Injection molding machine, control method for injection molding machine, and storage medium

Abstract

Provided is an injection molding machine that performs the injection of a plurality of molding materials at an appropriate timing, a control method for an injection molding machine, and a storage medium. The injection molding machine includes an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a mold clamping device, and uses the first injection unit to inject a molding material into a first mold cavity space and uses the second injection unit to inject a molding material into a second mold cavity space. Further, the injection molding machine includes a control device that controls the injection device and the mold clamping device, and a storage device that stores a set time in advance. The control device performs control in such a manner that the injection of the second injection unit is started after a lapse of the set time from a prescribed time point. The prescribed time point is a time point at which the injection of the first injection unit is started or a time point before that. The set time is a delay time for delaying the start of the injection of the second injection unit from the start of the injection of the first injection unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an injection molding machine, a control method for the injection molding machine, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, an injection molding machine repeats the following operation: injecting a flowable molding material into a closed mold, allowing the molding material to solidify in the mold, and then opening the mold to remove the molded article. Some injection molding machines perform multiple injection fillings of molding material, injecting the next molding material after the first injection-filled material has solidified. For example, there are injection molding machines that perform injection molding processes known as two-color molding, multi-color molding, two-layer molding, or multi-layer molding (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In cases where the molding material is injected and filled in multiple stages, such as in two stages, the productivity of the molded body can be improved by performing a second injection fill and a new first injection fill on the material that has been cured by the first injection fill, in coordination with a single action of a mold clamping device.

[0004] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 2922436 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Regarding the first injection filling, as a countermeasure against poor venting or short shot, it is preferable, for example, to begin the injection filling of the molding material while the mold assembly is open to the extent of gas leakage or when the mold closing pressure is less than the specified mold closing pressure after mold closing, i.e., before or after mold closing. However, if a second and subsequent injection are performed at the same time, burrs may sometimes occur. Therefore, it is ideal for the second and subsequent injections to be performed after mold closing. However, if the second and subsequent injections are performed after mold closing is confirmed, time may be wasted in between.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, this invention provides an injection molding machine, a control method and program for the injection molding machine that can inject various molding materials at appropriate times.

[0010] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an injection molding machine is provided. The injection molding machine includes an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a mold clamping device. A mold assembly forming at least a first mold cavity space and a second mold cavity space that are not interconnected is mounted on the mold clamping device, or at least a first mold assembly forming the first mold cavity space and a second mold assembly forming the second mold cavity space are mounted on the mold clamping device. A first molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the first mold cavity space through the first injection unit, and a second molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the second mold cavity space through the second injection unit. Furthermore, the injection molding machine includes a control device for controlling the injection device and the mold clamping device, and a storage device for pre-storing a set time. The control device controls the injection to begin filling the second injection unit after a set time has elapsed from a predetermined time point. The predetermined time point is either the time point at which the first injection unit begins filling the injection or the time point before the first injection unit begins filling the injection. The set time is a delay time that allows the start of injection filling of the second injection unit to be delayed by a time compared to the start of injection filling of the first injection unit.

[0012] Through one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to inject various molding materials at appropriate times. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of injection molding machine 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the side of injection molding machine 1.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the upper surface of injection molding machine 1.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The arrow view of the injection molding machine 1 shown in AA.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the side of the injection molding machine 1 when the fixed side mold 301 and the movable side mold 302 are closed.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the upper surface of the injection molding machine 1 when the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are closed.

[0019] Figure 7 It is an activity diagram that shows the forming process of a molded product.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the injection unit 21.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the structure of control device 5.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a flowchart showing the operation flow of injection molding machine 1.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing the operation flow of injection molding machine 1.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the side of the injection molding machine 10.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the upper surface of the injection molding machine 10.

[0026] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 The arrow view of the injection molding machine 10 shown in Figure BB.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the side of the injection molding machine 10 when the fixed side mold 311, fixed side mold 321 and movable side mold 312, movable side mold 322 are closed.

[0028] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing the upper surface of the injection molding machine 10 when the fixed side mold 311, fixed side mold 321, movable side mold 312, and movable side mold 322 are closed.

[0029] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 1: Injection molding machine

[0031] 2: Injection device

[0032] 3: Mold closing device

[0033] 4: Mobile devices

[0034] 5: Control device

[0035] 6: Storage device

[0036] 7: Correction device

[0037] 8: Display device

[0038] 9: Control Panel

[0039] 10: Injection Molding Machine

[0040] 21: Injection Unit

[0041] 22: Injection unit

[0042] 23: Injection Unit

[0043] 24: Injection Unit

[0044] 31: Fixed pressure plate

[0045] 32: Movable pressure plate

[0046] 33: Support plate

[0047] 34: Pull rod

[0048] 35: Mold opening and closing drive device

[0049] 36: Mold Closing Drive Device

[0050] 41: Drive mechanism

[0051] 42: Rotary table

[0052] 43: Gear

[0053] 44: Rotation axis

[0054] 51: Processing Department

[0055] 52: Storage Department

[0056] 53: Temporary Storage Department

[0057] 54: External device connection part

[0058] 55: Ministry of Communications

[0059] 56: Communication bus

[0060] 210: Plasticizing tank

[0061] 210a: Cylinder bore

[0062] 211: Plasticizing Screw

[0063] 220: Injection cylinder

[0064] 220a: Cylinder bore

[0065] 220b: Ejaculation chamber

[0066] 221: Injection Shaft

[0067] 222: Injection nozzle

[0068] 230: Connector

[0069] 230a: Connecting path

[0070] 300: Mold assembly

[0071] 300a: First mold cavity space

[0072] 300b: Second mold cavity space

[0073] 301: Fixed side mold

[0074] 302: Movable side mold

[0075] 310: Mold assembly

[0076] 310a: First mold cavity space

[0077] 311: Fixed side mold

[0078] 312: Movable side mold

[0079] 320: Mold assembly

[0080] 320a: Second mold cavity space

[0081] 321: Fixed side mold

[0082] 322: Movable side mold Detailed Implementation

[0083] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described using the accompanying drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

