Plastics-processing machine having a modular structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine (10) for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials, having a modular structure comprising multiple drive assemblies, wherein the drive assemblies are designed to operate at least one functional unit of the machine (10). Supply sources (40, 50) supply the drive assemblies with supply media corresponding to the drive types. Between each drive assembly and the associated supply sources (40, 50) are interface connections. The machine has a variable expansion stage and variable power requirements according to the modular structure. Thus, the space requirement of the supply source (40, 50) can vary according to the power requirement and drive type, and for the supply sources (40, 50) of each supply medium, the space requirement for all of the expansion stages of the machine (10) is provided at the same location on the machine (10). The interface connections (76) for each supply medium and all of the expansion stages are also uniform.

Description

[0001] Modular plastics processing machine

[0002] Description

[0003] Reference to related applications

[0004] The present application refers to and claims priority of German patent application 102024 131 208.4, filed on October 15, 2024, the disclosure content of which is hereby expressly made the subject matter of the present application in its entirety.

[0005] Field of invention

[0006] The invention relates to a machine for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials, in particular an injection molding machine or a machine for additive manufacturing, with a modular structure comprising several drive groups and having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] When this application refers to "drive groups," it means the machine components that are specifically designed as drives to operate, and in particular move, the machine's functional units. These drive groups have a corresponding drive unit that is supplied with various utilities for their operation.

[0008] When this application refers to "supply media," it means media intended to set drive units in motion. These are typically hydraulic fluids, such as hydraulic oil, electricity, and temperature control fluids, such as water. However, supply media can also be other media, such as compressed air, air, coolant, heat transfer fluid, or the like.

[0009] When this application refers to "functional units," it means units designed to perform at least one function on an injection molding machine or an additive manufacturing machine. These typically include functional units for closing an injection mold on a mold clamping unit, core pulls, pressure generators (e.g., for applying clamping force), metering units and injection units on the injection molding side or during the plasticizing of materials, nozzle drive units for positioning a nozzle on the mold carrier, and functional units of peripheral devices such as drying units for the material being fed, removal devices, robots, fiber feeding systems, and the like.

[0010] The term "plasticizable material," as used here, is to be understood broadly and includes, in particular, but not exclusively, plastics, silicone, and other thermoplastic and / or elastomeric materials, as well as, for example, ceramic, metallic, and / or powdery masses, paper, cellulose, starch, cork, etc., and also mixtures of such plasticizable materials. In principle, this can also refer to previously plasticized materials or plastic masses that harden spontaneously or with the use of additives after application. The term also includes recycled materials.

[0011] State of the art

[0012] Drive units on injection molding machines are still regularly adapted to the specific drive concept to ensure optimal cost efficiency. This drive concept refers to the fundamental technical design, meaning whether the machine—be it the injection molding unit or the mold clamping unit of an injection molding machine, or the processing unit of an additive manufacturing machine—is actuated hydraulically, electromechanically, or in a hybrid form with a combination of hydraulic and electromechanical drives. For example, an injection molding unit, in addition to housing process-relevant modules such as the plasticizing unit and the granulate feeder, primarily has two functional units that enable the plasticizing process.This involves, on the one hand, the melting, homogenization, and conveying of the plastic granules in the plasticizing cylinder (dosing), and on the other hand, the subsequent injection into the mold cavity of an injection mold. These functional units of an injection unit are also available today in essentially three technical forms: hydraulic, electric, or hybrid. The same applies to additive manufacturing machines, which are used particularly in prototype production and for small series.

[0013] German patent DE 102015 004 037 A1 discloses an injection molding machine comprising an injection unit, a mold clamping device, an electrical storage device, and a machine frame. The injection molding machine is configured to supply electrical energy to the injection unit and / or the mold clamping device. The machine frame is provided with an upper frame, a lower frame, and support means for supporting the upper frame on the lower frame. The injection unit and the mold clamping device are arranged on the upper frame of the machine frame, and the electrical storage device is arranged on the lower frame. The electrical storage device consists of a housing and an electrical storage unit provided therein. Due to the separate arrangement of the electrical storage device and the injection molding machine, these can be moved independently of each other if necessary.The storage device consists of a series of batteries or capacitors, which can be arranged in varying numbers within a frame or housing in one or more rows.

