Abstract: A method and unit for controlling an automatic machine having a number of operating devices located along a production line for producing a succession of articles; at least one operating device having an adjustable work member, which operates in a repetitive work cycle and can be set to a number of different operating configurations to adjust the way in which it interacts with the production process of the articles; upon a command being received during normal operation of the automatic machine, the operating configuration of the adjustable work member is adjusted as the adjustable work member performs a work cycle to process an article.

Abstract: A method and unit for changing the configuration of an automatic machine, whereby a user selects a desired end configuration by means of a selection device, and a display device then displays an orderly list of all and only the operations to be performed on the machine to convert the machine from a current start configuration to the desired end configuration; the list is arranged according to the sequence in which the operations are performed, and for each operation are displayed the state of at least one respective operating value in the start configuration, and the state of the same operating value in the end configuration.

Abstract: An automatic cigarette processing machine having a control unit and a number of successive work stations, each having a respective number of operating devices; for each work station, the control unit has at least one respective controller directly connected to the work station and for controlling all the operating devices at the work station substantially independently of the other controllers.

Abstract: An automatic machine for processing cigarettes, whereby a control device, which can be activated when the machine is stopped, activates at least one test operating member as of a rest condition and substantially independently of the other operating members; the control device also providing for restoring the test operating member to the rest condition following activation.

Abstract: A method and unit for controlling an automatic machine having a number of operating devices located along a production line for producing a succession of articles; at least one operating device having an adjustable work member, which operates in a repetitive work cycle and can be set to a number of different operating configurations to adjust the way in which it interacts with the production process of the articles; upon a command being received during normal operation of the automatic machine, the operating configuration of the adjustable work member is adjusted as the adjustable work member performs a work cycle to process an article.

Abstract: An automatic machine for processing cigarettes, whereby a control device, which can be activated when the machine is stopped, activates at least one test operating member as of a rest condition and substantially independently of the other operating members; the control device also providing for restoring the test operating member to the rest condition following activation.

Abstract: A method and unit for changing the configuration of an automatic machine, whereby a user selects a desired end configuration by means of a selection device, and a display device then displays an orderly list of all and only the operations to be performed on the machine to convert the machine from a current start configuration to the desired end configuration; the list is arranged according to the sequence in which the operations are performed, and for each operation are displayed the state of at least one respective operating value in the start configuration, and the state of the same operating value in the end configuration.

Abstract: Production plant featuring automatic making and packing machines, each of which has a relevant control unit; a collection computer awaits receipt of information packages transmitted independently and asynchronously by the control units over a first communication network; and the collection computer organizes and processes the information packages received from the control units to generate overall data accessible over a second communication network, with respect to which the collection computer acts as a server.

Abstract: An automatic cigarette processing machine having a control unit and a number of successive work stations, each having a respective number of operating devices; for each work station, the control unit has at least one respective controller directly connected to the work station and for controlling all the operating devices at the work station substantially independently of the other controllers.