Injection molding system

Abstract

The invention provides an injection molding system, which can prevent foreign matters from entering between a fixed mold and a movable mold through air blown out from a cleaning device, and can prevent the molding precision of a molded product from being reduced due to the adhesion of the foreign matters. This injection molding system is provided with: an injection molding device which is provided with an injection molding unit which is provided with a fixed unit to which a fixed mold and a movable mold are attached and fixed, and which performs molding of a molded article by injecting a material containing a metal powder into a cavity; the first moving part enables the movable mold to move between a mold closing position and a mold opening position; a cleaning device that cleans the molded article by blowing air; and a control device that does not cause the cleaning device to blow out air when the movable mold is not in the mold closing position, and that causes the cleaning device to blow out air when the movable mold is in the mold closing position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to injection molding systems. Background Art

[0002] We conduct research and development on injection molding technology for molded products.

[0003] In this regard, there is known an injection molding system that automatically and sequentially performs an injection molding step of injection molding a molded product and a step performed after the injection molding step (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-525712

[0005] The injection molding system described in Patent Document 1 can also be applied to the molding of molded products based on injection molding, wherein the injection molding uses a material containing metal powder. In this case, as a process performed after the injection molding process, the injection molding system performs a sintering process of sintering the molded product after injection molding. Therefore, in this case, since it will cause a decrease in the molding accuracy of the molded product, the injection molding system cannot perform a cleaning process of cleaning the molded product while immersing the molded product in an alkaline aqueous solution. However, in the injection molding system, when the cleaning process is not performed, foreign matter may sometimes adhere to the molded product before the sintering process is performed. This is related to a decrease in the molding accuracy of the molded product, which is not desirable. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an injection molding system including: an injection molding device including an injection molding unit and a first moving unit, the injection molding unit including a fixed unit on which a fixed mold and a movable mold opposed to the fixed mold and capable of reciprocating relative to the fixed mold are installed and fixed, the injection molding unit injects a material containing metal powder into a cavity formed between the fixed mold and the movable mold to mold a molded product, and the first moving unit moves the movable mold between a mold closing position and a mold opening position; a cleaning device for cleaning the molded product by blowing air onto the molded product taken out of the injection molding device; and a control device for controlling the injection molding device and the cleaning device, the control device not causing the cleaning device to blow out the air when the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed on the fixed unit and the movable mold is not located at the mold closing position, and causing the cleaning device to blow out the air when the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed on the fixed unit and the movable mold is located at the mold closing position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1It is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the injection molding system 1 .

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The injection molding system 1 is shown in a top view.

[0009] Figure 3 1 is a front view showing an example of the structure of the cleaning device 40. The cleaning device 40 includes a discharge port 41, a suction port 42, and a suction port 43.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 70 .

[0011] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow of stacking a plurality of molded products molded by the injection molding device 10 on the pallet PT.

[0012] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing an example of the periphery of the cleaning device 40 when a partition plate BD is provided between the cleaning device 40 and the pallet PT.

[0013] Description of Reference Numerals

[0014] 1: injection molding system; 10: injection molding device; 11: injection molding unit; 12: fixed mold; 13: movable mold; 14: first moving unit; 20: first robot; 30: configuration mechanism; 31: second moving unit; 40: cleaning device; 41: spray port; 42: suction port; 43: suction port; 50: second robot; 60: sintering device; 70: control device; 71: control unit; 72: storage unit; 73: input receiving unit; 74: communication unit; 75: display unit; BD: partition; BS: stand; E: end effector; H: opening; M: molded product; PT: tray; TC: three-dimensional coordinate system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Overview of Injection Molding System

[0018] First, an overview of an injection molding system according to an embodiment will be described.

[0019] The injection molding system involved in the embodiment includes an injection molding device, a cleaning device and a control device. The injection molding device includes an injection molding part and a first moving part. The injection molding part includes a fixed part on which a fixed mold and a movable mold that is opposite to the fixed mold and can reciprocate relative to the fixed mold are installed and fixed, and the injection molding part injects a material containing metal powder into a cavity formed between the fixed mold and the movable mold to form a molded product. The first moving part moves the movable mold between a mold closing position and a mold opening position. The cleaning device cleans the molded product by blowing air onto the molded product taken out of the injection molding device. The control device controls the injection molding device and the cleaning device. Then, the control device does not cause the cleaning device to blow out air when the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed in the fixed part and the movable mold is not in the mold closing position, and causes the cleaning device to blow out air when the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed in the fixed part and the movable mold is in the mold closing position. Thus, the injection molding system can suppress the entry of foreign matter between the fixed mold and the movable mold by the air blown from the cleaning device, and suppress the reduction in molding accuracy of the molded product due to the adhesion of foreign matter.

[0020] Hereinafter, the configuration of the injection molding system according to the embodiment and the processing of the control device included in the injection molding system will be described in detail.

[0021] Structure of injection molding system

[0022] Hereinafter, the structure of the injection molding system according to the embodiment will be described by taking the injection molding system 1 as an example.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the injection molding system 1 . Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The top surface of the injection molding system 1 is shown. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In order to clearly show the structure of the injection molding system 1, a part of the housing of the injection molding system 1 is omitted. The part of the housing is, for example, a cover constituting at least a part of the outer surface of the injection molding system 1.

