Forming machine

Abstract

The invention provides a forming machine capable of suppressing errors occurring when changing information corresponding to reference forming conditions is provided. The injection molding machine comprises a storage device (73) which stores change information related to change of a setting value of a setting item; and a control device (78) that displays the change information on the display device (71). The change information is stored in a storage device (73) in association with molding condition information indicating molding conditions that are introduced into a control device (78) for molding the molded article when the setting value of the setting item is changed. When a selection operation for selecting molding condition information selected by the selection operation from among a plurality of pieces of change information stored in a storage device (73) is input to an input device (72), a control device (78) extracts change information corresponding to the molding condition information and displays the change information on a display device (71).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a molding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional molding machine management system. The management system has a screen that displays the history of molding condition changes (change information). On this screen, the molding condition name is displayed in relation to the change information related to the changes in the settings included in the molding condition.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-231251 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, the management system in Patent Document 1 saves change information on a daily basis. Although it allows displaying change information on a daily basis, it cannot display change information according to each molding condition name. Therefore, there are situations where change information corresponding to multiple molding condition names is displayed in a mixed manner. When an operator wants to refer to the change information corresponding to a certain molding condition name, they may mistakenly refer to the change information corresponding to a different molding condition name.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a molding machine that can suppress errors that occur when reference molding conditions are changed.

[0009] Technical means to solve the problem

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the molding machine of the present invention includes: a storage device storing change information related to changes in the setting value of a set item; and a control device displaying the change information on a display device. The change information is stored in the storage device in correspondence with molding condition information indicating molding conditions. The molding conditions are introduced to the control device when the setting value of the set item is changed, for use in molding the molded article. If a selection operation for selecting the molding condition information is input to an input device, the control device extracts the change information corresponding to the molding condition information and displays it on the display device. The molding condition information is selected from the change information stored in the storage device via the selection operation.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, modification information corresponding to molding condition information (molding conditions) is extracted and displayed, wherein the molding condition information is selected from modification information stored in a storage device by a selection operation. Therefore, a molding condition can be selected from multiple molding conditions, and only the modification information corresponding to the selected molding condition is displayed. Thus, mixed display of modification information corresponding to multiple molding conditions can be avoided, and errors that may occur when referring to modification information corresponding to molding conditions are suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a schematic structure of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of an injection molding machine;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of an identification information table stored in the storage device of an injection molding machine;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of a change information table stored in the storage device of an injection molding machine;

[0017] Figure 5 This is an example diagram showing a setting screen displayed on the display device of an injection molding machine;

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a first example of a setting history screen displayed on the display device of an injection molding machine;

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing a second example of a setting history screen displayed on the display device of an injection molding machine;

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a third example of a setting history screen displayed on the display device of an injection molding machine;

[0021] Figure 9 This is a fourth example of a setting history screen displayed on the display device of an injection molding machine.

[0022] Symbol explanation:

[0023] 1: Injection molding machine; 10: Main body of the molding machine;

[0024] 2: Mold closing device; 21: Fixed template; 22: Movable template; 23: Mold closing drive mechanism;

[0025] 3: Injection device; 31: Cylinder; 35: Screw; 36: Screw drive mechanism;

[0026] 4: Removal device; 41: Protrusion mechanism;

[0027] 7: Control unit; 71: Display device; 72: Input device; 73: Storage device; 78: Control device;

[0028] 81: Fixed side mold; 82: Movable side mold; 83: Mold cavity;

[0029] Gh: Set history screen; Gh1: Molding condition selection button; Gh2: Molding condition display section; Gh3: Change information name section; Gh4: Change information display section;

[0030] Gi: Input screen; Gi1: Selection list; Gi2: OK button; Gi3: Delete button;

[0031] Gs: Settings screen;

[0032] Ks: Project identification information set; Js: Change information set; Ls: Display information set;

[0033] S: Set up the project; Th: Modify the information table; Ti: Project identification information table. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, regarding an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to... Figures 1-9 The injection molding machine plasticizes the resin material and injects it into the mold cavity to form the molded product.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the injection molding machine 1 according to this embodiment has a molding machine body 10, which includes a mold clamping device 2, an injection device 3, and an extraction device 4. The molding machine body 10 is mounted on a machine base 5. In addition, the injection molding machine 1 has a control unit 7 for controlling the molding machine body 10.

