better quality can be achieved for end products in the future.

The control of these process parameters can, of course, also be carried out according to mathematical formulas or calculations in which the provided tube-specific data are received.

The "provision of the tube-specific data" in the sense of the present invention means in particular that a further processing operation does not have to again laboriously determine or measure the relevant properties of a glass tube semifinished product to be processed, but rather that this data is available to the further processing operation by the glass tube manufacturer be made available in a suitable manner directly or indirectly, which helps to reduce effort and costs in the further processing of glass tubes. For this purpose, a corresponding access of the processing plant to data provided by the manufacturer of the glass tube may be provided, for example by accessing a database operated by the latter or to a data carrier provided by the latter. In principle, the data can also be deposited directly on the glass tube, for example in a suitable marking, a sticker, an RFID tag or the like. In any case, the processing company can read in the relevant tube-specific data in a simple manner, without having to again laboriously measured or otherwise determined.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the tube-specific data are respectively provided for subsections of the glass tube semifinished product of a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction of the glass tube semifinished product, which can be accomplished in particular by a tubular extrusion marking provided continuously or in sections on the glass tube semifinished product. The length of these subsections may be particularly tuned to the length of end products to be made, including a possibly resulting crop or the like. In other words, for each end product to be produced, exact tube-specific data are available for further processing of the glass tube semifinished product during further processing, on the basis of which individually suitable process parameters for further processing can be set or controlled.

According to a further embodiment, the tube-specific data for a respective glass tube semifinished product is averaged over a plurality of subsections of the glass tube semifinished product in a longitudinal direction of the glass tube semifinished product. The process parameters then need not be individually set or controlled for each subsection of the glass tube semifinished product. Rather, it is sufficient if the process parameters for the further processing of all subsections of a respective glass tube semifinished product are set to the mean value determined in this way.

According to another embodiment, the glass tube semi-finished product is further provided classified according to the averaged tube-specific data into one of several classes. It is advantageous that several glass tube semi-finished products of the same class can be further processed with the same process parameters, which makes the further processing more effective, time-saving, cost-effective and reliable

According to a further embodiment, the abovementioned tube-specific data relate to geometric dimensions of the glass tube semifinished product, in particular at least one of the following measured variables for the glass tube semifinished product including: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outer diameter; a variation of at least one of the following measurands: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outside diameter.

According to a further embodiment, the tube-specific data alternatively or further also contain information on the quality of the glass tube semifinished product, in particular at least one of the following information for the glass tube semifinished product: composition of a molten glass which was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semifinished product; Homogeneity of the glass melt used to form the tube of the glass tube semi-finished product; Process parameters for the production and processing of the molten glass, which was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semifinished product; Inclusions in a wall of the glass tube semi-finished product, including bubbles, knots, crystalline areas and the like.

According to a further embodiment, the glass tube semifinished product is characterized by at least one marking, by means of which the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product (indirectly or directly) can be read out. Thus, the at least one marking may in particular contain tube identification information, by means of which the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product can be read from a data memory or a database, in each case in association with a glass tube semifinished product or a subsection thereof, the or the is identified by the respective pipe identification information. The provision of the tube-specific data thus takes place indirectly, namely via the data memory, the database or the like, which can be easily and inexpensively integrated into the processes of a further processing operation.

However, the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product can also be contained in further markings on the glass tube semifinished product or in at least one further marking section of the at least one marking on the glass tube semifinished product. The provision of the pipe-specific data can thus take place directly, ie by means of the information inscribed in the further marking or in the further marking section to the respective glass tube semifinished product or to a respective subsection thereof.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one marking can be applied to the respective glass tube semifinished product by means of one of the following methods: applying, in particular printing, a bar code, a bar code or matrix code marking or the like which encodes the tube-specific data or a data link thereto ; Adhering a sticker which encodes the pipe-specific data or a data link thereto; Attaching an RFID tag to the glass tube semifinished product, which encodes the tube-specific data or a data link to this.

According to an alternative embodiment, the at least one marking can be produced by interaction of a laser beam with the glass of the glass tube semifinished product. In principle, the laser inscription can be produced at temperatures below the transformation temperature. This is especially true for labels that are no longer present on the final product. In this case, the laser inscription must e.g. in terms of breaking strength do not meet the requirements placed on the final product.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one marking can be introduced into a wall of the glass tube semifinished product by interaction of a laser beam with the glass of the glass tube semifinished product at temperatures above the transformation temperature of the glass, in particular as a digital matrix code (DMC). It is advantageous that this information can not be subsequently falsified in practice, and that such markings can be read in a simple and cost-effective manner, in particular optically and non-contact, which is easy in the processes integrated, which are usually carried out in a further processing operation.