[0024] Here, the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system that shows the directions in the figure describing the three-dimensional coordinate system TC. In the following, for the sake of convenience, the X-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is referred to as the X-axis for explanation. In addition, in the following, for the sake of convenience, the Y-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is referred to as the Y-axis for explanation. In addition, in the following, for the sake of convenience, the Z-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is referred to as the Z-axis for explanation. In addition, in the following, as an example, the case where the negative direction of the Z-axis is consistent with the direction of gravity is explained. Therefore, in the following, for the sake of convenience, the positive direction of the Z-axis is referred to as the top or simply as the top, and the negative direction of the Z-axis is referred to as the bottom or simply as the bottom for explanation.

[0025] The injection molding system 1 is a device for molding a plurality of molded products by metal injection molding (MIM). More specifically, the injection molding system 1 is a device that automatically performs various processes such as a molding process of a molded product based on MIM, a cleaning process after the molding process, a palletizing process after the cleaning process, and a sintering process after the palletizing process in the system.

[0026] Here, the metal powder used in MIM is, for example, powder of amorphous alloy, but not limited thereto. Amorphous alloys are, for example, Fe-Si-B alloys as high-strength materials, Fe-Cr-PC alloys as high-corrosion-resistant materials, and Fe-Si-B compounds as magnetic materials, but not limited thereto.

[0027] The injection molding system 1 includes, for example, an injection molding device 10, a first robot 20, a placement mechanism 30, a cleaning device 40, a second robot 50, a sintering device 60, and a control device 70. In addition, the injection molding system 1 may also be a structure including other devices in addition to the injection molding device 10, the first robot 20, the placement mechanism 30, the cleaning device 40, the second robot 50, the sintering device 60, and the control device 70. In addition, the injection molding system 1 may also be a structure not including the first robot 20. In this case, for example, other devices having the function of the first robot 20 are connected to the injection molding system 1 from the outside. In addition, the injection molding system 1 may also be a structure not including the placement mechanism 30. In this case, for example, the injection molding system 1 is connected to other devices having the function of the placement mechanism 30 from the outside. In addition, the injection molding system 1 may also be a structure not including the second robot 50. In this case, for example, the injection molding system 1 is connected to other devices having the function of the second robot 50 from the outside. In addition, the injection molding system 1 may also be a structure not including the sintering device 60. In this case, the injection molding system 1 is externally connected to another device having the function of the sintering device 60 , for example.

[0028] The injection molding device 10 may be any structure as long as it is a structure capable of molding more than one molded product by MIM. In the following, as an example, a case where the injection molding device 10 molds a plurality of molded products by MIM is described. In this case, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the injection molding device 10 includes an injection molding unit 11 that molds a plurality of molded products by MIM.

[0029] The injection molding part 11 has, for example, a material supply nozzle and a fixed part FX, which are not shown in the figure. In addition, the fixed part FX is a component that is installed with a fixed mold 12 connected to the material supply nozzle and a movable mold 13 that is engaged with the fixed mold 12, and fixes the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13. That is, in the injection molding part 11 in this example, the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 can be replaced separately. Here, the material supply nozzle supplies the material mixed with metal powder and wax from a supply device to the space formed between the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 by the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 being engaged. This space is sometimes also called a cavity. In addition, the injection molding system 1 can be a structure that includes the supply device or a structure that does not include the supply device. In addition, the injection molding part 11 can also be a structure that has at least one of the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13.

[0030] The fixed mold 12 is a metal mold fixed in an immobile manner relative to the stand BS of the injection molding device 10. The structure of the fixed mold 12 may be a known structure or a structure to be developed in the future. Therefore, in this embodiment, a more detailed description of the fixed mold 12 is omitted. The stand BS may be of any structure as long as it is a stand that constitutes a part of the housing of the injection molding system 1. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the example shown, an injection molding device 10, a first robot 20, and an arrangement mechanism 30 are installed on the stand BS. In this example, a second robot 50 and a sintering device 60 are installed on another stand (not shown) arranged next to the stand BS.

[0031] The movable mold 13 is a movable metal mold that is relatively movable with respect to the fixed mold 12. In other words, the movable mold 13 is a metal mold that is opposite to the fixed mold 12 and can reciprocate relative to the fixed mold 12. The structure of the movable mold 13 may be a known structure or a structure to be developed in the future. Therefore, in this embodiment, a more detailed description of the movable mold 13 is omitted. Below, as an example, a case is described in which the movable mold 13 is configured to be able to move between a first position predetermined as a position for engaging with the fixed mold 12 and a second position predetermined as a position for separating from the fixed mold 12. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the example shown, the movable mold 13 moves parallel to the Y-axis relative to the fixed mold 12. In addition, the movable mold 13 may also be a structure that moves non-parallel to the Y-axis relative to the fixed mold 12. In addition, the first position is an example of a mold closing position. In addition, the second position is an example of a mold opening position. In addition, in the following, for the sake of convenience, the movable mold 13 being in the mold closing position is referred to as the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 being engaged. In the following, for the sake of convenience, the movable mold 13 not being in the mold closing position is referred to as the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 not being engaged. In addition, in the following, as an example, a case where the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 are installed in the fixed part FX is described.

[0032] In addition, the injection molding device 10 further includes a first moving unit 14 .

[0033] The first movable part 14 may be any device as long as it is a device that moves the movable mold 13 relatively between the first position and the second position. The first movable part 14 moves the movable mold 13 closer to the fixed mold 12 in parallel with the Y axis according to the control from the control device 70, and moves the movable mold 13 from the second position to the first position. As a result, the movable mold 13 is engaged with the fixed mold 12. On the other hand, in this example, the first movable part 14 moves the movable mold 13 away from the fixed mold 12 in parallel with the Y axis according to the control from the control device 70, and separates the movable mold 13 from the fixed mold 12. That is, in this example, the first movable part 14 moves the movable mold 13 away from the fixed mold 12 in parallel with the Y axis according to the control from the control device 70, and moves the movable mold 13 from the first position to the second position.