[0014] US Patent 6,030,200 A discloses an electric injection molding machine with a high degree of design freedom, where a design change to one part of the machine does not affect the overall design. The various layouts can be selected to suit the available space in the factory where the machine is to be installed. A base for the mechanical component and a housing for the electrical component are provided separately and independently of each other. A clamping unit and an injection unit for the mechanical component are mounted on the base. A power supply unit for providing electrical current to the mechanical component and a control unit for controlling the mechanical component in conjunction with the electrical component are housed within the enclosure.The mechanical and electrical components are combined to form the injection molding machine according to various arrangement patterns. The housing of the electrical component can be integrated into the injection molding machine or arranged separately.

[0015] DE 10 2023 123 301 A1 discloses an injection molding machine with an injection device comprising a screw, a piston connected to the screw, and a hydraulic device configured to drive the piston in the axial direction. A mold closing device comprising a movable plate to which a first mold can be attached, a fixed plate to which a second mold can be attached, and an electric drive unit is configured to move the movable plate in the mold closing direction or in the mold opening direction relative to the fixed plate.

[0016] From WO 2000 / 021729 A1, a modular system for an injection molding machine is known in principle, in which a multifunctional element is connected to the injection molding machine. This element acts as an interface, allowing the connection of various drive types as a drive group, while the injection molding machine remains otherwise unchanged. For this purpose, a corresponding space is provided on the injection molding machine to accommodate the respective drive group, independent of the specific drive used. These multifunctional elements have various interfaces to enable the connection of different drives. However, the concept ends with the drive groups.

[0017] In practice, however, the aforementioned functional units differ so significantly that, despite the teachings of WO 2000 / 021729 A1, the lack of a consistent interface system prevents the creation of a modular system that allows or facilitates easy interchangeability. This has been accepted so far because, due to the modularity of the drive concepts and the electrical design, adaptation is necessary to implement consistent modularity.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] Based on this state of the art, the object of the invention is to provide a continuous modularization for the easy exchange of functional units on a machine for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials.

[0020] This is solved with a machine having the features of claim 1.

[0021] The machine initially features a modular design comprising several drive groups, each configured to operate the machine's functional units. These drive groups are supplied with the appropriate utilities via various supply sources. Interface connections are provided between the drive group and its associated supply source. Depending on the modular design, the machine exhibits variable configurations and thus variable power requirements, as, for example, a fully electric machine requires different power than a fully hydraulic machine. While one requires more electrical power, the other requires more hydraulic power. Depending on the chosen drive type—hydraulic, electromechanical, hybrid, or other—this design necessitates different utilities and / or...This also includes differing performance requirements for various supply media. These supply media are provided accordingly by the supply sources.

[0022] Based on this, the space requirements for the supply sources vary depending on the power demand and drive type. For example, in a fully electric machine where only some of the drives are hydraulic, a small oil volume suffices, whereas a hydraulic machine requires a large oil volume. The same applies to the power electronics and electrical components, depending on the drive type. The space requirements for the supply sources of each supply medium are specified for all preferably predetermined or predeterminable expansion stages at the same location on the machine. Furthermore, the interface connections for each supply medium and all expansion stages are designed uniformly, so that a genuine and practical exchange of drive groups is advantageously easy, even depending on the design of the associated functional unit.

[0023] The basis for modularization is thus a common foundation, meaning that the electrical, hybrid, or hydraulic configurations of the functional units, particularly the dosing unit and injection unit, can all be accommodated on an identical guide system. Thanks to the standardized interface connections maintained across all drive concepts, encompassing the drive motor, hydraulic pump, and required oil volume, the necessary drive configuration, such as a motor-pump unit, can be adapted to the specific drive and control type of the injection molding unit.