According to a further embodiment, at least one glass tube semifinished product is sampled and evaluated on a random basis prior to further processing in order to carry out the method, in particular at the beginning in a further processing operation, for example during a goods receipt inspection. The variables and evaluation data measured in this way are compared with the tube-specific data provided for the respective glass tube semifinished product in order to determine deviation information, wherein the at least one process parameter used in the further processing of a plurality of glass tube semifinished products, including the at least partially performed thermal deformation is controlled or adjusted in dependence on the tube-specific data for the respective glass tube semi-finished products, taking into account the determined deviation information. In particular, by systematic sampling of glass tubes, any systematic deviations between the pipe-specific data provided and the actual pipe-specific data can be reliably determined and subsequently corrected. In this way, for example, systematic measurement errors or tube manufacturer-specific data "embellished" by the manufacturer of the glass tube semifinished product can be reliably corrected and avoided in a simple manner on the side of a further processing operation.

According to a further embodiment, the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product comprises a local heating of a section of the glass tube semifinished product and a separation of a container by separating a section from the glass tube semifinished product in the region of the locally heated section to form a bottom of the container. The floor can be formed in particular by slumping and fusing still sufficiently plastic wall sections, which results in elongated end products or hollow glass products with at least one closed end. In particular process parameters can be controlled or suitably adjusted on the basis of the pipe-specific data, which influence the local heating of the section of the glass tube semifinished product and the separation of the container, in particular burner performance and an axial adjustment of holding sections of a further processing plant, for the (even temporary) holding of Serve sections of the glass tube semifinished product.

According to a further embodiment, when separating the container from the glass tube semifinished product, a neck of the container is preformed, the container being received upside down by a holding device and the bottom of the container being gradually removed from the glass tube semifinished product by collapse of a wall of the glass tube is formed.

According to a further embodiment further further processing of the bottom of the container is provided, comprising at least one of the following steps: processing the bottom of the container with at least one burner to roughly form the bottom; further working the soil with at least one burner to form the soil flat; Pressing the soil into a mold matrix applying a gas pressure, in particular in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 bar, to finally mold the soil; Cooling the soil. On the basis of the tube-specific data, in particular process parameters can be controlled or suitably adjusted, which relate to one or more of these further method steps.

According to a further embodiment, the further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product further comprises a sorting or temporary buffering of a glass tube semifinished when it is determined based on the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished that the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product with current process parameters is not possible. In this way, in particular classes of glass tube semifinished products can be formed, each having the same or comparable relevant properties, in which case entire classes of such glass tube semifinished products (or subsections separated therefrom and cached from these) can be formed and these classes are then used for further processing End product can be further processed with identical or substantially the same process parameters. It is advantageous that the relevant process parameters then need not be changed so often, which allows further advantages in the further processing. After temporary caching, a new class can then be further processed, in particular with process parameters that have been changed once, which are determined on the basis of the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product.

According to a further embodiment, the end product after further processing is a container for holding pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic substances, in particular a vial, a carpule or a syringe body. More generally, the end product is a hollow glass product of the aforementioned type, which expediently has at least one opening for filling a substance.

According to a further embodiment, the container is provided with a marking for tracing and / or for a decision to an originality, in particular authenticity, or origin of the Container marked. By means of such a marking, a higher quality of end products can be guaranteed by means of traceability within the scope of quality assurance. However, the marking can also be used to determine an originality, in particular authenticity, or origin of a container.

list of figures

• 1a ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Glasrohr-Halbzeug gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit daran vorgesehenen Markierungen, die rohrspezifische Daten codieren;
• 1b ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Glasrohr-Halbzeug gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit einer vergrößerten Darstellung einer daran vorgesehenen Markierung, die rohrspezifische Daten codiert;
• 1c ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Glasrohr-Halbzeug gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit einer daran vorgesehenen Markierung, die rohrspezifische Daten mittelbar codiert;
• 2a in einem schematischen Diagramm eine Vorrichtung zum Kennzeichnen eines Glasrohr-Halbzeugs mit rohrspezifischen Daten und eine Anlage zum Weiterverarbeiten eines Glasrohr-Halbzeugs einschließlich einer thermischen Umformung desselben, um ein Verfahren gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung auszuführen;
• 2b eine Datenbank, die rohrspezifische Daten für eine Mehrzahl von Glasrohr-Halbzeugen speichert;
• 3a ein schematisches Flussdiagramm eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens zum Weiterverarbeiten eines Glasrohr-Halbzeugs gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung zur Herstellung eines Endprodukts; und
• 3b ein schematisches Flussdiagramm eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens zum Weiterverarbeiten eines Glasrohr-Halbzeugs gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung zur Herstellung eines Endprodukts.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, advantages and objects to be achieved will result. Show it:

• 1a a first embodiment of a glass tube semi-finished product according to the present invention with markings thereon, which encode tube-specific data;
• 1b a second embodiment of a glass tube semi-finished product according to the present invention with an enlarged view of a marking provided thereon, the tube-specific data encoded;
• 1c a third embodiment of a glass tube semi-finished product according to the present invention with a mark provided thereon, which indirectly codes tube-specific data;
• 2a a schematic diagram of an apparatus for identifying a glass tube semifinished product with tube-specific data and a system for further processing a glass tube semifinished product including a thermal deformation thereof to carry out a method according to the present invention;
• 2 B a database storing tube-specific data for a plurality of glass tube semi-finished products;
• 3a a schematic flow diagram of a first embodiment of a method for further processing a glass tube semifinished product according to the present invention for the production of a final product; and
• 3b a schematic flow diagram of a second embodiment of a method for processing a glass tube semifinished product according to the present invention for the production of a final product.

