Patent Publication Number: US-2022221841-A1

Title: Method implemented by software instructions for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belts conveyor and related system

Description:
FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THIS INVENTION 
     The present invention is part of the field of belt conveyors for moving products/packages. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For the carrying out of a project and for the subsequent definition of a production bill of materials and corresponding construction and assembly drawings of belt conveyors or lines of belt conveyors, several programs are known in the state of the art, each used to perform a certain work step. 
     Said programs are generally used within the manufacturing companies and in particular are used by specialized technicians such as for example salespeople for the quoting step, design technicians for the design step and software technicians for the entry into production/carrying out of the belt conveyor. 
     Said technicians have specialized skills aimed at knowing which data or values are necessary to define the technical specifications of the belt conveyor. 
     Aforesaid technical specifications can be of various kinds and may depend, for example, on the productive sector in which the belt conveyor has to be inserted, on the products to be moved, on the production rates, on the dimensional specifications of the belt, etc. 
     Consequently, the technician is able to make the necessary choices for the carrying out of the project; on the basis of said data, for example the specialized design technician, carries out the correct design of the components and the realisation of corresponding technical bills of material for the production of said belt conveyors, whereby for example the correct size of the belt conveyor, the type of materials with which it must be built, the correct type of chain, the most suitable motorisation, etc. will be defined. 
     Therefore normally, a user/client who must purchase a belt conveyor must necessarily interface with the specialized technicians of the manufacturing company, who are able to provide first of all a quote and subsequently a project and/or the built belt conveyor. 
     It follows that the speed of the quoting step and the subsequent steps going from quoting to purchase, entail long times, which are often in contrast with the needs of the users/clients. 
     Furthermore, the cost of the belt conveyor is also certainly high because it requires the skill of specialized technicians, in aforesaid various operating steps. 
     As is often the case, the low flexibility of the provision, which is often aimed at carrying out the finished belt conveyor and not, for example, at providing the mechanical components to be assembled, is added to these disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The technical problem underlying the present invention is in particular that of making available a method for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors structurally and functionally designed to overcome one or more of the limits set out above with reference to the known prior art. 
     A main object of the invention is to develop a method for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors which allows to speed up the design and the manufacturing of the belt conveyor between the client and the manufacturing company. 
     A further object of the invention is also to make a method available to the art for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors that can also be used by people without specific technical skills. 
     These and other objects are reached by the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention. 
     In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes available a method for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors, said method, implemented by software instructions, which provides for
         providing input data associated with technical specifications of the belt conveyor, inputted by a client device;   processing said input data associated to the technical specifications;   generate corresponding output data that define a technical design related to said one or more belt conveyors.       

     Thanks to said method it is possible to speed up the steps of information transfer between client and manufacturing company speeding up the design and manufacturing of the belt conveyor. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the method further envisages providing the acceptance of said technical project through the client device. 
     It still preferably provides for generating the activation of steps related to the carrying out/entry into production of the technical project, following the acceptance by the client. 
     Thanks to said method, a reduction in the costs for manufacturing the belt conveyor is expected. In fact, said method does not provided for involving specialized technicians during the manufacturing of the project of the belt conveyor, but the software processes said input data associated with the technical specifications and consequently generates corresponding output data that define the technical project. 
     To speed up aforesaid steps of manufacturing the belt conveyor, the method provides for storing said software instructions implementing the method in a server of the owner. 
     In particular, it can also provide for connecting said server of the owner and the client device between them by means of a connection network, in particular the internet network. 
     Said method preferably provides for transferring the input data inputted through the client device to the server of the owner for their processing and generating corresponding output data of the technical project related to said one or more belt conveyors. Furthermore, one aspect of said method provides for transferring the output data of the technical project processed by the server of the owner to the client device. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to make available a method wherein the client is able to insert input data in particular to define the technical specifications of the belt conveyor autonomously and directly through the client device, even without having specific technical skills. 
     In fact, the input data preferably comprise or consist of one or more of the following data: sector data, product data, production data. 
     Said input data are in fact the strictly necessary data and above all the data that a client, even without specific technical skills, must be aware of for manufacturing the belt conveyor. The method provides for processing, by software instructions, said input data and making the technical choices that define the project by simply inserting aforesaid data without requesting more specific information normally within the responsibility of technicians in the sector. Said input data may also comprise dimensional data, layout data, electrical data, etc., to request all the specifications necessary for the carrying out of the project. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to make a computer program available for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors, configured to implement the described method. 
     Said purposes and advantages are all achieved by the method implemented by software instructions for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors and related system, object of the present invention, which is characterized by what is provided for in the claims below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This and other features will be more apparent from the following description of some of the embodiments, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1 : illustrates the system for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors, configured to implement the method of the invention. 
         FIGS. 2 to 29 : illustrate an example of an input interface with the input data requested from the user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Belt conveyors for moving products/packages are generally part of lines for the production of said products/packages. 
     Said belt conveyors connect, for example, the various production stations. 
     The conformation of said belt conveyors is extremely customised, that is to say, it has technical characteristics which vary from project to project and are dedicated to the client&#39;s specific production needs. 
     In fact, said belt conveyors must respond to different technical requirements linked to several aspects, such as for example the characteristics of the products/packages to be moved, the layout of the production line in which said belt conveyors are to be inserted, etc. 
     These and other important features for the customised design will be described in more detail below. 
     Precisely because the belt conveyors require a very customised design, in order to ensure the productive needs of the lines in which they are inserted, it is essential that the client interfaces with the manufacturing company of said belt conveyors and in particular with the specialized technicians such as for example:
         salespeople for the quoting step,   design technicians for the design step   software technicians for the entry into production/carrying out of the belt conveyor.       

