Injection molding machines, management systems and controllers

Abstract

A technology capable of ensuring the consistency of data acquired by a predetermined machine such as an injection molding machine is provided. An injection molding machine (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mold clamping device (100) for clamping a mold device (10); an injection device (300) for filling a molding material into the mold device (10) after the mold clamping device (100) has been clamped; an ejection device (200) for removing a molded product from the mold device (10) after the molding material filled by the injection device (300) has cooled and solidified; a plurality of data acquisition units (801 to 803) for acquiring data (X1 to X3) of different types; and a data transmission unit (7005) for transmitting the data (X1 to X3) acquired by the plurality of data acquisition units (801 to 803) to a management device (2) in a state where the data (X1 to X3) can be compared in time series according to the type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine and the like. Background Art

[0002] For example, in industrial machines such as injection molding machines, data related to the operating state (for example, output data of various sensors) may be collected (see Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-105136 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, there is a need to collect a large amount of data of different types and data of different machines and use them as big data. Therefore, for example, it is desired to ensure the consistency of the acquired data so that different types of data or data of different machines can be compared.

[0008] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, an object is to provide a technology capable of ensuring consistency of data acquired by a predetermined machine such as an injection molding machine.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an injection molding machine comprising:

[0011] A mold clamping device for clamping the mold device;

[0012] An injection device for filling the molding material into the mold device after the mold is closed by the mold closing device;

[0013] An ejector device for taking out the molded product from the mold device after the molding material filled by the injection device is cooled and solidified;

[0014] A plurality of data acquisition units that acquire different types of data; and

[0015] The data transmission unit transmits the data respectively acquired by the plurality of data acquisition units to a predetermined external device in a state where the data can be compared in time series for each data type.

[0016] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, a management system is provided, comprising:

[0017] Multiple injection molding machines; and

[0018] a management device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of injection molding machines;

[0019] The plurality of injection molding machines are respectively provided with: a mold clamping device for clamping a mold device; an injection device for filling the mold device clamped by the mold clamping device with molding material; an ejection device for taking out a molded product from the mold device after the molding material filled by the injection device is cooled and solidified; a plurality of data acquisition units for acquiring data of different types; and a data sending unit for sending the data respectively acquired by the plurality of data acquisition units to the management device in a state where they can be compared in time series according to each data type.

[0020] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, a controller is provided, which receives data respectively acquired from a plurality of data acquisition units that acquire data of different types, and sends the data respectively acquired by the plurality of data acquisition units to the outside in a state capable of being compared in time series for each data type.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the above-described embodiment, consistency of data acquired by a predetermined machine such as an injection molding machine can be ensured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1A It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an injection molding machine management system including an injection molding machine.

[0024] Figure 1B It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an injection molding machine management system including an injection molding machine.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a configuration related to data collection of an injection molding machine.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a timing chart showing a first example of the operation of the controller and the data acquisition unit.

[0027] Figure 4A This is a diagram for explaining a first example of a method for compensating for the time series relationship of data.

[0028] Figure 4B This is a diagram for explaining a first example of a method for compensating for the time series relationship of data.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a timing chart showing a second example of the operation of the controller and the data acquisition unit.

[0030] Fig. 6A This is a diagram for explaining a second example of a method for compensating for the time series relationship of data.

[0031] Figure 6B This is a diagram for explaining a second example of a method for compensating for the time series relationship of data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] [Structure of injection molding machine management system]

[0034] First, refer to Figure 1 ( Figure 1A , 1B ) will now describe the structure of an injection molding machine management system (hereinafter referred to as “management system”) SYS according to this embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an injection molding machine management system according to the present embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1A A side cross-sectional view showing the state of the injection molding machine 1 when the mold opening is completed is depicted in FIG. Figure 1B , a side cross-sectional view showing the state of the injection molding machine 1 when the mold is clamped is depicted. In the following figures of the present embodiment, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other, the positive and negative directions of the X-axis (hereinafter, referred to as "X direction") and the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis (hereinafter, referred to as "Y direction") represent horizontal directions, and the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis (hereinafter, referred to as "Z direction") represent vertical directions.

[0036] The management system SYS includes a plurality of (three in this example) injection molding machines 1 and a management device 2 .

[0037] Furthermore, the number of injection molding machines 1 included in the management system SYS may be one, two, or four or more.

[0038] <Injection molding machine>

[0039] The injection molding machine 1 performs a series of operations for obtaining a molded product.

[0040] Furthermore, the injection molding machine 1 is communicatively connected to the management device 2 via a predetermined communication line NW, and transmits (uploads) data related to the operating state of the injection molding machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as "operating state data") to the management device 2 (an example of a predetermined external device). Thus, the management device 2 (or its manager or operator, etc.) can grasp the operating state, manage the maintenance timing of the injection molding machine 1 or the operating schedule of the injection molding machine 1, etc. The communication line NW may include, for example, a mobile communication network with a base station as a terminal. Furthermore, the communication line NW may include, for example, a satellite communication network using a communication satellite. Furthermore, the communication line NW may include, for example, the Internet. Furthermore, the communication line NW may include, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) within a factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. Furthermore, the communication line NW may also be, for example, a short-distance communication line corresponding to Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication or WiFi communication.

[0041] The injection molding machine 1 includes a mold clamping device 100 , an ejection device 200 , an injection device 300 , a moving device 400 and a controller 700 .

[0042] The mold clamping device 100 performs mold closing, mold clamping, and mold opening of the mold device 10. The mold clamping device 100 is, for example, horizontal, and the mold opening and closing direction is the horizontal direction. The mold clamping device 100 includes a fixed platen 110, a movable platen 120, a toggle seat 130, a connecting rod 140, a toggle mechanism 150, a mold clamping motor 160, a motion conversion mechanism 170, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180.

[0043] In the following description of the mold clamping device 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold closing ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold opening ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The center left direction) is set as the rear for explanation.

[0044] The fixed platen 110 is fixed to the frame Fr. The fixed mold 11 is attached to the surface of the fixed platen 110 that faces the movable platen 120 .

[0045] The movable platen 120 is arranged to be movable in the mold opening and closing direction relative to the frame Fr. A guide 101 for guiding the movable platen 120 is laid on the frame Fr. The movable mold 12 is attached to the surface of the movable platen 120 facing the fixed platen 110.

[0046] The mold closing, mold clamping, and mold opening are performed by moving the movable platen 120 forward and backward relative to the fixed platen 110 .

[0047] The mold device 10 is configured to include a fixed mold 11 corresponding to the fixed platen 110 and a movable mold 12 corresponding to the movable platen 120 .

[0048] The toggle seat 130 is connected to the fixed platen 110 at a predetermined interval L, and is placed on the frame Fr so as to be movable in the mold opening and closing direction. For example, the toggle seat 130 may be configured to be movable along a guide member laid on the frame Fr. In this case, the guide member of the toggle seat 130 may be common to the guide member 101 of the movable platen 120.

[0049] In addition, the fixed pressure plate 110 is fixed relative to the frame Fr, and the elbow seat 130 is configured to be freely movable relative to the frame Fr in the mold opening and closing direction. However, the elbow seat 130 can also be fixed relative to the frame Fr, and the fixed pressure plate 110 can be configured to be freely movable relative to the frame Fr in the mold opening and closing direction.

[0050] The connecting rod 140 connects the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seat 130 at a distance L in the mold opening and closing direction. A plurality of connecting rods 140 (for example, 4) may be used. Each connecting rod 140 is parallel to the mold opening and closing direction and extends according to the mold clamping force. A connecting rod strain detector 141 for detecting the strain of the connecting rod 140 is provided on at least one connecting rod 140. The connecting rod strain detector 141 is, for example, a strain gauge. The connecting rod strain detector 141 sends a signal indicating its detection result to the controller 700. For example, the detection result of the connecting rod strain detector 141 is used for detecting the mold clamping force, etc.

[0051] In addition, any clamping force detector that can be used to detect the clamping force may be used in place of or in addition to the connecting rod strain detector 141. For example, the clamping force detector is not limited to the strain type, and may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type, etc., and its installation position is not limited to the connecting rod 140.