In the figures, identical reference numerals designate identical or substantially equivalent elements or groups of elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1a shows a first embodiment of a glass tube semi-finished product according to the present invention with markings provided thereon. In the context of the present invention, a glass tube semifinished product is to be understood, in particular, as a prefabricated glass tube having predetermined dimensions and properties, which serves as a starting workpiece for further processing into glass end products, in particular into hollow glass products. Such glass tube semifinished products are usually delivered in predetermined lengths of, for example, 1.5 m, wherein a pipe end or preferably both pipe ends are sealed in the delivery to a further processing operation to prevent unwanted ingress of contaminants into the interior of the glass tube semifinished product. For this purpose, the at least one end of the glass tube semifinished product 1 be completely closed by thermal deformation.

In the production of the glass tube semifinished product 1 gets on the glass tube 1 continually a pipe string mark 2 applied, each tube specific data for a respective subsection of a length 1 of the glass tube semi-finished product 1 contains, as explained below. On the glass tube semi-finished product 1 is still a second marker 3 separated from the pipe string marking 2 provided, the pipe identification information for identifying the glass tube semi-finished product 1 contains, preferably a pipe ID, pipe serial number or the like. Furthermore, in the second mark also information on manufacturers, production and / or production plant of the glass tube 1 are displayed. The pipe string marking can basically remain unchanged until the end product (for example, pharmaceutical container). The information about the glass tube semifinished product 1 is in the markings 2 . 3 preferably not contained in plain text, but only after a predetermined calculation or decoding instruction readable.

According to the 1a are the tubing markings 2 in the longitudinal direction (z) of the glass tube, preferably at predetermined, constant intervals ( 1 ) to each other on the glass tube 1 appropriate. These distances 1 For example, they may be tailored to the expected lengths of those sections from which the final products (for example, pharmaceutical containers) are to be later manufactured and which must be cut to length from an original glass tube; including any cuts and sections to be separated.

The 1b shows a second embodiment of a glass tube semi-finished product according to the present invention with an enlarged Representation of a designated mark. According to the 1b is instead of spatially separated applied first and second mark on the glass tube semifinished product 1 at a predetermined location, for example at a front or rear end of the glass tube semifinished product 1 , a combination marker 3 provided, the at least a first and a second information 4 . 5 contains, which are preferably arranged in close proximity to each other. While the first information 4 includes pipe identification information encodes the second information 5 Tube-specific data for the respective glass tube semi-finished product 1 , if desired, for the individual subsections in the longitudinal direction of the glass tube semifinished product 1 (see. 1a ), as explained below. Or the second information 5 encodes a data link to this pipe-specific data so that it can be read out indirectly, for example, from a database using this data link.

The 1c shows a third embodiment of a glass tube semi-finished product according to the present invention with a mark provided thereon, which indirectly codes tube-specific data. For this purpose, the marking codes 4 pipe identification information, which is a glass tube semifinished product 1 uniquely identifies, including all necessary information to carry out the inventive method, as stated below. For this purpose it may be sufficient if based on one in the mark 4 coded pipe identification information or one of the markings 4 encoded data links, the relevant pipe-specific data can be read indirectly from a database, as described below with reference to 2 B described in more detail.

For the purposes of the present invention, the tube-specific data relate to at least geometrical dimensions of the glass tube semifinished product to be further processed, in particular at least one of the following sizes for the glass tube semifinished product, which are measured for a respective glass tube semifinished product: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outer diameter; a variation of at least one of the following measurands: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outside diameter.

The tube-specific data can furthermore also contain information about the quality of the glass tube semifinished product and, in particular, contain at least one of the following information for the glass tube semifinished product: composition of a molten glass which was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semifinished product; Homogeneity of the glass melt used to form the tube of the glass tube semi-finished product; Process parameters for the production and processing of the molten glass, which was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semifinished product; Inclusions in a wall of the glass tube semi-finished product, including bubbles, knots, crystalline areas and the like.

For the purposes of the present invention, these tube-specific data are used to control at least one process parameter as a function of the tube-specific data for the respective glass tube semifinished product during further processing of the glass tube semifinished product, including at least partially performed thermal deformation, as explained in more detail below.

Depending on the time of application of the markings 3 - 5 The method used for marking is also selected. So it may be sufficient if the markings 3 - 5 be applied at temperatures below a transformation temperature of the glass, for example by means of a laser marking, by printing a mark, such as a bar code or bar or matrix code marking, which encodes the tube-specific data or a data link to this. The tube-specific data or a data link to these can also be coded in a sticker which is at a suitable location on the glass tube semifinished product 1 is glued and after reading the relevant information before further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product 1 is removed again. Or the tube-specific data or a data link to these can be coded in an RFID tag, which at a suitable location on the glass tube semifinished product 1 is provided and removed after a non-contact readout of the relevant information by means of RF signals before further processing.

