METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE CONDITION OF A BAND, CONTINUOUS PRESS FOR PRODUCING MATERIAL PANELS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of at least one continuously circulating band (2), more particularly in a continuous press (1) in the course of the production of material panels, wherein a flat side (4) of the band (2) is in contact, preferably directly in contact, as a contact side, with a material (18), in particular with a pressing-material mat, and wherein at least one portion of a surface of the band (2), in particular of the contact side, is sensed by means of at least one sensor (8) and sensor data (13) acquired for the portion are transmitted to an evaluation unit (5). The method is characterized by the following method steps: A) creating a portion image (14) from the acquired sensor data (13) for the at least one portion in the evaluation unit (5); B) analyzing the portion image (15) for deviations (12), in particular with respect to a normal condition; C) at least when at least one deviation (12) is identified, classifying the deviation (12) and/or the portion image (14) by means of a classification algorithm; and D) determining a condition of the band (2). The invention also relates to a device for condition monitoring and to a continuous press.