Management device and management method

Abstract

A management device (12) connected to a plurality of injection molding machines (14) manages molding conditions made for each mold installed in the injection molding machines, the management device (12) having a classification section (30) that classifies the plurality of injection molding machines into one or more groups, and a storage management section (34) that stores electronic data of the molding conditions for each mold in a storage section (28) in correspondence with the group to which the injection molding machine in which the mold is installed belongs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for managing molding conditions and a method for managing molding conditions. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-9305 discloses a user auxiliary device capable of communicatively connecting to multiple injection molding machines. The user auxiliary device generates molding conditions based on a mold installed in the injection molding machine and sends these molding conditions to the injection molding machine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The user-aided device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-9305 obtains molding conditions from other injection molding machines that maintain molding conditions for the same mold, and then uses these obtained molding conditions to create the molding conditions for the injection molding machine. However, when molding conditions are not supplied to the user-aided device from other injection molding machines, there is a problem that the user-aided device cannot create the molding conditions for the injection molding machine, and the injection molding machine cannot set the molding conditions. Furthermore, the aforementioned user-aided device uses a lookup table to obtain molding conditions from other injection molding machines that maintain molding conditions for the same mold. Therefore, maintenance of the lookup table is necessary.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a management device connected to a plurality of injection molding machines, which manages the molding conditions produced by each mold installed on the injection molding machines. The management device includes: a classification unit that classifies the plurality of injection molding machines into one or more groups; and a storage management unit that stores electronic data of the molding conditions of each mold in a storage unit, corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine with the mold installed belongs.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a management method in which molding conditions produced by each mold installed on the injection molding machines are managed in a management device connected to multiple injection molding machines. The management method includes: a classification step, which classifies the multiple injection molding machines into one or more groups; and a storage management step, which stores electronic data of the molding conditions of each mold in a storage unit, corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine with the mold installed belongs.

[0007] According to the present invention, even when molding conditions cannot be supplied to the management device from other injection molding machines, the injection molding machine can still set the molding conditions. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a lookup table is not required, making maintenance easier. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an injection molding system.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a control block diagram of the injection molding machine and its management device.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing examples of injection molding machines grouped and categorized into groups.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a diagram representing the management table.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a conceptual diagram of the forming condition file stored in the storage section. Detailed Implementation

[0013] [First Implementation Method]

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the injection molding system 10. The injection molding system 10 includes a management device 12 and multiple injection molding machines 14. The management device 12 is communicatively connected to each injection molding machine 14 via a LAN (Local Area Network) within the factory. The management device 12 is connected to multiple types of injection molding machines 14. In this embodiment, eight injection molding machines 14 of four types are connected to the management device 12. The four types are a 15-ton machine with a clamping force of 15 tons, a 30-ton machine with a clamping force of 30 tons, a 50-ton machine with a clamping force of 50 tons, and a 100-ton machine with a clamping force of 100 tons. Here, the injection molding machine 14 of type n is sometimes simply referred to as type n 14-n (where n = 1 to 8). In this embodiment, machines 4 (14-4) and 8 (14-8) are 15-ton machines, machines 3 (14-3) and 7 (14-7) are 30-ton machines, machines 1 (14-1) and 2 (14-2) are 50-ton machines, and machines 5 (14-5) and 6 (14-6) are 100-ton machines. Hereinafter, without distinguishing between machines 1 (14-1), 2 (14-2), 3 (14-3), 4 (14-4), 5 (14-5), 6 (14-6), 7 (14-7), and 8 (14-8), they will be referred to as injection molding machine 14.

[0015] Figure 2This is a control block diagram of the injection molding machine 14 and the management device 12. The injection molding machine 14 creates molding conditions for each mold. The injection molding machine 14 generates a molding condition file 16 containing electronic data of the molding conditions created for each mold. The injection molding machine 14 outputs the molding condition file 16 to the management device 12. The management device 12 stores the molding condition file 16 input from the injection molding machine 14. The injection molding machine 14 reads the molding condition file 16 stored in the management device 12. The injection molding machine 14 sets the molding conditions according to the electronic data in the read molding condition file 16 and molds the product.