The marks 3 - 5 however, parts thereof may also be produced at temperatures above the glass transition temperature, preferably in the form of a digital matrix code (DMC) by a method as in US 2003 0029849 A1 . DE 102 34 002 A1 and WO 2012 028611 A1 the applicant discloses, the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. The aforementioned data, in particular tube-specific data, can be applied in plain text (unencrypted) or by means of a predetermined coding.

While the tubing marking 2 In principle, until the end product or hollow glass product (for example, pharmaceutical container) can be kept unchanged, the above-mentioned further marks in the further processing of the Glass tube semifinished product 1 to the end product in a further processing operation again removed, where necessary, in the further processing operation according to a predetermined calculation or coding rule and maintaining the information content of the other markings a new mark is applied, the traceability of the glass tube semi-finished or a Decision on originality, in particular authenticity, or a source of the final product allows.

The 2a shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus for identifying a glass tube semifinished product with tube-specific data and a system for processing a glass tube semifinished product including an at least partially performed thermal deformation thereof to carry out a method according to the present invention. In the upper part of the picture 2a a device for applying a mark on the glass tube semi-finished product is shown, including tube-specific data, a tube identification information and other information. It is based on that the marking by means of a digital matrix code (DMC) and by means of a method as in US 2003 0029849 A1 . DE 102 34 002 A1 and WO 2012 028611 A1 Applicant discloses, is applied to the glass tube semi-finished product. Here are first tube-specific data, as stated above, for the glass tube semi-finished 1 by means of a measuring device 10 determined. In this case, the tube-specific data can also be determined for a plurality of subsections which are arranged spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the glass tube semifinished product, preferably at constant distances from one another, as in FIG 1a shown. After collecting the pipe-specific data, these are either stored in an external database 12 stored or stored for example on a data carrier, such as a data CD. This always takes place in association with information that permits a one-to-one identification of the respective glass tube semifinished product, in particular a serial number of the glass tube semifinished product or a tube identification information (hereinafter also referred to as tube ID). The pipe-specific data can thus be retrieved and read out at a later time indirectly.

Alternatively or additionally, the tube-specific data or at least essential parts thereof may be used to determine suitable process parameters for subsequent further processing of the glass tube semifinished product 1 are suitable, even by means of a marking device, which is also part of the measuring device 10 can be, directly on the respective glass tube semi-finished product 1 be applied, for example by means of markings, as described above with reference to 1a - 1c described. In particular, the mark may be associated with the tube-specific data by means of a digital matrix code (DMC) and by a method as in US 2003 0029849 A1 . DE 102 34 002 A1 and WO 2012 028611 A1 Applicant discloses to be applied to the glass tube semifinished product. However, the tube-specific data can also be applied in a different way to the glass tube semifinished product, in particular by means of a so-called RFID tag.

According to the 2a the measurement or determination of the tube-specific data and / or the marking of the glass tube semifinished product takes place 1 under the central control of a controller 11 that too with the database 12 can be connected to write data in this and / or read from this.

In the lower part of the picture 2a is schematically a device 20 for the further processing of glass tube semi-finished products, including an at least partially performed thermal deformation shown. This device is typically operated by a further processing plant, the glass tube semi-finished products 1 and processes them into end products, in particular hollow glass products, in particular into glass containers, for example into glass containers for storing substances for pharmaceutical, medical or even cosmetic purposes. The device 20 is from a controller 16 controlled, in particular a processor, with a read-out device 15 is connected to at least one mark of the glass tube semifinished product 1 read as above based on the 1a - 1c described, based on the tube-specific data for each glass tube semi-finished product 1 indirectly, for example from a database 12 (over the network 17 , For example, an in-house computer network or the network, in particular via a secure data communication connection) or be read from a disk. The readout device 15 can the tube-specific data for each glass tube semi-finished product 1 However, read directly from the mark on the respective glass tube semi-finished, for example by reading an optical marking on the respective glass tube semi-finished product 1 or by reading an RFID tag. The tube-specific data become the device 20 via a common control device 16 made available.

In the device 20 for further processing of glass tube semi-finished products and for the production of glass containers, it may be in particular one of the EP 2 818 454 A1 Applicant known device comprising a parent machine and a subordinate floor machine, with a plurality of processing stations for Execute processing steps in the 2a generally as subunits 21 - 24 are designated, wherein the specific number is not expressly limited to the four subunits 24-24 shown. For the production of glass containers, a glass tube is first attached to a holding unit of the parent machine, which is then brought by turning the parent machine in the various processing positions to be preprocessed. Thereafter, the glass tube is separated in a separation process and the resulting glass containers are transferred to a holding unit of the downstream floor machine to be further processed there at various processing positions. At the processing positions of the ground machine, for example, various steps are taken to properly shape the bottom of a glass container. Here, in particular by various hot forming processes and rapid rotation of the resulting glass container, a flat container bottom is produced, which has a comparatively low viscosity during the process because of the prevailing high temperatures.

