Control device for an injection molding machine

Abstract

A control device of an injection molding machine suppresses generation of a load in the injection molding machine. The control device of the injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention has a determination section that determines whether or not a work of attaching or detaching a screw that rotates with a metering motor provided in the injection molding machine is performed based on information detected in accordance with an operation of the metering motor.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-204325, filed on December 16, 2021. The entire contents of that Japanese application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a control device for an injection molding machine. Background Technology

[0003] An injection molding machine has a cylinder into which resin particles, the molding material, are supplied, and a heater that heats the cylinder to melt the resin particles. The injection molding machine manufactures molded products by melting the resin particles inside the cylinder and filling the cavity space within a mold assembly with the molten resin.

[0004] Traditionally, in injection molding machines, the screw is replaced as needed. Patent Document 1 describes a technique that allows for easy setting of various permissible and control parameters determined by the screw shape during screw replacement. Similarly, screw-related settings are required when removing or installing the screw.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-071715

[0006] However, in injection molding machines, it is difficult to detect changes to the screw when it is disassembled or installed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned issues, the object of the present invention is to provide a technique for automatically detecting the removal or installation of a screw, and without changing the screw settings during the detection, thereby suppressing the generation of load in the injection molding machine.

[0008] To achieve the above objective, a control device for an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether a screw rotating with the metering motor has been disassembled or installed based on information detected according to the operation of the metering motor installed in the injection molding machine.

[0009] Invention Effects

[0010] According to the above embodiments, the objective is to provide a technique for suppressing the generation of load in an injection molding machine. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the state of the injection molding machine at the end of the mold opening process according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2This is a diagram showing the state of the injection molding machine during mold closing according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the structure around the injection device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 From Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of the injection device's perimeter after disassembly of the nozzle and cylinder components.

[0015] Figure 5 This diagram uses function blocks to represent the structural components of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a first example of a selection screen output by the display control unit according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing a second example of a selection screen output by the display control unit according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the process related to the automatic determination of the screw diameter in the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the components of the control device according to the second embodiment using function blocks.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the process related to the automatic determination of the screw diameter in the control device according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing related to the automatic setting of the screw diameter in the control device according to the third embodiment.

[0022] In the diagram: 10 - Injection molding machine, 700 - Control device, 702 - Storage medium, 711, 731 - Acquisition unit, 712 - Storage unit, 713, 732 - Judgment unit, 714, 733 - Display control unit, 715, 734 - Receiving unit, 716, 735 - Setting unit, 717, 736 - Motion control unit, 737 - Confirmation motion control unit, 721 - Position information, 742 - Judgment condition information. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same or corresponding structures are sometimes labeled with the same or corresponding symbols, and descriptions are omitted.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the state of the injection molding machine at the end of the mold opening process according to the embodiment. Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the state of the injection molding machine during mold closing according to the embodiment. In this specification, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are mutually perpendicular directions. The X-axis and Y-axis represent horizontal directions, and the Z-axis represents vertical directions. When the mold closing device 100 is horizontal, the X-axis is the mold opening and closing direction, and the Y-axis is the width direction of the injection molding machine 10. The negative side of the Y-axis is referred to as the operating side, and the positive side of the Y-axis is referred to as the opposite side of the operating side.

[0025] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the injection molding machine 10 includes: a mold clamping device 100, a mold opening and closing device 800; an ejection device 200 for ejecting the molded article formed by the mold device 800; an injection device 300 for injecting molding material into the mold device 800; a moving device 400 for moving the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 800; a control device 700 for controlling each component of the injection molding machine 10; and a frame 900 for supporting each component of the injection molding machine 10. The frame 900 includes: a mold clamping device frame 910 for supporting the mold clamping device 100; and an injection device frame 920 for supporting the injection device 300. The mold clamping device frame 910 and the injection device frame 920 are respectively mounted on the base plate 2 via horizontal adjusting casters 930. The control device 700 is arranged in the internal space of the injection device frame 920. The components of the injection molding machine 10 will be described below.

[0026] (Mold closing device)

[0027] In the description of the mold closing device 100, the moving direction of the movable pressure plate 120 when the mold is closed (e.g., the positive X-axis direction) is set to forward, and the moving direction of the movable pressure plate 120 when the mold is opened (e.g., the negative X-axis direction) is set to rearward.

[0028] The mold closing device 100 performs mold closing, pressurization, mold closing, depressurization, and mold opening of the mold device 800. The mold device 800 includes a fixed mold 810 and a moving mold 820.

[0029] The mold closing device 100 is, for example, horizontal, and the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal. The mold closing device 100 has a fixed pressure plate 110 for mounting the fixed mold 810, a movable pressure plate 120 for mounting the moving mold 820, and a moving mechanism 102 for moving the movable pressure plate 120 relative to the fixed pressure plate 110 in the mold opening and closing direction.

[0030] The fixed pressure plate 110 is fixed relative to the mold closing device frame 910. The fixed mold 810 is installed on the surface of the fixed pressure plate 110 opposite to the movable pressure plate 120.

[0031] The movable pressure plate 120 is configured to move freely relative to the mold clamping device frame 910 in the mold opening and closing direction. A guide member 101 for guiding the movable pressure plate 120 is laid on the mold clamping device frame 910. A moving mold 820 is mounted on the surface of the movable pressure plate 120 opposite to the fixed pressure plate 110.

[0032] The moving mechanism 102 performs mold closing, pressurization, mold clamping, demolding, and mold opening of the mold device 800 by moving the movable pressure plate 120 forward and backward relative to the fixed pressure plate 110. The moving mechanism 102 includes an toggle seat 130 spaced apart from the fixed pressure plate 110, a connecting rod 140 connecting the fixed pressure plate 110 and the toggle seat 130, an toggle mechanism 150 that moves the movable pressure plate 120 relative to the toggle seat 130 in the mold opening and closing direction, a mold clamping motor 160 that operates the toggle mechanism 150, a motion conversion mechanism 170 that converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into linear motion, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 that adjusts the distance between the fixed pressure plate 110 and the toggle seat 130.

[0033] The toggle seat 130 is spaced apart from the fixed pressure plate 110 and is mounted on the mold clamping device frame 910 so as to move freely in the mold opening and closing direction. Furthermore, the toggle seat 130 can be configured to move freely along a guide laid on the mold clamping device frame 910. The guide of the toggle seat 130 can be interchangeable with the guide 101 of the movable pressure plate 120.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, the fixed pressure plate 110 is fixed relative to the mold clamping device frame 910, and the toggle seat 130 is configured to move freely relative to the mold clamping device frame 910 in the mold opening and closing direction. However, it is also possible that the toggle seat 130 is fixed relative to the mold clamping device frame 910, and the fixed pressure plate 110 is configured to move freely relative to the mold clamping device frame 910 in the mold opening and closing direction.

[0035] Connecting rods 140 connect the fixed pressure plate 110 and the toggle seat 130 at a distance L in the mold opening and closing direction. Multiple connecting rods 140 can be used (e.g., four). The multiple connecting rods 140 are configured parallel to the mold opening and closing direction and extend according to the clamping force. A connecting rod strain detector 141 for detecting the strain of the connecting rod 140 can be installed on at least one connecting rod 140. The connecting rod strain detector 141 sends a signal indicating its detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the connecting rod strain detector 141 is used for detecting the clamping force, etc.

[0036] In this embodiment, a connecting rod strain gauge 141 is used as the clamping force detector for detecting the clamping force, but the present invention is not limited to this. The clamping force detector is not limited to a strain gauge and may also be piezoelectric, capacitive, hydraulic, or electromagnetic, etc., and its installation position is not limited to the connecting rod 140.

[0037] A toggle mechanism 150 is positioned between a movable pressure plate 120 and a toggle seat 130, allowing the movable pressure plate 120 to move relative to the toggle seat 130 in the mold opening and closing direction. The toggle mechanism 150 has a crosshead 151 that moves in the mold opening and closing direction and a pair of linkages that extend and retract with the movement of the crosshead 151. Each linkage has a first linkage 152 and a second linkage 153 connected by pins or the like, allowing for free extension and retraction. The first linkage 152 is mounted by pins or the like to allow for free oscillation relative to the movable pressure plate 120. The second linkage 153 is mounted by pins or the like to allow for free oscillation relative to the toggle seat 130. The second linkage 153 is mounted to the crosshead 151 via a third linkage 154. When the crosshead 151 moves forward or backward relative to the toggle seat 130, the first linkage 152 and the second linkage 153 extend and retract, causing the movable pressure plate 120 to move forward or backward relative to the toggle seat 130.

[0038] Furthermore, the structure of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure shown. For example, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this configuration, each link group has 5 nodes, but it can be 4, or it can be the node where one end of the third link 154 is connected to the first link 152 and the second link 153.

[0039] The clamping motor 160 is mounted on the toggle seat 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The clamping motor 160 moves the crosshead 151 forward and backward relative to the toggle seat 130, causing the first link 152 and the second link 153 to extend and retract, thereby moving the movable pressure plate 120 forward and backward relative to the toggle seat 130. The clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but can also be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt and pulleys.

[0040] The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotary motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into the linear motion of the crosshead 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a lead screw shaft and a lead screw nut screwed to the lead screw shaft. Balls or rollers may be located between the lead screw shaft and the lead screw nut.