[0016] Molding conditions include, for example, filling pressure, injection speed, and holding pressure. Filling pressure is the pressure applied to the resin to fill it into the mold. Injection speed is the speed at which the screw moves when filling the mold with molten plastic. Holding pressure is the pressure applied to the resin to prevent it from flowing back from the gate after the molten resin has filled the entire cavity. Molding conditions are set according to each combination of the mold, the type of injection molding machine 14, the screw diameter of the injection molding machine 14, etc.

[0017] The injection molding machine 14 includes a processing unit 18 and a storage unit 20. The processing unit 18 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processing unit 18 includes a molding condition setting unit 22 and a molding control unit 24. The molding condition setting unit 22 and the molding control unit 24 are implemented by the processing unit 18 executing a program stored in the storage unit 20. At least a portion of the molding condition setting unit 22 and the molding control unit 24 can be implemented using integrated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays). At least a portion of the molding condition setting unit 22 and the molding control unit 24 can be implemented using electronic circuits containing discrete components.

[0018] The storage unit 20 comprises volatile memory (not shown) and non-volatile memory (not shown), which are computer-readable storage media. The volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The volatile memory serves as the processor's working memory, temporarily storing data required for processing or computation. The non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory. The non-volatile memory serves as storage memory, storing programs, tables, maps, etc. At least a portion of the storage unit 20 may also be disposed within the aforementioned processor, integrated circuit, etc. At least a portion of the storage unit 20 may also be mounted on a device connected to the injection molding machine 14 via a network.

[0019] The molding condition creation unit 22 creates the molding conditions. It creates the molding conditions based on information input by the user into the injection molding machine 14. The molding condition creation unit 22 outputs a molding condition file 16 containing electronic data of the created molding conditions to the management device 12.

[0020] The molding control unit 24 reads the molding condition file 16 stored in the management device 12. The molding control unit 24 sets the molding conditions based on the electronic data of the molding conditions in the molding condition file 16. The molding control unit 24 controls the injection molding machine 14 according to the molding conditions.

[0021] The management device 12 is a personal computer. The management device 12 has an arithmetic unit 26 and a storage unit 28. The arithmetic unit 26 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The arithmetic unit 26 has a classification unit 30 and a storage management unit 34. The classification unit 30 and the storage management unit 34 are implemented by the arithmetic unit 26 executing programs stored in the storage unit 28. At least a portion of the classification unit 30 and the storage management unit 34 can also be implemented using integrated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays). At least a portion of the classification unit 30 and the storage management unit 34 can also be implemented using electronic circuits containing discrete components.

[0022] Storage unit 28 comprises volatile memory (not shown) and non-volatile memory (not shown), which are computer-readable storage media. Volatile memory includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). Volatile memory serves as the processor's working memory, temporarily storing data required for processing or computation. Non-volatile memory includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory. Non-volatile memory serves as storage memory, storing programs, tables, mappings, etc. At least a portion of storage unit 28 may also be disposed in the aforementioned processor, integrated circuit, etc. At least a portion of storage unit 28 may also be mounted in a device connected to management device 12 via a network.

[0023] The classification unit 30 classifies the multiple injection molding machines 14 connected to the management device 12 into one or more groups. Classification is performed according to instructions input by the user to the management device 12. The user instructs that injection molding machines 14 using the same mold belong to the same group. In this embodiment, one or more injection molding machines 14 are classified into each group.

[0024] The injection molding machine 14 that uses the mold is selected according to the mold specifications. Therefore, if the injection molding machine 14 is the same as the mold, multiple injection molding machines 14 can use the same mold as each other. The classification unit 30 can also use the specifications of the injection molding machine 14 as the classification basis to automatically classify multiple injection molding machines 14 into multiple groups.