[0052] The toggle mechanism 150 is disposed between the movable platen 120 and the toggle seat 130, and moves the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle seat 130 in the mold opening and closing direction. The toggle mechanism 150 is composed of a crosshead 151 and a pair of link groups. Each link group has a first link 152 and a second link 153 connected by a pin or the like so as to be able to bend and stretch freely. The first link 152 is mounted on the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like so as to be able to swing freely, and the second link 153 is mounted on the toggle seat 130 by a pin or the like so as to be able to swing freely. The second link 153 is mounted on the crosshead 151 via the third link 154. When the crosshead 151 is moved forward and backward relative to the toggle seat 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 are bent and stretched so as to move the movable platen 120 forward and backward relative to the toggle seat 130.

[0053] In addition, the structure of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to Figure 1A and Figure 1B For example, in Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the embodiment, the number of nodes of each link group is 5, but it may be 4, or one end of the third link 154 may be connected to the node of the first link 152 and the second link 153.

[0054] The mold clamping motor 160 is mounted on the toggle base 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold clamping motor 160 advances and retreats the crosshead 151 relative to the toggle base 130, thereby bending and extending the first link 152 and the second link 153, thereby advancing and retreating the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle base 130. The mold clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may also be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, a pulley, or the like.

[0055] The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into the linear motion of the cross head 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft 171 and a screw nut 172 screwed with the screw shaft 171. Balls or rollers may be interposed between the screw shaft 171 and the screw nut 172.

[0056] The mold clamping device 100 performs a mold closing process, a mold clamping process, a mold opening process, etc. under the control of the controller 700 .

[0057] In the mold closing process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to advance the crosshead 151 to the mold closing completion position at a set speed, and the movable platen 120 is advanced to bring the movable mold 12 into contact with the fixed mold 11. For example, the position and speed of the crosshead 151 are detected using a mold clamping motor encoder 161. The mold clamping motor encoder 161 detects the rotation of the mold clamping motor 160 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the controller 700.

[0058] In addition, the crosshead position detector for detecting the position of the crosshead 151 and the crosshead speed detector for detecting the speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161, and a conventional detector can be used. In addition, the movable platen position detector for detecting the position of the movable platen 120 and the movable platen speed detector for detecting the speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161, and a conventional detector can be used.

[0059] In the mold closing process, the mold closing motor 160 is further driven to make the crosshead 151 move further from the mold closing position to the mold closing position, thereby generating a mold closing force. When the mold is closed, a cavity space 14 is formed between the movable mold 12 and the fixed mold 11, and the injection device 300 fills the cavity space 14 with liquid molding material. The filled molding material is solidified, thereby obtaining a molded product. The number of cavity spaces 14 can be multiple, and in this case, multiple molded products are obtained at the same time.

[0060] In the mold opening process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to retract the crosshead 151 to the mold opening completion position at a set speed, and the movable platen 120 is retracted to separate the movable mold 12 from the fixed mold 11. Then, the ejector 200 ejects the molded product from the movable mold 12.

[0061] The setting conditions in the mold closing process and the mold clamping process are uniformly set as a series of setting conditions. For example, the speed, position (including the mold closing start position, speed switching position, mold closing completion position and mold clamping position) or mold clamping force of the crosshead 151 in the mold closing process and the mold clamping process are uniformly set as a series of setting conditions. The mold closing start position, speed switching position, mold closing completion position and mold clamping position are arranged in sequence from the back to the front, and indicate the starting point and end point of the interval for setting the speed. Set the speed for each interval. The speed switching position can be one or more. The speed switching position can be not set. Only one of the mold clamping position and the mold clamping force can be set.

[0062] Furthermore, the setting conditions in the mold opening process are also set in the same way. For example, the speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the mold opening process (including the mold opening start position, the speed switching position and the mold opening completion position) are uniformly set as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, the speed switching position and the mold opening completion position are arranged in sequence from the front to the back, and represent the starting point and the end point of the interval for setting the speed. The speed is set for each interval. There can be one or more speed switching positions. The speed switching position may not be set. The mold opening start position and the mold closing position may be the same position. Furthermore, the mold opening completion position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

[0063] In addition, the speed and position of the movable platen 120 may be set instead of the speed and position of the crosshead 151. Furthermore, the mold clamping force may be set instead of the position of the crosshead (for example, the mold clamping position) and the position of the movable platen.

[0064] The toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the mold clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable platen 120. The amplification factor is also called the toggle magnification. The toggle magnification changes according to the angle θ (hereinafter referred to as the "link angle") formed by the first link 152 and the second link 153. The link angle θ is obtained from the position of the crosshead 151. When the link angle θ is 180°, the toggle magnification is maximum.

[0065] When the thickness of the mold device 10 changes due to replacement of the mold device 10, temperature change of the mold device 10, etc., mold thickness adjustment is performed to obtain a predetermined mold clamping force when the mold is clamped. In the mold thickness adjustment, for example, the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seat 130 is adjusted so that the link angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 becomes a predetermined angle at the moment when the movable mold 12 contacts the fixed mold 11.

[0066] The mold clamping device 100 has a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180, which adjusts the mold thickness by adjusting the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seat 130. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 includes: a screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the connecting rod 140; a screw nut 182 rotatably held by the toggle seat 130; and a mold thickness adjustment motor 183 that rotates the screw nut 182 screwed with the screw shaft 181.

[0067] A screw shaft 181 and a screw nut 182 are provided for each connecting rod 140. The rotation of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 can be transmitted to the plurality of screw nuts 182 via the rotation transmission unit 185. The plurality of screw nuts 182 can be rotated synchronously.

[0068] Furthermore, by changing the transmission path of the rotation transmission portion 185 , it is also possible to rotate the plurality of screw nuts 182 individually.

[0069] The rotation transmission part 185 is composed of gears, etc. At this time, a passive gear is formed on the outer periphery of each lead screw nut 182, a driving gear is installed on the output shaft of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183, and an intermediate gear meshing with multiple passive gears and the driving gear is kept in the central part of the toggle seat 130 so as to rotate freely.

[0070] In addition, the rotation transmission part 185 may be constituted by a belt, a pulley, or the like instead of the gear.

[0071] The operation of the mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 is controlled by the controller 700. The controller 700 drives the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 to rotate the lead screw nut 182 to adjust the position of the toggle seat 130 rotatably holding the lead screw nut 182 relative to the fixed platen 110, thereby adjusting the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seat 130.

[0072] The mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used to detect the interval L. The mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 detects the rotation amount and rotation direction of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the controller 700. The detection result of the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used to monitor and control the position of the toggle base 130 and the interval L.

[0073] In addition, the toggle seat position detector for detecting the position of the toggle seat 130 and the interval detector for detecting the interval L are not limited to the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184, and a conventional detector can be used.

[0074] The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 rotates one of a screw shaft 181 and a screw nut 182 that are screwed together to adjust the interval L. A plurality of mold thickness adjustment mechanisms 180 may be used, and a plurality of mold thickness adjustment motors 183 may be used.

[0075] Furthermore, the mold clamping device 100 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type in which the mold opening and closing direction is the horizontal direction, but may be a vertical type in which the mold opening and closing direction is the vertical direction.

[0076] The mold clamping device 100 of this embodiment includes the mold clamping motor 160 as a driving source, but may include a hydraulic cylinder instead of the mold clamping motor 160. The mold clamping device 100 may include a mold opening and closing linear motor or a mold clamping electromagnet.

[0077] The ejector device 200 ejects the molded product from the mold device 10. The ejector device 200 includes an ejector motor 210, a motion conversion mechanism 220, an ejector rod 230, and the like.

[0078] In the following description of the ejector device 200, similarly to the description of the mold clamping device 100, the moving direction ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold opening ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The center left direction) is set as the rear for explanation.

[0079] The ejector motor 210 is attached to the movable platen 120. The ejector motor 210 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 220, but may be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 220 via a belt, a pulley, or the like.

[0080] The motion conversion mechanism 220 converts the rotational motion of the ejector motor 210 into the linear motion of the ejector rod 230. The motion conversion mechanism 220 includes a lead screw shaft and a lead screw nut threadedly engaged with the lead screw shaft. Balls or rollers may be interposed between the lead screw shaft and the lead screw nut.