[0034] The injection molding device 10 molds a plurality of molded products in a single injection molding process using the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13. As described above, the method by which the injection molding device 10 molds a plurality of molded products using the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. Therefore, in this embodiment, a more detailed description of this method is omitted.

[0035] The first robot 20 is a robot that delivers a plurality of molded products molded by the injection molding device 10 to the configuration mechanism 30. The first robot 20 holds the plurality of molded products, for example, by adsorption of air, and places the held plurality of molded products at predetermined loading positions, respectively. Thus, the first robot 20 delivers the plurality of molded products to the configuration mechanism 30. The loading position is a position predetermined as a position at which the plurality of molded products are placed on the configuration mechanism 30. The structure of the first robot 20 may be any structure as long as it is a structure capable of placing the plurality of molded products at the loading positions, respectively.

[0036] The arrangement mechanism 30 is a mechanism that receives a plurality of molded products from the first robot 20 and delivers the received plurality of molded products to the second robot 50 .

[0037] The shell of the configuration mechanism 30 can move between a predetermined first handover position and a predetermined second handover position. The first handover position is a position predetermined as a position for handing over a plurality of molded products from the first robot 20, among the positions where the shell of the configuration mechanism 30 can move. The second handover position is a position predetermined as a position for holding a plurality of molded products by the second robot 50, among the positions where the shell of the configuration mechanism 30 can move. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 In the example shown, the housing of the arrangement mechanism 30 is movable in parallel with the Y axis. Alternatively, the housing of the arrangement mechanism 30 may be movable in a non-parallel manner with the Y axis.

[0038] Here, the arrangement mechanism 30 includes a second moving portion 31. The second moving portion 31 may be any structure as long as it can move the housing of the arrangement mechanism 30 between the first delivery position and the second delivery position.

[0039] In addition, the configuration mechanism 30 may also be a structure for changing the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon. In this case, the configuration mechanism 30 includes a base, an actuator, and the like as a component for changing the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon. The component included in the configuration mechanism 30 may be any structure as long as it is a structure capable of changing the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon. When the configuration mechanism 30 includes this component, the configuration mechanism 30 changes the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon at the timing before the plurality of molded products are handed over to the second robot 50 at the second handover position. Thus, the configuration mechanism 30 can set the configuration of the plurality of molded products to the desired configuration.

[0040] The cleaning device 40 cleans the plurality of molded products taken out of the injection molding device 10 by blowing air to the plurality of molded products under the control of the control device 70. More specifically, the cleaning device 40 blows air to the plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism 30, for example. Thus, the cleaning device 40 cleans the plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism 30.

[0041] Figure 3 1 is a front view showing an example of the structure of the cleaning device 40. The cleaning device 40 includes a discharge port 41, a suction port 42, and a suction port 43.

[0042] The blowout port 41 is a hole for blowing out air from the cleaning device 40. In the cleaning device 40, the air blown out from the blowout port 41 is blown out from the blowout port 41 toward the direction in which the blowout port 41 extends. Figure 3 The direction indicated by the arrow A1 shown in the figure shows an example of the direction in which the air is blown out from the blowout port 41 .

[0043] The suction port 42 and the suction port 43 are holes for the cleaning device 40 to suck air. That is, the cleaning device 40 sucks air through the suction port 42 and the suction port 43. The suction port 42 and the suction port 43 are respectively provided around the nozzle 41. This is to suck together with the air foreign matter blown away from the plurality of molded products by the air blown out from the nozzle 41. Figure 3 In the example shown, the suction port 42 and the suction port 43 are provided on both sides of the discharge port 41. More specifically, in this example, the discharge port 41, the suction port 42, and the suction port 43 are arranged in the order of the suction port 42, the discharge port 41, and the suction port 43, respectively, facing the positive direction of the Y axis. Figure 3 Arrow A2 shown in the figure shows an example of a situation where part of the air blown out from the blowout port 41 is sucked from the suction port 42. Figure 3 Arrow A3 shown in the figure shows an example of a situation where part of the air blown out from the blowout port 41 is sucked from the suction port 43. Figure 3 The arrow A4 shown shows the direction in which air is sucked from the suction port 42. Figure 3 The arrow A5 shown indicates the direction in which air is sucked from the suction port 43 .

[0044] Such a cleaning device 40 may be installed at any position as long as it is a position where air can be blown from the nozzle 41 to the plurality of molded products placed on the moving arrangement mechanism 30. Figure 3 In the example shown, the cleaning device 40 is disposed above the path through which the configuration mechanism 30 moves so as not to interfere with the moving configuration mechanism 30. In addition, the cleaning device 40 is disposed above the path so that the direction in which the air is blown out from the nozzle 41 is downward. Figure 3In the figure, arrow A1 showing the direction in which the air is blown out of the cleaning device 40 indicates the bottom. When the multiple molded products placed on the configuration mechanism 30 pass under the cleaning device 40, the air blown out from the cleaning device 40 is sprayed. Thus, the cleaning device 40 can blow away foreign matter attached to the multiple molded products placed on the configuration mechanism 30 that moves parallel to the Y axis through air. Here, the smaller the multiple molded products before sintering are or the more brittle the multiple molded products before sintering are, the more the cleaning device 40 must reduce the wind pressure of the blown air. This is to reduce the possibility of the molded products themselves being blown away by the air and the possibility of the shape of the molded products being deformed by the air. However, the smaller the wind pressure of the air blown to the multiple molded products, the more difficult it is for the air blown from the cleaning device 40 to blow away foreign matter attached to the multiple molded products. In order to solve such a problem, the cleaning device 40 may also be a structure that blows ultrasonic vibration air as the air blown to the multiple molded products. In this case, the cleaning device 40 can reduce the wind pressure of the air blown to the plurality of molded products and easily blow away the foreign matter attached to the plurality of molded products. In addition, the cleaning device 40 respectively sucks the foreign matter blown away by the air from the suction port 42 and the suction port 43. Thus, the cleaning device 40 can prevent the foreign matter blown away by the air from being attached to the molded products again.