[0036] The mold closing device 2 opens and closes the fixed-side mold 81 and the movable-side mold 82, and closes the mold. The fixed-side mold 81 and the movable-side mold 82 form the mold cavity 83.

[0037] The mold closing device 2 includes a fixed template 21, a movable template 22, and a mold closing drive mechanism 23. A fixed-side mold 81 is mounted on the fixed template 21. A movable-side mold 82 is mounted on the movable template 22. The mold closing drive mechanism 23 includes, for example, an electric motor, a ball screw mechanism, and a toggle mechanism. The mold closing drive mechanism 23, through the fixed template 21 and the movable template 22, causes the fixed-side mold 81 and the movable-side mold 82 to move in the front-to-back direction (…). Figure 1 It is tightened in the left and right directions and generates clamping force.

[0038] The injection device 3 includes a cylinder 31, a nozzle 32, a resin supply section 33, a heater 34, a screw 35, and a screw drive mechanism 36.

[0039] The cylinder body 31 has a cylindrical shape. The cylinder body 31 is arranged in a front-to-back direction. A nozzle 32 is located at the front end of the cylinder body 31. A resin supply section 33 is located at the rear end of the cylinder body 31. The resin supply section 33 has a hopper for containing powdered or granular resin, which is the material to be molded. The resin supply section 33 supplies resin to the cylinder body 31. The heater 34 is, for example, a belt heater located on the outer circumference of the cylinder body 31. The screw 35 is rotatably and movable back-and-forth within the cylinder body 31. The screw drive mechanism 36 includes, for example, an electric motor and a ball screw mechanism. The screw drive mechanism 36 causes the screw 35 to rotate and move back and forth.

[0040] The ejection device 4 has an ejector pin (not shown) and a protrusion mechanism 41. The protrusion mechanism 41 has, for example, a cylinder. The protrusion mechanism 41 drives the ejector pin to remove the molded article from the movable side mold 82.

[0041] Control unit 7 controls the overall movement of injection molding machine 1. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the control unit 7 includes a display device 71, an input device 72, a storage device 73, and a control device 78.

[0042] The display device 71 is, for example, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display.

[0043] The input device 72 is, for example, an operation key or a touch panel. The operation key is, for example, a key on a hardware keyboard. The touch panel is overlapped on the display surface of the display device 71, and combines button images or toggle switch images displayed on the display surface to form software keys. Touching the position corresponding to the button image or toggle switch image on the touch panel (image tap, etc.) is equivalent to operating the software key, that is, inputting an operation to the input device 72.

[0044] Storage device 73 is, for example, a disk drive or a non-volatile memory.

[0045] The storage device 73 stores multiple molding conditions for molding articles. The molding conditions are stored in the form of files that can be read and written by the control device 78. In this embodiment, the name of the molding condition stored in the storage device 73 is the name of the molded article (product name) molded using that molding condition. The names of the multiple molding conditions consist of distinct strings. The control device 78 identifies the molding condition by its name. The control device 78 can also identify the molding condition by its filename. The control device 78 reads (i.e., imports) one of the multiple molding conditions from the storage device 73 and uses it for molding the article.

[0046] Molding conditions include items related to the driving of the clamping device 2, injection device 3, and ejection device 4 of the injection molding machine 1. The set values ​​set in the items included in the molding conditions (molding condition items) are, for example, speed, pressure, temperature, time, travel distance, etc.

[0047] Storage device 73 stores Figure 3 The item identification information table Ti is shown. Item identification information table Ti contains item identification information set Ks, which includes information (item identification information) used to identify molding condition items and control items not included in the molding conditions, along with their related information. Molding condition items include, for example, "initial discharge VP switching" or "back pressure 3". Control items not included in the molding conditions include, for example, "language selection setting" or "system volume". In the following description, molding condition items and control items not included in the molding conditions are summarized and referred to as "setting items S".