[0041] Under the control of the control device 700, the mold closing device 100 performs the mold closing process, the pressure raising process, the mold closing process, the pressure release process, and the mold opening process.

[0042] In the mold closing process, the mold closing motor 160 is driven to advance the crosshead 151 to the mold closing end position at a set speed, causing the movable pressure plate 120 to advance so that the moving mold 820 contacts the fixed mold 810. For example, a mold closing motor encoder 161 is used to detect the position and speed of the crosshead 151. The mold closing motor encoder 161 detects the rotation of the mold closing motor 160 and sends a signal indicating its detection result to the control device 700.

[0043] Furthermore, the crosshead position detector for detecting the position of the crosshead 151 and the crosshead movement speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161; conventional detectors can be used. Similarly, the movable platen position detector for detecting the position of the movable platen 120 and the movable platen movement speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161; conventional detectors can be used.

[0044] In the pressurization process, the mold clamping motor 160 is further driven to advance the crosshead 151 from the mold closing end position to the mold closing position, thereby generating a mold clamping force.

[0045] During the mold closing process, the mold closing motor 160 is driven to maintain the position of the crosshead 151 in the mold closing position. During the mold closing process, the mold closing force generated during the pressurization process is maintained. During the mold closing process, a cavity space 801 (see reference) is formed between the moving mold 820 and the fixed mold 810. Figure 2 The injection unit 300 fills the cavity space 801 with liquid molding material. The filled molding material is then cured to obtain a molded product.

[0046] The number of cavity spaces 801 can be one or more. In the latter case, multiple molded articles can be obtained simultaneously. An insert can be configured in a part of the cavity space 801, and the other part of the cavity space 801 can be filled with molding material. A molded article in which the insert and the molding material are integrated can be obtained.

[0047] During the depressurization process, the crosshead 151 is retracted from the mold-closing position to the mold-opening start position by driving the mold-closing motor 160, thereby causing the movable pressure plate 120 to retract and reducing the mold-closing force. The mold-opening start position and the mold-closing end position can be the same position.

[0048] In the mold opening process, the crosshead 151 is retracted from the mold opening start position to the mold opening end position at a set moving speed by driving the mold closing motor 160, causing the movable pressure plate 120 to retract, so that the moving mold 820 separates from the fixed mold 810. Then, the ejector device 200 ejects the molded product from the moving mold 820.

[0049] The setting conditions in the mold closing process, the pressure raising process, and the mold closing process are set uniformly as a series of setting conditions. For example, the moving speed, position (including the mold closing start position, moving speed switching position, mold closing end position, and mold closing position) and mold closing force of the crosshead 151 in the mold closing process and the pressure raising process are set uniformly as a series of setting conditions. The mold closing start position, moving speed switching position, mold closing end position, and mold closing position are arranged sequentially from back to front, and represent the start and end points of the range for setting the moving speed. The moving speed is set for each range. There can be one or more moving speed switching positions. The moving speed switching position can be omitted. Only the mold closing position and the mold closing force can be set.

[0050] The settings for the depressurization and mold opening processes are also set in the same way. For example, the moving speed and position (mold opening start position, moving speed switching position, and mold opening end position) of the crosshead 151 in the depressurization and mold opening processes are set uniformly as a series of settings. The mold opening start position, moving speed switching position, and mold opening end position are arranged sequentially from front to back, and represent the start and end points of the range for setting the moving speed. The moving speed is set for each range. There can be one or more moving speed switching positions. A moving speed switching position may not be set. The mold opening start position and the mold closing end position can be the same position. Furthermore, the mold opening end position and the mold closing start position can be the same position.

[0051] In addition, the moving speed and position of the movable pressure plate 120 can be set instead of the moving speed and position of the crosshead 151. Furthermore, the clamping force can be set instead of the position of the crosshead (e.g., the mold closing position) and the position of the movable pressure plate.

[0052] However, the toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable pressure plate 120. This amplification factor is also known as the toggle ratio. The toggle ratio varies depending on the angle θ (hereinafter also referred to as "link angle θ") formed by the first link 152 and the second link 153. The link angle θ is determined by the position of the crosshead 151. The toggle ratio reaches its maximum when the link angle θ is 180°.

[0053] When the thickness of the mold assembly 800 changes due to replacement of the mold assembly 800, temperature changes of the mold assembly 800, etc., mold thickness adjustment is performed to obtain the specified mold closing force during mold closing. In mold thickness adjustment, for example, the distance L between the fixed pressure plate 110 and the toggle seat 130 is adjusted so that the linkage angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 becomes the specified angle at the moment when the moving mold 820 contacts the fixed mold 810.

[0054] The mold clamping device 100 includes a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 adjusts the distance L between the fixed pressure plate 110 and the toggle seat 130, thereby adjusting the mold thickness. Furthermore, the timing of the mold thickness adjustment is performed, for example, during the period from the end of the molding cycle to the start of the next molding cycle. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 includes, for example: a lead screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the connecting rod 140; a lead screw nut 182 held in the toggle seat 130 for free rotation and non-retractable movement; and a mold thickness adjustment motor 183 that rotates the lead screw nut 182 screwed to the lead screw shaft 181.

[0055] Each connecting rod 140 is provided with a lead screw shaft 181 and a lead screw nut 182. The rotational driving force of the die thickness adjustment motor 183 can be transmitted to multiple lead screw nuts 182 via the rotational driving force transmission unit 185. Multiple lead screw nuts 182 can be rotated synchronously. In addition, by changing the transmission path of the rotational driving force transmission unit 185, multiple lead screw nuts 182 can also be rotated individually.

[0056] The rotary drive force transmission unit 185 is composed of, for example, gears. In this case, driven gears are formed on the outer periphery of each lead screw nut 182, drive gears are mounted on the output shaft of the die thickness adjustment motor 183, and intermediate gears that mesh with multiple driven gears and drive gears are kept rotatably in the center of the toggle seat 130. Alternatively, instead of gears, the rotary drive force transmission unit 185 may also be composed of belts and pulleys.

[0057] The operation of the die thickness adjustment mechanism 180 is controlled by the control device 700. The control device 700 drives the die thickness adjustment motor 183 to rotate the lead screw nut 182. As a result, the position of the toggle seat 130 relative to the connecting rod 140 is adjusted, and the distance L between the fixed pressure plate 110 and the toggle seat 130 is adjusted. Alternatively, multiple die thickness adjustment mechanisms can be used in combination.

[0058] The die thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used to detect the interval L. The die thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 detects the rotation amount and direction of the die thickness adjustment motor 183 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the die thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used for monitoring and controlling the position of the toggle seat 130 and the interval L. However, 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 die thickness adjustment motor encoder 184; conventional detectors can be used.

[0059] The mold clamping device 100 may have a mold temperature regulator for adjusting the temperature of the mold assembly 800. The mold assembly 800 has a flow path for a temperature regulating medium inside it. The mold temperature regulator adjusts the temperature of the temperature regulating medium supplied to the flow path of the mold assembly 800, thereby regulating the temperature of the mold assembly 800.

[0060] In addition, the mold closing device 100 in this embodiment is a horizontal type with the mold opening and closing direction in the horizontal direction, but it can also be a vertical type with the mold opening and closing direction in the vertical direction.

[0061] Furthermore, the mold clamping device 100 of this embodiment includes a mold clamping motor 160 as a drive unit, but a hydraulic cylinder may be used instead of the mold clamping motor 160. Also, the mold clamping device 100 may include a linear motor for mold opening and closing, or it may include an electromagnet for mold clamping.

[0062] (Ejection device)

[0063] In the description of the ejector device 200, similar to the description of the mold closing device 100, the moving direction of the movable pressure plate 120 when the mold is closed (e.g., the positive X-axis direction) is set to forward, and the moving direction of the movable pressure plate 120 when the mold is opened (e.g., the negative X-axis direction) is set to rearward.

[0064] Ejection device 200 is mounted on movable pressure plate 120 and moves forward and backward together with movable pressure plate 120. Ejection device 200 includes: ejection rod 210 for ejecting molded article from mold device 800; and drive mechanism 220 for moving ejection rod 210 along the moving direction (X-axis direction) of movable pressure plate 120.

[0065] Ejector rod 210 is configured to move freely in and out of the through hole in movable pressure plate 120. The front end of ejector rod 210 contacts ejector plate 826 of moving mold 820. The front end of ejector rod 210 may or may not be connected to ejector plate 826.

[0066] The drive mechanism 220 includes, for example, an ejector motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the ejector motor into the linear motion of the ejector rod 210. The motion conversion mechanism includes a lead screw and a lead screw nut screwed to the lead screw. Balls or rollers may be located between the lead screw and the lead screw nut.

[0067] The ejection device 200 performs the ejection process under the control of the control device 700. In the ejection process, the ejector rod 210 is moved forward from the standby position to the ejection position at a set speed, causing the ejector plate 826 to move forward and eject the molded product. Then, the ejection motor is driven to move the ejector rod 210 backward at a set speed, causing the ejector plate 826 to return to the original standby position.

[0068] For example, an ejector motor encoder is used to detect the position and speed of the ejector rod 210. The ejector motor encoder detects the rotation of the ejector motor and sends a signal indicating its detection result to the control device 700. In addition, the ejector rod position detector for detecting the position of the ejector rod 210 and the ejector rod speed detector for detecting the speed of the ejector rod 210 are not limited to the ejector motor encoder, and conventional detectors can be used.