     Said specialized technicians generally carry out the design and/or quoting and/or production activities of the belt conveyor, by means of software programs, each dedicated to said specific activities. 
     The client, even if he is competent the field of design of belt conveyors and in particular if not competent, is not autonomous in the definition of the project and must therefore interface with various people of the manufacturing company. 
     It follows that the speed in the execution of the various steps, from quoting/design, up to the purchase and manufacturing of the belt conveyor, entails long times, which are often in contrast with the needs of users/clients. 
     As a direct consequence there are also high costs of the belt conveyor precisely due to the low automation of the process, which requires an important involvement of highly specialized people for each step of analysis and carrying out of the project of the belt conveyor. 
     A method implemented by software instructions and related system, operating by software instructions, having the purpose of allowing a generic client to define a project related to a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors in a simple and fast way is the object of the invention. 
     Said method provides for:
         providing input data  110  in particular adapted to define technical specifications of the belt conveyor, inputted by a client device  100 ;   processing said input data  110  in particular adapted to define the technical specifications;   generating corresponding output data  210  that define a technical design  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors.       

     Therefore the client, by means of his client device  100 , for example a computer, a mobile phone, or any other instrument similar to them, enters input data  110  in particular adapted to define technical specifications of the belt conveyor, necessary for the definition of the related technical project  600 . 
     According to an aspect of the invention, said method preferably provides for using a user graphic interface  800  comprising an input interface  810  of the client device  100  to provide the input data  110 . 
     In this way, as will be explained in detail below, the client is able to insert the input data  110  to define the technical specifications of the belt conveyor autonomously and directly using the client device  100 . Therefore directly through the input interface  810  it is possible to insert all the input data  110  without having to communicate through different systems and/or interface with the manufacturing company. 
     This facilitates the insertion step of input data  110  also thanks to the fact that, as will be described in more detail below, the input interface  810  is configured to help and guide the client to insert all data input  110  necessary for the definition of the technical project  600 . 
     Preferably, said method also provides for using the user graphic interface  800  comprising an output interface  820  of the client device  100  to display output data  210  that define the technical project  600 . 
     Thanks to this solution, the client receives all the information related to the technical project  600  through the output interface  820  without having to use different systems and/or communication interfaces with the manufacturing company. 
     For carrying out said method, a preferred embodiment provides for connecting said client device  100  by means of a connection network  300  with a server of the owner  200 , i.e. for example a server of the company manufacturing the belt conveyors. 
     In particular said connection network  300  can be, for example, an internet network. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, said method provides for storing the software instructions implementing the method on said server of the owner  200 . 
     Therefore the input data  110 , inputted by the client device  100 , are preferably transferred to the server of the owner  200  for their processing by the software instructions and consequently for generating corresponding output data  210  of the technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors. 
     Consequently, said method may provide for transferring the output data  210  of the technical project  600  processed by the server of the owner  200  to the client device  100 . 
     Thanks to this solution, the client receives directly on his client device  100  the technical project  600  processed by the server of the owner  200  by the software instructions. 
     Therefore also the step of receiving the technical project  600  takes place automatically and directly from the server of the owner  200  to the client device  100 , preferably through the output interface  820 . 
     Said method may further provide for processing said technical project  600  for the definition of a corresponding financial project  700 . 
     The method preferably envisages providing the acceptance of said technical project  600  and/or financial project  700  through the client device  100 . 
     Following the acceptance of the technical project  600  by the client, it is possible to generate the activation of steps related to the carrying out/entry into production of said technical project  600 . 
     The client therefore does not need to interface with specialized technicians or people from the company for the reception and transfer of the information related to the input data  110  or technical project  600 . 
     The speeding up of the process of data acquisition and project processing is therefore evident. For example, in fact, the quoting and definition step of the finished technical project can take a few minutes (less than 10 minutes), compared to a process according to the prior art which generally provides for 15/20 days only for the provision of financial data and general technical data, without achieving the finished technical project. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to make available a method in which the client is able to insert the technical specifications of the belt conveyor autonomously and directly by means of the client device, even without having specific technical skills. 
     Preferably, said method in fact provides for:
         displaying through a client device  100  a list of input data  110 , in particular that do not require design knowledge, for the definition of the technical specifications of the belt conveyor,   requesting to the user the selection of the displayed input data  110  through the client device  100 ,   preferably processing said selected input data  110 , so as to propose/request further input data  110  which the user must select and which are dependent on the previously selected input data  110 ,   preferably processing said selected input data  110 , so as to generate output data  210  for the definition of a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors.       