[0048] The project identification information set Ks contains project identification information K1, project name K2, and unit K3. Project identification information K1 is used to identify the specified project S. Project identification information K1 is set with a unique number (identification number) assigned to the specified project S. Project name K2 is set with the name of the specified project S identified by project identification information K1, and unit K3 is set with the unit of the specified value of the specified project S. When the specified project S has no unit, the unit K3 column is blank.

[0049] Storage device 73 stores Figure 4 The change information table Th is shown. Change information table Th contains the change information set Js related to setting item S.

[0050] The change information set Js includes number J1, project identification information J2, setting value before change J3, setting value after change J4, change time J5, username J6, and molding condition information J7.

[0051] Number J1 indicates the order in which change information sets Js are added to change information table Th. Item identification information J2 indicates the identification number assigned to the setting item S involved in change information set Js. Setting value before change J3 indicates the setting value of setting item S before change. Setting value after change J4 indicates the setting value of setting item S after change (new setting value). Change time J5 indicates the date and time of changing the setting value of setting item S, that is, the date and time of setting the new setting value in setting item S. Username J6 indicates the login username at change time J5. Molding condition information J7 indicates information showing molding conditions (molding condition information), which are imported into control device 78 at change time J5 for molding of molded articles. In this embodiment, molding condition information J7 indicates the molding condition name (product name). Molding condition information J7 may indicate the file name of the molding condition.

[0052] The control device 78 includes a computer. The control device 78 is communicatively connected to a display device 71, an input device 72, and a storage device 73.

[0053] The control device 78 displays various information on the display device 71 and executes actions based on the input input device 72. It should be noted that the display device 71 and the input device 72 may be, for example, a tablet or laptop computer that is wirelessly connected to the control device 78.

[0054] The control device 78 is communicatively connected to the mold closing drive mechanism 23, the heater 34, the screw drive mechanism 36, and the protrusion mechanism 41. Based on the molding conditions read from the storage device 73, the control device 78 controls the mold closing drive mechanism 23, the heater 34, the screw drive mechanism 36, and the protrusion mechanism 41, etc., to perform molding actions for forming the molded product simultaneously with the molding machine body 10.

[0055] Next, the setting screen and setting history screen displayed on the display device 71 will be explained.

[0056] <Setup Screen>

[0057] The control unit 7 has multiple setting screens for setting values ​​in setting items S. If an operator inputs a specified setting screen display operation to the input device 72, the control device 78 displays the setting screen corresponding to the setting screen display operation on the display device 71.

[0058] Figure 5 The image shows an example of a settings screen Gs used to set values ​​for molding conditions involved in injection and plasticizing. Settings screen Gs displays the current settings for molding conditions involved in injection and plasticizing.

[0059] When a setting screen Gs is displayed on the display device 71, if an operator inputs an operation to the input device 72, the control device 78 overlays an input screen (not shown) on the setting screen Gs for inputting setting values. This operation involves selecting a molding condition item from among multiple molding condition items displayed on the setting screen Gs, and the setting value is set in the selected molding condition item. The input screen may be, for example, a numeric keypad screen or a screen containing a list of values ​​that can be set. Furthermore, the operator uses the input screen to set new setting values ​​in the molding condition items. If a new setting value is set for a molding condition item, the control device 78 overwrites the molding condition file imported at this time and updates it, stored in the storage device 73. It should be noted that the same setting screen is also provided for control items not included in the molding conditions.

[0060] Furthermore, if a new setting value is set for setting item S, the control device 78 generates a set of change information Js related to setting item S and adds it to the beginning of the change information table Th. Figure 4 (At the very top). Figure 4 In the change information table Th shown, change information sets Js are arranged in descending order, starting from the new change time J5. The change information table Th can contain, for example, 1000 change information sets Js. When a new change information set Js is generated after the change information table Th is completely full, the control device 78 deletes the oldest change information set Js at the end of the change information table Th and adds the newly generated change information set Js to the beginning of the change information table Th.

[0061] <Setting up historical scenes>

[0062] The control unit 7 has a setting history screen Gh, which displays change information related to changes in the setting value of setting item S. If an operator inputs a specified setting history display operation into the input device 72, the control device 78 displays the setting history screen Gh on the display device 71. Figures 6-9 This shows an example of the settings history screen Gh. The settings history screen Gh displays a summary of changes related to the settings of setting item S. The settings history screen Gh is, for example, overlaid on the settings screen Gs.