[0024] The standardized connections of the cut parts, based on an identical design (e.g., for the injection molding unit, the drive unit, and the associated electrical components), advantageously form the basis for ideal initial assembly and open up new possibilities for both servicing and retrofitting. The standardization of the cut part connections and the resulting joining base in the assembly process allows for efficient assembly on a single assembly line, even with, for example, four different variants (hydraulic metering - hydraulic injection; hydraulic metering - electromechanical injection; electromechanical metering - hydraulic injection; electromechanical metering - electromechanical injection). This means that the joining process can be individually tailored to meet customer requirements.

[0025] The modular approach offers the advantage of allowing for easy conversion of functional modules at the customer's site throughout the life cycle of a machine, depending on changing requirements (e.g., from electromechanical to hydraulic or vice versa).

[0026] Essentially, all functional modules necessary for the machine's operation are cut into units and equipped with standardized interfaces. Preferably, this allows components to be assembled and completed according to customer and requirements using identical quick-change systems, thus advantageously creating a modular system rather than the widely differing design variants common today, which preclude subsequent and simple modification.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment that facilitates the conversion and replacement of drive groups or functional units, each drive group is operatively connected to the respective power supply at the same position on the machine using the same mounting system, regardless of the expansion stage. This advantageously allows for easy replacement, maintenance, and adaptation to customer requirements at any time.

[0028] Preferably, each drive group is assigned at least one functional unit, wherein the various functional units have uniform interfaces and identical mounting systems. This advantageously allows the required drive configuration for the respective functional unit, such as a motor-pump unit, to be easily adapted to the machine depending on the control method and drive type.

[0029] For a modular machine design, the supply sources preferably provide at least two different supply media. This advantageously allows the most suitable drive types to be provided according to the required characteristics of the drive groups, such as power, acceleration, etc. The supply media provided by the supply sources preferably consist of at least two media from the group of hydraulic fluid, electricity, and coolant, although other supply media are also possible in principle. This advantageously ensures that all supply media required for the respective drive group are provided, thus facilitating easy replacement and maintenance of the drive group or modification of the machine at any time.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment that simplifies manufacturing and maintenance, the power supplies for the drive groups, which vary depending on the operating mode, are housed in the same substructure of the machine, such as a machine stand. This advantageously ensures easy access to the power supplies and also provides sufficient space for accommodating power supplies for a maximum expansion stage.

[0031] In principle, the amount of hydraulic fluid required in the tank for operation increases with the number of hydraulic consumers that need to be supplied. For example, while a fully electric injection molding unit only requires a small volume for the nozzle's movement, a hydraulic injection molding unit requires hydraulic fluid for all functions, thus necessitating a significantly larger volume. Various advantageous embodiments allow the height level, and therefore the available volume, to be adapted to the specific requirements. In one embodiment, the supply medium is contained in a reservoir whose external dimensions are the same for all configurations and whose volume can be adjusted to the respective configuration by means of a reservoir within a reservoir and / or by displacement elements and / or by level switches.This has the advantage that the machine can be operated with a minimal volume of hydraulic fluid adapted to the requirements, which reduces both acquisition costs and subsequent maintenance costs.

[0032] The power supply from the associated drive unit, which is located in the machine frame or base, to the machine is preferably modular and can be easily controlled via standardized interfaces, depending on the size and type of drive. In a preferred embodiment, a mounting wall and / or cooling plate in a control cabinet is provided as the power supply medium, to which various electronic components can be connected depending on the configuration. The respective drive groups are operatively connected to the electrical supply and the control technology via standardized interfaces and / or pluggable intermediate connections. This allows different configurations to be built and positioned on the same base plate.Power is supplied from the control cabinet to the drive unit either via defined interfaces in the control cabinet or via the pluggable intermediate coupling, both of which are easily replaceable. This allows the electrical supply lines to be routed advantageously from the control cabinet to the injection molding unit or machine as needed.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, in a preferred embodiment, all drive groups can have identical interface connections and be operatively connected to a control cabinet via decentralized electrical distribution panels that include the functionally relevant electrical components of the respective functional unit. Such distribution panels can be placed directly or in the immediate vicinity of the respective drive group. Preferably, the decentralized distribution panel is connected to the control cabinet via a simple interface, for example, plug and play, and can thus be advantageously designed to meet customer requirements.