     In this way, thanks to the display through a client device  100  of a list of input data  110 , the user is guided in the insertion, as he has to easily select what is proposed; also the fact of processing said selected input data  110 , to generate a further input data  110  that the user must select, simplifies the choice of the user who does not need to make excessive considerations or deductions. The processing, which will be better explained below, of said selected input data  110 , to generate output data  210  which define a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors, makes the system usable even by those without technical skills and speeds up the carrying out of the technical project. 
     The input data  110  preferably are only the strictly necessary data and above all the data of which a client, even without specific technical skills, must be aware of for manufacturing the belt conveyor. Therefore, no more specific information is required which is normally the responsibility of technicians in the sector. 
     In particular, precisely to facilitate, on the client&#39;s side, the insertion of said input data  110 , the method provides for requesting the input data  110  which are used to determine the type of belt, that is, for example, to determine the type of material of the structure, type of chain, type of guides, type of bearings, etc. 
     The method in fact preferably provides for requesting input data  110  which comprise and/or consist of one or more of the following:
         sector data  111  to request and receive technical specifications related to the productive/industrial sector which the belt conveyor and/or the series of belt conveyors has to operate in; in fact, the productive/industrial sector influences the definition of the belt conveyor. A food sector, or an automotive or pharmaceutical sector, needs belt conveyors with very different technical characteristics. The choice of the productive/industrial sector directs the project  600  by limiting the possible variants of the belt conveyor in order to delete those unsuitable for that specific sector.   usage and maintenance data  111 A to request and receive technical specifications related to the type of maintenance that is envisaged for the belt conveyor such as cleaning, washing or sanitizing; the usage and maintenance data  111 A normally depend on the previous sector data  111 .   environmental data  111 B to request and receive technical specifications related to the characteristics of the environment in which the installation of the belt conveyor and/or the series of belt conveyors is provided for, of humidity, temperature, etc.; the environmental data  111 B normally depend on the previous sector data  111 .   product data  112  to request and receive technical specifications related to the product and/or products to be moved by the belt conveyor and/or the series of belt conveyors; for example the type of packaging, the dimensions, the weight of the product, etc. are included in the product data;   production data  113  to request and receive technical specifications related to the production rate that the belt conveyor and/or the series of belt conveyors have to ensure; for example, the number of products per minute or per hour that the belt must move will be requested.       

     Furthermore, the method can also provide for the insertion of:
         dimensional data  114  to request and receive technical specifications related to the dimensional characteristics of the belt conveyor and/or the series of belt conveyors; for example the width, length, height of the belt conveyor.   layout data  115  to request and receive technical specifications related to the positioning related to the entire operative area of the belt conveyors;   electrical data  116  to request and receive technical specifications related to the electrical specifications;   provision data  117  to request and receive technical specifications related to the provision, required by the client/user. For example how it should be sent, to which address, at what time, etc.       

     A feature of said method also provides that the input data  110  also comprise one or more of the following:
         purchasing data  118  for the confirmation of the technical project and corresponding financial project for the continuation of the purchase;   registration data  119  to request and receive information related to the data of the client/user who has made the request.       

     Thanks to said further input data  110 , the acceptance of the project  600  and its subsequent provision to the client is finalized. 
     In this way, as will be described in detail below, as a function of the purchasing data  118 , the client can choose the type of provision necessary to him in particular by acceptance, of the steps for the carrying out/entry into production of the technical project  600 . 
     In this way, even a client/user/user who does not have specific technical skills regarding belt conveyors, is able to provide all the input data  110  necessary for the definition of the project. 
     Furthermore, as will be further explained below, the user is guided in inserting said input data  110  and therefore does not risk forgetting necessary information. 
     Furthermore, the client does not even have to provide complex input data  110  which are the responsibility of the technician in the sector. 
     In fact, no technical information is requested related to the belt conveyor, such as for example the type of chain, the type of construction material of the belt conveyor, the type of guides, etc. 
     For example, the client must provide product data  112  and/or sector data  111  without worrying about defining the type of chain suitable for transporting that particular product. 
     As explained below, the software instructions, which process the input data  110  associated with the technical specifications, will provide the corresponding output data  210  related to the most suitable type of chain or even the possibility of choosing between several suitable types will be granted. 
     Again with the aim of facilitating the client, in the step of insertion of the input data  110 , a preferred embodiment of said method provides that on the basis of the provided input data  110 , further input data  110  depending on the preceding ones are required. 
     To do this, the method can provide that the input interface  810  comprises one or more of request fields  801  of the input data  110  to define the technical specifications of the belt conveyor and corresponding one or more of insertion fields  802  to receive the input data  110  which define the corresponding technical specifications of the belt conveyor. 
     Preferably said insertion field  802  is configured to receive a value/string or is configured to provide one or more selectable options. 
     Here are some examples of the input data  110  provided and of those further requested and dependent on those previously provided. 
     The sector data  111  can be for example:
         food sector,   beverage sector,   automotive sector, etc.       

     Furthermore, on the basis of the insertion of the sector data  111 , for example the food sector, it may be required to specify:
         Breadmaking,   Dairy,   meats and cured meats, etc.       

     Furthermore, for example, on the basis of the insertion of the dairy data, it may be required to specify product data  112  to define whether the food is in direct contact with the belt conveyor or not and the corresponding insertion field  802  could therefore be configured to provide one or more selectable options for example: yes or alternatively no. 
     Another example may relate to a further product data  112  to provide the number of the different types of products with which the belt is to be used. In this case the relative insertion field  802  is configured to receive a value for example: from 1 to 100. 
     Consequently, it may be required to insert the product data  112 , necessary to define the type of packaging of a first product. The corresponding insertion field  802  could therefore be configured to provide one or more selectable options related to the packaging, for example:
         smooth plastic   film   tray etc.       

     By selecting the option, smooth plastic, furthermore the insertion of product data  112  related to the dimensions of the first product  1  may be requested:
         width in mm   height in mm   length in mm       

     As regards the production data  113 , the production speed of the first product can be requested, for example in pieces per minute. 
     The same information will be requested in sequence for all the different products inserted. 
     Other requested data may be for example dimensional data  114  of the belt conveyor:
         useful length of the space in which to insert the belt conveyor   shape of the belt conveyor       

     In the latter case, the corresponding insertion field  802  could therefore be configured to provide one or more selectable options, for example:
         straight belt,   curvilinear tape,   etc.       

     By selecting the curvilinear option, further dimensional data  114  will be requested, for example:
         first straight part, in which to insert the measure, for example in mm,   first curve, in which to insert the measure in degrees of the curve,   first curve, in which to insert the measure, for example in mm of the minimum internal radius of the curve   second straight part in which to insert the measure in mm,   height from the ground of the product inlet area in which to insert the measure, for example in mm,   height from the ground, in which to insert the measure for example in mm.       