[0025] The injection molding machine 14 that uses the mold is selected according to the mold specifications. In addition, the mold is sometimes manufactured according to the peripheral devices of the injection molding machine 14. In these cases, the classification department 30 may also use the specifications of the injection molding machine 14 and at least one of the peripheral devices of the injection molding machine 14 as the basis for classification.

[0026] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of loading and unloading the mold relative to the injection molding machine 14, it is sometimes important that the location of the injection molding machine 14 is close to the storage location of the mold. In this case, the classification department 30 can also use the location of the injection molding machine 14 as a classification criterion.

[0027] In this embodiment, multiple injection molding machines 14 are classified into multiple groups according to their model. In this embodiment, multiple injection molding machines 14 of the same model have the same clamping force. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing examples of injection molding machines 14 classified into groups. In this embodiment, four groups are defined: Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4. Group 1 includes 15-ton machines No. 4 14-4 and No. 8 14-8. Group 2 includes 30-ton machines No. 3 14-3 and No. 7 14-7. Group 3 includes 50-ton machines No. 1 14-1 and No. 2 14-2. Group 4 includes 100-ton machines No. 5 14-5 and No. 6 14-6.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a diagram representing the management table. The correspondence between each group and each injection molding machine 14 is managed through a management table stored in the storage unit 28. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the management table contains information about the ID of each injection molding machine 14, the name of each injection molding machine 14, and the group to which each injection molding machine 14 belongs.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a conceptual diagram of the molding condition file 16 stored in the storage unit 28. The storage management unit 34 creates shared folders 36 in the storage unit 28, corresponding to the group. The storage management unit 34 also creates individual folders 38 in the storage unit 28, corresponding to the injection molding machine 14.

[0030] The storage management unit 34 saves each molding condition file 16 in a user-specified shared folder 36. By saving the molding condition files 16 in the shared folder 36, the storage management unit 34 associates the molding condition files 16 (electronic data of molding conditions) with the group corresponding to the shared folder 36 where the molding condition files 16 are stored.

[0031] The storage management unit 34 saves each molding condition file 16 in a user-specified independent folder 38. By saving the molding condition files 16 in the independent folder 38, the storage management unit 34 associates the molding condition files 16 (electronic data of molding conditions) with the injection molding machine 14 corresponding to the independent folder 38 containing each molding condition file 16. Furthermore, each molding condition file 16 is selected and saved by either the shared folder 36 or the independent folder 38.

[0032] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, one or more injection molding machines 14 from among multiple injection molding machines 14 are assigned to each of the multiple groups. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, the multiple injection molding machines 14 belong to any one of the multiple groups.

[0033] The classification of multiple injection molding machines 14 into more than one group is not limited to the classification style shown in this embodiment.

[0034] For example, it is not necessary to assign any one of the multiple injection molding machines 14 to a portion of the multiple groups. It is sufficient to assign more than one injection molding machine 14 to at least one of the multiple groups.

[0035] Furthermore, some of the injection molding machines 14 may not belong to any of the multiple groups. At least one injection molding machine 14 may belong to more than one of the multiple groups.

[0036] In addition, some of the injection molding machines 14 may belong to more than two groups of multiple groups.

[0037] Alternatively, all of the multiple injection molding machines 14 may belong to one group. Alternatively, some of the multiple injection molding machines 14 may belong to one group, while the remaining injection molding machines 14 may not belong to the group.

[0038] [Effects]

[0039] A mold is manufactured for each product to be molded. Furthermore, an injection molding machine 14 is selected to use the mold, corresponding to the mold's specifications. Therefore, if an injection molding machine 14 corresponds to a mold, multiple injection molding machines 14 can share the same mold. The same molding conditions are set for each of the multiple injection molding machines 14 using the same mold.