[0081] The ejector rod 230 is arranged to be able to move forward and backward in the through hole of the movable platen 120. The front end of the ejector rod 230 contacts the movable member 15 arranged to be able to move forward and backward inside the movable mold 12. The front end of the ejector rod 230 may be connected to the movable member 15 or may not be connected thereto.

[0082] The ejection device 200 performs an ejection process under the control of the controller 700 .

[0083] In the ejection process, the ejector motor 210 is driven to move the ejector rod 230 from the standby position to the ejection position at a set speed, and the movable part 15 is moved forward to eject the molded product. Then, the ejector motor 210 is driven to move the ejector rod 230 backward at a set speed, and the movable part 15 is moved backward to the original standby position. For example, the position and speed of the ejector rod 230 are detected using the ejector motor encoder 211. The ejector motor encoder 211 detects the rotation of the ejector motor 210 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the controller 700.

[0084] In addition, the ejector rod position detector for detecting the position of the ejector rod 230 and the ejector rod speed detector for detecting the speed of the ejector rod 230 are not limited to the ejector motor encoder 211, and a conventional detector may be used.

[0085] The injection device 300 is provided on a slide base 301 that can be freely advanced and retreated relative to the frame Fr, and is configured to be freely advanced and retreated relative to the mold device 10. The injection device 300 contacts the mold device 10 and fills the molding material into the cavity space 14 in the mold device 10. The injection device 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310, a nozzle 320, a screw 330, a metering motor 340, an injection motor 350, and a pressure detector 360.

[0086] In the following description of the injection device 300, the direction in which the injection device 300 approaches the mold device 10 ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The left direction in the middle) is set to the front, and the direction in which the injection device 300 is separated from the mold device 10 ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The center right direction) is set as the rear for explanation.

[0087] The cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied from the supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The molding material is formed into, for example, granules and supplied to the supply port 311 in a solid state. The supply port 311 is formed at the rear of the cylinder 310. A cooler 312 such as a water-cooled cylinder is provided on the periphery of the rear of the cylinder 310. A heater 313 such as a belt heater and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the periphery of the cylinder 310 in front of the cooler 312.

[0088] The cylinder body 310 is axially ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The heater 313 and the temperature detector 314 are provided in each area. The controller 700 controls the heater 313 in each area so that the detection temperature of the temperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

[0089] The nozzle 320 is provided at the front end of the cylinder 310 and is pressed against the mold device 10. A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle 320. The controller 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detected temperature of the nozzle 320 becomes a set temperature.

[0090] The screw 330 is arranged to be able to rotate freely and to move forward and backward freely in the cylinder 310. When the screw 330 is rotated, the molding material is transported forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. While the molding material is transported forward, it is gradually melted by the heat from the cylinder 310. As the liquid molding material is transported forward of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front part of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is retreated. Then, when the screw 330 is advanced, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is injected from the nozzle 320 and filled in the mold device 10.

[0091] The check ring 331 is installed at the front of the screw 330 so as to be able to move forward and backward. The check ring 331 acts as a check valve to prevent the molding material from flowing backward from the front to the rear of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

[0092] When the screw 330 is advanced, the check ring 331 is pushed backward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw 330, and moves back relative to the screw 330 to a closed position that blocks the flow path of the molding material (see FIG. Figure 1B ). Thus, the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is prevented from flowing backward.

[0093] On the other hand, when the screw 330 is rotated, the check ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material conveyed to the front along the spiral groove of the screw 330, and moves forward relative to the screw 330 to an open position (refer to Figure 1A ). As a result, the molding material is transported to the front of the screw 330.

[0094] The check ring 331 may be a co-rotating type that rotates together with the screw 330 or a non-co-rotating type that does not rotate together with the screw 330 .

[0095] In addition, the injection device 300 may include a driving source that moves the check ring 331 forward and backward relative to the screw 330 between the open position and the closed position.

[0096] The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The driving source for rotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340, and may be, for example, a hydraulic pump or the like.

[0097] The injection motor 350 moves the screw 330 forward and backward. A motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330 is provided between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The motion conversion mechanism includes, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed with the screw shaft. Balls, rollers, etc. may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The driving source that moves the screw 330 forward and backward is not limited to the injection motor 350, and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0098] The pressure detector 360 detects the pressure transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The pressure detector 360 is provided in a force transmission path between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330, and detects the pressure acting on the pressure detector 360.

[0099] The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating its detection result to the controller 700. The detection result of the pressure detector 360 is used to control and monitor the pressure exerted on the screw 330 by the molding material, the back pressure against the screw 330, and the pressure acting on the molding material from the screw 330.

[0100] The injection device 300 performs a metering process, a filling process, a pressure-maintaining process, and the like under the control of the controller 700 .

[0101] In the metering process, the metering motor 340 is driven to rotate the screw 330 at a set speed, and the molding material is transported to the front along the spiral groove of the screw 330. As a result, the molding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material is transported to the front of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front part of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is moved backward. For example, the metering motor encoder 341 is used to detect the rotation speed of the screw 330. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the metering motor 340 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the controller 700.

[0102] In addition, the screw rotation speed detector for detecting the rotation speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor encoder 341, and a conventional detector can be used.

[0103] In order to prevent the screw 330 from retreating suddenly during the metering process, the injection motor 350 may be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330. For example, the back pressure on the screw 330 is detected using the pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the controller 700. When the screw 330 retreats to the metering completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material is accumulated in front of the screw 330, the metering process is completed.

[0104] In the filling process, the injection motor 350 is driven to make the screw 330 move forward at a set speed, and the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is filled into the cavity space 14 in the mold device 10. For example, the position and speed of the screw 330 are detected using the injection motor encoder 351. The injection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor 350 and sends a signal indicating its detection result to the controller 700. If the position of the screw 330 reaches the set position, the switch from the filling process to the pressure holding process (the so-called V / P switch) is performed. The position where the V / P switch is performed is also called the V / P switching position. The set speed of the screw 330 can be changed according to the position of the screw 330, time, etc.

[0105] In addition, in the filling process, after the position of the screw 330 reaches the set position, the screw 330 can be paused at the set position and then V / P switching can be performed. Before the V / P switching is about to be performed, instead of stopping the screw 330, the screw 330 can also be moved forward or backward at a slow speed. In addition, the screw position detector for detecting the position of the screw 330 and the screw speed detector for detecting the speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351, and a conventional detector can be used.

[0106] In the pressure holding process, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, and the pressure of the molding material at the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding pressure") is maintained at a set pressure, and the molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 is pushed toward the mold device 10. The insufficient amount of molding material in the mold device 10 due to cooling shrinkage can be supplemented. For example, the holding pressure is detected using a pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating its detection result to the controller 700. The set value of the holding pressure can be changed according to the elapsed time since the start of the pressure holding process, etc.

[0107] In the pressure holding process, the molding material in the cavity space 14 in the mold device 10 is gradually cooled, and when the pressure holding process is completed, the entrance of the cavity space 14 is blocked by the solidified molding material. This state is called gate sealing, which prevents the backflow of the molding material from the cavity space 14. After the pressure holding process, the cooling process begins. In the cooling process, the molding material in the cavity space 14 is solidified. In order to shorten the molding cycle time, a metering process can be performed in the cooling process.

[0108] In addition, the injection device 300 of this embodiment is a coaxial screw type, but it can also be a pre-plastic type, etc. The injection device of the pre-plastic type supplies the molding material melted in the plasticizing cylinder to the injection cylinder, and injects the molding material into the mold device from the injection cylinder. In the plasticizing cylinder, the screw is arranged to rotate freely or rotate freely and move forward and backward freely, and in the injection cylinder, the plunger is arranged to move forward and backward freely.

[0109] Furthermore, the injection device 300 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is in the horizontal direction, but it may be a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is in the up-down direction. The mold clamping device combined with the vertical injection device 300 may be a vertical type or a horizontal type. Similarly, the mold clamping device combined with the horizontal injection device 300 may be a horizontal type or a vertical type.

[0110] The moving device 400 moves the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 10. The moving device 400 also presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 10 to generate nozzle contact pressure. The moving device 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a driving source, and a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator.