[0069] (Injection device)

[0070] In the description of the injection device 300 (an example of a plasticizing device), unlike the description of the mold clamping device 100 and the ejection device 200, the direction of movement of the screw 330 during filling (e.g., the negative X-axis direction) is set to forward, and the direction of movement of the screw 330 during metering (e.g., the positive X-axis direction) is set to rearward.

[0071] An injection unit 300 is mounted on a sliding base 301, which is configured to move freely forward and backward relative to the injection unit frame 920. The injection unit 300 is also configured to move freely forward and backward relative to the mold assembly 800. The injection unit 300 contacts the mold assembly 800 and fills the cavity space 801 within the mold assembly 800 with molding material metered in the cylinder 310. The injection unit 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310 for heating the molding material, a nozzle 320 located at the front end of the cylinder 310, a screw 330 configured to move freely forward and backward and rotate freely within the cylinder 310, a metering motor 340 for rotating the screw 330, an injection motor 350 for moving the screw 330 forward and backward, and a load detector 360 for detecting the load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330.

[0072] The cylinder body 310 heats the molding material supplied to it from the supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The molding material is formed in granular form and supplied to the supply port 311 in a solid state. The supply port 311 is formed at the rear of the cylinder body 310. A cooler 312, such as a water-cooled cylinder, is provided on the outer periphery of the rear of the cylinder body 310. A heater 313, such as a belt heater, and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 310, further forward than the cooler 312.

[0073] The cylinder block 310 is divided into multiple regions along its axial direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). A heater (an example of a heating element) 313 and a temperature detector (an example of a detection element) 314 are respectively provided in each of the multiple regions. A set temperature is set for each of the multiple regions, and the control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the temperature detected by the temperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

[0074] The nozzle 320 is located at the front end of the cylinder 310 and presses against the mold assembly 800. A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle 320. The control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detected temperature of the nozzle 320 becomes the set temperature.

[0075] The screw 330 is configured to rotate freely and move forward and backward within the cylinder 310. When the screw 330 is rotated, molding material is conveyed forward along the spiral grooves of the screw 330. As the molding material is conveyed forward, it is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder 310. As the liquid molding material is conveyed forward and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 retracts. Then, when the screw 330 is moved forward, the liquid molding material accumulated at the front of the screw 330 is injected from the nozzle 320 and fills the mold assembly 800.

[0076] The check ring 331 is installed at the front of the screw 330 so that it can move freely forward and backward. The check ring 331 acts as a check valve to prevent the molding material from flowing backward from the front of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

[0077] 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 retracts relative to the screw 330 to a closed position that blocks the flow path of the molding material (see reference). Figure 2 This prevents the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 from flowing backward.

[0078] On the other hand, when the screw 330 is rotated, the check ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material being conveyed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330, and advances relative to the screw 330 to the open position where the flow path of the molding material is opened (see reference). Figure 1 Thus, the molding material is conveyed to the front of the screw 330.

[0079] The check ring 331 can be either a cotransformer that rotates with the screw 330 or a non-cotransformer that does not rotate with the screw 330.

[0080] Additionally, the injection device 300 may have a drive source that moves the check ring 331 back and forth relative to the screw 330 between an open position and a closed position.

[0081] The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The drive source for rotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340; for example, it could be a hydraulic pump.

[0082] The injection motor 350 moves the screw 330 forward and backward. A motion conversion mechanism is provided between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330 to convert the rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330. This motion conversion mechanism may include, for example, a lead screw shaft and a lead screw nut screwed to the lead screw shaft. Ball bearings, rollers, etc., may be provided between the lead screw shaft and the lead screw nut. The drive source for moving the screw 330 forward and backward is not limited to the injection motor 350; for example, it may be a hydraulic cylinder.

[0083] Load detector 360 detects the load transmitted between injection motor 350 and screw 330. The detected load is converted into pressure by control device 700. Load detector 360 is positioned along the load transmission path between injection motor 350 and screw 330, and detects the load acting on load detector 360.

[0084] The load detector 360 sends the detected load signal to the control device 700. The load detected by the load detector 360 is converted into the pressure acting between the screw 330 and the molding material, and is used for the control and monitoring of the back pressure of the screw 330 and the pressure acting from the screw 330 on the molding material.

[0085] Furthermore, the pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the molding material is not limited to the load detector 360; conventional detectors can be used. For example, a nozzle pressure sensor or a mold pressure sensor can be used. The nozzle pressure sensor is located at the nozzle 320. The mold pressure sensor is located inside the mold assembly 800.

[0086] The injection unit 300 performs metering, filling, and pressure holding processes under the control of the control unit 700. The filling and pressure holding processes can be collectively referred to as the injection process.

[0087] In the metering process, the metering motor 340 drives the screw 330 to rotate at a set speed, conveying the molding material forward along the spiral grooves of the screw 330. As a result, the molding material is gradually melted. As the molten molding material is conveyed forward of the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 retracts. For example, a metering motor encoder 341 is used to detect the rotational speed of the screw 330. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the metering motor 340 and sends a signal indicating its detection result to the control device 700. However, the screw speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor encoder 341; conventional detectors can be used.

[0088] In the metering process, to limit the screw 330 from retracting too rapidly, the injection motor 350 can be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330. For example, a load detector 360 can be used to detect the back pressure on the screw 330. If the screw 330 retracts to the metering end position and a predetermined amount of molding material accumulates in front of the screw 330, the metering process ends.

[0089] The position and speed of the screw 330 in the metering process are uniformly set as a series of preset conditions. For example, the metering start position, speed switching position, and metering end position are set. These positions are arranged sequentially from front to back and represent the start and end points of the set speed interval. The speed is set for each interval. There can be one or more speed switching positions. Alternatively, no speed switching position can be set. Furthermore, the back pressure is set for each interval.

[0090] In the filling process, the injection motor 350 is driven to advance the screw 330 at a set speed, filling the cavity space 801 within the mold assembly 800 with the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330. For example, an injection motor encoder 351 is used to detect the position and speed of the screw 330. The injection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor 350 and sends a signal indicating its detection result to the control device 700. If the screw 330 reaches the set position, a switch is made from the filling process to the holding pressure process (so-called V / P switching). The position where the V / P switching occurs 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.

[0091] The position and moving speed of the screw 330 in the filling process are uniformly set as a series of preset conditions. For example, the filling start position (also called the "injection start position"), the moving speed switching position, and the V / P switching position are set. These positions are arranged sequentially from back to front and represent the start and end points of the set moving speed interval. The moving speed is set for each interval. There can be one or more moving speed switching positions. It is also possible not to set any moving speed switching positions.

[0092] The upper limit of the pressure of the screw 330 is set for each range of the screw 330's moving speed. The pressure of the screw 330 is detected by the load detector 360. When the pressure of the screw 330 is below the set pressure, the screw 330 moves forward at the set moving speed. On the other hand, when the pressure of the screw 330 exceeds the set pressure, in order to protect the mold, the screw 330 moves forward at a slower moving speed than the set moving speed, so that the pressure of the screw 330 falls below the set pressure.

[0093] Furthermore, during the filling process, after the screw 330 reaches the V / P switching position, it can be paused at the V / P switching position before the V / P switch is performed. Instead of stopping the screw 330 immediately before the V / P switch, the screw 330 can be moved forward or backward at a slight speed. Moreover, the screw position detector for detecting the position of the screw 330 and the screw speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351; conventional detectors can be used.

[0094] During the holding pressure process, the injection motor 350 pushes the screw 330 forward, maintaining the pressure of the molding material at the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding pressure") at a set pressure, and pushing the remaining molding material in the cylinder 310 towards the mold assembly 800. This replenishes any insufficient molding material in the mold assembly 800 due to cooling shrinkage. For example, a load detector 360 is used to detect the holding pressure. The set value of the holding pressure can be changed according to the elapsed time since the start of the holding pressure process. The holding pressure and the holding time for each of the multiple holding pressure processes can be set separately, or they can be set uniformly as a series of setting conditions.

[0095] During the holding pressure process, the molding material in the cavity space 801 within the mold assembly 800 is gradually cooled. At the end of the holding pressure process, the inlet of the cavity space 801 is blocked by the solidified molding material. This state is called gate sealing, which prevents the backflow of molding material from the cavity space 801. After the holding pressure process, the cooling process begins. During the cooling process, the molding material within the cavity space 801 solidifies. To shorten the molding cycle time, a metering process can be performed during the cooling process.

[0096] Furthermore, the injection device 300 in this embodiment is a coaxial screw type, but it can also be a pre-plasticizing type, etc. In a pre-plasticizing type injection device, molten molding material in a plasticizing cylinder is supplied to the injection cylinder, and the molding material is injected from the injection cylinder into the mold device. In the plasticizing cylinder, the screw is configured to rotate freely but not retract, or the screw is configured to rotate freely and retract freely. On the other hand, in the injection cylinder, the plunger is configured to retract freely.

[0097] Furthermore, the injection device 300 in this embodiment is horizontal with the cylinder 310's axis in the horizontal direction, but it can also be vertical with the cylinder 310's axis in the vertical direction. The mold clamping device combined with the vertical injection device 300 can be either vertical or horizontal. Similarly, the mold clamping device combined with the horizontal injection device 300 can be either horizontal or vertical.