[0040] Conventional management devices store molding condition files in separate folders corresponding to each injection molding machine, managing molding conditions on a per-machine basis. When molding conditions are created, the molding condition file is saved in a separate folder corresponding to the injection molding machine for which the molding conditions were created. To set the same molding conditions for injection molding machines different from those for which molding conditions were created, the management device needs to copy the molding condition file to the separate folder corresponding to each injection molding machine. This copying is performed based on instructions entered by the user using an input device installed on the management device. Therefore, the more injection molding machines with the same molding conditions set, the greater the user's workload becomes.

[0041] In this embodiment, the classification unit 30 of the management device 12 categorizes multiple injection molding machines 14 into one or more groups. The storage management unit 34 stores the electronic data (molding condition file 16) of the molding conditions for each mold in the storage unit 28, corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine 14 with the mold is installed. Thus, each injection molding machine 14 can read the molding condition file 16 stored in the storage unit 28 corresponding to its group and set the molding conditions. As a result, the user does not need to operate the input device to copy the molding condition file 16, and the management device 12 can reduce the user's workload.

[0042] In this embodiment, when setting molding conditions in each injection molding machine 14, the management device 12 stores the electronic data of the molding conditions (molding condition file 16) in the storage unit 28. Therefore, if the molding condition file 16 is stored in the storage unit 28 in advance, even if the injection molding machine 14 that has set the molding conditions cannot communicate with the management device 12, the other injection molding machines 14 can still read the molding condition file 16 from the storage unit 28 of the management device 12 and set the molding conditions.

[0043] In this embodiment, the classification unit 30 of the management device 12 classifies multiple injection molding machines 14 into one or more groups based on the specifications of each injection molding machine 14, the installation location of each injection molding machine 14, and at least one of the peripheral devices connected to the injection molding machine 14. Thus, the management device 12 can classify injection molding machines 14 that are set with common molding conditions into the same group.

[0044] In this embodiment, the classification unit 30 of the management device 12 assigns one or more injection molding machines 14 to each group. Thus, the management device 12 can assign any injection molding machine 14 to any group.

[0045] In this embodiment, the storage unit 28 of the management device 12 is a computer-readable recording medium mounted on the management device 12, or a computer-readable recording medium connected to the management device 12 via a network. When the storage unit 28 is mounted on the management device 12, the management device 12 can improve the read and write speeds of data, etc., from the arithmetic unit 26 to the storage unit 28. When the storage unit 28 is connected to the management device 12 via a network, the capacity of the storage unit 28 mounted on the management device 12 can be reduced.

[0046] In this embodiment, the storage management unit 34 of the management device 12 creates multiple shared folders 36 corresponding to each group. The storage management unit 34 saves each forming condition file 16 in each shared folder 36. Thus, the storage management unit 34 associates each forming condition file 16 with the group corresponding to the shared folder 36 containing the forming condition file 16. As a result, the management device 12 can easily associate each forming condition file 16 with each group.

[0047] In this embodiment, the storage management unit 34 of the management device 12 stores electronic data (molding condition files 16) of molding conditions independently set for each injection molding machine 14 in a plurality of molding condition files 16, corresponding to the injection molding machine 14 whose molding conditions are set, in the storage unit 28. Thus, each injection molding machine 14 can read the molding condition file 16 stored in the storage unit 28 corresponding to each injection molding machine 14 and set the molding conditions.

[0048] In this embodiment, the storage management unit 34 of the management device 12 creates multiple independent folders 38 corresponding to each injection molding machine 14. The storage management unit 34 saves the electronic data (molding condition file 16) of each molding condition in each independent folder 38. Thus, the storage management unit 34 associates each molding condition file 16 with the injection molding machine 14 corresponding to the independent folder 38 containing each molding condition file 16. As a result, the management device 12 can easily associate each molding condition file 16 with each injection molding machine 14.