[0034] Modularization of plastics processing machines is achieved through the interplay of different functional units, preferably with identical coupling technology on an identical base, and the demand-based control of drive technology and electrical configuration. This allows the electrical components to be decentralized, removed from the main control cabinet, and spatially assigned to their respective drive groups. This applies not only to an injection molding unit (the injection molding side of a machine) but also to the mold clamping side. In additive manufacturing machines, this applies to the drives within the build chamber as well as the material processing unit.

[0035] By preferably decentralizing the electrical components, a drive unit can be tested before installation and thus assigned as a validated unit within the drive group. This significantly simplifies subsequent modifications, both during servicing and retrofitting. In principle, decentralized technology can also be applied to other functional units of the machine, such as the hydraulic drive system, offering the same advantages.

[0036] Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent patent claims. The features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful way and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and by details from the figures, thereby showing further embodiments of the invention.

[0037] Brief description of the characters

[0038] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. These show

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of a machine for processing plastics, in particular of the injection molding unit of an injection molding machine.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional partial view of a partially cut-away part of the machine according to Fig. 1 with a container with a displacement component; Fig. 3 is a top view of the representation according to Fig. 2.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional partial view of a partially cut-away part of the machine according to Fig. 1 with a container inside the container.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a top view of the representation according to Fig. 4,

[0043] Fig. 6 is a three-dimensional partial view of a partially cut-away part of the machine according to Fig. 1 with a stand-alone motor-pump unit; Fig. 7 is a top view of the representation according to Fig. 6.

[0044] Fig. 8 shows a three-dimensional partial view of a substructure of the machine according to Fig. 1 with a control cabinet,

[0045] Figs. 8a, 8b are enlarged sections from Fig. 8 in the area of ​​the electronic components in the control cabinet.

[0046] Fig. 8c shows a schematic view of an injection molding machine with decentralized electrical and hydraulic distributors.

[0047] Figs. 9-12 show different configurations with varying drive types for the metering unit and injection unit. Detailed description of preferred embodiments.

[0048] The invention will now be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the inventive concept to a specific arrangement. Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the device or the respective process steps, as these components and processes can vary. The terms used here are intended solely to describe particular embodiments and are not used restrictively. Furthermore, where the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the claims, this also refers to the plural of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0049] The figures show a machine 10 for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials. Such a machine could be, in particular, a plastic injection molding machine or a machine for the additive manufacturing of objects, as used, for example, in prototyping or for the production of small series.

[0050] The figures show, as an embodiment of this machine for processing plastics, a plastic injection molding machine and in particular the injection molding side part of this injection molding machine, as can be seen in particular in Figure 1, in which the mold-closing side mold-closing unit 12 can still be seen on the left side.

[0051] The design and operation of an injection molding machine are generally known to those skilled in the art. Plastics or other plasticizable materials are fed into the injection molding machine 10, where they are mixed, plasticized, and homogenized in a plasticizing cylinder 36 of the injection molding unit 30. During the plasticizing process, plasticized material is metered in front of a conveying element (not shown in the drawing), such as a screw conveyor. Subsequently, the plasticized material is injected into a mold cavity of an injection mold M by an axial movement of the conveying element. In the operating state, the injection mold M is held between a mold carrier 14, which moves on guides 19a, and a stationary mold carrier 16. During the injection process, the injection mold M is closed by the mold clamping unit 12.Once the injected plasticized material has hardened in the mold cavity, the mold clamping unit 12 opens the injection mold M again, allowing the finished molded part to be removed. This process is repeated cyclically.

[0052] The following explanations can also be applied to an additive manufacturing machine, since it also typically includes a printing unit and a processing unit for plasticizing materials, which analogously form drive groups on a machine that can have a modular design.

