Automation and Control Technology, Inc.

John Wendt

David Honigford

Mike Iaquinta

Stephen J Kiernan

Ulrich Lang

Leeman D Spradlin

Ronald N Geiger

Steve Kiernan

James Ronald Fry

The present invention includes a central control system and method for fine tuning a cigarette manufacturing process. A measurement device captures measurements of particular cigarette properties. The measurement data is sent to and stored in a central database. Once sufficient measurement data has been stored, the data is loaded into an optimization program that outputs optimized controlled parameters that may be used by individual control systems to better control the properties of the cigarettes during manufacture. The central control system and method may be used with both off-line and in-line measurement devices, and can communicate and control such devices regardless of the manufacturer thereof.

Central control system and method for fine tuning individual cigarette manufacturing control systems

A system and method for frequent and accurate measuring of flat sheet thickness on a process line is disclosed. The results of the monitoring process of the present invention may be used to adjust the production process to better remain within predetermined tolerances. Data collection, data analysis, and process control are accomplished using a plurality of software applications in communication with various devices and equipment that support these functions of the present invention. A source/dectector unit collects data during the production process. The data is transmitted, manipulated, analyzed, and compared for conformance to tolerances and error signal output is transmitted to a process control system used to control the production process. If the sheet product is outside a specified tolerance range, an operator may also be notified so that corrective actions can be taken. Software applications may be used by an operator to perform setup and configuration operations.

Thickness measurement system and method

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Columbus, OH, United States of America

John Wendt