[0045] In the following, for convenience of explanation, the area where air is blown out from the blowout port 41 of the cleaning device 40 is referred to as a cleaning area. That is, the cleaning area is an area including a part of the path through which the arrangement mechanism 30 moves.

[0046] The second robot 50 may have any structure as long as it can place a plurality of molded products cleaned by the cleaning device 40 from the arrangement mechanism 30 onto the tray PT stored in the sintering device 60 .

[0047] The second robot 50 is, for example, a SCARA robot. In addition, the second robot 50 may be a single-arm multi-joint robot, a multi-arm multi-joint robot, or another type of robot instead of a SCARA robot.

[0048] The second robot 50 includes: a support platform (not shown) that supports the entire second robot 50; a first arm that is supported by the support platform so as to be rotatable; a second arm that is supported by the first arm so as to be rotatable; an axis that passes through the front end of the second arm parallel to the direction of gravity; and an end effector E that is arranged at the front end of the axis.

[0049] The end effector E may be any structure as long as it is a structure capable of holding a plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism 30 and placing the held plurality of molded products on the tray PT stored in the sintering device 60. The end effector E holds the plurality of molded products by suctioning air, for example. In addition, the end effector E may be a structure having a clamping portion for clamping the plurality of molded products respectively.

[0050] Here, the tray PT stored in the sintering device 60 is heated together with the plurality of molded products placed thereon in the sintering device 60. Therefore, the tray PT is made of, for example, ceramic. The tray PT may be of any structure as long as it can place the plurality of molded products after cleaning by the cleaning device 40 and can be heated together with the plurality of molded products placed thereon in the sintering device 60. However, when the tray PT is made of ceramic as in this example, it is desirable that the structure is simpler and cheaper.

[0051] In addition, the end effector E of the second robot 50 may also be a structure that changes the configuration of the plurality of molded products after cleaning by the cleaning device 40, and places the plurality of molded products after the configuration of the plurality of molded products is changed on the pallet PT. However, in this case, the configuration mechanism 30 does not have a component that changes the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon. That is, in this case, the configuration mechanism 30 does not change the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon. Then, in this case, as a component that changes the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed thereon, the end effector E of the second robot 50 has a base, an actuator, and the like. Thus, the second robot 50 can set the configuration of the plurality of molded products placed on the pallet PT to a desired configuration, and as a result, can increase the number of plurality of molded products placed on the pallet PT.

[0052] Furthermore, when the arrangement mechanism 30 includes a member for changing the arrangement of the plurality of molded products placed thereon, the end effector E of the second robot 50 may also be configured to include a member for changing the intervals between the plurality of molded products after the arrangement is changed in the arrangement mechanism 30. In this case, the second robot 50 places the plurality of molded products after the intervals are changed by the end effector E on the pallet PT. Thus, the second robot 50 can increase the number of molded products placed on the pallet PT.

[0053] The sintering device 60 is a device that stores the pallets PT together with the second robot 50, and heats the plurality of molded products placed on the pallets PT by the second robot 50 for each pallet PT, thereby sintering the plurality of molded products. The sintering device 60 may be a structure that automatically stores the pallets PT after palletizing and supplies new pallets PT, or a structure that manually replaces the pallets PT.

[0054] The control device 70 controls the entire injection molding system 1. Figure 1 In order to simplify the figure, the connection between the other devices included in the injection molding system 1 and the control device 70 is omitted. The control device 70 can also be located at any position in the injection molding system 1. In addition, the control device 70 can also be configured separately from any one of the other devices. In addition, the control device 70 can also be configured integrally with a part or all of the other devices.