[0084] Furthermore, the program used to implement the software in this embodiment can also be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable medium (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium). Alternatively, it can be provided by means of downloading from an external server, or by means of using an external computer to launch the program and implementing its functions using a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the term "component" may, for example, include a combination of hardware resources implemented through a generalized circuit and information processing software that can be specifically implemented by these hardware resources. Additionally, in this embodiment, various types of information are processed, represented for example by physical values ​​indicating voltage / current, high or low signal values ​​as sets of binary bits containing 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called qubits), enabling communication / operations to be performed on a generalized circuit.

[0086] Furthermore, a circuit in a broad sense refers to a circuit implemented by appropriately combining at least a circuit, a circuit system, a processor, and a memory. That is, it includes Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (such as Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)).

[0087] 1. Overview of Injection Molding Machines

[0088] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of an injection molding machine 1. As shown in the figure, the injection molding machine 1 includes an injection unit 2, a mold clamping unit 3, a moving unit 4, a control unit 5, a storage unit 6, a correction device 7, a display device 8, and an operation panel 9. The injection unit 2 has at least an injection unit 21 as a first injection unit and an injection unit 22 as a second injection unit. The moving unit 4 may also be included in the mold clamping unit 3. The storage unit 6 and the correction device 7 may also be included in the control unit 5. The injection molding machine 1 performs injection molding on molded articles, and the molding materials include thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, and light metal materials. The following description assumes that the injection molding machine 1 molds thermoplastic resins (hereinafter referred to as resin materials).

[0089] 2. Mold closing device 3 and moving device 4

[0090] First, the mold clamping device 3 and the moving device 4 will be explained. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the side view of injection molding machine 1. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the upper surface of injection molding machine 1. Additionally, Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine 1 (arrow view AA). As shown in these figures, the mold clamping device 3 carries at least one mold assembly 300. The mold assembly 300 includes a fixed-side mold 301 and a movable-side mold 302. When the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are closed by the mold clamping device 3, at least a first mold cavity space 300a and a second mold cavity space 300b, which are not connected to each other, are formed. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the side of the injection molding machine 1 when the fixed side mold 301 and the movable side mold 302 are closed. Figure 6This diagram shows the upper surface of the injection molding machine 1 when the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are closed. Furthermore, the first cavity space 300a and the second cavity space 300b are each independently formed in the mold assembly 300. The first cavity space 300a and the second cavity space 300b, starting from the injection unit 2 side, each sequentially include at least a sprue section, a gate section, and a product section. There are also cases where a runner section is included between the sprue section and the gate section. Additionally, the runner section may sometimes include a hot runner device as needed.

[0091] Here, a general description of the mold clamping device 3 is given. Mold clamping devices are generally divided into direct pressure type and toggle type, and mold clamping device 3 is an example of the direct pressure type. The mold clamping device 3 includes a fixed pressure plate 31, a movable pressure plate 32, a support pressure plate 33, a tie bar 34, a mold opening and closing drive device 35, a mold closing drive device 36, and a protruding device not shown.

[0092] The fixed pressure plate 31 and the supporting pressure plate 33 are fixed to both ends of the tie rod 34. The movable pressure plate 32 moves between the fixed pressure plate 31 and the supporting pressure plate 33. A fixed-side mold 301 is installed on the fixed pressure plate 31, and a movable-side mold 302 is installed on the movable pressure plate 32. In addition, a mold opening and closing drive device 35 and a mold closing drive device 36 are installed on the supporting pressure plate 33. The drive shafts of the mold opening and closing drive device 35 and the mold closing drive device 36 are each mounted on the movable pressure plate 32, and the mold opening and closing drive device 35 and the mold closing drive device 36 are driven by various means, such as electric or hydraulic. Furthermore, the mold opening and closing drive device 35 and the mold closing drive device 36 may also include a single drive device.

[0093] The mold opening and closing drive device 35 includes, for example, a ball screw mechanism and a rotary motor, which causes the movable pressure plate 32 to move significantly when the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are opened and closed. The pressure applied to the movable pressure plate 32 can be detected, for example, based on the current flowing in the rotary motor. Alternatively, the pressure applied to the movable pressure plate 32 can also be detected using a pressure detector such as a load sensor. The position and movement speed of the movable pressure plate 32 can be detected, for example, using a position detector such as a rotary encoder that detects the rotational speed of the rotary motor. Alternatively, the position and movement speed of the movable pressure plate 32 can also be detected using a position detector such as a linear encoder.

[0094] The mold closing drive device 36 includes, for example, a hydraulic actuator that applies a large pressure to the movable pressure plate 32 when the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are closed. The pressure that fastens the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 can be detected, for example, by a pressure detector equipped with the hydraulic actuator. Alternatively, the pressure that fastens the mold can also be detected, for example, by a pressure detector such as a load sensor.