[0098] (Mobile device)

[0099] In the description of the moving device 400, similarly to the description of the injection device 300, the direction of movement of the screw 330 during filling (e.g., the negative X-axis direction) is set to forward, and the direction of movement of the screw 330 during metering (e.g., the positive X-axis direction) is set to rearward.

[0100] The moving device 400 causes the injection device 300 to move forward and backward relative to the mold device 800. Furthermore, the moving device 400 presses the nozzle 320 relative to the mold device 800 to generate nozzle contact pressure. The moving device 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a drive source, and a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator.

[0101] The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a bidirectional rotating pump, generating hydraulic pressure by switching the rotation direction of the motor 420, drawing in working fluid (e.g., oil) from either the first port 411 or the second port 412 and discharging it from the other port. Alternatively, the hydraulic pump 410 can also draw working fluid from a tank and discharge working fluid from either the first port 411 or the second port 412.

[0102] Motor 420 operates hydraulic pump 410. Motor 420 drives hydraulic pump 410 by means of rotational direction and rotational torque corresponding to control signals from control device 700. Motor 420 can be an electric motor or an electric servo motor.

[0103] The hydraulic cylinder 430 has a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and a piston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is fixed relative to the injection device 300. The piston 432 divides the interior of the cylinder body 431 into a front chamber 435, which serves as a first chamber, and a rear chamber 436, which serves as a second chamber. The piston rod 433 is fixed relative to the fixed pressure plate 110.

[0104] The front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the first port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 via a first flow path 401. Working fluid ejected from the first port 411 is supplied to the front chamber 435 via the first flow path 401, thereby propelling the injection device 300 forward. As the injection device 300 advances, the nozzle 320 is pressed against the fixed mold 810. The front chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber, generating the nozzle contact pressure of the nozzle 320 through the pressure of the working fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 410.

[0105] 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 ejected 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 retracts and the nozzle 320 separates from the fixed mold 810.

[0106] In addition, in this embodiment, the moving device 400 includes a hydraulic cylinder 430, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 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 also be used.

[0107] (Control device)

[0108] The control device 700 is, for example, composed of a computer, such as Figures 1-2 As shown, the device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a storage medium 702 such as a memory, an input interface 703, and an output interface 704. The control device 700 performs various controls by having the CPU 701 execute a program stored in the storage medium 702. Furthermore, the control device 700 receives signals from external sources through the input interface 703 and sends signals to external sources through the output interface 704.

[0109] The control device 700 repeatedly manufactures molded products by performing metering, mold closing, pressurization, mold closing, filling, pressure holding, cooling, depressurization, mold opening, and ejection processes. The series of actions used to obtain the molded product, such as the actions from the start of the metering process to the start of the next metering process, is also called "material injection" or "molding cycle." Furthermore, the time required for one material injection is also called "molding cycle time" or "cycle time."

[0110] A typical molding cycle may include, for example, the following steps in sequence: metering, mold closing, pressure increase, mold closing, filling, pressure holding, cooling, pressure release, mold opening, and ejection. This sequence refers to the order in which each step begins. The filling, pressure holding, and cooling steps occur during the mold closing step. Alternatively, the start of the mold closing step can coincide with the start of the filling step. The end of the pressure release step can coincide with the start of the mold opening step.

[0111] Furthermore, to shorten the molding cycle time, multiple processes can be performed simultaneously. For example, the metering process can be performed during the cooling process of the previous molding cycle or during the mold closing process. In this case, the mold closing process can be set to be performed at the very beginning of the molding cycle. The filling process can also begin during the mold closing process. The ejection process can begin during the mold opening process. When an on / off valve is provided for the flow path of the nozzle 320, the mold opening process can begin during the metering process. This is because even if the mold opening process begins during 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.

[0112] In addition, a single molding cycle can include processes other than metering, mold closing, pressurization, mold closing, filling, pressure holding, cooling, depressurization, mold opening, and ejection.

[0113] For example, a pre-metering backfeeding process can be performed after the pressure holding process ends and before the metering process begins, to retract the screw 330 to a pre-set metering start position. This reduces the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the metering process begins, preventing the screw 330 from retracting abruptly when the metering process begins.

[0114] Furthermore, a post-metering back suction process can be performed after the metering process is completed and before the filling process begins, retracting the screw 330 to a pre-set filling start position (also known as the "injection start position"). This reduces the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the filling process begins, preventing leakage of the molding material from the nozzle 320 before the filling process begins.

[0115] The control device 700 is connected to the operation device 750, which accepts user input, and the display device 760, which displays a screen. The operation device 750 and the display device 760 are, for example, composed of a touch panel 770, and can be integrated. The touch panel 770, as the display device 760, displays a screen under the control of the control device 700. Information such as the settings of the injection molding machine 10 and the current status of the injection molding machine 10 can be displayed on the screen of the touch panel 770. Furthermore, operation sections such as buttons and input fields for accepting user input can be displayed on the screen of the touch panel 770. The touch panel 770, as the operation device 750, detects user input on the screen and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to the control device 700. Thus, for example, the user can simultaneously check the information displayed on the screen and operate the operation sections provided on the screen to set the injection molding machine 10 (including inputting setting values). Furthermore, by operating the operation sections provided on the screen, the user can cause the injection molding machine 10 corresponding to the operation sections to operate. Furthermore, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 can include, for example, the operation (including stopping) of the mold clamping device 100, the ejection device 200, the injection device 300, the moving device 400, etc. Also, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 can include switching the screen displayed on the touch panel 770, which is a display device 760.

[0116] Furthermore, while the operation device 750 and display device 760 of this embodiment are integrated into a touch panel 770, they can also be provided independently. Additionally, multiple operation devices 750 can be provided. The operation device 750 and display device 760 are disposed on the operation side (negative Y-axis direction) of the mold clamping device 100 (more specifically, the fixed pressure plate 110).

[0117] (First Embodiment)

[0118] Figure 3This is a diagram showing the structure around the injection device 300 according to the first embodiment.

[0119] Figure 4 From Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of the periphery of the injection device 300 after disassembly of the components including the nozzle 320 and the cylinder 310.

[0120] The nozzle 320 and cylinder 310 have corresponding diameters; therefore, when changing the diameter of the cylinder 310, it is necessary to disassemble the nozzle 320 and cylinder 310. Therefore, in Figure 4 The example shown is an example in which the nozzle 320 and cylinder 310 have been removed.

[0121] The injection apparatus 300 has an injection apparatus body 303 and a support frame 304 supporting the injection apparatus body 303. The injection apparatus body 303 includes, for example, a cylinder 310, a nozzle 320, a screw 330, a metering motor 340, an injection motor 350, and a load detector 360. The injection apparatus body 303 also includes a bearing 361 that rotatably supports the screw 330, a drive shaft 362 that rotates and retracts simultaneously via the injection motor 350, and a bearing housing 370 that rotatably supports the drive shaft 362 via the bearing 361.

[0122] The support frame 304 is disposed on the sliding base 301. The sliding base 301 is along two (in) Figure 3 (Only one guide member 302 is shown in the diagram) moves forward and backward. Two guide members 302 are laid on the injection device frame 920. The two guide members 302 extend along the X-axis. The two guide members 302 are arranged at an interval in the Y-axis direction. The support frame 304 is rotatably mounted on the sliding base 301 about the vertical rotation axis 304Z. The injection device body 303 can rotate together with the support frame 304.

[0123] The support frame 304 has a front slewing plate 305 and a rear slewing plate 306. The front slewing plate 305 and the rear slewing plate 306 are slidably mounted on the upper surface of the sliding base 301. A slewing shaft 304Z is arranged at a predetermined position on the front slewing plate 305. The rear slewing plate 306 is arranged behind the front slewing plate 305.

[0124] The support frame 304 has a front flange 307, a rear flange 308, and multiple connecting rods 309. The front flange 307 is mounted on the front slewing plate 305. The rear flange 308 is mounted on the rear slewing plate 306. The connecting rods 309 connect the front flange 307 and the rear flange 308 with a gap between them.

[0125] A cylinder body 310 and a metering motor 340 are mounted on the front flange 307. The cylinder body 310 is located in front of the front flange 307 and is mounted on the front flange 307 via a cylinder body 315. The metering motor 340 is located behind the front flange 307 and in front of the rear flange 308.

[0126] On the other hand, an injection motor 350 is installed on the rear flange 308. The injection motor 350 is located behind the rear flange 308 and is mounted on the rear flange 308 via a load detector 360 described later.

[0127] Metering motor 340 rotates screw 330. Metering motor 340 has a stator 342 fixed relative to front flange 307, a rotor 343 rotating inside stator 342, and a bearing 349 rotatably supporting rotor 343. Stator 342 includes a front flange 342a holding bearing 349, a rear flange 342b holding bearing 349, and a housing 342c connecting front flange 342a and rear flange 342b. Rotational motion of metering motor 340 is transmitted to bearing housing 370, and then from bearing housing 370 to screw 330.

[0128] The bearing housing 370 has a screw mounting portion 372 for mounting screw 330 and a metering spline shaft 371 splinedly connected to the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340. The metering spline shaft 371 is disposed inside the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340. A metering spline nut 344 is provided in the rotor 343.

[0129] The metering spline nut 344 has a plurality of keyways arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on its inner circumferential surface. On the other hand, the metering spline shaft 371 has a plurality of keys arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on its outer circumferential surface. The metering spline shaft 371 is splinedly connected to the metering spline nut 344. Furthermore, the number of keyways and the number of keys can both be one.