     It is understood however that what is described above has a value of non-limiting example, therefore, possible variants of detail that may be necessary for technical and/or functional reasons, are considered from now falling within the same protective scope defined by the claims indicated below. 
     As regards instead the output data  210 , they are preferably defined as portions of codes or complete identification codes of respective components or parts of the belt conveyor. 
     For example, the term codes refers to an alphanumeric list that uniquely defines a component of the belt conveyor; said code can be associated, that is can identify a mechanical/electrical component of the belt, as well as a drawing of a constructive detail  213  and/or an assembly drawing  214 , or in general with a document  215  correlated to the conveyor. 
     Said codes in particular are adapted to identify and/or compose a technical basic bill of materials  212  and/or a drawing of a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors. 
     The term bill of materials  212  refers to an identification code of a belt conveyor or a part thereof, which in turn comprises a list of codes that identify all the components that together make up a belt conveyor or a part thereof. 
     Therefore the output data  210 , preferably in the form of codes, may comprise one or more of the following data:
         a partial and/or total graphic image  211  adapted to display a partial and/or total configuration of the belt conveyor and/or the series of belt conveyors;   a technical bill of materials  212  of the belt conveyor or part thereof,   corresponding drawings of the construction details  213 ,   assembly drawings  214 ,   technical manuals  215  for the assembling and operation of said one or more belt conveyors.       

     Thanks to the output interface  820  of the client device  100  it is possible to display output data  210  which gradually define the technical project  600 . 
     For this purpose an aspect of said method provides for being able to interact with the output interface  820  to modify the technical project  600  directly from the client device  100 . In particular, it is possible to operate directly on a graphic image  211  displaying the project  600 . 
     Therefore some input data  110  previously described, for example some dimensional data  114 , can be inserted or modified directly by the output interface  820 . The client therefore just has to insert data in a more intuitive way, being them inserted directly on the graphic image  211  which displays the project  600 . The method provides, on the basis of the input data  110  provided, that further input data  110  are required. 
     Said request for further input data  110  is preferably dependent on said input data  110  previously provided. 
     Furthermore, the method provides that the processing of the input data  110  takes place through a plurality of stages or steps in cascade with the entry of input data  110  by the user, in particular in the form of predefined input data  110 . 
     In particular, each subsequent entry step is preferably chosen as a function of the previous entry step. 
     Preferably each step provides for a series of questions configured for the selection of corresponding input data  110  in which each choice of a given input data  110  defines a subsequent step which provides for further questions and a corresponding subsequent selection of input data  110  to be selected until an output data  210  is generated which uniquely defines a component or part of a belt conveyor. Said output data  210  at the end of a step is at least a portion of code which is completed with the subsequent steps until a complete code is generated adapted to define a technical bill of materials  212  and/or a drawing of a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors. 
     The processing step for generating an output data  210  can also comprise the execution of calculations by means of spreadsheets or the use of tables which, as a function of the values inserted in the input data  110 , will size and/or select components of the belt conveyor, such as mechanical carpentry parts or motorisations, or pinions, or chains, etc. 
     An example can be given by the dimensional data of the product and productive rate data, which are functional in defining the speed and power of the belt motorisations as well as the type of chains and pinions etc. 
     Said spreadsheets or tables are prepared by expert designers in the sector and are inserted in the software carrying out this method. 
     A possible embodiment provides that at the end of each step an output data  210  is defined which is at least a portion of the code. Said code, for example alphanumeric, will be completed with the subsequent steps until a complete identification code for a respective component or part of the belt conveyor or of the complete conveyor is generated. 
     Preferably, said method also provides for defining an input database for the input data  110 . 
     Said database can comprise a plurality of input databases each comprising input data  110 , in particular in the form of predefined input data  110 , preferably divided by type of input data  111 ,  111 A,  111 B  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117 , 118 ,  119 . 
     Preferably each input database is correlated in cascade with further databases dependent on the input data  110  of the previous database. 
     For example, the input database related to the sector data  111  comprises the following sector data  111 : food, pharmaceutical, automotive sector, etc. 
     By selecting the food sector data, this gives access to a database correlated thereto and in cascade, which proposes a series of options that are specific to the food sector, for example a database that contains input data  110 , which the user must select, related to the different types of food sector: dairy, breadmaking, beverage, etc. And so on until all the input data  110  of each database in cascade has been selected by the user. 
     A further possible embodiment of the method may provide for an input database comprising input data  110  in which the selection of said input data  110  restricts said database to an increasingly reduced set of options, that is, of input data  110  to be selected which has the properties of the input data  110  already inserted. 
     In this case a single database is meant, containing all the possible selectable options of input data  110 , in which the chosen input data  110  gradually reduce the number of remaining options. And so on until the database no longer contains selectable options. 
     For example, by selecting as input data  111  that the work sector in which the belt conveyor is placed is of the food type, the database reduces the set of selectable data; for example, all the flanks made of materials other than stainless steel or aluminium are deleted from the input database; by subsequently inserting as product data  112  that the product is not packaged, but in bulk, the database further reduces the set of data that can be selected by the user; for example, all the flanks in materials other than stainless steel are deleted from the input database. And so on. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the method also provides for defining an output database comprising the output data  210 . 
     In said database, all the possible output data  210  are collected which can be used for manufacturing the belt conveyor and in particular all the possible codes that are used to compile a technical bill of materials  212  or a technical project  600 . 
     Preferably each stage or step in cascade of entry of input data  110  generates an output data  210  which is a code or portion of code contained in the output database. 
     All the cases of well-defined codes that correspond to each single component/element/part of all the types and cases of belt conveyor that the user can create are inserted into the database. 
     All these codes that will make up the output database are created beforehand, after an accurate and crossed study, developed with a mechanical design performed, with the normal 3D and 2D CAD programs existing on the market, by technicians specialized in the sector of belt conveyors. 
     As said codes are associated both with physical components of the belt and with drawings of construction details  213  and/or assembly drawings  214  of the conveyor, or documents  215 , the output database also comprises all the drawings of the assembled belt  214  and/or the drawings of the construction details  213  and/or documents  215  of all the types of possible belt conveyors, for the transport of all kinds of products, for each single belonging sector. 
     All said construction  213 , and assembly drawings  214 , technical bills of materials  212 , maintenance user manuals  215  etc., which will make up the output database are created beforehand, after an accurate and crossed study, developed with a mechanical design performed with the normal 3D and 2D CAD programs existing on the market, by technicians specialized in the sector of belt conveyors. 
     All said drawings  213 ,  214 , bills of material  212 , manuals  215  etc., are coded with identification and belonging codes for each single drawing, part or document, and inserted as an alphanumeric code into the database. 
     As a function of the input data  100  inserted by the user, said method can provide for identifying the output data  210  by searching the output database for the respective component codes, drawings  213 ,  214 , bills of materials  212 , manuals  215 , etc. 
     Said output data  210  contained in the respective output database can be grouped depending on the functional groupings that the technicians of the sector normally apply for manufacturing the belt conveyors. 
     In fact, a belt conveyor generally consists, for example, of flanks, guides, support elements, motors, etc., which are mounted together to make groups of components of said belt or said complete belt conveyor. 
     To simplify the steps of processing and choice of the output data  210  in particular an identification code of a component, specific output databases for the respective components may be present, for example database for the flanks, the guides, the support elements, the motors, etc. 
     For example, the output database of the flanks can contain all the different types of flanks, for example by shape, length, height or by material, etc. 
     Each input data  110  inserted will restrict the choice within said output database of the flanks for the definition of the final flank code. 
     Preferably, all the codes that make up the output database are a portion of a final code that the user will compose step by step, answering to a well-defined sequence of questions as a function of the type of product and the belonging sector thereof, that is, the input data  110  inserted. 
     Below is an example of the composition of a final code of a conveyor. 
     Each belt conveyor is composed of several components:
         commercial components (electric motors, bearings, supports, nuts and bolts etc.) with various dimensional and material types, which can be identified with a code starting with A followed by a progressive numbering for example with 4 positions: A0001-A0002-A0003, etc.   carpentry components (flanks, flanges, brackets etc.) with various dimensional and material types, which can be identified with a code starting with B followed by a progressive numbering for example with 4 positions: B0001-B0002-B0003, etc.   mechanical machining components (shafts, pins, spacers, etc.) with various dimensional and material types, which can be identified with a code starting with C followed by a progressive numbering for example with 4 positions: C0001-00002-00003, etc.   commercial components such as various types of belt/chain (belt/chain series X with food contact, series Y with food contact with high grip, etc.) with various dimensional and material types, which can be identified with a code starting with N followed by the initials of the belt X-Y, etc. . . . and a numbering, for example, with 4 positions: NX0001-NX0002-NY0001-NY0002 etc.   commercial components such as various types of pinions for the belt/chain towing (pinion for belt/chain series X with food contact Z15 Diameter  90 , pin for belt series Y with food contact with high grip Z12 diameter  110 , etc.) with various dimensional and material types, which can be identified with a code starting with P followed by the initials of the belt X-Y etc. by the ratio Z15-Z12 etc. and by a numbering for example with 4 positions: PXZ150001-PXZ120002 etc.       