For the production of glass vials, a plurality of burners is arranged, for example, at the various processing positions of the downstream so-called bottom machine. Both the subordinate bottom machine and the upstream parent machine consist of a rotor portion and a stator portion, wherein the rotor portions rotate once around its own axis during a production cycle. The processing positions of the ground machine serve to bottom-shape the glass vials separated from the glass tube and include at least one separation step involving the actual separation of the vials from the glass tube, a first bottom forming step, a second bottom forming step, a third bottom forming step, a die bottom forming step, a bottom cooling Step, a removal step and an empty step. In all these processing steps, the glass vials are held upside down. Specifically, in the above-described processing steps, the following processing operations are clocked in sequence:

In the separation step, the resulting glass vials, the neck of which is already formed, are initially received upside down by a fixture of the bottom machine to be separated from the glass tube, the bottom gradually separating the glass vials from the glass tube and collapse of the wall of the glass tube formed. In the first bottom forming step, the bottoms of the vials are processed with at least one burner to coarsely mold the bottoms of the vials. In the second bottom forming step, the bottoms of the vials are further processed with at least one burner to form the bottoms of the vials flat. In the third bottom forming step, the bottoms of the vials are further processed with at least one burner to further refine the already formed bottoms of the vials. In the die bottom forming step, the bottoms of the glass vials are pressed into a mold matrix while applying a relatively high gas pressure (preferably 0.5 to 3.0 bar) to final shape the bottoms. In the bottom cooling step, the bottoms of the glass vials are finally cooled. In the removal step, the finished glass vials are removed from the bottom machine. In the empty step, the holding unit of the bottom machine is empty and this is prepared to take in the next step again a new glass vial.

In the manufacturing process described above, the bottoms of the glass vials are relatively plastic during most processing steps, ie they have a relatively low viscosity. In this case, the process parameters during the separation of the glass vials from a glass tube semifinished product but also in the further processing steps for bottom forming at the downstream floor machine are suitably selected and adapted to the properties of each processed glass tube semi-finished or each processed straight subsection of the respective glass tube semi-finished, as detailed below with reference to 3a and 3b described, with the aim of forming glass containers with homogeneous properties as possible, which always meet the required comparatively tight tolerances, but also characterized by further advantageous physical or physical-chemical properties, in particular by a high chemical resistance, low ion emission, especially of alkali ions , in the substance to be stored in the glass container and a low delamination tendency. The so-called delamination is conventionally due to the fact that, due to the very high temperatures prevailing in the region of the glass container bottom, alkali borates, sodium and the like evaporate out of the hot glass, which immediately re-deposit on cooler regions of the glass containers, in particular in an annular zone at a certain distance from the glass container bottom. This phenomenon, known as the delamination tendency, makes it difficult to ensure a constant, optimum quality of the glass containers. In the hot region, in particular, the stoichiometric composition of the glass is changed. As a result of the subsequent cooling of the glass container, this results in a phase separation of the surface layer, which can have a further negative effect on the chemical resistance of the glass container. Due to the conventional partial Uncontrolled conditions during the hot forming processes, this leads to further irregularities in the production of glass containers.

For further processing of the respective glass tube semifinished product are at the majority of subunits 21 - 24 the device 20 set suitable process parameters, for example, process temperatures and / or process times and / or process clocks and / or process pressures and / or heat outputs of burners and / or rotational speeds for rotating the glass tube semi-finished during further processing or the like. According to the invention, these process parameters during further processing of the glass tube semifinished product, including the thermal deformation carried out at least in sections, are dependent on the determined tube-specific data for the respective glass tube semifinished product 1 set appropriately. The control of these process parameters as a function of the respective pipe-specific data takes place by means of the control device 16 which has access to the pipe-specific data for this purpose, for example by accessing the database 12 which stores this pipe-specific data.

Like in the 2 B shown, the pipe-specific data 30 . 31 in the database, for example in the form of a look-up table in association with respective pipe identification information pipe ID1, pipe ID2 ... be stored.

The following are based on the 3a and 3b two embodiments of a method according to the present invention for further processing of a glass tube semifinished product described to a final product, for example, to a glass container.

According to the 3a the tube-specific data for a respective glass tube semi-finished product to be further processed, are first read in step S1, for example by accessing an external database 12 (see. 2a ), by reading a data carrier or a mark, which is provided on the glass tube semifinished product. In step S2, the read-out tube-specific data are then evaluated, in particular whether or not the process parameters currently set for the further processing device have to be changed for the currently processed glass tube semifinished product. If it is determined in step S2 that the current process parameters of the further processing device are also suitable for the newly processed glass tube semifinished product or a subsection thereof, the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product to be processed or the subsection thereof is carried out with the current process parameters , Otherwise, the process parameters are changed as a function of the tube-specific data of the newly processed glass tube semifinished product or the subsection thereof. After further processing of the newly processed glass tube semifinished product or of the lower portion thereof, the method returns to step S1 in order to further process another glass tube semifinished product or another subsection of the currently processed glass tube semifinished product.