[0111] In the following description of the moving device 400, similarly to the description of the injection device 300, the direction in which the injection device 300 approaches the mold device 10 ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The left direction in the middle) is set to the front, and the direction in which the injection device 300 is separated from the mold device 10 ( Figure 1A and Figure 1B The center right direction) is set as the rear for explanation.

[0112] In addition, the mobile device 400 Figure 1A , 1B Although it is arranged on one side of the cylinder 310 of the injection device 300, it can be arranged on both sides of the cylinder 310, or it can be arranged symmetrically with the cylinder 310 as the center.

[0113] The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a bidirectionally rotatable pump, and generates hydraulic pressure by sucking working fluid (e.g., oil) from one of the first port 411 and the second port 412 and discharging it from the other port by switching the rotation direction of the motor 420. In addition, the hydraulic pump 410 can also suck working fluid from a tank and discharge the working fluid from one of the first port 411 and the second port 412.

[0114] The motor 420 operates the hydraulic pump 410. The motor 420 drives the hydraulic pump 410 with a rotation direction and a rotation torque corresponding to a control signal from the controller 700. The motor 420 may be an electric motor or an electric servomotor.

[0115] The hydraulic cylinder 430 includes a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and a piston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is fixed to the injection device 300. The piston 432 divides the interior of the cylinder body 431 into a front chamber 435 as a first chamber and a rear chamber 436 as a second chamber. The piston rod 433 is fixed to the fixed platen 110.

[0116] The front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the first port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 via the first flow path 401. The working fluid discharged from the first port 411 is supplied to the front chamber 435 via the first flow path 401, thereby pushing the injection device 300 forward. The injection device 300 moves forward and the nozzle 320 is pressed against the fixed mold 11. The front chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates the nozzle contact pressure of the nozzle 320 by the pressure of the working fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 410.

[0117] On the other hand, the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the second port 412 of the hydraulic pump 410 via the second flow path 402. The working fluid discharged from the second port 412 is supplied to the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 via the second flow path 402, thereby pushing the injection device 300 backward. The injection device 300 retreats and the nozzle 320 is separated from the fixed mold 11.

[0118] The moving device 400 is not limited to a structure including the hydraulic cylinder 430. For example, instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430, an electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the injection device 300 may be used.

[0119] The controller 700 directly sends control signals to the mold clamping device 100 , the ejection device 200 , the injection device 300 , the moving device 400 , etc., to perform drive control of the injection molding machine 1 .

[0120] The controller 700 is configured, for example, with a computer as the center, and the computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a storage device 702, an auxiliary storage device 703, and an input / output interface device 704. The controller 700 performs various controls by causing the CPU 701 to execute a program installed in the auxiliary storage device 703. In addition, the controller 700 receives external signals through the interface device 704, or outputs signals to the outside.

[0121] In addition, the functions of the controller 700 may be shared by multiple controllers.

[0122] The controller 700 repeatedly manufactures molded products by causing the injection molding machine 1 to repeatedly perform the mold closing process, the mold clamping process, and the mold opening process. Furthermore, the controller 700 causes the injection device 300 to perform the metering process, the filling process, and the pressure holding process during the mold clamping process.

[0123] A series of actions for obtaining a molded product, for example, from the start of a metering process by the injection device 300 to the start of the next metering process by the injection device 300, is also referred to as "injection" or "molding cycle". In addition, the time required for one injection is also referred to as "molding cycle time".

[0124] A molding cycle is composed of, for example, a metering process, a mold closing process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, a cooling process, a mold opening process, and an ejection process in sequence. This order is the order in which each process starts. In addition, the filling process, the pressure holding process, and the cooling process are performed from the start of the mold clamping process to the end of the mold clamping process. In addition, the end of the mold clamping process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.

[0125] In addition, in order to shorten the molding cycle time, multiple processes can also be performed simultaneously. For example, the metering process can be performed in the cooling process of the previous molding cycle. In this case, the mold closing process can also be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. In addition, the filling process can be started in the mold closing process. In addition, the ejection process can be started in the mold opening process. In addition, in the case of providing an on-off valve for opening and closing the flow path of the nozzle 320 of the injection device 300, the mold opening process can also be started in the metering process. This is because even if the mold opening process is started in the metering process, as long as the on-off valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320, the molding material will not leak from the nozzle 320.

[0126] The controller 700 is connected to an operating device 750 , a display device 760 , and the like.

[0127] The operating device 750 receives an operation input related to the injection molding machine 1 from a user, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input to the controller 700 .

[0128] The display device 760 displays various images under the control of the controller 700 .

[0129] The display device 760 displays, for example, an operation screen related to the injection molding machine 1 corresponding to the operation input in the operation device 750 .

[0130] The operation screen displayed on the display device 760 is used for settings related to the injection molding machine 1. The settings related to the injection molding machine 1 include, for example, settings of molding conditions related to the injection molding machine 1 (specifically, input of set values). Furthermore, the settings include, for example, settings related to selection of types of detection values ​​of various sensors related to the injection molding machine 1 as stored data records during molding operations. Furthermore, the settings include, for example, settings of display specifications (for example, types of displayed actual values ​​or methods of display, etc.) of detection values ​​(actual values) of various sensors related to the injection molding machine 1 during molding operations on the display device 760. A plurality of operation screens are prepared, switched to be displayed on the display device 760, or displayed in an overlapping manner. The user can perform settings related to the injection molding machine 1 (including input of set values) while observing the operation screen displayed on the display device 760 and operating the operation device 750.

[0131] Furthermore, the display device 760 displays, for example, an information screen that provides the user with various information corresponding to the operation on the operation screen under the control of the controller 700. A plurality of information screens are prepared, and are switched to be displayed on the display device 760, or are displayed in an overlapping manner. For example, the display device 760 displays setting contents related to the injection molding machine 1 (for example, setting contents related to the molding conditions of the injection molding machine 1). Furthermore, for example, the display device 760 displays management information (for example, information related to the operation performance of the injection molding machine 1, etc.).

[0132] The operating device 750 and the display device 760 are configured as, for example, a touch panel display and may be integrated.

[0133] In addition, although the operating device 750 and the display device 760 of this embodiment are integrated, they may be provided independently. Furthermore, a plurality of operating devices 750 may be provided.

[0134] <Management device>

[0135] The management device 2 is communicably connected to the injection molding machine 1 via a communication line NW.

[0136] The management device 2 is, for example, a computer (e.g., a cloud server) installed at a remote location such as a management center outside the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. Furthermore, the management device 2 may be, for example, an edge server installed at a location relatively close to the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed (e.g., a wireless base station or office near the factory). Furthermore, the management device 2 may be a computer terminal in the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. Furthermore, the management device 2 may be a mobile terminal (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a notebook type computer terminal, etc.) that can be carried by the manager of the injection molding machine 1.

[0137] For example, the management device 2 can grasp the operating state of the injection molding machine 1 based on the data uploaded from the injection molding machine 1 and manage the operating state of the injection molding machine 1. In addition, the management device 2 can perform various diagnoses such as abnormality diagnosis of the injection molding machine 1 based on the grasped operating state of the injection molding machine 1.

[0138] Furthermore, the management device 2 can transmit control information (e.g., information related to various setting conditions) to the injection molding machines 1 through the communication line NW, for example. Thus, the management device 2 can, for example, grasp the operating conditions of the plurality of injection molding machines 1 based on the data uploaded from the plurality of injection molding machines 1, and transmit control instructions for performing the same action to the plurality of injection molding machines 1, thereby synchronizing the actions of the plurality of injection molding machines 1.

[0139] [An example of a structure related to data collection of an injection molding machine]

[0140] Next, refer to Figure 2 , an example of the functional configuration related to data collection of the injection molding machine 1 is described.

[0141] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a configuration related to data collection of the injection molding machine 1 .

[0142] The injection molding machine 1 includes a controller 700 and a data acquisition unit 800 as structures related to data collection.