     And so on for any other group of components that will be coded: guides, sliding profiles, etc. 
     The user, by answering questions in sequence and that are very specific, will thus insert input data  101  which will create a code of well-defined components which consequently create his own belt conveyor. 
     Example of a sequence of identification codes of the type of belt conveyor created: A0001-A0105-A0099-B0001-B0020-B0501-NX0001-PXZ120001, etc. 
     Once the sequence of the identification codes of the type of belt conveyor and of each single component has been generated, it will be sent and processed by a PDM and/or software program, which will identify the respective technical bill of material  212  and the effective drawing codes, etc. 
     A preferred aspect provides that the questions, configured for the selection of corresponding input data  110 , of each step, are displayed on at least one input interface  810  of a user graphic interface  800 , as will be better described below. 
     Below is an example of a method relating to the insertion of input data  110 , shown in  FIGS. 2 to 29 , to highlight the simplicity of the data  110  requested from the user, in the form of predefined input data  110 . 
     In fact, they are basic input data  110  which do not require any technical skill related to the sector of design and manufacturing of belt conveyors. 
     Thanks to the figures it is also possible to well understand how said method guides the user step by step during the insertion of the information, without requiring specific skills from him. 
     By inserting a few basic input data  110 , the method allows to provide for the display on the client device  100  of the output data  210  of the technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors, preferably by using company software tools connected between them such as the proprietary server  200  and/or processing devices  201  that will be described below. 
     The examples of  FIGS. 2 to 29  also show a possible user graphic interface  800  with a preferred input interface  810 . 
     Said input data  110  can be already listed and proposed in the input interface  810  and the user has just to select them, or they can be inserted directly by the user. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 29  the input interface  810  comprises request fields  801  which describes the type of input data  110  that is required and corresponding one or more insertion fields  802  in which the user must insert or select the value of said input data  110 . 
     Said insertion field  802  can be configured to receive a value/string like in  FIGS. 14, 17  or can be configured to provide one or more selectable input data  110  like in  FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 , etc. 
     The user graphic interface  800  may comprise a single input interface  810  in which all request fields  801  and corresponding insertion fields  802  to receive all the input data  110  through a single display are indicated. 
     Alternatively, a plurality of input interfaces  810  may be provided, for example sequential as illustrated in  FIG. 2 to 29 . 
     In particular, said method provides for example for the following input steps. 
     A first input step  1 , provides for requesting to the user to select the sector data  111  displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 2  which displays a list of different productive sectors and requires the selection of the one which the belt conveyor has to operate in. In particular, the dairy sector is selected in the image. The inserted sector data  111  is then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. Furthermore the selected sector data  111  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     A second input step  2 , provides for requesting to the user to select the product data  112 , displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 3  which displays and requires the selection of two possible options: whether the product, which is moved by the belt conveyor, is packaged with direct contact with the belt conveyor. 
     The selected product data  112  is then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected product data  112  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     In particular in this case, selecting the product data  112  related to the option product with direct contact with the belt conveyor, in the input database the choice of the belt chain is restricted among those suitable for treating food products with direct contact, or as regards the material for manufacturing the belt conveyor in the input database, the choice is restricted for example to stainless steel, and so on for other specifications linked to the product data  112  selected by the user. 
     A third input step  3 , provides for requesting to the user to select the usage and maintenance data  111 A displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 5  which displays and requires the selection of four possible options: whether the belt conveyor is washed with pressurised water and with aggressive detergents, or with pressurised water without aggressive detergents, or with depressurised water, or without using water. 
     The selected usage and maintenance data  111 A is then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected usage and maintenance data  111 A is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     In this case, depending on the selected usage and maintenance data  111 A, in the input database the choice is restricted, for example, to the materials of the belt suitable to avoid damage or wear due to the specific type of washing. 
     A fourth input step  4 , provides for requesting to the user to select the environmental data  1115  displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 7  which displays and requires the selection of four possible options in which it displays and requires the temperature range of the work environment in which the belt conveyor will be inserted: not less than 2° C. not more than 24°, not less than −15° C. not more than 2° C., not less than 20° C. not more than 50°, or other temperatures. 
     As for the previous steps, the selected environmental data  1116  is then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected environmental data  111 B is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     A fifth input step  5  provides for requesting to the user to select the dimensional data  114  displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 11  which displays and requires the selection of three possible options in which it displays and requests whether the belt conveyor is straight, curvilinear, or elevator. 
     As for the previous steps, said selected dimensional data  114  is then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected dimensional data  114  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     A sixth input step  6  provides for requesting to the user to select further product data  112  displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 13  which displays and requires the selection of different possible options related to the type of product and/or package that will be moved by the belt conveyor. 