[0095] In the first mold cavity space 300a formed by the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302, molding material is injected and filled through the injection unit 21, thereby forming a first molded article. In addition, the first molded article is pre-received in the second mold cavity space 300b, and molding material is injected and filled through the injection unit 22. The molding material is then bonded to the first molded article to form a second molded article containing the first molded article. The molding material injected and filled by the injection unit 21 and the molding material injected and filled by the injection unit 22 can be materials with different compositions, or materials with the same composition but different colors. Alternatively, they can both be the same molding material. In other words, the first molding material injected and filled by the injection unit 21 and the second molding material injected and filled by the injection unit 22 can be materials with different compositions but the same color, materials with the same composition but different colors, or materials with different compositions and colors. Furthermore, the first molding material and the second molding material can also be the same molding material, i.e., materials with the same composition and color. Thus, the injection molding machine 1 injects molding material into the first mold cavity space 300a through the injection unit 21, which serves as the first injection unit, to form the first molded article, and injects molding material into the second mold cavity space 300b through the injection unit 22, which serves as the second injection unit, to form the second molded article.

[0096] To form the second molded article, the first molded article needs to be housed in the second mold cavity space 300b. Therefore, the moving device 4 moves the first molded article to a predetermined position that constitutes part of the second mold cavity space 300b. For example, the moving device 4 is composed of a drive mechanism 41, a rotary table 42, a gear 43, and a rotating shaft 44. The rotary table 42 is rotatably mounted on the movable pressure plate 32 via the rotating shaft 44. A movable side mold 302 is disposed in the rotary table 42, and the power generated by the drive mechanism 41 is transmitted to the rotary table 42 via the gear 43, and the rotary table 42 rotates about the rotating shaft 44 as the central axis. The rotary table 42 only needs to rotate at least a predetermined rotation angle when the mold assembly 300 is opened by the mold closing device 3. The direction of rotation can be, for example, always clockwise, always counterclockwise, or can be switched between clockwise and counterclockwise as needed each time it rotates. The predetermined rotation angle and the predetermined rotation direction can be determined, for example, according to various structures such as the number of mold cavity spaces. In this embodiment, the rotary table 42 rotates 180 degrees in one rotation. This rotation changes the orientation of the movable mold 302 and the fixed mold 301 when they face each other. In the movable mold 302, the portion constituting the first mold cavity space 300a becomes the portion constituting the second mold cavity space 300b, and the portion constituting the second mold cavity space 300b becomes the portion constituting the first mold cavity space 300a. When the rotary table 42 rotates, if a first molded article is attached to the movable mold 302, the first molded article is housed in the second mold cavity space 300b. Furthermore, the moving device 4 is not limited to including the drive mechanism 41, the rotary table 42, and the gear 43; it can be of any structure as long as the first molded article formed in the first mold cavity space 300a can be housed in the second mold cavity space 300b. For example, the moving device 4 may be configured to include a robot arm, which moves it to the part of the mold device 300 that constitutes the second mold cavity space 300b, and uses the robot arm to house the first molded article in the second mold cavity space 300b.

[0097] 3. Molding process of molded products

[0098] The forming process of the molded product is explained here. Figure 7 This is an activity diagram illustrating the molding process of the molded article. First, the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are closed (A101), and filling molding material is injected into the first mold cavity space 300a through the injection unit 21 (A102). Then, the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are opened (A103). Next, the first molded article is moved (A104), and the fixed-side mold 301 and the movable-side mold 302 are closed (A105).

[0099] Next, filling molding material is injected into the first mold cavity space 300a through injection unit 21 (A106), and filling molding material is injected into the second mold cavity space 300b through injection unit 22 (A107). Then, the fixed side mold 301 and the movable side mold 302 are opened (A108), and the second molded article is taken out (A109). The activities A104 to A109 are repeated until a predetermined number of second molded articles are formed. The predetermined number is one less than the desired number of second molded articles. After forming the predetermined number of second molded articles, the first molded article is moved (A110), and the fixed side mold 301 and the movable side mold 302 are closed (A111). Then, the filling molding material is injected into the second mold cavity space 300b through the injection unit 22 (A112). Then, the fixed side mold 301 and the movable side mold 302 are opened (A113), and the second molded article is taken out (A114), thereby ending the molding of the molded article.

[0100] 4. Injection unit 21 and injection unit 22

[0101] Next, the structures of injection units 21 and 22 will be described. Injection units are generally divided into screw preplasticizing and in-line screw types. Injection units 21 and 22 are used as examples of screw preplasticizing. Furthermore, since injection units 21 and 22 have the same structure, only the structure of injection unit 21 will be described here, and the description of the structure of injection unit 22 will be omitted.

[0102] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a structural example of the ejection unit 21. Furthermore, in Figure 8 A portion of the injection unit 21 is shown in cross-section in the figure. As shown, the injection unit 21 includes a plasticizing cylinder 210, an injection cylinder 220, and a connector 230 connecting them. The plasticizing cylinder 210 includes a cylinder bore 210a and a plasticizing screw 211 rotating within the cylinder bore 210a. Resin material is supplied to the plasticizing cylinder 210 from the outside, and the resin material in the plasticizing cylinder 210 is plasticized and melted by the rotating plasticizing screw 211 while being heated by a heater wound around the outer periphery of the plasticizing cylinder 210. The resin material in the plasticizing cylinder 210 melts and becomes a flowable molten resin as it moves toward the tip of the plasticizing screw 211, and is conveyed to the injection cylinder 220 via a connecting passage 230a formed in the connector 230.

[0103] The injection cylinder 220 includes a cylinder bore 220a and an injection shaft 221 that moves back and forth within the cylinder bore 220a. Additionally, the injection cylinder 220 has an injection nozzle 222 at its front end, which is connected to the fixed-side mold 301. An injection chamber 220b communicating with the injection nozzle 222 is formed in front of the front end face of the injection shaft 221 within the cylinder bore 220a. The injection shaft 221 moves in the back-and-forth direction within the cylinder bore 220a, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume of the injection chamber 220b. The injection shaft 221 is driven in various ways, such as electrically or hydraulically. Furthermore, through the movement of the injection shaft 221, molten resin, as the molding material, is injected and filled into the first mold cavity space 300a.