Unlike the method according to the 3a is used in the method according to 3b after the step S11 first queried whether a further processing of the newly processed glass tube semi-finished product or the next subsection thereof is possible with the current settings of the process parameters. If this is not the case, instead of an immediate change of the process parameters, it is first checked in step S14 whether a further processing of the newly processed glass tube semifinished product or of the next subsection of the currently processed glass tube semifinished product is at all possible, ie if the Process parameters would be changed according to the respective pipe-specific data. If this is the case, the newly processed glass tube semifinished product or the next subsection of the glass tube semifinished product to be processed is temporarily stored in step S15. Otherwise, the glass tube semifinished product to be processed or the next subsection to be processed of the currently processed glass tube semifinished product is sorted out in step S16, because it was determined in step S14 that further processing for the sorted out glass tube semifinished product or the next to be processed subsection is not possible at all.

Subsequently, the method first returns to step S10 and proceeds with a further processing of the next glass tube semifinished product or of the next subsection of the currently processed glass tube semifinished product (steps S10-S13), unless the next glass tube semifinished product or the next subsection of the glass tube semifinished product currently to be processed can not be further processed (negative decision in step S14 and sorting out in step S16) or else the next glass tube semifinished product or the next subsection of the currently processed glass tube semifinished product in the step S15 is cached.

When a sufficiently large number of glass tube semifinished products or subsections have been temporarily stored in step S15, after returning to step S10, the method may first suitably set the process parameters for the glass tube semifinished products or subsections intermediately stored in step S15, and then this glass tube Semi-finished or Subsections with process parameters that correspond to the pipe-specific data for these glass tube semi-finished products or subsections, process in step S13 on. This results in a time saving because the process parameters do not have to be changed permanently for further processing, but only in groups, ie for the next group of glass tube semifinished products or subsections which were temporarily stored in step S14.

In particular, step S14 is also suitable for pre-selection of glass tube semifinished products or subsections into one or more classes of glass tube semifinished products or subsections, for which the same process parameters must be used for further processing, so that the further processing can also be performed in groups or sequentially for such Classes of glass tube semi-finished products or subsections can be performed, the process parameters for further processing then only need to be readjusted for each new class of glass tube semi-finished products or subsections.

As a prerequisite for carrying out the method according to the invention, relevant properties of the glass tube semifinished products have to be detected or provided during the tube production for further processing. This relates in particular to geometric dimensions of the glass tube semifinished product, in particular at least one of the following measured variables for the respective glass tube semifinished product: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outer diameter; a variation of at least one of the following measurands: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outside diameter. Furthermore, further information on the quality of the respective glass tube semifinished product during tube production can also be determined, in particular at least one of the following information for the glass tube semifinished product: Composition of a glass melt which was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semifinished product; Homogeneity of the glass melt used to form the tube of the glass tube semi-finished product; Process parameters for the production and processing of the molten glass, which was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semifinished product; Inclusions in a wall of the glass tube semi-finished product, including bubbles, knots, crystalline areas and the like.

These tube-specific data are no longer tube-specific archived after a good / bad selection of the glass tubes, without a further processing operation can access this data later and this must then repeat the appropriate measurements. Rather, the data resulting from the production of tubes are made available according to the invention with relevant information about the properties of a respective glass tube for further processing, so that an individual further processing of the glass tubes can be made on the basis of this tube-specific data and a re-measurement of the relevant properties of the glass tube. Semi-finished product is unnecessary according to the invention. For this purpose, each tube in the manufacturing process receives a coding which contains either directly or indirectly as a data reference measurement data that can be read out to a further processing company and used for the further processing of the glass tubes.

A first application example relates to the use of outside diameter measurements for the selection of glass tubes for the production of end products (for example hollow glass products) with narrow outside diameter tolerances and / or inside diameter tolerances, for example a glass tube with a nominal outside diameter of 10.85 mm and one Tolerance ± 0.1 mm. Due to the online measurements taken during glass tube production, the glass tubes are e.g. marked with the information of maximum and minimum outer diameter. According to the invention, the glass tubes are coded during production in such a way that the geometry data measured during glass tube production are assigned to the glass tube. The assignment can either be done directly by writing the relevant measurements into a glass tube marking, or indirectly by coding each glass tube with a unique serial number and retrieving the relevant data for the glass tube from a list / database in a further processing operation. The indirect method allows to provide much more data.

For the application example, the outer diameter profiles of glass tubes can be represented, for example, in an upper, middle and lower tolerance range. By reading the measured data, the glass tubes can then be selected in several classes and later treated individually, according to the respective class. The simplest application is, for example, the presorting of the glass tubes in outer diameter classes and the further processing in groups corresponding to these outer diameter classes, in each case with process parameters which correspond to the respective outer diameter class. Advantage is the much more stable processing of the glass tube with standardized settings of the processing device and minimal user intervention. In this way, tightly tolerated end products can be produced without requiring tolerances for the output glass tube, which at the manufacturer is extremely expensive and causes high failure would mean. Compared to the current state of the art in particular eliminates the effort to measure the tubes in the entire length. The data can be read out, for example, directly with the help of a simple reader for the code on the tube.