[0143] The controller 700 is connected to the injection molding machine 1 via a predetermined communication line (e.g., a local area network such as Ethernet (registered trademark)) configured inside the injection molding machine 1. The controller 700 includes a data receiving unit 7001, a data processing unit 7003, and a data sending unit 7005 as functional units implemented by executing a program installed in the auxiliary storage device 703 on the CPU 701. In addition, the controller 700 uses a correction information storage unit 7002, a data storage unit 7004, etc. The correction information storage unit 7002, the data storage unit 7004, etc. can be implemented by an external storage device connected to the auxiliary storage device 703 inside the controller 700 or the controller 700 in a communicable manner.

[0144] The data receiving unit 7001 receives data sent from the data acquisition unit 800 through a predetermined communication line. The functions related to data collection of the controller 700 are activated at each relatively long period (hereinafter referred to as "data collection period") (an example of the first period) to collect data. Therefore, the data receiving unit 7001 receives the latest data among the data periodically sent from the data acquisition unit 800 at each data collection period. The data collection period is, for example, 1 ms.

[0145] The correction information storage unit 7002 (an example of a storage unit) stores information (hereinafter referred to as “correction information”) for performing processing (correction) to compensate for the time series relationship of the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 .

[0146] The data processing unit 7003 processes (corrects) the acquisition timing or content of the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 based on the correction information in the correction information storage unit 7002. The data processing unit 7003 outputs the data and information indicating the acquisition timing of the data (hereinafter referred to as "acquisition timing information").

[0147] The data storage unit 7004 stores the data output from the data processing unit 7003 and the acquisition timing information corresponding to the data. The data output from the data processing unit 7003 may be different from the data received by the data receiving unit 7001, or the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 may be retained. This is because, as described later, there may be a case where the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 does not need to be processed (corrected).

[0148] The data transmission unit 7005 transmits (uploads) the data stored in the data storage unit 7004 and the acquisition timing information of the data to the management device 2 at a predetermined timing.

[0149] In addition, when the management device 2 recognizes the data collection cycle of the data receiving unit 7001 and the data acquisition cycle of each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 and the data processing unit 7003 processes the data content, the transmission of the acquisition timing information can be omitted.

[0150] The data acquisition unit 800 includes a plurality of data acquisition units (in this example, three data acquisition units 801 to 803 ).

[0151] In addition, the number of data acquisition units included in the data acquisition unit 800 can be any number. For example, the data acquisition unit 800 can be composed of only one data acquisition unit. That is, the controller 700 can be a structure that collects (receives) data from only one data acquisition unit 800. In addition, the data acquisition unit 800 can also be a structure that includes only two data acquisition units. That is, any one of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 can be omitted. In addition, the data acquisition unit 800 can also be a structure that includes more than 4 data acquisition units.

[0152] The data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire different types of operating status data. Furthermore, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 can, for example, acquire operation input data related to different injection molding machines 1 (hereinafter referred to as "operation input data"). The operation input data can include operation input data received by the operating device 750. Furthermore, the operation input data can include operation input from the outside input (received) from the management device 2, etc., that is, operation input data related to remote operation. The following description focuses on the case where the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire the operating status data, but the same content is also applicable to the case where the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire the operation input data instead of the operating status data, or on this basis.

[0153] The data acquisition units 801 to 803 can acquire, for example, the operating state data of the driven part of the injection molding machine 1. Specifically, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 can include, for example, a driving device (for example, a driving circuit of an electric actuator) that outputs data related to the operating state of an actuator driving the driven part of the injection molding machine 1 as operating state data. Furthermore, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 can include, for example, a detection device (for example, a detector that detects the position or speed of the driven part) that outputs detection data corresponding to the operating state of the driven part of the injection molding machine 1 as operating state data. The driven part of the injection molding machine 1 includes, for example, the toggle mechanism 150 and the mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 of the mold clamping device 100, the motion conversion mechanism 220 of the ejection device 200, the screw 330 and the check ring 331 of the injection device 300, and the hydraulic pump 410 of the moving device 400. Furthermore, the actuator includes, for example, the mold clamping motor 160 and the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 of the mold clamping device 100, the ejection motor 210 of the ejection device 200, the metering motor 340 and the injection motor 350 of the injection device 300, and the motor 420 of the moving device 400. Furthermore, the detection device includes, for example, the mold clamping motor encoder 161 and the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 of the mold clamping device 100, the ejection motor encoder 211 of the ejection device 200, the metering motor encoder 341 and the injection motor encoder 351 of the injection device 300, and the pressure detector 360.

[0154] Furthermore, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may acquire, for example, the operating state data of the heated portion of the injection molding machine 1. Specifically, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may include, for example, a driving device (for example, a driving circuit of an electric heater) that outputs data related to the operating state of a heating device that heats the heated portion of the injection molding machine 1 as operating state data. Furthermore, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may include, for example, a detection device (for example, a detector that detects the temperature state of the heated portion) that outputs detection data related to the heating state (temperature state) of the heated portion of the injection molding machine 1 as operating state data. The heated portion of the injection molding machine 1 includes, for example, the cylinder 310 (the outer periphery) of the injection device 300, etc. Furthermore, the heating device includes the heater 313 of the injection device 300, etc. Furthermore, the detection device includes the temperature detector 314 of the injection device 300, etc.

[0155] Furthermore, when the functions of the controller 700 are shared by a plurality of controllers, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may also include a controller on the lower side (hereinafter referred to as a "lower controller") that operates under the control of the upper-side controller 700 (an example of the upper-level controller). In this case, the lower controller may, for example, acquire (receive) operating state data from a drive device or a detection device under its own control, and send it to the upper-level controller 700. Furthermore, the lower controller may, for example, acquire information related to a control instruction of the injection molding machine 1 generated by itself (hereinafter referred to as "control information"), and send it to the upper-level controller 700.

[0156] The data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire the operating state data of the injection molding machine 1 at each predetermined cycle (hereinafter referred to as "data acquisition cycle") (an example of the second cycle) and send it to the controller 700. The data acquisition cycles of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may all be the same, or some or all of the data cycles may be different. This is because the required control performance (accuracy) is different for each driven part or heated part corresponding to the data acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803, and the data acquisition cycle of the operating state data related to the driven part or heated part with high required accuracy becomes relatively shorter.

[0157] [Specific example of operation related to data collection of injection molding machine]

[0158] Next, refer to Figure 3 6 , a specific example of the operation related to data collection of the injection molding machine 1 will be described.

[0159] <First example of operation related to data collection of injection molding machine>

[0160] Figure 3This is a timing chart showing a first example of the operation of the controller 700 and the data acquisition units 801 to 803 . Figure 3 The timing diagram 30 shows the operation of the controller 700 , the timing diagram 31 shows the operation of the data acquisition unit 801 , the timing diagram 32 shows the operation of the data acquisition unit 802 , and the timing diagram 33 shows the operation of the data acquisition unit 803 .

[0161] Figure 4A , Figure 4B This is a diagram for explaining a first example of a method for compensating the timing relationship of data received by the controller 700. Specifically, Figure 4A is a diagram showing a first example of correction information. Figure 4B 1 is a diagram showing the first example of a method for processing (correcting) data based on correction information. In this example, the data (types) acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 are represented by data X1 to X3, respectively, and the data X1 to X3 at time t are represented by data X1(t) to data X3(t), respectively. The main counter in the figure sets the initial value to "0", and counts up by "1" each time the data collection function (data receiving unit 7001, etc.) of the controller 700 is started by an interrupt. Fig. 6A , Figure 6B The same is true for .

[0162] In this example, it is assumed that the communication delay is small enough to be ignored. The same also applies to the second example described later.

[0163] like Figure 3 As shown, in this example, the controller 700 starts the data collection function by interrupting every 1000 μs (= 1 ms) as a data collection cycle. Thus, the data receiving unit 7001 receives the latest output (sent) data X1 to X3 from the data acquiring units 801 to 803 every 1000 μsec.

[0164] The data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire data at different data acquisition cycles. Specifically, the data acquisition unit 801 acquires data X1 every 100 μsec and outputs (sends) it to the outside (controller 700). The data acquisition unit 802 acquires data X2 every 200 μsec and outputs (sends) it to the outside (controller 700). The data acquisition unit 803 acquires data X3 every 400 μsec and outputs (sends) it to the outside (controller 700).