[0104] A connecting passage 230a is formed in the connector 230, connecting the cylinder bore 210a of the plasticizing cylinder 210 to the injection chamber 220b of the injection cylinder 220. It opens when molten resin is supplied from the plasticizing cylinder 210 to the injection cylinder 220 and closes when the filled molten resin is injected. The opening and closing of the connecting passage 230a is achieved by a backflow prevention device (not shown). For example, the backflow prevention device may be configured to form an opening on the plasticizing cylinder side of the connecting passage 230a facing the front end face of the plasticizing screw 211, and to allow the plasticizing screw 211 to move back and forth relative to the opening. When the connecting passage 230a is to be closed, the plasticizing screw 211 is advanced, and the front end face of the plasticizing screw 211 blocks the opening on the plasticizing cylinder side of the connecting passage 230a. When the connecting passage 230a is to be opened, the plasticizing screw 211 is retracted, creating a gap between the opening on the plasticizing cylinder side of the connecting passage 230a and the front end face of the plasticizing screw 211. Alternatively, the backflow prevention device can also be a variety of on / off valves capable of opening and closing the connecting passage 230a.

[0105] Molten resin flows from the plasticizing cylinder 210 into the injection chamber 220b of the injection cylinder 220 while pushing the injection shaft 221 backward, until the injection shaft 221 retracts to a predetermined position. The molten resin is metered according to the retracted position of the injection shaft 221. At this time, the injection shaft 221 is sometimes also subjected to a back pressure, which is lower than the pressure of the molten resin and is in the forward direction of the injection shaft 221. In addition, the injection shaft 221 is, for example, an injection plunger.

[0106] Thus, the first injection unit 21 includes an injection cylinder 220 as a first injection cylinder and an injection shaft 221 as a first injection shaft that moves back and forth in the cylinder bore 220a of the first injection cylinder. Similarly, the second injection unit includes a second injection cylinder and a second injection shaft that moves back and forth in the cylinder bore of the second injection cylinder.

[0107] 5. Control device 5, storage device 6, and correction device 7

[0108] Next, the structure of control device 5 will be described. Figure 9This is a diagram showing the structure of the control device 5. As shown in the figure, the control device 5 has a processing unit 51, a storage unit 52, a temporary storage unit 53, an external device connection unit 54, and a communication unit 55. These components are electrically connected inside the control device 5 via a communication bus 56.

[0109] The processing unit 51 is implemented, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) and runs according to a program stored in the storage unit 52 to perform various functions.

[0110] Storage unit 52 is a non-volatile storage medium for storing various types of information. It may be implemented using storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). Furthermore, storage unit 52 can also be configured in other devices capable of communicating with control device 5.

[0111] Temporary storage unit 53 is a volatile storage medium. It is implemented, for example, by a memory such as random access memory (RAM), and is used to store information (variables, arrays, etc.) temporarily needed during the operation of processing unit 51.

[0112] The external device connection part 54 is, for example, a connection part based on the Universal Serial Bus (USB) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI (registered trademark)) standard, and can connect to input devices such as keyboards or display devices such as monitors.

[0113] The communication unit 55 is, for example, a communication component based on the Local Area Network (LAN) specification, and enables communication between the control device 5 and the LAN or networks such as the Internet via it.

[0114] Furthermore, the control device 5 can utilize general-purpose server-oriented computers or personal computers, or multiple computers can be used to construct the control device 5.

[0115] Thus, the control device 5 is a computer, which operates using the control program of the injection molding machine. The control program of the injection molding machine, which operates as a control device, enables the computer to function as a control device for the injection molding machine.

[0116] Here, the features of the control device 5 will be described. The control device 5 controls the injection unit 22 to begin injection filling after a set time elapsed from a predetermined time point. The predetermined time point is either the time when the injection unit 21 begins injection filling or the time point before the injection unit 21 begins injection filling. For example, the predetermined time point can be the time when the injection unit 21 begins injection filling or the time when the mold closing device 3 temporarily stops. The set time is a delay time that allows the start of injection filling of the injection unit 22 to be delayed by a time compared to the start of injection filling of the injection unit 21. Specifically, the control device 5 temporarily stops the operation of the mold closing device 3 in the middle of the mold closing operation or in the middle of the mold closing operation after the mold closing operation is completed, and then begins injection filling of the injection unit 21 by advancing the injection shaft 221. The operation of the mold closing device 3 is restarted at the time point when the advancing injection shaft 221 reaches a predetermined position. Here, the set time is determined, for example, using test molding performed before mass production molding. Specifically, a set time is initially set to a sufficient length for the second molded product to avoid molding defects such as burrs, for example, a set time for injection filling by injection unit 22 to begin after mold closing. Test molding is repeatedly performed while gradually shortening the set time, and the set time at which molding defects such as burrs will occur in the second molded product is adopted as the final set time. The final set time can also be considered the optimal set time that avoids molding defects such as burrs in the second molded product and further shortens the molding cycle time. Alternatively, if the quality of the second molded product can be automatically determined using a camera device or the like instead of visual inspection by the operator, the optimal set time can also be automatically determined during the test molding. Furthermore, for the final set time, a certain degree of margin can be allowed within the range that can be considered the optimal set time.

[0117] The setting time is set to allow the injection filling of injection unit 22 to begin during the period from the start of injection filling of injection unit 21 until the mold closing action of mold closing device 3 is completed. Alternatively, the setting time can also be set to allow the injection filling of injection unit 22 to begin during the period from the restart of the operation of mold closing device 3 until the mold closing action of mold closing device 3 is completed. Furthermore, the setting time is pre-stored in storage device 6.