Further application possibility is the use of the pipe data for the control of pipe processing machines. It is state of the art that e.g. in ampoule manufacturing, measurements on manufactured ampoules are used to readjust the machine for processing the next ampoules from this tube. By accessing the pipe-specific data determined during glass tube production, a new measurement is unnecessary according to the invention, since the outside diameter measurement values of the glass tube are already present at the beginning of further processing of the glass tube and the system can be controlled in accordance with the current outside diameter of the tube.

Likewise, individual tubes with undesirable properties could be selected out, e.g. Tubes with a high outside diameter gradient.

Advantages for the pipe manufacturer are the reduction of the product range, as few tolerances suffice to serve a wide variety of requirements in downstream processing.

• Statt einer Überprüfung von Stichproben von gelieferten Glasrohren bei der Wareneingangskontrolle bei einem weiterverarbeitenden Betrieb auf Einhaltung von Toleranzen, statistischen Kenngrößen etc. kann erfindungsgemäß an den ebenfalls bereitgestellten rohrspezifischen Daten, also anhand von konkreten Messdaten von Glasrohren, beim weiterverarbeitenden Betrieb ein Abgleich der Messdaten von Hersteller und weiterverarbeitendem Betrieb (= Anwender) erfolgen. Dieser Abgleich braucht nur für wenige gelieferte Glasrohre erfolgen, da dann die Abweichungen für alle anderen Glasrohre entsprechend berechnet werden können. Der Aufwand für die Wareneingangskontrolle beim weiterverarbeitenden Betrieb wird auf diese Weise dramatisch reduziert und die Genauigkeit der Vergleichsmessungen wird deutlich erhöht. Im Gegensatz zu maschinell gefertigten Teilen weisen Glasrohre auf Grund des Fertigungsverfahrens örtliche Schwankungen der Geometrie auf. Diese Schwankungen machen herkömmlich direkte Vergleichsmessungen mit hoher Genauigkeit unmöglich, da bereits geringe Abweichungen der Messpositionen (einige mm) Messfehler von mehreren µm bewirken können. Zur Vermeidung dieses Effektes können im Code des Glasrohres Messposition und Messwert hinterlegt werden, um exakte Vergleichsmessungen zu ermöglichen. Dieses Verfahren ermöglicht damit den Übergang von Stichprobenprüfungen zu Einzelstückprüfungen als Basis für eine praktisch fehlerfreie („Zero Defekt“) Produktion.

Application example incoming goods inspection (for further processing):

• Instead of a check of samples of glass tubes supplied in the incoming goods inspection in a further processing operation for compliance with tolerances, statistical parameters, etc. according to the invention on the tube-specific data also provided, ie on the basis of specific measurement data of glass tubes, the further processing operation, a comparison of the measurement data from manufacturer and further processing (= user). This adjustment needs to be done only for a few supplied glass tubes, since then the deviations for all other glass tubes can be calculated accordingly. In this way, the outlay for incoming goods inspection during further processing is reduced dramatically and the accuracy of the comparison measurements is significantly increased. In contrast to machined parts, glass tubes have local variations in geometry due to the manufacturing process. These variations make conventional direct comparison measurements with high accuracy impossible, since even small deviations of the measuring positions (a few mm) can cause measurement errors of several microns. To avoid this effect, the measuring position and measured value can be stored in the code of the glass tube to allow exact comparison measurements. This method allows the transition from random checks to single piece tests as a basis for a virtually zero defect ("zero defect") production.

The listed applications for using outside diameter data may be similarly adapted for wall thickness and inside diameter data or also geometry data derived therefrom, such as ovality of outside or inside diameter, wall thickness difference, and the like. The same applies to the curvature of a glass tube. In addition, data on the glass quality of the glass tube itself (e.g., bubbles, knots, crystals, ...) can similarly be deposited in the code and used for individual processing of the glass tubes according to the quality of the glass.

The method according to the present invention is generally suitable for the further processing of glass tubes for the manufacture of any tightly tolerated end products. A preferred example of such end products are containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or even cosmetic applications, for example vials, cartridges or syringe bodies.

In principle, however, the method according to the invention is also suitable for any other method for the further processing of glass tubes, including an at least partially performed thermal deformation, such as expanding or reducing an outer and / or inner diameter of a glass tube, stretching a glass tube, changing the outer and / or inner profile of a glass tube, each including an at least partially performed thermal deformation, especially at temperatures above a transformation temperature of the glass.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Glass tube or glass tube semi-finished product

2

Tubing marker

3

pipe marking

4

Pipe identification information

5

additional pipe data

10

Measuring device / measuring and marking device

11

Control device (for glass tube manufacturers)

12

Database

15

reading device

16

Control device (in further processing operation)

17

network

20

Processing device

21

subunit 1 of further processing device 20

22

subunit 2 of further processing device 20

23

subunit 3 of further processing device 20

24

subunit 4 of further processing device 20

30

pipe-specific data for pipe IDl

31

pipe-specific data for pipe ID2

1

predetermined distance

Z

longitudinal direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 20030029849 A1 [0005, 0044, 0046, 0047]
• DE 10234002 A1 [0005, 0044, 0046, 0047]
• WO 2012028611 A1 [0005, 0044, 0046, 0047]
• WO 2004000749 A1 [0006]
• WO 2009128893 A1 [0006]
• DE 10335247 A1 [0007]
• EP 2818454 A1 [0050]