[0165] The controller 700 sends a trigger signal instructing the data acquisition start to the data acquisition units 801 to 803. As a result, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 start the data acquisition cycle at substantially the same timing. Therefore, the controller 700 can make the data acquisition start timings of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 consistent.

[0166] The data collection cycle (1000 μsec) of the controller 700 is divisible by the data acquisition cycles (100 μsec, 200 μsec) of the data acquisition units 801 and 802. Therefore, the timing at which the data acquisition units 801 and 802 acquire data X1 and X2 is substantially consistent with the timing at which the controller 700 (data receiving unit 7001) receives data X1 and X2.

[0167] On the other hand, the data collection cycle (1000 μsec) of the controller 700 cannot be divided by the data acquisition cycle (400 μsec) of the data acquisition unit 803. Therefore, at a frequency of once every two times, the timing at which the controller 700 (data receiving unit 7001) receives data X3 is delayed by 200 μsec relative to the timing at which the data acquisition unit 803 acquires data X3. Therefore, the controller 700 can grasp in advance the relationship between the delay amount of the timing at which the controller 700 receives data and the timing at which the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire data X1 to X3 as correction information.

[0168] In this example, if Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the correction information specifies the delay amount of the controller 700 receiving timing relative to the acquisition timing of each of the data X1 to X3 when the master counter is "0" and when it is "1". In addition, the case where the master counter is "2" or above is omitted. This is because when the master counter is "2" or later, the state of the delay amount when the master counter is "0" and the state of the delay amount when the master counter is "1" are repeated.

[0169] like Figure 4B As shown, the controller 700 can Figure 4A The controller 700 (data processing unit 7003) corrects the acquisition timing (acquisition time) of the data X1 to X3 by subtracting the delay amount specified by the correction information from the reception time. For example, the controller 700 (data processing unit 7003) corrects the acquisition timing of the data X3 acquired (received) at the time "1000" μsec to "800" μsec by subtracting the delay amount "200" μsec from the time "1000" μsec. As a result, the controller 700 can correct the timing (receiving time) at which it acquires the data X3 to the timing at which the data acquisition unit 803 acquires the data X3. Therefore, the controller 700 can process (correct) the acquisition timing of the data X3 in a manner that can compare the data X1 to X3 in time series, and compensate for the timing relationship of the data X3 received from the data acquisition unit 803 in each data collection cycle.

[0170] Furthermore, the controller 700 (data processing unit 7003) may use the received data X3 to extrapolate the data X3 at the reception time. For example, the data X3 at the reception time "1000" μsec and "3000" μsec may be extrapolated by the following equations (1) and (2).

[0171] X3(1000)=X3(800)·1000 / 800……(1)

[0172] X3(3000)=X3(2800)·1000 / 800……(2)

[0173] Thus, the controller 700 can process (correct) the content of the data X3 in a manner that allows the data X1 to X3 to be compared in time series, and compensate for the time series relationship of the data X3 received from the data acquisition unit 803 in each data collection cycle.

[0174] Thus, in this example, the controller 700 can correct the acquisition timing or data content of the collected (received) data using the deviation (delay) of the timing of the data acquisition unit 803 acquiring the data X3 relative to the data collection timing. Therefore, the controller 700 can compensate the time sequence relationship of the data X3 acquired by the data acquisition unit 803, so that the data X1 to X3 can be sent to the management device 2 in a state where each data X1 to X3 can be compared in time sequence.

[0175] <Second example of operation related to data collection of injection molding machine>

[0176] Figure 5 It is a timing chart showing a second example of the operation of the controller 700 and the data acquisition units 801 to 803 . Figure 5 The timing diagram 50 shows the operation of the controller 700 , the timing diagram 51 shows the operation of the data acquisition unit 801 , the timing diagram 52 shows the operation of the data acquisition unit 802 , and the timing diagram 53 shows the operation of the data acquisition unit 803 .

[0177] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B This is a diagram for explaining a second example of a method for compensating the timing relationship of data received by the controller 700. Specifically, Fig. 6A is a diagram showing a second example of correction information. Figure 6B It is a diagram showing a second example of a method of processing (correcting) data based on correction information.

[0178] like Figure 5As shown, in this example, as in the case of the first example, the controller 700 starts the data collection function by interrupting every 1000 μs (= 1 ms) as the data collection cycle. Thus, the data receiving unit 7001 receives the latest output (sent) data X1 to X3 from the data acquiring units 801 to 803 every 1000 μsec.

[0179] As in the case of the first example, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire data at different data acquisition cycles. Specifically, as in the case of the first example, the data acquisition unit 801 acquires data X1 every 100 μsec and outputs (sends) it to the outside (controller 700). The data acquisition unit 802 acquires data X2 every 300 μsec and outputs (sends) it to the outside (controller 700). The data acquisition unit 803 acquires data X3 every 400 μsec and outputs (sends) it to the outside (controller 700).

[0180] As in the first example, the controller 700 sends a trigger signal to the data acquisition units 801 to 803 to start data acquisition. As a result, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 start data acquisition cycles at substantially the same timing. Therefore, the controller 700 can make the data acquisition start timings of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 consistent.

[0181] The data collection cycle (1000 μsec) of the controller 700 is divisible by the data acquisition cycle (100 μsec) of the data acquisition unit 801. Therefore, the timing when the data acquisition unit 801 acquires data X1 is substantially consistent with the timing when the controller 700 (data receiving unit 7001) receives data X1.

[0182] On the other hand, the data collection cycle (1000 μsec) of the controller 700 cannot be divided by the data acquisition cycles (300 μsec, 400 μsec) of the data acquisition units 802 and 803, respectively. Therefore, at a frequency of 2 times every 3 times, the timing at which the controller 700 (data receiving unit 7001) receives data X2 is delayed by 100 μsec or 200 μsec from the timing at which the data acquisition unit 802 acquires data X2. Also, similarly to the case of the first example, at a frequency of 1 time every 2 times, the timing at which the controller 700 (data receiving unit 7001) receives data X3 is delayed by 200 μsec from the timing at which the data acquisition unit 803 acquires data X3. Therefore, the controller 700 can grasp in advance the relationship between the delay amount of the timing at which the controller 700 receives data and the timing at which the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire data X1 to X3 as correction information.

[0183] In this example, if Fig. 6AAs shown, the correction information specifies the delay amount of the controller 700 receiving timing relative to the acquisition timing of each of the data X1 to X3 when the master counter is "0" to "5". In addition, the case where the master counter is "6" or above is omitted. This is because when the master counter is "6" or later, the state of the delay amount when the master counter is "0" to "5" is repeated in the same order.

[0184] like Figure 6B As shown, the controller 700 can Fig. 6A The controller 700 (data processing unit 7003) corrects the acquisition timing (acquisition time) of data X1 to X3 by subtracting the delay amount specified by the correction information from the reception time. For example, the controller 700 (data processing unit 7003) corrects the acquisition timing of data X2 acquired (received) at time "1000" μsec to "900" μsec by subtracting the delay amount "100" μsec from the time "1000" μsec. And, for example, the controller 700 corrects the acquisition timing of data X2 acquired (received) at time "2000" μsec to "1800" μsec by subtracting the delay amount "200" μsec from the time "2000" μsec. And, similarly to the above example, the controller 700 also corrects the data X3. Thus, the controller 700 can correct the timing (reception time) of acquiring data X2 and X3 by itself to the timing of acquiring data X2 by the data acquisition unit 803. Therefore, the controller 700 can process (correct) the acquisition timing of the data X2 and X3 in a manner that can time-series compare the data X1 to X3, and compensate for the time-series relationship of the data X2 and X3 received from the data acquisition unit 803 in each data collection cycle.

[0185] In addition, similarly to the case of the first example, the controller 700 (data processing unit 7003) can use the received data X2 and X3 to extrapolate the data X2 and X3 at the reception time. Thus, the controller 700 can process (correct) the contents of the data X2 and X3 in a manner that can compare the data X1 to X3 in time series, and compensate for the time series relationship of the data X2 and X3 received from the data acquisition unit 803 in each data collection cycle.