[0055] The control device 70 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0056] The control device 70 controls the injection molding device 10 to mold a plurality of molded products. After the injection molding device 10 molds a plurality of molded products, the control device 70 controls the injection molding unit 11 to separate the movable mold 13 from the fixed mold 12. After the movable mold 13 separates from the fixed mold 12, the control device 70 controls the first robot 20 to make the first robot 20 take out the plurality of molded products molded by the injection molding device 10 from the injection molding device 10. After the first robot 20 takes out the plurality of molded products from the injection molding device 10, the control device 70 controls the first robot 20 to make the placement mechanism 30 place the plurality of molded products taken out from the injection molding device 10 by the first robot 20. After the plurality of molded products are placed on the placement mechanism 30, the control device 70 controls the injection molding unit 11 to make the movable mold 13 fit into the fixed mold 12. After the movable mold 13 fits into the fixed mold 12, the control device 70 controls the cleaning device 40 to make the cleaning device 40 blow air toward the cleaning area. In addition, together with the blowing of air based on such a cleaning device 40, the control device 70 starts the molding of multiple new molded products based on the injection molding part 11. Then, after the cleaning device 40 blows out the air, the control device 70 controls the configuration mechanism 30 on which the multiple molded products are placed, so that the configuration mechanism 30 repeatedly passes through the cleaning area. Here, the number of times the control device 70 causes the configuration mechanism 30 to repeatedly pass through the cleaning area can be any number as long as it is more than once. In the following, as an example, the situation in which the control device 70 causes the configuration mechanism 30 to repeatedly pass through the cleaning area during the period before the predetermined cleaning end condition is met is described. The cleaning end condition is, for example, the completion of the pressure holding of the molded product in the space between the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13, but is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined that the pressure holding is completed, the control device 70 controls the cleaning device 40 so that the cleaning device 40 ends the blowing of air to the cleaning area. After the air blowing is completed, the control device 70 controls the injection molding section 11 to separate the movable mold 13 from the fixed mold 12. Thus, the control device 70 enables the first robot 20 to take out a plurality of new molded products. In addition, after the air blowing is completed, the control device 70 controls the configuration mechanism 30 to move the configuration mechanism 30 to the second delivery position. After the configuration mechanism 30 moves to the second delivery position, the control device 70 controls the second robot 50 to palletize the plurality of molded products placed on the configuration mechanism 30 on the pallet PT. After palletizing the plurality of molded products on the pallet PT, the control device 70 moves the configuration mechanism 30 to the first delivery position, and places a plurality of new molded products on the configuration mechanism 30 through the second robot 20. The control device 70 palletizes a predetermined number of molded products on the pallet PT by repeating the process from molding to palletizing of such a plurality of molded products.After a predetermined number of molded products are stacked on the pallet PT, the control device 70 controls the sintering device 60 to heat and sinter the predetermined number of molded products for each pallet PT.

[0057] As described above, when the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 are not engaged, the control device 70 does not cause the cleaning device 40 to blow out air. In other words, in this case, the control device 70 does not cause the cleaning device 40 to blow air from the cleaning device 40 to the plurality of molded products. On the other hand, when the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 are engaged, the control device 70 causes the cleaning device 40 to blow out air. In other words, in this case, the control device 70 causes the cleaning device 40 to blow air from the cleaning device 40 to the plurality of molded products. Thus, the control device 70 can suppress the entry of foreign matter between the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 by the air blown from the cleaning device 40, and suppress the decrease in molding accuracy of the molded products caused by the attachment of foreign matter. Here, for example, when the cleaning device 40 blows out ultrasonic vibration air, the control device 70 can remove foreign matter attached to the plurality of molded products while reducing the wind pressure of the ultrasonic vibration air blown to the plurality of molded products before sintering. As a result, even if the plurality of molded products before sintering are small or brittle, the control device 70 can remove foreign matter attached to the plurality of molded products while suppressing deformation of the plurality of molded products.

[0058] In addition, the cleaning device 40 may also be a structure having a third moving part that moves the cleaning device 40 above the moving path of the configuration mechanism 30 in parallel with the moving path. In this case, the control device 70 controls at least one of the second moving part 31 and the third moving part to move the relative position of the configuration mechanism 30 on which a plurality of molded products taken out from the injection molding device 10 are placed and the cleaning device 40. Thus, the control device 70 may also be a structure that repeatedly causes the configuration mechanism 30 to pass through the cleaning area. That is, instead of a structure that causes the configuration mechanism 30 to repeatedly pass through the cleaning area by moving the configuration mechanism 30 relative to the cleaning device 40, the control device 70 may be a structure that causes the configuration mechanism 30 to repeatedly pass through the cleaning area by moving the cleaning device 40 relative to the configuration mechanism 30, or a structure that causes the configuration mechanism 30 to repeatedly pass through the cleaning area by moving both the configuration mechanism 30 and the cleaning device 40.

[0059] Control device structure

[0060] Below, refer to Figure 4 The structure of the control device 70 will be described. Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 70 .

[0061] The control device 70 includes, for example, a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, an input receiving unit 73, a communication unit 74, and a display unit 75. These components are connected via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. In addition, the control device 70 communicates with the injection molding device 10, the first robot 20, the placement mechanism 30, the cleaning device 40, the second robot 50, and the sintering device 60, etc., respectively, via the communication unit 74.

[0062] The control unit 71 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 71 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 72. Thus, the control unit 71 controls the entire injection molding system 1.

[0063] The storage unit 72 is a storage device including, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. In addition, instead of being built into the control device 70, the storage unit 72 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The storage unit 72 stores various information, various images, and various programs processed by the control device 70.

[0064] The input receiving unit 73 is an input device including a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. Alternatively, the input receiving unit 73 may be configured integrally with the display unit 75 as a touch panel.