Claims (20)

Process for the further processing of a glass tube semifinished product (1) including an at least partially performed thermal deformation, comprising the steps: Providing the glass tube semifinished product (1), wherein tube-specific data are provided for the glass tube semifinished product; Reading the pipe-specific data (2-5, 30-31) for the glass tube semi-finished product (1); and Further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product (1) including an at least partially performed thermal deformation; in which at least one process parameter during further processing of the glass tube semifinished product (1) including the at least partially performed thermal deformation as a function of the tube-specific data (2-5; 30-31) for the glass tube semifinished product (1) is controlled. Method according to Claim 1 in which the tube-specific data are respectively provided for subsections of the glass tube semifinished product (1) of a predetermined length (1) in a longitudinal direction (z) of the glass tube semifinished product (1). Method according to Claim 1 in which the tube-specific data for a respective glass tube semifinished product is averaged over a plurality of subsections of the glass tube semifinished product (1) in a longitudinal direction (z) of the glass tube semifinished product (1). Method according to Claim 3 wherein the glass tube semi-finished product (1) is further provided in accordance with the averaged tube-specific data classified into one of a plurality of classes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube-specific data relate to geometric dimensions of the glass tube semifinished product and in particular include at least one of the following measured variables for the glass tube semifinished product: Inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outer diameter; a variation of at least one of the following measurands: inner diameter; Outer diameter; Wall thickness; Radius of curvature; Ovality of the inside diameter; Ovality of the outside diameter. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube-specific data contain information about the quality of the glass tube semifinished product and in particular include at least one of the following information for the glass tube semifinished product: Composition of a molten glass that was used for tube shaping of the glass tube semi-finished product; Homogeneity of the glass melt used to form the tube of the glass tube semi-finished product; Process parameters for the production and processing of the molten glass, which was used for the tube shaping of the glass tube semi-finished product; Inclusions in a wall of the glass tube semi-finished product, including bubbles, knots, crystalline areas and the like. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass tube semifinished product (1) is characterized by at least one marking (3; 4), on the basis of which the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product are read out. Method according to Claim 7 , wherein the at least one mark contains tube identification information (4), based on which the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product are read from a data memory or a database (12). Method according to Claim 7 , wherein the tube-specific data for the glass tube semifinished product are contained in further markings (2) on the glass tube semifinished product or in at least one further marking section (5) of the at least one marking (3; 4) on the glass tube semifinished product. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the at least one marker (3; 4) has been applied by one of the following methods: applying, in particular printing, a bar code or matrix code marking which codes the tube-specific data or a data link thereto; Adhering a sticker which encodes the pipe-specific data or a data link thereto; Attaching an RFID tag to the glass tube semifinished product, which encodes the tube-specific data or a data link to this. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the at least one mark (3; 4) is produced by interaction of a laser beam with the glass of the glass tube semifinished product. Method according to Claim 11 wherein the at least one marking (3; 4) is produced by interaction of a laser beam with the glass of the glass tube semifinished product at temperatures above the transformation temperature of the glass into a wall of the glass tube semifinished product, in particular as a digital matrix code (DMC). Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12 , wherein the at least one mark (3; 4) is read out optically and without contact in order to read out the tube-specific data (2-5; 30-31) for the glass tube semifinished product (1). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one glass tube semifinished product is measured and evaluated prior to further processing, and measured quantities and evaluation data are compared with the tube-specific data for the at least one glass tube semifinished product in order to determine deviation information, wherein the at least a process parameter which is used in the further processing of a plurality of glass tube semifinished products including the at least partially performed thermal deformation, depending on the tube-specific data (2-5, 30-31) for the respective glass tube semi-finished products taking into account the determined deviation information is controlled , Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product (1), a local heating of a portion of the glass tube semifinished product, and separating a container by separating the glass tube semifinished product in the region of the locally heated portion to form a bottom of the container includes. Method according to Claim 15 wherein, when separating the container from the glass tube semifinished product, a neck of the container is preformed, the container is received upside down by a holding device and the bottom of the container is gradually formed by the glass tube semifinished product by collapse of a wall of the glass tube. Method according to Claim 16 further comprising further processing the bottom of the container, comprising at least one of the following steps: processing the bottom of the container with at least one burner to coarsely form the bottom; further working the soil with at least one burner to form the soil flat; Pressing the soil into a mold matrix applying a gas pressure, in particular in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 bar, to finally mold the soil; Cooling the soil. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 17 , wherein the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product (1) further comprises a sorting out or temporarily caching a glass tube semifinished when it is determined based on the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished that the further processing of the glass tube semifinished product with current process parameters is not possible , Method according to Claim 18 , wherein the glass tube semi-finished product after temporary caching with changed process parameters, which are determined on the basis of the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product, is further processed. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 19 wherein the container is a container for holding pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic substances, in particular a vial, a carpule or a syringe body.

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