[0118] The storage device 6 stores the setting time and is implemented, for example, by a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive, or a non-volatile memory. In addition, the storage unit 52 of the control device 5 can also be used as the storage device 6.

[0119] The correction device 7 corrects the set time stored in the storage device 6. The correction device 7 can use a computer in the same way as the control device 5, but the function of the correction device 7 can also be performed by the control device 5.

[0120] When the time from the specified time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device 3 is longer than the reference time, the correction device 7 extends the set time based on the difference; when the time from the specified time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device 3 is shorter than the reference time, the correction device 7 shortens the set time based on the difference, thereby correcting the set time. Specifically, when the time from the specified time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device 3 is longer than the reference time, the correction device 7 adds the absolute value of the difference to the set time; when the time from the specified time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device 3 is shorter than the reference time, the correction device 7 subtracts the absolute value of the difference from the set time, thereby correcting the set time. The reference time is, for example, the value of the last good product molding or its average value. In addition, when the set time is corrected by the correction device 7, the storage device 6 stores the corrected set time as the new value of the set time. Furthermore, the corrected set time can have a certain degree of margin within the range that can be considered the optimal set time.

[0121] In addition, the control device 5 controls the mold closing process, injection filling process, pressure holding process, cooling process, mold opening process, and metering process. The mold closing process is the process of closing the fixed mold 301 and the movable mold 302 using the mold closing device 3. The injection filling process is the process of injecting molten resin into the first mold cavity space 300a and the second mold cavity space 300b. The pressure holding process is the process of applying holding pressure to the molten resin in the first mold cavity space 300a and the second mold cavity space 300b using the injection device 2. The cooling process is the process of solidifying the molded product by cooling after releasing the holding pressure. Furthermore, the mold opening process is the process of opening the fixed mold 301 and the movable mold 302 using the mold closing device 3. The metering process is the process of melting the resin material using the plasticizing cylinder 210 and metering the molten resin using the injection cylinder 220. Additionally, for example, after the mold opening process, the control device 5 controls the movement process of receiving the first molded article into the second mold cavity space 300b via the moving device 4. Additionally, for example, after the mold opening process, the control device 5 controls the removal process of the second molded article via a removal device (not shown). Furthermore, for example, after the mold opening process, the control device 5 may also control the process by outputting a movement command signal to the moving device 4 and a removal command signal to the removal device, and upon receiving a movement completion signal from the moving device 4 and a removal completion signal from the removal device, begin the next cycle of the mold closing process.

[0122] 6. Display device 8 and control panel 9

[0123] The display device 8 displays the operating status or various settings of the injection molding machine 1. The display device 8 can have a transparent touch panel overlaid on the display screen and include input keys; the touch panel can also be used as an operation panel 9. The operation panel 9 has operation keys for the operator to operate the injection molding machine 1. Additionally, the operation panel 9 has input keys for the operator to input settings for the injection molding machine 1, including molding conditions.

[0124] 7. Operation of Injection Molding Machine 1

[0125] Next, an example of the operation of injection molding machine 1 will be explained. Figure 10 This is an animation diagram illustrating the operation flow of the injection molding machine 1. The control device 5 first operates the mold clamping device 3 (A201). Then, during the middle of the mold closing operation or during the middle of the mold closing operation after the mold closing operation is completed, the control device 5 temporarily stops the mold clamping device 3 (A202). In this state, the control device 5 advances the injection shaft 221 of the injection unit 21 to begin injecting and filling the molding material into the first mold cavity space 300a (A203), and begins timing for a set time (A204).

[0126] Then, the injection of molding material continues through injection unit 21, and the operation of mold clamping device 3 restarts at the time point when the advancing injection shaft 221 reaches the predetermined position (A205). Then, when the mold clamping operation is completed by mold clamping device 3, control device 5 stops the operation of mold clamping device 3 (A206). On the other hand, when the injection of molding material is completed through injection unit 21, control device 5 stops the injection of molding material through injection unit 21 (A207). Between these operations, when the timer reaches the set time, control device 5 advances the injection shaft of injection unit 22 to start the injection of molding material into the second mold cavity space 300b (A208). When the injection of molding material is completed through injection unit 22, control device 5 stops the injection of molding material through injection unit 22 (A209). Then, correction device 7 corrects for the set time as needed (A210), ending one cycle of the operation of injection molding machine 1. Furthermore, the correction using the correction device 7 can be performed in each cycle or once every few cycles. Alternatively, correction can be omitted after a predetermined number of corrections.

[0127] Next, another example of the operation of injection molding machine 1 will be described. Figure 11This is an animation diagram showing the operation flow of the injection molding machine 1. The control device 5 first starts the mold closing device 3 (A301). Then, in the middle of the mold closing operation or in the middle of the mold closing operation after the mold closing operation is completed, the control device 5 temporarily stops the mold closing device 3 (A302) and starts timing for a set time (A303).

[0128] Subsequently, the control device 5 advances the injection shaft 221 of the injection unit 21 to begin injecting and filling the molding material into the first mold cavity space 300a (A304). Then, the injection and filling of molding material continues through the injection unit 21, and the operation of the mold closing device 3 restarts at the time point when the advancing injection shaft 221 reaches a predetermined position (A305). Then, when the mold closing action is completed by the mold closing device 3, the control device 5 stops the operation of the mold closing device 3 (A306). On the other hand, when the injection and filling of molding material is completed through the injection unit 21, the control device 5 stops the injection and filling of molding material through the injection unit 21 (A307). Between these actions, when the timer reaches the set time, the control device 5 advances the injection axis of the injection unit 22 to begin injection filling of the molding material into the second mold cavity space 300b (A308). When the injection filling of the molding material is completed by the injection unit 22, the control device 5 stops the injection filling of the molding material through the injection unit 22 (A309). Then, the correction device 7 performs correction for the set time as needed (A310), ending one cycle of the injection molding machine 1's operation. Furthermore, the correction using the correction device 7 can be performed in each cycle or once every few cycles. Alternatively, correction can be omitted after a predetermined number of corrections.