[0065] The communication unit 74 is a communication device including, for example, a digital input / output port such as a USB, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0066] The display unit 75 is a display device including a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0067] Processing of stacking multiple molded products formed by injection molding equipment on a pallet

[0068] Below, refer to Figure 5 Among the processes performed by the control device 70 , a process of stacking a plurality of molded products molded by the injection molding device 10 on the pallet PT will be described. Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing an example of a process of stacking a plurality of molded products molded by the injection molding device 10 on the pallet PT. For example, when the control device 70 receives a molding start operation for causing the control device 70 to cause the injection molding system 1 to repeat the molding of a plurality of molded products a predetermined number of times, the control device 70 starts the molding process for causing the injection molding device 10 to repeat the molding of a plurality of molded products a predetermined number of times, and starts the molding process. Figure 5 However, in the present embodiment, the process of causing the injection molding device 10 to repeat the molding of a plurality of molded products this number of times is a known process, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] After receiving the molding start operation, the control unit 71 completes the molding of the plurality of molded products by the injection molding device 10 and waits until the movable mold 13 is separated from the fixed mold 12 (step S110). Figure 5 In the example, "Is the metal mold open?" indicates the process of step S110. The method by which the control unit 71 determines whether the movable mold 13 is separated from the fixed mold 12 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0070] When it is determined that the movable mold 13 is separated from the fixed mold 12 (step S110-Yes), that is, when the position of the movable mold 13 is moved to the second position, the control unit 71 determines whether the position of the configuration mechanism 30 is the first transfer position (step S120). Figure 5 In the example, the processing of step S120 is indicated by "first delivery position?" The method for determining whether the position of the arrangement mechanism 30 is the first delivery position may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0071] When it is determined that the position of the arranging mechanism 30 is not the first delivery position (step S120 —No), the process proceeds to step S120 , and the control unit 71 determines again whether the position of the arranging mechanism 30 is the first delivery position.

[0072] On the other hand, when it is determined that the position of the configuration mechanism 30 is the first transfer position (step S120-Yes), the control unit 71 controls the first robot 20 to make the first robot 20 take out the plurality of molded products formed by the injection molding unit 11 from the injection molding unit 11. Then, the control unit 71 causes the configuration mechanism 30 to place the plurality of molded products taken out by the first robot 20 through the first robot 20 (step S130). Figure 5 In the figure, the processing of step S130 is represented by "loading to the configuration mechanism".

[0073] Next, the control unit 71 waits until the movable mold 13 and the fixed mold 12 are fitted together in order to make the injection molding device 10 repeat the molding of the next plurality of molded products a predetermined number of times (step S140). Figure 5 In the figure, the processing of step S140 is indicated by "Is the metal mold closed?".

[0074] When it is determined that the movable mold 13 is fitted with the fixed mold 12 (step S140 —Yes), the control unit 71 controls the cleaning device 40 to start blowing air (step S150 ). At this time, the control unit 71 also starts sucking air.

[0075] Next, the control unit 71 controls the configuration mechanism 30 to start reciprocating on the path including the cleaning area (step S160). The path may be the path connecting the first handover position and the second handover position itself, or another path included in the path connecting the first handover position and the second handover position as long as it includes the cleaning area.

[0076] Next, until the cleaning end condition is satisfied, the control unit 71 continues the reciprocating movement of the arrangement mechanism 30 started in step S160 (step S170). Here, instead of completing the pressure holding of the molded product in the space between the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13, the cleaning end condition may be, for example, that the number of times the arrangement mechanism 30 passes through the cleaning area exceeds a predetermined number of times. However, in this case, the number of times is a number predetermined as the number of times the reciprocating movement of the arrangement mechanism 30 ends from the time the movable mold 13 is fitted into the fixed mold 12 in step S140 to the time the movable mold 13 is separated from the fixed mold 12.

[0077] When it is determined that the cleaning end condition is satisfied (step S170 —Yes), the control unit 71 controls the cleaning device 40 to cause the cleaning device 40 to end blowing of air (step S180 ).

[0078] Next, the control unit 71 controls the arrangement mechanism 30 to move the arrangement mechanism 30 to the second transfer position (step S190). Figure 5 In the figure, the processing of step S190 is indicated by "moving to the second handover position".

[0079] Next, the control unit 71 controls the second robot 50 to cause the second robot 50 to palletize the plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism 30 located at the second delivery position onto the pallet PT (step S200 ).

[0080] Next, the control unit 71 controls the arrangement mechanism 30 to move the arrangement mechanism 30 to the first transfer position (step S210). Figure 5 In the figure, the processing of step S210 is represented by "moving to the first handover position".

[0081] Next, the control unit 71 determines whether the molding of the plurality of molded products for a predetermined number of times is completed (step S220). For example, in step S220, when the molding of the plurality of molded products is not newly performed by the injection molding unit 11, the control unit 71 determines that the molding of the plurality of molded products for a predetermined number of times is completed. On the other hand, for example, in step S220, when the molding of the plurality of molded products is newly performed by the injection molding unit 11, the control unit 71 determines that the molding of the plurality of molded products for a predetermined number of times is not completed. In addition, the control unit 71 may also be configured to perform the determination of step S220 by other methods.

[0082] When the control unit 71 determines that the stacking of the plurality of molded products on the pallet PT has not been completed (step S220-No), it transfers to step S110 and waits again until the movable mold 13 is separated from the fixed mold 12. In addition, during this waiting process, when the molding of the new plurality of molded products by the injection molding unit 11 is completed, the control unit 71 controls the first moving unit 14 to separate the fixed mold 12 from the movable mold 13. Therefore, the control unit 71 determines that the movable mold 13 is separated from the fixed mold 12 in step S110 after the transfer.

[0083] On the other hand, when the control unit 71 determines that the stacking of the plurality of molded products on the pallet PT is completed (step S220-Yes), the control unit 71 ends. Figure 5 The process of the flowchart shown.

[0084] As described above, the control device 70 does not cause the cleaning device 40 to blow out air when the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 are not fitted, and causes the cleaning device 40 to blow out air when the fixed mold 12 and the movable mold 13 are fitted. Thus, the control device 70 can suppress the entry of foreign matter between the movable mold 12 and the fixed mold 13 by the air blown from the cleaning device 40, and suppress the reduction in molding accuracy of the molded product due to the adhesion of foreign matter.

