# Combining the Advantages of Different Processing Solutions Using a Novel Motion Processing Approach
## 1 Introduction  
Processing machines are used for the automated production of mass consumer goods in high quantities. Cyclic, dynamic processes at high operating speeds are characteristic for this type of machine. The operating speed indicates how many processing cycles are executed in a unit of time [1]. From the economic point of view, the highest possible operating speed with low downtimes is required. Processing machines usually do not work independently but consist of several concatenated machines and buffers in processing lines [2]. If a standstill occurs at a single machine, e.g., due to problems in the process, the surrounding buffers continue to be filled or emptied by the machines adjacent to them. After the problem has been solved, the machine continues working. During troubleshooting, it must be ensured that the surrounding buffers neither fill up completely nor are completely emptied. To achieve this, on the one hand, it can be useful to reduce the operating speed of the surrounding processing machines. On the other hand, the operating speed of the faulty machine could be increased after the problem is solved to level out all surrounding buffers. As a result, the operating speed of the individual machines varies. This, in turn, results in the requirement to be able to operate the process from standstill to the highest operating speeds [3]. Furthermore, there is the requirement to be able to change the operating speed while executing the process. Intra-achinery transportation processes are widely used in processing machines. In a multi-function machine such as a packaging machine, they connect different productionoperations with each other. A transportation process often found in processing machines is conveying small-sized goods such as chocolate bars from one rest position to another, e.g., the process described in [4]. One strategy for realizing this type of transportation process is conveying the products along a horizontal path using a rise-to-dwell motion, e.g., the process described in [5]. This motion can be implemented using different processing solutions. In the context of this work, a processing solution is an implementation of the process using specific physical principles. Two possible solutions will be discussed later. To successfully implement a process solution for an operating speed, given requirements must be met [6], e.g., concerning the achievable motion accuracy of the working tool or product, the product quality, or the environmental impacts, such as vibrations or noise. It is well known from industrial practice that these requirements often cannot be met if the single process solution is executed at varying operating speeds [7]. This becomes particularly apparent when trying to increase the operating speed for economic reasons. Undesirable effects could include non-compliance with the required motion accuracy, reduction in the product quality, or increase in environmental impact. As a result, the applicability of an process solution depends on the given operating speed. Different process solutions show different reactions to varying operating speed. Because of that, it seems to be reasonable to combine complementary process solutions in order to ensure processing capability over the required large operating speed range. However, such an approach must be supported by the control system. Using conventional control systems in processing machines, the implementation of only one single process solution is supported; the combination of multiple process solutions is not provided by current control approaches. In this work, an approach is presented with the help of which different processing solutions can be combined and executed together. As shown in the following, process windows of different process solutions for one technological task may overlap under certain circumstances. In this case, a combination of two process solutions would be a great advantage. The objective of this article is the enlargement of the process window in which all given requirements are fulfilled sufficiently.