[0129] 8. Injection molding machine 10

[0130] Next, as a variation of injection molding machine 1, injection molding machine 10 will be described. Figure 12 This is a view showing the side of the injection molding machine 10. Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the upper surface of the injection molding machine 10. Additionally, Figure 14 yes Figure 12 The arrow view of the injection molding machine 10 shown in Figure BB. Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the side of the injection molding machine 10 when the fixed side mold 311, fixed side mold 321 and movable side mold 312, movable side mold 322 are closed. Figure 16This is a diagram showing the upper surface of the injection molding machine 10 when the fixed-side mold 311, fixed-side mold 321, movable-side mold 312, and movable-side mold 322 are closed. As shown in these figures, the mold closing device 3 is equipped with at least a mold device 310 as a first mold device for forming a first mold cavity space 310a and a mold device 320 as a second mold device for forming a second mold cavity space 320a.

[0131] The differences between injection molding machine 1 and injection molding machine 10 will be explained. Firstly, the positions of injection unit 23 (as the first injection unit) and injection unit 24 (as the second injection unit) differ from the positions of injection units 21 and 22. Secondly, the first mold cavity space 310a in the mold assembly 310 is formed by the fixed-side mold 311 and the movable-side mold 312, or by the fixed-side mold 311 and the movable-side mold 322, while the second mold cavity space 320a in the mold assembly 320 is formed by the fixed-side mold 321 and the movable-side mold 322, or by the fixed-side mold 321 and the movable-side mold 312. Furthermore, the operation of injection molding machine 10 is the same as that of injection molding machine 1, therefore detailed explanation is omitted.

[0132] Furthermore, the structure of injection molding machine 1 can be appropriately combined with the structure of injection molding machine 10. For example, injection unit 21 and injection unit 22 can be provided in the same manner as injection molding machine 1, and fixed side mold 311, fixed side mold 321, movable side mold 312, and movable side mold 322 can be mounted on mold clamping device 3. Alternatively, injection unit 23 and injection unit 24 can be provided in the same manner as injection molding machine 10, and fixed side mold 301 and movable side mold 302 can be mounted on mold clamping device 3.

[0133] Alternatively, the structure of injection molding machine 1 and injection molding machine 10 can also be as follows: an injection device 2 is arranged on the movable pressure plate 32 side of the mold clamping device 3, and filling molding material is injected from the movable mold side mounted on the movable pressure plate 32 into the mold cavity space. In this case, if a rotary table 42 is included as a moving device 4, the rotary table 42 is rotatably mounted on the fixed pressure plate 31 via a rotation shaft 44 and carries the fixed mold side.

[0134] Furthermore, the injection molding machine 1 can be configured such that a mold assembly 300, which forms three or more mold cavities including a first mold cavity space 300a and a second mold cavity space 300b, is mounted on a mold clamping device 3, and three or more injection units, including an injection unit 21 as a first injection unit and an injection unit 22 as a second injection unit, are equipped on the injection assembly 2. In this case, as for controlling each injection unit other than injection unit 21 and injection unit 22, the control device 5 can control the injection filling to begin at the same time as injection unit 21, or it can control the injection filling to begin at the same time as injection unit 22. Alternatively, it can be controlled by setting a different time than for injection unit 22, and starting injection filling at a time different from the time injection unit 22 begins injection filling, and delaying the start of injection filling relative to the start of injection filling of injection unit 21. In addition, for example, if a setting time is also set for the injection units other than the injection unit 22, the correction device 7 can correct the setting time for each of them.

[0135] Furthermore, the injection molding machine 10 can be configured such that three or more mold devices, including a mold device 310 as a first mold device and a mold device 320 as a second mold device, are mounted on a mold clamping device 3, and that three or more injection units, including an injection unit 23 as a first injection unit and an injection unit 24 as a second injection unit, are included. In this case, as for controlling each injection unit other than injection unit 23 and injection unit 24, the control device 5 can control the injection filling to begin at the same time as injection unit 23, or it can control it to begin injection filling at the same time as injection unit 24. Alternatively, it can be controlled by setting a different time than injection unit 24, and starting injection filling at a time different from the time injection unit 24 begins injection filling, and delaying the start of injection filling relative to the start of injection filling of injection unit 23. Additionally, if, for example, a set time is also set for injection units other than injection unit 24, the correction device 7 can correct the respective set time.

[0136] Furthermore, the structures of injection molding machine 1 and injection molding machine 10 may also exclude the moving device 4. That is, the present invention can also be applied to situations where the moving device 4 is not included in the injection molding machine 1, a first molded article is formed in the first mold cavity space 300a, and a second molded article not containing the first molded article is formed in the second mold cavity space 300b, which is not connected to the first mold cavity space 300a. Similarly, the present invention can also be applied to situations where the moving device 4 is not included in the injection molding machine 10, a first molded article is formed in the first mold cavity space 310a, and a second molded article not containing the first molded article is formed in the second mold cavity space 320a, which is not connected to the first mold cavity space 310a.

[0137] 9. Other

[0138] The present invention may be provided in various forms as described below.