[0053] Machine 10 has a modular design comprising several drive groups, the drive groups being configured to operate at least one functional unit of machine 10. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the functional units are, for example, the metering unit 24 and the injection unit 28, which are shown in Figs. 9 to 12. Additional functional units include, for example, the nozzle movement unit or drives provided on the mold clamping side, such as the unit for generating the clamping force or a core pull. In this embodiment, the invention is explained with reference to metering unit 24 and injection unit 28, and thus essentially for drive groups of the injection molding unit 30. An analogous design is also used for the mold clamping unit 12, if required.

[0054] The injection molding unit 30 rests on a base 20 and is detachably attached to the stationary mold carrier 16. The plasticizing unit 36 ​​is mounted on a central support element 34. On the side opposite the plasticizing unit 36, the metering unit 24 with metering drive 22 and the injection unit 28 with injection drive 26 are arranged, as can best be seen in Figures 9 to 12. Only the mountings for the motors of the metering drive 22 and the injection drive 26 are visible; the motors themselves have been omitted from the drawing for clarity. At the rear end of the injection molding unit 30, on the right in the figures, a fixed support element 32 is provided, which is coupled to the drive groups, which vary depending on the drive type, via coupling elements 60.The drive groups, including the group for driving the dosing unit 24 and the group for driving the injection unit 28, are each assigned supply sources designed to provide the drive groups with the supply media corresponding to their drive types. These supply media enable the drive groups to move and operate. These supply media typically include, for example, hydraulic fluid, electricity, and temperature control fluids such as coolant or heat transfer fluid. Oil is generally used as the hydraulic fluid, and water is usually used as the temperature control fluid. The supply sources are therefore reservoirs 50 for the hydraulic fluid, a temperature control unit 84, or a control cabinet 40 for controlling the power supply.

[0055] Interfaces 76 are provided between the respective drive group and the associated supply sources.

[0056] Due to its modular design, machine 10 can be built in various configurations and configurations. It can be a fully electric, i.e., electromechanical, machine, as well as a fully hydraulic machine. Hybrid versions, in which hydraulic and electromechanical drives are combined, are also possible. In principle, other drive types, such as pneumatic drives, can also be provided. Figures 3, 5, 7, and 8 schematically indicate a pneumatic connection 86 as one such possibility.

[0057] The supply source (control cabinet 40, container 50) has a variable space requirement depending on the power demand and drive type. On machine 10, the space requirement for the supply sources of each supply medium is provided at the same location on the machine for all expansion stages. These expansion stages include the existing expansion stages that are fundamentally possible, as well as modifications expected in the future, so that current and future customer needs can be addressed flexibly. To enable this, the interface connections 76 are standardized for each supply medium and all expansion stages.

[0058] By considering the three requirement profiles – modular functional unit, modular drive unit, and standardized interfaces with identical fastening technology – a modular system can be implemented in practice. The resulting consistent modularization and standardization of interfaces allows for easy exchange of functional units. The basis for this modularization is a common foundation; that is, the electromechanical, hybrid, or hydraulic versions of the functional units – dosing unit 24 and injection unit 28 – can all be mounted on an identical guide system such as rails 19 or guides 19a (Fig. 1).

[0059] Preferably, each drive group is attached to the machine 10 at the same position using the same mounting system 80 and is operatively connected to the respective power supply via interface connections 76, regardless of the expansion stage. This results in a consistent structure across the entire machine into which the drive groups and functional units can be integrated. The mounting systems 80 are therefore identical for the drive group, but can differ depending on the application, e.g., for the hydraulic drive technology (e.g., pump mounting), as well as for the functional units of the injection molding unit 30 (metering and injection) or the mold clamping unit 12, and for the electrical components.

[0060] For example, the tie bars designed as mounting platforms according to Figs. 1 and 8, on the injection molding unit 30, are suitable as a fastening system 80, on which the drive groups can be arranged and / or fixed. A fastening system 80 can also be formed by a receiving platform, such as the one for the motor-pump unit 38 in Fig.

[0061] Figure 5 shows that the same mounting systems can also be used in and / or on the electrical drive units (electronic components 42, control cabinet 40) for easier component replacement, e.g., for chain mounting. The same mounting systems 80 allow for easy replacement and / or modification of drive units.