[0049] Each injection molding machine 14 has an electronic data (molding condition file 16) of the produced molding conditions that is output to the molding condition production unit 22 of the management device 12. The storage management unit 34 of the management device 12 stores the molding condition files 16 input from each injection molding machine 14 in the storage unit 28, corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine 14 that output the molding conditions belongs. Thus, the management device 12 can manage the molding condition files 16 containing the electronic data of the molding conditions produced in each injection molding machine 14 by corresponding to the group to which each injection molding machine 14 belongs.

[0050] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various structures can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] [Invention derived from implementation methods]

[0052] The invention described below can be understood from the above embodiments.

[0053] A management device (12) is connected to a plurality of injection molding machines (14) to manage the molding conditions produced according to each mold installed on the injection molding machines. The management device (12) includes: a classification unit (30) that classifies the plurality of injection molding machines into one or more groups; and a storage management unit (34) that stores electronic data of the molding conditions of each mold in a storage unit (28) corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine to which the mold is installed. Thus, the user does not need to operate an input device to copy the molding conditions, and the management device reduces the user's workload.

[0054] According to the above-described management device, the classification department may also assign one or more injection molding machines to at least one of the groups. Thus, the management device enables one or more injection molding machines to belong to at least one of the groups.

[0055] According to the aforementioned management device, the classification unit may also assign one or more injection molding machines to at least one of the more than one groups based on the specifications of each of the injection molding machines, the installation location of each of the injection molding machines, and at least one of the peripheral devices connected to each of the injection molding machines. Thus, the management device can classify injection molding machines that share common molding conditions into the same group.

[0056] According to the aforementioned management device, the storage management unit may also store electronic data of the molding conditions for each mold in the storage unit, corresponding to the injection molding machine for which the molding conditions are set. Thus, the management device can store the molding conditions set for each injection molding machine in the storage unit.

[0057] A management method, in a management device (12) connected to multiple injection molding machines (14), manages the molding conditions produced by each mold installed on the injection molding machines. The management method includes: a classification step, classifying the multiple injection molding machines into one or more groups; and a storage management step, storing electronic data of the molding conditions for each mold in a storage unit (28) corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine with the mold belongs. Thus, each injection molding machine can read the molding condition file corresponding to its group. The management device can prevent each injection molding machine from reading electronic data of molding conditions corresponding to groups other than its own.

[0058] Symbol Explanation

[0059] 10…Injection molding system 12…Management device

[0060] 14…Injection Molding Machine 22…Molding Condition Production Department

[0061] 28…Storage Department 30…Classification Department

[0062] 34… Storage Management Department.

Claims

1. A management device (12) connected to a plurality of injection molding machines (14) for managing molding conditions produced according to each mold installed in the injection molding machines, characterized in that, The management device (12) has: The classification department (30) classifies the plurality of said injection molding machines into one or more groups; and The storage management unit (34) stores electronic data of the forming conditions of each mold in the storage unit (28) in correspondence with the group to which the injection molding machine to which the mold is mounted. Each of the plurality of injection molding machines reads the electronic data of the molding conditions stored in the storage unit corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine belongs, and sets the molding conditions.

2. The management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The classification department assigns one or more injection molding machines to at least one of the more than one groups.

3. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The classification department assigns one or more injection molding machines to at least one of the more than one groups based on the specifications of each of the injection molding machines, the location of each of the injection molding machines, and at least one of the peripheral devices connected to each of the injection molding machines.

4. The management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The storage management unit stores electronic data of the forming conditions of each mold in the storage unit, corresponding to the injection molding machine for which the forming conditions are set.

5. A management method comprising managing molding conditions produced according to each mold installed in said injection molding machines in a management device (12) connected to a plurality of injection molding machines (14), characterized in that, The management method has the following characteristics: The classification step involves classifying the multiple injection molding machines into one or more groups; as well as The storage management step involves storing electronic data of the forming conditions of each mold in the storage unit (28), corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine to which the mold is installed belongs. Each of the plurality of injection molding machines reads the electronic data of the molding conditions stored in the storage unit corresponding to the group to which the injection molding machine belongs, and sets the molding conditions.

Images