[0130] The injection motor 350 moves the screw 330 forward and backward. The injection motor 350 has a stator 352 fixed relative to the rear flange 308 via a load detector 360, a rotor 353 rotating inside the stator 352, and a bearing 359 rotatably supporting the rotor 353. The rotational motion of the injection motor 350 is converted into the linear rotational motion of the drive shaft 362, which in turn is converted into the linear motion of the bearing carrier 370. The screw 330 moves forward and backward in tandem with the movement of the bearing carrier 370.

[0131] The drive shaft 362 has an injection spline shaft 363, a lead screw shaft 364 and a rotary shaft 365 arranged in a straight line from the rear to the front.

[0132] An injection spline shaft 363 is disposed inside the rotor 353 of the injection motor 350. An injection spline nut 354 is provided in the rotor 353. The injection spline nut 354 has a plurality of keyways arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on its inner circumferential surface. On the other hand, the injection spline shaft 363 has a plurality of keys arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on its outer circumferential surface. The injection spline shaft 363 and the injection spline nut 354 are splined together. The number of keyways and the number of keys can be one.

[0133] The lead screw shaft 364 is screwed into the lead screw nut 366. Balls or rollers may be positioned between the lead screw shaft 364 and the lead screw nut 366. The lead screw nut 366 is fixed relative to the rear flange 308 via a load detector 360 and therefore does not rotate with the lead screw shaft 364. Thus, the lead screw shaft 364 rotates while simultaneously moving forward and backward. An injection spline shaft 363 is splinedly connected to an injection spline nut 354, enabling the lead screw shaft 364 to rotate while simultaneously moving forward and backward.

[0134] The rotating shaft 365 is held in a bearing housing 370 via a bearing 361. The bearing housing 370 has a cylindrical metering spline shaft 371, and the bearing 361 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the metering spline shaft 371. The bearing 361 has an inner ring that rotates with the rotating shaft 365 and an outer ring fixed relative to the metering spline shaft 371. The bearing 361 prevents the transmission of rotational driving force from the rotating shaft 365 to the bearing housing 370.

[0135] The bearing housing 370 and screw 330 move forward and backward simultaneously as the rotating shaft 365 rotates. When the screw 330 moves forward and backward, the metering motor 340 does not. This is because the metering spline nut 344 of the metering motor 340 is splinedly connected to the metering spline shaft 371 of the bearing housing 370. The metering motor 340 is not included in the drive mechanism of the injection motor 350; therefore, the inertia of the drive mechanism of the injection motor 350 is small, and the screw 330 accelerates quickly when it begins to move forward.

[0136] Furthermore, the structure of the injection device 300 is not limited to Figure 3 The structure shown. For example, the configuration of the drive source for the drive screw 330 (e.g., the metering motor 340 and the injection motor 350) is not limited to... Figure 3 The configuration shown is as follows. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rotation center line of the screw 330, the rotation center line of the metering motor 340, and the rotation center line of the injection motor 350 are arranged on the same straight line, but they may not be arranged on the same straight line.

[0137] Furthermore, the structure of the transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the drive source to the screw 330 is not limited to... Figure 3The structure shown is as follows. The structure of the transmission mechanism is appropriately modified according to the configuration of the drive source of the drive screw 330. For example, when the rotation center lines of the metering motor 340 and the screw 330, which are parallel to each other, are offset in a direction orthogonal to these rotation center lines, a timing belt can be used. Similarly, when the rotation center lines of the injection motor 350 and the screw 330, which are parallel to each other, are offset in a direction orthogonal to these rotation center lines, a timing belt can be used.

[0138] Coupling 375 connects screw 330 and bearing housing 370. Coupling 375 has a spline nut 376 splined to a splined shaft 332 formed at the rear end of screw 330, and a flange 377 that presses against the splined shaft 332 from the front. The flange 377 engages with a groove 333 in screw 330. Groove 333 is formed at the front of splined shaft 332. The flange 377 is divided into two arc-shaped segments, which are embedded in groove 333, pressing against the splined shaft 332 from the front.

[0139] Flange 377 is fastened to spline nut 376 by first bolt 378. Spline nut 376 is fastened to bearing bracket 370 by second bolt 379 and presses against load detector 360 from the front. Loosening or tightening of first bolt 378 and second bolt 379 is performed through window 316 of cylinder 315 located between front flange 307 and cooler 312.

[0140] The cylinder body 315 includes a cylindrical portion 315a protruding forward from the front flange 307 and an inner flange portion 315b protruding from the front end of the cylindrical portion 315a toward the inner side of the cylindrical portion 315a. A window 316 is formed in the cylindrical portion 315a. The outer edge of the cylinder body 310 is fixed at the inner edge of the inner flange portion 315b.

[0141] An annular groove into which an annular gasket 381 is embedded and an annular groove into which a sliding ring 382 is embedded are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing housing 370.

[0142] An annular gasket 381 is held, for example, in the bearing housing 370, in sliding contact with the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340, and seals the gap between the rotor 343 and the bearing housing 370. This prevents lubricant supplied to the metering spline shaft 371 from leaking towards the screw 330 side.

[0143] The annular washer 381 can be installed further forward than the key 371a of the metering spline shaft 371. It can be installed on the metering spline shaft 371 or on... Figures 3-4 The screw mounting part 372 is shown.

[0144] As the annular gasket 381, an O-ring with a circular cross-sectional shape is used, and it is compressed appropriately. The annular gasket 381 is formed of a material softer than the sliding ring 382 to ensure a seal. Examples of materials for the annular gasket 381 include rubbers such as butyl rubber.

[0145] In addition, in this embodiment, the annular gasket 381 is held in the bearing bracket 370, but it can also be held in the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340, making free sliding contact with the bearing bracket 370, and sealing the gap between the rotor 343 and the screw mounting portion 372.

[0146] The sliding ring 382 is held, for example, in the screw mounting portion 372 and slides freely in contact with the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340, aligning the centerline of the rotor 343 with the centerline of the screw mounting portion 372. This suppresses the engagement between the rotor 343 and the screw mounting portion 372. Furthermore, it suppresses the application of eccentric loads to the annular gasket 381.

[0147] The sliding ring 382 suppresses the eccentricity between the rotor 343 and the screw mounting portion 372, and is therefore made of a material harder than the annular gasket 381. A crystalline resin with high self-lubricating properties is used as the material for the sliding ring 382. Examples of crystalline resins include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PA), polyester (PEs), and polyethylene (PE). The greater the degree of crystallinity, the greater the self-lubricating property. The sliding ring 382 can be formed from resins other than crystalline resins, for example, it can be formed from phenolic resin.

[0148] Unlike the annular gasket 381, the sliding ring 382 does not guarantee a seal and therefore has a crack in a portion of its circumferential direction. This crack is formed for the installation and removal of the sliding ring 382, ​​expands during installation and removal, and then returns to its original shape by the elastic restoring force of the sliding ring 382.

[0149] In this embodiment, the sliding ring 382 is held in the screw mounting portion 372, but it can also be held in the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340, making it slidably contact the screw mounting portion 372 so that the center line of the rotor 343 is aligned with the center line of the screw mounting portion 372. Furthermore, there can be multiple sliding rings 382.

[0150] like Figure 3As shown, a sliding ring 382 and an annular washer 381 are sequentially arranged from the key 371a side (rear side) of the metering spline shaft 371 towards the screw 330 side (front side). The annular washer 381 prevents the lubricant supplied to the metering spline shaft 371 from leaking to the screw 330 side after passing through the sliding ring 382. Lubricant can be supplied to the sliding ring 382, ​​reducing the sliding resistance of the sliding ring 382, ​​and preventing lubricant leakage to the screw 330 side. Here, the lubricant supplied to the metering spline shaft 371 passes through cracks formed in the sliding ring 382 between the sliding ring 382 and the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340, and between the sliding ring 382 and the screw mounting portion 372.

[0151] The injection molding machine 10 is equipped with a load detector 360. The load detector 360 detects the load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The load detector 360 detects the load further rearward than the bearing 361. The load detector 360 is, for example, a washer type, disposed between the rear flange 308 and the injection motor 350.

[0152] In addition to detecting the rotational speed of the metering motor 340, the metering motor encoder 341 also detects the rotational position of the metering motor 340. For example, the metering motor encoder 341 measures the rotor 343 of the metering motor 340. Then, based on the measurement result, the metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotational position of the metering motor 340 and sends a signal indicating its detection result to the control device 700.

[0153] Furthermore, the metering motor encoder 341 can internally store a small battery and a rewritable storage medium. Thus, even when the power to the injection molding machine 10 is disconnected, the metering motor encoder 341 can measure the rotational speed and position of the metering motor 340 and store the measurement results in the storage medium.

[0154] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the components of the control device 700 involved in this embodiment using function blocks. Figure 5 The functional blocks illustrated are conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. All or part of each functional block can be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in any unit. All or any part of the processing functions performed in each functional block are implemented through a program executed by the CPU701. Alternatively, each functional block can be implemented as hardware based on wiring logic. Figure 5As shown, the control device 700 includes an acquisition unit 711, a storage unit 712, a determination unit 713, a display control unit 714, a receiving unit 715, a setting unit 716, and an action control unit 717. Furthermore, a region for storing location information 721 is provided in the storage medium (an example of a storage unit) 702. Detailed explanations of each structure will be provided later.

