Air cushion inflation machine

1. A method for executing a start sequence on a machine for converting a web of pouch type or wrap type material into inflated dunnage units, the method comprising the steps of:

changing sealing elements from an idle temperature to a sealing temperature set point using a temperature control arrangement;

pre-inflating the pouch type or wrap type material using an inflation arrangement;

closing the sealing elements;

determining a measured temperature of the sealing elements relative to the sealing element temperature set point;

advancing the web of material through the sealing elements at an advancing speed that is based on the measured temperature of the sealing elements;

changing a blower speed of the inflation arrangement if the measured temperature of the sealing element is lower than the sealing element temperature set point;

comparing the advancing speed to a predetermined advancing speed set point; and

changing the blower speed if the advancing speed is lower than the predetermined advancing speed set point.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein no pouch type or wrap type material is un-inflated upon exiting the machine.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine identifies whether pouch type or wrap type material is being inflated.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

determining a temperature of a sealing element relative to predetermined temperature set points,

reducing said speed if the temperature of the sealing element is lower than the predetermined temperature set points;

increasing said speed if the temperature of the sealing element is higher than the predetermined temperature set points.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the web of material is advanced through the sealing elements via a pair of belts, the method further comprising the steps of:

comparing said speed to a predetermined belt speed set point;

reducing the temperature of the sealing element if said speed is lower than the predetermined belt speed set point; and

increasing the temperature of the sealing element if said speed is higher than the predetermined belt speed set point.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

identifying whether pouch type or wrap type material is being inflated; and

if wrap type material is being inflated, changing the inflation arrangement from an idle output or speed to an inflation output or speed;

wherein the change from the idle output or speed to the inflation output or speed is controlled by a set point selected from the group consisting of an inflation pressure set point, a speed set point, a predetermined time after the inflation device has reached a speed set point, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

identifying whether pouch type or wrap type material is being inflated;

if pouch type material is being inflated, ramping a blower from an idle output to an inflation output after the sealing element closes on the web; and

starting at least one belt using a belt speed control.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the inflation arrangement is controlled by feedback from the belt speed control, feedback from the temperature control arrangement, or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein speed of the belt is controlled by feedback from a sealing arrangement.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the inflation arrangement is controlled by feedback from a sealing arrangement.

11. A method of executing run and stop sequences on a machine for converting a web of pouch type or wrap type material into inflated dunnage units, wherein control of a sealing arrangement, an inflation arrangement, and drive rollers are interrelated, the method comprising the steps of:

setting a belt speed and inflation device speed based on a current temperature of a heating device;

updating the belt speed and inflation device speed based on the current temperature if a set point of a sealing element or a set point of the inflation arrangement is changed;

retrieving the updated sealing element set point or the updated inflation arrangement set point;

resetting the belt speed and inflation device speed based on the current temperature of the heating device;

determining whether the sealing element has reached a set point temperature;

updating the belt speed and inflation device speed;

stopping at least one belt with a belt speed control;

braking the inflation arrangement;

confirming that the at least one belt has stopped; and

confirming that the inflation arrangement has stopped.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of:

beginning an idle sequence or bringing the machine to a stop state.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the machine is processing pouch type material and wherein the machine opens the sealing element after the at least one belt has stopped.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the machine is processing wrap type material and wherein the step of braking the inflation arrangement happens after a predetermined period of time.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the set point of a sealing element or the set point of the inflation arrangement is changed.