[0062] Each drive group is assigned at least one functional unit, such as the metering unit 24 or the injection unit 28 or a temperature control unit 84 (e.g. shown schematically in Fig. 3, 5, 7), wherein the various functional units have uniform interfaces and identical fastening systems 80, which allows for flexible replacement in the event of service or subsequent modifications.

[0063] As shown in Figures 2 to 8b, the supply sources, control cabinet 40 and reservoir 50, for the drive groups, which vary depending on the drive type, are housed in the same base 20 or machine stand of the machine 10. Figures 2 to 7 show three different embodiments for a variable configuration of a hydraulic supply source. The drive concept, consisting of the drive motor, motor-pump unit 38, 56, and the required volume of hydraulic medium, is designed with standardized interfaces so that the required drive configuration (motor / pump) can be adapted to the power requirements, control type, and / or drive type of the injection molding unit 30.

[0064] Basically, the volume required for operation in the container 50 increases the more hydraulic consumers need to be supplied; i.e., in a fully electric injection molding unit only a small volume is needed for the movement of a nozzle, whereas in a hydraulic injection molding unit, where all functions are supplied with hydraulic medium, a multiple of the volume of hydraulic medium is required.

[0065] Figures 2 and 3 show the reservoir 50, which is designed for the maximum volume of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is then supplied to the respective consumers by the motor-pump unit 38. With identical connections and interfaces 76 between the supply source, in this case reservoir 50, and the drive unit, the volume in the reservoir 50 can be reduced in different ways. While the external dimensions of the reservoir 50 are the same for all configurations, its volume can be reduced by arranging a displacement element 52, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, which can be easily installed and removed from the reservoir 50. Similarly, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, it is possible to arrange a second reservoir 54 inside the reservoir 50, so that only the volume of reservoir 54 is available. Finally, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, it is possible to provide a stand-alone motor-pump unit 56, which has a correspondingly smaller volume.These embodiments can also be used cumulatively or alternatively. Additionally or alternatively, level switches 58 (Fig. 2) can also be provided, which can be adapted to the respective expansion stage.

[0066] These solutions allow the level of the hydraulic fluid in reservoir 50 to be adjusted from a large level to the specific application across several expansion stages. This ensures the machine always operates with the minimum volume, saving the customer on acquisition costs and, consequently, maintenance and operating expenses. The supply from the drive unit, located in the base 20, to the injection molding unit is also modular and can be easily controlled via standardized interface connections 76, depending on the size of the drive.

[0067] Figures 8, 8a, and 8b show the configuration of the electrical supply with current as the supply medium. In the control cabinet 40, which serves as the power supply source, a mounting wall 44 can be provided as a simple wall and / or cooling plate, to which various electronic components 42 can be connected, depending on the configuration.

[0068] Figure 8a shows a configuration with low power consumption, which is most likely to be expected in a fully hydraulic machine. Therefore, in addition to the electronic components 42, a space 46 is provided in the control cabinet for further electronic components. Figure 8b shows the other alternative, in which the space 46 is now occupied by electronic components 42 in several groups. In both cases, however, the mounting wall 44 is provided in an identical control cabinet 40. The respective drive groups are operatively connected to the electrical supply via standardized interface connections 76 and / or pluggable intermediate couplings.

[0069] Figure 8 shows two exemplary alternatives of interface connections 76, 76' in the embodiment for hydraulic media, which can also be used for temperature control and as pneumatic connections 86. Detail A shows a flat sealing block-to-block interface connection 76, while Detail A' shows a fluidic quick coupling as interface connections 76'.