[0155] However, in the injection molding machine 10, changing the diameter of the screw 330 requires physical disassembly and reassembly of the components including the screw 330. Furthermore, in the injection molding machine 10, when the diameter of the screw 330 changes, control is performed using parameters corresponding to the diameter of the screw 330.

[0156] Therefore, when the diameter of the screw 330 changes, it needs to be readjusted to correspond to that diameter. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 700 automatically checks whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed. Furthermore, when the control device 700 determines that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed, it displays a message confirming the screw diameter on the operation screen of the display device 760. This prompts the operator to input information related to the diameter of the screw 330.

[0157] Furthermore, when the control device 700 determines that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed, it interlocks with the operation of the plasticizing device along with the display of the operation screen to suppress the operation of the plasticizing device until the operator receives input of information related to the diameter of the screw 330. Thus, the control device 700 can suppress operation caused by erroneous parameters.

[0158] The plasticizing device is a structure used for driving actions such as rotating and plasticizing the screw 330 by transmitting the rotation of the metering motor 340 and the injection motor 350 to the screw 330, and includes at least an injection device 300.

[0159] Actions of the plasticizing device include, for example, the production of molded articles (injection action) and the discharge (removal) of resin.

[0160] Next, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 will be explained.

[0161] The storage medium 702 includes a region for storing position information 721, which represents the rotational position of the screw 330 detected by the metering motor encoder 341. The timing of writing and reading the position information 721 will be described later.

[0162] The acquisition unit 711 acquires various information from various sensors installed in the injection molding machine 10. For example, as a measurement result, the acquisition unit 711 acquires the rotational speed and rotational position of the metering motor 340 from the metering motor encoder 341.

[0163] The storage unit 712 stores the rotational position of the metering motor 340 (hereinafter referred to as the first encoder position) as position information 721 in the storage medium 702 at a time when the control of the metering motor 340 of the injection molding machine 10 is stopped.

[0164] The timing for stopping the control of the metering motor 340 involved in this embodiment includes timing for disconnecting the power supply of the injection molding machine 10 as a whole, and timing for turning on the power supply of the injection molding machine 10 as a whole but disconnecting the power supply to the metering motor 340.

[0165] The timing of powering on the injection molding machine 10 as a whole but disconnecting power to the metering motor 340 could be, for example, the timing of powering on the control device 700 but opening the door of the safety device (not shown) to remove the molded part.

[0166] That is, before the period when the control of the metering motor 340 stops and the screw 330 can be disassembled and installed, the storage unit 712 stores the position of the first encoder of the metering motor 340 as position information 721 in the storage medium 702. Thus, when the control of the metering motor 340 is started, it is possible to determine whether the rotational position of the metering motor 340 has changed.

[0167] The determination unit 713 determines whether the disassembly and installation of the screw 330, which rotates with the metering motor 340, has been performed based on the encoder position of the metering motor 340 installed in the injection molding machine 10. In addition, in this embodiment, an example of determining whether disassembly and installation work (hereinafter also referred to as loading and unloading work) has been performed is described, but it is not limited to disassembly and installation work, as long as disassembly or installation work is determined.

[0168] Specifically, when the determination unit 713 starts controlling the metering motor 340, it determines whether the difference between the rotational position of the metering motor 340 (hereinafter referred to as the second encoder position) acquired by the acquisition unit 711 and the position information 721 of the storage medium 702 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The predetermined value is a value set according to the embodiment, which is a value estimated based on the amount of rotation of the metering motor 340 during operation, determined from the loading and unloading of the screw 330. Furthermore, when it is determined that the difference between the second encoder position and the first encoder position is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed, in other words, the screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded. Next, the loading and unloading operation will be described.

[0169] like Figure 4 As shown, the metering motor 340 and screw 330 of the injection molding machine 10 are fastened via a coupling 375, etc. To disassemble the screw 330, the coupling 375 needs to be removed from the bearing housing 370. Therefore, the assembly and disassembly of the assembly including the screw 330 includes the removal of the first bolt 378 and the second bolt 379 that fasten the coupling 375 to the bearing housing 370. When removing the first bolt 378 and the second bolt 379, the operator needs to use tools to rotate the first bolt 378 and the second bolt 379 in the loosening direction.

[0170] For the safety of the workers, the metering motor 340 is disconnected from power during this work. Therefore, during the loading and unloading of the assembly including the screw 330, the structure including the metering motor 340 is rotated via the bearing bracket 370 by the external force caused by this work.

[0171] Therefore, when the determination unit 713 starts controlling the metering motor 340, in other words, it performs the above determination method at the timing of energizing and conducting the metering motor 340, thereby determining whether the loading and unloading of the screw 330 rotating with the metering motor 340 has been performed.

[0172] Furthermore, this embodiment illustrates one example of a method for determining whether screw 330 loading / unloading operations have been performed; other determination methods can be used. For example, during the screw 330 loading / unloading operation while the power to the injection molding machine 10 is disconnected, when the metering motor encoder 341 operates via an internal battery or the like, it can detect changes in rotational speed and rotational position generated during the loading / unloading operation. At this time, before control resumes from the point where control of the metering motor 340 has stopped, the determination unit 713 can determine whether loading / unloading operations have been performed based on the changes in rotational speed and rotational position of the metering motor 340 detected by the metering motor encoder 341. That is, the information used in the determination by the determination unit 713 only needs to be information detected during the screw 330 loading / unloading operation based on the operation of the metering motor 340.

[0173] This embodiment describes the case where the assembly and disassembly work involves replacing a set of components including the screw 330 to change the diameter of the screw 330. However, this embodiment does not limit the assembly and disassembly work of the screw 330 to changing the diameter of the screw 330. For example, when at least one of the shape and material of the screw 330 is changed, the assembly and disassembly work of the screw 330 can be performed by an operator, and the determination unit 713 determines whether such assembly and disassembly work has been performed.

[0174] Furthermore, as a variation, there is a case where the screw 330 is not replaced during the loading and unloading operation. For example, it is possible to consider a situation where, even if the screw 330 being disassembled is the same as the screw 330 being installed, the anti-backflow ring installed at the front end of the screw 330 is changed. As a specific work procedure, the worker disassembles the screw 330, removes the components required for the replacement parts, and replaces the replacement parts installed in the screw 330. Then, the worker reinstalls the screw 330 after replacing the replacement parts. Then, the determination unit 713 can determine whether such loading and unloading work has been performed.

[0175] Furthermore, when performing loading and unloading work, as an example of not replacing the screw 330, the case of replacing the cylinder block 310 can be considered. The operator disassembles the screw 330 and cylinder block 310, and replaces the cylinder block 310. Then, the operator reinstalls the replaced cylinder block 310 and screw 330. Thus, even without replacing the screw 330, settings related to the screw 330 (e.g., the upper limit of pressure) need to be changed. Therefore, the determination unit 713 can determine whether such loading and unloading work has been performed.

[0176] Similarly, just as the diameter of screw 330 is changed, the loading and unloading of screw 330 is performed in accordance with the content being molded. The content being molded may take into account factors such as the weight of the molded part, the type of resin, the cycle time, the required pressure, and the cost of the parts that will be replaced.

[0177] When the determination unit 713 determines that the screw 330 has been installed or removed, the display control unit 714 (an example of an output unit) outputs a selection screen that accepts the diameter of the screw 330 as input to the display device 760. Furthermore, the display control unit 714 in this embodiment does not limit the output destination of the selection screen to the display device 760; it can be a communication terminal connected via a communication line. Additionally, this embodiment does not limit the confirmation information of the screw 330's diameter to the selection screen; for example, it can be other information such as sound.

[0178] The receiving unit 715 accepts input of the diameter of the screw 330 on the selection screen displayed on the display device 760 (an example of a prescribed operation).

[0179] The setting unit 716 receives the input setting corresponding to the diameter of the screw 330 from the receiving unit 715. Therefore, the control device 700 can perform control corresponding to the changed diameter of the screw 330.

[0180] The motion control unit 717 controls the actions related to the plasticizing device, including the injection unit 300. For example, the motion control unit 717 suppresses the action of the plasticizing device until the determination unit 713 determines that the screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded, and the receiving unit 715 accepts the input of the diameter of the screw 330 and sets a value corresponding to the input diameter.

[0181] The processing of the plasticizing device, which is subject to suppression, includes the production of molded articles (injection action) and the discharge of resin (cleaning). Specifically, this control includes suppressing the operation of the injection motor 350. By suppressing the operation of the injection motor 350, the operation of the metering motor 340 is also substantially suppressed. Therefore, when the diameter of the screw 330 changes, by suppressing the operation based on the plasticizing device until the setting is completed, it is possible to suppress loads generated by operations based on incorrect settings.

[0182] The control device 700 described in this embodiment automatically detects changes in the diameter of the screw 330 by having the above-described structure. When a change is detected, it can suppress the operation of the plasticizing device until the operator accepts the input of the diameter of the screw 330.

[0183] [Example of selecting a screen]

[0184] Figure 6 This diagram shows the first example of a selection screen output by the display control unit 714. Figure 6 In the example selection screen shown, buttons corresponding to the diameters of the selectable screws 330 are displayed. Each button displayed on the selection screen is labeled with a number representing the screw diameter. For example, the selection screen displays buttons 1601 ("18"), 1602 ("20"), 1603 ("22"), 1604 ("25"), 1605 ("28"), 1606 ("32"), 1607 ("36"), 1608 ("40"), 1609 ("45"), and 1610 ("50").