[0063] The history setting screen Gh has a molding condition selection button Gh1, a molding condition display section Gh2, an information name change section Gh3, and an information change display section Gh4.

[0064] The molding condition selection button Gh1 and the molding condition display section Gh2 are arranged horizontally at the top of the setting history screen Gh.

[0065] The molding condition selection button Gh1 is used to display the input screen Gi. The operator uses the input screen Gi to select the molding condition corresponding to the changed information displayed on the setting history screen Gh. If the tap molding condition selection button Gh1 is pressed into the input device 72 without the input screen Gi being displayed, the control device 78 will... Figure 7 As shown, the input screen Gi is overlaid on the setting history screen Gh. The molding condition display unit Gh2 displays the selected molding conditions. When all molding conditions are selected, the molding condition display unit Gh2 displays "All". In the initial state after startup, the control device 78 selects all molding conditions.

[0066] The input screen Gi has a selection list section Gi1, an OK button Gi2, and a delete button Gi3.

[0067] The selection list section Gi1 contains multiple selection buttons. The control device 78 displays these multiple selection buttons in the selection list section Gi1. The last selection button (the bottommost selection button) in the selection list section Gi1 always displays "All," while the other selection buttons display the molding condition name. For example, if the molding condition information J7 of the multiple change information sets Js contained in the change information table Th is any one of "Molded Part 1," "Molded Part 2," "Part 1," or "Part 2," the control device 78, as... Figure 7 As shown, the selection list section Gi1 displays selection buttons Gi11 to Gi15 corresponding to "Molded Part 1", "Molded Part 2", "Part 1", "Part 2", and "All". "All" refers to all molding conditions. Similarly, if the molding condition information J7 of the multiple change information sets Js contained in the change information table Th is either "Molded Part 1" or "Molded Part 2", the control device 78 displays selection buttons Gi11 to Gi13 corresponding to "Molded Part 1", "Molded Part 2", and "All" in the selection list section Gi1.

[0068] If the operation of selecting one of the multiple tap selection buttons (selection operation 1) is input to the input device 72, the control device 78 will highlight the selected selection button through this operation. Figure 7(The dotted-line area is shown in the image). Next, if the tap confirmation button Gi2 (selection operation 2) is input to the input device 72, the control device 78 selects the molding condition corresponding to the highlighted selection button, displays the selected molding condition on the molding condition display section Gh2, and deletes the input screen Gi. When the tap deletion button Gi3 is input to the input device 72, the control device 78 deletes the input screen Gi without changing the currently selected molding condition. Selection operation 1 and selection operation 2 are selection operations for selecting molding conditions (molding condition information). It should be noted that the input screen Gi can also directly input the name of the molding condition without selecting it from the list.

[0069] The information name change section Gh3 is located below the molding condition selection button Gh1 and the molding condition display section Gh2. The control device 78 displays "Number", "Date and Time", "Name", "Old", "New", "Unit" and "Username" in the information name change section Gh3 from left to right.

[0070] The change information display unit Gh4 is located below the change information name unit Gh3. The control device 78 displays change information related to changes in the setting values ​​of setting item S in chronological order on the change information display unit Gh4.

[0071] Specifically, the control device 78 extracts the change information set Js that sets the currently selected molding condition (displayed on the molding condition display unit Gh2) as molding condition information J7 from the multiple change information sets Js contained in the change information table Th. It should be noted that when all molding conditions are selected, all change information sets Js are extracted. The control device 78 generates a display information set Ls, which is displayed on the change information display unit Gh4. The display information set Ls arranges the change time J5 of the extracted change information set Js, the name and unit of the setting item S identified by the item identification information J2 (identification number) (item name K2 and unit K3 in item identification information table Ti), the setting value before change J3, the setting value after change J4, and the username J6 in left-to-right order. Figure 6 For ease of explanation, the information set Ls is enclosed in an ellipse with a single dotted line, but the ellipse is not actually displayed. In the change information display unit Gh4, the change time J5, item name K2, unit K3, previous setting J3, new setting J4, and username J6 are respectively set to correspond to the "date and time," "name," "unit," "old," "new," and "username" in the change information name unit Gh3. Furthermore, the control device 78 arranges and displays each display information set Ls in descending order, starting from the new change time J5. The multiple display information sets Ls displayed in the change information display unit Gh4 can be scrolled vertically.