[0070] Current-carrying lines 43 lead from the electronic components 42 in the control cabinet 40 to an electrical interface 76 on the control cabinet wall. This interface 76 is shown in Figures 8, 8a, and 8b as a plug-in solution between the power supply (control cabinet 40) and the functional unit – in this case, a classic plug-in solution. Such plugs can be used not only at the power supply but also at the decentralized distribution boards ET-E4'. Other types of interface 76 can also be used. From this interface 76, power supply lines 45 – in this case, current-carrying – can then lead to the drive groups on the machine, both on the side of the mold clamping unit 12 and on the side of the injection molding unit 30, as shown schematically in Figures 8, 8a, and 8b.The diagram also shows, schematically, further supply lines 45 or hydraulic lines 83 to various drive groups, starting from the interface connections 76 at the hydraulic connection 82, the temperature control unit 84, and the pneumatic connection 86, which can be used as needed and not all of which are necessarily present. The hydraulic fluid is used in particular for hydraulically actuated drive groups such as hydraulic cylinders on the mold clamping unit 12 and / or the injection molding unit 30. A temperature control unit 84 may be required for temperature control of, for example, a plasticizing cylinder 36 and / or an injection mold M. A pneumatic connection may be required, for example, for operating nozzle closures or the like.

[0071] In Fig. 8, the electrical supply is made variable via the design of the control cabinet 40 by installing as much power and control electronics as required for the specific expansion stage. The mounting wall 44 of the control cabinet 40 is designed so that the different configurations can be built on or placed on one and the same base plate.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, decentralized electrical distribution panels 70 can be provided, which are schematically depicted in Figures 9-12 as distribution panels ET, E2', E3', and E4'. This decentralized arrangement places the electrical components—that is, all functionally relevant electrical components—directly in the distribution panel 70 or in close proximity to the respective drive group of the injection molding unit 30. The decentralized distribution panel 70 is connected to the control cabinet 40 via a simple interface 76 (e.g., plug & play) and can therefore be configured to meet customer requirements. By decentralizing the electrical components in a distribution panel 70, the respective drive group or functional unit can be tested before installation and thus assigned to the module as a validated unit. This electrical relocation therefore has a positive impact on subsequent modifications to the machine (during servicing or retrofitting).

[0073] Fig. 8c shows a schematic side view of an injection molding machine equipped with decentralized electrical distributors ET to E4', as well as an electrical distributor EF on the mold clamping unit. Additionally, decentralized hydraulic distributors HT to H4' can be provided on both the injection molding and mold clamping sides (HF). The modularly designed interface connections 76, each based on an identical platform, for the drive group of the injection molding unit 30, the drive unit, and the electrical components, enable ideal initial assembly and open up new possibilities for both servicing and retrofitting. The standardization of interfaces and joining bases allows for efficient assembly on a single assembly line, even with at least four different variants on the injection molding side alone. This means that the joining process can be tailored to individual customer requirements.

[0074] In principle, the modular approach allows for easy retrofitting of functional units at the customer's site throughout the product lifecycle, depending on changing requirements (e.g., from electric to hydraulic or vice versa). This is made possible by the consistent implementation of the modular concept and the standardized interface design, not only for the drive groups of machine 10 but also for the drive technology itself. This is achieved by enabling the various drive units (hydraulic, hybrid, and electric) to be implemented as simple technical assemblies within the same substructure 20. The electrical variations can be implemented via a modular control cabinet concept with different expansion stages.Through the interaction of different functional units with identical coupling technology on an identical basis and the demand-oriented control of drive technology and electrical configuration, this leads to a modularization of plastics processing in a machine 10.

[0075] Figures 9-12 show various configurations of an injection molding unit 30. Several supply sources for the hydraulic fluid are located in the container 50, namely H1, H2, H3, and H4. Similarly, the control cabinet contains various supply sources E1, E2, E3, and E4. The following abbreviations are also used:

[0076] ED electromechanical dosing

[0077] EE electromechanical injection

[0078] HD hydraulic dosing

[0079] HE hydraulic injection

[0080] Fig. 9 shows a configuration in which both metering and injection are electromechanical. In this case, the required hydraulic system H1 can be relatively small, while the electrical power supply E1 in control cabinet 40 will be correspondingly large. The opposite is true for a purely hydraulic configuration according to Fig. 10, where both metering and injection are hydraulic. This means that the power supply E2 in control cabinet 40 is relatively small, for example as shown in Fig. 8a, while the hydraulic system H2 requires more space.