     This selected product data  112  is then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected product data  112  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     A seventh input step  7  provides for requesting to the user to select further product data  112 , displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 14  which displays and requires the insertion of the length, width, height, weight of the package and motion direction of the product which will be moved by the belt conveyor. 
     As for the previous steps, said product data  112  are then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected product data  112  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     In fact, on the basis of said product data  112  inserted in step  7 , the method preferably provides for an eighth input step  8 , in which it provides for proposing to the user a further input data  110 , in particular a dimensional data  114 , dependent on the previous product data  112  and requesting the confirmation or replacement of said proposal;  FIG. 15  shows for example an input interface  810  which displays an image of a portion of belt conveyor with a recommended width as a function of the product data  112  previously inserted and already processed. In fact, in order to be able to move a product with a certain size and a certain motion direction, the most suitable type of belt is automatically processed by the processing devices  201  and displayed. The user only needs to confirm whether he agrees with the processed proposal or alternatively insert a different value. 
     A ninth input step  9 , provides for requesting to the user to select the dimensional data  114  displayed in an input interface  810 ; an example of said interface  810  is shown in  FIG. 17  which displays the belt and requires the insertion of the length of the belt conveyor. Once the value has been inserted, an output interface  820  will appear with a summary image as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     Similarly,  FIG. 21  shows for example an input interface  810  which displays the belt and requests to the user to insert the height of the belt conveyor at the inlet and outlet directly on a dimension of the graphic representation. Once the value has been inserted, an output interface  820  will appear with a summary image as shown in  FIGS. 22, 23, 24 . 
     The inserted dimensional data  114  are then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore, the selected dimensional data  114  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     On the basis of said dimensional data  114  inserted in step  9 , the method preferably provides for a tenth input step  10 , in which it provides for proposing to the user a further input data  110  dependent on the previous dimensional data  114  inserted and requesting the confirmation or replacement of said proposal. 
       FIG. 26  shows for example an input interface  810  which displays an image of a portion of belt conveyor with the position of the supports on the ground or feet recommended for said belt conveyor. 
     As for the previous steps, all the input data  110  inserted are then processed by the processing devices  201  restricting the previous database or opening a dependent database for the subsequent step. 
     Furthermore the selected input data  110  is processed by the processing devices  201  to provide the correct output data  210 . 
     The method can also provide for other steps in addition to those described above and shown in  FIGS. 2 to 29 , such as, for example, steps for inserting other input  110 , layout data  115 , electrical data  116 , etc. 
     The steps described above can also be presented with a different sequence. 
     Again to ensure the use by users not expert in the field, the method, after performing one or more of the previous steps, provides for a summary step  20 , related to displaying and/or requesting confirmation of all input data  110  inserted during said steps ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ). 
     Said summary step  20  provides for an input interface  810  like for example shown in  FIG. 9, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29  by means of a table and/or graphic representation. 
     In particular  FIG. 9  summarises for example steps  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , or  FIG. 16  summarises for example steps from 1 to 8, or  FIGS. 18 and 20  summarises for example steps from 1 to 10 or  FIG. 29  summarises all input data  110  both with table and with graphic representation and requires final confirmation by the user. 
     Furthermore, said method preferably provides for a confirmation step  30  for one or more of the previous steps  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10  or even for each one; said confirmation step  30  displays the input data  110  just inserted and requires the confirmation.  FIG. 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 25, 27, 28  show for example an input interface  810  which displays an example of the confirmation step  30 . 
     As shown in the figures, the confirmation step  30  can be associated with the summary step  20 , by means of the same input interface  810 . And so can an input step  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10  be associated to the summary step  20 . 
     Generally at the end of all aforesaid steps, the method provides for a step  40 , in which the insertion of provision  117  and/or purchasing  118  and/or registration data  119  are requested from the user;  FIG. 29  shows for example an input interface  810  which displays an example in which the input data  110  previously inserted are listed, then a summary and the user&#39;s personal data are requested for the registration and the type of purchase or quote request, etc. 
     It is understood however that what is described above has a value of non-limiting example, therefore, possible variants of detail that may be necessary for technical and/or functional reasons, are considered from now falling within the same protective scope defined by the claims indicated below. 
     By accepting the proposed data on the input interface  810 , the method provides for the start of the output steps for the carrying out/entry into production of the technical project  600 . 
     Said output steps differ according to the different types of provision that can be made for the client such as:
         a first type of provision provides for the technical bill of materials  212  and/or related drawings of construction details  213  and/or assembly drawings  214  of said one or more belt conveyors;   a second type of provision provides for obtaining the constructive components encompassed in the technical bill of materials  212  and the provision to the client of said constructive components;   a third type of provision provides for the preparation of the mechanically mounted belt conveyor, or preassembled parts of the belt conveyor and the corresponding provision to the client.   a fourth type of provision may provide for the preparation of the electrically wired belt conveyor and the corresponding provision to the client.       