[0185] Furthermore, the receiving unit 715 accepts the pressing of any one of these buttons 1601 to 1610. Then, when the receiving unit 715 accepts the pressing of the setting button 1611, the display control unit 714 ends the display of the selection screen, and the setting unit 716 performs a setting corresponding to the diameter of the pressed button (any one of the buttons 1601 to 1610).

[0186] exist Figure 6 The example shown illustrates the case where the operator inputs the diameter of screw 330 by pressing a button. However, inputting the diameter of screw 330 is not limited to pressing the button.

[0187] Figure 7This is the second example of a selection screen displayed by the control unit 714. Figure 7 In the example of the selection screen shown, the input field 1701 displays the diameter of the screw 330.

[0188] Furthermore, the receiving unit 715 accepts the input of a value corresponding to the diameter of the screw 330 in the input field 1701. Then, when the receiving unit 715 accepts the pressing of the setting button 1702, the display control unit 714 ends the display of the selection screen, and the setting unit 716 performs the setting corresponding to the input diameter.

[0189] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 The selection screen shown describes the screen for accepting input of the diameter of the screw 330. However, this embodiment does not limit the setting of the screw 330 that can be accepted through the selection screen to the diameter of the screw 330, and may also allow other settings to be accepted.

[0190] For example, in the selection screen, the diameter of the screw 330 can be accepted as input, and the specifications of the components including the screw 330 (an example of the structure) can also be selected. Multiple selections can be used to select the specifications of the components including the screw 330. The selection range can be set as A) Standard, B) High Pressure, C) Ultra-High Pressure, D) High Temperature, E) Thermosetting, F) ​​High Plasticization, G) Special 1, and H) Special 2. The receiving unit 715 accepts selections from this range. Then, the setting unit 716 performs settings corresponding to the selection range input by the receiving unit 715. For example, the setting unit 716 changes multiple parameters such as the upper limit of the pressure exerted by the screw 330 on the molding material, the upper limit of the temperature of the cylinder 310, and internal control values ​​based on the selected selection range.

[0191] In this embodiment, the display control unit 714 displays a selection screen for accepting settings of the screw 330 that has been installed or removed, and the receiving unit 715 accepts settings related to the screw 330. This makes setting the screw 330 easier and improves convenience.

[0192] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing related to the automatic determination of the diameter of the screw 330 in the control device 700 according to this embodiment. Figure 8 The example shown illustrates the process from the state where the control of the screw 330 is disconnected or the power supply to the injection molding machine 10 is disconnected.

[0193] First, the control device 700 starts to power on the metering motor 340, thus enabling control of the metering motor 340 (step S1801).

[0194] The acquisition unit 711 acquires the second encoder position, which represents the (rotational) position information of the metering motor 340, from the metering motor encoder 341 (step S1802).

[0195] The determination unit 713 determines whether the screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded based on the difference between the position of the first encoder stored in the position information 721 of the storage medium 702 and the position of the second encoder of the metering motor 340 (position information) (step S1803). When it is determined that the screw 330 has not been loaded or unloaded (step S1803: "No"), the process ends.

[0196] On the other hand, when the determination unit 713 determines that the screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded (step S1803: "Yes"), the motion control unit 717 inhibits the operation of the plasticizing device (including the injection device 300) (step S1804).

[0197] Then, the display control unit 714 displays a selection screen for the diameter of the screw 330, and the receiving unit 715 receives the input of the diameter of the screw 330 from the selection screen (step S1805).

[0198] Then, the receiving unit 715 determines whether the setting button press has been accepted (step S1806). When it is determined that the setting button press has not been accepted (step S1806: "No"), it waits until the press is accepted.

[0199] On the other hand, when it is determined that the receiving unit 715 has accepted the pressing of the setting button (step S1806: "Yes"), the setting unit 716 sets the diameter of the input screw 330 (step S1807).

[0200] Then, the motion control unit 717 releases the inhibition of the plasticizing device's motion (step S1808) and ends the process.

[0201] In this embodiment, by performing the above-described control, it is possible to automatically determine whether the screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded based on the position information of the metering motor 340. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the diameter of the screw 330 is changed, without setting a corresponding diameter for the screw 330, the operation of the plasticizing device can be suppressed.

[0202] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the method of inputting the diameter of the screw 330 when it is determined that the screw 330 has been installed or removed has been described. However, this embodiment is not limited to accepting the input of the diameter of the screw 330 when it is determined that the screw 330 has been installed or removed. For example, it can accept the input of parameters accompanying changes in the shape or material of the screw 330, or it can accept the input of information related to the replacement of replacement parts. Thus, when the screw 330 is disassembled and installed, settings corresponding to the screw 330 can be changed.

[0203] (Second Implementation)

[0204] In the first embodiment, an example of determining whether screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded based on the rotational position of the metering motor 340 was described. However, the first embodiment does not limit the information used in determining whether screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded to the rotational position of the metering motor 340. In the second embodiment, an example of determining whether the diameter of screw 330 has changed, in other words, whether screw 330 has been loaded or unloaded, based on the response characteristics of screw 330 was described.

[0205] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the components of the control device 700 involved in this embodiment using function blocks. Figure 9 The functional blocks illustrated are conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. All or part of each functional block can be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in any unit. All or any part of the processing functions performed in each functional block are implemented through a program executed by the CPU701. Alternatively, each functional block can be implemented as hardware based on wiring logic. Figure 9 As shown, the control device 700 includes an acquisition unit 731, a determination unit 732, a display control unit 733, a receiving unit 734, a setting unit 735, and an action control unit 736. Furthermore, a region for storing determination condition information 742 is provided in the storage medium 702. Detailed explanations of each structure will be provided later.

[0206] In the storage medium 702, the response characteristics of each diameter of the screw 330 are stored as determination condition information (an example of characteristic information) 742 in order to determine whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed.

[0207] In this embodiment, the response characteristics of each diameter of the screw 330 are set to the current waveform data used in the control when the screw 330 is rotated 90 degrees. That is, the current waveform data detected when the screw 330 is rotated 90 degrees is stored in the determination condition information 742 for each diameter of the screw 330.

[0208] When the diameter of the screw 330 is different, the inertia of each diameter is different, thus causing the torque when the screw 330 rotates to vary. Therefore, when the screw 330 rotates, the current waveform detected for each diameter of the screw 330 is different. Therefore, in this embodiment, current waveform data is stored for each diameter of the screw 330 as a determination criterion.

[0209] For example, the smaller the diameter of the screw 330, the lighter the screw 330, and thus the desired action can be performed with less power. Therefore, the difference in current waveform data for each diameter of the screw 330 can be considered, such as a smaller diameter resulting in a smaller current waveform output.

[0210] The motion control unit 736 includes a confirmation motion control unit 737, which controls the actions related to the plasticizing device, including the injection unit 300. For example, the motion control unit 736 suppresses the action of the plasticizing device until the determination unit 713 determines that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed, at which point the receiving unit 734 accepts the input of the diameter of the screw 330 and sets a value corresponding to the input diameter.

[0211] When the control unit 737 activates the metering motor 340, it performs motion control on the screw 330 after the cylinder 310 has finished heating to confirm whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed. The motion control of the screw 330 can be controlled by oscillating or moving it by a predetermined amount. In this embodiment, the confirmation motion control unit 737, for example, performs an action that rotates the screw 330 by 90 degrees.

[0212] The acquisition unit 731 acquires various information from various sensors installed in the injection molding machine 10. For example, when it is confirmed that the motion control unit 737 has performed motion control of the screw 330, the acquisition unit 731 acquires data of the current waveform (an example of response characteristics) used in the rotation control of the screw 330.

[0213] The determination unit 732 compares the current waveform (an example of response characteristics) corresponding to the operation of the screw 330 acquired by the acquisition unit 731 with the current waveform (an example of response characteristics) corresponding to the currently set diameter of the screw 330 stored in the storage medium 702, and determines whether the difference between the current waveforms is above a predetermined reference. Then, when the difference between the current waveforms is above the predetermined reference, the determination unit 732 determines that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed, in other words, screw 330 loading / unloading has been performed. When the difference between the current waveforms is less than the predetermined reference, it determines that screw 330 loading / unloading has not been performed. Furthermore, the predetermined reference is set according to the embodiment, therefore, its description is omitted.

[0214] The processing performed by the display control unit 733, the receiving unit 734 and the setting unit 735 is the same as in the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

[0215] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing related to the automatic determination of the diameter of the screw 330 in the control device 700 according to this embodiment. Figure 10 The example shown illustrates the process from the state where the control of the screw 330 is disconnected or the power supply to the injection molding machine 10 is disconnected.

[0216] First, the control device 700 starts to power on the metering motor 340, thus enabling control of the metering motor 340 (step S2001).

[0217] After the heating of the cylinder 310 is completed, the confirmation action control unit 737 performs a confirmation action (step S2002) to determine whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed. The confirmation action is set to rotate the screw 330 by 90 degrees. Then, the acquisition unit 731 acquires the current waveform data corresponding to the confirmation action.