[0081] Figures 11 and 12 show corresponding hybrid solutions, where in Figure 11 the metering is electromechanically operated, while the injection is hydraulically operated, and in Figure 12 the metering is hydraulically operated and the injection is electromechanically operated. Depending on the expansion stage, the hydraulic system H3 or H4 is also appropriately sized with corresponding space requirements, while at the same time the power supply sources E2 and E3 in control cabinet 40 are also adapted to the respective power requirements.

[0082] In principle, this makes it possible to easily adapt the drive technology to the respective needs with a modular power supply and a suitable supply source strategy via defined interface connections 76 such as plugs, quick couplings or blocks.

[0083] It goes without saying that this description may be subject to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, which are equivalent to the attached claims. Reference numeral list

[0084] 10 Injection molding machine 45 Supply line

[0085] 12 Form clamping unit 46 Free space

[0086] 14 movable mold carriers, 50 containers

[0087] 16 non-movable form carrier 52 displacement component

[0088] 18 guides for 16 54 second containers

[0089] 19 guides 56 stand-alone motor-pump unit 19a guides (Fig. 1) unit

[0090] 20 Base / Machine stand 60 Coupling element

[0091] 22 Metering drive 70 Distributor

[0092] 24 Dosing unit 76, 76' Cut-off part connection 26 Injection drive 80 Fastening system

[0093] 28 Injection unit 82 Hydraulic connection

[0094] 30 injection molding units, 83 hydraulic lines

[0095] 32 Support element 84 Temperature control unit

[0096] 34 central receiving element 86 pneumatic connection

[0097] 36 plasticizing cylinders ET, E2', E3',

[0098] 38 Motor-pump unit E4', EF decentralized electrical distribution 40 Control cabinet HT- H4',

[0099] 42 electronic components HF decentralized hydraulic distributors 43 current-carrying line M injection mold

[0100] 44 Mounting wall

Claims

Patent claims 1. Machine (10) for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials, in particular an injection molding machine or a machine for additive manufacturing, with - a modular structure comprising several drive groups, wherein the drive groups are configured to operate at least one functional unit of the machine (10), - Supply sources (40, 50) which are set up to supply the drive groups with supply media corresponding to their drive types, - Cut-and-place connections (76) between the drive groups and associated supply sources (40, 50), - whereby the machine has a variable expansion stage and variable power requirements depending on its modular design, characterized by the fact that the space requirement of the supply sources (40, 50) varies depending on the power requirement and drive type, and the space requirement for the supply sources (40, 50) of each supply medium is provided for all expansion stages of the machine (10) at the same location on the machine (10), and the interface connections (76) are uniform for each supply medium and all expansion stages.

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective drive group is operatively connected at the same position on the machine (10) with the same fastening system (80) to the respective supply source regardless of the expansion stage.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one functional unit is assigned to each drive group, wherein the various functional units have uniform interfaces (76) and identical fastening systems (80).

4. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply sources (40, 50) are configured to provide at least two different supply media.

5. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply media comprise at least two from the group of media hydraulic medium, electricity and temperature control medium.

6. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply sources (40, 50) for the drive groups which vary depending on the type of drive are accommodated in the same substructure (20) of the machine (10).

7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hydraulic medium is received as the supply medium in a container (50) designed as a supply source, the external dimensions of which are the same for all expansion stages and whose volume can be adapted to the respective expansion stage by an arrangement of a second container (54) in the container (50) and / or by displacement elements (52) and / or by level switches (58).

8. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mounting wall (44) and / or cooling plate is provided in a control cabinet (40) designed as a supply source for the electrical supply with current as the supply medium, to which various electronic components (42) can be coupled depending on the expansion stage, wherein the respective drive groups are operatively connected to the electrical supply via uniform interfaces and / or pluggable intermediate couplings.

9. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all drive groups have identical interface connections (76) and are operatively connected to a control cabinet 40 via decentralized electrical distributors (ET, E2', E3', E4') which comprise the function-relevant electrical components of the respective functional unit.

10. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that drive groups supplied with hydraulic medium can be supplied with hydraulic medium decentrally.

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