     To carry out aforesaid types of provision, the method provides for:
         connecting the server of the owner  200  with one or more processing devices  201  implementing corresponding software adapted to receive the output data  210  of the technical project  600  and generating the activation of output steps related to the carrying out/entry into production of said technical project  600 .       

     Therefore, processing devices  201  implementing corresponding software already present in the company are used to generate the codes defined by the output data  210 . 
     For example, the method provides for connecting the server of the owner  200  with one or more processing devices  201  adapted to generate the technical bill of materials  212  and/or corresponding drawings of the construction details  213  and/or assembly drawings  214  of said one or more belt conveyors. Said processing devices  201  may be software already existing on the market such as CAD, PDM configurators, etc. 
     The codes defined by the output data  210  are processed by a CAD or PDM to generate a bill of materials  212  which comprises all the components necessary to manufacture the belt. 
     Said CAD or PDM software are also used to generate drawings of new construction details  213  and/or to identify already existing construction drawings  213 , or the assembly drawing of the belt. Said method also provides for connecting the server of the owner  200  with one or more processing devices  201  adapted to generate the obtainment of the constructive components encompassed in the technical bill of materials  212  and the provision to the client of said constructive components. 
     Said processing devices  201  can be for example management software, CAD-CAM, etc. 
     This allows to obtain or physically manufacture the components of the belt conveyor whose codes are listed in the bill of materials  212 . In particular, the management software generate purchase and production orders for aforesaid components. 
     The method may also provide for connecting the server of the owner  200  with one further or more processing devices  201  adapted to generate the preparation of the mechanically mounted belt conveyor, or preassembled parts of the belt conveyor and the corresponding provision to the client. 
     Said processing devices  201  can be management software, or warehouse management software, CAD software, etc. 
     Said processing devices  201  allow to carry out the assembly of the components obtained or manufactured in the previous step, by obtaining the components from the warehouse or from specific purchases and by providing assembly instructions by means of specific drawings. 
     Therefore, for example, once the technical bill of materials  212  of the identification codes of the type of belt conveyor and of each single component thereof has been generated, it is sent and processed by a PDM and/or management program. 
     For example: for each mechanical machining or carpentry detail, the PDM and/or management software identifies for example all the drawings with corresponding file to be sent to the tool machines for each type of machining and manufacturing; the management software sends the list of files to the corresponding work centres (for example for CNC tool machines with a file extension .STEP .CAM .NC etc., for laser cutting machines .DXF or .DWG etc.). 
     For commercial components, a list is sent directly to suppliers or automatic warehouses for availability; as regards assembly, assembly drawings are sent to the appropriate company structures responsible for assembling the conveyor. 
     For data related to shipping and administration and order fulfillment, data are sent to the appropriate company structures. 
     Furthermore, the method may provide for connecting the server of the owner  200  with one or more processing devices  201  adapted to generate the preparation of the electrically wired belt conveyor and the corresponding provision to the client. 
     Said processing devices  201  can be, for example, electrical software, wiring configurators, etc. 
     In this way the method provides, by the software instructions, for interfacing the server of the owner  200  with all the processing devices  201  from time to time necessary for the carrying out of the type of project  600  required. 
     Said method also provides for storing the input data  110  and the output data  210  and respective input/output databases by means of storage means  700  preferably comprising an external server in particular a virtual server. Said virtual server can be, for example, a cloud server. 
     Furthermore, said storage means  700  allow to memorise all the input  110  and output  210  data of a determined project  600  of a specific client. 
     In this way, the client and/or the manufacturing company can retrieve data from previously inserted and possibly implemented projects, facilitating the retrieval of any technical provision specifications and keeping the historical memory of the projects connected to the corresponding clients. 
     The invention also relates to the system operating by software instructions for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors, according to the method described above characterized in that it comprises:
         a client device  100  to provide/collect input data  110  in particular adapted to define technical specifications of the belt conveyor;
           means for processing said input data  110  in particular adapted to define said technical specifications;   means for generating corresponding output data  210  which define a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors.   
               