[0139] (1) An injection molding machine, comprising an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a mold clamping device, wherein a mold assembly forming at least a first mold cavity space and a second mold cavity space that are not connected to each other is mounted on the mold clamping device, or at least a first mold assembly forming the first mold cavity space and a second mold assembly forming the second mold cavity space are mounted on the mold clamping device, wherein a first molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the first mold cavity space through the first injection unit, and a second molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the second mold cavity space through the second injection unit. The injection molding machine includes a control device for controlling the injection device and the mold clamping device, and a storage device for pre-storing a set time. The control device controls the injection filling of the second injection unit to begin after the set time has elapsed from a predetermined time point. The predetermined time point is either the time point at which the first injection unit begins injection filling or the time point before the first injection unit begins injection filling. The set time is a delay time that is set to delay the start of injection filling of the second injection unit from the start of injection filling of the first injection unit.

[0140] (2) According to the injection molding machine described in (1), wherein the first injection unit includes a first injection cylinder and a first injection shaft that moves back and forth in the cylinder bore of the first injection cylinder, and the second injection unit includes a second injection cylinder and a second injection shaft that moves back and forth in the cylinder bore of the second injection cylinder. The control device temporarily stops the operation of the mold closing device in the middle of the mold closing operation or in the middle of the mold closing operation after the mold closing operation is completed, and then starts the forward movement of the first injection shaft to start the injection filling of the first injection unit. The operation of the mold closing device is restarted at the time point when the forward-moving first injection shaft reaches the specified position.

[0141] (3) According to the injection molding machine of (2), wherein the set time is set to be the time during which the injection filling of the second injection unit can begin from the start of the injection filling of the first injection unit until the mold closing action of the mold closing device is completed.

[0142] (4) According to the injection molding machine of (3), wherein the set time is set to be the time during which the injection filling of the second injection unit can begin from the time the operation of the mold clamping device restarts until the mold clamping operation of the mold clamping device is completed.

[0143] (5) The injection molding machine according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the specified time point is the time point at which the first injection unit begins injection filling.

[0144] (6) An injection molding machine according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the specified time point is the time point at which the mold closing device is temporarily stopped.

[0145] (7) An injection molding machine according to any one of (1) to (4) includes a correction device that corrects the set time. When the time from the predetermined time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device is longer than the reference time, the correction device extends the set time based on the difference between the two. When the time from the predetermined time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device is shorter than the reference time, the correction device shortens the set time based on the difference between the two. The storage device stores the set time corrected by the correction device as a new value of the set time.

[0146] (8) According to the injection molding machine of (7), wherein when the time from the predetermined time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device is longer than the reference time, the correction device adds the absolute value of the difference between them to the set time; when the time from the predetermined time point to the completion of mold closing by the mold closing device is shorter than the reference time, the correction device subtracts the absolute value of the difference between them from the set time to correct the set time, and the storage device stores the set time corrected by the correction device as a new value of the set time.

[0147] (9) An injection molding machine according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first molded article is pre-received in the second mold cavity space and the molding material is injected through the second injection unit, the molding material being combined with the first molded article to form a second molded article containing the first molded article.

[0148] (10) The injection molding machine according to (2) includes a moving device that moves the first molded article to a predetermined position constituting a portion of the second mold cavity space.

[0149] (11) A control method for an injection molding machine, the injection molding machine comprising an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a mold clamping device, wherein a mold device forming at least a first mold cavity space and a second mold cavity space that are not connected is mounted on the mold clamping device, or at least a first mold device forming the first mold cavity space and a second mold device forming the second mold cavity space are mounted on the mold clamping device, wherein a first molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the first mold cavity space through the first injection unit, and a second molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the second mold cavity space through the second injection unit, wherein in the control method of the injection molding machine, the injection filling of the second injection unit begins after a predetermined time point has elapsed from a predetermined time point, the predetermined time point being either the time point at which the first injection unit begins injection filling or the time point before the first injection unit begins injection filling, and the predetermined time being a delay time set to allow the start of the injection filling of the second injection unit to be delayed by a time compared to the start of the injection filling of the first injection unit.

[0150] (12) A program, a control program for an injection molding machine, the injection molding machine comprising an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a mold clamping device, wherein a mold device forming at least a first mold cavity space and a second mold cavity space that are not connected is mounted on the mold clamping device, or at least a first mold device forming the first mold cavity space and a second mold device forming the second mold cavity space are mounted on the mold clamping device, wherein a first molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the first mold cavity space through the first injection unit, and a first molded article is formed by injecting molding material into the second mold cavity space through the second injection unit. The second molded article is formed in the two mold cavity space. The control program of the injection molding machine causes the computer to run as the control device of the injection molding machine. The control device controls the injection filling of the second injection unit to start after a predetermined time point has elapsed from a predetermined time point and a time point before the first injection unit starts injection filling. The predetermined time point is the time point when the first injection unit starts injection filling or the time point before the first injection unit starts injection filling. The predetermined time is a delay time that is set to delay the start of the injection filling of the second injection unit from the start of the injection filling of the first injection unit.

[0151] Of course, it's not limited to this.