[0218] The determination unit 732 compares the current waveform data corresponding to the currently set diameter of the screw 330 stored in the determination condition information 742 of the storage medium 702 with the acquired current waveform data to determine whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed (step S2003). When it is determined that the diameter of the screw 330 has not changed (step S2003: "No"), the process ends.

[0219] On the other hand, when the determination unit 732 determines that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed (step S2003: "Yes"), it communicates with... Figure 8 After setting the diameter of the screw 330, the same process as shown in steps S1804 to S1808 is performed, the suppression of the operation of the plasticizing device is released and the process ends (steps S2004 to S2008).

[0220] In this embodiment, by performing the above-described control, it is possible to automatically determine whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed based on the response characteristics of the screw 330. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the diameter of the screw 330 has changed, without performing settings corresponding to the diameter of the screw 330, the operation of the plasticizing device can be suppressed.

[0221] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example of automatically determining whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed based on the response characteristics of the screw 330 has been described. However, this embodiment does not limit the changes in the screw 330 detected based on the response characteristics to only the diameter. That is, the determination unit 732 can determine whether a change has occurred regarding the screw 330 based on the response characteristics. Therefore, for example, it can determine whether the anti-backflow ring or the like installed at the front end of the screw 330 has changed.

[0222] (A variation of the second embodiment)

[0223] In the second embodiment, the response characteristics of each diameter of the stored screw 330 were described. However, the second embodiment is not limited to the method of storing the response characteristics of each diameter. Therefore, as a variation of the second embodiment, data of the current waveform detected when a confirmation operation was performed before leaving the factory is stored as the determination condition information 742.

[0224] At this time, the determination unit 732 compares the current waveform (an example of response characteristics) corresponding to the operation of the screw 330 acquired by the acquisition unit 731 with the current waveform (an example of response characteristics) detected in the past before the factory shipment stored in the storage medium 702, and determines whether the screw 330 has been replaced compared to before the factory shipment, in other words, whether it has been disassembled and installed. Other processing is the same as in the second embodiment, so descriptions are omitted.

[0225] Furthermore, this variation is not limited to storing the data of the current waveform detected during the verification operation performed before shipment in the determination condition information 742; the current waveform data stored in the determination condition information 742 can be any data detected in the past. For example, the data of the current waveform detected during the last verification operation can be stored as the determination condition information 742. That is, it can be determined whether the screw 330 has been installed or removed by comparing the previously detected current waveform with the current waveform (an example of response characteristics) acquired by the acquisition unit 731 corresponding to the operation of the screw 330.

[0226] (Third Implementation)

[0227] In the above embodiments, the case where the operator accepts the input of the diameter of the screw 330 when it is determined that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed has been described. However, the above embodiments are not limited to the method of accepting the input of the diameter of the screw 330. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the case where the diameter of the screw 330 is automatically set will be described.

[0228] The third embodiment is configured to have the same structure as the second embodiment. Furthermore, the determination condition information 742 of the storage medium 702 stores data of the current waveform for each diameter.

[0229] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing related to the automatic setting of the diameter of the screw 330 in the control device 700 according to this embodiment. Figure 11 The example shown illustrates the process from the state where the control of the screw 330 is disconnected or the power supply to the injection molding machine 10 is disconnected.

[0230] First, the control device 700 starts to power on the metering motor 340, thus enabling control of the metering motor 340 (step S2101).

[0231] After the heating of the cylinder 310 is completed, the confirmation action control unit 737 performs a confirmation action (step S2102) to determine whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed. The confirmation action is set to rotate the screw 330 by 90 degrees. Then, the acquisition unit 731 acquires the current waveform data corresponding to the confirmation action.

[0232] The determination unit 732 compares the current waveform data corresponding to the currently set diameter of the screw 330 in the determination condition information 741 stored in the storage medium 702 with the acquired current waveform data to determine whether the diameter of the screw 330 has changed (step S2103). When it is determined that the diameter of the screw 330 has not changed (step S2103: "No"), the process ends.

[0233] On the other hand, when the determination unit 732 determines that the diameter of the screw 330 has changed (step S2103: "Yes"), the motion control unit 736 inhibits the operation of the plasticizing device (including the injection device 300) (step S2104).

[0234] Then, the setting unit 735 sets a diameter corresponding to the current waveform data acquired by the acquisition unit 731 (step S2105). The current waveform data in the determination condition information 742 is associated with and stored in correspondence with the diameter of the screw 330. When the determination unit 732 makes a determination, by comparing the acquired current waveform data with the current waveform data associated with each diameter, the diameter corresponding to the current waveform data acquired by the acquisition unit 731 can be determined. Thus, the setting unit 735 can set a diameter corresponding to the determined diameter.

[0235] Then, the display control unit 733 displays a confirmation screen for the diameter of the screw 330 set by the setting unit 735 (step S2106). A confirmation button is displayed along with the set diameter of the screw 330 on the screw 330 diameter confirmation screen. Furthermore, if the diameter of the screw 330 displayed on the confirmation screen is incorrect, the diameter of the screw 330 can be reset in the same steps as in the above embodiment.

[0236] Then, the receiving unit 734 determines whether the press of the confirmation button has been accepted (step S2107). When it is determined that the press of the confirmation button has not been accepted (step S2107: "No"), it waits until the press is accepted.

[0237] On the other hand, when it is determined that the receiving unit 734 has accepted the press of the confirmation button (step S2107: "Yes"), the motion control unit 717 releases the inhibition of the operation of the plasticizing device (step S2108) and ends the process.

[0238] Thus, the display control unit 733 according to this embodiment outputs a confirmation screen for confirming the set diameter. Furthermore, this embodiment has described an example of outputting a confirmation screen, but it is not limited to outputting only confirmation screens; any information related to confirmation can be output.

[0239] In this embodiment, the diameter of the screw 330 is automatically set based on the current waveform data, thus reducing the setting burden on the operator.

[0240] [effect]

[0241] In the above embodiment, the removal or installation of the screw 330 can be automatically detected. Therefore, even if the operator forgets to change the screw 330 settings, the control device 700 detects the removal or installation of the screw 330 and outputs confirmation information to the operator (e.g., display of a selection screen or a confirmation screen). Thus, the operator can always determine the current settings of the screw 330, such as the diameter of the screw 330, and therefore, actions with parameters that do not correspond to the current screw 330 can be suppressed. Therefore, in the injection molding machine 10 and the mold assembly 800, loads caused by control errors due to incorrect parameters can be suppressed.

[0242] In the above embodiment, after a change in the removal or installation of the screw 330 is detected, the operation of the plasticizing device is suppressed until the operator confirms the change. Thus, by suppressing actions caused by incorrect settings, safety can be improved.

[0243] In the above embodiment, during the suppression of the operation of the plasticizing device, the operator receives the setting of the screw 330, such as the diameter, and thereby sets the appropriate parameters, thus improving safety.

[0244] The embodiments have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to this specific embodiment and various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the spirit described in the technical solution.

Claims

1. A control device for an injection molding machine, comprising: The determination unit, based on information detected by the operation of the metering motor installed in the injection molding machine, determines whether the disassembly or installation of the screw that rotates with the metering motor has been performed. The determination unit determines, based on the change in the rotational speed or rotational position of the metering motor during the period from the cessation of control of the metering motor for rotating the screw to the commencement of control of the metering motor for rotating the screw, whether disassembly or installation work of the screw that rotates with the metering motor has been performed during the period when control of the metering motor for rotating the screw has ceased.

2. The control device for the injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising: The storage unit stores the position of the first encoder, representing the rotational position of the metering motor, when the control of the metering motor of the injection molding machine is stopped. The determination unit determines whether the screw has been disassembled or installed when the control of the metering motor is turned on, based on whether the difference between the position of the second encoder and the position of the first encoder, which indicates the rotational position of the metering motor detected when the control is turned on, is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

3. The control device for the injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising: The storage unit stores characteristic information representing the screw's response characteristics. The determination unit determines whether the screw has been disassembled or installed when the control of the metering motor is turned on, by performing a predetermined action through the screw, based on the difference between the response characteristics corresponding to the predetermined action and the response characteristics represented by the characteristic information stored in the storage unit.

4. The control device for the injection molding machine according to claim 3, wherein, The storage unit stores characteristic information representing the response characteristics of the screw detected in the past.

5. The control device for the injection molding machine according to claim 4, wherein, The storage unit stores the characteristic information according to each diameter of the screw. The control device of the injection molding machine also has a setting unit. When the determination unit determines that the screw has been disassembled or installed, the setting unit determines the diameter of the screw corresponding to the response characteristics detected by the prescribed action, and sets the screw based on the diameter.

6. The control device for the injection molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The output unit outputs confirmation information urging confirmation of the screw setting when the determination unit determines that the screw has been disassembled or installed. The receiving unit accepts a prescribed operation corresponding to the confirmation information output by the output unit; and The control unit suppresses the operation of the structure, i.e., the plasticizing device, used for rotational plasticizing by the screw, until the receiving unit accepts the prescribed operation.

7. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 6, wherein, The confirmation information output by the output unit is a screen indicating that it can accept input of at least one of the diameter of the screw and the specifications including the structure of the screw. The receiving unit, as per the prescribed operation, accepts input from the screen in relation to at least one of the following: the diameter of the screw and the specifications of the structure including the screw.

8. The control device for the injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein, The control to stop the rotation of the screw using the metering motor includes disconnecting the power supply to the metering motor.

Images