[0085] In addition, in the injection molding system 1 described above, when the injection molding system 1 is observed toward the negative direction of the X-axis, the injection molding device 10, the cleaning device 40, and the pallet PT are arranged in the order of the injection molding device 10, the cleaning device 40, and the pallet PT toward the positive direction of the Y-axis. Therefore, in the injection molding system 1, foreign matter such as dust generated on the stand BS during the period from when a plurality of molded products are transferred from the configuration mechanism 30 to the second robot 50 may sometimes be scattered on the pallet PT in the sintering device 60. This is not preferred because it may cause the foreign matter to adhere to the plurality of molded products after being cleaned by the cleaning device 40. Therefore, in the injection molding system 1, if Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , a partition plate BD may be provided between the cleaning device 40 and the tray PT.

[0086] Figure 6 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the periphery of the cleaning device 40 when a partition plate BD is provided between the cleaning device 40 and the tray PT. Figure 6 In the example shown, the partition plate BD is provided between the cleaning device 40 and the sintering device 60. Then, the partition plate BD is formed with an opening H for the placement mechanism 30 to enter the sintering device 60.

[0087] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, the arrangement mechanism 30 is passing through the cleaning area below the cleaning device 40. Figure 5 The process of step S160 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The cleaning device 40 reciprocates in the direction indicated by the arrow A6 shown in the figure. Thus, the plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism 30 are sprayed with air blown from the cleaning device 40 each time the arrangement mechanism 30 passes through the cleaning area. Thus, foreign matter attached to the plurality of molded products is blown away by the air and sucked by the cleaning device 40. However, a part of the foreign matter blown away by the air may not be sucked by the cleaning device 40 and fly into the sintering device 60. The partition plate BD can prevent the foreign matter flying into the sintering device 60 from entering the sintering device 60.

[0088] In addition, a baffle plate for opening and closing the opening H, a door for opening and closing the opening H, etc. may be provided on the partition plate BD. In this case, the baffle plate, the door, etc. are controlled by the control device 70. In addition, the partition plate BD may be able to move up and down in parallel with the Z axis, for example. In this case, the control device 70 can move the partition plate BD up or down according to the movement of the configuration mechanism 30, so that the partition plate BD does not hinder the movement of the configuration mechanism 30.

[0089] Furthermore, when the injection molding system 1 is viewed in the negative direction of the X-axis, the injection molding device 10 , the cleaning device 40 , and the tray PT may be arranged in a direction not parallel to the Y-axis.

[0090] Furthermore, the contents described above may be combined in any manner.

[0091] Notes

[0092] [1] An injection molding system, comprising: an injection molding device having an injection molding unit and a first moving unit, the injection molding unit having a fixed unit on which a fixed mold and a movable mold opposed to the fixed mold are mounted and fixed and reciprocatingly movable relative to the fixed mold, the injection molding unit injects a material containing metal powder into a cavity formed between the fixed mold and the movable mold to mold a molded product, the first moving unit moves the movable mold between a mold closing position and a mold opening position; a cleaning device for cleaning the molded product by blowing air onto the molded product taken out of the injection molding device; and a control device for controlling the injection molding device and the cleaning device, the control device not causing the cleaning device to blow out the air when the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted on the fixed unit and the movable mold is not located at the mold closing position, and causing the cleaning device to blow out the air when the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted on the fixed unit and the movable mold is located at the mold closing position.

[0093] [2] According to the injection molding system described in [1], the cleaning device blows ultrasonic vibration air toward the molded product as the air.

[0094] [3] According to the injection molding system described in [1] or [2], the injection molding device, the cleaning device, and the tray carrying the molded product after being cleaned by the cleaning device are arranged in the order of the injection molding device, the cleaning device, and the tray in a predetermined first direction, and a partition is provided between the cleaning device and the tray.

[0095] [4] According to any one of [1] to [3], the injection molding system includes a second movable part, which moves the relative position of the molded product taken out from the injection molding device and the cleaning device, and the control device controls the cleaning device and the second movable part to blow the air toward the molded product when the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed on the fixed part and the movable mold is in the mold closing position.

[0096] [5] According to the injection molding system described in [4], when the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed on the fixed part and the movable mold is located at the mold closing position, the control device controls the cleaning device and the second movable part to repeatedly blow the air toward the molded product, and after the blowing of the air toward the molded product is completed, controls the first movable part to move the movable mold toward the mold opening position.

[0097] [6] According to the injection molding system described in any one of [1] to [5], the injection molding unit molds a plurality of molded products, and the injection molding system includes a configuration mechanism that carries the plurality of molded products taken out from the injection molding device and changes the configuration of the plurality of molded products carried, and the control device controls the cleaning device to blow the air toward the plurality of molded products carried on the configuration mechanism, thereby cleaning the plurality of molded products.

[0098] [7] According to the injection molding system described in [6], the injection molding system includes a robot, which loads the plurality of molded products from the configuration mechanism to a pallet after being cleaned by the cleaning device, and the control device controls the robot to change the intervals between the plurality of molded products after the configuration is changed in the configuration mechanism, and loads the plurality of molded products after the intervals between the plurality of molded products are changed onto the pallet.