[0186] Thus, in this example, the controller 700 can correct the acquisition timing or data content of the collected (received) data using the deviation (delay) of the timing of the data acquisition units 802 and 803 acquiring the data X2 and X3 relative to the data collection timing. Therefore, the controller 700 can compensate the time sequence relationship of the data X2 and X3 acquired by the data acquisition units 802 and 803, respectively, and send the data X1 to X3 to the management device 2 in a state where each data X1 to X3 can be compared in time sequence.

[0187] [Another example of the structure related to data collection of the injection molding machine]

[0188] Next, use Figure 2 Another example of the functional configuration related to data collection of the injection molding machine 1 will be described. The following description will focus on the parts different from the above example, and the description of the same or corresponding contents as the above example may be simplified or omitted.

[0189] Similar to the case of the above-mentioned example, the injection molding machine 1 includes a controller 700 and a data acquisition unit 800 as a configuration related to data collection.

[0190] In this example, the controller 700 includes a data receiving unit 7001, a data storage unit 7004 and a data sending unit 7005, and the Figure 2 The functional structure of the controller 700 includes a correction information storage unit 7002 and a data processing unit 7003.

[0191] The data acquisition units 801 to 803 each have a function of identifying the acquisition timing of the operating state data (e.g., a clock function, etc.). When the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire the operating state data, they transmit information indicating the acquisition timing of the operating state data (acquisition timing information) to the controller 700 in addition to the acquired operating state data. The acquisition timing information may be transmitted to the controller 700 as data different from the operating state data, or may be transmitted together with the operating state data in the form of being attached to a communication frame corresponding to the operating state data.

[0192] The data receiving unit 7001 receives the operating status data and acquisition timing information transmitted from the data acquiring unit 800 via a predetermined communication line.

[0193] The data storage unit 7004 stores the operating status data received by the data receiving unit 7001 and the corresponding acquisition timing information.

[0194] The data transmission unit 7005 transmits the operating state data and the acquisition timing information stored in the data storage unit 7004 to the management device 2 at a predetermined timing.

[0195] Thus, in this example, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 can respectively output information related to the acquisition timing of the operating state data (acquisition timing information) together with the acquired operating state data. Therefore, the controller 700 can send the operating state data acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 and the acquisition timing information corresponding to the operating state data to the management device 2. Therefore, the controller 700 can compensate for the timing relationship of a plurality of operating state data of different types uploaded to the management device 2, and ensure the matching of the data.

[0196] [Another example of a structure related to data collection of an injection molding machine]

[0197] Next, use Figure 2 Hereinafter, another example of the functional structure related to data collection of the injection molding machine 1 will be described. The following description will focus on the parts different from the above one example and the other example, and the description of the same or corresponding contents as the above one example and the other example may be simplified or omitted.

[0198] As in the case of the above-mentioned example, the injection molding machine 1 includes a controller 700 and a data acquisition unit 800 as a configuration related to data collection.

[0199] In this example, the controller 700 includes a data receiving unit 7001, a data storage unit 7004, and a data sending unit 7005. Figure 2 The functional structure of the controller 700 includes a correction information storage unit 7002 and a data processing unit 7003.

[0200] The data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire the operating state data at each predetermined data acquisition cycle and transmit the data to the controller 700 , similarly to the case of the above-mentioned example.

[0201] The data receiving unit 7001 is activated according to the data acquisition timing of each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 , and collects (receives) the latest operation status data acquired by each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 .

[0202] For example, in Figure 3 or Figure 5 In the case of , the data receiving unit 7001 can be activated every 100 μs, which is equivalent to the greatest common divisor of the data acquisition cycles of the data acquisition units 801 to 803. As a result, the data receiving unit 7001 can receive data X1 to X3 from the data acquisition units 801 to 803 according to the respective acquisition timings of the data X1 to X3 acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 in each data acquisition cycle. Therefore, except for communication delays, the timing at which the data receiving unit 7001 receives the data X1 to X3 is substantially equal to the actual data acquisition timing of the data acquisition units 801 to 803.

[0203] The data storage unit 7004 stores the operating state data received by the data receiving unit 7001 and the acquisition timing information corresponding to the operating state data. In this example, the acquisition timing information corresponds to the timing at which the data receiving unit 7001 receives the target operating state data.

[0204] The data transmission unit 7005 transmits the operating state data and the acquisition timing information stored in the data storage unit 7004 to the management device 2 at a predetermined timing.

[0205] In addition, when the management device 2 recognizes the activation cycle (data collection cycle) of the data receiving unit 7001 and the data acquisition cycle of each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803, the transmission of the acquisition timing information can be omitted.

[0206] Thus, in this example, the data receiving unit 7001 can be started according to the data acquisition timing of each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803, and receive the latest acquired operating state data from each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803. Therefore, even if the controller 700 regards the timing of receiving the operating state data by the data receiving unit 7001 as the acquisition timing of the operating state data, it can compensate for the state that can be compared in time series for each type of operating state data. Therefore, the controller 700 can compensate for the time series relationship of multiple operating state data of different types uploaded to the management device 2, and ensure the matching of the data.

[0207] [effect]

[0208] Next, the operations of the injection molding machine 1 , the management system SYS, and the controller 700 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0209] In the present embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 includes a mold clamping device 100, an injection device 300, an ejection device 200, data acquisition units 801 to 803, and a data transmission unit 7005. Specifically, the mold clamping device 100 clamps the mold device 10. Furthermore, the injection device 300 fills the molding material into the mold device 10 after the mold clamping device 100 has been clamped. Furthermore, the ejection device 200 removes the molded product from the mold device 10 after the molding material filled by the injection device 300 is cooled and solidified. Furthermore, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire data of different types. Furthermore, the data transmission unit 7005 transmits the data respectively acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 to the management device 2 in a state that each data type can be compared in time series.

[0210] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each of the plurality of injection molding machines 1 constituting the management system SYS includes the same configuration (the data acquisition units 801 to 803 and the data transmission unit 7005 ).

[0211] For example, in the management device 2, different types of data or data of different injection molding machines acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 are sometimes integrated, or new types of data (hereinafter referred to as "mixed data") are generated based on different types of data to perform data analysis. Specifically, the management device 2 can use different types of data, data of different injection molding machines 1, and mixed data to perform data analysis in a time series to perform abnormality diagnosis or productivity diagnosis. At this time, if the matching of data that can be compared in a time series is not compensated, there is a possibility of losing the correlation between different data or data of different injection molding machines 1, or the time series validity of the mixed data. Therefore, there is a possibility that the management device 2 cannot perform useful analysis.

[0212] Furthermore, for example, as described above, when synchronizing the operations of the plurality of injection molding machines 1 , if the time series relationship of the data acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 is not consistent, it may be difficult to properly operate the plurality of injection molding machines 1 .

[0213] Therefore, it may be necessary to compensate for the timing relationship of the data uploaded from the injection molding machine 1 .

[0214] If data without compensating the timing relationship is uploaded to the management device 2 , the actual communication status of the injection molding machine 1 cannot be understood, and therefore it is difficult for the management device 2 to compensate the timing relationship of the data.

[0215] In contrast, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can send the data acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 to the management device 2 in a state that can be compared in time series for each data type. Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can provide the management device 2 with data with a time series relationship compensated.

[0216] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may respectively output information related to the acquisition timing of the acquired data (acquisition timing information). Furthermore, the data transmission unit 7005 may transmit the data acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 and the acquisition timing information corresponding to the data to the management device 2.

[0217] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700 ) can compensate for the time series relationship of the data using the acquisition timing information output from the data acquisition units 801 to 803 .

[0218] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) may include a data receiving unit 7001. Specifically, the data receiving unit 7001 may be activated according to the data acquisition cycle of each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803, and receive the latest acquired data from each of the data acquisition units 801 to 803. Furthermore, the data transmitting unit 7005 may transmit the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 to the management device 2.

[0219] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can make the timing at which the data receiving unit 7001 receives data substantially coincide with the timing at which the data acquiring units 801 to 803 acquire data, respectively. Therefore, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can compensate for the time series relationship of the data.

[0220] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) may include a data processing unit 7003. Specifically, the data processing unit 7003 may process the acquisition timing or data content of the data acquired by the data acquisition units 801 to 803 so that the data can be compared in time series for each data type.