[0072] For example, when all molding conditions are selected, the control device 78 extracts all the multiple change information sets Js contained in the change information table Th, and displays the display information set Ls generated using the extracted change information sets Js on the change information display unit Gh4. Figure 6 ).

[0073] Furthermore, when the molding condition named "Molded Article 1" is selected, the control device 78 extracts the modification information set Js from the multiple modification information sets Js contained in the modification information table Th, and displays the display information set Ls generated using the extracted modification information set Js on the modification information display unit Gh4. Figure 8 The modified information set Js sets "molded product 1" as molding condition information J7.

[0074] Furthermore, when the molding condition named "Molded Article 2" is selected, the control device 78 extracts the modification information set Js from the multiple modification information sets Js contained in the modification information table Th, and displays the display information set Ls generated using the extracted modification information set Js on the modification information display unit Gh4. Figure 9 The modified information set Js sets "molded product 2" as molding condition information J7.

[0075] The information contained in the display information set Ls (e.g., setting value J3 before change, setting value J4 after change, and change time J5) is the change information involved in the setting value change of setting item S.

[0076] As described above, the injection molding machine 1 includes: a storage device 73 storing change information related to changes in the setting value of a setting item S; and a control device 78 displaying the change information on a display device 71. The change information is stored in the storage device 73 corresponding to molding conditions (molding condition information), which are introduced to the control device 78 when the setting value of the setting item S is changed, as they are used for molding the molded article. If a selection operation for selecting a molding condition is input to the input device 72, the control device 78 retrieves the change information corresponding to the molding condition and displays it on the display device 71. The molding condition is selected from the change information set Js stored in the storage device 73 through a selection operation. Therefore, a molding condition can be selected from multiple molding conditions, and only the change information corresponding to the selected molding condition is displayed. Thus, mixed display of change information corresponding to multiple molding conditions can be avoided, and errors that occur when referring to change information corresponding to the molding condition are suppressed.

[0077] Additionally, the control device 78 displays a list of molding conditions (molding condition information) on the display device 71, and the molding conditions and corresponding change information are stored in the storage device 73. The selection operation is used to select one of the molding conditions included in the list. Therefore, the desired molding condition can be easily selected from the molding conditions displayed in the list.

[0078] In addition, the change information includes at least the setting value before the change J3, the setting value after the change J4, and the change time J5. The change information may include project identification information J2 and / or information related to project identification information J2 (project name K2, unit K3). Thus, by displaying the change information, one can know the content and time of the change in the setting value of the setting project S.

[0079] This specification describes an injection molding machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to injection molding machines. The present invention can be applied to other types of molding machines such as die casting machines.

[0080] The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Any additions, deletions, design changes, or appropriate combinations of features of the embodiments made by those skilled in the art relative to the foregoing embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A molding machine having a storage device in which change information concerning change of a set value of a set item is stored, a control device that displays the change information on a display device, characterized in that the change information is stored in the storage device in correspondence with molding condition information showing a molding condition that is introduced into the control device for molding of a molded article at the time of change of the set value of the set item, the control device extracts the change information corresponding to the molding condition information selected by a selection operation for selecting the molding condition information from the change information stored in the storage device by the selection operation and displays the change information on the display device, the control device displays a list of the molding condition information stored in the storage device in correspondence with the change information on the display device, the selection operation is an operation for selecting one of the molding condition information contained in the list, and the change information contains at least a set value before change, a set value after change, and a change time.

2. The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the change information contains a set value before change, a set value after change, and a change time.

3. The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the change information contains a set value before change, a set value after change, a change time, and a change reason.

4. The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the change information contains a set value before change, a set value after change, a change time, a change reason, and a change person.

2. The molding machine of claim 1, wherein 5. The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the change information contains a set value before change, a set value after change, a change time, a change reason, a change person, and a change date. ​ 3. The molding machine of claim 1, wherein ​

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