[0152] Finally, various embodiments of the invention have been described, but they are given by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments or variations thereof are included in the scope or spirit of the invention and are encompassed within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An injection molding machine comprising an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a clamping device, and a mold device forming at least a first cavity space and a second cavity space each not communicating is mounted to the clamping device, or at least a first mold device forming the first cavity space and a second mold device forming the second cavity space are mounted to the clamping device, a first molded article is molded by injecting and filling a molding material into the first cavity space by the first injection unit, and a second molded article is molded by injecting and filling a molding material into the second cavity space by the second injection unit, wherein the first cavity space and the second cavity space are constituted by a fixed side mold and a movable side mold, in the injection molding machine, a control device that controls the injection device and the clamping device, and a storage device that stores a set time in advance, the first injection unit includes a first injection cylinder, and a first injection shaft that moves forward and backward in a cylinder bore of the first injection cylinder, the second injection unit includes a second injection cylinder, and a second injection shaft that moves forward and backward in a cylinder bore of the second injection cylinder, the control device temporarily stops the operation of the clamping device in a middle state of a clamping operation or a middle state of a clamping operation performed after completion of the clamping operation, and then starts the injection and filling of the first injection unit by starting the advancement of the first injection shaft, and the operation of the clamping device is restarted at a time point when the first injection shaft in the advancement reaches a prescribed position, the control device controls so that the injection and filling of the second injection unit is started after a lapse of the set time from a prescribed time point, the prescribed time point is a time point when the injection and filling of the first injection unit is started or a time point before the injection and filling of the first injection unit is started, the set time is a delay time that is set to be able to delay the start of the injection and filling of the second injection unit from the start of the injection and filling of the first injection unit.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the set time is set to be able to start the injection and filling of the second injection unit during a period from the start of the injection and filling of the first injection unit to completion of the clamping operation of the clamping device.

3. The injection molding machine according to claim 2, wherein the set time is set to be able to start the injection and filling of the second injection unit during a period from the restart of the operation of the clamping device to completion of the clamping operation of the clamping device.

4. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed time point is a time point when the injection and filling of the first injection unit is started.

5. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed time point is a time point when the operation of the clamping device is temporarily stopped.

6. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, comprising a correction device, the correction device corrects the set time, The correction device corrects the set time by adding the absolute value of the difference to the set time when the time from the prescribed time point to the completion of the clamping of the clamping device is longer than the reference time, and subtracting the absolute value of the difference from the set time when the time from the prescribed time point to the completion of the clamping of the clamping device is shorter than the reference time, The storage device stores the set time corrected by the correction device as a new value of the set time.

7. The injection molding machine according to claim 6, wherein The correction device corrects the set time by adding the absolute value of the difference to the set time when the time from the prescribed time point to the completion of the clamping of the clamping device is longer than the reference time, and subtracting the absolute value of the difference from the set time when the time from the prescribed time point to the completion of the clamping of the clamping device is shorter than the reference time, The storage device stores the set time corrected by the correction device as a new value of the set time.

8. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein The second cavity space is provided with the first molded product in advance, and the second molded product is molded by injecting the molding material into the second cavity space by the second injection unit, the molding material being combined with the first molded product.

9. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, comprising a moving device, The moving device moves the first molded product to a prescribed position of a portion constituting the second cavity space.

10. A control method of an injection molding machine including an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a clamping device, and One mold device forming at least a first cavity space and a second cavity space each not communicating with each other is mounted on the clamping device, or at least a first mold device forming the first cavity space and a second mold device forming the second cavity space are mounted on the clamping device, A first molded product is molded by injecting a molding material into the first cavity space by the first injection unit, and a second molded product is molded by injecting a molding material into the second cavity space by the second injection unit, the first cavity space and the second cavity space being constituted by a fixed-side mold and a movable-side mold, In the control method of the injection molding machine, The operation of the clamping device is started, and then temporarily stopped in a state of a clamping operation in the middle of a mold clamping operation or after the completion of the mold clamping operation, and After the operation of the clamping device is temporarily stopped in the state of the clamping operation in the middle of the mold clamping operation or after the completion of the mold clamping operation, the injection filling by the first injection unit is started by starting the advancement of the first injection axis, and the operation of the clamping device is restarted at a time point when the first injection axis in the advancement reaches a prescribed position, the second injection unit is started after a predetermined time point elapses by a set time that is stored in advance in a storage device, the predetermined time point is a time point at which the first injection unit starts injection filling or a time point before the first injection unit starts injection filling, the set time is a delay time that is set to be able to delay the start of injection filling of the second injection unit from the start of injection filling of the first injection unit.

11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that is a control program for an injection molding machine, the injection molding machine includes an injection device having at least a first injection unit and a second injection unit, and a mold clamping device, and a mold device that forms at least a first cavity space and a second cavity space that are each not communicated is mounted on the mold clamping device, or at least a first mold device that forms the first cavity space and a second mold device that forms the second cavity space are mounted on the mold clamping device, a first molded article is molded by injection filling of a molding material into the first cavity space by the first injection unit, and a second molded article is molded by injection filling of a molding material into the second cavity space by the second injection unit, wherein the first cavity space and the second cavity space are constituted by a fixed-side mold and a movable-side mold, the control program of the injection molding machine causes a computer to function as a control device of the injection molding machine, the control device starts operation of the mold clamping device, then temporarily stops operation of the mold clamping device in a state in the middle of a mold clamping operation or in the middle of a mold clamping operation that is performed after completion of a mold clamping operation, and after temporarily stopping operation of the mold clamping device in a state in the middle of a mold clamping operation or in the middle of a mold clamping operation that is performed after completion of a mold clamping operation, operation of the first injection axis is started to start injection filling of the first injection unit, and operation of the mold clamping device is restarted at a time point at which the first injection axis in the advancing reaches a predetermined position, the control device controls so that injection filling of the second injection unit is started after a predetermined time point elapses by a set time that is stored in advance in a storage device, the predetermined time point is a time point at which the first injection unit starts injection filling or a time point before the first injection unit starts injection filling, the set time is a delay time that is set to be able to delay the start of injection filling of the second injection unit from the start of injection filling of the first injection unit.

Images