[0221] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700 ) can compensate for the temporal relationship of the data by processing the acquisition timing of the data or the data content.

[0222] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) may include a data receiving unit 7001. Specifically, the data receiving unit 7001 may be periodically started and receive the latest acquired data from the data acquisition units 801 to 803, respectively. Furthermore, there may be a situation where a deviation occurs between the timing at which at least a part of the data acquisition units 801 to 803 acquire data and the startup timing of the data receiving unit 7001. Furthermore, in the case where there is a deviation between the first timing at which the data is received by the data receiving unit 7001 and the second timing at which a data acquisition unit actually acquires the data received by the data receiving unit 7001, the data processing unit 7003 may process the data acquisition timing so that the first timing is consistent with the second timing. Furthermore, in the case where there is a deviation between the first timing at which data is received by the data receiving unit 7001 and the second timing at which data received by the data receiving unit 7001 is actually acquired by a data acquisition unit, the data processing unit 7003 can process the content of the data at the second timing received by the data receiving unit 7001 so as to make it consistent with the content of the data at the first timing received by the data receiving unit 7001.

[0223] Thereby, specifically, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can process the data acquisition timing or data content so that the data can be compared in time series for each data type.

[0224] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data receiving unit 7001 operates in each first cycle (data collection cycle) and receives the latest data from the data acquiring unit 800 among the data acquired by the data acquiring unit 800 in each second cycle (data acquisition cycle). Furthermore, the correction information storage unit 7002 stores correction information indicating the relationship between the timing at which the data acquiring unit 800 acquires data and the timing at which the data receiving unit 7001 receives data.

[0225] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700 ) can use the correction information to compensate for the time series relationship of the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 and acquired by the data acquiring unit 800 .

[0226] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data processing unit 7003 corrects the acquisition time or the content of the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 based on the correction information in the correction information storage unit 7002 .

[0227] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can correct the acquisition time of the data received by the data receiving unit 7001 from the reception time of the data receiving unit 7001 to the actual acquisition time of the data acquisition unit 800 based on the correction information. Furthermore, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can extrapolate the content of the data that is predicted to be acquired by the data acquisition unit 800 at the reception time of the data receiving unit 7001 based on the correction information. Therefore, specifically, the injection molding machine 1 can compensate for the timing relationship of the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 800.

[0228] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the correction information specifies the delay amount of the timing when the data receiving unit 7001 receives data relative to the timing when the data acquiring unit 800 acquires data, for each timing when the data receiving unit 7001 operates (for example, the value of the main counter).

[0229] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700) can correct the data acquisition timing to the timing actually acquired by the data acquisition unit by subtracting the delay amount specified by the correction information from the timing when the data receiving unit 7001 receives the data. Specifically, the data acquisition timing can be corrected to the timing when the data acquisition unit actually acquires the data.

[0230] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data acquisition units 801 to 803 may include a driving device for driving an actuator of the injection molding machine 1 , a detection device for outputting detection data related to the operating state of the injection molding machine 1 , and at least one of a lower controller under the control of the controller 700 .

[0231] Thus, the injection molding machine 1 can use the controller 700 to collect operation status data from the driving device, the detection device, and the lower controller, and compensate for the time series relationship of the operation status data.

[0232] [Transformation, Change]

[0233] As mentioned above, although embodiment was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various deformation|transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary described in a claim.

[0234] For example, in the above embodiment, the controller 700 that performs control related to the injection molding machine 1 is described, but the same content can also be adopted in a controller that performs control related to other predetermined machines (for example, industrial machinery or industrial robots, etc.).

[0235] Likewise, in the above-described embodiment, the injection molding machine management system SYS including one or more injection molding machines 1 is described, but the same contents may be adopted in other management systems including one or more other predetermined machines.

[0236] Finally, this application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-177742 filed on September 27, 2019, and the entire contents of the Japanese patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0237] Explanation of symbols

[0238] 1-injection molding machine, 2-management device (specified external device), 10-mold device, 100-mold clamping device, 200-ejection device, 300-injection device, 400-moving device, 700-controller, 750-operating device, 760-display device, 800-data acquisition unit, 801~803-data acquisition unit, 7001-data receiving unit, 7002-correction information storage unit (storage unit), 7003-data processing unit, 7004-data storage unit, 7005-data sending unit, SYS-injection molding machine management system (management system), X1~X3-data.

Claims

1. An injection molding machine comprising: A mold clamping device for clamping the mold device; An injection device for filling the molding material into the mold device after the mold is closed by the mold closing device; An ejector device for taking out the molded product from the mold device after the molding material filled by the injection device is cooled and solidified; A plurality of data acquisition units acquire different types of data at different cycles; a data processing unit that processes acquisition timing or content of data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition units in a time-series comparison manner, thereby compensating for a time-series relationship; and The data transmitting unit transmits the data processed by the data processing unit to a predetermined external device.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, comprising: The data receiving unit is periodically started and receives the latest acquired data from the plurality of data acquiring units respectively. Sometimes, there is a mismatch between the timing at which at least a part of the plurality of data acquisition units acquire data and the start timing of the data receiving unit. In the case where there is a deviation between the first timing at which the data is received by the data receiving unit and the second timing at which the data received by the data receiving unit is actually acquired by at least a part of the data acquisition unit, the data processing unit processes the data acquisition timing so that the first timing is consistent with the second timing, or processes the content of the data received by the data receiving unit at the second timing so that it is consistent with the content of the data received by the data receiving unit at the first timing.

3. The injection molding machine according to claim 2, comprising: a storage unit storing information indicating a relationship between a timing at which the plurality of data acquisition units acquire data, respectively, and a timing at which the data receiving unit receives data, The data receiving unit operates in each first cycle and receives, from each of the plurality of data acquiring units, the latest data among the data acquired by each of the plurality of data acquiring units in each second cycle. The data processing unit corrects the acquisition time or the content of the data received by the data receiving unit based on the information.

4. The injection molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The data acquired by the plurality of data acquisition units include at least one of encoder data corresponding to a mold clamping motor driving the mold clamping device, encoder data corresponding to a mold thickness adjustment motor for performing mold thickness adjustment of the mold clamping device, encoder data corresponding to a metering motor for rotationally driving a screw of the injection device, encoder data corresponding to an injection motor for driving the screw of the injection device forward and backward, detection data of a pressure transmitted between the injection motor and the screw, encoder data corresponding to an ejector motor driving the ejector device, and detection data of a temperature of a periphery of a cylinder of the injection device.

5. The injection molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The plurality of data acquisition units include at least one of a driving device that drives an actuator of the injection molding machine, a detection device that outputs detection data related to an operating state of the injection molding machine, and a lower controller under the control of an upper controller including the data transmission unit.

6. A management system comprising: Multiple injection molding machines; and a management device capable of communicating with each of the plurality of injection molding machines; The multiple injection molding machines are respectively equipped with: a clamping device for clamping a mold device; an injection device for filling the mold device after the mold is clamped by the clamping device with molding material; an ejection device for taking out a molded product from the mold device after the molding material filled by the injection device is cooled and solidified; a plurality of data acquisition units for acquiring different types of data at different cycles; a data processing unit for processing the acquisition timing or the content of the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition units in a time series comparison manner, thereby compensating for the time series relationship; and a data sending unit for sending the data processed by the data processing unit to the management device.

7. A controller for collecting and controlling data of an injection molding machine, wherein: The controller receives data acquired from multiple data acquisition units of the injection molding machine that acquire different types of data at different cycles, processes the acquisition timing or content of the data acquired by the multiple data acquisition units in a time series comparison manner, thereby compensating for the timing relationship, and sends it to the outside.

8. The controller according to claim 7, comprising: a data receiving unit that operates in each first cycle and receives, from each of the plurality of data acquiring units, the latest data among the data acquired by each of the plurality of data acquiring units in each second cycle; and The storage unit stores information indicating a relationship between a timing at which the plurality of data acquisition units acquire data, respectively, and a timing at which the data reception unit receives data.

9. The controller according to claim 8, wherein: The information specifies, for each timing at which the data receiving unit operates, a delay amount between a timing at which the data receiving unit receives data and a timing at which the data acquiring unit acquires data.

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