[0099] [8] According to the injection molding system described in any one of [1] to [5], the injection molding unit molds a plurality of the molded products in a single injection molding process, and the injection molding system includes: a configuration mechanism on which the plurality of the molded products taken out from the injection molding device are placed; and a robot that places the plurality of the molded products from the configuration mechanism onto a tray, the control device controls the cleaning device to blow the air toward the plurality of the molded products placed on the configuration mechanism, thereby cleaning the plurality of the molded products, the control device controls the robot to change the configuration of the plurality of the molded products after being cleaned by the cleaning device, and places the plurality of the molded products after the configuration of the plurality of the molded products is changed onto the tray.

[0100] [9] An injection molding system according to any one of [1] to [5], the injection molding system comprising: a configuration mechanism on which the molded product taken out from the injection molding device is placed; a second moving unit for moving the relative position of the configuration mechanism and the cleaning device; and a robot for placing the molded product from the configuration mechanism onto a pallet, the control device moving the relative position of the configuration mechanism on which the molded product is placed and the cleaning device, thereby cleaning the molded product with the air, and then placing the cleaned molded product onto the pallet by the robot.

[0101] As mentioned above, the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific structure is not limited to the present embodiment, and changes, replacements, deletions, etc. may be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0102] In addition, the program for realizing the functions of any structural part in the device described above can also be recorded in a computer-readable storage medium so that the computer system reads and executes the program. Here, the device is, for example, a control device 70. In addition, the "computer system" mentioned here includes hardware such as OS (Operating System), peripheral devices, etc. In addition, "computer-readable storage medium" refers to removable media such as floppy disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD (Compact Disk: optical disk)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Furthermore, "computer-readable storage medium" includes a medium that keeps the program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that becomes a server or a user end when the program is sent via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0103] In addition, the above-mentioned program can also be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device, etc. to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having the function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet, a communication line such as a telephone line, etc.

[0104] In addition, the program may be a program for realizing a part of the above functions. Furthermore, the program may be a program that can realize the above functions by combining with a program already recorded in the computer system, and may be a so-called differential file or differential program.

Claims

1. An injection molding system, characterized in that: include: An injection molding device, comprising an injection molding unit and a first moving unit, wherein the injection molding unit comprises a fixed unit on which a fixed mold and a movable mold opposed to the fixed mold and capable of reciprocating relative to the fixed mold are mounted and fixed, the injection molding unit injects a material containing metal powder into a cavity formed between the fixed mold and the movable mold to mold a molded product, and the first moving unit moves the movable mold between a mold closing position and a mold opening position; a cleaning device for cleaning the molded product taken out from the injection molding device by blowing air toward the molded product; as well as a control device for controlling the injection molding device and the cleaning device, The control device When the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted on the fixed portion and the movable mold is not located at the mold clamping position, the cleaning device is not caused to blow the air. When the fixed mold and the movable mold are attached to the fixed portion and the movable mold is located at the mold clamping position, the cleaning device is caused to blow out the air.

2. The injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning device blows ultrasonic vibration air as the air toward the molded product.

3. The injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein: The injection molding device, the cleaning device, and the tray carrying the molded product after being cleaned by the cleaning device are oriented in a predetermined first direction and are arranged in the order of the injection molding device, the cleaning device, and the tray. A partition is provided between the cleaning device and the tray.

4. The injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein: The injection molding system includes a second moving unit that moves the relative position between the molded product taken out from the injection molding device and the cleaning device. The control device controls the cleaning device and the second moving part to blow the air toward the molded product when the fixed mold and the movable mold are attached to the fixed part and the movable mold is located at the mold clamping position.

5. The injection molding system according to claim 4, wherein: When the fixed mold and the movable mold are installed on the fixed part and the movable mold is located at the mold closing position, the control device controls the cleaning device and the second moving part to repeatedly blow the air to the molded product, and after the air blowing to the molded product is completed, controls the first moving part to move the movable mold to the mold opening position.

6. The injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein: The injection molding unit molds a plurality of the molded products. The injection molding system includes an arrangement mechanism that places the plurality of molded products taken out from the injection molding device and changes the arrangement of the placed plurality of molded products. The control device controls the cleaning device to blow the air toward the plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism, thereby cleaning the plurality of molded products.

7. The injection molding system according to claim 6, wherein: The injection molding system includes a robot that places the plurality of molded products cleaned by the cleaning device from the arrangement mechanism onto a tray. The control device controls the robot to change the intervals between the plurality of molded products after the arrangement is changed in the arrangement mechanism, and to place the plurality of molded products after the intervals between the plurality of molded products are changed on the tray.

8. The injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein: The injection molding part molds a plurality of the molded products in one injection molding process. The injection molding system comprises: an arrangement mechanism on which the plurality of molded products taken out from the injection molding device are placed; and A robot places the plurality of molded products from the configuration mechanism onto a tray, The control device controls the cleaning device to blow the air toward the plurality of molded products placed on the arrangement mechanism, thereby cleaning the plurality of molded products. The control device controls the robot to change the arrangement of the plurality of molded products after being cleaned by the cleaning device, and to place the plurality of molded products after the arrangement of the plurality of molded products has been changed on the tray.

9. The injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein: The injection molding system comprises: a configuration mechanism on which the molded product taken out from the injection molding device is placed; A second moving unit moves the relative position between the configuration mechanism and the cleaning device; and The robot places the molded product from the configuration mechanism onto a tray, The control device moves the relative positions of the arrangement mechanism on which the molded products are placed and the cleaning device, thereby cleaning the molded products with the air, and then the robot places the cleaned molded products on the tray.

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