     Said means for processing said input data  110  preferably comprise the proprietary server  200 . 
     The means for generating corresponding output data  210  which define a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors preferably comprises the proprietary server  200  and/or processing devices  201 . 
     An aspect of the invention provides that the system comprises means for processing said technical project  600  and defining a financial project  700  in particular the proprietary server  200  and/or processing devices  201 . 
     Said system further comprises one or more of the following:
         means for providing the acceptance of said technical project  600  and/or financial project  700 , in particular the client device  100 .   means for activating steps related to the carrying out/entry into production of the technical project  600 , in particular processing devices  201 .       

     One embodiment provides that the system comprises an input interface  810  of the client device  100  to provide/collect input data  110 . 
     Preferably it also comprises an output interface  820  of the client device  100  to display output data  210  which define the technical project  600 . 
     In particular said system can also comprise at least one of the following:
         means for storing said software instructions implementing the method in particular the server of the owner  200 ;   means for connecting said server of the owner  200  and said client device  100  between them in particular by means of a connection network  300  in particular the internet network;   storage means  700  for storing the input data  110  and the output data  210  preferably comprising an external server in particular a virtual server;   means for providing the client with output data  210  comprising the technical bill of materials  212  and/or corresponding drawings of construction details  213  and/or assembly drawings  214 , in particular processing devices  201 ;   means for obtaining the constructive components, in particular processing devices  201 ;   means for the preparation of the mechanically mounted belt conveyor, or preassembled parts of the belt conveyor, in particular processing devices  201 ;   means for the preparation of the electrically wired belt conveyor, in particular processing devices  201 ;   means for connecting the server of the owner  200  with one or more processing devices  201  implementing corresponding software adapted to receive the output data  210  of the technical project  600  and generating the activation of steps related to the carrying out/entry into production of said technical project  600 .       

     The client device  100  comprising means for carrying out the method described above also forms the subject matter of the invention. 
     Said client device  100  preferably comprising an input interface  810  which comprises one or more of request fields  801  of the technical specifications of the belt conveyor and corresponding one or more insertion fields  802  to receive the input data  110  of the corresponding technical specifications of the belt conveyor. 
     A preferred embodiment provides that the insertion field  802  is configured to receive a value/string or is configured to provide one or more selectable options. 
     An embodiment provides that the client device  100  comprises the output interface  820  to display output data  210  which define the technical project  600  and/or to change the technical project  600 . 
     The computer program comprising instructions that, when the program is run from a computer, makes the computer to implement the method described above also forms the subject matter of the invention. 
     The storage medium readable by a computer comprising instructions that, when run from a computer, makes the computer to implement the method described above also forms the subject matter of the invention. 
     A user graphic interface  800  comprising an input interface  810  and/or an output interface  820  configured according to the characteristics described above also forms the subject matter of the invention. 
     In summary, the method according to the invention provides for using a user graphic interface  800  comprising an input interface  810  of the client device  100  to provide/collect input data  110 . 
     Said method provides for using the user graphic interface  800  comprising an output interface  820  of the client device  100  to display output data  210  which define the technical project  600 . 
     Further, the method may provide for storing said software instructions implementing the method in a server of the owner  200 . 
     According to another aspect, the method provides for connecting said server of the owner  200  and said client device  100  between them by means of a connection network  300  in particular the internet network. 
     Furthermore, the method can provide for transferring the input data  110  introduced through the client device  100  to the server of the owner  200  for their processing and generating corresponding output data  210  of the technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors. 
     Said method can also transfer the output data  210  of the technical project  600  processed by the server of the owner  200  to the client device  100 . 
     The method can provide for storing the input data  110  and the output data  210  by means of storage means  700  preferably comprising an external server, in particular a virtual server. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the method is characterized in that the input interface  810  comprises one or more request fields  801  of the technical specifications of the belt conveyor and corresponding one or more insertion fields  802  to receive the input data  110  of the corresponding technical specifications of the belt conveyor and preferably said insertion field  802  is configured to receive a value/string, or it is configured to provide one or more selectable options. 
     Said method may provide for interacting with the output interface  820  to change the technical project  600 . 
     Furthermore, the method can provide for operating directly on the graphic image  211  displaying the project  600 . 
     The system operating by software instructions for manufacturing a belt conveyor and/or a series of belt conveyors forms the subject matter of the invention, configured to implement the method comprising at least:
         a client device  100  to provide/collect input data  110  associated with technical specifications of the belt conveyor;   means for processing said input data  110  associated with the technical specifications;   means for generating corresponding output data  210  which define a technical project  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors.       

     Furthermore, the system can provide that the means for processing said input data  110  comprise the proprietary server  200 . 
     Furthermore, the system wherein the means for generating corresponding output data  210  which define a technical design  600  related to said one or more belt conveyors comprises the proprietary server  200  and/or processing devices  201 . 
     In accordance with aforesaid objects, the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when the program is run by a computer, makes the computer to implement the method according to any of the characteristics described above. 
     In accordance with aforesaid purposes, the invention relates to a user graphic interface  810  comprising an input interface  810  and/or an output interface  820  configured to implement the method according to any of the characteristics described above. 
     It is understood however that what is described above has a value of non-limiting example, therefore, possible variants of detail that may be necessary for technical and/or functional reasons, are considered from now falling within the same protective scope defined by the claims indicated below.